Now Showcasing: The Book of Margery Kempe

ihc̅Ihesu crist

1

h

H

Ere begynnyth a schort tretys and a comfortabyl · for

synful wrecchys · wher in þei may haue gret solas

and co͒fortcomfort to hem · and vndyrstondyn þ^eþe hy · & vnspe⸗

cabyl m᷑cymercy of ower souereyn Sauyowr cryst Ihu̅Ihesu

whos name be worschepd and mgnyfyedmagnyfyed w^twyth owten ende ·· þ^tþat

now in ower days to vs vnworthy deyneth to ex᷑cysenexercysen

hys nobeley & hys goodnesse / · Alle þ^eþe werkys of ower Sa⸗

viowr ben for ower exampyl & instruccyon ⎣And what gcegrace

þ^tþat he werkyth in any creatur  is ower ꝓfythprofyth yf lak of

charyte be not ower hynderawnce ·[And þ ᷑þer for be þ^eþe leue

of ower m᷑cyfulmercyful lord cryst Ihu͒Ihesu to þ^eþe magnyfying of hys

holy name IcIhesu crist· þⁱsþis lytyl tretys · schal tretyn su̅deelsumdeel in ⸗

parcel of hys wonderful werkys ·· how m᷑cyfullymercyfully how be⸗

nȳglynyngly & how charytefully · he meued & stered a synful

caytyf vn to hys love · whech synful caytyf many ȝerꝭȝerys

was in wyl and in pposepurpose · thorw stery͒gsteryng of þ^eþe holy gost · to

folwyn

‸

oure

savyo savyour · makyng gret behestys of fastyngꝭfastyngys · wyth

many oþ ᷑oþer dedys of penawns ·· And eu᷑euer sche was turned

a ȝen a bak in tym of temptacyon · lech vn to þe reed ⸗

spyr · whech boweth w^twyth eu᷑yeuery wynd & neu ᷑neuer is stable · les

þan no wynd bloweth ·· vn to þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat ower m᷑cyfullemercyfulle

lord · cryst Ihu̅Ihesu · hauyng pety · & co͒passioncompassion of hys hand⸗

werke & hys creatur  tn᷑ydturnyd helth in to sekenesse · ꝓsꝑy⸗prospery⸗

te in to adu᷑syteaduersyte · worshep in to repref & love in to

hatered ·/ thus alle þⁱsþis thyngꝭthyngys tnyngturnyng vp so down ·/ þⁱsþis

creatur whych many ȝerys had gon wyl & eu᷑euer ben

vnstable · was ꝑfythlyperfythly drawen & steryd to entren

þe wey of hy · ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon ·/ whech ꝑfythparfyth wey · cryst ower

Savyowr in hys ꝓpyrpropyr ꝑsoonepersoone examplyd · sadly · he ⸗

trad it · & dewly he went it · be forn ·· Than þⁱsþis crea⸗

tur of whom thys tretys · thorw þe m᷑cymercy of IhuIhesu schal

schewen in ꝑtyparty þe leuyng ·/ towched be þe hand of ower ⸗

lord wyth grett bodyly sekenesse · wher thorw sche lost reson

& her wyttes a long tym ·· tyl ower lord be grace restoryd

her a geyn · as it schal mor openly be schewed aftyrward ·

Her werdly goodꝭgoodys whech wer plentyuows & abundawnt

at þ^tþat day · in lytyl whyle after wer ful bareyn & bare ··

/þ⸧þan was pompe & pryde cast down & leyd on syde ·/ þ^eiþei ⸗

þ^tþat be forn had worshepd her · sythen ful scharply rep᷑uydrepreuyd

her ·/ her kynred & þei that had ben frendꝭfrendys · wer now hyr

most enmys / than sche ꝯsyderyngconsyderyng þis wondf᷑ulwondirful chawn⸗

gyng · Sekyng socosocowr vnd ᷑vndir þe wengꝭwengys of hyr gostly modyr

holy cherch ·· went & obeyd hyr to hyr gostly fadyr ·· Accu⸗

syng hyr self of her mysdedꝭmysdedys · & sythen ded gret bodyly

penawns ··/ and in schort tyme ower m᷑cyfulmercyful lord vy⸗

sytyd þⁱsþis creatur w^twyth plentyuows teerys of ꝯt̍cyoncontricyon

day be day ·· in so mech · þ^tþat su̅mensummen seyden sche mygth

wepen whan sche wold & slawndered þ^eþe werk of god ·

Sche was so vsyd to be slawndred & rep᷑uedrepreued ·· to be che⸗

den & rebuked of þe world · for gcegrace & v᷑tuvertu · w^twyth whech

sche was indued · thorw þ^eþe strength of þ^eþe holy gost · /

/þ^tþat it was to her in a man ᷑maner of solas & comfort · wh⸧whan

sche sufferyd any dysese for þe lofe of god · & for þe

grace þ^tþat god wrowht in hyr ·· ffor eu᷑euer þe mor slawnder

& repref þ^tþat sche sufferyd · þe mor sche incresyd in gcegrace

& in deuocyon of holy medytacyon · of hy · co̅templa⸗contempla⸗

cyon & of wonderful spechys · & dalyawns ·· whech o owr ·

dalyid

lord spak and dalyid to hyr sowle ·/ techyng hyr how

sche schuld be despysed for hys lofe / how sche schuld

han pacyens · settyng all hyr trost · alle hyr lofe ·· aAnd

alle hyr affeccyon in hym only ·[ Sche knew & vndyr⸗

stod many secret & p᷑uypreuy thyngꝭthyngys · whech schuld beffalle̅beffallen

aft ᷑wardaftirward be inspiracyon of þe holy gost ·/ And often

tymes · whel sche was kept w^twyth swech holy spechys & ⸗

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dalyawns ·/ sche schuld so wepyn & sobbyn þ^tþat many men wer

gretly a wondyr ·/ for þei wysten ful lytyl how homly ower

ihc̅Ihesu crist

lord was in hyr sowle ·⎣ ne hyr self cowd neu᷑neuer telle þe ⸗

grace þ^tþat sche felt it was so heuenly · So hy a bouen hyr

reson & hyr bodyly wyttꝭwyttys ·/ And hyr body so febyl in tym

of þ^eþe p᷑senspresens of grace · þat sche myth neu᷑neuer exp᷑ssynexpressyn it ·

wyth her word · lych as sche felt it in hyr sowle ·/ Th⸧Than

nota

had þⁱsþis creatur mech drede for illusyons & deceytys

of hyr gostly enmys ·⎣ þan went sche be þ^eþe byddyng

of þe holy gost · to many worshepful clerkys ·· bothe ⸗

Archebysshopys & Bysshoppys · docto sdoctowrs of dyuynyte

& Bachelers also · Sche spak also w^twyth many Ankrys

and schewed hem hyr man᷑maner of leuyng · & swech grace

as þe holy gost of hys goodnesse wrowt in hyr mende

and in hyr sowle as her wytt wold ẜuynseruyn hyr to ex⸗

p᷑ssynpressyn it ·/ And þei alle þ^tþat sche schewed hyr secretꝭsecretys vn to

seyd sche was mech bownde to louen ower lord · for þ^eþe

grace þ^tþat he schewyd vn to hyr ·/ And cownseld hyr to

folwyn hyr meuynggꝭmeuynggys & hyr steringgꝭsteringgys · & trustly · be⸗

levyn it weren of þe holy gost & of noon euyl spy⸗

ryt · Su͒meSumme of these worthy & worshepful clerkys

tokyn it in ꝑelperel of ther sowle and as þei wold an⸗

swer to god · þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur was inspyred w^twyth þ^eþe holy

gost · And bodyn hyr þ^tþat sche schuld don he̅hem wryten

& makyn a Booke · of hyr felyngꝭfelyngys & hir reuelacyons

¶

⎣Su̅Sum ꝓferydproferyd hir to wrytyn hyr felyngꝭfelyngys w^twyth her owe̅owen

handys · & sche wold not co̅sentynconsentyn in no wey  ⎡for

sche was comawndyd in hir sowle þ^tþat sche schuld

not wrytyn so soone · & so it was xx · ȝer & mor

noᷓnota ·
XX ȝere

fro þ^tþat tym þⁱsþis creatur had fyrst felyngꝭfelyngys & reuela⸗

cyons er þ⸧þan sche dede any wryten ·/ Aftyrward ⸗

whan it plesyd ower lord he comawnded hyr & ⸗

ih̅cIhesu crist

chargyd hir þ^tþat sche xuld don wryten hyr felyngꝭfelyngys & reuela⸗

cyons & þe forme of her leuyng · þ^tþat hys goodnesse myth be

knowyn to alle þe world · Than had þe creatur no wryt ᷑wryter

þ^tþat wold fulfyllyn hyr desyr · ne ȝeue credens to hir felingꝭfelingys ·

/vn to þe tym þ^tþat a man dwellyng in dewchlond · whech

was an englyschm⸧englyschman in hys byrth & sythen weddyd in

dewchland · & had þer boþe a wyf & a chyld · hauyng/ good

knowlach of þⁱsþis creatur & of hir desyr ·· meued I trost ·

thorw þe holy gost ·/ c⸧cam in to yngland w^twyth hys wyfe &

hys goodꝭgoodys · & dwellyd w^twyth þ^eþe forseyd creatur · tyl he had

wretyn as mech as sche wold tellyn hym for þ^eþe tym

þ^tþat þei wer to gydder ·/ and sythen he deyd · Than was

þer a p᷑stprest whech þⁱsþis creatur had gret affeccyon to · &

so sche comownd w^twyth hym of þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater & browt hym þe

Boke to redyn ·/ þe booke was so euel wretyn þ^tþat he ⸗

cowd lytyl skyll þ ᷑þer on · for it was neiþ ᷑neiþyr good englysch

ne dewch ·/ ne þe lett ᷑lettyr was not schapyn ne formyd

as oþ ᷑oþer letters ben ·⎣ þ ᷑þer for þe p᷑stprest leued fully þ ᷑þer schuld

neu᷑neuyr man redyn it · but it wer special grace ·/ neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe ⸗

lesse he behyte hir þ^tþat if he cowd redyn it he wolde

copyn it owt & wrytyn it bet ᷑betyr w^twyth good wylle ·/ than was

þ ᷑þer so euel spekyng of þⁱsþis creatur & of hir wepyng · þ^tþat þ^eþe

prest durst not for cowardyse speke w^twyth her · but sel⸗

dom ·/ ne not wold wryten as he had be hestyd vn to

þe forseyd creatur & so he voyded & deferryd þe wryty͒gwrytyng

of þⁱsþis boke wel on to a iiii

////

ȝer or ellys mor · / not w^twyth⸗

standyng þe creatur cryed often on hym þ ᷑þer for · At þ^eþe

last he seyd on to hir þ^tþat he cowd not redyn it wher for

he wold not do it · he wold not he seyd put hym in

ꝑelperel þ ᷑þer of · þan he cownseld hir to gon to a good man

whech had ben mech co͒u᷑sawntconversawnt w^twyth hym þ^tþat wrot fyrst

þe booke · supposyng þ^tþat he schuld cun best rede þ^eþe booke

for he had sum tym red letters of þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer ma̅nysmannys wryty͒gwrytyng ⸗

3

sent fro be ȝonden þe see · whyl he was in dewchland · And so sche

went to þat man p᷑yngpreyng hym to wrytyn þⁱsþis booke & neu᷑neuer to

be wreyn it as long as sche leued · grawntyng hym a grett

su͒mesumme of good for hys labo labowr · And þⁱsþis good man wrot a bowt

a leef / & ȝet it was lytyl to þe pposepurpose / for he cowd not wel

fare þ ᷑þer wyth ·/ þe boke was so euel sett & so vnresonably w⸗

tynwre⸗

tyn ·· Than þ^eþe p᷑stprest was vexyd in his co͒sciensconsciens for he had be⸗

hestyd hyr to wrytyn þⁱsþis boke · ȝyf he mygth com to þe

redyng þ ᷑þer of ·· & dede not hys part as wel as he mygth a⸗

do ·· And p᷑ydpreyd þⁱsþis creatur to getyn a geyn þe booke yf sche

myth goodly · [þan sche gat a geyn þe book & browt it to

þe p᷑stepreste w^twyth rygth glad cher ·· p᷑yngpreyng hy̅hym to do hys good wyl ·

And sche schuld p᷑yprey to god for hym & pchasynpurchasyn hym gcegrace

to reden it & wrytyn it also ·/ þe p᷑stepreste trustyng in hire

pyersprayers be gan to redyn þⁱsþis booke & it was mych mor esy

as hym thowt þa̅þan it was be forn tym & so he red it ou᷑ouyr

be forn þⁱsþis creatur eu᷑yeuery word · sche su̅sum tym helpyng where

ony difficulte was Thys boke is not wretyn in ordyr

eu᷑yeuery thyng aft ᷑aftyr oþ ᷑oþer as it wer don ·/ but lych as þe mater

ca̅cam to þe creatur in mend whan it schuld be wretyn ·/ for

it was so long er it was wretyn þ^tþat sche had for getyn þe

tyme & þe ordyr whan thyngꝭthyngys befellyn ·/ And þ ᷑þer for sche ⸗

dede no þing wryten but þ^tþat sche knew rygth wel for v᷑yvery

trewth ·· [Whan þe p᷑stprest began fyrst to wryten on þⁱsþis booke

hys eyn myssyd so þ^tþat he mygth not se to make hys lett ᷑lettyr ·

ne mygth not se to mend hys penne ·· Alle oþ ᷑oþer thyng he ⸗

mygth se wel a now · he sett a peyr

of

spͨtaclesspectacles on hys nose

& þan wast wel wers þ⸧þan it was be for · · he co͒pleynedcompleyned to þ^eþe

hale

creatur · of hys dysese ·/ Sche seyd hys enmy had envye at

hys good dede & wold lett hym yf he mygth ·· & bad hy̅hym do as

wel as god wold ȝeue hy̅hym gcegrace & not levyn ·· Wh⸧Whan he ca̅cam a

nota

geyn to hys booke ·· he myth se as wel hy̅hym thowt as eu᷑euer he

dede be for be day lyth & be ca̅delcandel lygth boþ^eboþe · & for þⁱsþis cause wh⸧whan

he had wrety̅wretyn a · qwayr he addyd a leef þ ᷑þer to · And þa̅þan wrot he

þis ꝓymproym to exp᷑ssynexpressyn mor openly · þ⸧þan doth þ^eþe next folwyng ⸗

which was wretyn er þa̅þan þⁱsþis · Anno dm̅domini M^lo · CCCC · xxxvi  

a

A

Schort tretys of a creature sett in grett pompe &

p̍depride of þe world whech sythen was drawyn to ower

lord be gret pou᷑tepouerte sekenes schamis & gret rep᷑uysrepreuys

in many diuers co͒trescontres & places of whech t̍bulacyonstribulacyons su̅sum

schal ben schewed aft ᷑aftyr not in ordyr as it fellyn · but as

þe creatur cowd han mend of hem wh⸧whan it wer wretyn

ffor it was xx · ȝer & mor fro tym þⁱsþis creatur had for⸗

sake þe world · and besyly clef on to ower lord or þⁱsþis boke

was wretyn ·/ not wythstondy̅gwythstondyng þⁱsþis creatur had greet

cownsel for to don wryten hir t̍bulacyonstribulacyons & hir felin⸗

gꝭgys · And a whyte frer ꝓferydproferyd hir to wryte͒wryten frely yf sche

wold · And sche was warnyd in hyr spyrit þ^tþat sche xuld

not wryte so sone · And many ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr sche was bodyn

in hyr spyrit for to wrytyn · And þ⸧þan ȝet it was wrety͒wretyn

fyrst be a m⸧man whech cowd neiþ ᷑neiþyr wel wryten englysch

ne duch · so it was vn able for to be red but only be

specyal grace · for þ ᷑þer was so mech obloquie & slawndyr

of þⁱsþis creatur · þ^tþat þ ᷑þer wold fewe men beleue þⁱsþis creatur

And so at þ^eþe last a p᷑stepreste was sor mevyd for to wrytin

þⁱsþis tretys & he cowd not wel redyn it of a iiii · ȝere

to gedyr & sythen be þe reqͤstrequest of þⁱsþis creatur & co̅pel⸗compel⸗

yng of hys owyn co͒sciensconsciens he asayd a gayn for to

rede it & it was mech mor esy · þ⸧þan it was a for tyme

¶

And so he gan to wryten in þe ȝer of oowr lord a · M ·

CCCC · xxxvi · on þe day next aft ᷑aftyr ⎣Mary Maudelyn

aft ᷑aftyr þe informacyon of þⁱsþis creatur  ¶ca^mcapitulum p·^mprimum·

w

W

han þⁱsþis creatur was xx ȝer of age or su̅delesumdele ⸗

mor Sche was maryed to a worschepful B geysBurgeys

of lyn

and was w^twyth chylde w^twyth in schort tyme as kynde

wolde · And aft ᷑aftyr þat sche had co͒ceyuedconceyued sche was labowrd

with grett accessys tyl þe chyld was born & þan what

for labo labowr sche had in chyldyng & for sekenesse goyng be⸗

forn · sche dysꝑeddyspered of hyr lyfe · weny̅gwenyng sche mygth not

leuyn · And þan sche sent for hyr gostly fadyr ·· for sche ⸗

4

had a thyng in conscyens whech sche had neu᷑neuer schewyd be

forn þ^tþat tyme in alle hyr lyfe ·/ for sche was eu᷑euer lettyd be

hyr enmy þ^eþe deuel · eu᷑euer mor seyng to hyr whyl sche was

in good heele ·/ hir nedyd no co̅fessyonconfessyon · but don penawns

be hir self a loone & all schuld be for ȝouyn · for god is

m᷑cyfulmercyful i now ·· And þ ᷑þer for þⁱsþis creatur oftyn tymes dede

greet penawns in fastyng bred & watyr & oþ ᷑oþer dedꝭdedys of al⸗

mes ·· w^twyth devowt p᷑yerspreyers ·· saf sche wold not schewyn it in

co̅fessyonconfessyon ·· And whan sche was any tym seke or dysesyd

noᷓnota

þ^eþe deuyl seyd in her mende þ^tþat sche schuld be dampnyd · for

sche was not schreuyn of þ^tþat defawt ·· Wherfor aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat hir

chyld was born · sche not trostyng hir lyfe · sent for hir

gostly fadyr as I · seyd be forn in ful wyl to be schreuyn

of alle hir lyfe tym as ner as sche cowde ·· & whan

sche cam to þe poynt for to seyn þ^tþat þing whech sche

had so long conselyd · hir co͒fesso confessowr was a lytyl to hastye ·

&

be

gan scharply to vndyrnemyn hir er þ⸧þan sche had ful⸗

ly seyd hir entent · & so sche wold no mor seyn · for nowt

he mygth do ·· And a noon for dreed sche had of da͒pna⸗dampna⸗

¶

cyon on þe to syde · & hys scharp rep᷑uyngrepreuyng on þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer side ··

/þⁱsþis creatur went owt of hir mende & was wondyrlye

vexid & labowryd w^twyth spyritꝭspyritys half ȝer · viii wekys & odde

days ·And in þⁱsþis tyme sche sey as hir thowt deuelys opyn

her mowthys al inflaumyd w^twyth brennyg lowys of fyr · as

þei schuld a swalwyd hyr in · Sum tyme rampyng at hyr

su̅sum tyme thretyng her su⸧sum tym pullyng hyr & haly̅ghalyng hir

boþ^eboþe nygth & day · duryng þe forseyd tyme ·· And also þ^eþe deue⸗

lys cryed up on hir w^twyth greet thretyngꝭthretyngys & bodyn hir sche

schuld forsake hir crystendmͣcrystendam hir feyth ·· and denyin hir

god · hys modyr · & alle þe seyntꝭseyntys in heuyn · hyr goode w ᷑⸗wer⸗

kys & alle good v᷑tuesvertues ·· hir fadyr· hyr Modyr · & alle hire

frendys · And so sche dede · Sche slawndred hir husbond

hir frendys and her owyn self · sche spak many a p᷑uowsrepreuows ⸗

worde and many a schrewyd worde sche knew no v᷑tuvertu ne goodnesse

sche desyryd all wykkydnesse lych as þ^eþe spyrytys temptyd hir · to

sey & do so sche seyd & dede · Sche wold a fordon hir self many

a tym at her steryngꝭsteryngys & a ben damnyd w^twyth hem in helle · & in

to wytnesse þ ᷑þer of · sche bot hir owen hand so vyolently ·· þ^tþat it

was seen al hir lyfe aft ᷑aftyr ·/ And also sche roof hir skyn on hir

body a ȝen hir hert w^twyth hir nayles spetowsly· for sche had n̅o̅o̅noon

oþ ᷑oþer instrumentꝭinstrumentys & wers sche wold a don saf sche was bown⸗

dyn & kept w^twyth strength · boþ^eboþe day & nygth · þ^tþat sche mygth not

haue hir wylle· & whan sche had long ben labowrd in þ^esþes

& many oþ ᷑oþer temptacyons · þat men wend sche schuld neu᷑neuer

a skapyd ne levyd ·· / þan on a tym as sche lay a loone And

ih̅cIhesu crist_

hir kepars wer fro hir · Owyr M᷑cyfulmercyful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu · eu᷑euer

to be trostyd worshypd be hys name· neu᷑neuer forsakyng hys

ẜuawntseruawnt in tyme of nede aperyd to thys creatur whych

had forsakyn hym · in lyknesse of a man · most semly ·

most bewtyuows · & most amyable · þ^tþat eu᷑euer mygth be seen ·

w^twyth mannys eye · clad in a mantyl of ppylsylkepurpylsylke· sytty̅gsyttyng up

on hir beddꝭbeddys syde · lokyng vp on hir w^twyth so blyssyd a chere

þ^tþat sche was strengthyd in alle hir spyritꝭspyritys · Seyd to hir þ^esþes

wordꝭwordys ·· Dowtyr why hast þow forsakyn me · And I forsoke

neu᷑neuer þe · And a noon as he had seyd þes wordꝭwordys ·· sche saw

v᷑ylyveryly how þe eyr openyd as brygth as ony levyn / & he

stey up in to þe eyr · not rygth hastyli · & qwykly / but

fayr & esly · þat sche mygth wel be holdyn hym in þe

eyr · tyl it was closyd a geyn ·· And a noon þe creature

nota

was stabelyd in hir wyttꝭwyttys & in hir reson as wel as eu᷑euer

sche was be forn ·· And p᷑ydpreyd hir husbond as so soon as

he cam to hir · þ^tþat sche mygth haue þe keys of þe Botery

to takyn hir mete & drynke as sche had don be forn ·

hyr Maydens & hir kepars cownseld hym he xulde de⸗

lyu᷑lyuyr hir no keys for þei seyd sche wold but ȝeue awey ⸗

5

swech good as þ ᷑þer was for sche wyst not what sche seyde as

þei wende ·/ neu᷑neuer þe lesse hir husbond eu᷑euer hauyng tendyrnes

& co͒passyoncompassyon of hir comawndyd þei xulde delyu᷑delyuyr to hyr

þe keys · And toke hyr mete & drynke as hir bodily stre̅gthstrength

wold ẜuynseruyn hir ·/& knew hir frendꝭfrendys · & hir meny & all oþ ᷑oþer

þ^tþat cam to hir to se how owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst had wrowt

hys grace in hir so blyssyd mot he be · þ^tþat eu᷑euer is ner in

tribulacyon whan men wenyn he wer for fro hem

he is ful nere be hys grace ·· Sythen þⁱsþis creatur dede

alle oþ ᷑oþer ocupacyons as fel for hir to do wysly & sadly I

now saf sche knew not veryli þe drawt of owyr lord  ·

a

A

nd whan þⁱsþis creatur was þus gracyowsly come͒comen

¶

ca^m 2^mcapitulum 2m

a geyn to hir mende · sche thowt sche was

bowndyn to god & þ^tþat sche wold ben his ẜuawntseruawnt ·

⎣neu᷑neuyr þe lesse sche wold not leeuyn hir p̍depride ne hir po̅powspompows

aray þat sche had vsyd be for tym · neiþ ᷑neiþer for hyr hus⸗

bond ne for noon oþ ᷑oþer mannys cownsel ·· And ȝet sche wyst

ful wel · þ^tþat men seyden hir ful mech velany · for sche

weryd gold pypys on hir hevyd & hir hodys w^twyth þ^eþe typettꝭtypettys

were daggyd · hir clokys also wer daggyd & leyd w^twyth dyu᷑sdyuers

colowrs be twen þe daggys þat it schuld be þe mor sta⸗

ryng to mennys sygth · and hir self þe mor ben worshepd ·

And whan hir husbond wold speke to hir for to leuyn

hir p̍depride  sche answeryd schrewydly & schortly & seyd / þ^tþat

sche was comyn of worthy kenred · hym semyd neu᷑neuer for

to a weddyd hir · for hir ffadyr was su̅sum tyme Meyr of

þe town · n · And sythyn he was Alderman of þe hey

gylde of þe T ᷑nyteTrinyte in · N · And þ ᷑þer for sche wold sauyn þ^eþe

worschyp of hir kynred what so eu᷑euer ony m⸧man seyd ·· Sche

had ful greet envye at hir neybowrs þ^tþat þei schuld ben

arayd so wel as sche ·· Alle hir desyr was for to be wor⸗

shepd of þe pepul ·/ Sche wold not be war be onys chas⸗

tysyng · ne be co̅tentcontent w^twyth þe goodys þ^tþat god had sent hire ⸗

as hir husbond was but eu᷑euer desyryd mor & mor · And than for

pure coveytyse & for to Maynten hir p̍depride · sche

be

gan to brewyn

& was on of þe grettest brewers in þe town N ·· a ·· iii · ȝer or iiii ·

noᷓnota

tyl sche lost mech good · for sche had neu᷑neuer vre þ ᷑þer to ·/ for thow ⸗

sche had neu᷑neuer so good ẜuawntꝭseruawntys & cu͒nyngcunnyng in brewy͒gbrewyng ] ȝet it wold

neu᷑neuer p᷑uynpreuyn w^twyth hem / for whan þe ale was as fayr standyng

vndyr berm as any ma⸧man mygth se ·· Sodenly þe Berm wold

fallyn down þ^tþat alle þ^eþe ale was lost · eu᷑yeuery brewy͒gbrewyng aft ᷑aftyr oþer ·

⎣þ^tþat hir ẜuawntꝭseruawntys weryn a schamyd & wold not dwellyn w^twyth

hir · ⎣þan þⁱsþis creatur þowt how god had pu̅

ne

chedpun

ne

ched hir be for

tyme · & sche cowd not be war · And now eftsons be lesy̅glesyng

of hir goodꝭgoodys ·· & þ⸧þan sche left & brewyd no mor · And þan

nota

sche askyd hir husbond m᷑cymercy · for sche wold not folwyn

hys cownsel a for tyme · And sche seyd þ^tþat hir p̍depride and

synne was cause of alle her pu̅schy̅gpunschyng · And sche wold

amend þ^tþat sche had trespasyd w^twyth good wyl · ⎣but ȝet sche ⸗

left not þ^eþe world al hol ·· ffor now sche be thowt hir of a ⸗

newe huswyfre · Sche had an hors Mille · sche gat hire

tweyn good hors & a man to gryndyn mennys corne

& þus sche trostyd to getyn hir leuyng  [þⁱsþis ꝓvysionprovysion

duryd not longe for in schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr · on · corpꝰcorpus xp͒ixristi

evyn fel þⁱsþis merueyl ·· Thys ma⸧man being in good heele

of body & hys tweyn hors craske & lykand þ^tþat wel haddyn

drawyn in þe mylle be for tyme ·· As now he toke on

of þⁱsþis hors & put hym in þe Mylle as he had don be for ·

& þⁱsþis hors wold drawe no drawt in þ^eþe Mylle for no þing

þe man mygth do · ⎡þe man was sory & asayd wyth al

hys wyttꝭwyttys · how he schuld don þⁱsþis hors drawyn Su̅Sum tyme

he led hym be þe heed · su͒sum tyme he beet hym · & sum

tyme he chershyd hym And alle avayled not · for he

wold raþer gon bakward þ⸧þan forward · [þ⸧þan þⁱsþis ma⸧man sett

a scharp peyr sporys on hys helys & rood on þ^eþe hors bak

for to don hym drawyn & it was neu᷑neuer þe bett ᷑better · Whan

þⁱsþis ma⸧man saw it wold be in no wey · ⎣þ⸧þan het sett up þⁱsþis hors ⸗

6

a geyn in þe stabyl and ȝafe hym mete & he ete weel &

freschly ⎡& sythen he toke þe oþ ᷑oþer hors & put hym in þ^eþe Mylle

And lech as hys felaw dede so dede he for he wold not dra⸗

we for any þing þ^tþat þe man mygth do · And þ⸧þan þⁱsþis man

forsoke hys ẜuyseseruyse & wold no lengar abyden w^twyth þ^eþe forn⸗

seyd creatur · A noon as it was noysed a bowt þe town

of N · þ^tþat þ ᷑þer wold neyþ᷑neyþyr man ne best · don ẜuyseseruyse to þe

seyd creatur · þ⸧þan su̅mesumme seyden sche was a Cursyd · Su̅Sum

seyden · god toke opyn veniawns up on hir · Su̅Sum seyd on

& su̅sum seyd an oþ ᷑oþer · And su̅sum wyse men whos mende was

mor growndyd in þe lofe of owyr lord · seyd it was þ^eþe

hey m᷑cymercy of o our lord IuIhesu cryst · clepyd & kallyd hir fro þ^eþe p̍depride

and vanyte of þe wretthyd world · And þan þⁱsþis creatur seyng

alle þⁱsþis adu᷑sytesaduersytes comyng on eu᷑yeuery syde · thowt it weryn þe

sko gesskowrges of ow owyr lord · þ^tþat wold chastyse hir for hir synne · [þan

mcemerce

sche askyd god m᷑cymercy & forsoke hir p̍depride hir coueytyse & desyr

þ^tþat sche had of þ^eþe worshepys of þe world & dede grett bodyly

penawnce & gan to entyr þe wey of eu᷑euer lestyng lyfe as

schal be seyd aftyr 

ca^m 3^mcapitulum 3m·

o

^{icihesucrist}

O

N a nygth as þⁱsþis creatur lay in hir bedde wyth

hir husbond · sche herd a sownd of Melodye · so

swet & delectable hir þowt · as sche had ben in

paradyse · & þ ᷑þer wyth sche styrt owt of hir bedde & seyd · Alas ·

nota

þat eu᷑euer I dede synne it is ful mery in hevyn · Thys melody

was so swete · þat it passyd alle þe melodye þ^tþat eu᷑euer myght be

herd in þⁱsþis world · w^twyth owtyn ony co͒ꝑysoncomparyson · & caused þⁱsþis crea⸗

tur wh⸧whan sche herd ony myrth or Melodye aftyrward for to

haue ful plentyuows & habu͒dawnthabundawnt teerys of hy · deuocyon ·

w^twyth greet sobbyngꝭsobbyngys & syhyngꝭsyhyngys · Aft ᷑Aftyr þ^eþe blysse of heuen [not

dredyng þe schamys & þe spytꝭspytꝭ of þ^eþe wretchyd world  [&

eu᷑euyr aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis drawt sche had in hir mende þ^eþe myrth & þe ⸗

melodye þ^tþat was in heuen · so mech þ^tþat sche cowd not wyl

restreyn hyr self fro þe spekyng þ ᷑þer of  ffor wher sche

was in ony cu͒panyecumpanye sche wold sey oftyn tyme  [it is ⸗

ful mery in hevyn [& þei þ^tþat knew hir gou᷑nawncegouernawnce be for tyme

& now herd hir spekyn so mech of þe blysse of heuyn seyd

vn to hir ·· why speke ȝe so of þe m᷑thmerth þat is in heuyn ȝe know

it not & ȝe haue not be þer no mor þ⸧þan we / & wer wroth

wyth hir for sche wold not her no speke of wordly thyngys ·

as þei dedyn · & as sche dede be forn tyme · · And aft ᷑aftyr þis

nota

tyme sche had neu᷑neuer desyr to komown fleschly w^twyth hyre

husbonde ·/ for þe dette of Mat̍monyMatrimony was so abhominabyl

to hir ·· þ^tþat sche had leu᷑leuar hir thowt

‸

have

etyn or drynkyn þe wose

þe mukke in þe chanel þ⸧þan to co͒sentynconsentyn to any fleschly

comowny͒gcomownyng ·/ saf only for obedyens · & so sche seyd to hir

¶

husbond · I may not deny ȝow my body · ⎣but þe lofe of

myn hert & my͒myn affeccyon is drawyn fro alle erdly

creaturys & sett only in god · he wold haue hys wylle

& sche obeyd w^twyth greet wepyng & sorwyng for þ^tþat sche

mygth not levyn chast ·/ & oftyn tymys þⁱsþis creatur

levyd chast cownseld hir husbond to levyn chast · & seyd

þ^tþat þei oftyn tymes sche wyst wel had dysplesyd god

be / her inordynat lofe · & þe gret delectacyon þ^tþat þei

haddyn eyþ᷑eyþyr of hem in vsyng of oþ ᷑oþer · ⎣& now it wer good

þ^tþat þei schuld be her boþins wylle & co͒sentyngconsentyng of hem

bothyn punschyn & chastysyn hem self wylfully be

absteyny̅gabsteynyng fro her lust of her bodys · [hir husbond seyd

it wer good to don so · but he mygth not ȝett · he xuld

wh⸧whan god wold · And so he vsyd her as he had do be for ·

he wold not spar · And eu᷑euer sche p᷑ydpreyd to god þat sche mygth

levyn chast · ⎣& iii · or iiii · ȝer aft ᷑aftyr whan it plesyd ower

lord he made a vow of chastyte as schal be wretyn

aft ᷑aftyr be þe leue of Ihu̅Ihesu · And also aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis creatur herd

þⁱsþis heuenly Melody sche dede gret bodyly penawnce · sche

was schreuyn su̅sum tyme twyes or thryes on þe day &

in specyal of þ^tþat synne whech sche so long had

‸

had

conselyd

& curyd as it is wretyn in þe

‸

be

gynny̅ggynnyng of þe boke · ⎣sche ⸗

7

ȝaf hir to gret fastyng & to gret waky͒gwakyng sche roos at ii

//

or

iii of þe clok & went to cherch & was þ ᷑þer in hir pyersprayers on to

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tyme of noon And also al þe aft ᷑aftyr noon [& þan was sche sla⸗

wnderyd & rep᷑uydrepreuyd of mech pepul for sche kept so streyt a le⸗

vyng [ þan sche gat hir an hayr of a kylne swech as men

dryen on malt & leyd it in hir kyrtylle as sotyllych & p᷑uy⸗preuy⸗

lich as sche mygth þ^tþat hir husbond xuld not aspye it ne no ⸗

mor he dede [& ȝet sche lay be hym eu᷑yeuery nygth in his bedde

& weryd þe hayr eu᷑yeuery day ·· & bar chylderyn in þe tyme · [þa̅þan

sche had iii · ȝer of gret labo labowr w^twyth temptacyons · whech sche

bar as mekely as sche cowde · thankyng ower lord of alle

hys ȝeftꝭȝeftys ⎣& was as mery wha⸧whan sche was rep᷑uydrepreuyd skornyd

mokyd·

or

⌄

Iapyd for ower lordꝭlordys lofe & mych mor mery þ⸧þan sche

was be for tyme in þe worshepys of þe world [for sche

wyst rygth wel sche had synned gretly a ȝens god & was

worthy mor schame & sorwe þ⸧þan ony m⸧man cowd don to

hir · [& dyspite of þe werld was þe rygth way to heuyn

ward ⎣sythen cryst hym self ches þ^tþat way · Alle hys Apostlys ·

Martyres · co͒fessorysconfessorys · & virgynes · and alle þ^tþat eu᷑euer comyn

to heuyn · passed be þe wey of t̍bulacyontribulacyon · And sche desy⸗

ryd no thyng so mech as heuyn · [þ⸧þan was sche glad in

hir co͒sciensconsciens wh⸧whan sche beleuyd þ^tþat sche was entryg þ^eþe wey ·

whech wold leden hir to þe place þat sche most desyred ·

And þⁱsþis creatur had co͒trycioncontrycion & gret co͒punccyoncompunccyon w^twyth

plentyuows teerys and many boystows sobbyngꝭsobbyngys for

hir synnes & for hir vnkyndnesse a geyns hir maker ·

¶

Sche bethowt hir fro hir chyldhod for hir vnkyndnes

as ower lord wold put it in hir mende ful many a ⸗

tyme · And þan sche beheldyng hir owyn wykkednes

sche mygth but sorwyn and wepyn & eu᷑euer p᷑ynpreyn for

M᷑cyMercy & forȝeuenes · [hir wepyng was so plentyuows

and so contwny͒gcontwnyng þat mech pepul wend þ^tþat sche mygth

wepyn & leuyn wh⸧whan sche wold · And þ ᷑þer for many men ⸗

seyd sche was a fals ypocryte · & wept for þe world for soco socowr &

for wordly good [& þ⸧þan ful many forsokyn hir þ^tþat louyd hir be for

whyl sche was in þe world & wold not knowyn hir / & eu᷑euer

sche thankyd god of alle · no thyng desyry̅gdesyryng but M᷑cyMercy and

forȝefnes of synne 

t

ca^m 4^mcapitulum 4m·

T

he fyrst ii · ȝer whan þⁱsþis creatur was þus drawyn to

owyr lord sche had gret q̍eteqwiete of spyryt as for ony

te͒ptacyonstemptacyons ·· sche mygth wel dure to fastyn · it ⸗

greuyd hir not · Sche hatyd þe Ioys of þe world · ⎣sche felt

no rebellyon in hyr flesch · sche was strong as hir thowt ·

þ^tþat sche dred no devylle in helle · for sche dede so gret bodyly

penawnce ·· Sche thowt þ^tþat sche louyd god mor þ⸧þan he hir

sche was smet w^twyth þe dedly wownd of vy veynglory / & felt

noᷓnota vayn
glory/

it not ·· for sche desyryd many tymes þat þ^eþe crucifix xuld

losyn hys handꝭhandys fro þe crosse & halsyn hir · in tokyn of

lofe  [Ower m᷑cyfulmercyful lord c̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu seyng þⁱsþis creaturys p᷑su͒pcyonpresumpcyon 

sent hir as is wrete befor · iii · ȝer · of greet ta

e

mptacyon ⎣of þ^eþe

whech on of þe hardest I ppospurpos to wrytyn for exampyl of

hem þ^tþat com aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat þei schuld not trostyn on her owyn self ·

[ne haue no Ioy in hem self · as þⁱsþis creatur had · ffor no drede 

owyr gostly enmy slepyth not but he ful besyly sergyth o owr

co͒plexionscomplexions & owyr dysposycionys · & wher þ^tþat he fyndyth us

most freel · þ ᷑þer be owyr lordys sufferawns he leyth hys snar ·

whech may no m⸧man skape be hys owyn power ·· And so he

leyd be forn þⁱsþis creatur þe snar of letchery · whan sche

wend þat all fleschly lust had al hol ben qwenchyd in

hir ·· & so long sche was temptyd w^twyth þe syn of letchory

for owt þ^tþat sche cowd do ⎣& ȝet sche was oftyn schrevyn 

sche weryd þe hayr & dede gret bodily penawns · & wept

many a bytt ᷑byttyr teer · & p᷑ydpreyd ful oftyn to owyr lord · þ^tþat he

schuld p᷑ẜuepreserue hir · & kepe hir · þ^tþat sche schuld not fallyn in

to temptacyon · ⎣ffor sche thowt sche had leu᷑leuar ben deed þan

co͒sentynconsentyn þ ᷑þer to [& in al þⁱsþis tyme sche had no lust to comown

8

wyth hir husbond but it was very peynful & horrybyl vn to

hir ·· In þe secunde ȝer of hir temptacyons yt fel so þ^tþat a man

whech sche louyd wel seyd on to hir on seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys evyn

be for euynsong þ^tþat for any thyng he wold ly be hir · & haue

hys lust of hys body · & sche xuld not w^tstondwythstond hym ·· ffor yf

he mygth not haue hys wyl þ^tþat tyme he seyd he xuld ellys

haue it a noþ ᷑noþer tyme · sche xuld not chese ·And he dede it

nota

for to p᷑uepreue hir · what sche wold do ·· but sche wend þ^tþat he had

ment ful ernest as þat tyme · And seyd but lytyl · þ ᷑þer to ·

So they ꝑtydpartyd asondyr as þ⸧þan & wentyn boþen for to here

euensong · for her cherch was of seynt Margaret ·· þⁱsþis wo⸗

man was so labowrd w^twyth þe mannys wordys þ^tþat sche mygth

not heryn hir euynsong ne sey hir Pat ᷑Pater nost ᷑noster · ⎣er thy̅kynthynkyn

ony oþ ᷑oþer good þowt · but was mor labowrd þ⸧þan eu᷑euer sche was

befor · ⎣þe deuyl put in hir mende þ^tþat god had forsaky̅forsakyn hir ·

[and ellys xuld sche not so ben temptyd ·· She leuyd þ^eþe deueꝉdeuelys

suasyuons · &

be

gan to co͒sentynconsentyn · for be cause sche cowde

thynkyn no good thowt ·· þ ᷑þer for wend sche þ^tþat god had forsake

hir · And whan euensong was do ·· sche went to þe man

befor seyd · þ^tþat he xuld haue hys lust · as sche wend þ^tþat he

had desired · but he made swech symulacyon · þ^tþat sche cowd

not knowe hys entent · & so þei ꝑtydpartyd a sondyr for þat

nygth · þⁱsþis creatur was so labowrd & vexyd al þ^tþat nygth ·

þ^tþat sche wyst neu᷑neuer what sche mygth do · Sche lay be hir

husbond · & for to comown w^twyth hym it was so abhomy⸗

nabyl on to hir · þ^tþat sche mygth not duren it · & ȝet was

it leful on to hir · in leful tyme yf sche had wold · but

eu᷑euyr sche was labowrd w^twyth þe oþ ᷑oþer man for to syn w^twyth hym ·

in as mech as he had spoke to hir ·· At þe last thorw

inoportunyte of temptacyon & k lakkyng of dyscͤcyondyscrecyon ·

sche was ou᷑ouyr ouyr comyn & co̅sentydconsentyd in hir mend & went to

þe Man to wetyn yf he wold þan co̅sentynconsentyn to hire 

And he seyd he ne wold for al þe good in þⁱsþis world · he had leu᷑leuar ben

hewyn as smal as flesch to þe pott ·· Sche went a way al scha⸗

myd & co̅fusydconfusyd in hir self · Seyng hys stabylnes & hir owyn

Z

vnstabylnes · [þ⸧þan thowt sche of þe grace þ^tþat god had ȝouyn hire

befor tyme ·· how sche had · ii · ȝer of gret qwyet in sowle · Repen⸗

tawns of hir synne · w^twyth many bytt ᷑byttyr teerys of co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon & ꝑfytparfyt

wyl neu᷑neuyr to turne a geyn to hir synne · but raþ ᷑raþar to be deed hir

thowt · & now sche saw how sche had co͒sentydconsentyd in hir wyl for

to don synne · [þ⸧þan fel sche half in dyspeyr · Sche thowt sche

dyspare

wold a ben in helle for þe sorw þ^tþat sche had · ⎣sche thowt sche

was worthy no m᷑cymercy · ⎡for hir co̅sentyngconsentyng was so wylfully do

ne neu᷑neuyr worthy to don hym ẜuyseseruyse · for sche was so fals vn

to hym · Neu᷑Neuyr þe lesse sche was schrevyn many tymes · & oftyn ·

/ and dede hir penawns what so eu᷑euyr hir co͒fesso confessowr wold In Ioyne

hir to do · & was gouernd aft ᷑aftyr þe rewelys of þe chirch · þ^tþat grace ⸗

god ȝafe þⁱsþis creatur blyssyd mot he be / but he wythdrowe not

hir te͒ptacyontemptacyon but raþ ᷑raþar incresyd it as hir thowt · And þ ᷑þer fore

wend sche þ^tþat he had forsakyn hir · & durst not trostyn to hys

m᷑cymercy · but was labowrd w^twyth horrybyl te̅ptacyonstemptacyons of lettherye

& of dyspeyr · ny al þe next ȝer folwyng · saue owyr lord

of hys mercy · as sche seyd hir self ȝaf hir ech day for þe

most ꝑtyparty · too · owerys of co̅pu͒ccyoncompunccyon for hir synnys · wyth

many bytt ᷑byttyr teerys & sythen sche was labowrd w^twyth te͒ptacyo͒stemptacyons

of dyspeyr · as sche was befor · And was as for fro fely͒gfelyng

of grace as þei þat neu᷑neuyr felt noon · & þ^tþat mygth sche not ⸗

beryn & þ ᷑þer for al wey sche dyspeyrd · safe for þe tyme þat

sche felt grace hir labowrs wer so wondyrful · þ^tþat sche cowd

euel far w^twyth hem but eu᷑euyr mornyn & sorwyn as þow god

had forsakyn hir 

t

ca^mcapitulum5^m·

T

han on a fryday beforn Crystmes day as þⁱsþis cre⸗

atur knelyng in a chapel of seynt Iohn w^tinnewythinne

⚐

a cherch of seynt Margrete in N · wept won

dir sore askyng m᷑cymercy & forȝyfnes of hir synnes & hir tres⸗

pas · owyr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu blyssyd mot he be  rauysched

9

¶

hir spyryt & seyd on to hir ·· Dowtyr why wepyst þow so sor

nonota 

I am comyn to þe Ihu̅Ihesu cryst þ^tþat deyd on þe crosse suffery͒gsufferyng

bytt ᷑byttyr peynes & passyons for þe · I þe same god forȝefe þ^eþe

þi synnes to þe vtterest poynt · And þow schalt neu᷑neuer com

in helle ne in pgatoryepurgatorye · but wh⸧whan þow schalt passyn owt

of þⁱsþis world · wyth in þe twynkelyng of an eye þow

schalt haue þ^eþe blysse of heuyn ·· for I am þ^eþe same god þ^tþat

haue browt þi synnes to þi mend & mad þ^eþe to be schreve

þ ᷑þer of · And I grawt þe co̅trysyoncontrysyon in to þi lyues ende ·· þ ᷑þer for

I bydde þe & comawnd þe boldly · clepe me IcIhesu crist þⁱþi loue · for

nota

I am þi loue & schal be þi loue w^twyth owtyn ende ·· And dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast

an hayr vp on þi bakke I wyl þ^uþu do it a way · & I schal ȝiue þ^eþe

an hayr in þin hert þ^tþat schal lyke me mych bett ᷑better þ⸧þan alle þe

hayres in þe world · Also my derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr ·· þ^uþu must for⸗

sake þ^tþat þow louyst best in þⁱsþis world & þ^tþat is etyng of flesch ·

And in stede of þ^tþat flesch þow schalt etyn my flesch & my

blod þ^tþat is þe very body of crist in þe sacmentsacrament of þe Awter ·

¶

Thys is my wyl dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þow receyue my body eu᷑yeuery sonday

nonota

And I schal flowe so mych grace in þe þat alle þe world

xal m᷑uelynmeruelyn þ ᷑þer of · [þow xalt ben etyn & kgnawyn of þe

pepul of þe world as any Raton kgnawyth þe stokfysch

Drede þe nowt dowt ᷑dowtyr for þow schalt haue þe vyctory of al

þⁱnþin enmys ·· I schal ȝeue þe grace I now to answer eu᷑yeuery

clerke in þe loue of god ·· I swer to þ^eþe be my mageste þ^tþat I



schal neu᷑neuer forsakyn þe in wel ne in wo ·· I schal helpyn þe

& kepyn þe þ^tþat þ ᷑þer schal neu᷑neuer deuyl in helle  parte þ^eþe fro me

· ne Awngel in heuyn · ne man in erthe ·· ffor deuelys in

helle mow not · ne Awngelys in heuyn wyl not · ne man

¶

in erthe schal not ·· And dowt ᷑dowtyr I wyl þow leue þⁱþi byddyng ⸗

of many bedys And thynk swych thowtꝭthowtys as I wyl putt

in þi mend · I schal ȝeuyn þe leue to byddyn tyl sex of

þe cloke to sey what þow wyld ·/ þan schalt þow ly stylle

& speke to me be thowt / & I schal ȝefe

‸

to

þe hey Medytacyon

And very co͒templacyoncontemplacyon ·· & I byd þe gon to þe Ankyr at þe ffrer

p᷑chowrysprechowrys & schew hym my p᷑uyteyspreuyteys & my cownselys whech

M of P/

I schewe to þe And werk aft ᷑aftyr hys cownsel for my spyrit xal

speke in hym to þe  Than þⁱsþis creatur went forth to þ^eþe Ankyr

as sche was comawndyd · & schewyd hym þ^eþe reuelacyons

swech as wer schewyd to hir · ⎡þ⸧þan þe Ankyr w^twyth gret Reu᷑⸗Reuer⸗

ens & wepyng thanky͒gthankyng god  ⎣seyd ·/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr ȝe sowkyn euy̅euyn

on crystꝭcrystys brest · And ȝe han an ernest peny of heuyn · I

charge ȝow receyueth swech thowtꝭthowtys wh⸧whan god wyl ȝeue he̅hem

as mekely & as deuowtly as ȝe kan · & comyth to me And

tellyth me what þei be · & I schal w^twyth þe leue of ower lord

Ihu̅Ihesu cryst telle ȝow wheþ ᷑wheþyr þei ben of þe holy gost or elꝉellys

of ȝo ȝowr enmy þe deuyl  · visio ·

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·6·

A

n oþ ᷑oþer day þⁱsþis creatur schul ȝeue hir to medy⸗

tacyon as sche was bodyn be for & sche lay

stylle nowt knowyng what sche mygth best

thynke · ⎣þ⸧þan sche seyd to ower lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist · Ihu̅Ihesu what

nonota

schal I thynke ·· ower lord Ihu̅Ihesu answeryd to hir mende ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr thynke on my modyr for sche is cause of alle þ^eþe gcegrace

þ^tþat þow hast · And

þ⸧þan

a noon sche saw seynt Anne gret w^twyth chylde

And þ⸧þan sche p᷑ydpreyd seynt Anne  to be hir Mayden & hir ẜuawntseruawnt ·

& anon ower lady was born & þ⸧þan sche besyde hir to take

þe chyld to hir & kepe it tyl it wer twelve ȝer of age

w^twyth good mete & drynke w^twyth fayr whyte clothys & whyte ⸗

kerchys And þ⸧þan sche seyd to þe blyssed chyld ·· lady ȝe schal

be þe modyr of god ·/ the blyssed chyld answeryd & seyd · I ⸗

wold I wer worthy to be þe handmayden of hir þat xuld

co̅seiveconseive þe sone of god ·/ þe creatur seyd I pypray ȝow lady ȝyf

þ^tþat grace falle ȝow forsake not my ẜuycesuyse The blysful chyld

passyd awey for a c᷑teyncerteyn tyme · þe creatur being stylle i̅in

co̅templacyoncontemplacyon And sythen c⸧cam a geyn · And seyd · dowt ᷑dowtyr

now am I be kome þe modyr of god ·/ & þ⸧þan þe creatur fel

down on hir kneys w^twyth gret Reu᷑ensReuerens & gret wepyng ·· And

seyd · I am not worthy lady to do ȝow ẜuyseseruyse / ȝys dowtyr

10

sche seyde folwe þow me · þi ẜuyseseruyse lykyth me wel ·/ þ⸧þan went

sche forth w^twyth owyr lady & w^twyth Iosep · beryng w^twyth hir a potel of

pyment & spycꝭspycys þ ᷑þer to ·/ þan went þei forth to elysabeth seynt

Iohn BaptystꝭBaptystys modir & wh⸧whan þei mettyn to gyder ·/ eyþ ᷑eyþyr of he̅hem

worshepyd oþ ᷑oþer & so þei wonyd to gedyr w^twyth gret grace · and

gladnesse xii wokꝭwokys · & þ⸧þan seynt Iohn was bor · & owyr lady

toke hym vp fro þe erthe w^twyth al man ᷑maner rev᷑ensreuerens & ȝaf hy̅hym to

hys modyr · Seyng of hym þ^tþat he schuld be an holy man ·/ and

blyssed hy̅hym · Sythen þei toke her leue eyþ ᷑eyþyr of oþ ᷑oþer w^twyth co͒passyfcompassyf

terys · And þ⸧þan þe creatur fel down on kneys to seynt Elyȝa⸗

beth & p᷑ydpreyd hir sche wold p᷑yprey for hir to owyr lady þ^tþat sche mygth

do hir ẜuyseseruyse & plesawns · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr me semyth seyd elysabeth þ^uþu

dost ryght wel þi deu᷑deuer And þ⸧þan went þe creatur forth wyth

owyr lady to bedlem & pchasydpurchasyd hir herborwe eu᷑yeuery nyght w^twyth

gret reu᷑ensreuerens & owyr lady was receyued w^twyth glad cher · Also

sche beggyd owyr lady fayr whyte clothys & kerchys · for to

swathyn in hir sone whan he wer born · And wh⸧whan Ihu̅Ihesu

was born sche ordeyned beddyng for owyr lady to lyg in

w^twyth hir blyssed sone · And sythen sche beggyd mete for owyr

lady & hir blyssyd chyld Aft ᷑wardAftyrward sche swathyd hym wyth

bytt ᷑byttyr teerys of co̅passyoncompassyon hauyng mend of þe scharp deth

þ^tþat he schuld suffyr for þe lofe of synful men · Seyng to hym

lord I schal fare fayr w^twyth ȝow I schal not byndyn ȝow soor

I pypray ȝow beth not dysplesyd w^twyth me 

ca^mcapitulum ·7·

a

A

nd aft ᷑aftyr on þe xii day, wh⸧whan · iii · kyngꝭkyngys comyn .

w^twyth her ȝyftys & worschepyd owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist

being in hys moderys lappe ·/ þⁱsþis cͤaturcreatur owyr

ladys hand mayden beheldyng al þe ꝓcesseprocesse in co̅templacyoncontemplacyon

wept wondyr sor · And wh⸧whan sche saw þ^tþat þei wold take her

leue to gon hom a ȝen in to her cu͒trecuntre ·/ sche mygth not ⸗

suffyre þ^tþat they schuld go fro þe p᷑senspresens of owyr lord · And

for wondyr þ^tþat þei wold gon a wey  sche cryed wondyr sore

& soon aft ᷑aftyr cam an Awngel & bad owyr lady & Iosep gon ⸗

fro þe cuntre ob bedlem in to egypt þan went þⁱsþis creatur forth

w^twyth owyr lady day be day pueyngpurueyng hir herborw w^twyth gret reu᷑ensreuerens

w^twyth many swet thowtꝭthowtys & hy medytacyons & also hy co̅te̅placyonscontemplacyons

su̅tymesumtyme duryng in wepyng ii · owyres & oftyn lengar in þe

mend of owyr lordꝭlordys passyon w^twyth owtyn sesyng ·/ Su̅tymeSumtyme for

hir owyn synne ·/ Su̅tymeSumtyme for þe synne of þe pepyl ·/ Su̅tymeSumtyme

¶

for þe sowlys in pgatorypurgatory ·/ Su̅tymeSumtyme for hem þ^tþat arn in pou᷑tepouerte

er in any dysese ·/ for sche desyred to comfort he̅hem alle ·/ Su͒Sum⸗

tyme sche wept ful plentevowsly & ful boystowsly · for de⸗

syr of þe blys of heuyn & for sche was so long dyfferryd

þ ᷑þer fro · ⎣þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur coueyted gretly to be delyueryd owt

of þⁱsþis wretchyd world / ower lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist seyd to hir mende

sche schuld abyden & languren in lofe ·/ for I haue ordey⸗

ned þe to knele be for þ^eþe Trynyte · for to p᷑yprey for al þ^eþe world ·

for many hu͒drydhundryd thowsand sowlys schal be sauyd be þi

pyersprayers · And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr aske what þow wylt / & I xal

grawnt þe thyn askyng ·/ þⁱsþis creatur seyd lord I aske m᷑cymercy

& p᷑seruyngpreseruyng fro eu᷑euyr lestyng da͒pnacyondampnacyon for me & for all

þe world ·/ chastyse us her how þow wylt & in pgatorypurgatory

& kepe us fro dampnacyon for þin hy m᷑cymercy 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum·8·

A

noþ ᷑

A

noþer tyme as þⁱsþis creatur lay in hir pyerprayer · þe

Modyr of M᷑cyMercy a peryng to hir · seyd ·· A dowt ᷑dowtyr

nota

nonota

blyssyd may þow be · þi sete is mad in heuyn

be for my sonys kne · & whom þow wylt h⸧haue w^twyth þe ·· Th⸧Than

askyd hyr blyssed sone ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr whom wylt þow han fe⸗

law wyth þe · My derworthy lord I aske my gostly fadyr

Mayst ᷑Maystyr · R ·· Why askyst

‸

thow

mor hym þ⸧þan thyn owyn fadyr

er þin husbond ·· for I may neu᷑neuyr qwyte hy̅hym þe goodnesse

þ^tþat he hath don to me /& þe gracyows labowrys þ^tþat he hath

had a bowt me in heryng of my co̅fessyonconfessyon ·· I grawnt

þe þi desyr of hym ·· & ȝet schal þi fadyr ben sauyd & þi

husbond also & alle þi chylderyn · Th⸧Than þⁱsþis creatur seyd

lord sythen þow hast forȝouyn me my synne · I · make

11

þe myn executor of alle þe god werkys þ^tþat þow werkyst in⸗

me In pyngprayng · in thynkyng · in wepyng · in pylg̍magepylgrimage goyng ·

in fastyng · er in any good word spekyng · [it is fully my

[

wyl · þ^tþat þow ȝeue Mayst ᷑Maystyr · R · halfyndel to encres of hys

m᷑ytemeryte as yf he dede hem hys owyn self · And þe oþer

haluendel · lord sprede on þi frendꝭfrendys & þi enmys · & on my

[

frendys & my̅myn enmys /· for I wyl haue but þⁱþi self for my

mede ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I xal be a trew executor to þe & fulfyllyn

¶

all þi wylle / & for þi gret charyte þ^tþat þow hast to comforty̅comfortyn

þin euen c̍stencristen þ^uþu schalt haue dubbyl reward in heuyn 

a

A

noþ ᷑

A

noþer tyme as þⁱsþis creatur pydprayd to god þ^tþat sche myt

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·9·

leuyn chast be leue of hir husbond Cryst seyd

to hir mende ⎡þow must fastyn þ^eþe fryday boþen

nonota

fro mete & drynke And þow schalt haue þi desyr er whitson⸗

day · for I schal sodeynly sle ✝ þin husbonde · [þ⸧þan on þ^eþe wednys/

the flesshely
lust in ✝

day in estern woke Aft ᷑Aftyr hyr husbond wold haue had know⸗

lach of hir as he was wone be for ·· & wh⸧whan he gan neygh

IcIhesucrist helpe
me 

hir ·· sche seyd IcIhesu crist help me / & he had no power to towche

hir at þ^tþat tyme · in þ^tþat wyse ·· ne neu᷑neuyr aft ᷑aftyr w^twyth no fleschly knowy͒gknowyng ·

It be fel on a fryday be for whytson evyn ·· as þⁱsþis creatur

was in a cherch of seynt Margarete at · N · heryng hir

messe ·· sche herd a gret noyse · & a dredful ·sche was sore a

stoyned · for dredyng þe voys of þe pepyl · whech seyd god

schuld take veniawns vp on hir ·· sche knelyd up on hir

kneys heldyng down hir hed · and hir boke in hir hand ·

nota

pyngprayng owyr lord c̍stcrist IhuIhesu for grace & for m᷑cymercy ·· Sodeynly fel

down fro þe heyest party of þe cherch vowte fro vndyr

þe fote of þe sparre on hir hed · & on hir k bakke ·/ a ston

whech weyd · iii · pownd & a schort ende of a tre · weyng

vi · pownd / þat hir thowt hir bakke brakke a sundyr ·

And sche ferd as sche had be deed [a lytyl whyle · soone

aft ᷑aftyr sche cryed Ihu̅Ihesu m᷑cymercy & a noon hir peyn was gon · A

good Man whech hygth Iohn of WyrehmWyreham seyng þⁱsþis wondyr ⸗

cas & supposyng þ^tþat sche ben gretly dysesyd cam & pullyd hir be þ^eþe

sleue & seyd dame how far ȝe · ⎡þe creatur al hol & sownd · tha̅than⸗

kyd hym of hys cher & hys charyte mech m᷑ueylyngmerueylyng & gretly

a wonderyd þat sche felt no peyn & had felt so mech · a lytyl

be for · ne xii wekys aft ᷑aftyr sche felt no peyne · ⎡þ⸧þan þe spiryt of

god seyd to hir sowle · ⎣helde þⁱsþis for a gret Myracle & ȝyf þe ⸗

pepyl wyl not leuyn þⁱsþis I schal werkyn meche mor ·· A wor⸗

schepful docto doctowr of dyuynite wych hygth MaystyrMaystyr Aleyn a whyte

frer heryng of þⁱsþis wondyrful werk inq̍redinqwired of þⁱsþis creature

alle þe forme of þⁱsþis ꝓcesseprocesse ·· he desyryng þe werk of god to

be magnyfyed ·· gat hym þe same ston þat fel up on hir

bakke & way · it · & sythen he gat hym þ^eþe treys ende þ^tþat fel

up on hir hed · whech oon of þe kepars of þe cherch had leyd

in þe fyre to bren it · And þⁱsþis worshepful docto doctowr · seyd it was

a gret Myracle · ⎣& ower lord was heyly to be magnyfied · for

þe p᷑ẜuyngpreseruyng of þⁱsþis creatur a ȝen þe malyce of hir enmy

And teld it

to

mech pepyl · & mych pepyl magnyfied mech god

in þⁱsþis creatur ·· And also mech pepyl wold not leuyn it · but

raþ ᷑raþar leuyd it was a tokyn of wreth & veniawns þ⸧þan þei

wold leuyn it was any token of M ᷑cyMercy er quemfulnes 

]

s

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·10·

S

One aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis creatur was meuyd in hir sowle

to go vysyten certeyn places for gostly helth ·

[in as mech as sche was cured & mygth not

w^twyth owtyn co̅sentyngconsentyng of hir husbond · sche req̍redreqwired hir hus⸗

bond to grawtyn hir leue /· & he fully trostyng it was þ^eþe

wyl of god · sone co͒sentyngconsentyng  þei went to gedyr to swech

place as sche was mevyd · & þan owyr lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu seyd

to hir · My ẜuawntꝭseruawntys desyryn gretly to se þe · ⎡þ⸧þan was sche

wolcomyd & mech mad of in dyuers placꝭplacys ·· Wher for sche

had gret dred of veynglory & mech was a ferde · ⎣owyr

Mercyful lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu worshepd be hys name · seyd to

vane ·S·

hir ·· [drede þe not dowt ᷑dowtyr · I xal take veynglory fro þe · for

þei þ^tþat worshep þe · þei worshep me ·· þei þ^tþat despysyn þe · þ^eiþei

despysen me ·· & I schal chastysen hem þ ᷑þer for ·· I am in þe

☝

12

and þow in me · And þei þat heryn þe þei heryn þ^eþe voys of

god ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ ᷑þer is no so synful m⸧man in erth leuyng yf he wyl

forsake hys synne & don aft ᷑aftyr þⁱþi cownsel · swech grace as þ^uþu

behestyst hym · I wyl co͒fermynconfermyn for þi lofe  [þan hir husbo͒dhusbond

& sche went forth to ȝorke & to oþ ᷑oþer dyuers placꝭplacys 

I

T befel up on a fryday on Mydsomyr evyn in rygth

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·11·

hot wedyr as þⁱsþis creatur was komy͒gkomyng fro ȝorke ward bery͒gbeyng

a botel w^twyth bere in hir hand · & hir husbond a cake in hys

bosom / he askyd hys wyfe þⁱsþis qwestyon ⎣Margery · yf her come

a man w^twyth a swerd & wold smyte of myn hed · les þ⸧þan I schulde

comown kindly w^twyth ȝow as I haue do be for  · seyth me trewth

of ȝo ȝowr co͒sciensconsciens for ȝe sey ȝe wyl not lye · wheþ ᷑wheþyr wold ȝe suffyr

myn hed to be smet of · er ellys · suffyr me to medele w^twyth ȝow

a ȝen as I dede su̅sum tyme ·· Alas ser sche seyd why meue ȝe þⁱsþis

mat ᷑mater & haue we ben chast þⁱsþis viii wekys ·· ffor I wyl wete þ^eþe

trewth of ȝo ȝowr hert · And þ⸧þan sche seyd w^twyth gret sorwe · fforsoþ^eforsoþe I had

leu᷑leuar se ȝow be slayn þ⸧þan we schuld turne a ȝen to owyr vncle̅vnclen⸗

nesse · And he seyd a ȝen · ȝe arn no good wife ⎡& þ⸧þan sche askyd

hir husbond what was þe cawse þ^tþat he had not medelyd

w^twyth hir · viii · wekys be for ·· sythen sche lay w^twyth hy̅hym eu᷑yeuery nygth ·

in hys bedde ·· And he seyd he was so made a ferde wh⸧whan he

wold a towchyd hir · þ^tþat he durst no mor don ·· Now good

ser amend ȝow & aske god mercy ·· for I teld ȝow ner · iii

///

·

ȝer sythen þ^tþat ȝe schuld be slayn sodeynly & now is þⁱsþis þ^eþe

thryd ȝer · & ȝet I hope I schal han my desyr [ good sere

I pypray ȝow grawnt me þ^tþat I schal askyn ·· & I schal pypray for ȝow

þ^tþat ȝe schul be sauyd thorw þe m᷑cymercy of owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst

And ȝe schul haue mor mede in heuyn þ⸧þan ȝyf ȝe weryd

vow

an hayr or an haburgon · I pypray ȝow suffer me to make

a vow of chastyte in what · bysshopys hand þ^tþat god wele

nay he seyd þat wyl I not grawnt ȝow for now may I

vsyn ȝow wyth owtyn dedly synne · & þ⸧þan mygth I not

so ·· þ⸧þan sche seyd a ȝen · [ȝyf it be þ^eþe wyl of þ^eþe holy gost ⸗

to fulfyllyn þat I haue seyd · I pypray god ȝe mote co͒sentconsent þ ᷑þer to And yf it be

not þe wyl of þe holy gost I pypray god ȝe neu᷑neuer co͒sentconsent þ ᷑þer to / þ⸧þan went þ^eiþei

forth to brydlyngton ward in rygth hoot wedyr [þe forn seyd creatur

hauyng gret sorwe & gret dred for hyr chastite ·· And as þ^eiþei cam be

a cros hyr husbond sett hym down vndyr þe cros clepyng hys wyfe

vn to hym & seyng þⁱsþis wordꝭwordys on to hir ·· Margery grawnt me my

desyr & I schal grawnt ȝow ȝo ȝowr desyr ·· My fyrst desyr is þ^tþat we xal

lyn · stylle to gedyr in o · bed · as we han do be for  [þe secu̅desecunde þ^tþat ȝe

schal pay my dettꝭdettys er ȝe go to IerIerusalem ⎡& þe thrydde · þ^tþat ȝe schal

etyn & drynkyn w^twyth me on þe fryday as ȝe wer wont to don ·· Nay

ser sche seyd · to breke þe fryday · I wyl neu᷑neuer grawnt ȝow whyl I

leue ·/ Wel he seyd þ⸧þan schal I medyl ȝow a geyn · Sche pydprayd hy̅hym

þ^tþat he wold ȝeue hir leue to make hyr peryspraerys /· & he grawntyd it

goodlych · þ⸧þan sche knelyd down be syden a cros in þe feld and

p᷑ydpreyd in þⁱsþis man᷑maner wyth gret habu̅dawnshabundawns of teerys ⎣· lord god þ^uþu

knowyst al thyng · ⎡þow knowyst what sorwe I haue had to

be chast in my body · to þ^eþe al þⁱsþis iii · ȝer · & now mygth I han

my wylle & I dar not · for lofe of þe · ffor ȝyf I wold brekyn

þ^tþat man ᷑maner of fastyng whech þow comawndyst me to kepyn on þ^eþe

fryday w^twyth owtyn mete or drynk · I xuld now han my desyr

but blyssyd lord þow knowyst · I wyl not co͒t ryencontraryen þⁱþi wyl · And

mekyl now is my sorwe ·· les þ⸧þan I fynde co͒fortcomfort in þ^eþe · [Now

blyssed Ihu̅Ihesu make þi wyl knowyn to me vn worthy · þ^tþat I may

folwyn þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr · & fulfyllyn it w^twyth al my myghtys ·· And þan

owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst wyth gret swetnesse spak to þⁱsþis creatur

[comawndyng hir to gon a ȝen to hir husbond · & pynprayn hym

to grawntyn hir þ^tþat sche desyred & he xal han þ^tþat he desyreth ·

ffor my derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr · þⁱsþis was þe cawse þ^tþat I bad þe fastyn ·

for þ^uþu schuldyst þe sonar opteyn & getyn þi desyr · & now

it is grawntyd þe: I wyl no lengar þow fast ·· þ ᷑þer for I byd þ^eþe

in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu ete & drynk as thyn husbond doth

[þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur tha̅kydthankyd owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst of hys grace &

hys goodness · Sythen ros up & went to hir husbond · seyng ⸗

un to hym

13

vn to hym Sere  yf it lyke ȝow ȝe schal grawnt me my desyr & ȝe schal

haue ȝo ȝowr desyr ·· Grawntyth me þ^tþat ȝe schal not komyn in my bed / & I

grawnt ȝow to qwyte ȝo ȝowr dettꝭdettys er I go to IerIerusalem & makyth my body

fre to god · [so þ^tþat ȝe neu ᷑neuyr make no chalengyng in me to askyn no dett

of Mat̍monyMatrimony ·· aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis day whyl ȝe leuyn · & I schal etyn & drynkyn

on þe fryday at ȝo ȝowr byddyng · Than seyd hir husbond a gen to hir

nota

grace

aAs fre mot ȝo ȝowr body ben to god as it hath ben to me Thys cͤaturcreatur

thankyd god gretly · enioyng þ^tþat sche had hir desyr · p᷑yngpreyng hir husbo͒dhusbond

þ^tþat þei schuld sey · iii · pat᷑pater nr͒noster · in þ^eþe worshep of þe t ᷑nytetrinyte · for þ^eþe gret

grace þ^tþat he had grawntyd hem · & so they ded knelyng vnd ᷑vndyr a cros ·

& sythen þ^eiþei etyn & dronkyn to gedyr in gret gladnes of spyryt ·

þⁱsþis was on a fryday on Mydsom᷑Mydsomyr euyn  [þ⸧þan went þ^eiþei forth to

brydlyngton ward · And also to many oþ ᷑oþer co̅trescontres & spokyn wyth

goddys ẜuawntꝭseruawntys boþen Ankrys & reclusys & many oþ ᷑oþer of owyr

lordꝭlordys louerys · w^twyth many worthy clerkys · doctorys of dyuynyte ·

& bachelers also · in many dyuers placꝭplacys ·[ & þⁱsþis creatur to dyuers

noᷓnota dyscrescio̅dyscrescion

of hem schewyd hir felyngꝭfelyngys & hyr co͒templacyonscontemplacyons as sche

was comawndyd for to don · to wetyn yf any disseyt were

in hir felyngys 

t

T

hys creatur was sent of owyr lord to diuers placꝭplacys

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·12·

of relygyon / & among on sche cam to a place of

nonota

Monkys wher sche was rygth wolcom for owyr lordꝭlordys

monke

lofe ·/ saue þ ᷑þer was a Monk whech bar gret offyce in þ^tþat place des⸗

pysed hir · & set hir at nowt ⎣neu᷑neuyr þe lesse sche was sett at mete

w^twyth þe abbot / & many tymes of þe mete sche seyd many good

wordꝭwordys ·· as god wold he̅hem puttyn in hir mende [þe same Monke

whech had so dyspysed hir beyng p᷑sentpresent & many oþ ᷑oþer to heryng

what sche wold sey ·/ & thorw hir dalyawns hys affeccyon

be

gan

gretly enclyne to hir ward / & gan to haue gret savo savowr in hir wordꝭwordys ·

so þ^tþat aft ᷑wardaftyrward þ^eþe forseyd monk cam to hir & seyde sche beyng

in cherch & he also as þ^tþat tyme · Damsel I her seyn god spekyth

on to þe I pypray þe telle me · wheþ ᷑wheþyr I schal be sauyd or nowt ·· And

in what synnes I haue most dysplesyd god · for I wyl not

leuy̅leuyn þe but þow con telle me my synne · The creatur seyd to ⸗

· no nota ·

þe Monke [goth to ȝo ȝowr messe & ȝyf I may wepe for ȝow I hope to h⸧han

grace for ȝow ·/ he folwyd hir cownsel & went to hys messe / sche

wept wondyrly for hys synnes ·· Wh⸧Whan messe was endyd þ^eþe creatur

seyd to owyr lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu ·· blyssed lord what answer schal I ȝeue

to þⁱsþis man ·/ My derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr sey in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu þ^tþat he

hath synned in letthery  in dyspeyr  & in wordly goodꝭgoodys kepyng ·

A gracyows lord þⁱsþis is hard for me to sey he schal do me mech

schame ·· ȝyf I telle hym any lesyng ·· Drede þ^eþe not but speke

boldly in my name in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu · for þei arn no lee⸗

syngꝭsyngys · And þ⸧þan sche seyd a ȝen to owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist · [good lord

schal he be savyd · ⎣ȝa seyd owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu · ȝyf he wyl forsaky̅forsakyn

hys synne & don aft ᷑aftyr þi cownsel · Charge hy̅hym þ^tþat he forsake

hys synne & be schreue þ ᷑þer of / & also hys offyce · þ^tþat he hath w^twyth

owtyn forth  Th⸧Than c⸧cam þe Monk a ȝen · Margery telle me

my synnes · Sche seyd I pypray ȝow ser askyth not þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr · for I

vndyrtake for ȝo ȝowr sowle · ȝe schal ben savyd · ȝyf ȝe wyl do

aft ᷑aftyr my cownsel ·· forsoþ^eforsoþe I wyl not leuyn ȝow but ȝyf ȝe telle̅tellen

me my synne · Syr I vndyrstond þ^tþat ȝe han synned in letchery

in dyspeyr & in kepyng of wordly good · [þ⸧þan stod þ^eþe monke

stylle · su̅delsumdel a baschyd · & sythen he seyd ·· Wheþ ᷑Wheþyr haue I sy̅nedsynned

w^twyth wyfes er w^twyth sengyl women  [Ser w^twyth wyfes · / þ⸧þan seyd he

schal I be sauyd ·· ȝa syr yf ȝe wyl do aft ᷑aftyr my cownsel · Sor⸗

wyth for ȝo ȝowr synne / & I xal help · ȝow · to sorwyn beth schre⸗

vyn þ ᷑þer of & forsake it wylfully · leuyth þe offyce þ^tþat ȝe han

with owtyn forth ·/ & god schal ȝeue ȝow gcegrace for my lofe ·

The Monke toke hir be þe hand & led hir in to a fayr hows

of offyce made hir a gret dyn᷑dyner / & sythen ȝaf hyr gold to

p᷑yprey for hym · And so sche toke hir leue at þ^tþat tyme · Anoþ ᷑Anoþer

tyme wh⸧whan þe creatur c⸧cam a geyn to þ^eþe same place ·/ þ^eþe forn⸗

seyd Monke had forsakyn hys offyce at hir cownsel · & was

turnyd fro hys synne & was mad Supp̍owrSuppriowr of þe place

a wel gou᷑nydgouernyd man & wel dysposyd þa̅kydþankyd be god & made þⁱsþis cͤaturcreatur

gret cher & hyly blyssed God / þ^tþat eu᷑euer he saw hir 

14

ca^mcapitulum ·13·

o

O

N a tyme as þⁱsþis creatur was at Cawnt ᷑beryCawntyrbery in þe ⸗

cherch a mong þe Monkys [sche was gretly despysed

& rep᷑uydrepreuyd for cawse sche wept so fast ·· bothyn of þ^eþe

Monkys & p᷑stysprestys & of Seculer men · ner al

‸

a

day boþ^eboþe a for noon

& aft ᷑aftyr noon [also In so mech þ^tþat hyr husbond went away fro

hir as he had not a knowyn hir · & left hir a loon a mong

hem · cheys hir as sche cowde ·· for oþ ᷑oþer co̅fortcomfort had sche noon

of hym · as þ^tþat day · So an eld Monk whech had ben tresowrer

w^twyth þe qwen · whyl he was in seculer clothyng · a Riche man ·

& gretly dred of

…

þe

‸

mech

pepyl · to

‸

ke

hir be þe hand seying vn to hir

what kanst þow seyn of god ·· ser sche seyth I wyl boþ^eboþe speke

of hy̅hym & heryn of hy̅hym rehersyng þe monk a story of sc̍ptursc᷑ptur ·

The mu͒kemunke seyd I wold

…

ȝo

þow

wer closyd in an hows of ston þ^tþat þ ᷑þer

schuld no m⸧man speke w^twyth þe · A ser sche seyd ȝe schuld meynteyn

goddꝭgoddys seruawntꝭseruawntysde · & ȝe arn þ^eþe fyrst þ^tþat heldyn a ȝens he̅hem · owyr lord

amend ȝow [þ⸧þan a ȝong Monke seyde to þⁱsþis creatur · ⎣eyþ ᷑ey᷑yr þow

nota

hast þe holy gost or ellys þow hast a devyl w^twyth in þe ·· for þ^tþat þ^uþu

spekyst her to vs it is holy wrytte And þ^tþat hast þ^uþu not of þiself

[þan seyd þⁱsþis creatur · I pypray ȝow ser ȝeue me leue to tellyn ȝow

⚐

a tale ·· þ⸧þan þe pepyl seyd to þe Monke ·· late hir sey what sche

wyl · And þ⸧þan sche seyd þ ᷑þer was onys a man þ^tþat had synned

gretly a ȝens god & wh⸧whan he was schrevyn hys co̅fessowrconfessowr

Inyoined hym in ꝑryparty of penawnce þat he schuld o ȝer hyer

men to chyde hym & rep᷑uynrepreuyn hym for hys synnes · & he xuld

ȝeuen hem sylu᷑syluer for her labowr · & on a day he c⸧cam a mong

many gret men · as now ben her god saue ȝow alle ·· And

stod a mong hem as I do now a mong ȝow · despysyng hym

as ȝe do me ·· þe man lawhyng er smylyng & hauyng good

game at here wordys · þe grettest Mayst ᷑Maystyr of hem seyd to þ^eþe

Man  Why lawhyst þ^uþu broþel & art þow gretly despysed ·/ A

ser · I haue a gret cause to lawh · for I haue many days

put sylu᷑syluer owt of my purse · & hyred me̅men to chyde me for

remyssyon of my synne /· & þⁱsþis day I may kepe my sylu᷑syluer in My

purs I thank ȝow alle · Rygth so I sey to ȝow worshepful serys ·

Whyl I was at hom in myn owyn contre day be day w^twyth gret

wepyng & morny̅gmornyng I sorwyd for I had no schame · skorne · &

despyte · as I was worthy · I thank ȝow alle serys heyly what

fore noon & aft ᷑aftyr noon I haue had resonably þⁱsþis day blyssed

be god þ ᷑þer of · Than sche went owt of þe Monastery þei fol⸗

wyng & crying vp on hir þow xalt be brent fals lollare ·

her is a cartful of thornys redy for þe & a to͒netonne to bren

þ^eþe wyth · And þe creatur stod wythowtyn þe ȝatys at Cawn⸗

tyrbery for it was in þe euenyng ⎣mech pepyl wondery̅gwonderyng

on hir ·· þ⸧þan seyd þe pepyl · tak & bren hir · And þe creatur

stod stylle tremelyng & whakyng ful sor in hir flesch · w^t⸗wyth⸗

owtyn ony erdly co͒fortcomfort · & wyst not wher hyr husbond was

be come · [þ⸧þan pydprayd sche in hir hert to owyr lord thynkyng on

þⁱsþis man᷑maner · hedyr cam I lord for þi lofe · blyssed lord help me

& haue m᷑cymercy on me ·· And a non aft ᷑aftyr sche had mad hir pyerꝭprayerys

in hir hert to owyr lord ·· þ ᷑þer komyn tweyn fayr ȝong men

& seyd to hir · Damsel art þow non eretyke ne no loller ·

And sche seyd no Serys I am neyþ ᷑neyþyr eretyke ne loller · þ⸧þan þ^eiþei

askyd hir wher was hir in · Sche seyd sche wyst neu᷑neuyr in

what strete ·· neu᷑neuyr þe lesse it schuld be at a dewchma̅nysdewchmannys

hows · [þ⸧þan þⁱsþis tweyn ȝong men browgt hir hom to hir

ostel & made hir gret cher · p᷑yngpreyng hir to pypray for hem · ⎡&

than ·

þ ᷑þer

⌄

fond sche hyr husbond · And mech pepyl in N · had seyd

euyl of hir whyl sche was owte · & slawndryd hir in many

thyngꝭthyngys · þ^tþat sche schuld a do̅n whyl sche was in þe contre · Th⸧Than

aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis sche was in gret rest of sowle a gret whyle · & had

hy co̅templacyoncontemplacyon day be day & many holy spech & dalyaws̅dalyawns

of owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst · boþ^eboþe a for noon & aft ᷑aftyr noon · wyth

many swet terys of hy deuocyon · so plentyvowsly & ꝯty⸗conty⸗

nualy  þ^tþat it was m᷑uaylemeruayle þ^tþat hir eyne enduryd er how hir

hert mygth lestyn þ^tþat it was not co͒sumydconsumyd w^twyth ardowr of

loue

R Medlay
was wo̅twont so to say

15

lofe whych was kyndelyd w^twyth þe holy dalyawns of owyr lord

Ihu̅Ihesu

¶

wh⸧whan he seyd to hir · many tymes ·· derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr lofe þow

[fountain?]

me w^twyth al þin hert for I loue þe with al myn hert & w^twyth al

þ^eþe mygth of my godhed for þow wer a chosyn sowle wyth

owt begynnyg in my syghte And a peler of holy cherch · My

m᷑cyfulmercyful eyne arn eu᷑euer up on þe It wer vnpossibyl to þe to

suffyr þe scornys & despytes þ^tþat þow schalt haue  ne were

only my grace supportyng þe 

¶

ca^mcapitulum 14

t

T

than thys creatur þowt it was ful mery to be rep᷑vydreprevyd

for goddꝭgoddys lofe [it was to hir gret solas & cowmfort

wh⸧whan sche was chedyn & fletyn for þ^eþe lofe of Ihu̅Ihesu ·

for rep᷑uyngrepreuyng of synne · for spekyng of vertu · for comowny͒gcomownyng

in sc̍pturscriptur · whech sche lernyd in ẜmownyssermownys · & be comowny͒gcomownyng w^twyth

¶

clerkyꝭclerkys · Sche ymagyned in hir self what deth sche mygth

deyn for crystꝭcrystys sake ·· hyr þow sche wold a be slayn for goddꝭgoddys

lofe · but

for

dred sfor þ^eþe poynt of deth · & þ ᷑þer for sche ymagyned

hyr self þe most soft deth as hir thowt for dred of inpacy⸗

ens · þ^tþat was to be bowndyn hyr hed & hir fet to a stokke · &

hir hed to be smet of w^twyth a scharp ex for goddꝭgoddys lofe · ⎣þan seyd

owyr lord in hir mende · I thank þe dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þow woldyst‸

⤺

suffer deth‸

for

my lofe · ⎣for as oftyn as þow thynkyst so þow schalt haue þ^eþe

same mede in heuyn as þow þ^uþu suffredyst þe same deth ·· &

ȝet schal no m⸧man sle the ·· ne fyer bren þe · ne watyr drynch

þe ·· ne wynd deryn þ^eþe ·· for I may not for ȝetyn þe · how þow

art wretyn in myn handys & my fete · it lykyn me wel

þe peynes þ^tþat I haue sufferyd for þe · I xal neu᷑neuer ben wroth w^twyth

þe · ⎣but I xal louyn þe w^twyth owtyn ende · þow al þ^eþe worlde be

loue

a ȝens þe · drede þe not · for þei cu⸧cun no skyl of þe · I swer to

þi mend & it wer possybyl me to suffyr peyn a geyn as

I haue do be forn · me wer leu᷑leuar to suffyr as mech peyn as

eu᷑euyr I dede for þi sowle alon · raþ ᷑raþar þ⸧þan þow schuldyst ꝑtynpartyn

fro me w^twyth owtyn end · & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr rygth as þow seyst

þe p᷑stprest take þe chyld at þe funt ston & dyppe it in þ^eþe wat ᷑watyr

…

fro & wasch it fro oryginal synne ·· Rygth so xal I wasch þ^eþe/

in my p᷑cyowsprecyows blod fro alle þⁱþi synne ·

↙↙↙

And þow I wythdrawe ⸗

su̅tymesumtyme þe felyng of grace fro þe eyþ᷑eyþyr of spech er of wepy͒gwepyng

drede þe not þ ᷑þer of · for I am an hyd god in þe · þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldyst haue

no veynglory & þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldyst knowyn wele þow mayst not

han terys ne swych dalyawns · but whan god wyl send he̅hem

þe · for it arn þe fre ȝyftꝭȝyftys of god · w^twyth owtyn þⁱþi m᷑ytemeryte / & he

may ȝeue hem

‸

to

whom he wyl · & don þe no wrong · And þ᷑þer for

meykly &
pacie̅tlypaciently

take hem mekely & þankyngly · Wh⸧Whan I wyl send hem / & suffyr

pacyently wh⸧whan I wythdrawe hem & seke besyly tyl þow

mayst getyn hem · for terys of co͒puccyoncompuccyon · deuocyon & ꝯpasconpas⸗

syon · arn þe heyest & sekerest · ȝyftys · þ^tþat I ȝeue in erde And

what schuld I don mor for þe ·· les þ⸧þan I toke þⁱþi sowle owt

hevy̅hevyn

of þⁱþi body & put it in heuyn · & þ^tþat wyl I not ȝet · Neu᷑Neuyr þ^eþe les

nota

wherso eu᷑euer god is heuyn is · & god is in þⁱþi sowle & many

nonota

an Awngel is abowte þⁱþi sowle · to kepe it boþ^eboþe nygth & day

ffor whan þow gost to chyrch · I go w^twyth þe ·· Wh⸧Whan þ^uþu syttest at

þⁱþi mete I sytte w^twyth þe · Wh⸧Whan þow gost to þⁱþi bed I go w^twyth þe · [&

whan þ^uþu gost owt of towne I go w^twyth þe · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuer

chyld so buxom to þe fadyr · as I wyl be to þe · to help þ^eþe and

kepe þe ·· I far su̅sum tyme w^twyth my grace to þe · As I do w^twyth þ^teþate sun̅n̅e 

su̅sum tyme þow wetyst wel þe su̅nesunne schynyth al abrod þ^tþat many

man may se it · & su̅sum tyme it is hyd vndyr a clowde þ^tþat men

may not se it · & ȝet is þe su͒nesunne neu᷑neuyr þe lesse in hys hete ⸗

ne in hys brytnesse · And rygth so far I be þe & be my chosyn

sowlys · þ^u

‸

owgh

þu

‸

owgh it be so þ^tþat þ^uþu wepe not alwey at þⁱþi lyst · my gcegrace

is neu᷑neuyr þe lesse in þe · þ ᷑þer for I p᷑uepreue þ^tþat þow art a very dowt ᷑dowtyr to

me · & a modyr also · A syster · A wyfe · & A spowse · wytnessy͒gwytnessyng

þ^eþe gospel wher owyr lord seyth to hys dyscyples · [he þ^tþat doth

þe wyl of my fadyr in heuyn · he is bothyn modyr broþ ᷑broþyr &

syster · vn to me · Whan þow stodyst to plese me · þ⸧þan art þ^uþu

A very dowt ᷑dowtyr ·· Wh⸧Whan þ^uþu wepyst & mornyst for my peyn &

for my passyon · þ⸧þan art þow a very modyr to haue co̅pascompas

syon of hyr chyld · Wh⸧Whan þow wepyst for oþ ᷑oþer mennys sy͒nessynnes ⸗

16

and for adu᷑sytesaduersytes · þan art þow a very syster ·· and whan thow

sorwyst for þow art so long fro þ^eþe blysse of heuyn þ⸧þan art

þ^uþu a very spowse · & a wyfe · for it longyth to þe wyfe to be

w^twyth hir husbond · & no very Ioy to han · tyl sche come to hys

p᷑senspresens 

t

T

hys creatur whan owyr lord

‸

IcIhesu crist

had forȝouyn hir hir ⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum 15 ·

ạṣ synne · as is wrete̅n be forn · had a desyr to se

þo placꝭplacys wher he was born · & wher he sufferyd

hys passyon · & wher he deyd · w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer holy placꝭplacys wher he

was in hys lyue · & also aft ᷑aftyr hys Resurrexyon ·· As sche was

nota

pilg ᷑pilgrym

·

in þese desyres owyr lord bad hir in hir mend · ii · ȝer er þ⸧þan sche

went þ^tþat sche schuld gon to Rome to I᷑Ierusalem & to seynt Iamys ··

ffor sche wold fayn a gon but sche had no good to go · w^twyth & þan

sche seyd to owyr lord · wher schal I han good to go\w^twyth to þes

holy placys · [ower lord seyd a ȝen to hir I · schal send þ^eþe frendyꝭfrendys

a nowe · in dyu᷑sdyuers co͒treyscontreys of ynglond to help þe ·· And dowt ᷑dowtyr

I xal go w^twyth þe in eu᷑yeuery contre · & ordeyn for þ^eþe I · l xal ledyn

þe thyder & brynge þe a geyn in safte [& noon englysch

man schal deyn in þe schyp þ^tþat þow art in / I xal kepe þ^eþe fro

alle wykked mennys power · And dowt ᷑dowtyr I sey to þ^eþe I wyl þ^tþat þ^uþu

were clothys of whyte & no̅non oþ ᷑oþer colo colowr · for þ^uþu xal be̅ben arayd

aft ᷑aftyr my wyl ·· A der lord / yf I go arayd on oþ ᷑oþer man᷑maner þ⸧þan oþ ᷑oþer

chast women don I drede þ^tþat þe pepyl wyl slawndyr me · þ^eiþei

wyl sey I am an ypocryt & wondryn vp on me · ⎡ȝa dowt ᷑dowtyr

þe mor wondryng þ^tþat þow hast for my lofe ·· þ^eþe mor þ^uþu plesyst

me · Than þⁱsþis creatur durst no̅non oþ ᷑oþer wyse do · þ⸧þan sche was

comawndyd in hir sowle · And so sche went forth w^twyth hir

husbond in to þ^eþe cu̅trecuntre for he was eu᷑euer a good man & an esy

man to hir · þow þ^tþat he su̅tymesumtyme for veyn/dred lete hir a lone

for a tyme · ⎡ȝet he resortyd eu᷑euer mor a geyn to hir & had

co̅passyoncompassyon of hir · & spak for hir as he durst for dred of þe

pepyl · [but alle oþ ᷑oþer þat went w^twyth hir forsokyn hir · & ful

falsly þ^eiþei accusyd hir thorw te͒tacyontemptacyon of þ^eþe deuyl ·/ of 

thyngꝭthyngys þat sche was neu᷑neuyr gylty in [& so dede o m⸧man whech sche trostyd

gretly on · & ꝓferydpreferyd hy̅hym self to gon w^twyth hir in to þe contcontre wherþorw

sche was rygth glad · trostyng he wold wel supportyn hir & helpy̅helpyn

hir wh⸧whan sche had nede ·· for he had ben dwellyng long tyme w^twyth

an Ankyr co͒mensowrcommensowr in dyuinyte · & an holy man · & þ^tþat Ankyr

was þⁱsþis womans co͒fesso confessowr · & so hys ẜuawntseruawnt toke leue be hys

owyn steryng to gon w^twyth þⁱsþis creatur in to þe contcontre · & hir

owyn Mayden went w^twyth hir · also long as þ^eiþei ferd wel · & no

m⸧man seyd no thyng a geyns hem · but as sone as þ^eþe pepyl

thorw entysyng of owyr gostly enmy · & be þe sufferawns of

owyr lord · spak a geyn þⁱsþis creatur · for sche wept so sor ·· & seyd

sche was a fals ypocryte · & falsly deceyued þ^eþe pepyl · & thretyd

hir to be brent  [þ⸧þan þe forseyd m⸧man was holdyn so holy a m⸧man

& þ^tþat sche trustyd so mech up on · utt᷑lyuttyrly rep᷑uydrepreuyd hir and fowely

despysed hir & wold no forþ ᷑forþer gon w^twyth hir  ⎣hir Mayden seyng

dysese on eu᷑yeuery syde · wex boystows a ȝens hir Maystres ·· sche

wold not obeyn ne folwyn hir cownsel · Sche let hir gon

a lone in many good townys · & wold not gon w^twyth hir · And

eu᷑euer hir husbond was redy whan alle oþ ᷑oþer fayled & went w^twyth

/

hir · wher owyr lord wold sende hir · al lwey trostyng þ^tþat al was

⎡

for þe best · & xuld comyn to good ende · wh⸧whan god wold ·· & at

þⁱsþis tyme he led hir to spekyn w^twyth þ^eþe Bysshop of lynkoln whech

ByByshop of ly̅co̅elyncone

hygth philyp and a bod · iii · wekys er þei mygth speke wyth

hym [for he was not at hom at hys paleys ·· Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe Bysshop

was comyn hom & herd seyn how swech a wom⸧woman had abe⸗

dyn hym so long to speke w^twyth hy̅hym · a non he sent for hir in

gret hast · to wetyn hir wylle ·· & þ⸧þan sche cam to hys p᷑senspresens

& salutyd hy̅hym & he derly wolcomyd hir ·· & seyd he had long

desyred to speke w^twyth hir · & he was rygth glad of hir comyng ·

And so sche p ͣ ̅ydprayd hym þ^tþat sche mygth speke w^twyth hy̅hym in cownsel

& schewyn hy̅hym þe secretꝭsecretys of hir sowle · & he lymyt hir a ⸗

tyme co̅uenyentconuenyent þ ᷑þer to ·· Wh⸧Whan þe tyme c⸧cam · sche schewyd hy͒hym

hyr medytacyons & hy co̅templacyonscontemplacyons · & oþ ᷑oþer secret thyngꝭthyngys ⸗

17

boþe of qwyk & of ded ·/ as owyr lord schewyd to hir sowle he was

rygth glad to heryn hem & suffryd hir beny̅glybenyngly to sey what hir lysted

⎣ &co̅mendydcommendyd gretly hir felyngꝭfelyngys & hir co͒templacyonscontemplacyons · seyyng þei

+/

wer hy maters & ful deuowt maters · & enspyred of þe holy gost

/ cownselyng hir sadly þ^tþat hir felyngꝭfelyngys schuld be wretyn & sche

/

seyd þ^tþat it was not goddꝭgoddys wyl þ^tþat þei schuld be wretyn so soon

ne þei wer wretyn xx ȝer aft ᷑aftyr & mor · And þ⸧þan sche seyd

ferþermor · My lord yf it lyke ȝow I am comawndyd in my sowle

· vol

þ^tþat ȝe schal ȝyue me þe mantyl & þe ryng · & clothyn me al ⸗

in whygth clothys · And yf ȝe clothyn me in erth · owyr lord

Ihu̅Ihesu cryst xal clothyn ȝow in heuyn · as I vndyrstond be re⸗

uelacyon · [þ⸧þan þe Bysshop seyd to hir · I wyl fulffyllen ȝo ȝowr

desyr ȝyf ȝo ȝowr husbond wyl co͒sentynconsentyn þ ᷑toþerto · ⎣þ⸧þan sche seyd to þe

bysshop · I p᷑yprey ȝow late myn husbond come to ȝo ȝowr p᷑senspresens · & ȝe

xal hery̅heryn what he wyl sey ·· & so hyr husbond cam before þ^eþe

Bysshop · And þe Bysshop askyd hym · Iohn is it ȝo ȝowr wyl þ^tþat ȝo ȝowr

wyf xal take þe mantyl & þe ryng & leuyn chast & ȝe boþe͒boþen

ȝa my lord he seyd [& in tokyn þ^tþat we boþen vowyn to leue ⸗

chast · her I offyr myn handꝭhandys in to ȝowyr · [& he put hys

handys be twen þe bysshoppys handꝭhandys [& þe bysshop dede no⸗

mor to us at þ^tþat day ·· saue he mad us rygth good cher And

seyd we wer rygth wolcome ·· An oþ ᷑oþer day þⁱsþis creatur cam

nota

to mete at þe request of þe bysshop · And sche saw hym

· xiii ·

ȝeuyn w^twyth hys handꝭhandys er he set hy̅hym to mete to · xiii · powyr

men · xiii pens & xiii lovys w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer mete & so he dede eu᷑yeuery

day ·/ þⁱsþis creatur was steryd to hy deuocyon w^twyth þⁱsþis sygth ·

/& ȝaf god p᷑ysyngpreysyng & worshepyng · þ^tþat he ȝaf þe bysshop gcegrace

to don þ^esþes good dedys · w^twyth plentyuows wepyng ·· in so mych

þ^tþat alle þe bysshopys meny wer gretly m᷑veylyngmerveylyng what hyr

eyled · And sythen sche was set to mete w^twyth many worthy

clerkys & p᷑stysprestys & swyers of þ^eþe bysshoppys · And þ^eþe bysshop

hym self sent hir ful gentylly of hys owyn mees · 

þe clerkys askyd þⁱsþis creatur many hard qwestyons · þe wych sche

be þe grace of Ihu̅Ihesu resoluyd · so · þ^tþat hir answerys lykyd þ^eþe Bysshop

rygth wel · And þe clerkys had ful gret m᷑uaylmeruayl of hir þ^tþat sche

answeryd so redyly & p᷑gnawntlypregnawntly · Wh⸧Whan þe bysshop had ety͒etyn

he sent for þⁱsþis creatur in to hys chawmbyr seying to hir ·

[Margery ȝe & ȝo ȝowr husbond spak to me for to ȝyfe ȝow þe

Mantyl & þe ryng for whech cause I haue take my cown⸗

sel · & my cownsel wyl not ȝyf me to ꝓfesseprofesse ȝow in so

synguler a clothyng w^twyth owtyn bett ᷑bettyr avyseme̅tavysement ·· And ȝe sey

be þe gcegrace of god ȝe wyl go to IerIerusalem ·· þ ᷑þer for pythprayth to god

þ^tþat it may abyden tyl ȝe come fro IerIerusalem þ^tþat ȝe be bett ᷑bettyr p᷑uydpreuyd

& knowyn · on þe next day þⁱsþis creatur went to chirch &

pydprayd to god w^twyth alle hyr spyritꝭspyritys þ^tþat sche mygth han knowlach

how sche xuld ben gou᷑ndgouernd in þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater · And what answer

sche mygth gife to þe bysshop ·· Owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist an⸗

sweryd to hir mend

souel

in þⁱsþis man᷑maner ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr sey þe bysshop

þ^tþat he dredyth moreþ schamys of þe world þ⸧þan þe ꝑfytparfyt

lofe of god · Sey hym I xuld as wel han excusyd hym

ȝyf he had fulfyllyd þⁱþi wyl ·· as I dede þe chyldren of

Isr̅l whan I bad hem borwe þe goodꝭgoodys of þe pepyl of

egypt & gon a wey þ ᷑þer wyth ·· þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr sey hym · þow

he wyl not don it now it xal be don an oþ ᷑oþer tyme wh⸧whan

god wyl · & so sche dede hir massage to þ^eþe bysshop of lyn⸗

colne as sche had in comawndment · [þ⸧þan he p᷑ydpreyd hyre

to gon to þe erchsh Archbusshop of Cawnt᷑beryCawntyrbery Arundel

& p᷑ynpreyn hym to grawntyn leue to me Bysshop of lyncoln ·

for to ȝeuyn hir þe mentyl & þe ryng · in as mech as sche

was not of hys dyocyse ·· þⁱsþis cawse he sfeyned thorw cownsel

of hys clerkꝭclerkys for þei louyd not þⁱsþis creatur ·· Sche seyd · ser

I wyl go tyo my lord of cawt᷑berycawtyrbery w^twyth rygth good wyl /for oþ ᷑oþer

cawsys & materys whech I haue to schewe to hys reu᷑ensreuerens ·

As for þⁱsþis cawse I xal not gon for god wyl not I aske hym

18

þ᷑þer aftyr · [þan sche toke hir leue of þe bysshop of lyncolne &

he ȝaf hir xxvi · schelyngys & viii dpens to byen hyr clothy͒gclothyng

wyth & for to p᷑yprey for hym 

¶

ca^mcapitulum 16 ·

t

T

han went þⁱsþis creatur forth to london w^twyth hir husbo͒dhusbond

vn to lambhyth þ ᷑þer þe Erchebisshop lay at þ^tþat tyme

And as þei comyn in to þe halle at aft ᷑aftyr noon

ther wer many of þe Erchebysshoppys clerkꝭclerkys & oþ ᷑oþer rekles

men · boþ^eboþe swyers & ȝemen whech swory̅sworyn many gret oþⁱsoþis ·

& spokyn many rekles wordꝭwordys · & þⁱsþis creatur boldly vndyr ⸗

name hem & seyd þei schuld ben dampnyd but þ^eiþei left

her sweryng & oþ ᷑oþer synnes þ^tþat þei vsyd · ⎡& w^twyth þat cam forth

a wom⸧woman of þe same town in a pylche & al for schod

þⁱsþis creatur · bannyd hir · & seyd ful cursydly to hir in þⁱsþis man᷑maner

I wold þ^uþu wer in smythfeld & I wold bery̅beryn a fagot to bren

þe wyth it is pety þ^tþat þow leuyst · ⎡þⁱsþis creatur stod stylle

& answeryd not & hir husbond suffred w^twyth gret peyn / &

was ful sory to heryn hys wyfe so rebukyd ·· Than þe

Erchbusshop sent for þⁱsþis creatur in to hys gardeyn ·⸗

Whan sche cam to hys p᷑senspresens sche salutyd hy̅hym as sche cowd

pyngprayng hym of hys gracyows lordshyp to grawnt hir to

auctoryte of chesyng hyr co͒fesso confessowr ·· & to be howselyd euery

sonday ȝyf god wold dysposen hir þ ᷑þer to vndyr hys lett ᷑lettyr and

hys seel thorw al hys ꝓuynceprouynce · ⎣& he grawnt it her ful beny͒glybenyngly

all hir desyr w^twyth owtyn any sylu᷑syluer er gold · [ne he wold latyn

hys clerkꝭclerkys takyn anything for wrytyn ne for seelyng of

þe lett ᷑lettyr · Whan þⁱsþis creatur fond þⁱsþis grace in hys sygth · sche

was wel comfortyd & strengthyd in hir sowle · & so sche

schewyd þⁱsþis worshepful lord hir man᷑maner of leuyng · & swech

dyscresio̅dyscresion

grace as god wrowt in hyr mende & in hir sowle · to wety͒wetyn

what he wold sey þ ᷑þer to ȝyf he fond any defawte eyþ ᷑eyþyr in

hyre co̅te̅placyoncontemplacyon · er in hir wepyng · & sche teld hy̅hym also

þe cawse of hyr wepyng ·· And þe maner of dalya[wns]

þat owyr lord dalyid to hyr sowle · And he fond no defawt

þ ᷑þer in ·· but ahe p᷑vsydprevsyd hir man᷑maner of leuyng · & was rygth glad ·

þ^tþat owyr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu · schewyd swech grace in

owyr days · blyssed mot he be ·· [þan þⁱsþis creatur boldly

spak to hym for þe correccyon of hys meny ·· seying

w^twyth reu᷑ensreuerens · My lord  owyr alderes lord al myty god ⸗

hath not ȝon ȝow ȝowyr benefys · & gret goodꝭgoodys of þe

world · to mayten w^twyth hys tretowrys · & hem þ^tþat slen hy̅hym

eu᷑yeuery day be gret othys sweryng ·· ȝe schal answer for

hem · les þ⸧þan ȝe correctyn hem · or ellys put he̅hem owt

of ȝo ȝowr ẜuyseseruyse ·· fful beny͒glybenyngly & mekely he suffred hir to

sey hir entent · & ȝaf a fayr Answer · hir supposyng it

xuld ben þe bett ᷑bettyr · & so her dalyawns co͒tynuydcontynuyd tyl ster⸗

rys apperyd in þe fyrmament · [þ⸧þan sche toke hir leue

& hyr husbond also · Sythen þei comyn a ȝen to ⸗

london & many worthy men desyred to heryn hir

dalyawns · & hir comunycacyon for hir co͒munycacommunyca⸗

cion was so mech in þe lofe of god · þ^tþat þe herars

wer oftyn tyme steryd þ ᷑þer thorw to wepyn ryttȝt sadly

[& so sche had þ ᷑þer rygth gret cher · & hir husbond · be

cawse of hir as long as þei wold abyden in þe

cyte ·· Aft ᷑wardAftyrward þei comyn a geyn to lenne · & þ⸧þan

went þⁱsþis creatur to þe Ankyr at þe frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys

in lenne · & teld hym what cher sche had had · and

how sche had sped whyl sche was in þe contcontre ·· And

he was rygth glad of hir comyng hom · & held it

was gret Myracle hir comyng & hir goyng to & fro

And he seyd to hir I haue herd mych euyl langwage

of ȝow syth ȝe went owt ·· & I haue ben sor cownseld

to leue ȝow & no mor to medyl w^twyth ȝow · & þ ᷑þer is be⸗

hyte me gret frenschepys w^twyth condycyon · yf I leue ȝow ·

19

And I answeryd for ȝow þꝰþus · [ȝyf ȝe wer in þe same plyte

þ^tþat ȝe wer wh⸧whan we partyd a sundyr  I durst wel say · ȝe

wer a good woman ·· a louere of god & hyly inspyred w^twyth

þ^eþe holy gost · And I wyl not forsake hyr for no lady in

þⁱsþis reme for to speke w^twyth þe lady & leuyn hir· for raþ ᷑raþar

I schuld leue þe lady & speke w^twyth hir · ȝyf I mygth not

don boþen · þ⸧þan I xuld don þe co͒tryecontrarye ·‖//Rede fyrst

noᷓ̄nota

þ^eþe xxi chapetr · & þ⸧þan þⁱsþis chapet ᷑chapetyr aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat it begy̅nesbegynnes thꝯthus · i̅in þ^eþe tyme

o

O>

O

N a day long befor þⁱsþis tyme whyl thys c᷑at creatur þ^eþe vi lefe eft ᷑efter

ca^mcapitulum 17 ·

was beryng chylder & sche was newly delyueryd

of a chyld · ⎣owyr lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu seyd to hir sche

xuld no mor chyldren beryn & þ ᷑þer for he bad hyr gon to

Norwych · & sche seyd ·· A der lord how xal I gon · I am

boþe feynt & feble ·drede þe not · I xal make þe stro͒gstrong

¶

i now ·· I byd þ^eþe gon to þ^eþe vykary of seynt Stefenys and

vyk᷑vyker

sey þ^tþat I gret hym wel · & þ^tþat he is an hey chosyn sowle

of myn ·· & telle hym he plesyth me mech w^twyth hys p᷑chy͒gprechyng ·

[& · schew hym thy p᷑uytespreuytes & my̅myn cownselys swech as

I schewe þ^eþe ·· Than sche toke hyr wey to Norwych ward

& cam in to hys cherch · on a thursday · a lytyl be for

noon And þe vykary went vp & down w^twyth a noþ ᷑noþer p᷑stprest

whech was hys gostly fadyr · þ^tþat leuyd wh⸧whan þⁱsþis boke was

mad · & þⁱsþis creatur was clad in blak clothy̅gclothyng þ^tþat tyme ·

Sche salutyd þ^eþe vykary p᷑yngpreyng hym þ^tþat sche mygth speke

w^twyth hym an owyr or ellys tweyn · owyrs at aft ᷑aftyr none ·

wh⸧whan he had etyn in þe lofe of god ·he lyftyng vp hys

handys & blyssyng hym · seyd ·· benedicite what cowd a woma⸧woman

ocupyn an owyr er tweyn owyrs in þe lofe of ow ᷑owyr lord ·

I xal neu᷑neuer ete mete tyl I wete what ȝe kan sey of owyr

lord god · þe tyme of on owyr ·/ þ⸧þan he sett hym down in

þe chirche · sche syttyng a lytyl be syde schewyd hym all

þe wordꝭwordys whech god had reuelyd to hyr in hyr sowle

Sythen sche schewyd hym al hyr man᷑maner of levyng · fro hyr chyldhod

as ny as it wolde come to hir mende · how vnkynd sche had ben

a geyn owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist ·· how prowde & veyne sche had ben in

hir aport · how obstynat a geyns þe lawes of god · & how en⸗

vyows a geyn hir euyn c̍stencristen · Sythen wh⸧whan it plesyd owyr

lord c̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu how sche was chastysed w^twyth many tribulacyons ·

& horrybyl temptacyons · & aft ᷑wardaftyrward how sche was fed and

comfortyd w^twyth holy medytacyons · & specyal in þe mende of

pass

yon

owyr lordꝭlordys passyon · & whyl sche dalyed in þe passyon of

owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist ·· Sche herd so hedows a melodye þ^tþat sche

mygth not ber it [þan þⁱsþis creatur fel down · as yf sche

had lost hir bodyly strength · & lay stylle a gret whyle ·

desyryng to put it a way · & sche mygth not [þan knew

sche wel be hir feyth þ^tþat þ ᷑þer was gret Ioye in hevyn · Wher

þe lest poynt of blys w^twyth owtyn any co͒ꝑysoncomparyson passeth al

þe Ioye þat eu᷑euer myt be thowt er felt in þⁱsþis lyfe · Sche

was gretly strengthyd in hir feyth & mor bold to tellyn þe

vykary her felyngꝭfelyngys whech sche had be reuelacyons boþen

of qwyk & of ded & of hys owyn self ·· Sche teld hym

how sum tyme þe ffadyr of hevyn dalyd to hir sowle

as pleynly and as veryly as o frend spekyth to a noþ ᷑noþer be

bodyly spech · Su͒Sum tyme þe secu͒desecunde ꝑsonepersone in t ̍nytetrinyte · · su⸧sum ⸗

tyme alle thre ꝑsonyspersonys in t ̍nitetrinite & o substawns in god⸗

hede dalyid to hir sowle · & informyd hir in hir feyth ·

loue

& in hys lofe · how sche xuld lofe hym · worshepyn hy͒hym ·

& dredyn hym ·· so excellently ·: þ^tþat sche herd neu᷑neuer boke · neyþ ᷑neyþ yr

brigytts

·

hyltons boke · ne p̍dispridis boke · ne StimulStimulus amorꝭamoris · ne in⸗

‸

of · R · ha̅pallhampall

cendiu̅cendium amoris ·

‸

ne no̅non oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat eu᷑euer sche herd redy̅redyn þ^tþat spak

so hyly of lofe of god · but þ^tþat sche felt as hyly in wer⸗

kyng in hir sowle · yf sche cowd or ellys mygth a sche ⸗

wyd as sche felt ·· Su̅tymeSumtyme owyr lady spak to hir mend ·

[Sumty]me seynt petyr· Su͒tymeSumtyme seynt powyl [Su͒tymSumtym seynt

20

kateryn er what seynt in heuyn sche had deuocyon to a⸗

peryd to hir sowle · & tawt hir how sche xuld louyn owyr lord ·

[& how sche xuld plesyn hym her dalyawns was so swet ·· so

holy & so devowt · þat þⁱsþis creatur myt not oftyn tymes

beryn it but fel down & wrestyd w^twyth hir body & mad won⸗

dyrful cher & contenawns w^twyth boystows sobbyngꝭsobbyngys · & gret

ferve̅tfervent loue

plente of terys · Su̅tymeSumtyme seyng / Ihu̅Ihesu m᷑cymercy) su̅sum tyme I dey )

nota

& þ ᷑þer for mech pepyl slawndryd hir not ·

‸

be

leuyng it was

þe werke of god ·· but þ^tþat su̅sum euyl spyrit vexid hir in hir

body · er ellys þ^tþat sche had su̅sum bodyly sekenesse · Notw^tstondy͒gNotwythstondyng

þe Rumo Rumowr · & grutchyng of þe pepyl a ȝen hir ·· [þis holy

man vykary of seynt Stefenys chyrch of Norwych ·

fader

whom god hath exaltyd · & þorw m᷑uelyowsmeruelyows werkꝭwerkys sche ⸗

wyd & p᷑uydpreuyd for holy ·· eu᷑euer held w^twyth hir & supportyd hir a⸗

ȝen hir enmys in to hys powyr · Aft ᷑Aftyr þe tyme þ^tþat sche

be þe byddyng of god had schewyd hym hir man᷑maner of

gou᷑nawnsgouernawns & leuyng · for he trustly beleuyd þ^tþat sche was

wel lernyd in þe lawe of god · & indued w^twyth grace of þ^eþe

holy gost · to whom it longyth to enspyr wher he wyl ·

& þow hys voys be herd it is not wyst of þe werld fro

when/it comyth · er whedyr it goth · Thys holy vykary ·

aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis tyme was co͒fesso confessowr · to þⁱsþis creatur al wey wh⸧whan

sche cam to Norwych · & howsyld hir w^twyth hys owyn

handys · & wh⸧whan sche was on a tyme moneschyd to aper

be for certeyn offycerys of þe Bysshop · to Answer to

certeyn Artyculys whech xuld be put a geyn hir be þ^eþe

steryng of envyows pepyl · ⎡þe good vykary p᷑ferryngpreferryng

þe lofe of god be for any schame of þe world · went w^twyth

hir to her hir examynacyon & delyueryd hir fro þe

nota

nonota

malys of hyr enmys ·/ & þ⸧þan was it reuelyd to þⁱsþis creatur

vii ȝere

þ^tþat þe good vykary xuld leuyn sevyn ȝer aft ᷑aftyr & þ⸧þan he

sculd passyn hens w^twyth gret gcegrace ·· And he dede as sche h[ad]

¶

ca^mcapitulum 18 ·

t

T

hys creatur was chargyd & comawndyd in hir sowle þ^tþat

goyd whyte
frere 

sche schuld go to a whyte frer in þe same Cyte of Norwy ̉Norwych

whech hyte Wyllya⸧Wyllyam Sowthfeld · a good m⸧man and an holy

leuar · to schewyn hym þe grace þ^tþat god wrowt in hir as sche

had don to þe good vykary be forn · Sche dede as sche was

comawndyd & cam to þe frere on a for noon · & was w^twyth hy͒hym

in a chapel a long tyme · & schewyd hym hir meditacyons ·

& swech as god wrowt in hir sowle · to wetyn yf sche wer

dysceyued be any illusyons or not · Thys good man þe

nota

white frer eu᷑euer whyl sche teld hir felyngꝭfelyngys ·heldyng up hys

handꝭhandys seyd Ihu̅Ihesu M ᷑cyMercy· & grem᷑cygremercy· Syst ᷑Syster he seyd ·dredyth ȝe

not of ȝo ȝowr man᷑maner of leuyng ·for it is þe holy gost werky͒gwerkyng

plentyuowsly hys gcegrace in ȝo ȝowr sowle · [thankyth hy̅hym heyly of

hys goodnes for we alle be bowndyn to þa̅kynþankyn hy̅hym for ȝow

/þat now in owyr days wel inspir hys gcegrace in ȝow ·· to þe ⸗

help & co͒fortcomfort of us alle · whech arn supportyd be ȝo ȝowr p᷑yerspreyers

/& be swech oþ ᷑oþer as ȝe ben · And we arn p᷑ẜvydpreservyd fro many

myschevys & dysesys whech we schuld sufferyn & worthily

for owyr trespas · nNe wer swech good creaturys a mong

vs · blyssed be al myty god · for hys goodnes · And þ ᷑þer for syst ᷑syster

I cownsel ȝow þ^tþat ȝe dyspose ȝow to receyuyn þe ȝyftꝭȝyftys of

god as lowly · & mekely · as ȝe kan · & put non obstakyl ne

obieccyon a ȝen þe goodnes of þ^eþe holy gost · · ffor he may

ȝevyn hys ȝyftꝭȝyftys wher he wyl · & of vnworthy he makyth

worthy ·· of synful he makyth rygtful ·/ hys m᷑cymercy is eu᷑euer redy

vn to vs ·· les þ⸧þan þe fawt be in owyr self ·· for he dwellyth

not in a body soget to syn ·· he fleth al fals feyny͒gfeynyng & fals⸗

¶

hede ·· he askyth of us · a lowe · a meke · & a contryte hert ·

w^twyth a good wyl ·· ⎣owyr lord seyth hym self My spyrit schal

restyn vp on a meke man · a co̅trytecontryte m⸧man · & dredyng my

wordꝭwordys ·· Syst ᷑Syster I trost to owyr lord ȝe han þese co͒dicyonscondicyons

eyþ ᷑eyþyr in ȝo ȝowr wyl · or in ȝo ȝowr affeccyon · er ellys in bothyn ·/ & I

[held]e not þ^tþat owyr lord suffryth hem to be dysceyued endlessly /

21

þ^tþat settyn al here trost in hym & no thyng sekyn ne desyryn

goyd co̅selconsel ·

but hym only · as I hope þat ȝe don · And þ ᷑þer for beleuyth fully

þ^tþat owyr lord louyth ȝow & werkyth hys gcegrace in ȝow · I p᷑yprey god

vigiles vi
e dess

incres it · & co͒tinucontinu it · to hys eu᷑euer lestyng worshep for hys m᷑cymercy 

The beforn seyd creatur was mech comfortyd boþe in body &

in sowle be þⁱsþis good ma̅nysmannys wordꝭwordys · & gretly strengthyd in hir

feyth · & þ⸧þan sche was bodyn be owyr lord · for to gon to an

dame Jelia̅Jelian

Ankres in þe same Cyte whych hyte dame Ielyan /& so

sche dede & schewyd hir þ^eþe grace þ^tþat god put in hir sowle

of co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon contricyon swetnesse & deuocyon co͒passyoncompassyon

w^twyth holy meditacyon & hy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon · & ful many

holy spechys & dalyawns · þ^tþat owyr lord spak to hir sowle ·

And many wondirful reuelacyons whech sche schewyd to þ^eþe

Ankres to wetyn yf þ ᷑þer wer any deceyte in hem · ⎡for þe

Ankres was expert in swech thyngꝭthyngys & good cownsel cowd

ȝeuyn · / þe Ankres hery͒gheryng þ^eþe m᷑uelyowsmeruelyows goodnes of owyr

lord hyly thankyd god · w^twyth al hir hert · for hys visitacyon

[cownselyng þⁱsþis creatur to be obedyent · to þe wyl of

owyr lord god & fulfyllyn w^twyth al hir mygthys · what

eu᷑euyr he put in hir sowle / yf it wer not a geyn þ^eþe wor⸗

shep of god & ꝓfyteprofyte of hir euyn c̍stencristen ⎡for yf it wer

þ⸧þan it wer nowt þe mevyng of a good spyryte · but

¶

raþ ᷑raþar of an euyl spyrit · [þ^eþe holy gost meuyth neu᷑neuer a þing

·

a geyn charite ·/ & yf he dede he wer co͒traryowscontraryows to hys

owyn self / for he is al charite · Also he meuyth a sowle

to al chastnesse ·· for chast leuars be clepyd þ^eþe temple

of þe holy gost · & þe holy gost makyth a sowle stabyl &

stedfast in þe rygth feyth · & þe rygth beleue ·· And a

dubbyl m⸧man in sowle is eu᷑euyr vnstabyl · & vnstedfast in

al hys weys ·· he þ^tþat is eu᷑euyr mor dowtyng · is lyke to þe

flood of þe see ·· / þe whech is mevyd & born a bowte w^twyth

þe wynd · & þ^tþat m⸧man is not lyche to receyuen þ^eþe ȝyftys

of god ·· What creatur þ^tþat hath þes tokenys he m[uste]

¶

stedfastlych belevyn þ^tþat þe holy gost dwellyth in hys sowle · And

mech mor wh⸧whan god visyteth a creatur w^twyth terys of co͒trisyoncontrisyon

deuosyon er co͒passyoncompassyon · he may & owyth to leuyn þ^tþat þe holy

gost is in hys sowle · · Seynt powyl seyth þ^tþat þe holy gost

Askyth for vs w^twyth morny͒ggꝭmornynggys & wepyngꝭwepyngys vnspekable · þ^tþat is to

_↗

seyn · he makyth vs to askyn & p᷑ynpreyn w^twyth morny͒ggꝭmornynggys & wepy̅gꝭwepyngys

so plentyvowsly · þ^tþat þe terys may not be nowmeryd Ther

may non euyl spyrit ȝeuyn þ^esþes tokenys for

‸

SSaint

Ierom seyth

þ^tþat terys t mentynturmentyn mor þe devylle þ⸧þan don þe peynes

of helle · god & þe deuyl ben eu᷑moreuyrmor co͒t ryowscontraryows · & þei xal

neu᷑neuyr dwellyn to gedyr in on place · & þe devyl hath

no powyr in a mannys sowle · holy wryt seyth þ^tþat þ^eþe sowle

of a rytful man is þe sete

seet

of god · & so I trust syst ᷑syster þ^tþat ȝe

ben · I p᷑yprey god grawnt ȝow ꝑseuerawnsperseuerawns ·· settyth al ȝo ȝowr trust

in god · & feryth not þe langage of þe world · for þ^eþe mor

despyte schame & repref þ^tþat ȝe haue in þ^eþe world þe mor

is ȝo ȝowr meryte in þe sygth of god ·· pacyens is necessary vn

to ȝow · for in þ^tþat schal ȝe kepyn ȝo ȝowr sowle  [mych was þ^eþe holy

dalyawns þ^tþat þe Ankres & þⁱsþis creatur haddyn be comowny͒gcomownyng

in þ^eþe lofe of owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist many days þ^tþat þei were

to gedyr ·· Thys creatur schewyd hyr man᷑maner of leuyng to

many a worthy clerke · to worshepful doctorys of divinyte ·

boþe Religiows men & oþ ᷑oþer of seculer abyte · & þei seyden

þ^tþat god wrowt gret grace w^twyth hir · & bodyn sche xuld not

ben aferde · þ ᷑þer was no disseyte in hir man ᷑maner of leuyng ··

[þei cownseld hir to be ꝑseuerawntperseuerawnt ·· for here most dred

was þ^tþat sche xuld t nynturnyn & not kepyn hir ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon · sche

had so many enmys & so mech slawndyr · þ^tþat hem semyd

sche myte not beryn it w^twyth owtyn gret gcegrace & a mygty

feyth ·· ⎣oþ ᷑oþer whech had no knowlach of hir man᷑maner of gou᷑nawnsgouernawns

saue only be sygth owtforth · er ellys be Iangely̅gIangelyng of oþ ᷑oþer

personys · ꝑu᷑tyngperuertyng þe dom of trewth · seyd ful euyl of hir

[& cau]syd hir to haue mech enmyte · & mech dysese mor

22

þ⸧þan sche xuld haue ellys had · had her euyl la͒gagelangage ne ben 

Neu᷑Neuyr þe lesse þe Ankyr of þe frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys in lenn whech was

p̍ncipalprincipal gostly fadyr to þⁱsþis creatur as is wretyn be forn · toke it

on charge of hys sowle þ^tþat hir felyngꝭfelyngys wer good & sekyr & þ^tþat þer

was no disseyt in hem · And he be þe spiryt of ꝓphecyeprophecye teld

nota

hir wh⸧whan sche xuld gon to IerIerusalem ward · sche xuld haue mech

t̍bulacyontribulacyon w^twyth hir mayden · And how owyr lord xuld asayn

hir scharply & p᷑uynpreuyn hir ful streytly ·/ þ⸧þan seyd sche a geyn

A good ser what xal I þ⸧þan do wh⸧whan I am fer fro hom & in

strawnge cu͒treyscuntreys · & my mayden be a ȝens me · þ⸧þan is my

bodily comfort a go · & gostly co͒fortcomfort of any confesso confessowr as ȝe

beth wot I not wher to haue ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr drede ȝe nowt · for

owyr lord schal co͒fortcomfort ȝow hys owyn self · hoose co͒fortcomfort

passyth alle oþeris ·/ & whan al ȝo ȝowr frendꝭfrendys han forsakyn ⸗

ȝow owyr lord schal makyn a brokyn bak m⸧man to lede ȝow

brokyn
bak ma̅man

forth wher ȝe wyl be ·· & so it be fel as þe Ankyr had ꝓphe⸗prophe⸗

cyed in eu᷑yeuery poynt · And as I trust xal be wretyn more

pleynly aft ᷑wardaftyrward · Than þⁱsþis creatur in a man᷑maner co͒pleyny͒gcompleynyng

seyd to þe Ankyr ·· Good ser what xal I do · he þ^tþat is my con⸗

fesso ⸗

fessowr · in ȝo ȝowr absens is rygth scharp vn to me · he wyl not be ⸗

levyn my felyngꝭfelyngys ·· he settyth nowt by hem · he heldyth hem

but tryfelys & Iapys · & þ^tþat is a gret peyn vn to me · for I

lofe hym wele · & I wold fawyn folwyn hys cownsel ·· The

Ankyr answeryng a ȝen to hir seyd · it is no wondyr dowt ᷑dowtyr

yf he kan nowt beleuyn in ȝo ȝowr felyngꝭfelyngys so sone · he knowyth

wel ȝe han ben a synful wom⸧woman / & þ ᷑þer for he wenyth þ^tþat god

wold not ben homly w^twyth ȝow in so schort tyme · aft ᷑aftyr ȝo ȝowr ꝯu᷑syonconuersyon ·

I wold not for al þⁱsþis world ben so scharp to ȝow as he is ·

God for ȝo ȝowr m᷑ytemeryte hath ordeynd hym to be ȝo ȝowr scorge · & faryth

w^twyth ȝow as a smyth w^twyth a fyle þ^tþat makyth þe yron to be bryte

& cler to þe sygth · whech be forn aperyd rusty dyrke [&]

euyl colowryd ·/ þe mor scharp þ^tþat he is to ȝow [þe mor]

clerly schinyth ȝo ȝowr sowle in þe sygth of god / & god hath ordeyned me

to be ȝo ȝowr norych & ȝo ȝowr comfort · beth ȝe lowe & meke & thanke god

¶

boþ^eboþe of on & of oþ ᷑oþer · On atyme be forn þⁱsþis creatur went to hir

peryspraerys for to wetyn what answer sche xuld ȝeuyn to þe wedow

/ sche was comawndyd in hir spyryt · to byddyn þe wedow levyn

hir co͒fesso confessowr · þ^tþat was þ^tþat tyme · yf sche wold plesyn god · And gon

to þe Ankyr · at þ^eþe ffrer p᷑chowrysprechowrys in lenn · & schewyn hym

hir lyfe · Whan þⁱsþis creatur dede þⁱsþis massage þe wedow wold

not levyn hir wordys ne hir gostly fadyr neyþ ᷑neyþyr · les þ⸧þan god

wold ȝevyn hir þ^eþe same grace þ^tþat he ȝaf þⁱsþis creatur · And sche

chargyd þⁱsþis creatur þ^tþat sche xuld no mor comyn in hir place

& for þⁱsþis creatur teld hir þ^tþat sche had to fele lofe of affecyon

to hir gostly fadyr · þ ᷑þer for þe wedow seyde it had ben good to

þⁱsþis creatur þ^tþat hir lofe & hir affeccyon wer set as hir was ·

[than owyr lord bad þⁱsþis creatur don wryten a lett ᷑lettyr & send it

lettre

hir · A Mayst ᷑Maystyr of dyuynite wrot a lett ᷑lettyr at þe request of þⁱsþis

creatur & sent to þe wedow · w^twyth þese clawsys þ^tþat folwyn · On

clause was þ^tþat þe wedow xuld neu᷑neuyr han þe gcegrace þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur

had · A noþ ᷑noþer was þow þⁱsþis creatur come neu᷑neuer in hir howse

it plesyd god ryt wel · Owyr lord seyd eftsonys to þⁱsþis creatur

it wer bett ᷑better to hir þ⸧þan al þⁱsþis world & hir lofe wer sett as

thyn is · & I byd þe gon to hir gostly fadyr & telle hym · for

he wyl not belevyn þi wordꝭwordys þei schal be departyd a su̅dyrsundyr

er þ⸧þan he be war · & þei þ^tþat ben not of hir cownsel xal knowy̅knowyn

it er þ⸧þan ·

…

he · wheþ ᷑wheþyr he wyl or not ·· lo dowt ᷑dowtyr her mayst þow

se how hard it is to deꝑtyndepartyn a man fro hys owyn wyl ··

/& all þⁱsþis processe was fulfyllyd in trewth · as þe creatur had

seyd be forn · twelue ȝer aft ᷑wardaftyrward ⎡þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur suffryd

mech tribulacyon & gret heuynesse for sche seyd þese

wordys as owyr lord bad hir sey · ⎣& euyr sche encresyd

in þ^eþe lofe of god & was mor bold þ⸧þan sche was be forn 

23

ca^mcapitulum 19 ·

b

B

E forn þⁱsþis creatur went to IerIerusalem owyr lord sent hir

to a worshipful lady þ^tþat sche xuld spekyn w^twyth hir in

cownsel · & do hys erdaend vn to hir ·· þe lady wold not

speke w^twyth hir les þ⸧þan hir gostly fadyr wer p᷑sentpresent · & sche seyd

sche was wel plesyd & þ⸧þan whan þe ladys gostly fadyr was

comyn þei wentyn in to a chapel al thre to gedyr And

þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur seyd w^twyth gret reu᷑ensreuerens & many teerys ·· Madam  

owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist bad me telle ȝow þ^tþat ȝo ȝowr husbond is in

p gatorypurgatory & þat ȝe schal ben savyd but it schal be long er

ȝe come to hevyn ·· And þ⸧þan þe lady was dysplesyd & seyd

hir husbond was a good m⸧man · sche levyd not þ^tþat he was in

p gatorypurgatory · hir gostly fadyr held w^twyth þⁱsþis creatur & seyd it ⸗

mygth rygth wel ben so as sche seyd · & co͒fermydconfermyd hir wordꝭwordys

w^twyth many holy talys · And þ⸧þan þⁱsþis lady sent hir dowt ᷑dowtyr w^twyth

…

many oþ ᷑oþer meny w^twyth hir  to þe Ankyr whech was p̍ncypalprincypal

confesso confessowr to þⁱsþis creatur · þ^tþat he schuld forsakyn hir & ellys he

xuld lesyn hir frenshep ·· The Ankyr seyd to þe massangerꝭmassangerys

nota

þ^tþat he wold not forsakyn þⁱsþis creatur for no m⸧man in erthe ··

for to swech creaturys as wold inq̍yninqwiryn of hy̅hym hir man᷑maner

of gou᷑nawnsgouernawns & how he held of hir · he seyd sche was

goddꝭgoddys owyn ẜuawntseruawnt · And also he seyd sche was þ^eþe tanakyltabernakyl

of god · And þe Ankyr seyd vn to hir owyn ꝑsonepersone · for to

strengthyn hir in hir feyth ·· þow god toke fro ȝow al teerys

& dalyawns beleuyth neu᷑neuyr þe les þ^tþat god louyth ȝow / & þat

terꝭys w^twyth
loue ·

ȝe schal be ryt sekyr of hevyn · for þ^tþat ȝe haue had be for

tyme for teerys w^twyth lofe · is þe grettest ȝeft þ^tþat god may

ȝevyn in erth ·/ & al men þ^tþat louyn god owyn to thankyn

hym for ȝow ·· Also þ ᷑þer was a wedow p᷑ydpreyd þⁱsþis creatur to

p᷑ynpreyn for hir husbond · & wete yf he had ony nede of help

& as þⁱsþis creatur p᷑ydpreyd for hym · sche was answeryd þ^tþat hys

sowle xuld be xxx ȝer in p gatorypurgatory · les þ⸧þan he had bett ᷑bettyr

| ·

frendys in erthe ·· thus sche teld þe wedow & seyd ȝy[f ȝe]

wyl don almes for hym · iii · pownd er · iiii · in m[essys]

& almes ȝeuyng to powyr folke ȝe schal hyly plesyn god & don þe

sowle gret esse · ⎣þ^eþe wedow toke lytyl hede at hir wordꝭwordys & let it pa⸗

syn forth ·/ þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur went to þe Ankyr & teld hym how

sche had felt & he seyd þe felyng was of god & þe dede in þe

self was good þow þe sowle had no nede þ ᷑þer of & cownseld

it xuld be fulfylled ·/ þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur teld þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater to hir gostly

fadyr þ^tþat he xuld speke to þe wedow & so it was long tyme

þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur herd no mo of þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater Aft ᷑wardAftyrward owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist

seyd to þⁱsþis creatur · þ^tþat thyng I bad xuld a be don for þe sowle it

is not don Aske now þi gostly fadyr & so sche dede & he seyd

it was not don sche seyd a ȝen My lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist teld me so

rygth now 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum 20

O

N a day as þⁱsþis creatur was heryng hir messe a ȝong

man and a good p᷑stprest heldyng up þe sacͣ ̅mentsacrament in hys

handꝭhandys ou᷑ouyr hys hed þe sacrament schok & flekeryd

to & fro as a dowe flekeryth w^twyth hir wengꝭwengys / & wh⸧whan he held

up þe chalys w^twyth þe p᷑cyowsprecyows sacmentsacrament þe chalys mevyd to & fro

as it xuld a fallyn owt of hys handys ·⎣ Whan þe sacre

was don þⁱsþis creatur had gret m᷑ueylemerueyle of þe steryng &

mevyng of þe blyssed sacmentsacrament desyring to se mor sacreys

& lokyng yf it wold don so a ȝen / þ⸧þan seyd owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu

crist to þe creatur · þow xalt no mor sen it in þⁱsþis man᷑maner

þ ᷑þer for thank god þ^tþat þow hast seyn  [My dowt ᷑dowtyr bryde say me

neu᷑neuyr in þⁱsþis wyse · þ⸧þan seyd þⁱsþis creatur in hir thowt · ⎣lord

what betokenyth þⁱsþis ·/ It be tokenyth veniawnce ·/ A good lord

what veniawnce ·/ þ⸧þan seyd owyr lord a ȝen to hir þ ᷑þer xal be

an erdene tel it whom þow wylt in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu ·/

[ for I telle þe forsoþe rygth as I spak to seynt Bryde · ryte

so I speke to þe dowt ᷑dowtyr / & I telle þe trewly it is trewe eu᷑yeu᷑ery

B

¶

word þ^tþat is wretyn in · brides boke / & be þe it xal be knowy̅knowyn

for very trewth And þow xalt faryn wel dowt ᷑dowtyr in spyte

of alle thyn enmys ·/ þe mor envye thei han to þ^eþe for my

[gr]ace · þe bett ᷑bettyr xal I lofe þe / I wer not rygthful god but

[I louy]d þe for I knowe þe bett ᷑bettyr þ⸧þan þow dost þi self ·· What

[þat euyr men] seyn of þe · þow seyst I haue gret paciens · in ⸗

24

þe syn of þe pepyl And þow seyst soth ⎣but yf þow sey þe

synne of þe pepyl as I do þow xuldyst haue mech more

m᷑vaylemervayle in my pacyens & mech mor sorwe in þe synne

of þe pepyl þ⸧þan þow hast ·/ þ⸧þan þe creatur seyd · Alas der ⸗

worthy lord what xal I do for þe pepyl ·/ Owyr lord answe⸗

ryd it is I now to þe to don as þow dost ·/ þ⸧þan sche p᷑yedpreyed

M ᷑cyfulMercyful lord cr̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu in þe is al m᷑cymercy & grace & goodnes ·

haue m᷑cymercy pyte & co͒passyoncompassyon of hem ·· Schew þi m᷑cymercy &

thy goodnes vp on hem / help hem · send hem very co͒tricontri⸗

cyon & late hem neu᷑neuer deyn in her synne ·/ Owyr m᷑cymercy⸗

¶

ful lord seyde / I may no mor dowt ᷑dowtyr of my rytfulnesse

do for hem þ⸧þan I do ·/ I send hem p᷑chyngprechyng & techyng · pesty⸗

lens & bataylys hungyr and famyny̅gfamynyng losse of her goodꝭgoodys

w^twyth gret sekenesse & many oþ ᷑oþer t ̍bulacyonstribulacyons · & þei wyl

not leuyn my wordꝭwordys · ne þei wyl not knowe my vysitacyon ·

& þ ᷑þer for I xal sey to hem þ^tþat I made my ẜuawntꝭseruawntys to p᷑yprey

for ȝow & ȝe despysed her werkꝭwerkys & her leuyng 

I

N þe tyme þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur had reuelacyons owyr lord

¶

ca^mcapitulum 21

seyd to hir / dowt ᷑dowtyr þow art w^twyth childe · sche seyd a ȝen ·

o>

A lord how xal I þ⸧þan do for kepyng of my chylde ·

/ owir lord seyd · dowt ᷑dowtyr drede þe not I xal ordeyn for an

kepar ·/ lord I am not worthy to heryn þe spekyn & þꝰþus

to comown w^twyth myn husbond ·/ ner þe lesse it is to me

gret peyn & gret dysese ·/ þ ᷑þer for is it no synne to þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr

for it is to þe raþ ᷑raþar mede & m᷑ytemeryte · & þow xalt haue neu᷑neuer

þe lesse gcegrace / for I wyl þ^tþat þow bryng me forth mor frwte ·

þ⸧þan seyd þe creatur · lord Ihu̅Ihesu þⁱsþis man᷑maner of leuyng longyth

to thy holy maydens ·/ ȝa dowt ᷑dowtyr trow þow rygth wel þ^tþat I

lofe wyfes also · And specyal þo wyfꝭwyfys whech woldy̅woldyn levyn

chast ȝyf þei mygtyn haue her wyl & don her besynes

to plesyn me as þow dost ·· ffor þow þe state of mayden⸗

nota

hode be mor ꝑfyteparfyte & mor holy þan þe state of wedew⸗

hode · & þe state of wedewhode mor ꝑfyteparfyte þ⸧þan þe state of

wedlake · ȝet dowt ᷑dowtyr · I lofe þe as wel as any mayden in þ^eþe world ·

· þ ᷑þer may no man let me to lofe whom I wele · & as mech as I wyl ·

loue

/ for lofe dowt ᷑dowtyr qwenchith al synne · & þ ᷑þer for · aske of me þ^eþe ȝyftꝭȝyftys

of lofe · þ ᷑þer is no ȝyft so holy as is þe ȝyft of lofe · ne no þing

to be so mech desyred as lofe ·· for lofe may p᷑chasynpurchasyn what

it can desyren · & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr · þow mayst no bett ᷑bettyr plesyn

god þ⸧þan co̅tynulycontynuly to thinkyn on hys lofe · Than þⁱsþis creatur

askyd owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu how sche xuld best louyn hym · And

owyr lord seyd haue mende of þi wykydnesse & thynk

on my goodnes [sche seyd a geyn · I am þe most vnworþⁱvnworþi

creatur þ^tþat eu᷑euyr þow schewedyst gcegrace vn to in erth · A dowt ᷑dowtyr

seyd owyr lord · fere þe nowt I take non hede what a

noᷓ̄nota

----------

man hath ben · but I take hede what he wyl ben · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

þow hast despysed þi self · þ ᷑þer for þow xalt neu᷑neuyr be des⸗

pysed of god · haue mend dowt ᷑dowtyr what Mary Mawdelyn ⸗

was · Mary Eypcyan Seynt powyl · & many oþ ᷑oþer seyntys

þ^tþat arn now in hevyn · for of vnworthy I make worthy

/& of synful I make rytful / & so haue I mad þ^eþe worthy

to me · · [onys louyd & eu᷑moreuyrmor lovyd w^twyth me ⎣þ ᷑þer is no seynt

in heuyn þ^tþat þow wylt speke wyth · but he xal com to þe þ^eþe·

Whom þ^tþat god louyth · þei louyn · Wh⸧Whan þ^uþu plesyst god þow

plesyst hys modyr · & al þe seyntꝭseyntys in heuyn · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I

take wytnesse of my modyr · of alle þe Awngelys in

heuyn · & of alle þe seyntꝭseyntys in hevyn · þ^tþat I loue þe w^twyth all

¶nota

myn hert · & I may not forbgertyn þi lofe ·· Owyr lord seyd

þ⸧þan to hys blysful modyr · blyssed modyr telle ȝe my dowt ᷑dowtyr

of þe gretnesse of loue · I haue vn to hir · Than þⁱsþis creat ᷑creatur

lay stylle al in wepyng & sobbyng · as hir hert xuld a

brostyn for þe swetnesse of spech þ^tþat owyr lord spak on

to hir sowle ·· A swythe aft ᷑aftyr · þe qwen of m᷑cymercy goddys

modyr · dalyed to þe sowle of þⁱsþis creatur · seying · My der ⸗

worthy dowt ᷑dowtyr · I bryng þe sekyr tydyngꝭtydyngys wytnessyng my

swet sone Ihu̅Ihesu · w^twyth alle Awngelys & alle seyntꝭseyntys in heuyn

whech louyn þe ful hily ··

↑

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr · I am thy modyr · þi lady ⸗·

25

and thy maystres · for to teche þe in al wyse · how þ^uþu schalt

plese god best ·· Sche tawt þⁱsþis creatur & informyd hir so ⸗·

wondyrfully · þ^tþat sche was abaschyd to speke it or telle it to

any · þe maters wer so hy & so holy saf only to þe Ankyr ·

whech was hir p̍ncypalprincypal co͒fesso confessowr · for he cowde most skyl

in swech thyngꝭthyngys · & he chargyd þⁱsþis mater be v᷑tuvertu of obe⸗

dyens to tellyn hym what þ^tþat eu᷑euer sche felt & so sche dede 

a

¶

A

S þⁱsþis creatur lay in co͒templacyoncontemplacyon for wepy͒gwepyng

¶

ca^mcapitulum 22

nonota
totꝰtotus

in hir spiryt sche seyde to owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst ·

A lord Maydenys dawnsyn now m᷑ylymeryly in heuyn 

[xal not I don so · for be cawse I am no mayden · lakk of may⸗

denhed is to me now gret sorwe · Me thynkyth I wolde

I had ben slayn whan I was takyn fro þe funt ston · þ^tþat

I xuld neu᷑neuer a dysplesyd þ^eþe · & þ⸧þan xuldyst þ^uþu blyssed lorde

an had my maydenhed w^twyth owtyn ende · A der god I haue not

lovyd þe alle þ^eþe days of my lyue · & þ^tþat sor þ᷑þerwyth me · I haue

ronnyn a wey fro þe · & þow hast ronnyn aft ᷑aftyr me · wold fal⸗

lyn in dyspeyr & þ^uþu woldyst not suffer me · A dowt ᷑dowtyr how

nota

oftyn tymes haue I teld þe þ^tþat thy synnes arn forȝoue

þe · & þ^tþat we ben onyd

in loue

to gedyr

‸

w^twyth owtyn ende /· þ^uþu art to

me a synguler i lofe dowt ᷑dowtyr · & þ ᷑þer for I behote þ^eþe · þ^uþu · schalt

haue a synguler gcegrace in hevyn · dowtyr & I be hest Iþ^tþat I shal

come to þin ende at þi deyng · w^twyth my blyssed modyr &

myn holy Awngelys · & twelve apostelys · Seynt kat᷑ynekateryne ·

seynt Margarete · Seynt Mary Mawdelyn · & many oþer

seyntꝭseyntys þ^tþat ben in hevyn · whech ȝevyn gret worshep to me ·

for þe gcegrace · þ^tþat I ȝeue to þe

‸

thy

god & þi lord Ihu̅Ihesu ·/ þow þart drede

no grevows peynes in þⁱþi deyng · for þ^uþu xalt haue thy

desyre · þ^tþat is to haue mor mynde of my passyon · þ⸧þan on

þin owyn peyne ·· [þ^uþu xalt not dredyn þe devyl of helle ·

¶

for he hath no powyr in þ^eþe · he dredyth þe mor þ⸧þan thow

dost hym · he is wroth w^twyth þ^eþe · for þ^uþu turmentyst hym mor ·

w^twyth þi wepyng · þ⸧þan doth al þe fyer in helle ·· þ^uþu wynnyst

many sowlys fro hym w^twyth þi wepyng · &

↗

I haue be hygth

þe þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldyst noon oþ ᷑oþer pgatorypurgatory han þan slawndyr & speche of þ^eþe

world ·/ for I haue chastysed þe my self as I wolde be many gret

dredꝭdredys & t mentiisturmentiis þ^tþat þ^uþu hast had · wyth euyl spyritꝭspyritys boþin slepy͒gslepyng

¶

& wakyng many ȝerys · & þ ᷑þer for [& þ ᷑þer for I schal p᷑ẜuynpreseruyn þe at

[?]
[?]

þin ende · thorw my m᷑cymercy · þat þei schal no powyr haue ou᷑ouyr þe

neyþ ᷑neyþyr in body ne in sowle ·· ⎣it is gret gcegrace & myracle þ^tþat þ^uþu hast

thy bodyly wyttꝭwyttys for þe vexacyon þ^tþat þ^uþu hast had w^twyth hem a for

tyme ·· I haue also dowt ᷑dowtyr chastised þe w^twyth þe drede of my ⸗

godhede · & many tymes haue I feryd þ^eþe w^twyth gret tempestꝭtempestys of

wyndꝭwyndys · þ^tþat þ^uþu wendyst veniawns xuld a fallyn on þ^eþe for synne ·

I haue p᷑uydpreuyd þe be many t ̍bulacyonstribulacyons · many gret heuynes ·

& many grevows sekenes · in so mech · þ^tþat þ^uþu hast ben a noyted

for deed / & al thorw my gcegrace hast þ^uþu skapyd · ⎣þ ᷑þer for drede þe

nowt dowt ᷑dowtyr for w^twyth my̅myn owyn handꝭhandys whech wer nayled to

þe crosse I xal take þi sowle fro þi body · w^twyth gret myrthe

☝

& melodye · w^twyth swet smellys & good odowrys · & offyr it to

my fadyr in heuyn þ ᷑þer þ^uþu xalt se hym face to face · wonyng

w^twyth hym w^twyth owtyn ende ·· Dowt᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu xalt be ryte wolcome to

my fadyr & to my modyr & to alle my seyntꝭseyntys in hevyn

for þ^uþu hast ȝouyn hem drynkyn ful many tymes · w^twyth teerys

of thyn eyne · ⎣alle myn holy seyntꝭseyntys xal enioyen of þⁱþi comy͒gcomyng

hom ·· þ^uþu xalt be fulfyllyd of al man᷑maner lofe þ^tþat þ^uþu coueytyst ·/ þ⸧þan

xalt þ^uþu blysse þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat þ^uþu wer wrowte · & þ^eþe body þ^tþat þ^eþe hath dere

bowte ·· he xal Ioyen in þ^eþe & þ^uþu in hym w^twyth owtyn ende ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

I be hoste þe · þ^eþe same gcegrace · þ^tþat I be hyte seynt kateryne seynt

noᷓ̄nota

Margarete · seynt · barbara · & seynt Powle · in so mech þat

what creatur in erth vn to þ^eþe day of dom · aske þ^eþe any

bone & beleuyth þ^tþat god louyth þ^eþe he xal haue is hys bone ·

& er ellys a bett ᷑better thing · þ᷑þer for & þei þ^tþat beleuyn þ^tþat god louyth

[?] shal ben

þe · þei xal ben blyssed w^twyth owtyn ende ·· The sowlys in pgapurga⸗

tory xal Ioyn in þi comyng hom · for þei knowyn wel þ^tþat god

louyth þ^eþe specyaly ⎣& men in erth schal Ioyn in god for þe ··

for

26

for he xal werkyn meche gcegrace for þe · And makyn al þe world to kno⸗

wyn þ^tþat god louyth þe [þ^uþu hast be despysed for my lofe · & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu

nota

xalt be worshepyd for my lofe ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr whan þ^uþu art in heuyn

þ^uþu xalt mown askyn what þ^uþu wylt & I xal grawnte þ^eþe al þi

si̅gularissingularis · x ̍cristi ·
amatrix 

desyr · I haue telde þe be for tyme þ^tþat þ^uþu art a synguler louer ·

/ & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu xalt haue a synguler loue in heuyn / a synguler

reward / & a synguler worshep / & for as mech as þ^uþu art a ⸗

mayden in þi sowle · I xal take þ^eþe be þe on hand in hevyn / &

my Modyr be þe oþ ᷑oþer hand ⎡ & so xalt þ^uþu dawnsyn

‸

gostly

in hevyn

//

w^twyth

oþ ᷑oþer holy maydens & v̍gynesvirgynes · for I may clepyn

//

þ^eþe dere a bowte

& myn owyn derworthy derlyng · I xal sey to þ^eþe my̅myn owyn

blyssed spowse · Welcome to me w^twyth al man᷑maner of Ioye & gladnes ·

her to dwellyn w^twyth me & neu᷑neuer to departyn fro me w^twyth owtyn ende ·

but eu᷑euyr to dwellyn w^twyth me in Ioy & blysse · whech non eye may

noᷓnota

se ne eer heryn ne tu̅getunge telle ne no̅non hert thynkyn · þat I

haue ordeynd for þe & for alle my ẜuawntꝭseruawntys þe whech desy⸗

ryn to lofe me & plesyn me as þ^uþu dost  deo gra̅sgratias i̅in etnu̅eternum

t

T

her cam onys a vykary to þⁱsþis creatur p᷑yngpreyng hir

¶

ca^mcapitulum 23

to p᷑yprey for hym · &

‸

to

wetyn whedyr he xuld mor plese

god to leuyn hys cure & hys benefyce · or to kepe

it stylle for hym thowt he ꝓfytedprofyted not a mong hys parys⸗

shonys · [þ^eþe creatur beyng in hir p᷑yerspreyers hauyng mende of þⁱsþis

mat ᷑mater · c̍stcrist seyde vn to hir spyrite ·· bydde þ^eþe vykary · kepyn stylle

nota

hys cure & hys benefyce / & don hys diligence in p᷑chyngprechyng &

techyng of hem hys owyn ꝑsonepersone · & su͒tymesumtyme ꝓcurynprocuryn oþ ᷑oþer to

teche hem my lawys · & my comawndmentꝭcomawndmentys · so þ^tþat þ ᷑þer be no ⸗

defawte in hys ꝑteparte · & ȝyf þei do neu᷑neuer þe bett ᷑better · hys mede

xal neu᷑neuer be þe lesse · & so sche dede hir massage &

…

‸

as

sche was

comawndyd & þe vykary kept stylle hys cur 

As þⁱsþis creatur was in a cherch of seynt Margarete in þe

qwer · wher a cors was p᷑sentpresent · & he þ^tþat was husbond of þ^eþe same

cors · whyl sche leuyd was þ ᷑þer in good hele for to offeryn

hir messe peny · aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe custom of þe place · ⎣owyr lord seyd ⸗

to þe forseyd creatur · lo dowt ᷑dowtyr þe sowle of þⁱsþis cors is in pgatorypurgatory

& he þ^tþat was hir husbond is now in good hele / & ȝet he xal ben

ded in schort tyme / & so it be fel as sche felt be reuelacyon ·

¶

Also as þⁱsþis creatur lay in þe qwer in hir p᷑yerspreyers a p᷑stprest cam

to hir & p᷑ydepreyde hir to p᷑yprey for a wom⸧woman whech lay in poynt of

deth · [as þⁱsþis creatur gan to p᷑yprey for hir · owyr lord seyd to hir ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr it is gret nede to p᷑yprey for hir · for sche hath ben a wykkyd

woman & sche xal be ded ·/ & sche seyd a ȝen ·· lord as þ^uþu louyst

me saue hir sowle · fro dampnacyon · & þ⸧þan sche wept w^twyth

plentyuows teerys for þ^tþat sowle ⎣& owyr lord grawntyd hir

IIhesu ·

m᷑cymercy for þe sowle · comawndyng hir to p᷑yprey for hir · Thys

creaturys gostly fadyr cam to hir · mevyng hir to p᷑yprey for

a wom⸧woman whech lay in point of deth to mannys sygthe ·

[& a non owyr lord seyd sche xuld levyn & faryn wel & so

¶

sche dede ·· A good man whech was a gret frend to þis

creatur · & an helply to þe powyr pepyl · was strongly

seke many wekys to gedyr · & mech mone was mad for

hym ·· for men wend he xuld neu᷑neuer a leuyd · hys peyn was

so wondyrful in alle hys Ioyntꝭioyntys & in al hys body ·· Owyr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu seyd to hir spirite ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr be not abaschyd · for þⁱsþis

man he schal levyn & faryn rygth wel / & so he leuyd ⸗

¶

many ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr in good helth & ꝓsperteprosperte ·· An oþ ᷑oþer good m⸧man

whech was a lyster lay seke also ⎣& wh⸧whan þⁱsþis creature

p᷑ydpreyd for hym it was answeryd to hir mende · þ^tþat he xulde

languryn a whyle · & sythen he xuld ben ded w^twyth þ^tþat same

¶

sekenesse ⎡& so he was in schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr  ⎣Also a wor⸗

nota

shepful woman & as men leuyd an holy wom⸧woman whech

was a specyal frende to þⁱsþis creatur · was ryte seke & mech

pepyl wend sche xuld a be ded [þan þⁱsþis creatur p᷑yngpreyng for

hyr · Owyr lord seyd sche xal not deyn þⁱsþis · x · ȝer ·· for ȝe

schal aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis makyn ful mery to gedyr · & han ful good

comunycacyon as ȝe han had be for / & so it was in ⸗

trewth þⁱsþis holy woman leuyd many ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr  [Many ⸗

27

mo swech reuelacyons þⁱsþis creatur had in felyng · [hem alle for to

wryten it xuld be lettyng ꝑauenturperauentur of mor ꝓfyteprofyte · þes be wretyn

for to schewyn þe homlynes & þe goodlynes of owyr m᷑cyfulmercyful

lord c̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu · & for no co̅mendacyoncommendacyon of þe creatur ·· þ^esþes · felyngꝭfelyngys

nota

& swech oþ ᷑oþer many mo þ⸧þan be wretyn boþ^eboþe of leuyng & of deyng ·

nonota

of su͒mesumme to be sauyd · of su̅mesumme to be dammyd · weryn to þⁱsþis cͤat creatur

gret peyn & ponyschyng · Sche had leu᷑leuar a sufferyd any bodyly

penawns þ⸧þan þes felyngꝭfelyngys · & sche mygth a put hem a wey · for

þe dred þ^tþat sche had of illusyons & deceytꝭdeceytys of hir gostly enmys ·

¶

Sche had su͒sum tyme so gret trubbyl w^twyth swech felyngꝭfelyngys whan it

fel not trewe to hir vndyrstandyng · þ^tþat hir co̅fesso confessowr feryd þat

sche xuld a fallyn in dyspeyr þ ᷑þer w^twyth ·· And þ⸧þan aft ᷑aftyr hir t beleturbele

& hir gret fere · it xuld ben schewyd vn to hir sowle · how

þ^eþe felyngꝭfelyngys xuld ben vndyrstondyn 

t

T

he p᷑stprest whech wrot þⁱsþis boke for to p᷑uynpreuyn þⁱsþis creat yscreaturys

¶

ca^mcapitulum 24

felyngꝭfelyngys · many tymes & dyuers tymes · he askyd

hir qwestyons & demawndꝭdemawndys of thyngꝭthyngys þ^tþat wer for

to komyn · vn sekyr & vncerteyn · as þ^tþat tyme to any creatur

what xuld be þe ende ‸ p᷑yngpreyng hir þeia̅an sche wer loth & not wylly

‸ of thos thy̅gꝭthyngys

to do swech thyngꝭthyngys · for to p᷑yprey to god þ ᷑þer for · & wetyn whan owyr

lord wold visiten hir w^twyth deuocyon what xuld be þ^eþe ende [and

trewly w^twyth owtyn any feyny͒gfeynyng tellyn hym how sche felt · &

ellys wold he not gladlych a wretyn þe boke ·· And so þⁱsþis cͤat creatur

sumdel for drede · þ^tþat he wold ellys

‸

not

a folwyd hir entent for

to wryten þⁱsþis boke ·· compellyd  dede as he p᷑ydpreyd hir · & telde

hym hir felyngꝭfelyngys · what xuld be fallyn in swech materys as

he askyd hir ·· ȝyf hir felyngꝭfelyngys wer trewth · & þꝯþus he p᷑uydpreuyd he͒hem

for very trewth [& ȝet he wold not alwey ȝeuyn credens

to hir wordꝭwordys · & þ^tþat hyndryd hym in þⁱsþis man᷑maner þ^tþat folwyth · ⎡It

〈

be fel on a tyme þ^tþat þ ᷑þer cam a ȝong man to þⁱsþis p᷑stprest · whech

ȝong man · þe p᷑stepreste neu᷑neuer sey be forn ·· co͒pleynyngcompleynyng to þe p᷑stepreste

of pou᷑tepouerte · & disese whech he was fallyn in be infortunyte ·

expleyntyng þe cawse of infortunyte ⎣seying also · h[e had]

takyn holy orderys for to be a p᷑stepreste · for a lytil hastynes hym self

defendyng as he mygth not chesyn les þ⸧þan he wold a be ded ·

· thorw psutepursute of hys enmys · he smet a man or ellys tweyn ·

wher thorw as he seyde wer ded · or ellys lyche for to be ded ·

⎣& so he was fallyn in to irregularite · & mygth not executy͒executyn

hys orderys w^twyth owtyn dispensacyon of þe cowrt of Rome

⎣& for þⁱsþis cawse he fled fro hys frendꝭfrendys · & durst not comyn

in hys contre · for drede to be takyn for her deth  [þ^eþe forseyd

p᷑stepreste ȝeuyng credens to þe ȝong mannys wordꝭwordys · in as ⸗

mech as he was an amyabyl ꝑsonepersone · fayr feturyd · wel fa⸗

ueryd · in cher & in cuntenawns · sad in hys langage · and

dalyawns · p᷑stlyprestly in hys gestur & vestur · hauyng co͒passyo͒compassyon

of hys disese · pposyngpurposyng to getyn hym frendꝭfrendys in to hys rele⸗

vyng · & comfort · went to a worshepful · burgeys in lenn

a Meyrs pere · & a m᷑cyfulmercyful man · whech lay in gret seknes ·

/ & long tyme had don co͒pleynyngcompleynyng to hym · & to hys wyfe

a ful good woman · of þe myschef of þⁱsþis ȝong man · trusty͒gtrustyng

to haue fayr almes · as he oftyn tyme had for oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat he

askyd for · it happyd þ^eþe creatur of whom þⁱsþis boke is wrety͒wretyn

to ben þ ᷑þer p᷑sentpresent · & herd how þe p᷑stepreste co͒pleynedcompleyned for þ^eþe ȝong

man · & how þ^eþe p᷑stepreste p᷑ysedpreysed hym · & sche was sor mevyd i̅in

hir spiryt a geyns þ^tþat ȝong man · & seyd þei haddy͒haddyn many

powyr neybowrys · whech þei knewyn wel a now hady̅hadyn

gret nede to ben holpyn & relevyd · & it was mor almes

to helpyn hem þ^tþat þei knewyn wel for wel dysposyd folke ·

⎣& her owyn neybowrys · þ⸧þan oþ ᷑oþer strawngerys whech þei

knew not · for many spekyn & schewyn ful fayr owtward

to þe sygth of þe pepyl · god know^tknowyth what þei arn in her

sowlys · The good man & hys wife thowtyn þ^tþat sche seyd

rygth wel & þ ᷑þer for þei woldyn grawntyn hym non almes ·

⎣at þ^tþat tyme · þe p᷑stepreste was euyl plesyd w^twyth þⁱsþis creatur & wh⸧whan

he mett w^twyth hir a lone · he rehersyd how sche had lettyd · hy͒hym

⎣þat he mygth non almes getyn for þe ȝong man whech was

[a] wel dysposyd man as hym thowt & co͒mendydcommendyd mech ⸗

28

hys gou᷑nawnsgouernawns · [þe creatur seyd · Sere god knowyth what hys gou᷑naw͒sgouernawns

is · for þ^tþat I wot of I sey hym neu᷑neuer · & ȝet I haue vndyrstondyng what

hys gou᷑nawnsgouernawns xuld be · [& þ ᷑þer for ser yf ȝe wyl do be my cownsel

& aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat I fele · lathyth hym chesyn & helpyn hym selfe · as wel

as he can · & medyl ȝe not w^twyth hym · for he xal dysceyue ȝow / at

þe last ·· [þ^eþe ȝong man resortyd alwey to þe p᷑stepreste flatery͒gflateryng hy͒hym ·

& seyng þ^tþat he hath good frendꝭfrendys in oþ ᷑oþer placꝭplacys · whech xuld helpy͒helpyn

hym ȝyf þei wysten wher he wer · & þ^tþat in schort tyme & also

þei woldyn thankyn þo ꝑsonyspersonys þ^tþat had supportyd hy͒hym in hys

dysese · [The p᷑stepreste trustyng it xuld be as þⁱsþis ȝong m⸧man teld ⸗

hym lent hym sylu᷑syluer w^twyth good wyl to helpyn hym w^twyth · ⎡þe ȝong m⸧man

nota

p᷑yedpreyed þe p᷑stepreste to haue hym excused if he sey hym not of too

days er thre · [for he xuld gon a lytyl wey & comyn a geyn in

schort tyme & bryng hym a ȝen hys sylu᷑syluer rygth wel & trewly

The p᷑stepreste hauyng co͒fidensconfidens in hys ꝓmyssepromysse · was wel co͒tentcontent

grawntyng hym good lofe & leue vn to þe day whech he had

ꝓmysedpromysed to come a geyn ·· Whan he was gon  · þ^eþe forseyde ⸗

creatur hauyng vndyrstondyng be felyng in hir sowle ··

as owyr lord wold schewyn þ^tþat he was an vntrewe man

& no mor wold come a geyn · sche for to p᷑vepreve wheþ ᷑wheþyr hir fe⸗

lyng was trewe or fals · askyd þe p᷑stepreste wheþ ᷑wheþyr þe ȝong man

was þ^tþat he had p᷑ysedpreysed so mech · The p᷑stepreste seyd he walkyd a lytil

way & trustyd þ^tþat he wold come a geyn · Sche seyd sche sup⸗

posyd þ^tþat he wold no mor se hym · ne no mor he dede neu᷑neuyr

aft ᷑aftyr [& þ⸧þan he repentyd hym þat he had not don aft ᷑aftyr hir

cownsel · In schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis was passyd comyth an

oþ ᷑oþ᷑ fals schrewe · an elde man to þ^eþe same p᷑stepreste & ꝓferydproferyd

hym a portose · a good lytyl boke for to selle · þ^eþe p᷑stepreste went

to þe forseyd creatur p᷑yngpreyng hir to p᷑yepreye for hym & wetyn

whedyr god wolde he xulde by þe boke er not / & whyl sche

p᷑ydpreyd he cheryd þe man as wel as he cowde & sythen he

cam a geyn to þⁱsþis creatur & askyd how sche felt · Syr

sche seyth · byith no boke of hym for he is not to trustyn

vp ⎣on ⎣& þ^tþat xal ȝe wel knowyn ȝyf ȝe medyl w^twyth hy[m]

Than þe p᷑stepreste p᷑ydepreyde þe man þ^tþat he mygt se þⁱsþis boke / þe man seyde

he hath it not vp on hym ·/ þe p᷑stepreste askyd how he cam þ ᷑þer by ·/ he

seyd he was executor to a p᷑stepreste whech was of hys kynred · & he

chargyd hym to sellyn it & dysposyn it for hym · /ffadyr seyde

þe p᷑stepreste be cawse of reu᷑ensreuerens why ꝓfyrprofyr ȝe me þⁱsþis boke raþar

þan

‸

to

oþ ᷑oþer men or oþ ᷑oþer p᷑stysprestys whan þ ᷑þer arn many mo thryftyare

richare p᷑stysprestys in þⁱsþis cherch þ⸧þan I am · & I ^||wel ^||wot ȝe had neu᷑neuyr

no knowlach of me be fore þⁱsþis tyme / for soþ^esoþe syr he seyde

no mor I had / neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe les I haue good wyl w^twyth ȝo ȝowr ꝑsonepersone · & also

it was hys wyl þat awt it be for · þ^tþat ȝef I knew any ȝong

p᷑stepreste þ^tþat me thowt sad & wel dysposyd · þ^tþat he xuld han þⁱsþis boke

be fore any oþ ᷑oþer man · & for lesse prys þ⸧þan any oþ ᷑oþer man · þ^tþat he myt

p᷑yprey for hym / & þese cawsys mevyn me to come to ȝow raþer

þan to an oþ ᷑oþer man · ⎡þe p᷑stepreste askyd wher was hys dwellyng //

Ser he seyde · but fyve myle fro þⁱsþis place in penteney Abbey

/ þer haue I ben seyd þe p᷑stepreste & I haue not sey ȝow / no ser seyd

he a geyn [I haue be þ ᷑þer but lytyl whyle · & now haue I ther

a lyuery þankyd be god · þe p᷑stepreste p᷑ydpreyd hym þ^tþat he mygth haue

a sygth of þe boke / & lokyn yf þei mygth acordyn · he seyde

sere I hope to be her a geyn þe next woke & bryng it w^twyth me

& ser I be hote ȝow ȝe schal haue it before any oþ ᷑oþer man ȝyf

ȝow lyke it ·/ þ^eþe p᷑stepreste þankyd hym for hys good wyl · & so they

partyd a sundyr but þe man wold neu᷑neuyr comy̅comyn at þ^eþe p᷑stepreste

aft ᷑aftyr · & þan þe p᷑stepreste knew wel þ^tþat þe forseyd creaturys felyng

was trewe  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

f

¶

ca^mcapitulum 25

F

Erthermore her folwyth a rygth notabyl matere

of þe creaturys felyng · & it is wretyn her for

co͒uenyensconuenyens · in as mech as it is in felyng leche

to þe materys þat ben wretyn be forn · not wythstondyng

it befel long aft ᷑aftyr þe materys whech folwyn ·· It happyd in

a worshepful town wher was o parysch cherch · & tweyn

chapelys annexid · þe chapellys hauyng & mynystryng alle

sacramentꝭsacramentys except only c̍stenyngcristenyng & purificacyons · thorw

sufferawns of þe ꝑsonperson whech was a Monke of seynt ⸗

[be]netys ordyr · sent fro þ^eþe hows of Norwych · kepy͒gkepyng resydens ⸗

29

w^twyth · iii · of hys bretheryn in þe worshepful town be forn wretyn

Thorw su͒mesumme of þe parischenys desyry͒gdesyryng to make þe chapelys

lych to þe parysch cherch · psuyngpursuyng a bulle fro þ^eþe cowrt of Rome · fel

gret ple & gret heuynes be twen þe p̍owrpriowr whech was her ꝑsonperson

& curat · & þe forseyd paryschenys þ^tþat desyred to haue fvntys &

purificacyons in þe chapelys lych as wery̅weryn in þ^eþe parysch cherch

/ & specyaly in þe on chapel whech was þe grett ᷑grettar & þ^eþe fayrare ·

/ þei wold haue a funte · þ ᷑þer was psuydpursuyd a bulle · in þe whech

was grawntyd a funte to þe chapel so it wer no derogacyon

to þe parysch church ·/ þe bulle was put in ple & diuers days

wer kept be forme of lawe to p᷑uynreuyn wheþ ᷑wheþyr þe funte · ȝyf it

wer had xuld ben derogacyon to þe parysch chyrch or nowt ·

/ þe paryschenys whech psuydpursuyd weryn rygth strong & haddyn

gret help of lordshyp ·· & also þ^eþe most of alle þei wer ryche ⸗

men worshepful MarchawntꝭMarchawntys & haddyn gold a now whech

may spede in eu᷑yeuery nede / & þ^tþat is rewth  þ^tþat mede xuld spede er

þ⸧þan trewth · · Neu᷑Neuyr þe lesse þe p̍owrpriowr whech was her ꝑsonperson ·

þei he wer powyr  manfully he w^tstodwythstod hem · thorw þe help of

su͒mesumme of hys paryschenys whech wer hys frendꝭfrendys · & louedyn

þ^eþe worshep of her parysch chyrch · So long þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater was in

ple þ^tþat it be gan yrkyn hem on boþ^eboþe sydes · & it was neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe nerar

an ende ·/ þan was þe mat ᷑mater put in myn lord of Norwych Alnewyk

to say if he mygth be trety bryng it to an ende  laboryd þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater

diligently · & for to settyn rest & pes he ꝓferydproferyd þ^eþe forseyd parys⸗

chenys · mych of her desyre w^twyth certeyn condycyons in so mech

þ^tþat þei þ^tþat heldyn w^twyth þ^eþe ꝑsonperson & w^twyth her parysch chyrche weryn

ful sory · dredyng gretly þ^tþat þei þ^tþat suyd for to haue a funte

xuld obteyn & getyn her intent & so makyn þ^eþe chapel eqwal

to þe parysch church · Than þe p᷑stepreste whech aft ᷑wardaftyrward wrot þⁱsþis

boke went to þe creatur of whom þⁱsþis tretys makyth me̅cyonmencyon ·

as he had don be forn in þe tyme of ple · & askyd hir how

sche felt in hir sowle in þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater · wheþ ᷑wheþyr þei xuld haue a fu͒tefunte

in þe chapel or nowt · Syr seyd þe creatur drede ȝe not

for I vndyrstond in my sowle þow þei woldyn ȝev[en hem]

a buschel of Nobelys · þei xuld not haue it ·· A modyr seyd þe

p᷑stepreste · My lord of Norwych hath ꝓferydproferyd it hem w^twyth certeyn

condycyons · & þei haue a tyme of avysement for to sey

nay or ȝa · wheþ ᷑wheþyr þei wyl · And þ ᷑þer for I am a ferd þei wyl

not deny it but be ryt glad to haue it · Thys creatur

p᷑ydpreyd to god þ^tþat hys wyl myt be fulfyllyd · & for as mech

as sche had be reuelacyon · þ^tþat þei xuld not haue it · Sche

was þe mor bold to p᷑ynpreyn owyr lord to wythstonde her

intent · & to slakyn her bost · And so as owyr lord wolde

þei obeyd not ne lyked not þe menys whech wer ꝓfe⸗profe⸗

ryd hem · for þei trostyd fully to han her entent be ⸗

lordshep & be ꝓcesproces of lawe · & as god wolde þei wer

deceyuyd of her entent · And for þei wold han al · þei

lost al · And so blyssed mot god ben · þe parysch cherch

stod stylle in her worshep · & hyr degre · as sche had

don · ii · hundryd ȝer befor & mor · And þe inspiracyon

of owyr lord · was be exꝑiensexperiens p᷑uydpreuyd for very sothfast

& sekyr in þe forseyd creatur 

w

¶

ca^mcapitulum 26

W

han tyme cam þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur xuld vysiten þo

holy placꝭplacys wher owyr lord was whyk & ded ·⎣as

sche had be reuelacyon ȝerys a forn · sche p᷑ydpreyd

þe parysch p᷑stepreste of þe town þ ᷑þer sche was dwellyng · to sey for

hir in þe pulpyt · þ^tþat ȝyf any man er woman þ^tþat cleymyd

any dette of hir husband or of hir ·/ þei xuld come & speke

wyth hir er sche went & sche w^twyth þe help of god / xulde

makyn a seth to ech of hem · þ^tþat þei schuldyn heldyn he͒hem

content / & so sche dede ·· Sythen sche toke hir leue at

hir husbond · & of þe holy ankyr · whech had teld hir

beforn þe ꝓcesproces of hir goyng · & mech dysese þ^tþat sche

xuld sufferyn be þe wey · And whan alle hir felaschep

forsoke hir ·· how a broke bakkyd man xuld ledyn hire

forth in safte ·· thorw þe help of owyr lord & so it be

[fel in] dede · as it xal be wretyn aft ᷑wardeaftyrwarde · Than ⸗

30

sche toke hir leue of Mayst ᷑Maystyr RotRobert & p᷑ydpreyd hym of hys blyssyng ·

& so forth of oþ ᷑oþer frendꝭfrendys · & þ⸧þan sche went forth to Norwych and

offeryd at þe Trinite · & sythen sche went to Ȝermowth &

offeryd at an ymage of owyr lady & þ ᷑þer sche toke hir schyp ·

& þe next day þei cam to a gret town hyte Seryce · · wher

owyr lord of hys hey goodnesse vysited þⁱsþis creatur wyth

abundawnt teerys of cont ̍cyoncontricyon for hir owyn synnes · And

su̅tymesumtyme for oþ ᷑oþer mennys synnes also · And specyaly sche

had teerys of co͒passyoncompassyon in þe mende of owyr lordys ⸗

passyon · And sche was howselyd eche sonday wher þat

tyme was & place co͒uenientconuenient þ ᷑þer to · w^twyth gret wepyngys

& boystows sobbyngꝭsobbyngys · þ^tþat many men m᷑ueyledmerueyled & wonderyd

of þe gret grace þ^tþat god wrowt in hys creatur · Thys cre⸗

iiii ȝere

atur had etyn no flesch ne drunkyn no wyn · iiii · ȝere ·

er sche went owt of ynglond · And as now hyr gostly

fadyr chargyd hir be v᷑tuvertu of obediens þ^tþat sche xulde ⸗

bothyn etyn flesch & drynkyn wyn · & so sche dede a lytyl

whyle ·· Sythen sche p᷑ydpreyd hir co͒fesso confessowr · he wolde heldyn hir

excused þow sche ete no flesch · and suffred hir to do as sche

wold for a tyme as hym lykyd · And sone aft ᷑aftyr thorw meuyng

of su͒mesumme of her cu͒panycumpany hyr co͒fessowrconfessowr was dysplesyd for

sche ete no flesch / & so was mech of alle þ^eþe cu͒panycumpany And

þei wer most displesyd for sche wepyd so mech / & spak alwey

of þe lofe & goodness of owyr lord / as wel at þe tabyl as

in oþ ᷑oþer place / & þ ᷑þer for schamfully þei rep᷑uydrepreuyd hir & al to che⸗

dyn hir · & seyden · þei wold not suffren hir as hir husbond

dede · whan sche was at hom & in Inglond · And sche seyd

mekely a geyn vn to hem · owyr lord al mygty god is as

gret a lord her as in Inglond · & as gret cawse haue I to

lofe hym her as þ ᷑þer · blyssed mot he be ·· ffor þes wordꝭwordys hir

felaschep was wroþar þ⸧þan þei wer be forn ·· whose wreth

& vnkyndnesse to þⁱsþis creatur · was mat ᷑mater of gret heuynes ·

for þei wer holdyn ryt good men & sche desyred gr[etly]

her lofe · ȝyf sche myth · an had it to þe plesawns [of god]

& þan sche seyd to oon of hem specyaly ·/ ȝe do me meche

schame & gret greuawns ·· he answeryd ageyn anoon ·/ I

p᷑yprey god þ^tþat þe deuelys deth mote ouyr go þe sone · & raþe &

many mo cruel wordꝭwordys · he seyd to hir · þ⸧þan sche cowde rehersy͒rehersyn

and sone aft ᷑aftyr su͒mesumme of þe cu͒panycumpany · on whech sche trostyd

best · & hir owyn Mayden also · seyden sche xuld no leng᷑lengar

gon in her felaschep · & þei seyden þei woldyn han a wey

hyr mayden fro hir · þ^tþat sche xuld no stru͒petstrumpet be in hyr ⸗

cu͒panycumpany · & þ⸧þan on of hem he had hir gold in kepyng · left

hir a nobyl w^twyth gret angyr & tene · to go wher sche wolde ·

& helpyn hir self as wel as sche myth ·· for w^twyth hem þei

seyden sche xuld no leng᷑lengar abyde · & forsokyn hir þ^tþat nygth

/ þ⸧þan on þe next morwyn þ ᷑þer com to hir · on of her cu͒panycumpany

a Man whech louyd hir · wel · p᷑yngpreyng hir þ^tþat sche wold go to

hys felaws & mekyn hir on to hem · & p᷑ynpreyn hem þ^tþat sche

myth go stylle in her cu͒panycumpany · tyl sche come at Constawns

/ & so sche dede & went forth w^twyth hem tyl sche cam at

Constawns · w^twyth gret dissese & gret turbyl · for þei dedyn

hir mech shame & mech rep᷑fereprefe · as þei wenty in dyuers

placꝭplacys · They cuttyd hir gown so schort · þ^tþat it come but

lytil be nethyn hir kne · & dedyn hir don on a whyte

canwas in man᷑maner of a sekkyn gelle · for sche xuld ben

holdyn a fool · & þe pepyl xuld not makyn of hir · ne

han hir in reputacyon · þei madyn hir to syttyn at þe

tabelys ende be nethyn alle oþ ᷑oþer · þ^tþat sche durst ful euyl

spekyn a word · & not w^tstondyngwythstondyng al her malyce · sche

was had in mor worshep þ⸧þan þei wher þ^tþat eu᷑euyr þ^eiþei comyn

/ & þe good man of þe hows þ ᷑þer þei wer hostellyd · þow

sche sat lowest at þ^eþe tablys ende · wold al wey cheryn

hir be for hem alle · as he cowde & myth · & sent hir

of hys owyn mees · of swech ẜuyseseruyse as he had · & þ^tþat

greuyd hir felawshep ful euyl ·· As þei went be þ^eþe wey

[to] Constawns ward it was teld hem þei xuldyn ben

[harmyd] · & han gret disese · les þ⸧þan þei had gret grace ·

31

Than þⁱsþis creatur cam be a cherch & went in to make hir p ͣ ̅yerprayer &

sche p᷑ydepreyde w^twyth al hir hert w^twyth gret wepyng & many teerys for help

& socowr ageyn her enmys A noon owyr lord seyd to hir mende

Drede þe nowt dowt ᷑dowtyr þi felawshep xal non harm han whyl

þ^uþu art in her cu͒panycumpany ·· And so blyssed mote owyr lord ben in alle

hys werkys þei wentyn forth in sasfte to constawns 

u

U

han þⁱsþis creatur & hir felawshep was come to co͒staw͒sconstawns ·

¶

ca^mcapitulum27

sche herd tellyn of an englysch frer A Mayst ᷑Maystyr of

diuinite & þe Popys legat was in þ^tþat Cite · þan

sche went to þat worshepful man & schewyd hirhir hym hire

lyfe fro þe begynnyng vn to þ^tþat owyr · as ny as sche mygth

in co͒fessyonconfessyon be cause he was þe Popys legate & a worshep⸗

ful clerk · & aft ᷑aftyr sche teld hym what disese sche had wyth

hir felawshep ·· Sche teld hym also what g ͣ ̅cegrace god ȝaf hir

of co͒tricyoncontricyon & co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon of swetnes & deuocyon & of ⸗

many dyuers reuelacyons · whech owyr lord had reuelyd

vn to hir · & þe dred · þ^tþat sche had of Illusyons · & deceytꝭdeceytys of

hir gostly enmys · wher for · sche leuyd in gret drede · desy⸗

nota



ryng to putte hem a way · & non for to felyn · ȝyf sche myth

w^tstondewythstonde hem / & whan sche had seyd · þe worshepful clerke

ȝaf hir wordꝭwordys of gret comfort · & seyd · it was þe werke of

þe holy gost · comawndyng & chargyng hir to obey hem ·

& receyue hem whan god wold ȝeue hem · & no dowt han

for þe deuyl hath no powyr to werkyn swech grace in a

sowle ·/ & also he seyd he wold supportyn hir aȝen þ^eþe euyl

wyl of hir felawschep · · Aft ᷑wardAftyrward whan it lykyd hir fe⸗

lawshep · þei p᷑ydepreyde þⁱsþis worthy doctowr to dyner ·· And þ^eþe

doctowr teld so þe forseyd creatur · warny͒gwarnyng hir to syttyn

at þe mete in hys p᷑senspresens · as sche dede in hys absens ·

& kepyn þe same man᷑maner of gou᷑nawnsgouernawns · þ^tþat sche kept/ whan

he was not þer ·· Whan tyme was comyn þ^tþat þei schulde

syttyn at mete eu᷑yeuery man toke hys place as hym liked ·

þe worshepful legat & docto doctowr ·· fyrst sett · & sythen oþ ᷑oþer · &

at þe last þe seyd creatur at þe bordꝭbordys ende · syttyn[g]

& no word spekyng · as sche was won to do · whan þe legate was

not þer · þan þe legate seyd vnto hir · why ar ȝe no myryar &

sche sat stylle & answeryd not as hym self had comawndyd

hir to do · Whan þei had etyn · · þ^eþe co͒panycompany mad gret co͒pleyntcompleynt

vp on þⁱsþis creatur · to þe legate · & vttyrly sche xulde no leng ᷑lengar

be in her co͒panycompany · les þ⸧þan he wolde comawndyn hir to etyn

flesch · as þei dedyn · & levyn hir wepyng · & þ^tþat sche xulde

not speke so mech of holynes · / þ⸧þan þe worshepful docto doctowr seyde

Nay serys I wyl not don

byd

hir etyn flesch whyl sche may

absteyne hir · & ben þ^eþe bett ᷑better disposyd to louyn owyr lord · of /

whech of ȝow alle þ^tþat mad avowe to gon to Rome barfote ·

I wolde not dispense w^twyth hym of hys vow · whyl he myth

⸪

fulfillyn it · ne I wyl not byddyn hir etyn flesch whyl ⸗

owyr lord ȝeuyth hir strength to absteyne · As for hyr we⸗

pyng it is not in my power to restreyn it · for it is þe

ȝyft of þe holy gost · As for hir spekyng I wyl p᷑yprey hir to

sesyn · tyl sche comyth þ ᷑þer men wyl her hir w^twyth bett ᷑better wyl

þ⸧þan ȝe wyl do ·· The

hei

company was wroth & in gret Angyr

þei ȝouyn hir ou᷑ouyr to þe legate · & seyden vttyrly · þei woldy͒woldyn

no mor medyl w^twyth hir ·· he ful benyngly & goodly receyued

hir · as þow sche had ben hys modyr · & receyued hir golde

a bowte · xx · pownd ·· & ȝet on of hem w^theldewythhelde wrongfully

a bowte · xvi · pownd · & þei w^theldynwythheldyn also hir mayden &

wolde not letyn hir gon w^twyth hir Maystres ·/ not w^tstondy͒gwythstondyng

sche had behestyd hir Maystres & sekyrd hir þ^tþat sche xulde

not forsake hir for no need ·· And þe legate ordeyned for

þⁱsþis creatur & made hir chawnge as sche had ben hys

modyr ·/ þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur went in to a cherche & p᷑ydpreyd ow ᷑owyr

lorde to ordeyn hir a ledar · & a non owyr lord spak to hir

& seyd þ^uþu xalt haue rygth good help · & a good ledar ·· & a⸗

a noone

swythe aft ᷑aftyr þ ᷑þer cam to hir an olde man w^twyth a whyte berde ·

he was of deuyn schir · & he seyd Damsel wyl ȝe p᷑yprey me

for goddꝭgoddys lofe & for owyr ladys · to gon w^twyth ȝow · & ben ȝo ȝowr

[gy]de for ȝo ȝowr cuntre men han forsake ȝow ·· Sche askyd what ⸗

32

was hys name · he seyde my name is willyam wever Sche p᷑ydpreyd

hym at þe reu᷑ensreuerens of god & of owyr lady þ^tþat he wolde helpyn hir

at hir nede · & sche xulde wel rewardyn hym for hys labowre ·

& so þei wer a cordyd · / þ⸧þan went sche to þe legate & telde hym

how wel owyr lord had ordeynd for hir · & toke hir leue of

hym & of hir cu͒panycumpany · þ^tþat so vngoodly had refusyd hir · & also

of hir mayden whech was bowndyn to a gon w^twyth hir ·· sche

toke hir leue w^twyth ful heuy cher & rewful · hauyng gret heuy

nes in as meche as sche was in strawnge cu͒trecuntre · & cowde

no langage ne þe m⸧man þ^tþat xuld ledyn hir neyþ ᷑neyþyr ·· & so þe man

& sche went forth to gydder in gret drede & heuynes ·/ as

þei went to gydder þe man seyd vnto hir · I am a ferde

c

þ^uþu xalt be take fro me & I xal be betyn for þe & forberyn

my tabbarde ·· Sche seyd Willyam dredyth ȝow not · god xal

kepyn vs rygth wel · And þⁱsþis cͤaturcreatur had eu᷑yeuery day mend of þ^eþe

gospel · whech tellyth of þe wom⸧woman whech was takyn in

A vowtre & browt be forn owyr lord · & þ⸧þan sche p᷑ydepreyde · lord

as þow dreve a wey hir enmys so dryfe a wey my͒myn enmys ·

& kepe wel my chastite · þ^tþat I vowyd to þe · & late me neu᷑neuer be

defowlyd for ȝyf I be lord I make myn avow I wyl neu᷑neuer ⸗

come in Inglonde whil I leue ·/ þ⸧þan went þei forth day be

day & met w^twyth many Ioly men · & þei seyd non euyl worde

to þⁱsþis creatur · but ȝouyn hir & hyr man mete & drynke

& þe good wyvys · þ ᷑þer þei weryn at inne leyden hir in her

owyn beddꝭbeddys for goddꝭgoddys lofe in many placꝭplacys þ ᷑þer þei come · &

owyr lord vysite hir w^twyth gret g ͣ ̅cegrace of gostly co͒fortcomfort as sche

went be þe wey / & so god browt hir forth tyl sche cam

to boleyn de g ͣ ̅cegrace & aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat sche was come þedyr c⸧cam hir

oþ ᷑oþer felawshep þedyr also whech had for sakyn hir be for ·

& whan þei herdyn sey þ^tþat sche was come to boleyn er þ⸧þan

þei · þ⸧þan had þei gret wondyr & on of her felawshep cam

to hir · p᷑yngpreyng hir to gon to hys felaschep & asayn ȝyf þei

woldyn receyuen hir a geyn in to her felawshep & so ⸗

sche dede ⎡ ȝyf ȝe wyl gon in owyr felawshep · ȝe must

makyn a new co͒nawntcomnawnt · & þ^tþat is þⁱsþis [ ȝe schal not s[peke]

of þe gospel wher we come · but ȝe schal syttyn stylle · & makyn

mery as we don boþin at mete · & at soper · Sche co͒sentydconsentyd & was

receyuyd a geyn in to hir felawshep / þ⸧þan went þei forth to Venyce

& þei dwellyd þ ᷑þer xiii

//

· wekꝭwekys ⎡ & þⁱsþis creatur was howselyd eu᷑yeuery son⸗

day · in a gret hows of nu͒nysnunnys · & had gret cher a mong hem

wher owyr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu visite þⁱsþis creatur w^twyth gret

deuocyon & plentyuows terys · þ^tþat þe good ladiis of þ^eþe place

wer mech a m᷑ueylydmerueylyd þ ᷑þer of · Sythyn it happyd as þⁱsþis creatur

sat at mete w^twyth hir felawshep · þat sche rehersyd a text of

a gospel · lych as sche had leryd be for tyme w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer goode

wordꝭwordys · And a non hir felawshep seyd sche had brokyn co⸗

menawnt · & sche seyd ȝa serys forsoþ^eforsoþe I may no leng ᷑lengar hold

ȝow comenawnt · for I must nedꝭnedys speke of my lord Ihu̅Ihesu

c̍stcrist / þow al þⁱsþis world had forbodyn it me / & þ⸧þan sche toke

hir chawmbr & ete a lone · vi · wokꝭwokys · vn to þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat owyr

lord mad hir so seke · þ^tþat sche wend to a be ded · & sythyn so⸗

deynly he mad hir hool a ȝen ·/ & al þ^eþe tyme hir mayden

let hir a lone / & mad þe cu͒panyescumpanyes mete & wesch her cloþⁱscloþis

& to hir Maystres whom sche had behestyd servyse sche ⸗

wolde no dele attende 

a

A

lso þⁱsþis cu͒panycumpany whech had putt þ^eþe forseyd creatur fro

¶

ca^mcapitulum 28 ·

her tabyl · þ^tþat sche xulde no leng ᷑lengar etyn a mong hem ·

ordeynd a schip for hem self to seylyn in · þ^eiþei bowty͒bowtyn

vessellys for her wyn · & ordeyned hem beddyng for hem

selfe · but no thyng for hir  Than sche seyng ther vnkynd⸗

nesse went to þ^tþat same man wher þei haddyn ben / & pueydpurueyd

for hyr beddyng as þei had don / & cam þ ᷑þer þei weryn / and

schewyd hem how sche had don · pposyng to seylyn w^twyth hem

in þ^tþat schyp whech s þei had ordeyned ·· Sithyn as þⁱsþis creatur

was in co͒templacyoncontemplacyon owyr lord warnyd hir in hir mende ·

/ þ^tþat sche xuld not seylyn in þ^tþat schip & he assyngned hir an⸗

oþ ᷑oþer schip · a galey · þ^tþat sche xulde seylyn in · Than sche told þⁱsþis to

su͒me of þe cu͒panycumpany / & þei teld it forth to her felawshep ·

[& þ]an þei durst not seyl in þ^eþe schip which þ^eiþei had ordeyned ·

33

/ & so þei seldyn a wey her vessellys whech þei had ordeyned

for ther wynys · & wer ryth fayn to comyn to þe galey · þ ᷑þer sche

was · & so þeiow it wer a geyn her wyl sche went forth w^twyth hem

in her cu͒panycumpany · for þei durst non oþ ᷑oþer wyse don Whan it was

tyme to makyn her beddꝭbeddys þei lokyd up her cloþⁱscloþis & a p᷑stepreste wech

was in her cu͒panycumpany · toke a wey a schete fro þe forseyd c^eaturceature ·

& seyd it was hys · Sche toke god to wytnesse þ^tþat it was hire

schete · Than þe p᷑stepreste swor a gret othe · & be þe boke in hys

hand þ^tþat sche was as fals · as sche mygth be · & dispysed hir ·

& al to rebukyd hir · & so sche had eu᷑euer mech tribulacyon ·

tyl sche cam to IhrIherusalem / & er sche cam þ ᷑þer · sche seyd to hem

þat sche supposyd þei weryn grevyd w^twyth hir · I p᷑yprey ȝow serys beth

in charite w^twyth me · for I am in charite w^twyth ȝow & forȝeuyth me þ^tþat

I haue grevyd ȝow · be þe wey / & ȝyf any of ȝow hath any þⁱngþing

trespasyd a ȝens me ·· god forȝeue it ȝow / & I do ⎡ & so þei went

forth in to þe holy lond tyl þei myth se IerIerusalem ·· And whan þⁱsþis

creatur saw IerIerusalem

‸

rydyng on an asse sche thankyd god w^twyth

she þ^enþi

al hir hert p᷑yngpreyng hym · for hys m᷑cymercy · þ^tþat lych as he had browt

hir to se þⁱsþis erdly cyte IerIerusalem ·· he wold grawntyn hir g ͣ ̅cegrace

to se þe blysful cite

‸

of

IerIerusalem a bouyn

‸

.s.

· þ^eþe cyte of heuyn ·· Owyr

nota

lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst answeryng to hyr thowt · grawntyd hir to

haue hir desyr · þ⸧þan for Ioy þ^tþat sche had & þe swetnes þ^tþat sche

C

felt · in þe dalyawnce of owyr lord · sche was in poynt to a

fallyn of hir asse · for sche myth not beryn þe swetnesse &

g ͣ ̅cegrace · þ^tþat god wrowt in hir sowle ·/ þ⸧þan tweyn pylgrymys of

duchemen went to hir & kept hir fro fallyng of whech þ^eþe on

was a p᷑stepreste · and he put spycꝭspycys in hir mowth to comfort hir ·

wenyng sche had ben seke · & so þei holpyn hir forth to IerIerusalem ·

And whan sche cam þ ᷑þer sche seyd · Serys I p᷑yprey ȝow beth nowt

displesyd · þow I weþe sore in þⁱsþis holy place wher owyr lord

Ihu̅Ihesu crist was qwyk & ded · Than went þei to þe tempyl

in IerIerusalem · & þei wer latyn in on þ^eþe to

on

day at evynsong tyme

þei

‸

&

‸

abydyn þ ᷑inþerin til þ^eþe next day at euynsong tyme ·/ þan þe ⸗

ffrerys lyftyd up a cros & led þe pylgrimys a bowte · fro [on]

place to an oþ ᷑oþer wher owyr lord had sufferyd hys [peynys]

and hys passyons eu᷑yeuery man & woman beryng a wax candel

in her hand /& þe frerys alwey as þei went a bowte · teld hem

what owyr lord sufferyd in eu᷑yeuery place / & þe forseyd creatur

wept & sobbyd so plentyvowsly · as þow sche had seyn owyr

lord wyth hir bodyly ey · sufferyng hys passyon at þ^tþat tyme ·

befor hir in hyr sowle sche saw hym v᷑ylyveryly be contemplacy⸗

on · & þ^tþat cawsyd hir to haue co͒passyoncompassyon · & whan þei cam

vp on to þe mownt of Caluarye sche fel down · þ^tþat sche ⸗

mygth not stondyn · ne knelyn · but walwyd · & wrestyd w^twyth

hir body · spredyng hir armys a brode · & cryed w^twyth a lowde

voys · as þow hir hert xulde a brostyn · a sundyr · for in

þe Cite of hir sowle sche saw veryly & freschly how

owyr lord was cͧcifyedcrucified · beforn hir face sche herd and

saw in hir gostly sygth þ^eþe mornyng of owyr lady · of sen

Iohn · & mary mawdelyn · and of many oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat louyd owyr

lord & sche had so gret co͒passyoncompassyon · & so gret peyn to se

owyr lordꝭlordys peyn · þ^tþat sche myt not kepe hir self fro krying

nonota de clamor 

& roryng þow sche xuld a be ded · þ ᷑þer for · And þⁱsþis was þ^eþe fyrst

cry þ^tþat eu᷑euer sche cryed in any co͒templacyoncontemplacyon · And þⁱsþis man᷑maner

of crying enduryd many ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis tyme for þ owt

þ^tþat any man myt do / & þ ᷑þer for sufferyd sche mych despyte

& mech rep᷑fereprefe · þe cryeng was so lowde & so wondyrful

þ^tþat it made þe pepyl a stoynd · les þ⸧þan þei had herd it

be forn · & er elly þ^tþat þei knew þe cawse of þe crying ·/ &

sche had hem so oftyn tymes · þ^tþat þei madyn hir ryth ⸗

so fa RM
& f Norton
of Wakenes
of þ^eþe passyo̅passyon

weyke in hir bodyly myghtys · & namely yf sche herd

of owyr lordꝭlordys passyon / & su͒tymesumtyme whan sche saw þe ⸗

crucyfyx · er yf sche sey a man had a wownde er a best ·

wheþ ᷑wheþer it wer ·· er ȝyf a man bett a childe · be for hir · er

smet an hors · er an oþ ᷑oþer best w^twyth a whippe ·⎡ȝyf sche myth

sen it er heryn it hir · thowt sche saw owyr lord be

betyn er wowndyd · lyk as sche saw in þe man · er in þ^eþe

best · as wel in þe feld · as in þe town / & be hir selfe

[alon]e as wel as a mong þe pepyl ·· ffyrst whan sche

34

had hir cryingꝭcryingys at IerIerusalem sche had hem oftyn tymes · & in Rome

also / & whan sche come hom in to Inglonde · fyrst at hir comyng

hom it comyn but seldom as it wer onys in a moneth ·

sythen onys in þe weke · aft ᷑wardaftyrward cotidianly / & onys sche had

xiiii · on o day ·/ & an oþ ᷑oþer day sche had vii · & so as god wolde

visiten hir Su͒tymeSumtyme in þe cherch · su͒tymesumtyme in þe strete · su͒tymsumtym

in þe chawmbchawmbre · su͒tymesumtyme in þe felde whan god wold sendy͒sendyn⸗

hem · for sche knew neu᷑neuer tyme ne owyr whan þei xulde

come & þei come neu᷑neuer w^twyth owtyn passyng gret swetnesse

of deuocyon · & hey co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / & as sone as sche ꝑceyparcey⸗

nota

vyd þ^tþat sche xulde crye · sche wolde kepyn it in as mech as

sche myth · þ^tþat þe pepyl xulde not an herd it · for noyng

of hem · for su͒mesumme seyd it was a wikkyd spiryt vexid hir

su͒sum seyd it was a sekenes · su͒sum seyd sche had dronkyn to mech

wyn ·· su̅sum bannyd hir ·· su̅sum wisshed · sche had ben in þ^eþe hauyn

su̅sum wolde sche had ben in þe se in a bottu͒lesbottumles boyt · And

so ich man as hym thowte / oþ ᷑oþer gostly men louyd hir

& fauowrd hir þe mor ·· Su̅Sum gret clerkꝭclerkys seyden owyr lady

cryed neu᷑neuer so · ne no seynt in heuyn ·· but þei knewyn ful ⸗

lytyl what sche felt / ne þei wolde not beleuyn · but þ^tþat

sche myth an absteynd hir fro crying · yf sche had wold ·

And þ ᷑þer for whan sche knew þ^tþat sche xulde cryen · sche kept it

in as long as sche mygth · & dede al þ^tþat sche cowde to ⸗

withstond it / er ellys to put it a wey til sche wex as blo as

any leed / & eu᷑euer it xuld labowryn in hir mende mor and

mor · in to þe tyme · þ^tþat it broke owte · & whan þe body myth

ne lengar enduryn þe gostly labowr · but was ou᷑ouyr come

¶

w^twyth / þe vnspekabyl lofe þ^tþat wrowt so feruently in þ^eþe sowle

þ⸧þan fel sche down · & cryed wondyr lowde / & þe mor þ^tþat sche

wolde labowryn to kepe it in · er · to put it a wey · mech

þe mor xulde sche cryen · & þe mor lowder · And þꝰþus sche

dede in þe mownt of caluarye as it is wretyn befo[rn]

Sche had so very co͒templacyoncontemplacyon in þ^eþe sygth of hir s[owle]

as yf crist had hangyn be for hir bodily eye in hys manhode / &

whan thorw dispensacyon of þe hy m᷑cymercy of owyr souereyn sa⸗

vyowr c̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu / it was grawntyd þⁱsþis creatur · to beholdyn so

verily hys p᷑cyowsprecyows tendyr body · al to rent · & toryn · w^twyth scorgꝭscorgys

mor ful of wowndꝭwowndys · þ⸧þan eu᷑euer was duffehows of holys hangy͒g

vp on þ^eþe cros · w^twyth þe corown of thorn up on hys heuyd ·/ hys

blysful handꝭhandys hys tendyr fete nayled to þe hard tre / þ^eþe

reuerys of blood flowyng owt plentevowsly of eu᷑yeuery membmembre

/ þe gresly & grevows wownde in hys p᷑cyowsprecyows syde · schedy͒gschedyng

owt blood & watyr for hir lofe & hir saluacyon / þ⸧þan sche fel

down & cryed w^twyth lowde voys wondyrfully · t nyngturnyng & wres⸗

tyng hir body · on eu᷑yeuery syde · spredyng hir armys a brode ·

as ȝyf sche xulde a deyd · & not cowde kepyn hir fro crying

¶

And þese bodily mevyngꝭmevyngys for þe fyer of lofe þ^tþat brent so

feruently in hir sowle · w^twyth pur pyte & co͒passyoncompassyon · It is

nowt

‸

not

to be m᷑ueyledmerueyled ȝyf þⁱsþis creatur cryed & made ·

wondirful cher & cuntenawns · whan we may se eche

day at eye boþ^eboþe men and women · su͒mesumme for los of werdly

good · su̅sum for affeccyon of her kynred · er for werdly fren⸗

shepys thorw ou᷑ouyr fele stody & erdly affeccyon / & most

of alle for inordinat lofe · & fleschly affeccyon / ȝyf her

frendꝭfrendys er partyn fro hem / þei wyl cryen & roryn and

wryngyn her handꝭhandys · as ȝyf þei had no wytte · ne no⸗n

mende / & ȝet wetyn þei wel I now þ^tþat þei displesyn ⸗

god / & ȝyf a man cownsel hem to leevyn er seesyn of

her wepyng er crying / þei wyl seyn þ^tþat þei may not · / þei

louyd her frend so meche / & he was so gentyl & so kende

to hem þ^tþat þei may be no wey forȝetyn hym / how meche

mor myth þei wepyn cryen & roryn / ȝyf her most

belouyd frendꝭfrendys wer w^twyth vyolens takyn in her sygth · &

w^twyth al man᷑maner of rep᷑fereprefe browt be for þe Iuge wrongfully

co͒demnydscondemnyd to þe deth / & namely so spyteful a deth as o owr

m᷑cyfulmercyful lord suffyrd for owyr sake · how schuld þei suf⸗

[fyr y]t · No dowt but þei xulde boþ^eboþe cry & rore & wrekyn

35

hem ȝyf þei myth / & ellys men wold sey þei wer no frendꝭfrendys · Alas

nota

alas for sorwe þ^tþat þe deth of a creatur whech hat oftyn synned

nonota

& trespasyd a geyn her maker · xal be so vnmesurabely mor⸗

nyd & sorwyd · & it is offens to god & hyndryng to þ^eþe sowlys

on eche syde · And þe co̅passyfecompassyfe deth of owyr savyowr · be þ^eþe

whech we arn alle restoryd to lyfe · is not had in mende

of us vnworthy & vnkende wretchys [ne not we wylle

supportyn owyr lordꝭlordys owyn secretariis · whech he hath in⸗

dued w^twyth lofe · but raþ ᷑raþar detractyn hem & hyndryn hem ·

in as mech as þwe

…

i may 

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·29·

w

W

han þⁱsþis creatur w^twyth hir felawshep cam to þ^eþe grave

wher owyr lord was beriid · a non as sche entryd þ^tþat

holy place sche fel down · w^twyth hir candel in hir

hand · as sche xuld a deyd for sorwe · & sythen sche ros vp

a geyn w^twyth gret wepyng · & sobbyng · as þow sche had seyn

owyr lord beriid euen be for hir ·/ þ⸧þan sche thowt sche saw

owyr lady in hir sowle · how sche mornyd & how sche wept

hir sonys deth / & þ⸧þan was owyr ladiis sorwe hir sorwe / &

so owyr lady ou᷑ouyr al wher þ^tþat eu᷑euer þ^eþe frerys led hem in þ^tþat holy

place / sche alwey wept & sobbyd wondyrfully / and specialy

whan sche cam þ ᷑þer owyr lord was nayled on þ^eþe cros / þ ᷑þer cryed

sche & wept w^towtynwythowtyn mesur / þ^tþat sche myth not restreyn

hir self · Also þei comyn to a ston of Marbyl þ^tþat owyr lord

was leyd on whan he was takyn down of þe cros / & þ ᷑þer

sche wept w^twyth gret co͒passyoncompassyon hauyng mend of owyr lordꝭlordys

passyon · Aft᷑Aftyr wardꝭwardys sche was howselyd on þ^eþe mownt of

caluarye / & þan sche wept sche sobbyd sche cryed so lowde

þ^tþat it wondyr

‸

then

to heryn it ·· sche was so ful of holy thowtꝭthowtys &

medytacyons & holy co͒templacyonscontemplacyons · in þ^eþe passyon of ow᷑owyr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist · & holy dalyawns · þ^tþat owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist

dalyed to hir sowle · þ^tþat sche cowde neu᷑neuer exp᷑ssynexpressyn hem aft ᷑aftyr

so hy & so holy þei weryn ·/ Meche was þ^eþe grace þ^tþat owyr lord

schewyd to þⁱsþis creatur whyl sche · iii · wekys was in IerIerusalem

An oþ ᷑oþer day erly in þe morwenyng þei went a geyn[es to]

gret hyllys / & her gydes teld wher owyr lord bare þe cros on

hys bakke · & wher hys modyr met w^twyth hym · & how sche swo⸗

wnyd & how sche fel down · & he fel down also · & so þ^eiþei went

forth al þ^eþe for noone · tyl þei ca̅cam to þe mownt · Syon · And

eu᷑euyr þⁱsþis creatur wept Abundawntly · al þe wey · þ^tþat sche went ·

for co͒passyoncompassyon of owyr lordꝭlordys passyon / In þe Mownt Syon

is a place wher owyr lord wesch hys disciplys fete · & a lityl

þ ᷑þer fro · he mad hys mawnde w^twyth hys disciplys · And þ ᷑þer for þⁱsþis

creatur had gret desyr to be howselyd in þ^tþat holy place ·⸗

wher owyr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord crist Ihu͒Ihesu fyrst Sacryd hys p᷑cyowsprecyows

body in þ^eþe forme of bred / & ȝaf it to hys discipulys · And so

sche was w^twyth gret deuocyon w^twyth plentevows teerys & wyth

boystows sobbyngꝭsobbyngys · for in þⁱsþis place is plen᷑plenyr remyssyon &

so is in oþ ᷑oþer · iiii · placys in þe tempyl · [on is in þe Mownt

of caluarye · An oþ ᷑oþer at þe g ͣ ̅vegrave wher owyr lord was beriid

/ þe thridde is at þe marbyl ston þ^tþat hys p᷑ciowspreciows body was

leyd on whan it was takyn of þe cros · / þe feard is · þ ᷑þer þ^eþe

holy cros was beriid · & in many oþ ᷑oþer placys of IerIerusalem ·

And whan þⁱsþis creatur cam in to þe place þ ᷑þer þ^eþe apostelys

receyued þe holy gost / owyr lord ȝaf hir gret deuocyon

Aft ᷑wardAftyrward sche went to þe place þ ᷑þer owyr lady was beriid

/ & as sche knelyd on hyr knes þe tyme of tweyn messys

heryng · owyr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd on to hir · þ^uþu comyst not

hedyr dowt ᷑dowtyr for no nede but for meryte & for mede · for

thy synnes wer for ȝouyn þ^eþe er thow come her · & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu

comyst/ hedyr for incresyng of þi mede & of þi meryte

& I am wel plesyd w^twyth þe dowt ᷑dowtyr for þ^uþu stondist vnd ᷑vndyr obedy⸗

ens of holy cherch · & þ^tþat þ^uþu wylt obey þⁱþi confesso confessowr & folwyn

hys cownsel · whech thorw auctorite of holy cherch hath

asoyld þe of þi synnes · & dispensyd w^twyth þe þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldist

not go to Rome · ne to seynt Iamys les þ⸧þan þ^uþu wyl þⁱnþin

¶

owyn selfe / not w^tstondyngwythstondyng al þⁱsþis I comawnde þ^eþe in þe ⸗

name of Ihu̅Ihesu dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu go vysite þ^esþes holy placꝭplacys · & do

[as] I byd þe · for I am a boue al holy cherch & I xal gon

[wyth þe] & kepyn þe rygth wel · Than owyr lady spak to hir ⸗

36

sowle · on þⁱsþis man ᷑maner seying · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr wel art þ^uþu blyssed · for my

nota

sone Ihu̅Ihesu xal flowyn so mech grace in þe þ^tþat al þe world xal

wondryn of þe ·· be not aschamyd my derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr · to re⸗

ceyue þe ȝyftꝭȝyftys whech my sone xal ȝeuyn þe · for I telle þe

in trewth þei xal be gret ȝyftꝭȝyftys · þ^tþat he xal ȝeue þ^eþe ·/ & þ ᷑þer fore

my derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr be not aschamyd of hym þ^tþat is þi god ·

þi lord · & þi lofe / no mor þ⸧þan I was whan I saw hym han⸗

gyn on þe cros my swete sone Ihu̅Ihesu · for to cryen & to

wepyn for þe peyn of my swete sone Ihu͒Ihesu crist / ne Mary

Mawdelyn was not aschamyd to cryen & wepyn for my

sonys lofe And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr ȝyf þ^uþu wylt be ꝑtabylpartabyl in ⸗

owyr Ioye · þ^uþu must be ꝑtabilpartabil in owyr sorwe ·/ þes swet

spech & dalyawns · had þⁱsþis creatur at owyr ladiis g ͣ ̅vegrave ·

& mech mor þ⸧þan sche cowde eu᷑euer rehersyn ·· aft ᷑wardaftyrward sche

rood on an asse to Bedlem / & wh⸧whan sche cam to þe tempyl

& to þe crybbe wher owyr lord was born ·/ sche had

gret deuocyon mech spech & dalyawns in hyr sowle ·

& hy gostly co͒fortcomfort · w^twyth mech wepyng & sobbyng · So þ^tþat

hir felaws wold not latyn hir etyn in her cu͒panycumpany ·

& þ ᷑þer for sche ete hir mete be hir selfe a lone · And þ⸧þan

þe grey frerys whech had led hir fro place to place /

/ receyued hir into hem & sett hir w^twyth hem at þ^eþe mete ·

þ^tþat sche xuld not etyn alone · And on of þe ffrerys as⸗

kyd on of hir felawshep ȝyf þ^tþat

‸

she

wer þe woman of

Inglond þe which þei had herd seyd · spak w^twyth god ·/ & wh⸧whan

þis c⸧cam to hir knowlach · sche wist wel þ^tþat it was trewth

þ^tþat owyr lord seyd to hir / er sche went owt of Inglond

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I xal makyn al þe werld to wondryn of þe / &

many man & many woman xal spekyn of me for

lofe of þe & worshepyng me in þe 

a

A

N oþ ᷑oþer tyme þⁱsþis creaturys felawshep wold gon

to flod of Iurdon / & wold not letyn h[ir] g[on]

w^twyth hem ·/ þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur p ᷑ydpreyd owyr l[ord Ihesu]

þ^tþat sche myth gon w^twyth hem / & he bad þ^tþat sche xuld go w^twyth hem /

wheþ ᷑wheþyr þei wold er not / and þ⸧þan sche went forth be þe g ͣ ̅cegrace

of god / & askyd hem no leue · Whan sche cam to þe flood

of Iurdan / þe wedyr was so hoot · þat sche wend hir feet

schuld a brent for þe hete þ^tþat sche felt · Sithyn sche went

forth w^twyth hir felawschep to þe mownt qwarentyne · þ ᷑þer

owyr lord fastyd fowrty days · & þ ᷑þer sche p᷑ydpreyd hir felaw⸗

shep to helpyn hir up on to þe mownt / & þei seyd nay

for þei cowd not wel helpyn hem self · þ⸧þan had sche

mekyl sorwe / for sche myth not comyn on þe hille · and

a non happyd a Saraȝyn · a wel faryng man to comyn

by hir & sche put a grote in hys hand · makyng to hym

a token for to bryng hir onto þe mownt / & as swythe

by · & by

þ^eþe saraȝyn toke hir vndyr hys arme · & led hir up on to

þe hey mownt wher owyr lord fastyd fowrty days / þ⸧þan

was sche sor a thryste & had no comfort of hir felashyp

/ þ⸧þan god of hys hey goodnes meuyd þe grey ffrerys w^twyth

compassyon & þei comfortyd hir · whan hir cu͒tremencuntremen

wolde not knowyn hir · & so sche was eu᷑euer mor strengthyd

in þe lofe of owyr lord / & þe mor bold to suffyr shamys

& rep᷑uysrepreuys for hys sake in eu᷑yeuery place þ ᷑þer sche cam / for þ^eþe

grace þ^tþat god wrowt in hir of wepyng sobbyng and

crying / þe which g ͣ ̅cegrace sche myth not w^tstondewythstonde · whan god

wold send it / & eu᷑euer sche preuyd hir felyngꝭfelyngys trewe / & þo

behestꝭbehestys þ^tþat god had be hyte hir whil she was in Inglond

and in oþ ᷑oþer placꝭplacys · Also þei fellyn to hir in effect lych as

sche had felt beforn / & þ ᷑þer for sche durst þe bett ᷑better rece⸗

yuen swech spechys & dalyawns / & þe mor boldly wer⸗

kyn þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr · Sithyn whan þⁱsþis creatur was comy̅ down

of þe mownt as god wold / sche went forth to þ^eþe place

þ ᷑þer seynt Ion Baptyst was born / & sythyn sche went

to betanye þ ᷑þer Mary & Martha dwellyd / & to þe grave

[þ ᷑þer] La[ȝer] was beriid / & reysed fro deth in to lyfe · And sche

[was also] in þe chapel þ ᷑þer owyr blyssed Lord aperyd to ⸗

hys blysful

37

hys blysful modyr on estern day at Morwyn fyrst of alle

oþ ᷑oþer / & sche stode in þe same place þ ᷑þer Mary Mawdelyn stode

whan crist seyd to hir Mary why wepyst þ^uþu ·/ And so sche was

in many mo placꝭplacys þ⸧þan be wretyn / for sche was iii wekys

in IerIerusalem & in þe cuntreys þ ᷑þer a bowtyn / & sche had euer

gret deuocyon as long as sche was in þ^tþat cu͒trecuntre / and þ^eþe

ffrerys of þe tempyl mad hir gret cher / and ȝouyn hir many

gret relykꝭrelykys / desiryng þ^tþat sche schuld a dwellyd stille a mongs

hem ȝyf sche had wold · for þe feyth þei had in hir · Also þ^eþe

Saraȝines mad mych of hir · & conueyd hir · & leddyn hir · a⸗

bowtyn in þ^eþe cu͒trecuntre wher sche wold gon / & sche fond alle

pepyl good on to hir & gentyl / saf only hir owyn cu͒trecuntre⸗

men · And as sche cam fro IerIerusalem ward vnto Rafnys ·

/ þan wold sche a t nydturnyd a geyne to IerIerusalem for þ^eþe gret g ͣ ̅cegrace &

gostly comfort · þ^tþat sche felt whan sche was þ ᷑þer / & for to ppur⸗

chasyn hir mor ꝑdonpardon · And þ⸧þan owyr lord comawndyd hir

for to gon to Rome / & so forth hom into Inglond / & seyd

vn to hir ·/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr as oftyn tymes as þ^uþu seyst or thynkyst

nota

worshepyd be alle þo

‸

holy

placꝭplacys in IerIerusalem þ^tþat crist suffyrde

bitt ᷑bittyr peyn & passyon in / þ^uþu schalt haue þe same ꝑdonpardon

as ȝyf þ^uþu wer þ ᷑þer w^twyth þi bodily p᷑senspresens · bothyn to þⁱþi self &

to alle þo þ^tþat þ^uþu wylt ȝeuyn it to · And as sche went forth

vn to Venyce · mych of hir felaschep was ryth seke / & eu᷑euer

owyr lord seyd to hir ·· Drede þe not dowt ᷑dowtyr þ ᷑þer schal no m⸧man

deyin in þe schip þ^tþat þ^uþu art in / & sche fond hir felyngys

ryth trewe · And whan owyr lord had browt hem a geyn

to venyce in safte / hir cu͒trecuntre men forsokyn hir · & went

a way fro hir · leuyng hir a lone · & su͒mesumme of hem seyden

þ^tþat þei wold not go w^twyth hir · for an hundryd pownd · And

whan þei wer gon a wey fro hir · þan owyr lord Ihu͒Ihesu c̍stcrist

þ^tþat eu᷑euer helpyth at nede · & neu᷑neuer forsakyth hys ẜuaw[nt]seruaw[nt] þat

trewly trostith to hys m᷑cymercy · seyd to hys creatur ·· D[rede]

þ^eþe not dowt ᷑dowtyr for I xal ordeyn for þ^eþe ryth wel & br[yng þe]

in safte to Rome & hom a geyn in to Inglond w^twyth owtyn ony

velany of þi body ⎡ȝyf thow wilt be clad in white clothys

nonota de vestura

& weryn hem as I seyd to þ^eþe whil þ^uþu wer in Inglond · Than

þⁱsþis creatur beyng in gret heuynes & gret diswer answeryd

a ȝen in hir mende / ȝyf þ^uþu be þe spiryt of god þ^tþat spekyst

in my sowle / & I may puynpreuyn þe for a trew spiryt w^twyth cown⸗

sel of þ^eþe chirche / I xal obey þⁱþi wille · And ȝyf þ^uþu bryng me

to Rome in safte I xal weryn white clothys / þow alle þ^eþe

¶

world schuld wondyr on me for þi lofe ·· Go forth dowt ᷑dowtyr

in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / for I am þe spirit of god / þ^eþe whech

xal helpyn þe · at al thy nede · gon w^twyth þ^eþe & supportyn þe ·

in eu᷑yeuery place / & þ ᷑þer for mystrost me not · þ^uþu fondist me ⸗

neu᷑neuyr deceyuabyl / ne I bid þ^eþe no thyng do · but þ^tþat whech is

worshep to god & ꝓfyteprofyte to thy sowle / ȝyf þ^uþu wilt do þ ᷑þer

aft ᷑aftyr · And I xal flowyn on þe gret plente of g ͣ ̅cegrace Than

a non as sche lokyd on þe on syde · sche sey a powyr ⸗

man sittyng · whech had a gret cowche on hys bakke ·

hys cloþⁱscloþis wer al for clowtyd · & he semyd a man of · l ·

wynt ᷑wyntyr age ·/ þ⸧þan sche went to hym & seyde · Gode man

what eyleth ȝo ȝowr bak · he seyd damsel it was brokyn in

a sekenes · Sche askyd what was hys name / & what

cu͒tremancuntreman he was · he seyd hys name was Richard ·

& he was of Erlond · Than thowt sche

of

hir co͒fessorysconfessorys

¶

wordys · whech was an holy ankyr · as is wretyn be for

a̅k᷑ankyr

þ^tþat seyd to hir whil sche was in Inglond · in þⁱsþis maner ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr whan ȝo ȝowr owyn felawshep hath forsakyn ȝow ·

god xal ordeyn a broke bakkyd man · to lede ȝow forth

þ ᷑þer ȝe wil be ·· Than sche w^twyth a glad spirit seyde vn to hym

Good Richard ledith me to Rome & ȝe xal be rewardyd

for ȝo ȝowr labo labowr ·· Nay damsel he seyd I wot wel þⁱþi cu͒tremencuntremen

han forsakyn þe / & þ ᷑forþerfor it wer hard to me to ledyn þ^eþe ·

[for t]hy cu̅trecuntre men han bothyn bowys & arwys · w^twyth þe

[whec]h þei myth defendyn bothyn þe & hem self ·· And

[I haue] no wepyn save a cloke ful of clowtꝭclowtys / & ȝet I ⸗

38

drede me þ^tþat myn enmys xul robbyn me / & ꝑauenturperauentur takyn

þ^eþe a wey fro me / & defowlyn thy body & þ ᷑þer for I dar not ledyn

þe · for I wold not for an hundryd pownd þ^tþat þ^uþu haddyst a vy⸗

lany in my cu͒panycumpany ·/ & þ⸧þan sche seyd a ȝen · Richard dredith ȝow

not god xal kepyn vs boþen ryth wel · & I xal ȝeue ȝow

too noblys · for ȝo ȝowr labowr · þ⸧þan he co͒sentydconsentyd & went forth

w^twyth hir · Sone aft ᷑aftyr þ ᷑þer cam too grey ffrerys · & a woman þ^tþat

cam w^twyth hem fro IerIerusalem / & sche had w^twyth hir an asse þ^eþe whech

bar a chyst · & an ymage þ ᷑þer in · mad aft ᷑aftyr our lord · And þ⸧þan

seyd Richard to þe forseyd creatur ·/ þ^uþu xalt go forth wyth

þes too men & woman & I xal metyn w^twyth þ^eþe at morwyn

& at euyn ·/ for I must gon on my pchasepurchase & beggyn

my leuyng / & so sche dede aft ᷑aftyr hys cownsel & went ⸗

forth w^twyth þe frerꝭfrerys · & þe woman / & non of hem cowde vn⸗

dirstand hir langage / & ȝet þei ordeyned for hir eu᷑yeuery day

mete drynke & herborwe / as wel as he dedyn for hem

selfe / & raþ ᷑raþar bett ᷑better · þ^tþat sche was eu᷑euer bownden to p᷑yprey for hem ·

/ & eu᷑yeuery euyn & morwyn · Richard w^twyth þe broke bak cam

& co͒fortydcomfortyd hir as he had ꝓmysedpromysed ·· And þe woman the

which had þ^eþe ymage in þe chist · whan þei comyn in

good citeys · sche toke owt þe ymage owt of hir chist

& sett it in worshepful wyfꝭwyfys lappys · & þei wold puttyn

¶

schirtꝭschirtys þ ᷑þer up on & kyssyn it · as þei it had ben god hym

selfe / & whan þe creatur sey þe worshep & þ^eþe reu᷑ensreuerens

þ^tþat þei dedyn to þe ymage / sche was takyn w^twyth swet deuo⸗

cyon & swet meditacyons / þ^tþat sche wept w^twyth gret sobbyng

& lowde crying / & sche was meuyd in so mych þe mor

as whil sche was in Inglond · sche had hy meditacyons

in þe byrth & þe childhode of crist / & sche thankyd

god for as mech as sche saw þ^esþes creaturys han so gret

feyth in þ^tþat sche sey w^twyth hir bodily eye / lych as sche had

be forn w^twyth hir gostly eye ·/ Whan þes good women seynd

þⁱsþis creatur wepyn sobbyn & cryen so wondirfully &

mythtyly · þ^tþat sche was n᷑handnerhand ou᷑comynouyrcomyn þ ᷑þer w^twyth ·/ þ⸧þan þei ordeyned a

good soft bed / & leyd hir þ ᷑þer up on /& co̅fortydcomfortyd hir as mech as

þei myth for owyr lordꝭlordys lofe · blyssed mot he ben 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·31·

T

he forseyd creatur had a ryng · þe whech owyr lord

had comawndyd hir to do makyn · whil she was at

hom in Inglond / & dede

byd

hir g ͣ ̅vyngravyn þ ᷑þer up on IcIhesucrist est

ihc̅ihesu crist e̅est amor · tꝯtuus

amor meꝰmeus · Sche had mech thowt how sche xulde kepe þⁱsþis

ryng fro theuys / & stelyng as sche went be þe cu͒tr᷑yscuntreys / for

sche thowt sche wold not a lost þe ryng for a thowsand

pownde & meche mor / be cause þ^tþat sche dede it makyn be

nota

þe byddyng of god / & also sche weryd it be hys byddyng

for sche pposydpurposyd befor tyme er þ⸧þan sche had it be reuelacyon

· neu᷑neuer to a weryd ryng · And as it happyd hir to be herberwyd

in a good mannys hows & many neyborwys comyn in

to cheryn hir for hir ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon & hir holynes / & sche ȝaf

hem þe mett of cristꝭcristys g ͣ ̅vegrave / þe whech þei receyued ful

goodly hauyng gret Ioy · þ ᷑þer of / & þankyd hir hyly þ ᷑þer fore ·

Sithen þⁱsþis creatur went to hir chawmbre / & let hir ryng

hang be hir purs stryng whech sche bar at hir brest · In

þe morwenyng · on þe next day · whan sche wold a takyn

hir ryng · it was go · sche myth not fyndyn it ·/ þ⸧þan had

sche mekyl heuynes & compleyned to þe good wyfe of þ^eþe

hows · seying in þⁱsþis wyse · madam my bone maryd ryng

to Ihu͒Ihesu crist as ho seyth it is a wey The good wyfe vn⸗

dirstondyng what sche ment · p᷑ydepreyde hir to p᷑yprey for hir · and

sche con chongyd hir cher & hir cu͒tenawnscontenawns wondyrly

as thow sche had ben gylty ·/ þan þⁱsþis creatur toke a candel

in hir hand / & sowt al a bowtyn hir bed · þ ᷑þer sche had leyn

al nygth · And þe good wyfe of þe hows toke an oþ ᷑oþer candel

in hir hand & bisyed hir to sekyn also a bowte þ^eþe bed / & at

þe last sche fonde þe ryng vndyr þe bed on þe bordꝭbordys And

w^twyth gret Ioye sche telde þe ^//wyfe^// good / þ^tþat sche had fownde̅fownden

[h]ir ryng · þ⸧þan þe good wyfe obeyng hir / p᷑ydpreyd þⁱsþis creatur ⸗

39

of forȝeuenes / as sche cowde bone cristian p᷑yprey ppur me 

Aft ᷑wardAftyrward þⁱsþis creatur c⸧cam to Assyse / & þ ᷑þer sche met w^twyth a frer meno menowr

an englysch man & a solempne clerke / he was holdyn / sche

tolde hym of hir man᷑maner leuyng of hir felingꝭfelingys of hir reue⸗

lacyons & of þe g ͣ ̅cegrace þ^tþat god wrowt in hir sowle be holy

inspiracyons & hy co̅templacyonscontemplacyons / & how owyr lord daly⸗

ed to hir sowle in a man᷑maner of spekyng ·/ þan þ^eþe worshep⸗

ful clerke seyd · þ^tþat sche was mech beholdyn to god · / for ⸗

he seyd he had neu᷑neuer herd of non sweche in þⁱsþis worlde

leuyng for to be so homly w^twyth god be lofe · & homly da⸗

lyawnce as sche was ·/ thankyd be god of hys ȝyftys ·

for it is hys goodnes & no mannys m᷑ytemeryte / · Vp on a

tyme as þⁱsþis creatur was in cherche at Assyse · þ ᷑þer was

schewyd owyr ladys kerche · whech sche weryd her in

erth w^twyth gret lygth & gret reu᷑ensreuerens / þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur had

gret deuocyon · sche wept sche sobbyd · sche cryed · w^twyth gret

plente of teerys & many holy thowtꝭthowtys · Sche was þ ᷑þer also

on lammes day whan þ ᷑þer is gret pardon of plen᷑plenyr remys⸗

syon for to pchasynpurchasyn g ͣ ̅cegrace m᷑cymercy & forȝeuenes for hir self

for alle hir frendꝭfrendys for alle hir enmys & for alle þe

sowlys in pgatorypurgatory / & þ ᷑þer was a lady was comyn fro

Rome to pchasynpurchasyn hir pardon hir name was Margar᷑tMargaret

flore̅tflorent

florentyne / & sche had w^twyth hir many knygtꝭknygtys of roodꝭroodys 

Many gentyl women & mekyl good caryage ·/ than

Richard þe brokebakkyd man · went to hir preyng hir

þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur mygth gon w^twyth hir to Rome · & hym self

also · for to be kept · fro perel of theuys · And þ⸧þan þat

worshepful lady receyued hem · in to hir cu͒panyecumpanye · &

let hem gon w^twyth hir to Rome as god wolde · Whan þ^eþe

forseyd creatur was comyn in to Rome / & þei þat

weryn hir felaws be forn tyme & put hir owt of her

cu͒panycumpany weryn in Rome also / & herd tellyn of swech a

woman was come þedyr ·/ þei had gret wondir ho[w]

sche cam þ ᷑þer in safte · And þ⸧þan sche went & ordeynd hir white

clothys · & was clad al in white / liche as sche was comawn⸗

dyd for to do ȝerys be forn in hir sowle be reuelacyon

/ & now it was fulfilt in effect / þ⸧þan was þⁱsþis creatur re⸗

ceyued in to þe hospital of Seynt Thom^asThomas of Cawnt ᷑Cawntyr⸗

bery in Rome / & þ ᷑þer was sche howselyd eu᷑yeuery sonday · w^twyth

gret wepyng · boistows sobbyng · & lowde crying / & was

hyly belouyd w^twyth þe Mayst ᷑Maystyr of þe hospital · & w^twyth alle ⸗

hys breþ ᷑breþyr · And þ⸧þan thorw steryng of hyr gostly enmy

þ ᷑þer cam a p᷑stepreste þ^tþat was holdyn an holy man in þ^eþe hospi⸗

tal / & also in oþ ᷑oþer placꝭplacys of Rome / þe whech was on of

hir felaws & on of hir owyn cu̅trecuntre men / & not wyth⸗

stondyng hys holynes · / he spak so euyl of þⁱsþis creatur &

slawndryd so hir name · in þe hospital / þ^tþat thorw hys euyl

langage sche was put owte of þe hospital þ^tþat sche ⸗

myth no lengar be schrevyn ne howselyd þ ᷑þer in 

w

¶

ca^mcapitulum 32 ·

W

han þⁱsþis creatur sey sche was forsakyn &

put fro a mong þe good men / sche was ful

heuy / most for sche had no co͒fesso confessowr ·/ ne myth

not be schrevyn þ⸧þan as sche wolde / þ⸧þan p᷑ydepreyde sche owyr

lord of hys m᷑cymercy þ^tþat he wolde disposyn for hir · as was

most plesawns vn to hym w^twyth gret plente of teerys / & sithyn

sche clepyd on to hir þe forseyd Richard w^twyth þ^eþe broke bak p᷑yngpreyng

hym to go ouyr to a cherch a ȝen þe hospital / & enfor⸗

myn þe ꝑsonperson of þ^eþe chyrche of hir man᷑maner of gou᷑nawncegouernawnce ·

/ & what sorwe sche had · & how sche wept for sche myth

not be schrevyn · ne howselyd / & what co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon and

cont ̍cyoncontricyon sche had for hir synnes · Than Richard went

to þe ꝑsonperson / & enformyd hym of þⁱsþis creatur / & how ow᷑owyr

lord ȝaf hir co͒tricyoncontricyon & co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon w^twyth gret plente of

teerys / & how sche desired to be howseld eu᷑yeuery sonday ·

ȝyf sche myth / & sche had no p᷑stepreste to be schrevyn to · And

þan þ^eþe ꝑsonperson heryng of hir co͒tricyoncontricyon & co͒pu͒ccyoncompunccyon was

ryth glad / & bad sche xulde come to hym in þe name

[of] Ihu͒Ihesu / & sey hir co͒fiteorconfiteor / & he xulde howseln hire ⸗

40

hys owyn self for he cowde not vndyrstond non englysch

¶

Than owyr lord sent Seynt Iohn þe evangelyst to

¶

no̅nota de co͒fessioneconfessione

I E ·

heryn hir co͒fessyonconfessyon & sche seyd benedicite & he seyd dn͒sdominus



verily in hir sowle þ^tþat sche saw hym & herd hym in hire

Ioh̅Iohan

gostly vndirstondyng · as sche xuld a do an oþ ᷑oþer p᷑stepreste · be

hir bodily wittys Than sche teld hym alle hir synnes ·

& al hir heuynes w^twyth many swemful teerys / & he herd

hir ful mekely & benyngly / & sythyn he enioyned hir

penawns · þ^tþat sche xuld do for hir trespas / & asoyled hir

of hir synnes w^twyth swet wordꝭwordys / & meke wordꝭwordys / hyly stren⸗

gthyng hir to trostyn in þe m᷑cymercy of owyr lord Ihu͒Ihesu

crist / & bad hir þ^tþat sche xulde receyuen þe sacrament

of þe awt ᷑awter / in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / & sithyn he passyd a⸗

wey fro hir · Wh⸧Whan he was go / sche p᷑ydpreyd w^twyth al hir hert ·

alle þe tyme as sche herd hir messe / lord as wistly as þ^uþu art

]

not wroth w^twyth me · grawnt me a welle of teerys wher

thorw I may receyue þi p᷑cyowsprecyows body · w^twyth al man᷑maner terys of

deuocyon / to þi worshep & encresyng of my m᷑ytemeryte / for

nota

þ^uþu art my Ioye lord · My blysse · my comfort / & alle þ^eþe t ᷑sortresor

nonota bn̅bene

þ^tþat I haue in þⁱsþis world / for oþ ᷑oþer werdlys Ioye · coueyt I non

but only þe / & þ ᷑þer for my derworthy lord & my god · forsake ⸗

me not · Than owyr blysful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu answeryd to

hir sowle / & seyd mMy derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr I swer be myn

nᷓnota

hy Mageste · þat I xaI neu᷑neuer forsakyn þe [& dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^eþe mor

schame · despite · & rep᷑fereprefe þ^tþat þ^uþu sufferyst for my lofe / þe bett ᷑bettyr

I lofe þe · ffor I far liche a man · þ^tþat louyth wel hys wyfe ·

/ þ^eþe mor enuye þ^tþat men han to hir · þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr he wyl arayn hir ·

in despite of hir enmys / & ryth so dowt ᷑dowtyr xal I faryn w^twyth þe ·

loue

In no thyng þ^tþat þ^uþu dost dowt ᷑dowtyr ne seyest · þ^uþu mayst no bett ᷑bettyr

plesyn god · þ⸧þan

to

beleuyn þ^tþat he louyth þe ffor ȝyf it were

possybyl þ^tþat I myth wepyn w^twyth þe I wold wepyn w^twyth þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr

for þe co̅passioncompassion þ^tþat I haue of þe ·· Tyme xal come whan þ^uþu

xalt holdyn þe ryth wel plesyd · for it schal be verifyed

in þe /· þe comown ꝓuerbeprouerbe þ^tþat men seyn ·/ he is wel blyssed ⸗

þat may sytten on hys wel stool / & tellyn of hys wo stool / & so

xalt þ^uþu don dowt ᷑dowtyr / & al þⁱþi wepyng & þⁱþi sorwe xal t nynturnyn in to Ioy

& blysse / þ^eþe whech þ^uþu xalt neu᷑neuyr mysse 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·33·

A

N oþ ᷑oþer tyme as þⁱsþis creatur was at seynt Ionys cherch

i̅in Ro

lat ᷑anenslateranens be for þe awt ᷑awter heryng þe messe / hir thowt

þ^tþat þe p᷑stepreste whech seyd messe · semyd a good man / &

deuowte / sche was sor mevyd in spiryt / to speke w^twyth hym / þ⸧þan

sche p᷑ydpreyd hir man w^twyth þe brokyn bak · for to gon to þe p᷑stepreste &

p᷑ynpreyn hym to spekyn w^twyth hir / þ⸧þan þe p᷑stepreste vndirstod non englysch

/ ne wist not what sche seyd & sche cowde non oþ ᷑oþer langage

no ͣ̅nota mirabēmirabile
qdquod se serquitur 

þ⸧þan englisch / & þ ᷑þer for þei spokyn be an int ᷑p᷑towrinterpretor / a man þat

telde her eyþ ᷑eyþyr what oþ ᷑oþer seyde · Than sche p᷑ydpreyd þ^eþe p᷑stepreste in þ^eþe

name of Ihu̅Ihesu þ^tþat he wolde makyn hys p᷑yerispreyeris to þ^eþe blysful

Trinite · to owir lady · & to alle þe blissed seyntꝭseyntys in hevyn ··

Also steryn oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat louedyn owir lord to p᷑ynpreyn for hym / þ^tþat he

myth han grace to vndirstondyn hir langage & hir speche

/ in swech thyngꝭthyngys · as sche thorw þe grace of god wold seyn

& schewyn vn to hym ·/ þe p᷑stepreste was a good man & of hys

birth he was a dewcheman / a good clerke & a wel lernyd

man / hily belouyd / wel cherschyd & myche trostyd in Rome

And had on of þe grettest office of any p᷑stepreste in Rome / desy⸗

ryng to plese god folwyd þe cownsel of þⁱsþis creatur / & mad

hys p ͣ ̅aeryspraerys to god deuowtly as he cowde eu᷑yeuery day / þ^tþat he myth

han g ͣ ̅cegrace · to vndirstandyn what þe forseyd creatur wolde

seyn to hym / & also he mad oþ ᷑oþer louerys of owyr lord to p᷑yprey

for hym [þꝰþus þei p᷑ydpreyd therten dayd · & aft ᷑aftyr therten days · þe

p᷑stepreste cam a geyn to hir · to p᷑uynpreuyn þe effect of her p᷑yeryspreyerys ·

/ & þ⸧þan he vndirstod what sche seyd in englysch to hym / & sche

¶

vndirstod what þ^tþat he seyd / & ȝet he vndirstod not englisch

nonota

þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer men spokyn / þow þei spokyn þe same wordꝭwordys þ^tþat sche spak

/ ȝet he vndirstod hem not · les þ⸧þan sche spak hir selfe Than

was sche co͒fessydconfessyd to þⁱsþis p᷑stepreste of alle hir synnes / as ner as

hir mende wold ẜuynseruyn hir · fro hir childhode · vn to þ^tþat owre ·

/ & receyued hir penawns ful Ioy fully / & sithyn sche schewyd ⸗

41

hym þe secret thyngꝭthyngys of reuelacyonys · & of hey co͒templacyonscontemplacyons ·

/ & how sche had swech mend in hys passyon / & so gret co̅passyoncompassyon

whan god wolde ȝeue it / þ^tþat sche fel down þ ᷑þer wyth & myth not beryn it ·

/ þ⸧þan sche wept bitt ᷑lybittyrly · sche sobbyd boistowsly · & cryed ful lowde ·

[..d]

& horybly · þ^tþat þe pepil was oftyn tymes a ferd · & gretly a⸗

[⸫]

stoyned · demyng sche had ben vexyd w^twyth su̅sum euyl spiryt er

[?]

~~a sodeyn sekenes~~ / not

‸

be

leuyng it was þ^eþe werk of god / but raþ raþar

su̅sum euyl spiryt · er a sodeyn sekenes · er ellys symulacyon

& ypoc̍syypocrisy · falsly feyned of hir owyn self ·· The p᷑stepreste had

gret trost þ^tþat it was þe werk of god / & wh⸧whan he wolde mys⸗

trostyn ·/ owyr lord sent hym swech tokenys be þe forseyd

creatur of hys owyn mysgou᷑nawnsmysgouernawns & hys leuyng · þe

whech no man knew but god & he / as owyr lord schewyd

to hir be reuelacyon / & bad hir tellyn hym · þ^tþat he wist wel

þ ᷑þer by hir felyngꝭfelyngys wer trewe / & þ⸧þan þⁱsþis p᷑stepreste receyued hir ful mekely

& reuerently as for hys modyr / & for hys syster / & seyd he wolde

supportyn hir a ȝen hir enmys / & so he dede · as long as sche

was in Rome / & sufferd many euyl wordꝭwordys & meche t ̍bulacyontribulacyon ·

nota

& also he forsoke hys office · be cawse þ^tþat he wolde supportyn

hir in hir sobbyng & in hir crying · whan alle hir cu̅tremencuntremen

had forsakyn hir · for þei weryn eu᷑euer hir most enmys / & cawsyd

hir mych heuynes in eu᷑yeuery place þ ᷑þer they comyn / for þei wold

þ^tþat sche schuldc neyþ ᷑neyþyr a sobbyd ne cryed / & sche myth nowt

chesyn · but þ^tþat wolde þei not belevyn & þ ᷑þer þei wer eu᷑euer ageyn

hir · & ageyn þe good man · whech supportyd hir / & þ⸧þan þⁱsþis good

man seyng þⁱsþis woman so wondirfully sobbyn & cryin and

specialy on sondays wh⸧whan sche xuld ben howselde a mong

alle þe pepyl / pposydpurposyd hym to p᷑uynpreuyn wheþ ᷑wheþyr it wer þ^eþe ȝyfte

of god as sche seyd · er ellys hir owyn feynyng by ypoc̍syypocrisy

as þe pepyl seyd / & toke hir a lone an oþ ᷑oþer sonday in to

an oþ ᷑oþer chirche whan mes was don & alle þ^eþe pepil was hom 

[ no man wetyng þ ᷑þer of saf hym self & þe clerk only / & wh⸧whan

he schulde howselyn hir sche wept so plentyvowsly & sobbyd

& cryed so lowde / þ^tþat he was astoyned hym self / for it semyd

to hys heryng · þ^tþat sche cryed neu᷑neuer so lowde be for þ^tþat tyme ·/

& þan he beleuyd fully þ^tþat it was þe werkyng of þe holy gost / &

neiþ ᷑neiþyr feynyng · ne ypocrise of hir owyn self ⎣ & þ⸧þan aft ᷑wardaftyrward he

was not abasshyd to heldyn w^twyth hir & to spekyn a ȝens hem þ^tþat

wolde defamyn hir & spekyn euyl of hir / tyl he was detrac⸗

tyd of þe enmys of vertu / nerhand as mech as sche / & þat

lykyd hym wel to suffir tribulacyon for goddꝭgoddys cawse / &

meche pepyl in Rome þ^tþat wer disposyd to vertu · lovyd

hym meche þ^eþe mor · & hir also · & oftyn tymes p᷑ydpreyd hir to

mete / & madyn hir ryth gret cher / p᷑yngpreyng hir to p᷑yprey for hem

/ & eu᷑euer hir owyn cu̅tremencuntremen · wer obstynat · & specyaly a p᷑stepreste

þ^tþat was a monx hem / he steryd meche pepyl a ȝen hir ·

& seyd mech euyl of hir / for sche weryd white clothyng ⸗

mor þ⸧þan oþ ᷑oþer dedyn whech wer holyar · & bett ᷑better þ⸧þan eu᷑euer was

sche as hym thowt [þe cawse of hys malyce was · for

sche wold not obeyn hym / & sche wist wel it was a geyn

þe helth of hir sowle for to obeyn hym as he wolde

þat sche xulde a don 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum 34

T

han þe good man þe duche p᷑stepreste þ^tþat sche was schr⸗

vyn on to / thorw þe steryng of þe englysch p᷑stepreste

whech was hir enmye · Askyd hir yf sche wolde

be obedient vn to hym er not · And sche seyd ȝa syr · Wyl

ȝe don þ⸧þan as I schal byd ȝow don · wyth ryth good wyl sire

sade she

I charge ȝow þan · þ^tþat ȝe leue ȝo ȝowr white clothys & weryth

a geyn ȝo ȝowr blak clothys / & sche dede hys comawndme͒tcomawndment ·

& þ⸧þan had sche felyng / þ^tþat sche plesyd god w^twyth hir obediens

Than suffyrd sche many scornys of wyfys of Rome 

/ þei askyd hir ȝyf malendrynes had robbyd hir / & sche

seyd nay Madame · Sythen as sche went on pylg̍magepylgrimage

it happyd hir to metyn w^twyth þe p᷑stepreste · þ^tþat was hir enmye &

he enioyid gretly · þ^tþat sche was put fro hir wille / & seyd

vn to hir· I am glad þ^tþat ȝe gon in blak clothyng · as ȝe wer

wont to do / And sche seyd a ȝen to hym · ser owyr lord

wer not displesyd thow I weryd whyte clothys / for he

42

wyl þ^tþat I do so Than þe p᷑stepreste seyd to hir a ȝen now wote I ↙

a proud prist

wel þ^tþat þ^uþu hast a deuyl wythinne þe / for I her hym spekyn in þe

¶

to me · A good ser I pypray ȝow dryuyth hym a way fro me / for

nonota

god knowyth I wolde ryth fawyn don wel & plesyn hym yf

I cowde · And þ⸧þan he was ryth wroth & seyd ful many schr᷑schre⸗

a meke

wyd wordys / & sche seyd to hym ser I hope I haue no deuyl

hanswer

w^twyth inne me / for ȝyf I had a deuyl w^twyth in me · wetyth

þe

wel ·

I schuld ben wroth w^twyth ȝow / & sir me thynkyth · þ^tþat I am

no thyng wroth w^twyth ȝow for no thyng · þ^tþat ȝe can don on

to me · And þ⸧þan þe p᷑stepreste ꝑtydpartyd a wey fro hir w^twyth heuy cher ·

And þ⸧þan owyr lord spak to þⁱsþis creatur in hir sowle & seyd ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr drede þe not · what þ^tþat eu᷑euer he sey onto þ^eþe / for thow

he renne eu᷑yeuery ȝer to IerIerusalem I haue no deynte of hym ·/ for

as long as he spekyth ageyns þe · he spekyth a geyns

me / for I am in þe / & þ^uþu art in me ·/ & herby mayst thow

knowyn þ^tþat I suffyr many schrewyd wordꝭwordys ·/ for I haue ofty͒oftyn

tymes seyd to þe þ^tþat I schuld be newe c^ucifyedcrucifyed in þe / be

schrewyd wordꝭwordys / for þ^uþu schalt non oþ ᷑oþer wyse ben slayn þ⸧þan

be schrewyd wordꝭwordys sufferyng · ffor þⁱsþis p᷑stepreste þ^tþat is thyn enmy

he is but an ypocryte · Than þ^eþe good p᷑stepreste hir co͒fesso confessowr bad

hir be v᷑tuvertu of obediens / & also in party of penawns þ^tþat

sche xulde seruyn an hold woman · þ^tþat was a poure creatur

in Rome / & sche dede so · sex wekys / sche seruyd hir as sche wolde

a don owyr lady / & sche had no bed to lyn in / ne no clothys

to be cured w^twyth · saf hir owyn mentyl / & þ⸧þan was sche ful

of vermyn / & suffyrd gret peyn þ ᷑þer wyth ·· Also sche fet hom

watyr & stykkys in hir nekke / for þe poure woman / and

beggyd mete and wyn bothyn for hir · And whan þ^eþe pour

womans wyn was sowr þⁱsþis creatur hir self drank þ^tþat

sowr wyn / & ȝaf þe powr woman good wyn · þ^tþat sche ⸗

had bowt for hir owyn selfe 

a

A

S þⁱsþis creatur was in þ^eþe postelys cherch at Rome

¶

ca^mcapitulum [· 35]

on seynt katerynes day þe fadyr of hevyn seyd

to hir · Dowtyr · I am wel plesyd w^twyth þ^eþe · in as meche

as þ^uþu beleuyst in alle þe sacramentꝭsacramentys of holy chirche / & in ⸗

al feyth þ^tþat longith þ ᷑þer to ⎡& specialy for þ^tþat þ^uþu beleuyst in manhode

of my sone / & for þe gret co͒passyoncompassyon þ^tþat þ^uþu hast of hys bitt ᷑bittyr passy⸗

¶

on · Also þ^eþe fadyr seyd to þⁱsþis creatur · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I wil han þe weddyd

to my godhede · for I schal schewyn þ^eþe my p᷑uyteyspreuyteys & my cown⸗

selys / for þ^uþu xalt wonyn w^twyth me w^twyth owtyn ende / þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur

kept sylens in hir sowle / & answeryd not þ ᷑þer to / for sche⸗

was ful sor aferd of þe godhed / & sche cowde no skylle of

þe dalyawns of þ^eþe godhede / for al hir lofe & al hir affec⸗

cyon · was set in þe manhode of crist / & þ ᷑þer of cowde sche

good skylle / & sche wolde for no thyng a partyd þ ᷑þer fro ·

Sche was so meche affectyd to þe manhode of crist

/ þ^tþat whan sche sey women in Rome beryn children in her

armys / ȝyf sche myth wetyn þ^tþat þei wer ony men childre̅children

sche schuld þ⸧þan cryin roryn & wepyn as þei sche had

seyn crist in hys childhode · And yf sche myth an had

hir wille · oftyn tymes · sche wolde a takyn þ^eþe childeryn

owt of þe moderys armys & a kyssed hem · in þ^eþe stede

of criste · And ȝyf sche sey a semly man sche had gret

peyn to lokyn on hym ·/ les þ⸧þan sche myth a seyn hym

þ^tþat was boþ^eboþe god & man / & þ ᷑þer for sche cryed many tymes &

oftyn whan sche met a semly man · & wept & sobbyd ful

sor in þ^eþe manhod of crist · as sche went in þe stretꝭstretys at

Rome / þ^tþat þei þ^tþat seyn hir wondryd ful mych on hir / for þ^eiþei

knew not þe cawse / & þ ᷑þer for it was no wondyr ·· ȝyf sche

wer stille & answeryd not þ^eþe ffadyr of hevyn · whan he

teld hir þ^tþat sche xuld be weddyd to hys godhed Th⸧Than seyd

þe secu̅desecunde ꝑsonepersone crist Ihu̅Ihesu whoys manhode sche louyd

so meche · to hir · What seyst þ^uþu Margery dowt ᷑dowtyr · to my ⸗

fadyr · of þes wordꝭwordys þat he spekyth to þ^eþe / art þ^uþu wel ple⸗

syd þ^tþat it be so · And þ⸧þan sche wold not answeryn þ^eþe secu̅desecunde

ꝑsonepersone · but wept

sylance

wondir sor · desiryng to haue stille hy̅hym

selfe / & in no wyse to be departyd fro hym · Than þe

secu̅desecunde ꝑsonepersone in TⁱniteTinite answeryd to hys fadyr for hir ·

& seyde · ffadyr haue hir excused for sche is ȝet but ȝong ·

& not fully lernyd · how sche xulde answeryn · And þan ⸗

43

þe fadyr toke hir be þe hand

‸

gostle

in hir sowle / be for þe sone · & þe

holy gost · & þe modyr of Ihu̅Ihesu · and alle þ^eþe xii apostelys · & seynt

Kateryn · & seynt Margarete · & many oþ ᷑oþer seyntꝭseyntys & holy vⁱgynesvirgynes

w^twyth gret multitude of awngelys · seying to hir sowle · I take

de despo͒s⸧nedesponsacione
eiꝰeius ad dm̅deum pr̅e̅ꝫpatrem

þe Margery for my weddyd wyfe / for fayrar for fowelar ·

for richar · for powerar ·· so þ^tþat þ^uþu be buxom & bon᷑bonyr to do what

I byd þe do ·/ for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuer childe so buxom to þ^eþe

modyr · as I xal be to þ^eþe boþ^eboþe in wel & in wo / to help þ^eþe and

co̅fortcomfort þe / & þ ᷑þer to I make þe suyrte · And þ⸧þan þe modyr of

god & alle þ^eþe seyntꝭseyntys þ^tþat wer þ ᷑þer p᷑sentpresent in hir sowle  p᷑ydepreyde þ^tþat

þei myth haue mech Ioy to gedyr · And þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur

w^twyth hy deuocyon w^twyth gret plente of terys thankyd god of

þⁱsþis gostly comfort / heldyng hir self in hir owyn felyng

ryth vnworthy / to any swech g cegrace as sche felt ·/ for sche ⸗

felt many gret comfortꝭcomfortys boþe gostly co̅fortꝭcomfortys & bodily co̅fortꝭcomfortys

Su̅Sum tyme sche felt swet smellys w^twyth hir nose ·/ it wer swett ᷑swettar

hir thowt þ⸧þan eu᷑euer was ony swet erdly thyng þ^tþat sche smel⸗

lyd be forn / ne sche myth neu᷑neuer tellyn how swet it wern

for hir thowt sche myth a leuyd þ ᷑þer by / ȝyf they wolde a

lestyd · Su̅Sum tyme sche herd w^twyth hir bodily erys sweche ⸗

sowndꝭsowndys & melodiis þ^tþat sche myth not wel heryn what a /

man seyd to hir in þ^tþat tyme / les he spoke þe lowder ·/ þes

sowndꝭsowndys & melodiis had sche herd ny hand eu᷑yeuery day / þe ⸗

terme of · xxv · ȝere whan þⁱsþis boke was wretyn & spe

cialy whan sche was in deuowt p yerprayer · Also many tymes

whil sche was at Rome & in Inglond boþ^eboþe · sche sey wyth

hir bodily eyne many white thyngꝭthyngys flying al a bowte

hir on eu᷑yeuery syde as thykke in a man᷑maner as motꝭmotys in the

su̅nesunne · it weryn ryth sotyl & co̅fortabylcomfortabyl / & þ^eþe brygtare

þ^tþat þe sunne schyned ·/ þ^eþe bett ᷑better sche myth se hem · Sche ⸗

sey hem many dyuers tymes / & in many dyuers placꝭplacys ·

boþe in chirche & in hir chawmbre ·/ at hir mete & in hir

p eryspraerys / in felde / & in towne / bothyn goyng & syttyng ⸗

And many tymes sche was a ferde / what þei myth be / for sche sy

sey hem as wel on nytys in dyrkenes · as on day lygth · Than

whan sche was a ferde of hem / owir lord seyd on to hir · Be þⁱsþis

tokyn dowt ᷑dowtyr · be leue it is god þ^tþat spekyth in þe / for wher so god

is heuyn is & wher þ^tþat god is þ ᷑þer be many awngelys / & god is

in þe · & þ^uþu art in hym / & þ ᷑þer for be not aferde dowt ᷑dowtyr / for þes

be tokyn · þ^tþat þ^uþu hast many awngelys abowte þ^eþe / to kepyn þ^eþe

boþ^eboþe day & nygth / þ^tþat no deuyl xal han power ouyr þ^eþe / ne non

euyl man to der þe /· than fro þ^tþat tyme forwarde sche vsyd to seyn

whan sche saw hem comyn / BenedictBenedictus q̍qui venit in nōīenomine dn̅īdomini ·

Also owr lord ȝaf hir an oþ ᷑oþer tokne / þe whech enduryd a bowty͒bowtyn

xvi · ȝer / & it encresyd eu᷑euer mor & mor / & þ^tþat was a flawme of

fyer wondir hoot & delectabyl / & ryth co̅fortabylcomfortabyl / nowt

wastyng but eu᷑euer incresyng of lowe / for thow þ^eþe wedyr ⸗

igīsignis didivini
amorꝭamoris

wer neu᷑neuer so colde sche felt þe hete brennyng in hir brest ·

& at hir hert · as v ᷑ilyverily as a man schuld felyn þ^eþe mat ᷑ialmaterial

fyer ȝyf he put hys hand or hys fynger þ ᷑þer in · Whan sche

so s· R· ha̅pallhampall

felt fyrst þe fyer of loue brennyng in her brest sche was

a ferd þ ᷑þer of ·/ & þ⸧þan owr lord answeryd to hir mend & seyde

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr be not a ferd / for þⁱsþis hete is þe hete of þ^eþe holy gost

/ þe whech schal bren a wey alle þⁱþi synnes / for þe fyer of lofe

qwenchith alle synnes ·· And þ^uþu xalt vndirstondyn be þⁱsþis to⸗

kyn þ^tþat þe holy gost is in þ^eþe ·· And þ^uþu wost wel wher þ^tþat eu᷑euer þe ⸗

pr

holy gost is þ ᷑þer is þ^eþe · fadir & wher þe fadyr is · þ ᷑þer is þ^eþe sone ·

And so þ^uþu hast fully in þi sowle al þe holy t ̍nitetrinite / þ ᷑forþerfor þow

hast gret cawse to louyn me ryth wel ·/ & ȝet þ^uþu xalt han

grett ᷑grettar cawse · þ⸧þan eu᷑euer þ^uþu haddyst to louyn me / for þ^uþu xalt

heryn þ^tþat þ^uþu neu᷑neuer herdist & þ^uþu xalt se · þ^tþat þ^uþu neu᷑neuer sey ·· & þ^uþu xalt

felyn þ^tþat þ^uþu neu᷑neuer feltist / for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu art as sekyr of þe lofe

of god / as god is god · Thy sowle is mor sekyr of þe lofe of

god / þ⸧þan of þin owyn body / for þⁱþi sowle xal ꝑtynpartyn fro thy

body ·/ but god xal neu᷑neuer ꝑtynpartyn fro þi sowle / for þei ben onyd

to gedyr w^twyth owtyn ende / þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast as gret cawse

¶

to be mery as any lady in þⁱsþis werld / & ȝyf þ^uþu knew dowt ᷑dowtyr

how meche þ^uþu plesyst me wh⸧whan þ^uþu suffyrst me wilfully to ⸗

44

spekyn in þe ·/ þ^uþu schuldist neu᷑neuer do oþ ᷑oþer wys ·/ for þⁱsþis is an holy lyfe

& þe tyme is ryth wel spent ·/ ffor dowt ᷑dowtyr þⁱsþis lyfe plesyth me ⸗

mor þ⸧þan weryng · of þe haburion or / of þe hayr / or fastyng of

bred & wat ᷑watyr ·· for ȝyf þ^uþu seydest eu᷑yeuery day a thowsand pat ᷑pater noster ·

þ^uþu xuldist not plesyn me so wel as þ^uþu dost wh⸧whan þ^uþu art in

silens & sufferyst me to speke in thy sowle 

h

F

Astyng dowt ᷑dowtyr is good for ȝong be gynnars · & discrete

¶

ca^mcapitulum 36 ·

penawns · namly þ^tþat her gostly fadyr ȝeuyth hem er

inioyneth hem for to do · And for to byddyn many

bedys it is good to hem þ^tþat can no bett ᷑better do / & ȝet it is not ꝑfyteparfyte ·

but it is a good wey to ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon ward ·/ for I telle þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr þei

þ^tþat arn gret fastarys & gret doers of penawnce · þei wold þ^tþat

it schuld ben holdyn þe best lyfe ·· Also þei þ^tþat ȝeuyn hem to sey

many deuocyons ·/ þei wold han þ^tþat þe best lyfe · And þei þat

ȝeuyn mech almes · þei wold þ^tþat þat wer holdyn þe best lyfe ·

¶

And I haue oftyn tymes dowt ᷑dowtyr teld þe / þ^tþat thynkyng · wepyng ·

& hy co̅templacyoncontemplacyon  is þe best lyfe in erthe ·· And þ^uþu xalt haue

mor m᷑ytemeryte in heuyn · for o ȝer of thynkyng in þi mende 

/ þ⸧þan for an hundryd ȝer of p᷑yngpreyng w^twyth þi mowth & ȝet þ^uþu wylt

not leuyn me for þ^uþu wilt byddyn many bedys · whedyr I wil

or not ·· And ȝet dowt ᷑dowtyr I wyl not be displesyd w^twyth þ^eþe whedir

þ^uþu thynke  sey or speke for I am alwey plesyd w^twyth þe · And

ȝyf I wer in erde as bodily as I was er I deyd on þe cros ·

I schuld not ben a schamyd of þe as ^||oþ ᷑oþer^|| many men ben ·/ for

I schuld take þe be þe hand a mongs þe pepil · & make þ^eþe

gret cher ·/ þ^tþat þei schuldyn wel knowyn þ^tþat I louyd þ^eþe ryth wel /

for it is co̅uenyentconuenyent · þe wyf to be homly w^twyth hir husbond · be

he neu᷑neuer so gret a lorde · & sche so powr a woman wh⸧whan he weddyth

hir ·/ ȝet þei must ly to gedir · & rest to gedir in Ioy & pes //

[Ryght so mot it be twyx þe & me / for I take non hed what

nota

þ^uþu hast be / but what þ^uþu woldist be · And oftyn tymes haue ⸗

I telde þe · þ^tþat I haue clene forȝoue þ^eþe alle thy synnes ·/ þ ᷑þer fore

most I nedys be homly w^twyth þe / & lyn in þi bed w^twyth þe · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

thow desyrest gretly to se me / & þ^uþu mayst boldly whan þ^uþu art

in þi bed take me to þe as for þi weddyd husbond / as thy

derworthy derlyng / & as for thy swete sone ·/ for I wyl be ⸗

louyd as a sone schuld be louyd w^twyth þe modyr / & wil þ^tþat þ^uþu loue me dowt ᷑dowtyr

as a good

‸

wife

owyth to loue hir husbonde / & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu mayst boldly take

¶

me in þe armys of þi sowle / & kyssen my mowth · myn hed · & my

fete · as swetly as thow wylt / & as oftyn tymes as þ^uþu thynkyst on ⸗

me / er woldyst don any good dede to me / þ^uþu schalt haue þe same

mede in heuyn // as ȝyf þ^uþu dedist it to myn owyn p᷑cyowsprecyows body

[heart]

whech is in heuyn ·/ for I aske no mor of þe but þin hert / for to

louyn

me

þ^tþat louyth þe / for my lofe is eu᷑euer redy to þe · Than sche ⸗

ȝaf thankyng & p᷑ysingpreysing to owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / for þe hy grace

& m᷑cymercy þ^tþat he schewyd vn to hir vnworthy wrech Thys creatur

had diuers tokenys in hir bodily heryng · on was a man᷑maner of

sownde as it had ben a peyr of belwys blowyng in hir ere

Sche beyng abasshed þ ᷑þer of was warnyd in hir sowle no fer

to haue / for it was þe sownd of þe holy gost / & þ⸧þan owyr lord

t nydturnyd þ^tþat sownde in to þe voys of a dowe / & sithyn he t nydturnyd it in ⸗

to þe voys of a lityl bryd / whech is callyd a reedbrest ·/ þ^tþat song

ful merily oftyn tymes in hir ryght ere / & þ⸧þan schuld sche

eu᷑euyr mor han gret grace aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat sche herd swech a tokyn · And sche

had been vsed to swech tokenys a bowt xxv · ȝer at þ^eþe writy̅gwrityng

of þⁱsþis boke Than seyd owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu c̍stcrist to hys creatur ·/ be

þes tokenys mayst þ^uþu wel wetyn / þ^tþat I loue þe for þ^uþu art to

me a very modir · & to al þ^eþe world / for þ^tþat gret charite þ^tþat is in þ^eþe ·

& ȝet I am cawse of þ^tþat charite my self / & þ^uþu xalt haue gret

mede þ ᷑þer for in heuyn 

d

¶

ca^mcapitulum · 37

D

Owt ᷑Owtyr for þ^uþu art so buxom to my wille · & cleuyst as

sore on to me / as þe skyn of stokfysche cleuyth to a ⸗

mannys handꝭhandys wh⸧whan it is sothyn / & wilt not forsake

me · for no schame þ^tþat any man can don to þe / & þ^uþu seyst also · þ^tþat

þow I stod be forn þe · myn owyn ꝑsonepersone · & seyd to þe · þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist

neu᷑neuyr han my lofe ·/ ne neu᷑neuer comyn in heuyn / ne neu᷑neuer sen my

face ·/ ȝet seist þ^uþu dowt ᷑dowtyr · þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist neu᷑neuer forsake me in erthe ·

/ ne neu᷑neuer lofe me þe lesse ·/ ne neu᷑neuer do þe lesse besynes to plese

me / thow þ^uþu xuldyst lyeg in helle wythowtyn ende / for þ^uþu maist not

forber my lofe in erthe / ne þ^uþu can han non oþ ᷑oþer comforth but

me only · Whech am I ·· þi god / & am al Ioy / & al blysse to þ^eþe ·/ þ ᷑þer fore

I sey to þe derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr / it is vnpossybyl þ^tþat any swech sowle

45

schuld be dampnyd or departyd fro me · whech hath so gret meknes ⸗

& charite to me / & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr drede þe neu᷑neuer / for alle þe gret behestꝭbehestys · þ^tþat I

haue behite to þe & to alle thyn & to alle thy gostly faderys · xal euer

be trewe & trewly fulfilled · whan tyme comyth · haue no dowt þ ᷑þer of

An oþ ᷑oþer tyme whil sche was in Rome a lityl be for cristemes / owr

lord Ihu͒Ihesu criste comawndyd hir to gon to hir gostly fadyr wens⸗

lawe be name / & byddyn hym ȝeuyn hir leue to weryn a geyn hir

white clothys / for he had put hir þ ᷑þer fro / be vertu of obediens / as

is wretyn be forn / & wh⸧whan sche teld hym þe wyl of owr lord ·

he durst not onys sey nay / & so weryd sche white clothys eu᷑euer

aft ᷑aftyr Than owr lord bad hir þ^tþat sche xuld at cristemes · gon hom

a geyn to hir ostys howse · þ ᷑þer sche was at hostel be for tyme

/ and þ⸧þan sche went to a powr woman whech sche ẜuydseruyd at þ^tþat tyme

be þ^eþe byddyng of hir co͒fesso confessowr ·/ as is be forn wretyn & telde þ^eþe powr

wom⸧woman · how sche must gon fro hir / & þ⸧þan þ^eþe powr wom⸧woman was ryth

sory & mad gret mone for hir departyng /· & þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur teld

hir how it was þ^eþe wil of god · þ^tþat it schuld be so / & þ⸧þan sche toke it þ^eþe

mor esily ·/ Aft ᷑wardAftyrward as þⁱsþis creatur was in Rome owr lord bad

hir ȝeuyn a wey al hir good / & makyn hir bar / for hys lofe ·/ &

a non sche w^twyth a feruent desyr to plesyn god / ȝaf awey swech

good as sche had & sweche as sche had borwyd · Also of þ^eþe broke⸗

bakkyd man þ^tþat went w^twyth hir · Whan he wist how þ^tþat sche had ȝouyn

a wey hys good / he was gretly mevyd & euyl plesyd / for sche

ȝaf a wey hys good / & spak ryth scharply to hir / & þ⸧þan sche seyd

vn to hym / Richard be þ^eþe g ͣ ̅cegrace of god we xal comyn hom in to

Inglond ryth wel / & ȝe schal come to me in brystowe in þ^eþe

Whitsunwoke / & þ ᷑þer xal I pay ȝow ryth wel / & trewly / be þ^eþe g ͣ ̅cegrace of

god ·/ for I trust ryth wel þ^tþat he þ^tþat bad me ȝeuyn it a wey for

hys lofe wil help me to payn it a geyn & so he dede  :~

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·38·

a

A

fftyr þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur had thus ȝouyn a wey hir good

& had neyther peny / ne half peny to helpyn hir

self w^twyth / as sche lay in seynt Marcellys chirche in

Rome thynkyng & stodying wher sche xuld han hir leuyng

in as mech as sche had no sylu᷑syluer to cheys hir w^twyth þal / owr lord

answeryd to hir mende & seyde / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu art not ȝet so powr ⸗

as I was whan I heng nakyd on þe cros for thy lofe / for þ^uþu hast

clothys on thy body / & I had non · And thow hast cownseld oþ ᷑oþer men

to ben powr for my sake / & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu must folwyn thyn owy̅owyn cownsel

/ but drede þ^eþe not dowt ᷑dowtyr / for þ ᷑þer is gold to þe ward / & I haue hyte

þe be for tyme / þ^tþat I wolde neu᷑neuer fayl þe / & I xal p᷑ynpreyn myn owyn

modir / to beggyn for þ^eþe / for þ^uþu hast many tymes beggyd for ⸗

me & for my modir also / & þ ᷑þer for drede þe not I haue frendꝭfrendys

in eu᷑yeuery cu͒trecuntre / & xal make my frendꝭfrendys to co̅fortcomfort þe ·/ Wh⸧Whan owr

¶

lord had thus swetly dalyed to hir sowle / sche thankyd hy̅hym

of þⁱsþis gret co͒fortecomforte / hauyng good trost · it xuld be as he seyd

Sythen sche risyng up went forth in þe strete ⎡ & met casu⸗

aly w^twyth a good man / & so they fellyn in good comunicacyon

as þei went to gedir · be þe wey / to whom sche had many

good talys & many good exhortacyonys · tyl god visited hy͒hym

w^twyth terys of deuocyon & of co͒pu̅ccyoncompunccyon · to hys hey co̅fortcomfort

& consolacyon / & þ⸧þan he ȝaf hir mony be þe whech sche was

wel releuyd & comfortyd a good while Th⸧Than on a nyth

sche say in vision how owyr lady hir thowt sat at þe ⸗

mete w^twyth many worshepful ꝑsonyspersonys · & askyd mete for hir ·

And þ⸧þan thowt þⁱsþis creatur þat owr lordꝭlordys wordꝭwordys wer ful⸗

filled gostly · in þ^tþat vision / for he behestyd þⁱsþis creatur a lityl

be forn þ^tþat he xuld p᷑ynpreyn hys modir to beggyn for hir ·/ &

in schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis visyon / sche met w^twyth a worshepful

lady · dame Margarete fflorentyn þe same lady þ^tþat browt

hir fro Assyse into Rome / & neiþ ᷑neiþyr of hem cowd wel vn⸗

dirstand b

…

oþ ᷑oþer · but be sy͒gnyssyngnys er tokenys / & in fewe comown

wordꝭwordys · And þ⸧þan þe lady seyd on to hir · Margerya in pou᷑tepouerte

sche vndirstondyng what þe lady ment / seyd a ȝen ·/ ȝa ⸗

grawnt pou᷑tepouerte Madam ·/ þ⸧þan þe lady comawndyd hir to etyn

w^twyth hir eu᷑yeuery sonday & set hir at hir owen tabil a bouyn

hir self / & leyd hir mete w^twyth hir owyn handyꝭhandys · Than thys

creatur sat & wept ful sor / thankyng owr lord þ^tþat sche was

so cheryd & cherisched for hys lofe / of hem þ^tþat cowd not vn⸗

dirstond hir langage · Whan þei had etyn þe good lady

vsed to takyn hir an hamper w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer stuffe / þ^tþat sche myght ⸗

46

makyn hir potage þ ᷑þer w^twyth as meche as wolde ẜuynseruyn hir for a too days

mete / & filled hir botel w^twyth good wyn / and su̅sum tyme sche ȝaf hir

an viii · bolendinys þ ᷑þer to ·/ And þ⸧þan an oþ ᷑oþer man in Rome whech

was clepyd Marcelle bad hir to mete ii · days in þ^eþe woke ·

whos wyfe was gret w^twyth childe hyly desiryng to haue had

þⁱsþis creatur to godmodyr to hir childe whan it had ben ⸗

born / & sche abood not so long in Rome / & also þ ᷑þer was

an holy mayden ȝaf þⁱsþis creatur hir mete on þ^eþe wednysday

oþ ᷑oþer days wh⸧whan sche was not pueydpurueyd sche beggyd hir mete ⸗

fro dor to dore 

A

n oþ ᷑oþer tyme ryth as sche c⸧cam be a powr womanys

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·39·

hows / þ^eþe powr woman clepyd hir into hir hows

& dede hir sytten be hir lytyl fyer · ȝeuyng hir wyn

to drynke in a cuppe of ston / & sche had a lytel manchylde

sowkyng on hir brest · þe whech sowkyd o while on þ^eþe moderys

brest / an oþ ᷑oþer while it ran to þⁱsþis creatur / þ^eþe modyr syttyng

ful of sorwe & sadnes ·/ þ⸧þan þⁱsþis creatur brast al in to we⸗

pyng / as þei sche had seyn owr lady & hir sone in tyme

of hys passyon / & had so many of holy thowtꝭthowtys / þ^tþat sche myth

neu᷑neuyr tellyn þe haluendel / but eu᷑euyr sat & wept plentyvowsly

a long tyme / þ^tþat þe powr woman hauyng co̅passyoncompassyon of hir ⸗

wepyng / p᷑ydpreyd hir to sesyn / not knowyng why sche wept / þ⸧þan

owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd to þ^eþe creatur · Thys place is holy · And

þan sche ros up & went forth in Rome & sey meche pou᷑tepouerte

a mong þe pepyl / & þ⸧þan sche thankyd god hyly of þ^eþe pou᷑tepouerte þ^tþat

sche was in ·/ trostyng þ ᷑þer thorw to be ꝑtyn᷑partynyr w^twyth hem in m᷑ytemeryte /

/ þan was þ ᷑þer a gret Ientylwoman in Rome p᷑yngpreyng thys cͤaturcreatur

to be godmodyr of hir childe & namyd it aft ᷑aftyr Seynt BⁱgyptBrigypt

/ for they haddyn knowlach of hir in hir lyue tyme / & so ⸗

sche dede · Sithyn god ȝaf hir gcegrace to haue gret lofe i̅in Rome

bothyn of men & of women & gret fauowr a mong the

pepyl ·/ Whan þe Mayst ᷑Maystyr & broþ ᷑broþyr of þe hospital of seynt ⸗

ThomsThomas wher sche was refusyd be for tyme as is wretyn

be forn herd tellyn what lofe & what fauowr sche had

in þe cyte ·/ they p᷑ydpreyd hir þ^tþat sche wolde come a geyn to hem 

& sche xulde be wolcomear / þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr sche was beforn / for þei ⸗

weryn ryth sory þ^tþat þei had put hir a wey fro hem / & sche than⸗

kyd hem for her charite / & dede her comawndment / & whan

sche was comyn a ȝen to hem ·/ þei madyn hir ryth good /

cher & weryn rith glad of hir comyng [than fond sche þ ᷑þer

hir þ^tþat was hir mayden be for tyme / & w^twyth ryght schulde a be

so stylle · dwellyng in þ^eþe hospital · in meche welth & ꝓsꝑyteprosperyte

/ for sche was kepar of her wyn · And þⁱsþis creatur went su̅sum⸗

tyme to hir for cawse of mekenes · & p᷑ydpreyd hir of mete &

drynke & þe mayden ȝaf hir w^twyth good wyl / & su̅sum tyme a grote

þ ᷑þer to ·/ þ⸧þan sche co̅pleynedcompleyned to hir mayden & seyd / þ^tþat sche thowt

gret swem of her departyng / & what slawndir & euyl wordꝭwordys

men seyd of hir / for þei wer a sundyr ·/ but wold sche neu᷑neuyr

þe raþ ᷑raþar be a geyn w^twyth hir · Aft ᷑wardAftyrward þⁱsþis creatur spak w^twyth seynt



brydꝭbrydys mayden in Rome / but sche cowd not vndirstondyn

S · bridꝭbridis mady̅madyn /

what sche seyd ·/ þ⸧þan had sche a man þ^tþat cowde vndirstondyn

hir langage / & þ^tþat m⸧man tolde seynt BrygiptꝭBrygiptys mayden · what

þⁱsþis creatur seyde / & how sche askyd aft ᷑aftyr seynt Brigypt

hir lady ·/ þ⸧þan þe mayden seyd þ^tþat hir lady · seynt · BBrigypt ·· was

goodly & meke to eu᷑yeuery creatur · & þ^tþat sche had a lawhyng

cher ·/ and also þ^eþe good man wher þⁱsþis creatur was at hoste

telde hir / þ^tþat he knew hir hys owyn selfe ·/ but he wend li⸗

tyl þ^tþat sche had ben so holy a woman as sche was / for sche

was eu᷑euyr homly & goodly to alle creaturys þ^tþat woldyn spekyn

w^twyth hir ·/ sche was in þe chawmbre þ^tþat seynt · BriBrigypt · deyd in

& herd a dewche p᷑stepreste p᷑chynprechyn of hir þ ᷑þer in / & of hir reuela⸗

cyonys / & of hir man᷑maner of leuyng / & sche knelyd also on þ^eþe

ston on þe wheeh owr lord aperyd to Seynt BⁱgypteBrigypte · and

telde hir what day sche xuld deyn on / & þⁱsþis was on of sey̅tseynt

¶

BⁱgyptꝭBrigyptys days þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur was in hir chapel · whech

be for tyme was hir chawmbr᷑chawmbre þ^tþat sche deyd in ·/ Owr lord

sent swech tempestꝭtempestys of wyndꝭwyndys & reynes & dyuers imp᷑simpres⸗

syons of eyrs þ^tþat þei þ^tþat wer in þe feldꝭfeldys & in her labowrꝭlabowrys

w^twyth owtyn forth · wer co̅pellydcompellyd to entyr howsys in socow⸗

ryng of her bodiis to enchewyn dyuers perellys / þorw ⸗

35

swech tokenys þⁱsþis creatur supposyd þ^tþat owr lord wold hys holy

seyntꝭseyntys day xulde ben halwyd / & þe seynt had in mor wor⸗

shep þ⸧þan sche was at þ^tþat tyme / And su̅sum tyme wh⸧whan þⁱsþis creatur

wolde a gon þe stacyownys / our lord

…

owyr

…

lord warnyd hir

on þe nyght beyng in hir bed þ^tþat sche xulde not gon owte fer

fro hir ostel / for he xulde sendyn gret tempestꝭtempestys þ^tþat day of leue⸗

nys & thunderys / & so it was in dede · Ther wer so gr᷑tgret tem⸗

pestꝭpestys þ^tþat ȝer of thunderys & leuenys of gret reynes & dyu᷑s

wederyngys / þ^tþat ryth elde men þ^tþat tyme dwellyng in rome sey⸗

dyn þei had neu᷑neuyr seyn swech be forn / þe leuenys wer so ⸗

plentyuows & so brygth schynyng w^twyth inne her howsys / þat

þei wendyn verily it xulde a brent her howsys w^twyth contentꝭcontentys

/ þan cryed þei vp on þe forseyd creatur / to p᷑yprey for hem ·· fully

trustyng · þ^tþat sche was þe ẜuawntseruawnt of al myghty god / & thorw

hir pyerysprayerys þei xuldyn ben holpyn & socowryd / þⁱsþis creat creatur

at her request p᷑yngpreyng owr lord of m᷑cymercy / he answeryd in hir

sowle seying ·/ dowt ᷑dowtyr be not a ferd / for þ ᷑þer xal no wedyr ne

tempest noyin þe / & þ ᷑þer for mystrost me not / for I xal neu᷑neuyr

disceyuen þe · And owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord cryst Ihu̅Ihesu as it plesyd

hym w^tdrowwythdrow þ^eþe tempestꝭtempestys p᷑ẜuyngpreseruyng þ^eþe pepyl fro alle myscheuys 

t

T

han thorw þe ꝓuysyonprouysyon of owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord c̍stcrist

¶

ca^mcapitulum 40

Ihu̅Ihesu / þ ᷑þer was comyn a p᷑stepreste a good man owte of

Inglond in to Rome / w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer felawshep speryng &

inqwyryng diligently aft ᷑aftyr þe seyd creatur · whom he had

neu᷑neuyr seyn · be forn / ne sche hym ·/ but whil he was in Ing⸗

lond / he herd tellyn of swech a woman was at Rome / w^twyth

þe whech he longyd hyly to spekyn / ȝyf god wolde gwntyngrawntyn

hym gcegrace ·/ Wher for whyl he was in hys owyn lond he ppopurpo⸗

syng to se þⁱsþis creatur · Whan he thorw þ^eþe sufferawns of

owr lord myght come þ ᷑þer sche was / pueydpurueyd golde to bryng

hir in releuyng of hir · ȝyf sche had nede ·/ þ⸧þan be inqwy⸗

ryng he cam in to þ^eþe place wher þ^tþat sche was / & ful hu̅belyhumbely

& mekely he clepyd hir modyr / p᷑yingpreying hir for charite

to receyuen hym as hir sone ·· Sche seyd þ^tþat he was wolcom ⸗·

to god & to hir as to hys owyn modyr / so be holy

↓

dalyawns &

co͒munycacyoncommunycacyon· sche felt wel he was a good man / & þ⸧þan sche

discuryng þ^eþe p᷑uytepreuyte of hert / reuelyd what gcegrace god wrowt in

in hir sowle · thorw hys holy inspiracyon & su̅whatsumwhat of hir

man᷑maner of leuyng ·/ þ⸧þan wolde he no lengar suffyr hir to beggy̅beggyn

hir mete fro dore to dore / but p᷑yidpreyid hir to eten w^twyth hym &

hys felawshep / les þ⸧þan good men & women be þ^eþe wey of

charite & for gostly comfort wolde p᷑ynpreyn hir to mete /· þan

he wolde þ^tþat / he xulde take it in þe name of owr lord ·· And

ellys sche ete w^twyth hym & w^twyth hys felawschep eu᷑yeuery day / & ⸗

ȝaf hir golde sufficiently to come hom w^twyth in to Inglond

¶

And þ⸧þan was fulfilled þ^tþat owr lord seyd to hir a lityl be forn

gold is to þe warde / & so it was in dede / thankyd be alle

myghty god · Than su̅mesumme of hir felaws whech sche had

ben w^twyth at IerIerusalem · comyth to þⁱsþis good p᷑stepreste newly come to

Rome · co̅pleynyngcompleynyng of hir · & seyd þ^tþat sche was schreuyn at

a p᷑stepreste whech cowde not vndirstondyn hir langwage

ne hir co̅fessyownconfessyown Than þⁱsþis good p᷑stepreste trostyng to hir

as to hys modyr / desyryng þe helth of hir sowle · Askyd

of hir yf hir co̅fesso confessowr vndirstod hir wh⸧whan sche spak to hy͒hym

¶

er not · Good sone I beseche ȝow p᷑ythpreyth hym to dyne w^twyth

ȝow & w^twyth ȝo ȝowr felawys / & late me be p᷑sentpresent / & þ⸧þan xal ȝe

knowyn þe trewth / hyr co̅fesso confessowr was p᷑ydpreyd to mete & wh⸧whan

tyme cam sett & ẜuydseruyd w^twyth þⁱsþis good p᷑stepreste & hys felaschep

/ þe seyd creatur beyng p᷑sentpresent / þe good p᷑stepreste of Inglonde

dalying & comownyng in her owyn langage englysch ·

/ þe duche p᷑stepreste a worthy clerke as is wretyn be forn ·⸗

co̅fesso confessowr to þe seyd creatur · satt al stille in a man᷑maner of he⸗

uynes · for cawse he vndirstod not what þei seyden in

englysch · les þ⸧þan þei spokyn latyn / & þei dede it in pposepurpose

hys vnwetyng / to p᷑uynpreuyn ȝyf he vndirstod englysch er not

At þe last þe seyd creatur seyng & wel vndirstondyng

þ^tþat hir co̅fesso confessowr vndirstod not her langage · & þ^tþat was tediows

¶

to hym · [þ⸧þan in ꝑtyparty to comfort hym ·/ & in ꝑtyparty er ellys

mech mor · to preuyn þe werk of god ·/ sche telde in hyr

48

owyn langage in englysch a story of holy writte whech as

sche had le

‸

r

nyd of clerkꝭclerkys whil sche was at hom in Inglond ·/ for

nota

vanytee

sche wolde spekyn of no vanyte ne of no fantasiis Than þei

askyd hir co̅fesso confessowr · ȝyf he vndirstod þ^tþat sche had seyd & he a non

in latyn telde hem þ^eþe same wordꝭwordys þ^tþat sche seyd be forn in

englisch / for he cowde neyþ ᷑neyþyr speke englysch ne vndirstondyn

englisch / saue only aft ᷑aftyr hir tu̅getunge / & þ⸧þan þei had gret m᷑uaylemeruayle /

for þei wist wel þ^tþat he vndirstod what sche seyde / & sche vn⸗

dirstod what he seyd / & he cowde vndirstonde non oþ ᷑oþer englysch

man / so blyssed mote god ben þ^tþat mad an Alyon to vndirston⸗

dyn hir wh⸧whan hir owyn cu̅trecuntre men had forsakyn hir & wolde

not heryn hir co̅fessyonconfessyon les þ⸧þan sche wolde a left hir wepy͒gwepyng

& spekyng of holynes / & ȝet sche myth not wepyn but wh⸧whan

god ȝaf it hir / & oftyn tymes he ȝaf it so plentyuowsly

þ^tþat sche cowde not w^tstondewythstonde it ·/ but þ^eþe mor þ^tþat sche wolde a w^twyth⸗

stonde it er þut it a wey / þe mor strongly it wrowt in hir

sowle / w^twyth so holy thowtꝭthowtys / þ^tþat sche xulde not sesyn · Sche xulde

sobbyn & cryen ful lowd al a geyn hir wyl þ^tþat many m⸧man

& woman also wondryd on hir þ ᷑þer fore 

s

S

vm tyme whan þe forseyd creatur was at sermow⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum · 41 ·

nys wher duchemen & oþ ᷑oþer men p᷑chydprechyd techyng þ^eþe

lawys of god ·/ sodeyn sorwe & heuynes ocupying

hir hert · cawsyd hir to compleyn w^twyth mornyng cher for lak

of vndirstondyng / desyryng to be refreschyd w^twyth su̅sum cru͒mecrumme

of gostly vndirstondyng / vn to hir most trustyd & entyrlyest

belouyd souereyn

lord

crist Ihu̅Ihesu · Whos melydiows voys swet⸗

test of alIe sauowrys · softly sowndyng in hir sowle / seyd /

¶

I xal p᷑chepreche þe & teche þe my selfe / for þⁱþi wyl & thy desyr

is acceptabyl vn to me / þ⸧þan was hir sowle so delectabely

fed w^twyth þe swet dalyawns of owr lorde & so fulfilled of

hys lofe / þ^tþat as a drunkyn man sche t nydturnyd hir fyrst on þ^eþe

ebrietas sc̅a ·sancta

o syde & sithyn on þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer w^twyth gret wepyng & gret sobbyng ·

vn mythy to kepyn hir selfe in stabilnes / for þ^eþe vnqwen⸗

chabyl fyer of lofe whech brent ful sor in hir sowle 

/ þan meche pepyl wonderyd up on hir Askyng hir what sche eyled

/ to whom sche as a creatur al wowndyd w^twyth lofe / & as reson had ⸗

fayled cryed w^twyth lowde voys ·/ þe passyon of crist sleth me ·/ þe

good women hauyng co̅passyoncompassyon of hir sorwe / & gretly m᷑uemerue⸗

lyng of hir wepyng & of hir crying · meche þe mor þei louyd

hir / & þ ᷑þer for þei desiryng to make hir solas & comfort aftyr

hir gostly labowr / be sygnys & tokenys for sche vndirstod ⸗

not her speche / p᷑yidpreyid hir and in a man᷑maner compellyd hir to comy̅comyn

hom to hem willyng þ^tþat sche xulde not gon fro hem · Than

owr lord sent hymr gcegrace to han gret lofe & gret fauowr of

many ꝑsonyspersonys in Rome bothyn of Religyows men & oþ ᷑oþer

Su̅Sum religyows comyn to swech ꝑsonyspersonys of hyr cunt ᷑mencuntremen

as louyd hir & seyden / þⁱsþis woman hath sowyn meche good

seed in Rome sithyn sche cam hydir · þ^tþat is to sey · schewyd

good exampyl to þe pepyl wher thorw þei louyn god mor

þan þei dede be forn · On a tyme as þⁱsþis creatur was

in a chirche at Rome wher þe body of seynt Ierom lyth

biriid

‸

b

to þⁱsþis creaturys gostly sygth aperyng seynt Ierom 

a

seyd to hir sowle ·· Blissed art þow dowt ᷑dowtyr in þ^eþe wepyng

þ^tþat þ^uþu wepyst for þ^eþe peplys synnes / for many xal be sauyd

þ ᷑þer by · And dowt ᷑dowtyr drede þ^eþe nowt · for it is a synguler & a

specyal ȝyft þ^tþat god hath ȝouyn þe · a welle of teerys /

þe whech xal neu᷑neuyr man take fro þe ·· W^tWyth swech man᷑maner of da⸗

lyawns he hily comfortyd hir spiritꝭspiritys / & also he made

gret p᷑ysyngpreysyng & thankyng to god · for þe gcegrace þ^tþat he wrowt

in hir sowle / for les þ⸧þan sche had an had sweche gostly

comfortꝭcomfortys it had ben vnpossybyl hir to a boryn þ^eþe schamys

& wonderyngꝭwonderyngys · þe whech sche suffyrd pacyently & mekely

for þe grace þat god schewyd in hyr      

a------

whech was myraculosly tnslatydtranslatyd fro Bedlem in to þ^tþat

place / & þ ᷑þer now is had in gret worshep · be syden þ^eþe place

wher seynt lauerawnce lyth beriid a~b

w

[ca]^m[ca]pitulum ·42 ·

W

han tyme of estern er ellys paske was come &

go þⁱsþis creatur w^twyth hir felawschep pposyngpurposyng to gon

a geyn in to her owyn natyf lond / it was telde

hem þ^tþat þ ᷑þer wer many theuys be þe wey whech wolde spoyl ⸗

hem of her goodꝭgoodys

49

hem of her g

‸

o

odys & ꝑauenturperauentur slen hem / þ⸧þan þe seyd creatur w^twyth many

a bitt ᷑bittyr teer of hir eye / p᷑ydpreyd to owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist Seying  Crist Ihu̅Ihesu

in whom is al my trost as thow hast be hyte me many tymes

befor · þ^tþat þ ᷑þer xulde no man be disesyd in my cu̅panyecumpanye / & I was

neu᷑neuyr deceyued ne defrawdyd in þi ꝓmyssepromysse / as long as I fully

& trewly trostyd on to þ^eþe ·/ so here þe p᷑yeryspreyerys of þin vnworthy

ẜuawntseruawnt / al holy trustyng in þi m᷑cymercy · & grawnt · þ^tþat I · & myn

felawschep w^twyth owtyn hyndryng of body er of catel / for of owr

sowlys lord haue þei no powr · may gon hom a geyn in to

owr lond lych as we come hedyr / for þi lofe / & late neu᷑neuyr

owr enmiis haue no powr ouyr us lord ȝyf it plese þ^eþe ·/ as

þ^uþu wilt so mot it be ·· Than owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd to hir mende

Drede þe not dowt ᷑dowtyr / for þ^uþu & alle þ^tþat ben in thy cu̅panycumpany xal gon

as safe as ȝyf þei wer in seynt petrys cherch Th⸧Than thankyd

sche god w^twyth alle hir spiritꝭspiritys & was bold a now to go wher god

wolde / & toke hir leue of hir frendꝭfrendys in Rome & most specyaly

of hir gostly ffadyr · Whech for owr lordꝭlordys lofe had supportyd hir

& socowrd hir ful tendirly · a geyn þ^eþe wykked wyndys of hir

invyows enmyis · whos deꝑtyngdepartyng was ful lamentabyl as wyt⸗

nessyd wel þe pur wat ᷑watyr dropys rennyng down be her chekys

Sche fallyng on hyr knes receyued þe benefys of hys blyssy͒gblyssyng

& so deꝑtyddepartyd a sundyr · Whom charite ioyned bothyn in oon

thorw · þe whech þei trostyd to metyn a geyn whan owr lord

wolde · in her kendly cu̅tr᷑cuntre / Wh⸧Whan þei wer passyd þⁱsþis wretchyd

wordelys exile · And þꝰþus sche & hir felaschep passyd forth in to

Inglond ward And wh⸧whan þei wer a lityl wey owte of Rome

& þe good p᷑stepreste whech as is beforn wretyn þⁱsþis creatur had

receyued as for hir owyn sone / had mekyl drede of enmyis

Wher for he seyd on to hir Modyr · I drede me to be deed &

slayn w^twyth enmyis Sche seyd nay sone ȝe schal far ryth wel

& gon saf be þ^eþe gcegrace of god ·/ & he was wel comfortyd w^twyth hyr

wordꝭwordys / for he trustyd meche in hir felyngꝭfelyngys and mad hir as

good cher be þe wey · as ȝyf he had ben hir owyn sone born

of hir body ·/ & so þei cam forth to medylborwgh & þ⸧þan hir

felaschep wolde takyn her Iurne in to Inglond ward on þ^eþe

sunday ·/ þ⸧þan þ^eþe good p᷑ystepreyste cam to hir seying · Modyr · wyl ȝe gon ⸗

wyth ȝo ȝowr felaschep er not · on þⁱsþis good day · & sche seyde nay sone / it

is not my lordꝭlordys wille þ^tþat I xulde gon so sone hens / & so sche abood

stylle w^twyth þe good p᷑stepreste & su̅mesumme oþ ᷑oþer of þe felaschyp tyl þe satyrday

aftyr / And mech of her felaschep went to schip on þ^eþe sonday ·/ on

refresse

þe fryday aft ᷑aftyr as þⁱsþis creatur went to sportyn hir in þe felde

& men of hir owyn nacyon w^twyth hir / þ^eþe whech sche informyd in

þe lawys of god as wel as sche cowde / & scharply sche spak

a geyns hem for þei sworyn gret othys / & brokyn þ^eþe comaw⸗

ndment of owr lord god / & as sche went þꝰþus dalying w^twyth hem

/ owwr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist bad hir gon hom in haste to hir hostel

for þ ᷑þer schulde come gret wederyng & ꝑlyowsperlyows / þ⸧þan sche hyed

hir homwardꝭhomwardys w^twyth hir felaschep / & as sone as þei come hom

to her hostel þe wederyng fel as sche felt be reuelacyon

And many tymes as sche went be þe wey / & in þe feldys / þ ᷑þer

fel gret leuenys · w^twyth hedows thu̅derysthunderys · gresely & greuows ·

þ^tþat sche feryd hir þ^tþat it xulde a smet hir to deth / & many gret

reynes whech cawsyd in hir gret drede & heuynes ·/ þ⸧þan owr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd to hir / why art thow a ferd whil I am

w^twyth þe / I am as mythy to kepyn þ^eþe her in þe felde as in þe

strengest chirche in alle þⁱsþis worlde / & aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat tyme sche ⸗

was not so gretly a ferd as sche was be forn / for eu᷑euyr sche had

gret trust in hys m᷑cymercy / blyssed mote he be þ^tþat comfortyd hir

in eu᷑yeuery sorwe · And sithyn it happyd an englysch man to come

to þⁱsþis creatur & swor a gret oth ·/ sche heryng þ^tþat oth · wept ·

mornyd · & sorwyd · w^twyth owtyn mesur · not of powr to restreyn

hir selfe fro wepyng & sorwyng / for as meche as sche sey

hir broþ ᷑broþyr offendyn owr lord god al mygthy & lytyl heed wold

takyn to hys owyn defawte 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum 43·

O

n þe next day be tymes come to þⁱsþis creatur þ^eþe good

p᷑stepreste whech was as hir sone · & seyd · Modyr good ty⸗

dyngꝭdyngys we haue good wynd thankyd be god / & a non

sche ȝaf p᷑ysyngpreysyng to owr lord / & p᷑ydpreyd hym of hys m᷑cymercy to gwngrawn⸗

tyn hem good ꝑseuerawnsperseuerawns of wynde & wederyng · þ^tþat þei ⸗

myth come hom in safte ·· And it was answeryd & comawn⸗

dyd in hir sowle þ^tþat þei xuld gon her wey in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu ·

Whan þe p᷑stepreste knew þ^tþat sche wolde al gatꝭgatys gon forth he seyd ⸗

50

Modyr her is no schip · her is but a lityl hecke · Sche answeryd

a geyn · Sone god is as mythy in a lityl schip as in a gret schip ·

for I wyl go þ ᷑þer in be þe leue of god And whan þei wer in þ^eþe lityl

schip it be gan to waxin gret tempestꝭtempestys & dyrke wedyr ·/ þ⸧þan þei

cryed to god for gcegrace & m᷑cymercy / & a non þe tempestꝭtempestys sesyd & þei ⸗

had fayr wedyr & seyled al þe nygth on ende / & þe next day

tyl evyn song tyme / & þ⸧þan þei cam to londe / & whan þei wer

on þe londe / þe forseyd creatur fel downe on hir knes kyssy͒gkyssyng

þe grownde / hyly thankyng god þ^tþat had browt hem hom in

safte Than had þⁱsþis creatur neiþ ᷑neiþer peny ne halfpeny in

hir purse / & so þei happyd to meten w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer pilgrimys / whech

ȝouyn hir · iii · halfpenys · in as meche as sche had in comow⸗

nyng telde hem good talys / & þ⸧þan was sche rygth glad &

mery for sche had su͒sum good / þ^tþat sche myght offeryn in þe

worshep of þ^eþe Trinite · Whan sche come to Norwych as ·

sche dede whan sche went owt of Inglond ward / & so wh⸧whan

sche cam þ ᷑þer sche offeryd w^twyth rygth good wylle / & sithyn

went sche w^twyth hir felaschep to þe vykary of seynt Steuenys

Maist ᷑Maistyr Richard castyr · Whech leuyd þ^tþat tyme & he led hem

w^twyth hym to þe place þ ᷑þer he went to boorde / & mad hem ryth

good cher / & he seyd to þe forseyd creatur ·· Margery : I m᷑ueylmerueyl

how ȝe can be so mery & han had so gret labowr / & ben

so fer hens · Syr for I haue gret cawse to ben mery and to

Ioyn in owr lorde / þ^tþat hath holpyn me & socowryd me · &

browt me a geyn in safte ·· blyssed & worshepyd mot he ⸗

be & so þei dalyed in owr lord a good while / & had ful

goodly cher / & þ⸧þan þei tokyn her leue / & sche went to an

Ankyr · whech was a Monke of a fer cuntre · & dwellyd in

þe chapel of þe felde / he bar a name of gret ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon /

& be for tyme had louyd þⁱsþis creatur ryth meche · And

sithyn thorw euyl langage þ^tþat he herd of hir he t nydturnyd

al a ȝens hir / & þ ᷑þer for sche went to hym · in pposepurpose to mekyn

hyr selfe / & drawyn hym to charite / ȝyf sche myth ·/ Whan

sche was come to hym he wolcomyd hir hom schortly · & ⸗

askyd wher sche had don hir chylde / þ^eþe whech was begotyn & born

whil sche was owte / as he had herd seyde · And sche seyd · ser

þe same childe þ^tþat god hath sent me · I haue browt hom / for ⸗

god knowyth I dede neu᷑neuyr sithyn I went owte wher thorw I

xulde haue a childe ·/ &

x

wolde he

o

not leuyn hir for nowt þ^tþat

sche cowde sey · And neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse ȝet sche lowly & mekely

schewyd hym for trust þat sche had in hym / how it was

owr lordꝭlordys wyl þ^tþat sche xulde be clad in white clothyng ·/ &

he seyd god forbede it / for sche xulde þ⸧þan make al þ^eþe world

to wondyr on hir · And sche seyd a ȝen Ser I make no fors

so þ^tþat god be plesyd þ ᷑þer w^twyth · Than he bad hir comyn a ȝen to

hym & be gou᷑nydgouernyd be hym / & be a good p᷑stepreste hite ser Ed⸗

warde ·/ & sche seyd sche xulde wete first ȝyf it wer þe

wil of god er not / & þ ᷑þer w^twyth sche toke hir leue at þ^tþat tyme

& as sche went fro hym ward be þe wey / owr lord seyde

to hir sowle I wil not þ^tþat þ^uþu be gou᷑nydgouernyd be hym & sche

sent hym worde what answer sche had of god 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·44·

A

nd þan p᷑yidpreyid sche to god seying / as wostly lorde

as it is thy wille þ^tþat I xulde be clad in white / as wostly

grawnt me a tokne of leuyn thu̅dyrthundyr & reyn

So þ^tþat it hyndir ne noy no thyng / þ^tþat I vnworthy may þ^eþe raþ ᷑raþyr ·

fulfillyn thy wil · Than owr lord answeryd & seyd vn to

hys vnworthy seruawnt ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr · dowte it not þ^uþu xalt haue

þ^tþat tokyn be þe thryd day & so it was ·/ on þe fryday next

folwyng erly in þe morwenyng as sche lay in hir bed

sche sey gret leuyn · sche herd gret thu̅dyrthundyr · & gret reyn

folwyng / & as swyþ^eswyþe it passyd a wey & was fayr wedir

a geyn / & þ⸧þan sche pposydpurposyd hir fullych to weryn white cloþⁱscloþis

saf sche had neiþ ᷑neiþyr gold ne syluer to byen w^twyth hir clothyng

And þ⸧þan owr lord seyd to hir sowle I xal ordeyn for þ^eþe ·

þan went sche forth to a worshepful man in Norwich

/ to whom sche was ryth wolcome & had gret chere · And as

þei sat to gedyr tellyng good talys ·/ eu᷑euyr owr lord seyde in

hir sowle / speke to þⁱsþis man / speke to þⁱsþis man ·/ þ⸧þan sche seyd

to þ^tþat worshepful man ·· Wolde god ser þ^tþat I myth fyndyn

51

a good man whech wolde lendyn me · ii · nobelys tyl I myth

payn hym a geyn to byen me clothys

‸

þ ᷑þer

w^twyth And he seyde þ^tþat wil I do

damsel gladly · What clothys wil ȝe weryn · Ser sche seyde white

cloþⁱscloþis w^twyth þe leue of god ·/ so þⁱsþis good man bowt white cloth &

dede makyn hir a gowne þ ᷑þer of · & an hood · a kyrtyl · & a cloke ·

And on þe satyrday whech was þe next day at euyn he browt

hir þⁱsþis clothyng / & ȝaf it hir for goddꝭgoddys lofe / & meche mor good⸗

nes

he

dede to hir for owr lordꝭlordys lofe crist Ihu̅Ihesu be hys reward

& haue m᷑cymercy up on hys sowle / & on alle cristen · And on þe

Trinite sunday next folwyng sche was howselyd al in white /

& sithen hath sche sufferyd meche despyte / & meche schame /

in many dyuers cu̅treyscuntreys Cyteys & townys thankyd be god

¶

of alle ·· And sone aft ᷑aftyr hir husbond cam fro lynne vn to ⸗

·hhir· husba̅dhusband

Norwych to se how sche ferd & how sche had sped & so went

þei hom to gedyr to lynne /· And sche in schort tyme aftyr

fel in gret sekenes · in so mech þ^tþat sche was anoyntyd ·/ for

dowt of deth & sche desired / yf it wer þe wil of god þat

sche myth sekyn seynt Iamys / er sche deyid & suffyr mor

schame for hys lofe / as he had hyte hir befor þ^tþat sche xuld

do · And þ⸧þan owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd to hir in hir sowle / þ^tþat

sche xuld

not

dey ȝet · And sche wend hir selfe þ^tþat sche xulde not

a leuyd / for hir peyn was so gret · And hastily aft ᷑wardeaftyrwarde

sche was heyl & hoyl / & þ⸧þan it drow in to wynt ᷑wyntyr warde and

sche had so meche colde / þ^tþat sche wist not what sche myth do

for sche was powr / & had no mony & also sche was in

gret dette Than suffyrd sche schamys & rep᷑uysrepreuys for weryng

of hir white clothys / & for sche cryed so lowde whan owr

lord ȝaf hyr mende of hys passyon · And for þ^eþe compassyon

þ^tþat sche had of owr lordꝭlordys passyon / sche cryed so wondyr lowde

at lyn̅lynn‐‐‐‐

& þei ↓ had neu᷑neuyr herd hir cryed be fore tyme / & it was þ^eþe more

mu᷑eylmerueyl on to hem / for sche had hir fyrst cry at IerIerusalem ·/ as

is wretyn be forn · And many seyd þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuyr seynt in

heuyn þ^tþat cryed so as sche dede /· Wherfor þei woldyn co̅cludynconcludyn

þ^tþat sche had a deuyl w^twyth inne hir whech cawsyd þ^tþat crying / & so

þei seyden pleynly & meche mor euyl · And al sche toke pa ⸗

IcIhesu crist

cyently for owr lordꝭlordys lofe / for sche wist wel þ^tþat þe Iewys seyd meche

noᷓ̄nota de colore

wers of hys owyn ꝑsonepersone· þ⸧þan men dede of hir / & þ ᷑þerfor for sche toke it

nnota

þ^eþe mor mekely / su̅sum seyde þ^tþat sche had þe fallyng euyl for sche w^twyth

þe crying wrestyd hir body turnyng fro þe o syde in to þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer

so dyd p̍orprior Nort ᷑Norton
i̅in hys excesse

& wex al blew & al blo · as it had ben colowr of leed / & þ⸧þan folke ·

spitted at hir for horro horrowr of þe sekenes / & sum scornyd hir and

seyd · þ^tþat sche howlyd as it ben a dogge / & bannyd hir & cursyd

hir / & seyd þ^tþat sche dede meche harm a mong þ^eþe pepyl · And þ⸧þan

þei þ^tþat be forn tyme had ȝouyn hir bothyn mete & drynke for

goddꝭgoddys lofe / now þei þut hir a wey & bodyn hir þ^tþat sche xulde

not come in her placdꝭplacys / for þ^eþe schrewyd talys þ^tþat þei herd of

hir · And aft ᷑wardaftyrward whan tyme cam þ^tþat sche wolde gon to

seynt Iamys / sche went to þ^eþe best frendꝭfrendys þ^tþat sche had in lynne

& telde hem hir entent / how sche pposydpurposyd to gon to seynt

Iamys / ȝyf sche myth han good to gon w^twyth / but sche was

powr & awt meche dette / and hir frendꝭfrendys seyden to hir ⸗

Why haue ȝe ȝouyn a wey ȝo ȝowr good / & oþ ᷑oþer mennys also · Wher

schal ȝe now haue so meche good as ȝe owe · And sche seyd

a ȝen owr lord god schal helpyn ryth wel / for he fayld me

neu᷑neuyr in no cu̅trecuntre / & þ ᷑þer for I trust hym ryth wel · And sode⸗

ynly cam a good man & ȝaf hir fowrty pens · & w^twyth su̅sum

þ ᷑þer of sche bowt hir a pylche / & eu᷑euyr owr lord seyd to hir ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr stody þow for no good / for I xal ordeyn for þ^eþe / but

eu᷑euyr stody þow to loue me / & kepe þi mende on me / for I

O
<<< . . .

schal go w^twyth þe wher þow gost · as I haue hite þ^eþe be forn

And aft ᷑wardeaftyrwarde þ ᷑þer cam a woman a good frend to þⁱsþis cͤaturcreatur

& ȝaf hyr vii · marke / for sche xulde p᷑yprey for hir wh⸧whan þ^tþat

sche come to seynt Iamys / & þ⸧þan sche toke hir leue at hir

frendꝭfrendys in lynne pposyngpurposyng hir forward in al þ^eþe hast þ^tþat sche myth

⎣& þ⸧þan was it seyd in lynne þ^tþat þ ᷑þer wer many theuys be þe wey

þan had sche gret drede þ^tþat þei xulde robbyn hir & takyn hir

golde a wey fro hir ·/ And owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord comfortyng hir

seyd on to hir ·/ go forth dowt ᷑dowtyr in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / þ ᷑þer xal no

thef han powyr ou᷑ouyr þe · Than went sche forth & cam to ⸗

Brystowe on þe Wednysday in Whitson weke · and þ ᷑þer fond sche redy

thea broke bakkyd man whech had ben w^twyth hir at Rome / Whom sche left

in Rome whan sche cam þens too ȝer befor þⁱsþis tyme / & whil ⸗

they wer in Rome sche borwyd certeyn golde of hym / & be þe

[ ? ]

byddyng of god sche ȝaf a wey to powr pepil al þ^eþe mony þ^tþat

sche had / & þ^tþat sche had borwyd of hym also · as is wretyn be forn ·

nota

[ ? ]
[ ? ]

/ & than whil sche was in Rome sche hite hym to payn hym

a geyn in Bristowe at þⁱsþis tyme / & so was he come thedyr

for hys payment ·/ And owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist had so ordeyned

for hir as sche went to Bristowe ward þ^tþat þ ᷑þer was ȝouyn hir

so meche mony / þ^tþat sche myth wel payn þe forseyd man ·

al þ^tþat sche awt hym / & so sche dede blissed be owr lord þ ᷑þer for /

And þ⸧þan sche lay stille in bristowe be þe byddyng of god / for

to a byden schepyng · vi · wokꝭwokys / in as mech as þ ᷑þer wer non

englisch schepys þ^tþat myth seylen þedyr / for þei wer a restyd

& takyn up for þe kyng · And oþ ᷑oþer pilgrymes þ^tþat wer at Bristowe

desiryng to spedyn her Iurne · went a bowte fro port to port

& sped neu᷑neuyr þe mor / & so þei cam a geyn to Bristowe · whyl

sche lay stille / & sped bett ᷑bettyr þ⸧þan they / for al her labowr · And

whil sche was thus stille in Bristowe aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe byddyng of

god [owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu visityd hys creatur w^twyth many

holy meditacyons · & many hy co̅templacyonyscontemplacyonys · & many

swet comfortꝭcomfortys · & þ ᷑þer was sche howselyd eu᷑yeuery sonday · w^twyth plen

tyuows terys & boystows sobbyngꝭsobbyngys w^twyth lowde cryingꝭcryingys and

schille schrykyngys / & þ ᷑þer for many man & many woman 

wondyrd up on hir · skornyd hir & despised hir · bannyd

hir & cursyd hir · seyde meche euyl of hir · Slawndryd hir

& born hyr on hande þ^tþat sche xulde a seyd thyng whech þ^tþat sche seyd

neu᷑neuyr & þ⸧þan wept sche ful sor for hir synne p᷑yngpreyng god of m᷑cymercy

& forȝeuenes for hem  / seying to owr lord ·/ lord as þ^uþu seydyst

hangyng on þe cros for þi crucyfyerys ·· ffadyr forȝeue hem

þei wite not what þei don / so I beseche þe · forȝeue þ^eþe pepyl

al scorne & slawndrys & al þ^tþat þei han trespasyd ȝyf it be

thy wille / for I haue deẜuyddeseruyd meche mor & meche more am ⸗

I worthy .;.

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·45·

o

O

N corpꝯcorpus xp͒ixristi day aft ᷑aftyr as þ^eþe p᷑stysprestys born þ^eþe sacrament a bowte

þ^eþe town w^twyth solempne ꝓcessyonprocessyon · w^twyth meche lyth & gret sole͒psolemp⸗

nyte / as was worthy to be do /· þ^eþe forseyd creatur folwyd

ful of terys & deuocyon · w^twyth holy thowtꝭthowtys & meditacyon sor wepy̅gwepyng

& boystows sobbyng / & þ⸧þan þ ᷑þer cam a good woman be þⁱsþis creatur

& seyd / damsel god ȝef us gcegrace to folwyn þ^eþe steppys of owr lord

Ihu̅Ihesu crist / þ⸧þan þ^tþat worde wrowt so sor in hir herte / & in hir

mende · þ^tþat sche myth not beryn it · þ^tþat sche was fawyn to takyn

an hows & þ ᷑þer sche cryed / I dey · I dey · & roryd also wondirfully ·

Amor ·
i̅pacie̅simpaciens

þ^tþat þ^eþe pepil wonderyd up on hir · hauyng gret m᷑ueylmerueyl what hir

eyled / And ȝet owr lord mad su̅mesumme to lofe hir & cherschyn

hir ryth meche / & haddyn hir hom boþ^eboþe to mete & to drynke

/ & haddyn ful gret gladnes to heryn hir dalyin in owre

lord · And so þ ᷑þer was a man of newe Castel hys name was

ThomsThomas Marchale · whech ofte tymes bad þⁱsþis creatur to mete

for to heryn hir dalyawns / & he was so drawyn be þ^eþe good

wordꝭwordys þ^tþat god put in hir to sey · of co͒tricyoncontricyon & co͒pu̅ccyoncompunccyon ·

of swetnes · & of deuocyon · þ^tþat he was al meuyd as he had

ben a newe man · w^twyth terys of co͒tⁱcyoncontricyon & co͒pu̅ccyoncompunccyon · boþ^eboþe

days & nyghtys / as owr lord wolde visiten hys hert w^twyth gcegrace

/ þ^tþat su̅sum tyme whan he went in þ^eþe feldys he wept so sor for hys

synnes / & hys trespas þ^tþat he fel down & myth not beryn it /

& telde þe forseyd creatur · þ^tþat he had ben a ful rekles man &

mys gou᷑nydgouernyd / & þ^tþat sore rewyd hym / thankyd be god / And þ⸧þan

goyd marcha̅dmarchand

he blyssed þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat he knew þⁱsþis creatur / & p᷑posydpurposyd hym fully

to be a good man · Also he seyd to þe seyd creatur · Modyr

I haue her · x · mrkemarke · I pypray ȝow þ^tþat it be ȝo ȝowr · as ȝo ȝowr owyn / for I

wil helpyn ȝow to seynt Iamys w^twyth goddꝭgoddys gcegrace · And what

þ^tþat ȝe byd me ȝeuyn to any powr man er woman · I wyl do

ȝo ȝowr byddyng · Al wey o peny for ȝow an oþ ᷑oþer for my selfe ·

Than as it plesyd owr lord he sent a schip owte of Breteyn

in to Bristowe · whech schip was mad redy & arayd for to

seylen to seynt Iamys · And þ⸧þan þe seyd ThomsThomas Marchale

went & payd þ^eþe Mayst ᷑Maystyr for hym selfe & for þ^eþe seyd creatur

/ þ⸧þan was þ ᷑þer Richeman of Bristowe whech wolde not late þ^eþe

seyd creatur seylen in þ^tþat schip ·/ for he held hir no good woma⸧woman ·

53

And þan sche seyd to þ^tþat Rycheman Syr yf ȝe þut me owt of þe

schip / my lord Ihu̅Ihesu xal þut ȝow owt of heuyn · ffor I telle ȝow

ser owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu hath no deynte of a ryche man · les þ⸧þan he

y

wil be a good man & a meke man / & so sche seyde many scharp ⸗

wordys on to hym w^twyth owtyn any glosyng er flateryng / & þ⸧þan

owr lord seyd to hir in hir sowle · Thow xalt han thy wylle

& gon to seynt Iamys · at þi desyr · And a non aft ᷑aftyr sche was

putt vp befor þ^eþe Bischop of Worcetyr þ^tþat lay · iii · myle beȝondy̅beȝondyn

bristowe & moneschid to aper be for hym þ ᷑þer he lay · Sche ros

dalyd

up erly on þe next day & went to þe place · wher he lay hym

selfe ȝet beyng in bedde / & happyd to metyn on of hys wor⸗

schepfulest men in þ^eþe town / & so þei dalyid of god / & whan he

had herd hir dalyid a good while / he p᷑ydpreyd hir to mete / & sithyn↙

he browt hir in to þ^eþe Bischopys halle / & whan sche cam in to

þe halle sche saw many of þe Bischopys men al to raggyd ·

& al to daggyd in her clothys ·/ sche lyftyng vp hir hande 

blissed hir / & þ⸧þan þei seyd to hir · What deuyl eyleth þ^eþe ·/ sche ⸗

seyd a ȝen ·/ Whos men be ȝe ·/ þei answeryd a ȝen þ^eþe bischopys

men · And þ⸧þan sche seyd nay forsoþ^eforsoþe ȝe am lykar þe deuelys

men / þ⸧þan þei weryn wroth / & chedyn hir / & spokyn angrily vn

to hir / & sche suffryd hem wel & mekely / & sithyn sche spak

so sadly a geyn syn & her mysgou᷑nawnsmysgouersnawns / þ^tþat þei wer in sylens &

held hem wel plesyd · w^twyth hyr dalyawns / thankyd be god er þ⸧þan

sche left / And þ⸧þan sche went in to þe chirch And a bood the

comyng of þe bischop / & whan he c⸧cam sche knelyd down &

askyd what was hys wille / & why sche was somownde to

come be for hym/ it was to hir gret noye & hynderawns

/ in as meche as sche was a pilgryme / p posyngpurposyng be þ^eþe gcegrace

of god to seynt Iamys warde · Than þe Bischop seyde

Margery · I haue not somownd þe for I knowe wel I

now þ^uþu art Iohn of B namysBurnamys dowt ᷑dowtyr of lynne / I pyprey þ^eþe be

not wroth · but far fayr w^twyth me & I xal far fayr w^twyth the ·

for þ^uþu xalt etyn w^twyth me þⁱsþis day · Syr sche seyd I p᷑yprey ȝow

haue me excusyd / for I haue behestyd a good man in town

to etyn with hym to day · And þ⸧þan he seyd þ^uþu xalt etyn w^twyth ⸗

me & he bothyn / & so sche a bood w^twyth hym tyl god sent wynde / þ^tþat sche

myth seylen / & had gret cher of hym / & of hys meny also / & sithyn

sche was schreuyn to þ^eþe Bischop / & þ⸧þan he p᷑ydpreyd hir to p᷑yprey for hym

þ^tþat he myth deyn in charite / for it was warnyd hȳhym be an holy

man whech had be reuelacyon · þ^tþat þⁱsþis bischop xulde be ded w^twyth

inne þ^eþe t ᷑meterme of ii · ȝer / & it fel so in dede And þ ᷑þer for he co̅pleycompley

nyd to þⁱsþis creatur & p᷑ydepreyde hir to p᷑yprey for hym / þ^tþat he myth deyin

in charite / At þ^eþe last sche toke hir leue of hym / & he ȝaf hir

golde & hys blyssyng / & comawndyd hys mene to lede hir forth

in hir wey · And also he p᷑ydpreyd hir whan sche come fro seynt ⸗

Iamys a geyn / þ^tþat sche wolde come vn to hym · And so sche went

forth to hir schip · be for þ^tþat sche entryd þe schip sche mad hir

p᷑yerspreyers/ þ^tþat god xulde kepe hem & p᷑ẜuepreserue hem fro veniawns

tempestꝭtempestys & perellys in þe se / þ^tþat þei myth go & come in safte

for it was telde hir / ȝyf þei haddyn any tempest / þei woldyn

castyn hyr in þ^eþe se / for þei seyd it was for hir / & þei seyde þ^eþe

schip was þ^eþe wers for sche was þ᷑þer in · And þ ᷑þer for sche in hir p᷑yerpreyer

seyde on þⁱsþis man᷑maner · Al mythy god crist Ihu̅Ihesu I beseche þ^eþe for þi

¶

m᷑cymercy ȝyf þ^uþu wilte chastisyn me / spar me tyl I come a geyn

in to Inglond / & whan I come a geyn chastyse me / ryth as þ^uþu ⸗

wilte / & þ⸧þan owr lord grawntyd hir hir bone / & so sche toke ⸗

hir schip in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / & seylyd forth w^twyth hir felaschip

vii · day · fro
Brasto 

Whom god sent fayr wynde & wedyr / so þ^tþat þei comyn to seynt

Iamys on þ^eþe seuenyth day · And þ⸧þan þei þ^tþat weryn aȝen hir

whan þei wer at Bristowe / now þei made hir good cher / &

so þei abedyn þ ᷑þer · xiiii · days in þ^tþat lond / & þ ᷑þer had sche gret cher

bothyn bodily & gostly · hy deuocyon & many gret cryes in

þ^eþe mende of owr lordꝭlordys passion w^twyth plentyuows terys of

co̅passyoncompassyon / & sithyn þei come hom a geyn to bristowe in

v · days

v · days / & sche abood not long þ ᷑þer / but went forth to þ^eþe blod

of hayles / & þ ᷑þer was schrevyn & had lowde cryes & boystows

wepyngꝭwepyngys / & þ⸧þan þ^eþe religiows men had hir in a mongse hem

/ & mad hir good cher saf þei sworyn many gret othys &

horryble / & sche vndyrname hem þ ᷑þer of / aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe gospel / & þ ᷑þer of

had þei gret wondyr / neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse su̅mesumme wer ryth wel plesyd

thankyd be god of his gooddnesse 

s

S

ythyn ȝed sche forth to leycetyr & a good man also Thom᷑Thomas

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·46·

Marchale of whom is wretyn be forn · / And þ ᷑þer sche cam

in to a fayr cherch wher sche be helde a crucyfyx

ˇ

was þ^tþat

petowsly poyntyd & lamentabyl to be heldyn / thorw whech be⸗

heldyng þe passyon of owr lord entryd hir mende wher thorw

sche

‸

be

gan

‸

to

meltyn & al to relentyn be terys of pyte & co̅passycompassy⸗

¶

own / þ⸧þan þe fyer of lofe kyndelyd so ȝern in hir hert / þ^tþat sche

a ·
fire of
loue ·

myth not kepyn it preuy / for whedyr sche wolde er not / it

cawsyd hir to brekyn owte w^twyth a lowde voys & cryen m᷑ueylowsmerueylows/

lyche & wepyn & sobbyn ful hedowslyche / þ^tþat many a man and

woman wondryd on hir þ ᷑þer for / Wh⸧Whan it was ou᷑ouyr comyn / sche

goyng owt at þe chirche dore / a man toke hir be þe sleue &

seyd damsel why wepist þ^uþu so sor ·/ ser sche seyd / it is not ȝow

to telle ·/ & so sche & þe good man ThomsThomas Marchale went

forth & toke hir hostel / & þ ᷑þer etyn her mete ·/ Whan þei had

etyn / sche p᷑ydpreyd ThomsThomas Marchale to writyn a lettyr & sendyn

to hir husbond / þ^tþat he myth fettyn hir hom / & wyl þ^eþe lettyr

was in wrytyng / þe Osteler cam vp to hir chawmbyr in gret

hast & toke a wey hir scryppe / & bad hyr comyn ȝerne / and

spekyn w^twyth þe Meyr / & so sche dede / þ⸧þan þe Meyr askyd hir

of what cu̅trecuntre sche was / & whos dowt ᷑dowtyr sche was · Syr sche

seyd · I am of lynne in Norfolke a good mannys dowt ᷑dowtyr of

þe same lynne / whech hath ben Meyr fyve tymes of þat

v · tymes · mare

worshepful burwgh ·/ And aldyrman also many ȝerys / & I

haue a good man also a Burgeys of þe seyd town

of

lynne

to myn husbond · A seyd þe Meyr seynt kateryn telde what

kynred sche cam of / & ȝet ar ȝe not lyche / for þ^uþu art a fals

stru̅petstrumpet / a fals loller / & a fals deceyu᷑deceyuer of þe pepyl / & þ ᷑þer for

nota

I xal haue þe in p᷑sonpreson ·/ And sche seyd a geyn I am as redy

ser to gon to p᷑sonpreson for goddꝭgoddys lofe / as ȝe am redy to gon

to chirche · Whan þe Meyr had long chedyn hir · & seyd many

euyl & horybyl wordꝭwordys on to hir / & sche be þ^eþe gcegrace of Ihu̅Ihesu ⸗

had resonabely answeryd hȳhym to al þ^tþat he cowde seyn / þ⸧þan

he comawndyd þe Iaylerys man to ledyn hir to p᷑sonpreson / The Iaylerys

man hauyng co̅passyoncompassyon of hir w^twyth wepyng terys · seyd to þe Meyr ·

Ser I haue non hows to put hir inne les þ⸧þan I putte hir a mong

men ·/ þ⸧þan sche

‸

was

meuyd w^twyth co̅passyoncompassyon of

þe

man whech had co̅passyoncompassyon

of hir / p᷑yngpreyng for gcegrace & m᷑cymercy to þat man · as to hir owyn sowle / seyd

to þe meyr ·/ I p᷑yprey ȝow ser put me not a mong men / þ^tþat I may ke⸗

pyn my chastite / & my bond of wedlak to myn husbond / as I am

bowndyn to do ·/ & þ⸧þan seyd þ^eþe Iayler hys owyn selfe to þ^eþe Meyr ·

Ser I will be bowndyn to kepe þⁱsþis woman in saf warde / tyl ȝe wyl

haue hir a geyn ·· Than was þ ᷑þer a man of Boston / & seyd to þe

good wyfe þ ᷑þer sche was at Ostel ·/ forsoþ^eforsoþe he seyth in Boston · þⁱsþis

wom⸧woman is holdyn an holy woman / & a blissed woman ·/ þ⸧þan þe

Gayler toke hir in to hys a warde / & led hyr hom in to hys owy̅owyn

hows / & put hir in a fayr chawmbyr / schetyng þ^eþe dor w^twyth a key

/ & comendyng hys wyfe þ^eþe key to kepyn ·/ neu᷑neuyr þe lesse he lete

hir gon to chirche · whan sche wolde /& dedelete hir etyn at hys

owyn tabyl / & mad hir ryght good cher · for owr lordꝭlordys lofe ·

þankyd be almygthy god þ ᷑þer of 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum·47·

T

han þe

u

styward of leycetyr a semly man / sent for

þe seyd creatur · to þe Gaylerys wyfe / & sche for hir

husbond was not at hom / wolde not late hir gon ·

to no man / styward ne oþ ᷑oþer ·/ Whan þ^eþe gayler knew þ ᷑þer of · he cam

hys ꝓpyrpropyr ꝑsonepersone / & browt hir befor þe

u

stywarde ·/ þe Styward

a non as he sey hir spak latyn vn to hir · many p᷑ystꝭprestys stondy͒gstondyng

a bowtyn · to here what sche xulde say / & oþ ᷑oþer pepyl also /· Sche

seyd to þe stywarde ·/ spekyth englysch yf ȝow lyketh for I vndyr⸗

stonde not what ȝe sey ·/ þe Styward seyd vn to hir þ^uþu lyest

falsly in pleyn englysch ·/ þ⸧þan seyd sche vn to hym a ȝen ·· Syr

askyth what qwestyon ȝe wil in englysch / & thorw þ^eþe gcegrace ⸗

of my lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst I xal answeryn ȝow resonabely þ ᷑þer to ·

And þ⸧þan askyd he many qwestyonys to þ^eþe whech sche answe⸗

ryd redily & resonabely / þ^tþat he cowde getyn no cawse a geyn

hir · Than þe Stywarde toke hir be þe hand / & led hir in to hys

chawmbyr / & spak many fowyl rebawdy wordꝭwordys vn to hir / ppopurpo⸗

syng & desyryng / as it semyd hir / to opressyn hir & for lyn

hir / & þ⸧þan had sche meche drede & meche sorwe crying hymhȳhym

55

m᷑cymercy ·/ sche seyd · Ser for þe reu᷑ensreuerens of al mythy god sparyth ⸗

me for I am a mannys wife ·· And þan seyd þe stywarde / þ^uþu xalt

nota

telle me wheþ ᷑wheþyr þ^uþu hast þⁱsþis speche of god er of þe devyl / er ellys þ^uþu

xalt gon to p᷑sonpreson ·· Ser sche seyd for to gon to p᷑sonpreson I am not

a ferd for my lordꝭlordys lofe / þe whech meche mor suffyrd for my

lofe / þ⸧þan I may for hys ·/ I pypray ȝow doth as ȝow thynkyth þ^eþe beste therin

The stiwarde seyng hir boldenes þ^tþat sche dred no p᷑sonyngpresonyng he

stro

g

‸

belyd w^twyth hir · schewyng vn clene tokenys / & vngoodly cu̅cun⸗

tenawns / Wher thorw he frayd hir so mech / þ^tþat sche telde hȳhym

how sche had hyr speche / & hir dalyawns of þ^eþe holy gost / & not

of hir owyn cu̅nyngcunnyng /· And þ⸧þan he al a stoyned of hir wordꝭwordys ·

left hys besynes & hys lewydnes / seying to hir as many

man had do be forn ·/ eyþ᷑eyþyr þ^uþu art a ryth good woman / er ellys

a ryth wikked woman ·/ & delyueryd hir a geyn to hir gayler ·

& he led hyr hom a geyn w^twyth hym ·· Sithyn þei tokyn · ii · of hyr

felaws þ^tþat went w^twyth hyr on pylg̍magepylgrimage þe on was ThomsThomas Marchale

be forn seyd / þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer a man of Wisbeche / & put hem bothyn in

p ᷑sonpreson / for cawse of hyr ·/ þ⸧þan was sche heuy & sory for ther distres ·

& pydpreyd to god for ther delyuerawns · And þ⸧þan owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord

crist Ihu̅Ihesu seyd to hys creatur ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I xal for thy loue so dispo⸗

syn for hem / þ^tþat þe pepyl xal be ryth fayn to letyn hem gon ·

& not longe kepyn hem ·· And on þe next day folwyng / owr lord

nota

sent sweche wederyng of leuenys thu̅derysthunderys & reynes con⸗

tynuyng þ^tþat al þ^eþe pepyl in þ^eþe town wer so afrayd / þei wist not

what to do ·/ þei dreddyn hem it was for þei had put þ^eþe pylg̍pilgri⸗

mys in p᷑sonpreson / & þ⸧þan þe gou᷑norysgouernorys of þe town went in gret

hast / & toke owt þo tweyn pylg̍myspilgrimys · whech had leyn in p᷑sonpreson

al þe nyth be forn / ledyng hem to þ^eþe gylde halle þ ᷑þer to be exa⸗

mynyd be for þ^eþe Meyr / & þe worschepful men of þe town /

/ co̅pellyngcompellyng hem to sweryn ȝyf þe forseyd cͤaturcreatur wer a woman

of þe ryth feyth & ryth beleue / co̅tinentcontinent/ & clene of hir body /

er not / As fer as þei knewyn þei sworyn as witt ᷑lywittyrly god

xulde help hem at þ^eþe day of dome / þ^tþat sche was a good wom⸧woman

of þ^eþe ryth feyth & ryth beleue / clene & chaste / in al hir gou᷑naw͒sgouernawns /

as fer as þei cowde knowyn in cher cu̅tenawnscuntenawns in worde ⸗

& in werke / and þan þe Meyr let hem gon whedyr þei wolde / and

a non þe tempest sesyd & it was fayr wedir worschepyd be owre

lord god / The pilgrimys þei wer glad / þ^tþat þei wer delyueryd / & durst

no lengar abydyn in leycetyr / but went · x · myle thens / & abood

þer / þ^tþat þei myth haue knowlach what xulde be do w^twyth þe seyde

Preson

creatur / for whan þei bothyn wer put in p᷑sonpreson / þei had telde

hyr hem selfe / þ^tþat þei supposyd ȝyf þ^eþe Meyr myth han hys wil

he wolde don hir be brent 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum·48·

O

N a Wednysday þe seyd creatur was browt in to a chirch

of alle halwyn in leycetyr / in whech place be for þ^eþe

hy awter was sett þ^eþe Abbot of leycetyr / w^twyth su̅mesumme of

hys chanownys / þe den of leicetyr a worthy clerke ·/ Ther

wer also many ffrerys & p᷑ystꝭpreystys ·· Also þe Meyr of þe same town

w^twyth mech oþ ᷑oþer of lay pepyl / þ ᷑þer was so meche pepyl þat þei stodyn

vp on stolys for to beheldyn hir / & wonderyn vp on hir · [þe

A deuout ·

sayd creatur lay on hir knes · makyng hir p᷑yerysprayerys to al mythy

prayer

god / þ^tþat sche myth han gcegrace / wytte & wysdam / so to answeryn / þ^tþat

day / as myth ben most plesawns & worschep to hym ·/ most

ꝓfythprofyth to hir sowle / & best exampyl to þe pepyl ·/ Than þ ᷑þer cam

a p᷑stepreste to hir & toke hir be þe hand / & browt hir be forn þe

Abbot & hys assessowrys / syttyng at þe Awter · The wheche

made

…

dedyn

…

hir sweryn on a boke / þ^tþat sche xulde answeryn trewly

to þe Artyculys of þe feyth / lych as sche felt in hem / & fyrst

þei rehersyd þe blysful sacrament of þe Awter / chargyng

examinac̅oexaminacio
dura 

hir to seyn ryth as sche beleuyd þ ᷑þer in ·/ Than sche seyd  serys

I beleue in þe sacrament of þe awter on þⁱsþis wyse /· þ^tþat what

man hath takyn þ^eþe ordyr of p᷑sthodepresthode be he neu᷑neuyr so vicyows

a man in hys leuyng / ȝyf he sey dewly þo wordꝭwordys ouyr þ^eþe

bred þ^tþat owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu criste seyde whan he mad hys mawnde ·

a mong hys disciplys þ ᷑þer he sat at þe soper / I be leue þ^tþat it

is hys very flesch & hys blood / & no mat ᷑ialmaterial bred ne neuyr

may be vnseyd be it onys seyd /· & so sche answeryd forth to

alle þ^eþe artycles / as many as þei wolde askyn hir / þ^tþat þei wer

wel plesyd ·/ þe Meyr whech was hir dedly enmy / he seyd

in fayth sche menyth not w^twyth hir hert / as sche seyth with

hir mowthe / and þe clerkys seyden to hym · Sir sche answeryth ⸗

56

ryth wel to vs / þ⸧þan þe Meyr al to rebukyd hir & rehersyd many rep᷑repre⸗

uows wordꝭwordys & vngoodly / þe whiche is mor expedient to be co̅celydconcelyd

þ⸧þan exp᷑ssydexpressyd / Sir sche seyde I take witnesse of my lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist

whos body is her p᷑sentpresent in þ^eþe sacrament of þe Awter / þ^tþat I neu᷑neuyr

had part of mannys body in þⁱsþis worlde in actual dede be wey

of synne / but of myn husbondꝭhusbondys body ·/ Whom I am bowndyn to

¶

be þe lawe of mat ̍monymatrimony / & be whom I haue born xiiii · childeryn ·

nonota

for I do ȝow to wetyn ser / þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is no m⸧man in þⁱsþis worlde / þ^tþat I lofe

xiiii child ᷑children

so meche as god / for I lofe hym a bouyn al thynge / & ser I telle ⸗

ȝow trewly / I lofe al men in god & for god /· Also ferþ ᷑morferþermor sche

seyd pleynly to hys owyn ꝑsonepersone ·· Sir ȝe arn not worthy

to ben a Meyr / & þ^tþat xal I p᷑uynpreuyn be holy writte ·/ for owr lord

god seyde hym self / er he wolde takyn veniawnce on þ^eþe cyteys ·

I xal comyn down & seen & ȝet he knew al thyng / & þ^tþat was

not ellys sir / but for to schewe men as ȝe ben þ^tþat ȝe schulde

don non execucyon in ponischyng / but ȝyf ȝe had knowy͒gknowyng

be forn / þ^tþat it wer worthy for to be don / & syr ȝe han do ·

al þe contrary to me þⁱsþis day / for syr ȝe han cawsyd me myche

despite / for thyng þ^tþat I am not gilty in / I pyprey god for ȝeue ȝow

it · Than þe Meyr seyde to hir I wil wetyn why þow gost in

white clothys / for I trowe þow art comyn hedyr to han

e

a wey

owr wyuys fro us / & ledyn hem w^twyth þe ·/ Syr sche seyth ȝe xal

not wetyn of my mowth why I go in white clothys / ȝe arn

not worthy to wetyn it ·/ but ser I wil tellyn it to þes worthy

clerkys / w^twyth good wil be þ^eþe man᷑maner of co̅fessyonconfessyon Avyse hem ȝyf þei

wyl telle it ȝow · Than þe clerkys p᷑ydpreyd þ^eþe meyr to gon down

fro hem w^twyth þe oþ ᷑oþer pepyl ·/ And whan þei weryn gon · Sche kne⸗

lyd on hir knes be for þ^eþe Abbot · & þe den of leycetyr / & a ⸗

frer p᷑chowrprechowr a worschipful clerke / & telde þes · iii · clerkys ·

how owr lord be reuelacyon warnyd hir / & bad hir weryn

white clothys / er sche cam at IerIerusalem · And so haue I tolde my

gostly faderys ·· And þ ᷑þer for þei han chargyd me þ^tþat I xulde

gon thus / for þei dar not don a geyn my felyngꝭfelyngys for dred

of god · And ȝyf þei durste þei wolde ful gladlych · And þ ᷑þer⸗

for serys ȝyf þ^eþe Meyr wil wetyn why I go in whyte / ȝe ⸗

may seye ȝyf ȝow likyth / þ^tþat my gostly faderys byddyn me gon so

/ & þan xal ȝe make no lesynggꝭlesynggys / ne he xal not knowe þ^eþe trewth

So þ^eþe clerkꝭclerkys clepyd up a ȝen þ^eþe Meyr & teldyn hym in cownsel

þ^tþat hir gostly faderys had chargyd hir to weryn white cloþⁱscloþis / & sche

had bowndyn hir to her obediens / Than þ^eþe Meyr clepyd hir

to hym seying / I wil not letyn þ^eþe gon hens / for thyng þ^tþat þow

canst seyn les þ⸧þan þ^uþu wil gon to my lord of lynkoln for a lett ᷑lettyr /

/ in as meche as þ^uþu art in hys Iurisdiccyon / þ^tþat I may be dischar⸗

gyd of þe Sche seyd ser I dar speke to my lord of lyncolne

ryth wel / for I haue had of hym rith good cher a for þⁱsþis tyme

And þ⸧þan oþ ᷑oþer men askyd hir ȝyf sche wer in charite with þ^eþe Meyr

/ & sche seyd ȝa ·/ & with alle creaturys ·· And þ⸧þan sche obeyng hir

to þe Meir / p᷑ydpreyd hym to ben in charite w^twyth hymr / w^twyth wepyng

terys / & forȝeuyn hir any thyng / þ^tþat sche had displesyd hym

And he ȝaf hir goodly wordꝭwordys for a while / þ^tþat sche wend al had

ben wel / & he had ben hir good frende /· but aft ᷑wardaftyrward sche

wist wel it was not so / & þꝰþus she had leue of þe Meir for to

gon to my lord of lyncolne / & fettyn a lettyr be þ^eþe whech

þe Meyr schulde be excusyd 

s

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·49·

S

O sche went fyrst to þe Abbey of leycetyr in to

þe chirche /· And as sone as þ^eþe Abbot had aspyed hir

he of hys goodnes / w^twyth many of hys breþ ᷑breþyr cam for

wolcomyn hir ·/ Whan sche sey hem comyn a non in hir sowle

sche beheld owr lord comyng w^twyth hys apostelys / & sche was so

raueschyd in to co̅templacyoncontemplacyon wyth swetnes & deuocyon / þ^tþat

sche myth

not

stondyn a geyns her comyng /as curtesy wolde /

¶

/ but lenyd hir to a peler in þe chirche / & held hir strongly

þ ᷑þer by / for dred of fallyng / for sche wold a stondyn & sche myth

not / for plente of deuocyon / whech was cawse þ^tþat sche cryed

& wept ful sor / Whan hir criyng was ou᷑ouyr comyn ·/ þe Abbot

p᷑ydpreyd hys breþ ᷑breþyr / to haue hir in w^twyth hem & co͒fortyncomfortyn hir / and so

þei ȝouyn hir ryth good wyn / & madyn hir ryth good cher

/ þan sche gat hir a lett ᷑lettyr of þ^eþe Abbot / to my lord of lyncolne

in to record what co̅u᷑sacyonconuersacyon sche had ben / þe tyme þ^tþat sche

was in leicetyr ·/ And þe deen of leicetyr was redy to recor⸗

dyn & witnessyn w^twyth hir also / for he had gret co̅fidensconfidens þat

57

owre lord louyd hir / & þ ᷑þer for he cheryd hir ful hily in hys owyn

place /· And so sche toke leue of hir sayd sone

‸

pposyngpurposyng forth to lyncoln

TThomas Marcyall

ward / w^twyth a man whech hite patryk / þ^tþat had ben w^twyth hir at seynt Iamys

be for tyme ·/ and as þⁱsþis tyme he was sent be ThomsThomas Marchale be⸗

forn seyd fro Melton Mowmbray to leycetyr / for to inqwir & se

how it stod w^twyth þe same creatur ·/ for þe forseyd ThomsThomas Marchal

feryd meche / þ^tþat sche xuld a be brent / & þ ᷑þer for he sent þⁱsþis man

patryk to p᷑uynpreuyn þe trewth / & so sche & Patryk w^twyth many good

folke of leicetyr comyn to cheryn hir / thankyng god þ^tþat had

p᷑ẜuydpreseruyd hir / & ȝouyn hir þ^eþe victory of hir enmyis / wentyn

forth owt at þe townys ende & madyn hir ryth good cher

/ behestyng hir yf eu᷑euyr sche come a geyn sche xuld han bett ᷑bettyr cher

a mong hem þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr sche had be forn ·/ Than had sche sche for⸗

) |

ȝetyn & left in þ^eþe towne a staf of a Moyses ȝerde whech sche

had browt fro IerIerusalem ·/ & sche wold not a lost it for · xl · s͒schillyngys ·/ þ⸧þan

went patryk a ȝen in to þ^eþe towne for hir staffe / & hir scryppe

& happyd to metyn w^twyth þe Meyr · And þe Meir wolde a putte

hym in p᷑sonpreson ·/ so at þe last he scapyd of hard / & left þ ᷑þer hir ⸗

scrippe ·/ þ⸧þan þe forseyd creatur a bood þⁱsþis man in a blynd woma⸗

nys hows / in gret heuynes / dredyng what was fallyn of hym

for he was so long ·/ at þe last þⁱsþis man c⸧cam rydyng forby þ ᷑þer þat

sche was ·/ Whan sche sey hym sche cryed patryk sone / Wher ha

ȝe ben so long fro me ·/ ȝa ȝa modyr seyd he / I haue ben in ⸗

gret ꝑelperel for ȝow / I was in poynt to a ben put in p᷑sonpreson for

ȝow ·/ & þe meyr hath gretly turmentyd me for ȝow / & he hath

takyn a wey ȝo ȝowr scrippe fro me ·· A good patryk seyd sche be

not displesyd for I xal p᷑yprey for ȝow / & god xal rewardyn ȝo ȝowr

labowr ryth wel it is al for þe best /· Than patryk set hir

up on hys hors & browt hir hom in to melton mowmbray

in to hys owyn hows wher was thomsthomas Marchale be for wrety̅wretyn

& toke hir down of þe hors hyly þankyng god / þ^tþat sche was

not brent ·/ so þei enioyed in owr lord al þ^tþat nyth ·/ And aft ᷑wardaftyrward

sche went forth to þe byschop of lyncolne þ ᷑þer he lay þ^tþat tyme /

/ sche not verily knowyng wher he was · met a worschepful man

w^twyth a furryd hood / a worthy officer of þe bischopys ·/ whech ⸗

seyd vn to hir ·/ damsel knowyst þ^uþu not me no sir sche seyd forsoþ^eforsoþe ·/ &

ȝet þow wer beholdyn he seyd / for I haue su̅tymesumtyme mad þ^eþe good cher

Sir I trust þ^tþat ȝe dedyn ·/ ȝe dedyn for goddꝭgoddys lofe / & þ ᷑þer for I hope he

xal ryth wel rewardyn ȝow /· And I p᷑yprey ȝow heldyth me excusyd

¶

for I take lytil heed of a mannys bewte / er of hys face / & þ ᷑þer for

I forȝete hym meche þe sonar ·/ And þ⸧þan he teld hir goodly wher

sche xulde haue þ^eþe Bischop ·/ And so sche gat hir a lett ᷑lettyr of þ^eþe bischop

to þe Meyr of leycetyr / monyschyng hym · þ^tþat he xulde not vexy̅vexyn

hir / ne lettyn hir to gon & comyn / whan sche wolde · Than

þ ᷑þer fellyn gret thu̅derysthunderys & leuenys & many reynes · þ^tþat þ^eþe pepil

demyd / it was for veniawns of þe sayd creatur / gretly desy⸗

ryng þ^tþat she had ben owt of þ^tþat cu̅trecuntre / & sche wolde in no wise

gon thens tyl þ^tþat sche had hir scryppe a geyn /· Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe seyde

Meyr receyued þe forseyd lettyr he sent hir · hir skryppe / &

leet hir gon in safte wher sche wolde /· iii · wokys · sche was

lettyd of hir Iurney · be þ^eþe Meyr of leycetyr / er he wold lety̅letyn

hyr gon owt þ^tþat Cooste ·/ þ⸧þan sche hyryd þe forseyd man

patryk / to gon w^twyth hir in þ^eþe cu̅trecuntre & so went þei forth to

ȝorke 

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·50·

Whan sche was com

‸

i̅in

to ȝorke sche went to an Ancres ·

wheche had louyd hir wel / er sche went to IerIerusalem /· to

han knowlach of hyr gostly encres · Also desiryng

for mor gostly co͒municacyoncommunicacyon / to etyn w^twyth þ^eþe ancres þ^tþat day

no thyng ellys but bred & watyr / for it was on owr ladiis

euyn ·/ And þe Ancres wolde not receyuen hir for sche had herd

telde so mech euyl telde of hir ·/ so sche went forth to oþer

fremd folk / & þei d made hir rith good cher for owr lordꝭlordys lofe

¶

On a day as sche sat in a chirche of ȝorke owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu ⸗

crist seyd in hir sowle · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ ᷑þer is meche t̍bulacyontribulacyon to þe

warde ·/ sche was su̅delsumdel heuy & abaschyd þ ᷑þer of / & þ ᷑þer for sche ⸗

nota

syttyng stille answeryd not /· Than seyd owr blissed lord a ⸗

ȝen · What · dowt ᷑dowtyr / art þ^uþu euyl payd for to suftyr mor t̍bulacyontribulacyon

for my lofe ·/ ȝyf þ^uþu wilte no mor suffyr / I xal take it a wey

fro þe ·/ And þ⸧þan seyd sche a ȝen ·/ Nay good lord late me be

at þi wille / & make me mythy & strong for to suftyr al ⸗

58

þ^tþat eu᷑euyr þ^uþu wilt þ^tþat I suffyr / and grawnt me

↙

mekene

|

s &

↘

pacyens þ ᷑þer w^twyth ·

And so fro þ^tþat tyme forwarde / þ^tþat sche knew it was owr lordꝭlordys wille ·

þ^tþat sche xulde suffyr mor t̍bulacyontribulacyon / sche receyued it goodly wh⸧whan

owr lorde wolde send it · & thankyd hym hily þ ᷑þer of · beyng ryth

nota



glad & mery þ^tþat day þ^tþat sche suffryd any disese · And be ꝓcesseprocesse of

tyme / þ^tþat day whech sche suffyrd no t̍bulacyontribulacyon / sche was not

mery ne glad / as þ^tþat day ·whan sche suffyrd t̍bulacyontribulacyon Sithy̅Sithyn

as sche was in þ^eþe Mynster atof ȝorke forseyd / a clerk cam

to hir seying · Damsel · how long wil ȝe a bydyn her ·· Ser

sche seyd I pposepurpose to abyden þes · xiiii · days / & so sche dede ·

& in þ^tþat tyme many good men & women p᷑ydpreyd hir to mete ·

& madyn hir ryth good cher · & wery̅weryn ryth glad to heryn hyr

dalyawns / hauyng gret m᷑ueylemerueyle of hir speche / for it was

fruteful ·/ & also sche bad many enmyis whech slawndryd

hir · scornyd hir · & despysed hir · of whech · o p᷑stprest cam to ⸗

hir whil sche was in þe seyd Mynstyr / & takyng hir be

þe coler of þe gowne seyd ·/ þ^uþu wolf ·what is þⁱsþis cloth þ^tþat

þ^uþu hast on / sche stod stylle & not wolde answeryn in hir

owyn cawse /· childer of þ^eþe Monastery goyng be syde seyd

to þe p᷑stepreste /· ser it is wulle /· þ^eþe p᷑stepreste was a noyed for sche

wolde not answer / &

be

gan to sweryn many gret oþis ·/ þ⸧þan

sche

be

gan to spekyn for goddꝭgoddys cawse / sche was not a ferd ·

sche seyd / ser ȝe xulde kepe þ^eþe comawndmentꝭcomawndmenys of god & not

sweryn so n^cgligentlynecgligently as ȝe do · The p᷑stepreste askyd hir hwoo

kept þ^eþe comawndmentꝭcomawndmenys ·/ sche seyd ser þei þ^tþat kepyn hem ··

/ þ⸧þan seyd he / kepyst þ^uþu hem / Sche seyd a geyn · syr it is

my wille to kepyn hem / for I am bownde þ ᷑þer to / & so ar ȝe

& eu᷑yeuery man þ^tþat wil be sauyd ·/ at þe last whan he had long

Iangelyd w^twyth hir he went a wey p᷑uylypreuyly er sche was war

þ^tþat sche wist not wher he be cam 

a

A

n oþ ᷑oþer tyme þ ᷑þer cam a gret clerke on to hir / askyng

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·51·

þes wordꝭwordys how þei xuld ben vndirstondyn ·/ Crescite

questio

& multiplicamini · Sche answerynge seyd ·ser þes

wordꝭwordys ben not vndirstondyn only of begetyng of chyldren ⸗

bodily / but also be p chasyngpurchasyng of vertu whech is frute gostly / as be

heryng of þe wordꝭwordys of god / be good exampyl ȝeuyng / be mekenes

& paciens · charite & chastite / & swech oþ ᷑oþer / for pacyens is more

¶

worthy þ⸧þan myraclys werkyng · And sche thorw þ^eþe gcegrace of god

answeryd so þ^tþat clerke / þ^tþat he was wel plesyd · And owr lord of

hys m᷑cymercy eu᷑euyr he mad su̅sum men to louyn hir · & supportyn hir ·

/ & so in þⁱsþis cite of ȝorke / þ ᷑þer was a docto doctowr of diuinyte Maist ᷑Maistyr

Iohn Aclom ·/ also a chanown of þ^eþe mynst ᷑mynstyr · Syr Iohn kendale

& an oþ ᷑oþer p᷑stepreste whech song be þ^eþe bischopys gvegrave / þes wer hir

good frendꝭfrendys of þe spiritual te ·/ so sche dwellyd stille in þ^tþat

cite xiiii · days / as sche had seyd be forn & su̅delsumdel mor / & on ⸗

þe sundays sche was howseld in þe Mynster / w^twyth gret wepy͒gwepyng

boistows sobbyng & lowde crying / þ^tþat many m⸧man m᷑ueyledmerueyled

ful meche / what hir eyled ·/ so aft ᷑wardaftyrward þ ᷑þer c⸧cam a p᷑stepreste a wor⸗

schepful clerke he semyd / & seyd vn to hir / Damsel þ^uþu seydest

whan þ^uþu come first hedyr þ^tþat þ^uþu woldyst abydyn her but xiiii ·

days ·/ ȝa ser w^twyth ȝowr leue I seyd þ^tþat I wolde abydyn her xiiii

days / but I seyd not þ^tþat I xulde neiþ ᷑neiþyr abydyn mor her · ne les

but as now ser I teIle ȝow trewly I go not ȝet ·/ þan he sett

hir a day comawndyng hir for to aperyn beforn hym

in þe chapelhows And sche seyd þ^tþat sche wolde obey hys mo⸗

nycyon w^twyth a good wil ·/ Sche went þ⸧þan to Maist ᷑Maistyr Iohn Aclom

þe forseyd doctowr / p᷑yngpreyng hym to be þ ᷑þer on hir ꝑtyparty / & so he ⸗

was / & he toke gret fauowr a mongys hem alle · Also an⸗

oþ ᷑oþer maist ᷑maistyr of diuinite had behestyd hir to a ben þ ᷑þer w^twyth hir ·

but he drow on bakke tyl he knew how þe cawse xulde gon

Whedyr w^twyth hir or a ȝen hir ·/ þ ᷑þer was meche pepil þ^tþat day in þ^eþe

chapetilhows of þ^eþe Mynst ᷑Mynstyr / to her & se what xulde ben seyd

er do to þe forseyd creatur · Whan þe day cam sche was

al redy in þ^eþe Mynst ᷑Mynstyr to come to hir answer Than cam

hir frendꝭfrendys to hir & bodyn hir ben of good cher ·/ sche than⸗

kyng hem seyd so sche xulde · And a swythe cam a p᷑stepreste

ful goodly & toke hir be þe arme for to helpyn hir thorw

þ^eþe prees of þe pepil / & browte hir be forn a worschepful

doctowr / þe whech had monyschyd hir be forn for to Apery̅Aperyn ⸗

59

beforn hym in þe chapetyl hows as þⁱsþis day in ȝok ȝorke Min⸗

styr · And w^twyth þⁱsþis docto doctowr setyn many oþ᷑oþer clerkꝭclerkys ful reu᷑endereuerende & wor⸗

shepful / of þe whech clerkꝭclerkys su͒mesumme louyd þe sayd creatur ryth

wel /· þ⸧þan seyd þ^eþe worschepful docto doctowr / to hir ·/ Wom⸧Woman what dost þ^uþu

her in þⁱsþis cu̅trecuntre · · Syr I come on pilgⁱmagepilgrimage to offyr her at

seynt William ·/ þa seyd he a ȝen ·/ hast þ^uþu an husbond ·/ sche

seyd · ȝa · hast þ^uþu any lett ᷑lettyr of recorde / · Sir sche seyd myn hus⸗

bond ȝaf me leue w^twyth hys owyn mowthe ·/ Why fare ȝe þꝰþus

w^twyth me mor þ⸧þan ȝe don w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer pilgⁱmyspilgrimys / þ^tþat ben her · wheche

han no lett ᷑lettyr no mor þ⸧þan I haue ·/ syr / them ȝe latyn gon · in peys ·

& qwyet & in reste / & I may no rest haue a mongꝭmongys ȝow /· And

syr · ȝyf her be any clerke a mongꝭmongys ȝow alle / þ^tþat can p᷑uynpreuyn þ^tþat I

haue seyd any worde oþ ᷑oþer wise þ⸧þan I awt for to do / I am redy

for to amende it w^twyth good wille /· I wil neiþ ᷑neiþyr meynteyn erro errowr

ne heresy / for it is my ful wil to holdyn as holy chirche ⸗

holdith / & fully to plesyn god ·/ þ⸧þan þe clerkꝭclerkys examynde hir in

þe articles of þe feyth / & in many oþ ᷑oþer poyntꝭpoyntys · as hem likyde /

/ to þe whech sche answeryd wel & trewly / þ^tþat þei myth haue

non occasyon in hir wordꝭwordys / for to disesyn hir / thankyd

be god · And þ⸧þan þe doctodoctowr whiche satt þ᷑þer as

‸

a

Iuge somownd

hir to apere be for þe Erchebischop of ȝorke / & telde hir

what day at a towne hite Cowoode / comawndyng hir to

be kept in p᷑sonpreson tyl þe day of hir aperyng come /· Than ⸗

nota

seculer ·ppepil·

þe seculer pepil Answeryd for hir & seyde sche xulde not

comyn in p᷑sonperson / for þei woldyn hem self vndirtakyn for hir ·

/ & gon to þe Erchebischop w^twyth hir / & so þ^eþe clerkꝭclerkys seyd no mor

to hir at þ^tþat tyme / for þei resyn up & went wher þei wolde

& letyn hir gon wher sche wolde worschip

‸

be

to Ihu̅Ihesu · And sone

aft ᷑aftyr þ ᷑þer cam a clerke vn to hir ·/ on of þe same þ^tþat had soty̅sotyn a⸗

geyn hir / & seyd damsel / I p᷑yprey þe be not displesyd w^twyth me thow

I sat w^twyth þe doctowr a geyns þe / he cryed so up on me þat I

durst non oþ ᷑oþer wise don ·/ And sche seyd Ser I am not disple⸗

syd w^twyth ȝow þ ᷑þer for · Than seyd he / I pyprey ȝow þ⸧þan p᷑ythpreyth for me

Sir sche seyd I wil al redy 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum 52·

T

her was a monke xuld p᷑chynprechyn in ȝorke / þ^eþe whech had herd

meche slawndyr & meche euyl langage of þe sayd cre⸗

atur / & whan he xulde p᷑chynprechyn · þ᷑þer was meche multitude

of pepil to heryn hym / & sche p᷑sentpresent w^twyth hem / & so whan he was in

hys ẜmownsermown / he rehersyd many materꝭmaterys so openly / þ^tþat þe pepil

conceyued wel it was for cawse of hir ·/ Wher for hir frendꝭfrendys þ^tþat

louyd hir wel · wer ful sory & heuy þ ᷑þer of / & sche was meche þe

mor mery / for sche had mat ᷑mater to p᷑uynpreuyn hyr paciens & hir cha⸗

rite / wher thorw sche trostyd to plesyn owr lord c̍stcrist Ihu̅Ihesu 

/ Whan þ^eþe ẜmownsermown was don · A docto doctowr of dyuinyte whech louyd

hir wel w^twyth many oþ ᷑oþer also / come to hir / & seyd Margery how

haue ȝe don þⁱsþis day · Sir sche seyd ryth wel blyssed be god

I haue cawse to be ryth mery & glad in my sowle / þ^tþat I may any

thyng suffyr for hys lofe / for he suffryd mech mor for me ·

A non aft ᷑aftyr cam a man whech louyd hir rith wel of good wil

w^twyth hys wife & oþ ᷑oþer mo · And led hir · vii · myle þens to þ^eþe Erche⸗

bischop of ȝorke / & browt hir in to a fayr chawbyr Wher c⸧cam

a good clerke seying to þe good man whech had browt hir þed ᷑þedyr

Sir why haue ȝe & ȝowr wife browt þⁱsþis wom⸧woman hedyr ·/ sche

xal stelyn a wey fro ȝow & þ⸧þan xal ȝe han a velany of hir ·/

/ þe good man seyd I dar wel say sche wil a bydyn / & ben at

hir answer w^twyth good wille / On þe next day sche was browt

in to þe Erchebischopys chapel / & þ ᷑þer comyn many of þ^eþe Erche⸗

bischopys meny · despisyng hir / callyng hir loller & heretyke /

& sworyn many an horrybyl othe / þ^tþat sche xulde be brent ·/ And

sche thorw þ^eþe strength of Ihu̅Ihesu seyd a ȝen to hem ·/ serys I drede

me ȝe xul be brent in helle w^twyth owtyn ende /· les þ⸧þan ȝe amende

ȝow of ȝowr othys sweryng / for ȝe kepe not þe comawnde⸗

mentꝭmentys of god ·/ I wolde not sweryn as ȝe don for al þ^eþe good

of þⁱsþis worlde ·/ þa þei ȝedyn a wey as þei had ben a schamyd

Sche þ⸧þan makyng hir pyerprayer in hir mende / askyd gcegrace so to be

demenyd þ^tþat day as was most plesawns to god / & ꝓfyteprofyte to hir

owyn sowle / & good exampyl to hir euyn cristen ·/ Owr lord

answeryng hir · seyd it xulde be ryth wel · At þe last þ^eþe seyd

Erchebischop cam in to þ^eþe chapel w^twyth hys clerkꝭclerkys & scharply ⸗

60

he seyde to hir why gost þ^uþu in white / art þ^uþu a mayden Sche knelyng

on hir knes be for hym · seyd · / nay ser · I am no mayden I am a wife /

he comawndyd hys mene to fettyn a peyr of feterys / & seyd sche ⸗

xulde ben feteryd / for sche was a fals heretyke / & þ⸧þan sche seyd /

I am non heretyke / ne ȝe xal non p᷑uepreue me ·/ þe Erchebisshop ⸗

went a wey & let hir stondyn a lone Than sche mad hir pyersprayers

to owr lord god al mythy / for to helpyn hir & socowryn hir ⸗

ageyn alle hir enmyis · gostly & bodily · a long while & hir flesch

tremelyd & whakyd wondirly / þ^tþat sche was fayn to puttyn hir

handꝭhandys vndyr hir cloþⁱscloþis / þ^tþat it schulde not ben aspyed · Sythyn þ^eþe

Erchbischop ca̅came a geyn in to þ^eþe chapel w^twyth many worthy clerkꝭclerkys

a mongꝭmongys whech was þ^eþe same docto doctowr whech had examynd hir be forn /

And þ^eþe Monke þ^tþat had p᷑chydprechyd a geyn hir a lityl tyme be forn i̅in ȝorke /

Su̅Sum of þe pepil askyd whedyr sche wer a cristen woman er a

Iewe ·/ su̅sum seyd sche was a good wom⸧woman / & su̅sum seyd nay · Than þe

Erchebischop toke hys see · & hys clerkꝭclerkys also iche of hem in hys

degre / meche pepil beyng p᷑sentpresent ·· And in þ^eþe tyme whil / þ^eþe pepil

was gaderyng to gedyr / & þe Erchebischop takyn hys see ·/ þe

seyd creatur stod al behyndyn makyng hir p᷑yeryspreyerys for help

& socowr ageyn hir enmiis · wythwyth hy deuocyon · so long · þ^tþat sche

meltyd al in to teerys / & at þe last sche cryed lowde þ ᷑þer with /

þ^tþat þe Erchebischop & his clerkꝭclerkys · & meche pepil had gret wondyr

of hir / for þei had not herd swech crying be forn ·/ Whan hir

crying was passyd sche cam be forn þ^eþe Erchebischop & fel down

on hir kneys · The Erchebischop seying ful boystowsly vn to hir /

Why wepist þ^uþu so wom⸧woman ·/ Sche answeryng seyd Syr ȝe xal ⸗

welyn su̅sum day þ^tþat ȝe had wept as sor as I · And þ⸧þan a non aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe

Erchebischop put to hir þe Articles of owr feyth ·/ to þ^eþe whech

god ȝaf hir gcegrace to Answeryn wel & trewly & redily w^twyth owtyn

any gret stody / so þ^tþat he myth not blamyn hir · Than he seyd

to þe clerkꝭclerkys ·/ sche knowith hir feyth wel a now · What xal I

don w^twyth hir · The clerkꝭclerkys seyden we knowyn wel þ^tþat sche can þ^eþe

O ceci clerici

articles of þe feith ·/ but we wil not suffyr hir to dwellyn

a mong vs / for þ^eþe pepil hath gret feyth in hir dalyawnce ·⸗

And ꝑauenturperauentur sche myth ꝑu᷑tynperuertyn su͒mesumme of hem Than þ^eþe Erchebis⸗

chop seyd vn to hir ·/ I am euyl enformyd of þ^eþe / I her seyn þ^uþu art

a ryth wikked woman / And sche seyd a geyn / Ser so I her seyn

⸪-------

þ^tþat ȝe arn a wikkyd man ·/ And ȝyf ȝe ben as wikkyd as men seyn 

ȝe xal neu᷑neuyr come in heuyn les þ⸧þan ȝe amende ȝow whil ȝe

ben her Than seyd he ful boistowsly · Why þow

wrecche

what sey men

of me · Sche answeryd / oþ ᷑oþer men syr can telle ȝow wel a now

/ þan seyd a gret clerke w^twyth a furryd hood / pes þ^uþu / speke of þⁱþi self

& late hym ben · Sithyn seyd þe Erchebischop to hir / ley þin

hand on þe boke her be forn me / & swer þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt gon owt

of my diocyse / as sone as þ^uþu may / Nay syr sche sayd ·/ I pyepraye

ȝow ȝeue me leue to gon ageyn in to ȝorke / to take my

leue of my frendꝭfrendys / þ⸧þan he ȝaf hir leue for on day er too /

Sche thowt is was to schort a tyme / wherfor sche seyd a⸗

ȝen Sir I may not gon owt of þⁱsþis diocyse so hastily / for

I must teryin & spekyn w^twyth good men er I go / & I must ser

w^twyth ȝowr leue gon to Brydlyngton / & spekyn w^twyth my co̅fessorconfessor

a good man þe whech was þe good p̍owryspriowrys co̅fessorconfessor þ^tþat is now

canonysed ·/ þ⸧þan seyd þ^eþe Erchebischop to hir ·/þow schalt sweryn

þ^tþat þ^uþou xalt techyn ne chalengyn / þ^eþe pepil in my diocyse · /Nay

syr I xal not sweryn sche seyde / for I xal spekyn of god &

vndirnemyn hem þ^tþat sweryn gret othys wher so eu᷑euyr I go ·/ vn

to þe tyme þ^tþat þe pope & holy chirche hath ordeynde þ^tþat no man

schal be so hardy to spekyn of god ·/ for god al mythy forbedith

not ser þ^tþat we xal speke of hym ·/ And also þ^eþe gospel makyth

mencyon þ^tþat whan þe wom⸧woman had herd owr lord p᷑chydprechyd ·/ sche

cam be forn hym w^twyth a lowde voys & seyd /blyssed be þ^eþe wombe

pappys

þ^tþat þe bar & þ^eþe

‸

tetys þ^tþat ȝaf þ^eþe sowkyn ·/ þ⸧þan owr lord seyd a ȝen

to hir forsoþ^eforsoþe so ar þei blissed þ^tþat heryn þ^eþe word of god and

kepyn it / · And þ ᷑þer for sir me thynkyth þ^tþat þe gospel ȝeuyth me

leue to spekyn of god · A ser seyd þe clerkꝭclerkys her wot we wel

noᷓ̄nota

þ^tþat sche hath a deuyl w^twyth inne hir / for sche spekyth of þ^eþe gospel

As swyþ^eswyþe a gret clerke browt forth a boke & leyd seynt powyl

for hys ꝑtyparty a geyns hir / þ^tþat no wom⸧woman xulde p᷑chynprechyn · Sche

answerying þ ᷑þer to seyde / I p᷑chepreche not ser / I come in no pulpytt

I vse but comown

61

I vse but comownycacyon & good wordꝭwordys & þ^tþat wil I do whil I leue ·

Than seyd a doctowr whech had examynd hir be for tyme 

Syr sche telde me þe werst talys of p᷑stysprestys þ^tþat eu᷑euyr I herde ·/ þe ⸗

¶

Bischop comawndyd hir to tellyn þ^tþat tale ·/ Sir w^twyth ȝowr reu᷑ensreuerens

narraco͒narracio

I spak / but of o p᷑stepreste / be þe man ᷑maner of exampyl / þ^eþe whech as I haue

lernyd went wil in a wode / thorw þe sufferawns of god / for

of þ^eþe prest
& þ^eþe pertre

þe ꝓfiteprofite of hys sowle / tyl þe nygth cam up on hym / he desty⸗

tute of hys herborwe / fond a fayr Erber in þ^eþe whech he restyd

þ^tþat nyght hauyng a fayr pertre in þe myddꝭmyddys · al floreschyd w^twyth

flowerys & belschyd · And blomys ful delectabil to hys syght

Wher cam a bere gret & boistows hogely to beheldyn schaky͒gschakyng

þ^eþe pertre & fellyng down þ^eþe flowerys / gredily þⁱsþis greuows best

ete & deuowryd þo fayr flowerys / & whan he had etyn hem

t nyngturnyng hys tayl ende in þ^eþe p᷑stꝭprestys p᷑senspresens voydyd hem owt ageyn

at þe hymyr ꝑtyparty ·/ þ^eþe p᷑stepreste hauyng gret abhominacyon of þ^tþat

lothly syght / conceyuyng gret heuynes / d

…

for dowte what

it myth mene ·/ on þe next day he wandrid forth in hys wey

al heuy & pensife whom it fortunyd to metyn w^twyth a semly

agydd man lych to a palm᷑palmyr er a pylg̍mepilgrime / þ^eþe whiche enq̍rydenqwiryd

of þe p᷑stepreste þe cawse of hys heuynes /· The p᷑stepreste rehersyng þ^eþe

mat᷑mater be forn wretyn / seyd he co̅ceyuydconceyuyd gret drede & heuy⸗

nes wh⸧whan he beheld þ^tþat lothly best defowlyn & deuowryn so fayr

flowerys & blomys / & aftirward so horrybely to deuoydyn

hem be for hym at hys tayl ende / & he not vndirstondyng

what þⁱsþis myth mene · Than þe palm᷑palmyr schewyng hym selfe

þe Massanger of god þꝰþus aresond hym ·/ p᷑stepreste þ^uþu þⁱþi self art þ^eþe

pertre su̅delsumdel florischyng & floweryng / thorw þi ẜuyseseruyse sey⸗

yng & þ^eþe sacmentꝭsacramentysde ministryng / thow þ^uþu do vndeuowtly for

þ^uþu takyst ful lytyl heede how þ^uþu seyst þⁱþi mateynes / & þⁱþi ẜuyseseruyse

so it be blaberyd to an ende ·/ þ⸧þan gost þ^uþu to þi messe w^twyth owtyn

deuocyon / & for þi synne hast þ^uþu ful lityl co̅trycioncontrycion /· þ^uþu recey⸗

uyst þ ᷑þer þe frute of eu᷑euyr lestyng lyfe þe sacrament of þ^eþe awt᷑awter /

in ful febyl disposicyon Sithyn al þe day aftyr þ^uþu mysse⸗

spendist þⁱþi tyme þ^uþu ȝeuist þe to bying & sellyng choppyng

& chongyng / as it wer a man of þe werld · þ^uþu sittyst at þ^eþe ⸗

ale ȝeuyng þe to glotonye & excesse /to lust of thy body / thorw

letchery & vnclennesse / þ^uþu brekyst þ^eþe comawndmentꝭcomawndmentys of god

/ thorw sweryng / lying / detraccyon & bakbytyng / & swech oþ ᷑oþer

synnes vsyng / thus be thy mysgou᷑nawnsmysgouernawns / lych on to þe

lothly ber / þ^uþu deuowryst & destroist þ^eþe flowerys & blomys

of vertuows leuyng / to thyn endles da͒pnacyondampnacyon & many

mannys hyndryng / lesse þ⸧þan þ^uþu haue gcegrace of repentawns

& amendyng · ⎣þ⸧þan þ^eþe Erchebisshop likyd wel þe tale / &

comendyd it / seying it was a good tale / & þe clerk whech

had examynd hir be for tyme in þe absens of þe Erche⸗

bischop / seyd Ser þⁱsþis tale smytyth me to þe hert · The

forseyd creatur seyd to þe clerk · A worschipful docto doctowr · Ser in

place wher my dwellyng is most · is a worthy clerk a good

p᷑charprechart · Whech boldly spekyth a geyn þe mysgou᷑nawnsmysgourenawns of þe

pepil / & wil flatyr no man / he seyth many tymes in þ^eþe

pulpit · ȝyf any man be euyl plesyd w^twyth my p᷑chyngprechyng / note

hym wel for he is gylty And ryth so Ser seyd sche to þe

clerk · far ȝe be me · god for ȝeue it ȝow · þe clerk wist not

wel what he myth sey to hir ·/ Aft᷑wardAftyrward þe same clerk c⸧cam

to hir · & p᷑yidpreyid hir of forȝefnes / þ^tþat he had so ben a geyn hir ·

Also he p᷑yidpreyid hir specyaly to p᷑yprey for hym · And þ⸧þan a non

aft ᷑aftyr þe Erchebischop seyd wher schal I haue a man þat

myth ledyn þⁱsþis woman fro me · As swythe þ ᷑þer styrt up ⸗

many ȝong men / & eu᷑yeuery man seyd of hem My lord I wyl

gon w^twyth hir / þe Erchebischop answeryd / ȝe ben to ȝong

I wil not haue ȝow · Than a good sad man of þ^eþe ErcheErchebishopys

meny · Askyd hys lord what he wolde ȝeuyn hym & he

xulde ledyn hir / þe ErcheErchebischop ꝓferydproferyd hym · v · s̅shillingys · And þe

man askyd a nobyl · The ErcheErchebischop answeryng seyd I ⸗

wil not waryn so mech on hir body ·/ 3ys good Ser seyd

þ^eþe sayd creatur / our lord schal rewardyn ȝow ryth wel

a ȝen /· þ⸧þan þ^eþe Erchebischop seyd to þe man / se her is · v · s͒schelyngys ·

& lede hir fast owt of þⁱsþis cu̅tr᷑cuntre · Sche knelyng down ⸗

62

on hir kneys askyd hys blissyng / he p᷑yngpreyng hir to p᷑yepreye for hym ·

blissed hir & let hir go ·· Than sche goyng a ȝen to ȝorke was

receyued of mech pepil / & of ful worthy clerkꝭclerkys whech enioyed

in owr lord / þat had ȝouyn hir not lettryd witte & wisdom

to answeryn so many lernyd men w^twyth owtyn velani or blame

thankyng be to god .;.

s

S

ithyn þ^tþat good man whech was hir ledar browte

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·53·

hir owt of þe town & þ⸧þan went þei forth to bry⸗

delyngton to hir co͒fesso confessour · whech hite sleythmsleytham ·

and spak w^twyth hym / & w^twyth many oþ ᷑oþer good men / whech had

cheryd hir befor tyme / & don meche for hir · Th⸧Than sche

wolde not abydyn þ ᷑þer / but toke hir leue for to walke

forth in hir Iurne / & þ⸧þan hir co͒fesso confessour · askyd hir · ȝyf sche

durst not abydyn for þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · of ȝorke / & sche seyd no

for sothe / þ⸧þan þ^eþe good m⸧man ȝaf hir sylu᷑syluer besechyng hir

to p᷑yprey for hym / and so sche ȝed forth vn to hulle / &

þ ᷑þer on a tyme as þei went in ꝓcessyonprocessyon / a gret woman

al to despysed hir / & sche seyd no word þ ᷑þer to / many oþ ᷑oþer

folke seyd þ^tþat sche xulde be sett in p᷑sonpreson / & madyn gret

thretyng · And not w^twythstondyng al her malyce / ȝet a

good man cam & p᷑ydpreyd hir to mete / & mad hir ryth ⸗

good cher · Than þe malicyows pepil · þ^eþe whech had de⸗

spisyd hir be forn / cam to þⁱsþis good man / & bad hym

þ^tþat he xulde do hir no good / for þei helde þ^tþat sche was no

good woman / On þe next day at morwyn hir hoste

led hir owt at þe townys ende / for sche durst no leng᷑lengar

kepyn hir / & so sche went to hesyl & wolde a gon ou᷑ouyr

þe watyr at humbyr / þ⸧þan happyd sche to fyndyn þ ᷑þer

too frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys and · ii · ȝemen of þ^eþe duke of Bedfor⸗

duke of BBedforth

thys / þe frerys telde þe ȝemen / þat wom⸧woman sche was

& þe ȝemen arestyd hir / as sche wolde a takyn hir boot /

& restyd a man þ^tþat went w^twyth hir also ·/ for owr lord þei seyd ⸗

þe Duke of Bedforth hath sent for þe · And þ^uþu art holdyn þ^eþe gret⸗

test loller in al þⁱsþis cu̅tcuntre · er a bowte london eythyr /& we han

sowt þ^eþe in many a cu̅tr᷑cuntre / & we xal han an hu̅drydhundryd pownde

for to bryng þe be forn owr lord / Sche seyd to hem · w^twyth

good wil · Serys · I xal gon w^twyth ȝow wher ȝe wil ledyn me

/ þ⸧þan þei browt hir a ȝen in to hesyl & þ ᷑þer men callyd hir ⸗

loller / & women c⸧cam rennyng owt of her howsys w^twyth her

rokkys crying to þ^eþe pepil / brennyth þⁱsþis fals heretyk /· So

as sche went forth to Beu᷑lewardBeuerleward w^twyth þe seyd ȝemen &

þe frerys be forn seyd / þei mettyn many tymes w^twyth men

of þe cu̅tcuntre whech seyd vn to hir / Damsel forsake þⁱsþis lyfe

þ^tþat þ^uþu hast / & go spynne & carde as oþ ᷑oþer women don / & suffyr

not so meche schame & so meche wo ·/ We wolde not suffir

so meche for no good in erthe / þ⸧þan sche seyd to hem ·/ I ⸗

suffir not so mech sorwe as I wolde do for owr lordꝭlordys

lofe / ffor I suffir but schrewyd wordꝭwordys & owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord

crist Ihu̅ihesu worshepyd be hys name · suffyrd hard strokys ·

bittyr scorgyngꝭscorgyngys · & schamful deth at þe last / for me and

for al mankynde blyssed mot he be ·/ & þ ᷑þer for it is ryth

nowt þ^tþat I suffir · in regarde to þ^tþat he suffyrd /· And so as

sche went w^twyth þe forseyd men / sche telde hem good talys

tyl on of þ^eþe dukys men whech had a restyd hir seyd vn

to hir ·/ Me ou᷑ouyr thynkyth þ^tþat I met w^twyth þe / for me semyth

þ^tþat þ^uþu seyst

‸

ryth

good wordꝭwordys · Than seyd sche vn to hym ·· Ser

ou᷑thynkythouyrthynkyth ne repentith ȝow not þ^tþat ȝe met w^twyth me ·/ doth

ȝo ȝowr lordꝭlordys wille / & I trust al schal be for þe best / for I am

ryth wel plesyd þ^tþat ȝe met w^twyth me ·/ he seyd a ȝen Damsel 

saint

yf eu᷑euyr þ^uþu be seynt in heuyn p᷑yprey for me ·· sche answeryd ·

seying to hym a ȝen ·/ Sir I hope ȝe xal be a seynt ȝo ȝowr

selfe & eu᷑yeuery man þ^tþat xal come to heuyn ·/ So þei ȝedyn

forth til þei comyn in to Beu᷑leBeuerle /· Wher dwellyd on of

þe mennys wifꝭwifys þ^tþat had arestyd hir · & þedyr þei leddyn

hir / & tokyn a wey fro hir ·/ hir purs & hir ryng /· þei ⸗

63

ordeynd hir a fayr chambyr & an honest bed þ᷑þer in · w^twyth þ^eþe necessarys

lokkyng þe dor w^twyth þe key / & beryng a wey þe key w^twyth hem ^⸜⸜

Sithyn þei tokyn þe man whom þei arestyd w^twyth hir · wheche

was þ^eþe Erchebischopys man of ȝorke / & put hym in p᷑sonpreson

& sone aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat same day / c⸧cam tydyngꝭtydyngys þ^tþat þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · was comyn

in to þ^eþe town · wher hys man was put in p᷑sonpreson ·/ It was

telde þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop ·/ of hys mannys p᷑sonyngpresonyng / & a non he ⸗

dede hym be latyn owte ·/ þ⸧þan þ^tþat man went to þ^eþe sayd cͤaturcreatur ·

w^twyth angry cher · seying · Alas þ^tþat eu᷑euyr knew I þ^eþe ·/ I haue ben p᷑sopreso⸗

nyd for þe · Sche comfortyng hym seyd a ȝen ·/ hauyth

nota

mekenes & pacyens & ȝe xal haue gret mede in heuyn

þ᷑þer for · So ȝed he a wey fro hir · þ⸧þan stode sche · lokyng owt

at a wyndown · tellyng many good talys · to hem þ^tþat wolde

heryn hir / in so meche þ^tþat women wept sor / & seyde w^twyth

¶

gret heuynes of her hertꝭhertys ·· Alas wom⸧woman why xalt þ^uþu

be brent · Than sche p᷑yidpreyid þ^eþe good wyfe of þ^eþe hows to ⸗

ȝeuyn hir drynke / for sche was euyl for thryste · And þ^eþe

good wife seyde hir husbond had born a wey þ^eþe key · Wher ⸗

for sche myth not comyn to hir / ne ȝeuyn hir drynke ·

And þ⸧þan þ^eþe women tokyn a leddyr & set up to þ^eþe wyndown

& ȝouyn hir a pynte of wyn / in a potte / & toke hir a

pece / besechyng hir to settyn a wey þe potte p᷑uylypreuyly &

þe pece / þ^tþat whan þ^eþe good man come he myth not aspye it .;.

t

T

he seyd creatur lying in hir bed þ^eþe next nyth

folwyng herd w^twyth hir bodily erys a lowde voys

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·54·

clepyng ·/ Margery · W^tWyth þ^tþat voys sche woke / gretly

a feryd / & lying stille in sylens / sche mad hir p᷑yeryspreyerys as

deuowtly as sche cowde for þe tyme / & sone owr M᷑cifulMerciful ⸗

lord ou᷑alouyral p᷑sentpresent comfortyng hys vnworthy ẜuawntseruawnt 

no̎nota
iii tymes
of þ^eþe da

seyd vn to hir · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr it is mor plesyng vn to me · þ^tþat

þ^uþu suffyr despitꝭdespitys & scornys · schamys & rep᷑uysrepreuys · wrongꝭwrongys

& disesys ·· þ⸧ þan ȝif þin hed wer smet of thre tymes

on þe day ·’/ eu᷑yeuery day in sevyn ȝer /· And þ ᷑þer for dowtyr⸗

fere þe nowt what any man can seyn on to þe / but in myn

goodnes & in thy sorwys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast suffryd · þ᷑þer in hast þ^uþu gret

cawse to Ioyn ·/ for whan þ^uþu comyst hom in to heuyn / þan

¶

xal eu᷑yeuery sorwe t nynturnyn þ^eþe to Ioye ⎣ On þe next day sche was

home

browte in to þ^eþe chapetyl hows of Beu᷑leBeuerle / & þ ᷑þer was þe ⸗

ercheerchebishop · of ȝorke & many gret clerkꝭclerkys w^twyth hym p᷑stysprestys cha⸗

nowns & seculer men ·/ þ⸧þan seyd þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · to þe seid cͤat creatur ·

What woman art þ^uþu come a ȝen / I wolde fayn be delyu᷑yddelyueryd

of þe / And þ⸧þan a p᷑stepreste browt hir forth be for hym · And

þe ErcheErchbischop · seyd / alle þ^tþat wer p᷑sentpresent heryng / Serys I had

þⁱsþis woman be for me at Cowode / & þ ᷑þer I w^twyth my clerkys

examynd hir in hir feyth & fond no defawte in hir ·

forþ ᷑forþer mor serys · I haue sithyn þ^tþat tyme spokyn w^twyth good

men whech holdyn hir a parfyte woman / & a good woman

not wythstandyng al þⁱsþis / I ȝaf on of my men · v · s͒schelyngys to ledyn

hir owt of þⁱsþis cu̅tcuntre / for qwietyng of þ^eþe pepil · And as

þei wer goyng in her Iurne they wer takyn & arestyd ·

/ my ma⸧man put in p᷑sonpreson for hir ·/ Also hir gold & hir sylu᷑sylure

was takyn a wey fro hir w^twyth hir bedys & hir ryng / And

sche is browt her a ȝen be for me ·/ is her any man can

sey any thyng a ȝen hir · Than oþ ᷑oþer men seyd · her is a

frere

frer can meche þing a ȝens hir / þ^eþe frer cam forth &

seyd þ^tþat sche disprauyd alle men of holy chirche / & mech

ylle langage he vttryd þ^tþat tyme of hir · Also he seyd þ^tþat

sche xulde a be brent at lynne · had hys ordyr þ^tþat was

frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys ne be · And syr sche seyth þ^tþat sche may

wepyn & han co͒tⁱcyoncontricyon whan sche wil ·/ þ⸧þan cam þo too

men whech had arestyd hir seyng w^twyth þ^eþe frer / þ^tþat sche was

combomis dowt ᷑dowtyr & was sent to beryn lettrys abowtyn

þe cu̅tcuntre · And þei seydyn sche had ben at IerIerusalem ne in þ^eþe

holy lond ne on oþ ᷑oþer pilgrimage ·/ liche as sche had ben

in trewth / þei denyed al trewth / & meynteyned þ^eþe wrong

as many oþ ᷑oþer had don be forn · Whan þei had seyd I now ⸗

64

a gret while & a long tyme / þei wer in pes Than seyd þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop ·

to hir woman what seyst þ^uþu her to / Sche seyd / My lorde / saue

ȝo ȝowr reu᷑ensreuerens / it arn lesyngꝭlesyngys alle þ^eþe wordꝭwordys þ^tþat þei sey / þ⸧þan seyde

þe ErcheErchbischop · to þ^eþe frer · ffrer þe wordꝭwordys arn non heresye / þei

arn slawnderows wordꝭwordys & erroneows · My lord seyde þe

frer sche can hir feyth wel I now ·/ neu ᷑neuyr þe lesse / My lord

of Bedforthe is wroth w^twyth hir / & he wyl ha

ˇ

v

nue hir · Wel

frer seyde þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop ·/ & þ^uþu xalt ledyn hir to hym /· Nay ⸗

ser seyde þ^eþe frer ·/ it fallyth not for a frer to ledyn a ⸗

woman a bowtyn /· And I wille not seyde þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop þ^tþat þ^eþe

duke of Bedforde be wroth w^twyth me for hir ·/ þ⸧þan seyde þe ⸗

ErcheErchbischop · to hys men / takyth hede to þ^eþe frer tyl I wyl haue

hym a ȝen ·/ and comawndyd an oþ ᷑oþer man to kepyn þ^eþe seyde ·

creatur · also tyl he wolde haue hir aȝen an oþ ᷑oþer tyme ·

whan he lykyde · The sayd creatur p᷑ydepreyde hym of hys

lordschip þ^tþat sche xulde not be putte a mongs men for

sche was a mannys wyfe ·/ And þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · seyde nay · þ^uþu

xalt non harm han ·/ þan he þ^tþat was chargyd w^twyth hir toke

hir be þ^eþe hand & led hir hom to hys hows / & dede hir

sittyn w^twyth hym at mete & drynke / schewyng hir goodly

cher ·/ þedyr comyn many p᷑stysprestys / & oþ ᷑oþer men eft sonys

to se hir & spekyn w^twyth hir / & meche pepil had gret co̅passyoncompassyon ·

þat sche was so euyl ferd wyth ·/ In schort tyme aftyr þe

ErcheErchbischop · sent for hir & sche cam in to hys halle /· hys

meny was at mete / & sche was ledde in to hys chawm⸗

byr euyn to hys beddꝭbeddysde syde ·/ þan sche obeyng thankyd

hym of hys gracyows lordschip / þ^tþat he had schewyd to hir

be for tyme ·/ ȝa ȝa ·’ seyd þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · I am wers enformyd

of þ^eþe þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr I was be forn · Sche seyd My lord / ȝyf

it lyke ȝow · to examyn me / I xal ben a knowe þ^eþe trewth

And yf I be fowndyn gylty I wyl abeyn ȝo ȝowr correccyon

Than cam forth a frer p᷑chowrprechowr · whech was suffragan ⸗

w^twyth þe Erchbischop to whom þe ercheerchbischop · seyde / Now ser as ȝe seyde

to me whan sche was not p᷑sentpresent / sey now whil sche is p᷑sentpresent

Schal I so / seyde þ^eþe suffragan / ȝa seyde þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop / þ⸧þan seyde þ^eþe

suffragan to þ^eþe seyde creatur · Damsel · þ^uþu wer at my lady ⸗

Westmorlond / Whan sir seyde sche / At estern seyd þ^eþe suffra⸗

gan / Sche not replying · seyd · Wel ser ·/ þ⸧þan seyd he / My

lady hir owyn ꝑsonepersone was wel plesyd w^twyth þ^eþe · & lykyd wel

thy wordꝭwordys · but þ^uþu cownseledyst My lady greystokke / to for⸗

sakyn hir husbonde / þ^tþat is a Barownys wyfe / & dowtyr

to my Lady of Westmorlonde / & now hast seyd I now to

be brent for · And so he multiplyed many schrewyd wordꝭwordys

be for þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop / it is not expedient to rehersyn hem ·

At þ^eþe last sche seyde to þ^eþe ercheerchbischop ·/ my lord yf it be ȝo ȝowr

wille · I saw not My lady Westmorlond þⁱsþis too ȝer & mor /

Sir sche sent for me er I went to IerIerusalem / & ȝyf it ky

…

lyke

ȝow · I wyl gon a geyn to hir for recorde / þat I mevyd

no sweche mat ᷑mater / Nay seyde þei þ^tþat stodyn a bowtyn / late

hir be putte in p᷑sonpreson / & we xal sendyn a lett ᷑lettyr to þe

worshepful lady / & ȝyf it be trewth þ^tþat sche seyth / late hir

go qwite w^twyth owtyn dawnger / & sche seyde sche was

ryth wel a payd þ^tþat it wer so ·/ þ⸧þan seyde a gret clerke

whech stood a lytyl besyden þe ErcheErchbischop / putte hir xl ·

days in p᷑sonpreson & sche xal louyn god þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr whyl sche

leuyth · The ErcheErchbischop askyd hir what tale it was þ^tþat sche

telde þe lady of Westmorlonde · whan sche spak w^twyth hir ·/

Sche seyde I telde hir a good tale of a lady · þ^tþat was damp⸗

myd for sche wolde not louyn hir enmiis / & of a Baly

þ^tþat was savyd for he louyd hys enmys / & forȝaf þ^tþat þei ⸗

had trespasyd a ȝen hym / & ȝet he was heldyn an euyl

man / þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · seyd it was a good tale · Than seyd hys

styward & many mo w^twyth hym · crying w^twyth a lowde voys

to þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop ··

‸

my

lord we

…

y p᷑yprey ȝow late hir go hens · at þⁱsþis

tyme / & yf eu᷑euyr sche come ageyn we xal bren hyre

65

owr self /

↙

The ErcheErchbischop · seyde I leue þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuyr woman in Ing⸗

nota

lond so ferd w^twyth þal as sche is & hath ben ·/ þ⸧þan he seyde to þe

sayde creatur / I wote not what I xal don w^twyth þe ·/ Sche seyde /

My lord I pyprey ȝow late me haue ȝo ȝowr lett ᷑lettyr / & ȝo ȝowr seyl in to

recorde / þ^tþat I haue excusyd me a geyn myn enmys / & no

thyng is attyd ageyns me / neiþ ᷑neiþyr herro herrowr ne heresy / þ^tþat

may ben p᷑uydpreuyd neiþ ᷑neiþyr l vp on me thankyd be owr lord /

And Iohn ȝo ȝowr man a ȝen to bryngyn me / ou᷑ouyr þe watyr

& þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · ful goodly grawntyd hir al hir desyr / owr

lord rewarde hym hys mede / & delu᷑yddelueryd hyr purs &w^twyth

hir ryng & hir bedꝭbedys / whech þ^eþe dukys men of Bedforth

had takyn fro hir beforn · The ErcheErchbischop · had gret m᷑ueylmerueyl

wher sche had good to gon w^twyth a bowtyn þ^eþe cu̅tcuntre · And sche

seyde good men ȝaf it hir for sche xulde p᷑yprey for hem ·

Than sche knelyng down receyued hys blissyng & toke

hir leue w^twyth ryth glad cher / goyng owt of hys chambyr /

And þe ErcheErchbischop · mene p᷑ydpreyd hir to p᷑yprey for hem / but þ^eþe styward

was wroth / for sche lowgh & made good cher ·/ seying to ⸗

hir ·/ holy folke xulde not lawghe /· sche seyd ser / I haue

gret cawse for to lawghe for þ^eþe mor schame I suffyr

& despite / þ^eþe meryar may I ben in owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist ·

/ þ⸧þan sche cam down in to þ^eþe halle and þ ᷑þer stood / þ^eþe ffrere 

p᷑chowrprechowr / þ^tþat had cawsyd hir al þ^tþat woo · And so sche passyd ⸗

forth w^twyth a man of þe ErcheErchbischop /· beryng þ^eþe lettyr whech

þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · had grawntyd hir for a recorde & he browt

hir to þ^eþe watyr of humbyr / & þ ᷑þer he toke hys leue of

hir / ret nyngreturnyng to hys lord & beryng þ^eþe sayd lettyr w^twyth hym

a ȝen ·/ so was sche left a lone w^twyth owtyn knowlache of

þ^eþe pepyl ·/ Al þ^eþe forseyd disese fel hir on a fryday than⸗

kyd be God of alle  ¶ ca^mcapitulum ·55·

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·55·

w

W

han sche was passyd þ^eþe watyr of hu͒byrhumbyr / a non sche was

arestyd for a loller / & ledde to p᷑sonpreson warde /· þ ᷑þer hadppyd

to be a ꝑsonperson whech had seyn hir be forn þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop

of ȝorke / & gate hir leue to gon wher sche wolde / & excu⸗

syd hir a ȝen þe baly / & vndirtoke for hir þ^tþat sche was no ⸗

loller / & so sche scapyd a wey in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / þ⸧þan met

sche w^twyth a man of london / & hys wife w^twyth hym / & so went

sche forth w^twyth hem / tyl sche cam to lyncolne / & þ ᷑þer sufferd

sche many scornys / & many noyful wordꝭwordys / answeryng

a ȝen in goddꝭgoddys cawse / w^twyth owtyn any lettyng · wysly · & discretly ·

me̅men of law

/ þ^tþat many men m᷑ueyledmerueyled of hir cu͒nyngcunnyng / þ ᷑þer wer men of lawe

seyd vn to hir we han gon to scole many ȝerys / & ȝet

arn we not sufficient to answeryn as þ^uþu dost / of whom

hast þ^uþu þⁱsþis cu̅nyngcunnyng ·/ & sche seyd of þe holy gost ·/ þ⸧þan askyd

þei / hast þ^uþu þe holy gost ·/ ȝa serys seyd sche / þ ᷑þer may no

man sey a good worde · w^twyth owtyn þe ȝyft of þ^eþe holy gost

for owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyd to hys disciplys · stody not

what ȝe schal sey / for it schal not be ȝo ȝowr spiryt / þ^tþat schal

spekyn in ȝow / but it schal be þ^eþe spiryt of þ^eþe holy gost

And thus owr lord ȝaf hir grace to answer hem wor⸗

schepyd mote he be / An oþ ᷑oþer tyme þ ᷑þer cam gret lordys

men vn to hir & þei sworyn many gret othys seying

it is don us to wetyn · þ^tþat þ^uþu canst tellyn vs wheþ ᷑wheþyr we

schal be sauyd er damnyd · sche seyd ȝa forsoþ^eforsoþe can I ··

ffor as long as ȝe sweryn swech horrybyl oþⁱsoþis / & bre⸗

kyn þ^eþe comawndment of god wetyngly as ȝe do and

wil not leuyn ȝo ȝowr synne ·/ I dar wel say ȝe schal be

damnyd · And ȝyf ȝe wil be co͒tⁱtecontrite & schreuyn of ȝo ȝowr

synne wilfully don penawnce & leuyn it whil ȝe may

in wil no mor to tneturne aȝen þ ᷑þer to / I dar wel say · ȝe

schal be sauyd ·· What canst þ^uþu noon oþ ᷑oþer wise tellyn us

but thus Serys sche seyd ·/ þⁱsþis is ryth good me thynkyth

& þ⸧þan þei went a wey fro hir ·/ Aftyr þⁱsþis sche cam homward ⸗

66

husband

a ȝen / til sche cam at west lynne / Whan sche was þ ᷑þer sche↙

sent aft ᷑aftyr hir husbonde in to lynne Bischop / Aft ᷑Aftyr Maystyr

Robert hir confesso confessowr / & aft ᷑aftyr Maist ᷑Maistyr Aleyn / a docto doctowr of dyuinite

& telde hem in ꝑcelparcel of hyr tⁱbulacyontribulacyon / & sithyn sche telde

hem / þ^tþat sche myth not comyn at hom at lynne bischop /

vn to þe tyme þ^tþat sche had ben at þ^eþe Erchebischop of ⸗

Cawnt ᷑beryCawntyrbery / for hys lettyr & hys seel / for whan I was

befor þ^eþe ercheerchbischop · of ȝorke / sche seyd / he wolde ȝeue no

credens to my wordꝭwordys / in as meche as I had not my

lordꝭlordys lett ᷑lettyr & seel of Cawnt ᷑beryCawntyrbery / And so I behestyd hym

þ^tþat I schulde not comyn in lynne bischop / tyl I had my

lordꝭlordys lettyr & þ^eþe seel of Cawnt ᷑beryCawntyrbery / & þ⸧þan sche toke hir

leue of þe sayd clerkꝭclerkys / askyng her blissyng / & passyd

forth w^twyth hir husbonde to london /· Whan sche cam þer /

sche was sped of hir lettyr a non / of þ^eþe ErcheErchbischop · of Cawn⸗

tirbury / & so sche dwellyd in þ^eþe cite of london a long tyme /

And had ryth good cher of many worthy men / Sithyn

sche cam vn to Ely warde / for to a comyn hom in to

lynne /· And sche was · iii · myle fro Ely ·/ þ ᷑þer cam a man

rydyng aft ᷑aftyr a gret spede / & arestyd hir husbond & hir /

/ also pposyngpurposyngt to ledyn hem bothyn in to p᷑sonpreson /· he ⸗

cruely rebukyd hem / & al to reuylyd hem / rehersyng

many rep᷑uowsrepreuows wordꝭwordys / & at þ^eþe last / sche p᷑ydepreyde hir husbonde

to schewyn hym my lordꝭlordys lettyr of Cawntirbery ·/ Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe

man had redde þ^eþe lettyr / þ⸧þan he spak fayr & goodly vn to

hem seying / Why schewyd me not ȝo ȝowr lettyr be forn / &

so þei partyd a wey fro hym / & þ⸧þan comyn in to Ely ·/

& fro thens hom in to lynne / Wher sche suffryd meche

despite / meche reprefe / many a scorne / many a slawnd ᷑slawndyr ·/

many a bannyng / & many a cursyng /· And on a tyme

a rekles man litil chargyng hys owyn schame / w^twyth wil

& w^twyth pposepurpose kest a bolful of wat ᷑watyr on hir heuyd comy͒gcomyng

in þe strete ·/ sche no thyng meuyd þ ᷑þer w^twyth / seyd / god make ⸗

ȝow a good man / heyly thankyng god þ ᷑þer of / as sche dede of

many mo oþ ᷑oþer tymes 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·56·

A

fftyrward god ponyschyd hir w^twyth many gret & diuers

sekenes / sche had þ^eþe flyx a long tyme / tyl sche was

anoyntyd / wenyng to a be deed / sche was so febyl

þ^tþat sche myth not heldyn a spon in hir hand /· þ⸧þan owr lord

Ihu̅Ihesu crist spak to hir in hir sowle / & seyd · þ^tþat sche xulde

not dey ȝet / þ⸧þan sche recuryd aȝen a lytyl while ·/

a non aft ᷑aftyr sche had a gret sekenes in hir heuyd / and

sithyn in hir bakke / þ^tþat sche feryd to a lost hir witte þ ᷑þer

thorw / Aft ᷑wardeAftyrwarde whan sche was recuryd of alle þ^esþes

sekenessys / in schort tyme folwyd an oþ ᷑oþer sekenes /· Whech

was sett in hir ryth syde / duryng þ^eþe terme of · viii · ȝer ·/

saf viii wokꝭwokys · be diuers tymes / Su͒tymeSumtyme sche had it

seyknes ·

onys in a weke / co͒tunyngcontunyng su͒sum tyme xxx · owrys / Su̅Sum⸗

tyme · xx ·· su͒tymesumtyme · x · su͒tymesumtyme · viii · su͒tymesumtyme iiii · &

su̅tymesumtyme · ii ·· so hard & so scharp / þ^tþat sche must voydyn þ^tþat

was in hir stomak · as bittyr as it had ben galle /

/ neyþ ᷑neyþer etyng ne drynkyng whil þ^eþe sekenes enduryd

/ but eu᷑euyr gronyng / tyl it was gon ·/ þ⸧þan wolde sche sey

¶

to owr lorde /· A blysful lord why woldist þ^uþu be comyn

man & suffyr so meche peyne for my synnes / & for

alle mennys synnes þ^tþat xal be sauyd / & we arn so vn⸗

kende lord to þ^eþe / & I most vnworthy can not suffyr

þⁱsþis lityl peyne /· A lord for thy gret peyn / haue m᷑cymercy

on my lityl peyne / for þ^eþe gret peyne þ^tþat þ^uþu suffredyst

/ ȝef me not so meche as I am worthy ·/ for I may not

beryn so meche / as I am worthy ·/ And ȝyf þ^uþu wilte lord

þ^tþat I ber it ·/ sende me pacyens / for ellys I may not

suffyr it ·/ A blisful lord I had leuyr suffyr alle þe

schrewyd wordꝭwordys þ^tþat men myth seyn of me & alle cler⸗

kys to p᷑chynprechyn a ȝens me for thy lofe / so it were ⸗

67

no hyndryng to no mannys sowle / þ⸧þan þⁱsþis peyne þ^tþat I haue ·/ for

schrewyd wordꝭwordys to suffyr for þi lofe it hirte me ryth nowt lord /

¶

And þ^eþe werlde may takyn no thyng fro me but worschep & ⸗

worldly good / & be þe worschip of þe werlde I sett ryth nowt /

& alle man᷑maner of goodꝭgoodys & worschepys / & alle man᷑maner of louys in

erthe / I p᷑yprey þ^eþe lord forbede me · namely alle þo louys & goodꝭgoodys

of any erdly thyng / whech schulde discres my lofe a ȝens

þe / er lesse my m᷑ytemeryte in heuyn / & alle man᷑maner of louys & ⸗

goodꝭgoodys whech þ^uþu knowist in thy godheed xulde encresyn my

loue to þe / I p᷑yprey þ^eþe grawnt me for thy m᷑cymercy to þⁱnþin eu᷑euyr lesty͒glestyng

worschep ·/ Su̅Sum tyme / not w^tstondyngwythstondyng / þ^eþe sayd creatur had

gret bodily sekenes ·/ ȝet þ^eþe passyon of owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord

crist Ihu̅Ihesu wrowt so in hir sowle / þ^tþat for þ^eþe tyme sche felt

not hir owyn sekenes / but wept & sobbyd in þ^eþe mend of o owr ·

lordꝭlordys passyon / as thow sche seyn hym w^twyth hir bodily eye

sufferyng peyne & passyon be forn hir / Sithyn whan · viii · ȝer

· viii · ȝer

wer passyd / hir sekenes scapyd · þ^tþat it c⸧cam not weke be weke / as

it dede be forn ·/ but þ⸧þan encresyd hir cryes / & hir wepyngꝭwepyngys /

in so meche / þ^tþat p᷑stꝭprestys durst not howselyn hir opynly in þe

chirche / but p᷑uylypreuyly in þ^eþe pⁱowryspriowrys chapel at lenne / fro þ^eþe peplys

audiens / And in þ^tþat chapel sche had so hy · co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / &

so meche dalyawns of owr lord / in as meche as sche was

putte owt of chirche / for hys lofe / þ^tþat sche cryed what tyme

sche schulde ben howselyd / as ȝyf hir sowle & hir body xulde

a partyd a su͒dyrsundyr / so þ^tþat tweyn men heldyn hir in her armys

tyl hir cryng was s cesyd ·/ for sche myth not beryn þe

Abu̅danceAbundance
of loue

habu̅dawnshabundawns of lofe / þat sche felt in þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows sacmentsacrament /

Whech sche stedfastly beleuyd was very god & man / in þ^eþe

forme of breed ·/ Than owr blisful lord seyde vn to hir

mende ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr / I wil not han my gcegrace hyd / þ^tþat I ȝeue þe /

¶

for þ^eþe mor besy þ^tþat þ^eþe pepil is to hyndryn it / & lette it /

nonota

/ þ^eþe mor schal I spredyn it a brood & makyn it knowyn

to alle þe worlde 

¶

ca^mcapitulum [46]

¶

ca^mcapitulum 57·

t

T

Han it happyd þ ᷑þer cam an oþ ᷑oþer monke to lynne at þ^eþe

tyme of remownyng as custom was a mongꝭmongys hem

whech louyd not þe sayd creatur / ne wolde suffryn

hir to comyn in ther chapel / as sche had do be for þ^tþat he cam

þedir Than þ^eþe pⁱowrpriowr of lynne · Dawn ThomsThomas heuynghmheuyngham

metyng w^twyth þe sayd creatur / & Maist ᷑Maistyr Robert Spryngolde

whech was hir co̅fesso confessowr ·/ þ^tþat tyme preyd hem to holdyn hym

excusyd /· þeir sche wer no mor howselyd in hys chapel / for

þ ᷑þer is comyn he seyd a newe broþ ᷑broþyr of myn whech wil not

comyn in owr chapel / as long as sche is þ ᷑þer in · And þ ᷑þer for

p᷑uydithprouydith ȝow an oþ ᷑oþer place I pypray ȝow / Maist ᷑Maistyr Robert answe⸗

ryd · Syr we must þan howselyn hir in þ^eþe chirche /· we

may not chesyn / for sche hath my lordꝭlordys lettyr of Cawnt ᷑Cawntyr⸗

bery / & hys seel / in þ^eþe whech we am comawndyd be v᷑tuvertu

of obedyens to heryn hir co͒fessyonconfessyon / & ministryn to hir

þe sacmentsacrament as oftyn as we ben reqwiryd / þ⸧þan was sche

howselyd aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis tyme at þ^eþe hy awt ᷑awter in seynt Marga⸗

retꝭretys chirche / & owr lord visited hir w^twyth so gret gcegrace whan

sche xulde ben howselyd þ^tþat sche cryed so lowde þ^tþat it myth

ben herd al a bowte þ^eþe chirche / & owte of þ^eþe chirche / as

sche xulde a deyid þ ᷑þer w^twyth / þ^tþat sche myth not receyuyn þe

sacrament of þe p᷑stꝭprestys handꝭhandys ·/ þ^eþe p᷑ystpreyst t nyngturnyng hym a geyn

to þ^eþe l awt ᷑awter w^twyth þ^eþe p᷑ciowspreciows sacmentsacrament · til hir crying was ce⸗

syd · And þ⸧þan he t nyngturnyng a geyn to hir xulde minystyr hir

as hym awte to do · And þus it happyd many a tyme whan

¶

sche xulde ben howselyd / & su̅sum tyme sche xulde wepyn ·

ful softly / & stilly / in receyuyng of þ^eþe p᷑ciowspreciows sacmentsacrament

w^twyth owtyn any boystowsnes / as owr lord wolde visityn

hir w^twyth hys gcegrace · On a good fryday as þ^eþe sayd creatur

be helde p᷑ystꝭpreystys knelyng on her kneys / & oþ ᷑oþer worschepful

men w^twyth torchys brennyng in her handys be for þ^eþe se⸗

pulcre / deuowtly rep᷑sentyngrepresentyng þ^eþe lamentabyl deth and

doolful berying of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe good ⸗

68

custom of holy cherch / þe mende of owr ladiis sorwys whech

sche suffryd whan sche behelde hys p᷑cyowsprecyows body hangyng

on þe crosse / & sithyn beriid be for hir syght / sodeynly ocupiid

þ^eþe hert of þⁱsþis creatur / drawyng hir mende al holy in to þ^eþe

passyon of owr lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu whom sche behelde w^twyth hir

gostly eye / in þ^eþe syght of hir sowle / as verily as þei sche

had seyn hys p᷑cyowsprecyows body betyn scorgyd & c^ucifyedcrucifyed w^twyth

hir bodily eye / whech syght & gostly beheldyng wrowt

be gcegrace so feruently in hir mende · Wowndyng hir w^twyth pite

& co̅passyoncompassyon / þ^tþat sche sobbyd roryd & cryed · And spredyng

hir armys a brood / seyd w^twyth lowde voys · I dey ·· I dey ··

þ^tþat many man on hir wonderyd & m᷑ueyledmerueyled / what hir

eyled · And þ^eþe mor sche besiid hir to kepyn hir fro cⁱyngcriyng ·

þe lowdar sche cryed / for it was not in hir powyr to

take it ne leuyn it / but as god wolde send it ·[than

a p᷑ystpreyst toke hir in hys armys & bar hir in to þ^eþe pⁱowrꝭpriowrys

cloistyr / for to latyn hir takyn þ^eþe eyr / supposyng sche

schulde not ellys han enduryd / hir labowr was so greet

þan wex sche al blew as it had ben leed / & swet ful sor /

langor amorꝭamoris

And þⁱsþis man᷑maner of crying enduryd þ^eþe terme of · x · ȝer · as

x ȝere

it is wretyn be forn · And eu᷑yeuery good friday in alle þe

forseyd ȝerys sche was wepyng & sobbyng · v · er vi ·

owrys to gedyr / & þ ᷑þer wyth cryed ful lowde many tymes /

so þ^tþat sche myth not restreyn hir þ ᷑þer fro /· Whech madyn

hir ful febyl & weyke / in hir bodily my

‸

g

tys / su̅sum tyme

sche wept on good fryday an owr / for þe synne of

þe pepil / hauyng mor sorwe for ther synnys / þ⸧þan for

hir owyn / in as meche as owr lorde for ȝaf hir · hir

owyn synne er sche went to IerIerusalem ·/ Neu᷑Neuyr þe lesse ⸗

sche wept for hir owyn synnes ful plentyuowsly /

whan it plesyd owr lord to visityn hir w^twyth hys gcegrace /

Su̅Sum tyme sche wept an oþ ᷑oþer owr for þe sowlys in p pur⸗

purg ᷑^{t ᷑}purgatory

gatory · An oþ ᷑oþer owr for hem þ^tþat weryn in myschefe ⸗

/ in pou᷑tepouerte / er in any disese An oþ ᷑oþer owr for Iewys · saraȝinys · &

alle fals heretikꝭheretikys / þ^tþat god for hys gret goodnes xulde puttyn

a wey her blyndnes / þ^tþat þei myth / thorw hys grace / be t nydturnyd

to þe feyth of holy chirche / & ben children of saluacyon

mMany tymes whan þⁱsþis creatur xulde makyn hir p᷑yeryspreyerys

¶

/ owr lord seyd vn to hir ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr · aske what þ^uþu wylt & þ^uþu ⸗

petite et
accipietis

schalt haue it ·· Sche seyd · I aske ryth nowt lord but þ^tþat þ^uþu

mayst wel ȝeuyn me / & þ^tþat is m᷑cymercy whech I aske for þe

pepil synnys /· þ^uþu seyst oftyn tymes in þ^eþe ȝer to me /· þ^tþat

þ^uþu hast forȝouyn me my synnes /· þ ᷑þer for I aske now m᷑cymercy

for þ^eþe synne of þ^eþe pepil /· as I wolde don for myn owyn

noᷓnota

charite᷑charitatem eiꝯeius

for lord · þ^uþu art alle charite / & charite browt þ^eþe in to þⁱsþis

wretchyd worlde / & cawsyd þ^eþe to suffyr ful harde pey⸗

nys for owr synnys /· Why xulde I not þ⸧þan han charite

to þ^eþe pepyl / & desiryn forȝeuenes of her synnes / blyssed

lorde me thynkyth þ^tþat þ^uþu hast schewyd ryth gret charite to

me vnworthy wrech / þ^uþu art as gcyowsgracyows to me as þeithow I

wer as clene a mayden as any is in þⁱsþis worlde / & as

wel of
ters ·

thow I had neu᷑neuyr synned / þ ᷑þer for lorde · I wolde I had a welle

of teerys to co͒streynconstreyn þe w^twyth ·/ þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldist not takyn ⸗

vttyr veniawns of mannys sowle / for to partyn hym

fro þ^eþe w^twyth owtyn ende ·· ffor it is an hard thyng to thynkyn /

þ^tþat any erdly man xulde eu᷑euyr do any synne · Wher thorw he

xulde be departyd fro þi gloryows face · W^tWyth owtyn ende

/ ȝyf I myth as wel lorde ȝeuyn þ^eþe pepyl co̅tⁱcyoncontricyon & wepy͒gwepyng

as þ^uþu ȝeuyst me / for myn owyn synnes & oþ ᷑oþer mennys syn⸗

nys also / & as wel as I myth ȝeuyn a peny owt of

my purse [· sone xulde I fulfille mennys hertꝭhertys w^twyth contⁱcontri⸗

cyon / þ^tþat þei myth sesyn of her synne / I haue gret m᷑mer⸗

ueyl in myn hert lord / þ^tþat I whech haue ben so synful

a woman / & þ^eþe most vnworthy creatur þ^tþat eu᷑euyr þ^uþu schewedist

þⁱþi m᷑cymercy on to · in alle þⁱsþis werlde / þ^tþat I haue so gret charite

to myn euyn cristen sowlys / þ^tþat me thynkyth · þ^uþu þei had

ordeynd for me · þe most schamful deth · þ^tþat eu᷑euyr myth ⸗

69

any man

or wom⸧woman

‸

suffyr in erde ·/ ȝet wolde I forȝeuyn it hem · for

þⁱþi lofe · lord / & han her sowlys sauyd fro eu᷑euyr lestyng dampnacyon /

And þ ᷑þer for lord I schal not sesyn whan I may wepyn / for to

wepyn for hem plentyuowsly / spede ȝyf I may And ȝyf þ^uþu wylt

nota

lord þ^tþat I sese of wepyng / I p᷑yprey þe take me owt of þⁱsþis world /

What xulde I don þ ᷑þer in / but ȝyf I myth ꝓfitynprofityn / for thowgh

it wer possibyl þ^tþat al þⁱsþis world myth be sauyd · thorw þe ⸗

teerys of myn eyne · I wer no thank worthy / þ ᷑þer for alle

¶

p᷑syngpresyng al hono honowr al worshep mot ben to þ^eþe lord / ȝyf it wer

nonota

thy wille lord · I wolde for þⁱþi lofe & for magnyfying of þi

name ben hewyn as smal as flesch to þe potte 

o

O

N a tyme as þ^eþe forseyd creatur was in hir co͒con⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·48·

templacyon / sche hu̅grydhungryd ryth sor aft ᷑aftyr goddys

word / & seyd / Alas lord as many clerkꝭclerkys as þ^uþu hast /

in þⁱsþis world / þ^tþat þ^uþu ne woldyst sendyn me on of hem / þat

myth fulfillyn my sowle w^twyth þi word / & w^twyth redyng of

holy scⁱptursciptur /· for alle þ^eþe clerkꝭclerkys þ^tþat p᷑chynprechyn may not fulfillyn it

for me thynkyth þ^tþat my sowle is eu᷑euyr a lych hu̅gryhungry ·/ ȝyf

¶

I had gold i now / I wolde ȝeuyn eu᷑yeuery day a nobyl / for to

haue eu᷑yeuery day a sermown ·/ for þⁱþi word is mor worthy

to me / þ⸧þan alle þ^eþe good in þⁱsþis werld / & þ ᷑þer for · blyssed lord

rewe on me / for þ^uþu hast takyn a wey þe Ankyr fro me /

anker

whech was to me synguler solas & comforte / & many

tymes refreschyd me w^twyth þin holy worde · ⎣ þ⸧þan answeryd

owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cryst in hir sowle / seying / þ ᷑þer xal come on

fro fer

cuntre

‸

þ^tþat xal fulfillyn þi desyr ·· So many day aftyr

þⁱsþis answer / þ ᷑þer cam a p᷑stepreste newly to lynne · Whech had

neu᷑neuyr knowyn hir be forn / & whan he sey hir gon in þ^eþe

stretꝭstretys he was gretly meuyd to speke w^twyth hir / & speryd

of oþ ᷑oþer folke / what man᷑maner woman sche was ·/ þei seydyn

þei trustyd to god / þ^tþat sche was a ryth good woman · Aft ᷑Aftyr⸗

ward þe p᷑ystpreyst sent for hir / p᷑yngpreyng hir to come & spekyn

w^twyth hym & w^twyth hys modyr ·/ for he had hiryd a chawmbyr ⸗

for hys modyr & for hym / & so they dwellyd to gedyr/ þan þe

sayd creatur cam to wetyn hys wille / & spak w^twyth hys modyr

& w^twyth hym / & had ryth good cher of hem bothyn / þ⸧þan þ^eþe p᷑ystepreyste

toke a boke & red þ ᷑þer in how owr lord seyng þe cite of

IerIerusalem wept þ ᷑þer up on / rehersyng þ^eþe myscheuys & sorwys

þ^tþat xulde comyn þ ᷑þer to / for sche knew not þ^eþe tyme of hyr

visitacyon ·· Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe sayd creatur herd redyn how owr

lord wept þ⸧þan wept sche sor & cryed lowde / þ^eþe p᷑ystepreyste

ne hys modyr knowyng no cawse of hyr wepyng //

Whan hir crying & hir wepyng was cesyd / þei Ioyyd

& wer ryth mery in owr lord · Sithyn sche toke hir leue

& partyd fro hem at þ^tþat tyme · Whan sche was gon þe

p᷑ystepreyste seyd to hys modyr / me m᷑ueylythmerueylyth mech of þⁱsþis

woman why sche wepith & cryith so ·/ neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe les me

good preyst

thynkyth sche is a good woman / & I desyre gretly

to spekyn mor w^twyth hir / hys modyr was wel plesyd / &

cownselyd þ^tþat he xulde don so · And aft ᷑wardꝭaftyrwardys þe same

p᷑ystepreyste louyd hir & trustyd hir ful meche / & blissed þe

tyme þ^tþat eu᷑euyr he knew hir ·/ for he fond gret gostly co͒fortcomfort

in hir / & cawsyd hym to lokyn meche good scⁱpturscriptur /

& many a good docto doctowr · whech he wolde not a lokyd at þ^tþat

tyme / had sche ne be /· he red to hir many a good boke of

hy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / & oþ ᷑oþer bokꝭbokys as þ^eþe bybyl · wyth doctowrys þ ᷑þer

up on / Seynt Brydys boke · hyltons boke · bone ventur

Stimulus amoris / Incendiu̅Incendium

‸

ha̅pallhampall

amoris & swech oþ ᷑oþer ·/ &

þan wist sche

…

what

þat

it was a spirit sent of god whech

seyd to hir as is wretyn a lityl be forn · whan sche com⸗

pleynyd for defawte of redyng / þes wordꝭwordys ·/ þ ᷑þer schal come

co̅trecontre

on fro fer

‸

þ^tþat xal fulfillyn þⁱþi desyr / & þus sche knewe

be exꝑiensexperiens / þ^tþat it was a ryth trewe spiryt ·/ þe forseyd

p᷑stepreste red hir bokys þe most part of · vii · ȝer er viii ·

ȝer / to gret encres of hys cu̅nyngcunnyng / & of hys m᷑ytemeryte

And he suffryd many an euyl worde for hyr lofe / in ⸗

70

as meche as he red hir so many bokꝭbokys / & supportyd hir in hir

wepyng & hir crying ·/ AftyrwardꝭAftyrwardys he wex benefysyd & had

gret cur of sowle / & þ⸧þan lykyd hym ful wel þ^tþat he had redde

so meche be forn 

t

T

hus thorw heryng of holy bokys / & thorw heryng

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·49·

of holy ẜmownyssermownys / sche eu᷑euyr encresyd in co̅templacontempla⸗

cyon & holy meditacyon /· It wer in man᷑maner vn

noᷓnota

de revlac̅o̅ibrevelacionibus

possibyll to writyn / al þe holy thowtꝭthowtys / holy spechys / aand

þ^eþe hy reuelacyons · whech owr lord schewyd vn to hir /

bothyn of hir selfe / & of oþ ᷑oþer men & women /· Also of

many sowlys · su̅sum for to ben sauyd / & su̅sum for to ben

dampnyd / &

it

was to hir a gret ponyschyng / & a scharp

chastisyng ⎣· for to knowyn of þo þ^tþat xulde be sauyd / sche

was ful glad & Ioyful / for sche desyred in as meche

as sche durst / alle men to be sauyd / as

…

And whan

owr lord schewyd to hir of any þ^tþat xulde be dampnyd /

sche had gret peyn / sche wolde not heryn it / ne be⸗

leuyn

…

it þ^tþat it was god þ^tþat schewyd hir swech thyngꝭthyngys / &

put it owt of hir mende as mech as sche myth · ⎣owr

lord blamyd hir þ ᷑þer for / & badde hir beleuyn þ^tþat it was

hys hy m᷑cymercy & hys goodnesse / to schewyn hir hys

p᷑uypreuy cownselys / seying to hir mende / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr / þ^uþu must

as wel heryn of þ^eþe dampnyd as of þ^eþe sauyd / Sche wolde

i̅in þ^tþat

ȝeuyn no credens to þe cownsel of god

‸

/ but raþ ᷑raþar leuyd

it was su̅sum euyl spiryt for to deceyuyn hir / Than for

noᷓnota eiꝯeius
dubitac̅o̅emdubitacionem

hir frowardnes & hir vnbeleue / owr lord drow fro hir

alle good thowtꝭthowtys & alle good mendꝭmendys of holy spechys /

& dalyawns / & þe hy co̅templacyoncontemplacyon whech sche had

o res mirabile
O mutacio
dextⁱdextri excelci 

ben vsyd to / be for tyme / & suffyrd hir to haue as ⸗

many euyl thowtꝭthowtys / as sche had be forn of good thowtꝭthowtys /

And þⁱsþis vexacyon enduryd · xii · days to gedyr ·· And lyche

as be for tyme / sche had · iiii · owrys of þ^eþe for noon / in ⸗

holy spechys / & dalyawns / w^twyth owr lord ·/ so had sche now ⸗

as many owrys of fowle thowtꝭthowtys / & fowle mendꝭmendys of letchery / & alle

vnclennes / as thow sche xulde a be comown to al man᷑maner of pepyl

/ & so þ^eþe deuyl bar hyr on hande / dalying vn to hir w^twyth cursyd

thowtꝭthowtys / liche as owr lord dalyid to hir be forn tyme with

holy thowtꝭthowtys / And as sche be forn had many gloryows visy⸗

onys & hy co̅templacyoncontemplacyon in þe manhod of owr lord ·/ in

owr lady / & in many oþ ᷑oþer holy seyntꝭseyntys / ryth euyn so had sche

now horybyl syghtys / & abhominabyl / for any thyng þ^tþat

sche cowde do / of beheldyng of mennys membrys &

swech oþ ᷑oþer abhominacyons ·/ Sche sey as hir thowt v᷑ylyveryly

dyuers men of religyon / p᷑stꝭpcrestys & many oþ ᷑oþer · bothyn hethyn

& cristen comyn be for hir syght / þ^tþat sche myth not en⸗

chewyn hem ne puttyn hem owt of hir syght / schewyng

her bar membrys vn to hir / & þ ᷑þer w^twyth þe deuyl bad hir

in hir mende / chesyn whom sche wolde han fyrst of

hem alle / & sche must be comown to hem alle / & he seyd

sche lykyd bettyr su͒mesumme on of hem / þ⸧þan alle þe oþ ᷑oþer / hir thowt

þ^tþat he seyd trewth / sche cowde not sey nay / & sche must ne⸗

dys don hys byddyng / & ȝet wolde sche not a don it for

alle þⁱsþis worlde /· but ȝet hir thowt þ^tþat it xulde be don / &

hir thowt / þ^tþat þ^esþes horrybyl syghtys & cursyd mendꝭmendys abeydenabeyden

w^twyth hirw^twyth hir wer delectabyl to hir a geyn hir wille ·/ Wher ⸗

sche went / er what so sche dede / þes cursyd mendꝭmendys abedy͒abedyn

fantyses

w^twyth hir ·/ Wh⸧Whan sche xulde se þ^eþe sacmentsacrament makyn hir pyerysprayerys

/ er don any oþ ᷑oþer good dede ·/ eu᷑euyr swech cursydnes was

putte in hir mende ·/ Sche was schreuyn & dede al þ^tþat

sche myth ·/ but sche fonde no relesyng / tyl sche was

ner at dispeyr /· It can not be wretyn þ^tþat peyn þ^tþat sche

felt / & þ^eþe sorwe þ^tþat sche was inne ·/ þ⸧þan sche seyd Alas lord

þ^uþu hast seyd be for tyme þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldyst neu᷑neuyr forsake

Angelus
bonus

me ·/ Wher is now thþ^eþe sothfastnes of thy word ·/ And

a non aft ᷑aftyr cam hir good Awngel vn to hir seying 

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr / god hath not forsakyn þ^eþe / ne neu᷑neuyr schal forsake þ^eþe ·

71

as he hath be hyte þ^eþe / but for þ^uþu beleuyst not þ^tþat it is þ^eþe spiryt of

nota

god þ^tþat spekyth in þⁱþi sowle / & schew^tschewyth þ^eþe hys p᷑uypreuy cownselys / of su͒mesumme

þ^tþat xul ben sauyd / & su̅mesumme þ^tþat xal ben dampnyd / þ ᷑þer for god chasti⸗

syd þ^eþe on þⁱsþis wise / & man᷑maner & þⁱsþis chastisyng schal enduryn · xii ·

xii days

days / tyl þ^uþu wyl beleuyn þat it is god whech spekyth to þe

¶

& no deuyl  [þ⸧þan sche seyd to hir awngel · A I p᷑yprey þ^eþe p᷑yprey for

me to my lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / þ^tþat he wyl vowchesafe to takyn

fro me þes cursyd thowtꝭthowtys / & spekyn to me as he dede be ⸗

for tyme / And I xal makyn a behest to god / þ^tþat I schal be⸗

leuyn þ^tþat it is god whech þ^tþat hath spokyn to me a for tyme /

for I may no lengar duryn þⁱsþis gret peyne / hyr Awn⸗

gel seyd a geyn to hir · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr My lord Ihu̅Ihesu wyl not ⸗

take it a wey fro þ^eþe tyl þ^uþu haue suffyrd it · xii · days ·/ for

he wyl þ^tþat þ^uþu knowe þ ᷑þer by wheþ ᷑wheþyr it is bettyr / þ^tþat god speke to

þe er þe deuyl · And my lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu is neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe wroþar

· payne ·
laudes deo

w^twyth þe þeithow he suffyr þe to felyn þⁱsþis peyne · So sche suf⸗

fryd þat peyn tyl · xii ·· days wer passyd ·· And þ⸧þan had

sche as holy thowtꝭthowtys / as holy mendtꝭmendys / & as holy desyrys /

as holy spechys · & dalyawns / of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / as

eu᷑euyr sche had be forn [owr lord seying to hir ·/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr beleue

now wel þ^tþat I am no deuyl / þ⸧þan was sche fylled w^twyth Ioye /

for sche herd owr lord spekyn to hir as he was wonet

to don / þ ᷑þer for sche seyd / I xal beleuyn þ^tþat eu᷑yeuery good thowt

is þ^eþe speche of god / blyssed mote þ^uþu lord be / þ^tþat þ^uþu deynyst not

to comfortyn me a geyn / I wold not lord for al þⁱsþis world

suffryn swech an oþ ᷑oþer peyne as I haue suffryd / þes xii

days / for me thowt I was in helle /· blyssed mote þ^uþu be

þ^tþat it is passyd ·/ þ ᷑þer for lord now wyl I lyn stille /· & be ⸗

buxom to þi wille / I pypray þ^eþe lord speke in me what þ^tþat

is most plesawns to þe  / loqͤꝛeloquere dn̅edomine qꝛquia audit ẜuꝯseruus tuꝯtuus]

Audia̅Audiam quid loquat loquatur in me dn̅sdominus deꝯdeus 

¶

ca^mcapitulum · 6[0]

t

T

He good p᷑stepreste of whom it is wretyn be forn / þ^eþe wheche

was hir lystere / fel in gret sekenes / & sche was steryd

in hir sowle / for to kepyn hym in goddꝭgoddys stede / & wh⸧whan

sche faylde swech as was nedful for hym / sche went abowty̅abowtyn

to good men & good women / & gate swech thyng as was

necessary vn to hym / he was so seke þ^tþat men trustyd

no thyng to hys lyfe / & hys sekenes was long co̅tunyngcontunyng /

⎡þ⸧þan on a tyme as sche was in þ^eþe chirche heryng hir messe

& p᷑yidpreyid for þe same p᷑stepreste / owr lord seyd to hir / þ^tþat he xulde

leuyn & faryn ryth wel ·/ þ⸧þan was sche steryd to gon to

Norwych to seynt Stefenys chirche wher is beriid þ^eþe

good vicary · whech deyd but lityl be for þ^tþat tyme / for whom

god schewyd hy m᷑cymercy ·/ to hys pepil / &

to

þankyn hym for

recuryng of þⁱsþis p᷑ystepreyste · Sche toke leue of hir co͒fesso confessowr

goyng forth to Norwich ·· Wh⸧Whan sche c⸧cam in þ^eþe chirch ȝerd

of Seynt Stefyn / sche cryed sche roryd sche wept sche

fyre of loue

fel down to þ^eþe grownd ·/ so feruently þ^eþe fyer of lofe brent

in hir hert · Sithyn sche ros vp a ȝen & went forth wepy͒gwepyng

in to þ^eþe chirche · to þ^eþe hy Awter / & þ ᷑þer sche fel down with

boistows sobbyngtꝭsobbyngys wepyngꝭwepyngys & lowde cryes · be syden þe

gvegrave of þ^eþe good vicary / al rauyschyd w^twyth gostly co͒fortcomfort in þ^eþe

goodnes of owr lord / þ^tþat wrowt so gret gcegrace for hys ẜuawntseruawnt

vyker

whech had ben hir co͒fesso confessowr / & many tymes herd hir co͒fesconfes⸗

syon of al hir leuyng / & ministryd to hir þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows

sacrament of þe Awt ᷑Awter diuers tymes / & in so meche ⸗

was hir deuocyon þ^eþe mor incresyd / þ^tþat sche sey owr lord

werkyn so special gcegrace / for swech a creatur as sche had

ben co̅u᷑sawntconuersawnt w^twyth in hys lyfe tyme ·/ sche had so holy ⸗

thowtꝭthowtys & so holy mendꝭmendys / þ^tþat sche myth not mesuryn hir

wepyng ne hir crying ·/ And þ ᷑þer for þ^eþe pepil had gret m᷑ueylmerueyl

of hir / supposyng þ^tþat sche had wept for su̅sum fleschly er erdly

affeccyon / & seyd vn to hir · What eylith þ^eþe woman · Why ⸗

faryst þꝰþus w^twyth þi self / We knew hym as wel as þ^uþu /· þ⸧þan wer

p᷑stysprestys in þe same place whech knew hir man᷑maner of werky͒gwerkyng 

72

/ & þei ful charitefully led hir to a tauerne / & dede hir drynkyn

/ & made hir ful hy & goodly cher ·/ Also þ ᷑þer was a lady desyred

to haue þe sayd creatur to mete / & þ ᷑þer for as honeste wolde

sche went to þ^eþe cherch þ ᷑þer þ^eþe lady herd hir ẜuyseseruyse /· Wher þⁱsþis

creatur sey a fayr ymage of owr lady clepyd a pyte /

And thorw þ^eþe beholdyng of þ^tþat pete / hir mende was al

holy ocupyed in þe passyon of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / & in

þe co̅passyoncompassyon of owr lady seynt mary / be whech sche was

co̅pellydcompellyd to cryyn ful lowde & wepyn ful sor ·/ as þeei sche

xulde a deyd / þ⸧þan ca̅cam to hir þe ladys p᷑stepreste seying Dam⸗

sel Ihu̅Ihesu is ded long sithyn / Whan hir crying was cesyd

sche seyd to þ^eþe p᷑stepreste · Sir hys deth is as fresch to me / as

he had deyd þⁱsþis same day / & so me thynkyth it awt to be

to ȝow & to alle cristen pepil / We awt eu᷑euyr to han mende

nota

of hys kendnes / & eu᷑euyr

to

thynkyn of þ^eþe dolful deth / þ^tþat he deyd

for vs / þ⸧þan þ^eþe good lady heryng her co͒municacyoncommunicacyon / seyd / Ser

it is a good exampyl to me & to oþ ᷑oþer men also / þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat god

werkyth in hir sowle / & so þ^eþe good lady was hir auoket / and

answeryd for hir Sithyn sche had hir hom w^twyth hir to mete /

& schewyd hir ful glad & goodly chere / as long as sche wold

abydyn þ ᷑þer / & sone aft ᷑aftyr sche cam hom a geyn to lenne & þ^eþe

forseyd p᷑ystepreyste for whom sche went most specialy to Nor⸗

wich · whech had redde hir a bowte vii · ȝer · recuryd · & went

a bowte wher hym lykyde / þa͒kydþankyd be al mythy god for hys

goodnes  Amen  Amen  Amen 

t

T

han cam þ ᷑þer a frer to lenne whech was holdyn an ⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·61·

holy man & a good p᷑chowrprechowr / hys name & hys ꝑper⸗

feccyon of p᷑chyngprechyng spred & sprong wondyr wyde /

Ther cam good men to þ^eþe sayd creatur of good charite /

& seyd / Margery / now xal ȝe han p᷑chyngprechyng a now /· for þ ᷑þer

is comyn on of þe most famows frerys in Inglond

to þⁱsþis towne / for to be her in conent ·/ þ⸧þan was sche m᷑ymery

& glad / & thankyd god w^twyth al hir hert / þ^tþat so good a man

was comyn to dwellyn a mongꝭmongys hem ·/ In schort tyme

aftyr he seyd a sermown in a chapel of seynt Iamys in lenne

wher vwas meche pepyl gadyrd to heryn þe ẜmownsermown / & er þe

frer went to þ^eþe pulpit / þ^eþe parisch p᷑stepreste of þe same place wher

he xulde p᷑chynprechyn / went to hym & seyd / Ser I p᷑yprey ȝow beth not

displesyd her xal comyn a woman to ȝo ȝowr ẜmownsermown / þ^eþe whech

oftyn tymes whan sche herith of þ^eþe passyon of owr lord

er of any hy deuocyon / sche wepith sobbith & cryeth / but

it lestith not longe / & þ ᷑þer for good ser · ȝyf sche make ⸗

any noyse at ȝo ȝowr ẜmownsermown / suffyr it paciently & beth not

good freyre

a baschyd þ ᷑þer of / þe good frer went forth to sey þ^eþe ẜmownsermown

/ & seyd ful holily & ful deuowtly / & spak meche of owr

lordꝭlordys passyon / þ^tþat þ^eþe seyd creatur myth no leng᷑lengar beryn it

Sche kept hir fro crying as long as sche myth ·/ and þ⸧þan

at þe last sche brast owte w^twyth a gret cry / & cryid wondyr

sor ·/ þ^eþe good frere suffyrd it paciently / & seyd no word þ ᷑þer⸗

to at þ^tþat tyme / In schort tyme aftyr he p᷑chydprechyd a geyn

in þ^eþe same place / þe seyd creatur beyng p᷑sentpresent / & he

beheldyng how fast þe pepyl cam rennyng to heryn

þe ẜmownsermown / sche had gret Ioy in hir sowle / thynkyng

in hir mende · A lord Ihu̅Ihesu I trowe and þ^uþu wer here to ⸗

p᷑chynprechyn þⁱnþin owyn ꝑsonepersone / þ^eþe pepyl xulde han gret Ioy

to heryn þe / I p᷑yprey þe lorde make þi holy word to sattely̅sattelyn

in her sowlys / as I wolde þ^tþat it xulde don in myn / & as

many mict be t nydturnyd be hys voys / as xulde ben be thy

voys / ȝyf þ^uþu p᷑chedistprechedist thy selfe / & w^twyth swech holy thowtys

& holy mendꝭmendys / sche askyd gcegrace for þe pepyl þ^tþat tyme / &

sithyn what thorw þ^eþe holy ẜmownsermown / & what thorw hir

meditacyon / grace of deuocyon wrowt so sor in hir

mende / þ^tþat sche fel in a boystows wepyng ·/ þ⸧þan seyd þe

Amor i̅pacie̅simpaciens

good frer I wolde þⁱsþis woman wer owte of þe chirche

sche noyith þ^eþe pepil Su͒meSumme þ^tþat weryn hir frendꝭfrendys answe⸗

ryd a ȝen Sir haue hir excusyd sche may not with⸗

↖

stand it ·/ þ⸧þan meche pepil turnyd a ȝen hir / & wer ful

glad þat þe good frer held a ȝen hir ·/ þ⸧þan seyd su̅mesumme

men þ^tþat sche

73

men þ^tþat sche had a deuyl w^twyth inne hir / & so had þei seyd many ty⸗

mys be forn / but now þei wer mor bolde / for hem thowt

þ^tþat her opinyon was wel strenghthyd er ellys fortifyed be

þⁱsþis good frer / ne he wolde not suffyr hir to her hys ẜmownsermown

les þ⸧þan sche wolde leuyn hir sobbyng & hir crying · [þ ᷑þer was þ⸧þan

a good p᷑ystepreyste whech had red to hir mech good scriptur / & knew

þ^eþe cawse of hir crying / he spak to an oþ ᷑oþer good p᷑ystepreyste / þ^eþe whech

had knowyn hir many ȝerys / & telde hȳhym hys co̅seytconseyt / how

he was pposydpurposyd to gon to þ^eþe good frer / & assayn ȝyf he myth

mekyn hys hert / þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer good p᷑ystepreyste seyd he wolde w^twyth good

wyl gon w^twyth hȳhym to getyn grace ȝyf he myth · [So þei went

boþ^eboþe p᷑ystꝭpreystys to gedyr / & p᷑yidpreyid þ^eþe good frer as enterly as þei ⸗

cowde þ^tþat he wolde suffyr þ^eþe sayd creatur quyetly to comyn

to hys ẜmownsermown / & suffyr hir paciently ȝyf sche happyd to

sobbyn er cryen as oþ ᷑oþer good men had suffyrd hir be fore /

he seyd schortly a ȝen ȝyf sche come in any cherch wher

he xulde p᷑chynprechyn / & sche made any noyse as sche was wone

to do / he xulde speke scharply a geyn hir / he wolde not suf⸗

fyrn hir to crye in no wyse ·/ Sithyn a worshepful docto doctowr ·

of diuinite a white frer / a solem clerk & elde docto doctowr ·/ &

a wel a p᷑uydpreuyd / whech had knowyn þ^eþe sayd creatur many ȝerys

of hir lyfe / & beleuyd þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat god wrowt in hir / toke w^twyth

hym a worthy man / a Bacheler of lawe a wel growndyd

man in scⁱpturscriptur / & long ex᷑cisydexercisyd / whech was co̅fesso confessowr to þ^eþe

sayd creatur / & wentyn to þ^eþe sayd frer / as þ^eþe good p᷑ystꝭpreystys dedy̅dedyn

be forn / & sentyn for wyne to cheryn hym wyth / p᷑yngpreyng

hym of hys charite to fauyr þ^eþe werkꝭwerkys of owr lord in þ^eþe

sayd creatur / & grawntyn hir hys beneuolens in suppor⸗

tyng of hir / ȝyf it happyd hir to cryen er sobbyn whyl

he wer in hys ẜmownsermown / & þ^esþes worthy clerkꝭclerkys telde hym

þ^tþat it was a ȝyft of god / & þ^tþat sche cowde not haue it /· but

whan god wolde ȝeue it ·/ ne sche myth not w^tstandewythstande it

whan god wolde send it · [& god xulde wythdrawe it /· Wh⸧Whan he ⸗

^↖ No̅Non e̅est i̅in ho̅i̅shominis potestate ꝓhibereprohibere sp̅m̅spiritum s[anctum]

wilde / for þ^tþat had sche be reuelacyon / & þ^tþat was vnknowyn to þe

frer ·/ þan he neyþ ᷑neyþyr ȝeuyng credens to þe doctowrys wordys /

ne þe Bachelerys trustyng mech in þ^eþe fauowr of þ^eþe pepil

seyd / he wolde not fauowr hir in hir crying for nowt þat

any man myth sey er do / for he wolde not leuyn þ^tþat it

was a ȝyft of god / but he seyd ȝyf sche myth not w^tstondwythstond

it whan it cam / he leuyd it was a cardiakyl / er su̅sum oþ ᷑oþer

sekenesse / & ȝyf sche wolde be so a knowyn / he seyd he wold

haue co̅passyoncompassyon of hir / & steryn þ^eþe pepil to p᷑yprey for hir

and vndyr þⁱsþis condicion / he wolde han paciens in hir / &

suffyr hir to cryen a now / þ^tþat sche xulde sey þ^tþat it was a

kendly seknes / & hir self knew wel be reuelacyon & be

exꝑiensexperiens of werkyng / it was no sekenes / & þ ᷑þer for sche

wolde not for al þⁱsþis world · sey oþ ᷑oþer wyse · þ⸧þan sche felt /

And þ ᷑þer for þei myth not a cordyn ·/ þ⸧þan þe worschepful

docto doctowr · & hir co͒fesso confessour ·/ cownselyd hir þ^tþat sche xulde not ⸗

come at hys ẜmownsermown / & þ^tþat was to hir a gret peyne

Than went an oþ ᷑oþer man a worschepful / B geysBurgeys / þ^eþe whech

in fewe ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr was meyr of lenne / & p᷑ydpreyd hym ⸗

as þe worthy clerkꝭclerkys had don be forn / & he was answeryd

as þei worn /· þ⸧þan was sche chargyd be hir co͒fesso confessour / þat

sche xulde not comyn þ ᷑þer he p᷑chydprechyd / but wh⸧whan he p᷑chydprechyd

in o chirche / sche xulde gon in to an oþ ᷑oþer /· sche had so mech

sorwe þ^tþat sche wist not what sche myth do /· for sche was

putte fro þ^eþe ẜmownsermown whech was to hir þ^eþe hyest co̅fortcomfort

in erth wh⸧whan sche myth heryn it / & ryth so þ^eþe co͒trarycontrary

was to hir þ^eþe grettest peyne in erthe whan sche myth

not heryn it /· Wh⸧Whan sche was a lone be hir self in on

cherch & he p᷑chyngprechyng þ^eþe pepil in an oþ ᷑oþer sche had as lowde

& as m᷑uelyowsmeruelyows cryis ·/ as wh⸧whan sche was a mongꝭmongys þe

pepil / It was

‸

ẜta̅sertan

ȝerys þ^tþat sche myth not be suffyrd to come

at hys ẜmownsermown / for þ^tþat sche cryed so whan it plesyd owr

lord to ȝyfe hir mende & very beholdyng of hys bittyr ⸗

74

passyon / but sche was not excludyd fro non oþ ᷑oþer clerkꝭclerkys p᷑chy͒gprechyng /

but only fro þ^eþe good frerys as is seyd be forn / not w^tstonwythston⸗

dyng in þe mene tyme þ ᷑þer p᷑chydprechyd many worschepful doctortꝭdoctorys /

& oþ ᷑oþer worthy clerkꝭclerkys / bothyn religyows & seculerys / at

whoys ẜmownyssermownys sche cryid ful lowde / & sobbyd ful bo⸗

ystowsly many tymes / & ofte / & ȝet þei suffyrd it ful

paciently / & su̅mesumme whech had spokyn w^twyth hir be forn / &

haddyn knowlach of hir man᷑maner of leuyng / excusyd hir

to þe pepil whan / þei herdyn any rumowr er grutchy͒ggrutchyng

a ȝens hir 

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·62·

a

A

fftyr on seynt Iamys day þe good frere p᷑chydprechyd

in seynt Iamys chapel ȝerd at lenne / he was

as þ^tþat tyme neyþ ᷑neyþyr bacheler ne docto doctowr of diuinyte /

wher was meche pepil / & gret audiens / for he had an

holy name & gret fauowr of þ^eþe pepyl / in so meche / þ^tþat

su̅mesumme men ȝyf þei wiste þ^tþat he schulde p᷑chynprechyn in þ^eþe cu̅trecuntre / þei

wolde go w^twyth hym er ellys folwyn hym fro town to town /

so gret delite þei had to heryn hym ·/ & so blissed mote ⸗

god ben he p᷑chydprechyd ful holily & ful deuowtly ·/ neu ᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse /

as þⁱsþis day · he p᷑chydprechyd meche a geyn þe seyd crentur / not

exp᷑ssyngexpressyng hir name / but so he expleytyd hys co̅seytꝭconseytys / þat

men vndirstod wel þ^tþat he ment hir ·/ þ⸧þan was þ ᷑þer mech remo remowr ·

a mong þ^eþe pepil / for many men & many women trustyd

hir & louyd hir ryth wel / & wer ryth heuy & sorweful / for

he spak so meche a geyn hir as he dede / desiryng þ^tþat þei

had not an herd hym þ^tþat day / Whan he herd þ^eþe murmo murmowr

& grutchyng of þe pepil supposyng to be geyn seyd an

oþ ᷑oþer day of hem þ^tþat weryn hir frendꝭfrendys / he smityng hys hand

on þe pulpit seyd ·/ ȝyf I here any mor þes materys

rehersyd / I xal so smytyn þe nayl on þe hed he seyd /

þ^tþat it schal schamyn alle hyr mayntenowrys · And þ⸧þan

many of hem þ^tþat p᷑tendydpretendyd hir frenschep turnyd a bakke /

for a lytyl veyn drede þ^tþat þei haddyn of hys wordys ⸗

/ & durst not wel spekyn w^twyth hir / of

↓

þe whech / þe same p᷑ystepreyste was

on / þat aftirward wrot þⁱsþis boke / & was in pposepurpose neu᷑neuyr to a⸗

beleuyd hir felyngꝭfelyngys aftyr /· & ȝet owr lord drow hym a ȝen in

schort tyme / blissed mote he ben · þ^tþat he louyd hir mor / &⸗

trustyd mor to hir wepyng & hir crying þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr he dede

Maria de
oegines

be forn [for aftyrward he red of a woman clepyd Maria

de Oegines / & of hir man᷑maner of leuyng ·/ of þ^eþe wondirful swet⸗

nesse / þ^tþat sche had in þ^eþe word of god heryng ·/ of þ^eþe wondirful

liber

co͒passyoncompassyon / þ^tþat sche had in hys passyon thynkyng /· & of þe

plentyuows teerys / þ^tþat sche wept þ^eþe whech made hir so

febyl & so weyke / þ^tþat sche myth not endur to beheldyn

þ^eþe crosse / ne heryn owr lordꝭlordys passyon rehersyd / so sche

was resoluyd in to terys of pyte / & co͒passyoncompassyon / of þ^eþe plen⸗

tyuows gcegrace of hir teerys / he tretyth specyaly in þ^eþe boke

¶

beforn wretyn / þe xviii · ca^ocapitulo · þ^tþat begynnyth BonBonus es dn͒edomine

sperantibꝫsperantibus in te And also in þ^eþe xix · ca^ocapitulo · wher he tellyth

how sche at þ^eþe request of a p᷑ystepreyste / þ^tþat he xulde not be t beturbe⸗

lyd ne distrawt in hys messe w^twyth hir wepyng & hir sob⸗

byng / Went owt at þe chirche dor w^twyth a lowde voys crying

/ þ^tþat sche myth not restreyn hir þ ᷑þer fro ·/ & owr lord also visi

tyd þe p᷑ystepreyste beyng at messe / w^twyth swech gcegrace & w^twyth sweche

deuocyon whan he xulde redyn þe holy gospel / þat he

wept wondirly / so þ^tþat he wett hys vestiment & orname͒tꝭornamentys

of þ^eþe awter / & myth not mesuryn hys wepyng / ne hys

sobbyng it was so habu͒dawnthabundawnt / ne he myth not restreyn

it / ne wel stande þ ᷑þer w^twyth at þ^eþe awter / þ⸧þan he leuyd wel þ^tþat þe

good woman whech he had be forn lityl affeccyon to /

myth not restreyn hir wepyng hir sobbyng ne hir cry⸗

yng · whech felt meche mor plente of grace þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr dede

he w^twyth owtyn any co̅parisoncomparison / þ⸧þan knew he wel þ^tþat god ȝaf

hys gcegrace to whom he wolde · Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe p᷑stepreste whech wrot þⁱsþis

tretꝭtretys thorw steryng of a worshepful clerk / a bacheler of

diuinite had seyn & red þ^eþe mat ᷑mater be forn wretyn meche⸗

75

mor seryowslech & exp᷑ssiowslechexpressiowslech þ⸧þan it is wretyn in þⁱsþis tretys / for

her is but a lityl of þe effect þ ᷑þer of / for he had not ryth cler ⸗

mende of þ^eþe sayd mat ᷑mater / wh⸧whan he wrot þⁱsþis tretys / & þ ᷑þer for he wrot

þ^eþe lesse þ ᷑þer of · [þ⸧þan he drow a geyn & inclined mor sadly to þ^eþe

sayd creatur whom he had fled & enchewyd thorw þ^eþe frerys

p᷑chyngprechyng as is be forn wretyn / Also þ^eþe same p᷑ystepreyste red aftyr

pryk of loue

ward in a tretꝭtretys whech is clepyd þ^eþe prykke of lofe / þ^eþe ii · chapͦchapitulo ·

þ^tþat bone Auentur wrot of hym selfe þ^esþes wordꝭwordys folwyng · A

lord what xal I mor noysen er cryen þ^uþu lettyst & þ^uþu comyst

not & I wery & ou᷑ouyr come thorw desyr begynne for to mad⸗

dyn ·/ for lofe gou᷑nythgouernyth me / & not reson I renne w^twyth hasty

cowrs wher þ^tþat eu᷑euyr þ^uþu wylte I bowe ·/ lord þ^eiþei þ^tþat se me irkyn and

rewyn not knowyng me dru͒kyndrunkyn w^twyth þi lofe /· lord þei seyn

lo ȝen wood man cryeth in þ^eþe stretꝭstretys / but how meche is þ^eþe

desyr of myn hert þei ꝑceyueparceyue not / & cͦcapitulo stimulo amoris

& cͦcapitulo ut supsupra ·/ he red also of Richard hampol hermyte in

Incendio amoris leche mat᷑mater / þ^tþat meuyd hym to ȝeuyn cre⸗

dens to þ^eþe sayd creatur Also Eliȝabeth of hu͒gryhungry cryed w^twyth

nota

lowde voys as is wretyn in hir tretys / & many oþ ᷑oþer whech

had forsakyn hir thorw þ^eþe frerys p᷑chyngprechyng repentyd hem

/ & t nydturnyd a ȝen vn to hir be ꝓcesseprocesse of tyme / not withstandyng

þ^eþe frer kept hys opinyon / & al wey he wolde in hys ẜmownsermown

haue a parte a geyn hir wheþ ᷑wheþyr sche wer þ ᷑þer er not / & cawsyd

mech pepil to demyn wol euyl of hir many day & long /

for su͒mesumme seyd þ^tþat sche had a deuyl w^twyth inne hir / & su̅mesumme

seyd to hir owyn mowth þ^tþat þ^eþe frer xulde a dreuyn to deuelys

owt of hir · thus was sche slawnderyd etyn & knawyn

of þ^eþe pepil / for þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat god wrowt in hir of co̅tricyoncontricyon

of deuocyon & of co̅passyoncompassyon / thorw þe ȝyft of whech

gracys sche wept sobbyd & cryid ful sor a geyn hir wyl

¶

/ sche myth not chesyn / for sche had leu᷑leuar a wept softly

& p᷑uylypreuyly þ⸧þan opynly ȝyf it had ben in hyr power +̧

¶

ca^mcapitulum 63

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·63·

t

T

Han su͒mesumme of hir frendys cam to hir & seyd it wer mor

ese to hir to gon owt of þ^eþe town þ⸧þan a bydyn þ ᷑þer in / so

meche pepyl was a geyn hir / And sche seyd sche xulde

a bydyn þ ᷑þer as long as god wolde / for her sche seyd in þⁱsþis town

·:----

haue I synned / þ ᷑ þer for it is worthy þ^tþat I suffyr sorwe in þⁱsþis town

þ ᷑þer a geyn / & ȝet haue I not so meche sorwe ne schame as I

haue deẜuyddeseruyd / for I haue trespasyd a ȝens god /· I thank al

mythy god what þ^tþat eu᷑euyr he sendith me And I pypray god þ^tþat al

man᷑maner of wikkydnes / þ^tþat any man xal seyn of me in þⁱsþis world

¶

may stonde in to remissyon of my synnys · And any good⸗

nesse þ^tþat any man xal seyn of þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat god werkyth in me /

may t nynturnyn god to worschep & to p᷑ysyngpreysyng & mgnifyingmagnifying

of hys holy name w^twyth owtyn ende / for al man᷑maner of wor⸗

schep longith to hym / & al despite schame & rep᷑fereprefe long^tlongyth

to me / & þ^tþat haue I wel deẜuyddeseruyd · ⎣An oþ ᷑oþer tyme hyr co̅fesso confessowr ·

c⸧cam to hir in to a chapel of owr lady / clepyd þe Ieȝyne /·

/ seying / Margery / what xal ȝe now do þ ᷑þer is no mor a ȝen

ȝow but þ^eþe Mone & vii · sterrys An ethe is þ ᷑þer any man

þ^tþat heldith w^twyth ȝow but I a lone · Sche seyd to hir co͒fessowrconfessowr

/ Ser · beth of a good co͒fortecomforte / for it xal ben ryth wel at þe

last / & I telle ȝow trewly my lord Ihu̅Ihesu ȝeuyth me gret

co͒fortecomforte in my sowle / & ellys xulde I fallyn in dispeyr

nonota ꝯcontra
Melton

My blisful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu wil not latyn me dyspeyryn

for noon holy name þ^tþat þ^eþe good frer hath / for my lord tellyth

me þ^tþat he is wroth w^twyth hym / & he seyth to me / it wer bettyr

he wer neu᷑neuyr born / for he despisith hys werkꝭwerkys in me · Also

dispectBonus

owr lord seyd to hir / dowt ᷑dowtyr ȝyf he be a p᷑ystepreyste þ^tþat despisith

the / knowyng wel wher for þ^uþu wepist & cryist ·/ he is a csydcursyd

And on a tyme as sche was in þ^eþe p̍owryspriowrys cloystyr / & durst

not a bydyn in þe cherch for inq̍etynginqwietyng of þ^eþe pepil w^twyth hir

crying ·/ owr lord seyd vn to hir beyng in gret heuynes

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I bydde þ^eþe gon a geyn in to cherch / for I xal takyn

a wey fro þ^eþe thy criyng ·/ þat þ^uþu xalt no mor cryin so lowde

ne on þat man᷑maner wyse as þ^uþu hast don be forn / þei þ^uþu woldist /

76

Sche dede þe comandawndment of owr lord & telde hir co͒fesso confessowr ·

lich as sche felt / & it fel in trewth as sche felt / Sche cryed no

mor aft ᷑aftyr so lowde ne on þ^tþat man᷑maner as sche had don be forn / but

sche sobbyd wondirly aftyr & wept as sor as eu᷑euyr sche dede

be forn su̅sum tyme lowde & su̅sum tyme stille / as god wolde me⸗

sur it hys selfe ·/ þ⸧þan meche pepil leuyd þ^tþat sche durst no leng^᷑lengar

cryen for þe good frer p᷑chydprechyd so a geyn hir / & wold not suffyr

hir in no man᷑maner ·/ þ⸧þan þei heldyn hym an holy man / & hir a

noᷓnota

fals feynyd ypocrite / & as su̅mesumme spoke euyl of hir a forn

detraccion

for sche cryed ·/ so su̅sum spoke now euyl of hir for sche cryid not /

& so slawndir & bodily angwisch fel to hir on eu᷑yeuery syde /

& al was encresyng of hir gostly comfort · Th⸧Than owr m᷑cymercy⸗

ful lord seyd vn to hys vnworthy ẜuawntseruawnt / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I must

nota

nedys co͒fortyncomfortyn þe / for now þ^uþu hast þ^eþe ryth wey to heuyn /

⎣be þis wey cam I to heuyn & alle my disciplys ·· ffor now

þ^uþu xalt knowe þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr what sorwe & schame I suffyrd for

thy lofe · And þ^uþu schalt haue þ^eþe mor co̅passyoncompassyon · whan þ^uþu thyn⸗

kyst on my passyon · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I haue telde þ^eþe many tymys

þ^tþat þe frer schulde seyn euyl of þe/ þ ᷑þer for I warne þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu

telle hym not of þ^eþe p᷑uypreuy cownsel whech I haue schewyd to

þ^eþe/ for I wille not þat he here it of thy mowth · And dowt ᷑dowtyr

I telle þ^eþe forsoþ^eforsoþe he xal be chastiȝed scharply / as hys name

is now / it xal ben throwyn down / & þin schal ben reysed

up / & I xal makyn as many men to lofe þ^eþe for my lofe /

as han despisyd þ^eþe for my lofe / dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu xalt be in cherch

whan he xal be w^twyth owtyn · In þⁱsþis chirche þ^uþu hast suffyrd

meche schame & rep᷑fereprefe for þe ȝyftꝭȝyftys þ^tþat I haue ȝouyn þ^eþe /

& for þ^eþe gcegrace & goodnes þ^tþat I haue wrowt in þe · And þ ᷑þer fore

in þⁱsþis cherche & in þⁱsþis place I xal ben worschepyd in þ^eþe /

Many a man & woman xal seyn · it is wel sene þ^tþat god ⸗

louyd hir wel · Dowt᷑Dowtyr I xal werkyn so mech gcegrace for þ^eþe · þ^tþat

¶

al þe werld xal wondryn & m᷑ueylynmerueylyn of my goodnes  

Than þ^eþe sayd creatur seyd vn to owr lord w^twyth gret reu᷑ensreuerens

I am not worthy þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist schewyn sweche gcegrace for me ⸗

lord it is a now to me þ^tþat þ^uþu safe my sowle fro endles dampnacyon

be þⁱþi gret m᷑cymercy / It is my worschep dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat I xal do And þ ᷑þer fore

¶

I wil þ^tþat þ^uþu haue no wyl but my wyl / þ^eþe lesse p̍seprise þ^tþat þ^uþu settyst be

nonota

thy selfe / þ^eþe mor p̍seprise set I be þ^eþe & þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr wil I louyn þ^eþe/ Dowt᷑Dowtyr

loke þ^uþu haue no sorwe for erdly good / I haue a sayd þe in po⸗

u᷑teuerte & I haue chastiȝed þ^eþe as I wole my selfe / boþ^eboþe w^twyth inne forth

in þi sowle & w^twyth owte forth thorw slawndyr of þ^eþe pepil /

[lo dowt ᷑dowtyr I haue grawntyd þe þⁱnþin owyn desyr for þ^uþu xuldist

non oþ ᷑oþer pgatorypurgatory han / but in þⁱsþis werld only /· Dowt᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu seyst

oftyn to me in þi mende · þ^tþat Riche men han gret cawse to

louyn me wel / & þ^uþu seyst ryth soth / for þ^uþu seyst / I haue ȝouyn

hem meche good wher w^twyth þei may ẜuynseruyn me & louyn me

but good dowt ᷑dowtyr · I p᷑yprey þe loue þ^uþu me w^twyth al thyn hert / & I xal

ȝeuyn þ^eþe good a now to louyn me w^twyth / for heuyn & erde xulde

raþ ᷑raþar faylyn  þ⸧þan I xulde faylyn þe And ȝyf oþ ᷑oþer men faylyn

þ^uþu xalt not faylyn And thow alle thy frendꝭfrendys forsake þe  I

xal neu᷑neuyr forsakyn þ^eþe / þ^uþu madist me onys stiward of þⁱnþin

howsholde / & executor of alle thy good werkys / & I xal be

a trewe styward & a trewe executor vn to þ^eþe fulfillyng

of al þⁱþi wil & al thy desyr · And I xal ordeyn for þ^eþe dowt᷑dowtyr

as for myn owyn modyr & as for myn owyn wyfe 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum 64 ·

T

he creatur seyd vn to hir lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu A blisful

lord I wolde I knew wher in I myth best loue þ^eþe &

plesyn þ^eþe / & þ^tþat my loue wer as swet to þ^eþe as me thyn⸗

¶

kyth þ^tþat thy loue is vn to me · Th⸧Than owr swete lord IcIhesu crist

nonota
loue

answeryng hys creatur · seyd · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr / ȝyf þ^uþu knew how swet

thy loue is vn to me þ^uþu schuldist neu᷑neuyr do oþ ᷑oþer thyng but lo⸗

vyn me w^twyth al thyn hert And þ ᷑þer for beleue wel dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat my

lofe is not so swet to þ^eþe / as thy lofe is to me ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu kno⸗

wist not how meche I lofe þ^eþe / for it may not be knowyn

in þⁱsþis werld how meche it is / ne be felt as it is / for þ^uþu schul⸗

dist faylyn & brestyn & neu᷑neuyr enduryn it / for þ^eþe Ioye þ^tþat þ^uþu ⸗

schuldist fele & þ ᷑þer for I mesur it as I wil to þi most ese

& co͒fortcomfort /·but dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu xalt wel knowyn in an oþ ᷑oþer worlde ⸗

77

how meche I louyd þ^eþe in erde / for þ ᷑þer þ^uþu schalt han gret cawse to

thankyn me · þ ᷑þer þ^uþu schalt se w^twyth owtyn ende eu᷑yeuery good day þ^tþat eu᷑euyr I

ȝaf þe in erth of co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / of deuocyon / & of al þ^eþe gret

charite þ^tþat I haue ȝouyn to þ^eþe / to þe ꝓfyteprofyte of thyn euyn cristen /

[?]

/ for þⁱsþis schal be thy mete whan þ^uþu comyst hom in to heuyn 

/ þ ᷑þer is no clerk in al þⁱsþis world þ^tþat can dowt ᷑dowtyr leryn þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr þ⸧þan I

can do · And ȝyf þ^uþu wilt be buxom to my wyl / I schal be buxom

to thy wil / Wher is a bett ᷑bettyr

//

token

charite

of lofe

//

þ⸧þan to wepyn for

þⁱþi lordꝭlordys lofe ·/ þ^uþu wost wel dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þe deuyl hath no charite /

/ for he is ful wroth w^twyth þ^eþe &͒ he myth owt hurtyn þ^eþe / but he

xal not deryn þ^eþe saf a lityl in þⁱsþis world / for to makyn þe

a feerd / su̅sum tyme þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldist p᷑ynpreyn þ^eþe myghtilier to me for

gcegrace & steryn thy charite þ^eþe mor to me ward · Ther is no

clerk can spekyn a ȝens þ^eþe lyfe whech I teche þ^eþe ·/ & ȝyf he

do ·/ he is not goddꝭgoddys clerk / he is þ^eþe deuelys clerk / I telle þ^eþe

nota

ryth forsoþ^eforsoþe / þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is no m⸧man in þⁱsþis world ȝyf he wolde suf⸗

fyr as meche despite for my lofe wilfully as þ^uþu hast don /

&̅ cleuyn as sor vn to me / not willyng / for any thyng / þ^tþat

may be do er seyd a ȝen hym forsakyn me / but I xal far

ryth fayr w^twyth hym / & be ryth gcyowsegracyowse vn to hym bothyn

in þⁱsþis worlde & in þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer ·/ þ⸧þan seyd þe creatur · A My der⸗

nota

worthy lord þⁱsþis lyfe xuldist þ^uþu schewyn to Religiows men

& to p᷑istꝭpreistys ·/ owr lord seyd a ȝen to hir nay · nay dowtyr ·

for þ^tþat thyng þ^tþat I lofe best þei lofe not / & þ^tþat is schamys despitꝭdespitys

scomys & rep᷑uysrepreuys of þe pepil & þ ᷑þer for xal þei not haue þⁱsþis gcegrace /

¶

for dowt ᷑dowtyr I telle þ^eþe he þ^tþat dredith þe schamys of þ^eþe world may

mody^e

not ꝑfytelyparfytely louyn god And dowt ᷑dowtyr vndyr þ^eþe abyte of holynes

is curyd meche wykkydnes · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr ȝyf þ^uþu sey þe wikkydnes þ^tþat

is wrowt in þ^eþe werld as I do  · þ^uþu schuldist haue gret wondyr

þ^tþat I take not vttyr veniawns on hem / but dowt ᷑dowtyr I spar for

thy lofe ·/ þ^uþu wepist so eu᷑yeuery day for m᷑cymercy / þ^tþat I must nedꝭnedys grawnt

it þ^eþe & wil not þ^eþe pepil beleuyn þ^eþe goodnes þ^tþat I werke in þe

for hem ·/ neu᷑neuyr þe lesse dowt ᷑dowtyr þ ᷑þer schal come a tyme whan þei ⸗

↗

xal be ryth fayn to beleuyn þe gcegrace þ^tþat I haue ȝouyn þ^eþe for hem /

And I schal sey to hem whan þei arn passyd owt of þⁱsþis world

[lo I ordeynd hir to wepyn for hir synnes / & ȝe had hir in gtgret

despite / but hir charite wolde neu᷑neuyr sesen for ȝow · And þ ᷑þer for

dowt ᷑dowtyr þei þ^tþat arn passyd owt of þⁱsþis worlde good sowlys / xal hyly

thank me for þ^eþe gcegrace & goodnes þ^tþat I haue ȝoue þ^eþe / & þei þ^tþat arn

wikkyd xal grutchyn & han gret peyn to suffyr þ^eþe gcegrace þat I

schewe to þ^eþe · And þ ᷑þer for I xal chastisyn hem as it wer for my

self · Sche p᷑ydpreyd nay derworthy lord Ihu̅Ihesu chastise no cͤaturcreatur

for me / þ^uþu wost wel lord · þ^tþat I desyr no veniawns / but I aske

m᷑cymercy & gcegrace for alle men ȝyf it be thy wille to grawnt it /

[neu᷑neuyr þe lesse lord / raþ ᷑raþar þ⸧þan þei xulde ben departyd fro þ^eþe w^towtynwythowtyn

ende chastise hem as þ^uþu wilt þi selfe/ It semyth lord in my sowle

þ^tþat þ^uþu art ful of charite / for þ^uþu seyst þ^uþu wilt not þ^eþe deth of a synful

[?]--------→

man And þ^uþu seyst also þ^uþu wilt alle men ben sauyd / þ⸧þan lord syn

↗

þ^uþu woldist alle men xulde ben sauyd I must wyl þ^eþe same / & þ^uþu

seyst thy self þ^tþat I must louyn myn euyn cristen as myn owyn

[?]↗

self / & lord þ^uþu knowist þ^tþat I haue wept & sorwyd many ȝerys

for I wolde be sauyd / & so must I do for myn euyn cristen 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·65·

O

Wr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist seyde vn to þe sayd creatur ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu xal wel seen whan þ^uþu art in heuyn w^twyth me

þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is no man dampnyd but he þ^tþat is wel worthy to

¶

be dampnyd / & þ^uþu xalt holdyn þe wel plesyd w^twyth alle my werkys

And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr thank me hyly of þⁱsþis gret charite / þ^tþat I werke

in thyn hert / for it is my self al mythy god þ^tþat make þ^eþe to

wepyn eu᷑yeuery day for thyn owyn synnes / for þ^eþe gret co̅passyoncompassyon

þ^tþat I ȝeue þ^eþe of my bittyr passyon / & for þe sorwys þ^tþat my modyr

had her in erde / for þe Angwischys þ^tþat sche suffryd & for þe

teerys þ^tþat sche wept · · Also dowt ᷑dowtyr for þe holy Martyres in he⸗

uyn whan þ^uþu heryst of hem þ^uþu ȝeuist me thankyngꝭthankyngys w^twyth crying

& wepyng for þe gcegrace þ^tþat I haue schewyd to hem · And whan

þ^uþu seest any laȝerys þ^uþu hast gret co̅passyoncompassyon of hem ȝeldyng

me thankyngꝭthankyngys & p᷑ysyngꝭpreysyngys þ^tþat I am mor fauorabyl to þ^eþe þ⸧þan I ⸗

am to hem · And also dowt ᷑dowtyr for þ^eþe gret sorwe þ^tþat þ^uþu hast for ⸗

78

al þⁱsþis world ·/ þ^tþat þ^uþu mythtyst helpyn hem as wel as þ^uþu woldist helpy͒helpyn

þⁱþi self boþ^eþe gostly & bodily / & forþ ᷑forþer mor / for þ^eþe sorwys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast for

þ^eþe sowlys in pgatorypurgatory · þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist so gladly þ^tþat þei wer owt of her

peyn / þ^tþat þei mythyn p᷑ysynpreysyn me w^twyth owtyn ende · And al þⁱsþis is

myn owyn goodnes þ^tþat I ȝeue to þ^eþe wherfor þ^uþu art meche bown⸗

nota

dyn to thankyn me And neu᷑neuyr þe lesse / ȝet I thank þ^eþe for þe

gret lofe þ^uþu hast to me / & for þ^uþu hast so gret wyl & so gret de⸗

syr þ^tþat alle men & women xulde louyn me ryth wel / for as

þ^uþu thynkyst

…

al

…

þ^eþe

…

world holy & vnholy / alle þei wolde haue

good to leuyn w^twyth as is leful

‸

un

to hem / but alle wyl not besyn

hem to loue me as þei do to gete͒geten hem temꝑaltemperal goodꝭgoodys / Also

noᷓnota bn̅bene

dowt ᷑dowtyr I thank þ^eþe for þ^uþu thynkyst so long / þ^tþat þ^uþu art owt of my

blyssed p᷑senspresens / fforþ ᷑fforþer mor · I thank þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr specyaly for thow

mayst suffyr no man to breke my comawndementꝭcomawndementys · ne to

sweryn be me but ȝyf it be a gret peyne to þ^eþe · And for þ^uþu

art al wey redy to vndyr nemyn hem of her sweryng / for

my lofe / & þ ᷑þer for hast þ^uþu suffyrd many a schrewyd word &

many a repref / & þ^uþu xalt þ ᷑þer for han many a Ioy in heuyn 

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I sent onys seynt powyl vn to þ^eþe for to strengthyn

þ^eþe & co͒fortyncomfortyn þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu schuldist boldly spekyn in my name

fro þ^tþat day forward · And seynt powle seyd vn to þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu haddyst

suffyrd mech t ̍bulacyontribulacyon for cawse of hys wrytyng / & he

SSeynt · poule

behyte þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist han as meche gcegrace þ ᷑þer a ȝens / for hys

lofe / as eu᷑euyr þ^uþu haddist schame er rep᷑fereprefe for hys lofe ·/ he telde

þ^eþe also of many Ioys of heuyn / & of þ^eþe gret lofe þ^tþat I had to

þ^eþe And dowt ᷑dowtyr / I haue oftyn tymes seyd to þ^eþe / þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is no seynt

in heuyn but ȝyf þ^uþu wilt speke w^twyth hym / he is redy to þ^eþe

to co̅fortyncomfortyn þ^eþe & spekyn to þ^eþe in my name / Myn Awngelys

arn redy to offyrn thyn holy thowtꝭthowtys & þⁱþi preyerys to me /

sic i̅in libro te

& þ^eþe terys of thyn eyne Also for þi terys arn Awngelys

nota

d------

drynk / & it arn very pyment to hem ·/ þ ᷑þer for my derworthy

dowt ᷑dowtyr be not yrke of me in erde to syttyn a lone be þⁱþi

self & thynkyn of my lofe / for I am not yrke of þ^eþe · & my⸗

m᷑cyfulmercyful eye is eu᷑euyr vp on þ^eþe /

↓

dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu mayst boldly seyn to me

noᷓnota semꝑsemper ·

IcIhesu crist est amor memeus þ^tþat is to seyn Ihu̅Ihesu is my lofe ·/ þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr

late me be al thy lofe / & al þe Ioy of thyn hert / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr ȝyf

þ^uþu wilt bethynk þ^eþe wel ·/ þ^uþu hast rith gret cawse to lofe me a

bouyn al thyng / for þe gret ȝyftꝭȝyftys þ^tþat I haue ȝouyn þ^eþe be for

tyme / & ȝet þ^uþu hast an oþ ᷑oþer gret cawse to louyn me / for þ^uþu

hast þi wil of chastite as þ^uþu wer a wedow / thyn husbond

leuyng in good hele / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I haue drawe þ^eþe lofe of þⁱnþin hert

[heart]

fro alle mennys hertꝭhertys · in to myn hert / Su͒Sum tyme dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu

thowtyst it had ben in a man᷑maner vnpossybyl for to ben so

& þ^tþat tyme suffyrdyst þ^uþu ful gret peyne in þin hert w^twyth fleschly

affeccyons / & þ⸧þan cowdyst þ^uþu wel cryen to me / seying · lord

for alle þi wowndys smert / drawe al þ^eþe lofe of myn hert

in to thyn hert ·/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr for alle þes cawsys & many oþer

cawsys & benefetꝭbenefetys whech I haue schewyd for þ^eþe on þⁱsþis half

d------

þ^eþe see & on ȝon half þ^eþe ssee þ^uþu hast gret cawse to louyn me 

n

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·66·

N

Ow dowt ᷑dowtyr I wyl þ^tþat þ^uþu ete flesch a ȝen as þ^uþu wer won

to don / & þ^tþat þ^uþu be buxom & bono bonowr to my wil / & to

my byddyng / & leue thyn owyn wyl / And bydde

thy gostly fadyrs / þ^tþat þei latyn þe don aft ᷑aftyr my wyl / & þ^uþu xalt

fleysse

haue neu ᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse gcegrace / but so meche þ^eþe mor / for þ^uþu xalt

han þ^eþe same mede in heuyn as þow þ^uþu fastydyst stille aft ᷑aftyr

þin owyn wyl ·/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I badde þ^eþe fyrst þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist leeuyn

flesch mete & non etyn / & þ^uþu hast obeyd my wyl many

ȝerys / & absteynd þ^eþe / aft ᷑aftyr my cownsel þ ᷑þer for / now I bydde þ^eþe

þ^tþat þ^uþu resort a geyn to flesch mete [The sayd creatur with

reu᷑entreuerent drede seyd / A blisful lord þ^eþe pepil þ^tþat hath knowyn

of myn abstinens so many ȝerys & seeth me now retorny̅retornyn

& etyn flesch mete / þei wil haue gret m᷑ueylmerueyl · And as I

suppose despisyn me & scornyn me þ ᷑þer for / Owr lord seyd to

hir a ȝen ·/ þ^uþu xalt non heed takyn of her scornys / but late

eu᷑euyry man sey what he wyl Than went sche to hir gostly

fadyrs & teld hem what owr lord had seyd vn to hir ·/ Wh⸧Whan

hir gostly faderys knew þ^eþe wyl of god / þei chargyd hir be ⸗

79

vertu of obediens to etyn flesch mete as sche had don many

ȝerys be forn Than had sche many a scorne & meche reprefe

for sche eete flesch a geyn Also sche had mad a vow to fastyn

o day in þ^eþe weke for worschep of owr lady whyl sche had leuyd

whech vow sche kept many ȝerys / Owr lady aperyng to hir

sowle bad hir gon to hir co̅fesso confessowr & seyin þ^tþat sche wolde han

hir dischargyd of hir vow / þ^tþat sche xulde ben mythy to beryn

hir gostly labowrys / for w^twyth owtyn bodily strength it mytyn

gostly laborꝭlabores

not ben enduryd · Than hir co͒fesso confessowr seyng be þ^eþe eye of dis⸗

cresyon it was expedient to be do / comawndyd hir be þ^eþe v᷑tutuertu

of obediens to etyn as oþ ᷑oþer creaturys dedyn mesurabely wher

god wolde sche had hir fode / And hir gcegrace was not discresyd

nota

but raþ ᷑raþar encresyd / for sche had leuar a fastyd þ⸧þan an etyn / ȝyf

it had ben þe wyl of god ·/ forþ ᷑morforþermor owr lady seyd to hir Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

þ^uþu art weyke I now of wepyng & of crying / for þo makyn þ^eþe

febyl & weyke anow / & I kan þ^eþe mor thank to etyn þⁱþi mete

for my lofe / þ⸧þan to fastyn / þ^tþat þ^uþu mayst enduryn thy ꝑfeccyon

of wepyng  deo gra̅sgracias /

o

O

n a tyme þ ᷑þer happyd to be a gret fyer in lynne bis⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·67·

chop · whech fyer brent up þe gylde halle of þ^eþe T̍niteTrinite /

⎣& in þ^eþe same town an hydows fyer & greuows ful

lekely to a brent þ^eþe parysch cherch · dedicate in þe honowr of

seynt Margarete / a solempne place & rychely honowryd / &

also al þ^eþe town / ne had gcegrace ne myracle ne ben / þ^eþe seyd cͤaturcreatur

nota nota

beyng þ ᷑þer p᷑sentpresent & seyng þ^eþe perel & myschef of al þe towne /

/ cryed ful lowde many tymes þ^tþat day & wept ful habu̅dawntlyhabundawntly /

/ p᷑yngpreyng for gcegrace / & m᷑cymercy / to alle þ^eþe pepil / & not w^twythstondyng in

oþ ᷑þer tymes þei myth not enduryn hir to cryen & wepyn /

for þ^eþe plentyuows gcegrace þ^tþat owr lord wrowt in hir / as þⁱsþis day

for enchewyng of her bodily ꝑelperel / þei myth suffyr hir to

cryen & wepyn as mech as eu᷑euyr sche wolde / & no man wolde

byddyn hir cesyn / but raþ ᷑raþar p᷑ynpreyn hir of co͒tynuacyon contynuacyonur / ful trusty͒g trustyng ⸗

& beleuyng þ^tþat thorw hir crying & wepyng owr lord wolde takyn

¶

hem to m᷑cymercy / Than cam hir co͒confessorfesso confessowr to hir & askyd ȝyf it wer

best to beryn þe sacrament to þe fyer er not Sche seyd ȝys

ser ȝys / for owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist telde me it xal be ryth wel

[So hir co̅confessor fesso confessowr parisch p᷑stepreste of seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys cherche / toke

þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows sacrament & went be forn þ^eþe fyer as deuowtly

as he cowde & sithyn browt it in a geyn to þ^eþe cherche /

⎣& þe sparkꝭsparkys of þe fyer fleyn a bowte þ^eþe cherch / þ^eþe seyd

creatur desiryng to folwyn þ^eþe p᷑precyowscyows sacrament / to þ^eþe

fyre · Went owt at þe cherch dor / & as sone as sche beheld

þe hedows flawme of þ^eþe fyr / A non sche cryed w^twyth lowde

voys & gret wepyng / good lorde make it wel / þes wordꝭwordys

wrowt in hir mende in /as meche as owr lord had seyd

to hir be forn / þ^tþat he xulde makyn it wel / & þ ᷑forþerfor sche cryed ⸗

good lord make it wel & sende down su̅sum reyn er su̅sum wedyr /

þ^tþat may throw þⁱþi m᷑cymercy qwenchyn þⁱsþis fyer & esyn myn hert /

Sithyn sche went a geyne in to þe cherch / & þ⸧þan sche be⸗

held how þ^eþe sparkys comyn in to þe qwer thorw þ^eþe la̅ternlantern

of þ^eþe cherch / þ⸧þan had sche a newe sorwe & cryed ful lowde

a geyn for gcegrace & m᷑cymercy w^twyth gret plente of terys / Sone ⸗

iii ·

aft ᷑aftyr comyn in to hir iii



· worschepful men w^twyth whyte snow

on her clothys seying vn to hir · lo Margery · god hath

wrowt gret gcegrace for vs / & sent us a fayr snowe to qwen⸗

chyn w^twyth þ^eþe fyr ⎣beth now of good cher & thankyth god þ ᷑þer

for · And with a gret cry sche ȝaf p᷑ysyngpreysyng & thankyng

to god for hys gret m᷑cymercy & hys goodnes / & specyaly

for he had seyd to hir be forn / þ^tþat it xulde be ryth wel

whan it was ful vn lykely to ben wel / saf only thorw

myrakyl & specyal grace And now sche saw it was wel

in dede hir thowt þ^tþat sche had gret cawse to thankyn owr

lord ⎡þ⸧þan cam hir gostly fadyr vn to hir & seyd he beleuyd

þ^tþat god grawntyd hem for hir p᷑yeryspreyerys to be delyu᷑yddelyueryd owt

of her gret ꝑellysperellys / for it myth not be w^twyth owtyn deuowt ⸗

80

p᷑yeryspreyerys /

↓ ↓ ↓

þ^tþat þe eyr beyng

↓ ↓

brygth & cler / xulde be so sone chon⸗

gyd in to clowdꝭclowdys & derkys / & sendyn down gret flakys of snow /

⎣thorw þ^eþe whech þ^eþe fyr was lettyd of hys kendly werkyng / blys⸗

sed mote owr lord ben · [not w^tstondyngwythstondyng þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat he schewyd

for hir ȝet whan w

…

þ^eþe perelys wer sesyd / su͒sum men slawn⸗

dyrd hir for sche cryed / & su̅sum seyden to hir þ^tþat owr lady c̍edcried ⁱ

neu᷑neuyr why crye ȝe on þⁱsþis man᷑maner And sche seyd for sche ⸗

myth non oþ ᷑oþer wise do ·/ þ⸧þan sche fled þe pepil þ^tþat sche xulde

ȝeue hem non occasyon / in to þ^eþe p̍owryspriowrys cloistyr · Whan

sche was þ ᷑þer sche had so gret mende of þ^eþe passyon of owr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist & of hys p᷑cyowsprecyows wowndꝭwowndys · & how dere

he bowt hir / þ^tþat sche cryed & roryd wondirfully so þ^tþat sche

myth be herd a gret wey & myth not restreyne hyr self

þ ᷑þer fro / þ⸧þan had sche gret wondyr how owr lady myth suffyr

er

‸

r

dur to see hys p᷑cyowsprecyows body ben scorgyd & hangyd on

þ^eþe crosse / Also it cam to hir mende how men had seyd to

hir self be forn / þ^tþat owr lady cristys owyn modyr cryed ⸗

¶

not as sche dede / & þ^tþat cawsyd hir to seyn in hir crying /

lord I am not þⁱþi modir / take a wey þⁱsþis peyn fro me / for

I may not beryn it ·/ þⁱþi passyon wil sle me  [So þ ᷑þer cam a

worschepful clerk forby hir · a docto doctowr of diuinite ··

‸

& sade

I had

leuyr þ⸧þan xx · pownde þ^tþat I myth han swech a sorwe for owr

lordꝭlordys passyon ·/ þ⸧þan þ^ee sayd docto doctowr sent for hir þ ᷑þer he was

to come & speke with hym / & sche w^twyth good wyl went to

hym w^twyth wepyng terys to hys chambyr ·/ þ^eþe worthy and

worschepful clerk dede hir drynkyn / & made hir ryth

good cher ·/ Sithyn he ledde hir to an Awter · & askyd

what was þe skylle þ^tþat sche cryed & wept so sor ⎣than ⸗

sche teld hym many gret cawsys of hir wepyng / & ȝet

sche teld hym of no reuelacyon / & he seyd sche was mech

bowndyn to louyn owr lord / for þ^eþe tokenys of lofe / þ^tþat he

schewyd to hir in diuers wysys · Aft ᷑Aftyr ward þ ᷑þer cam a ꝑsunpersun ⸗

þ^tþat had takyn degre in scole wheche xuld p᷑chynprechyn boþ^eboþe for non & aftyr

non / And as he p᷑chydprechyd ful holily & deuowtly / þe sayd creatur was

meuyd be deuocyon in hys ẜmownsermown & at þe last sche brast owt

w^twyth a crye / & þ^eþe pepil be gan to grutchyn w^twyth hir crying / for it ⸗

was in þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat þ^eþe good frer p᷑chydprechyd a geyn hir as is wretyn

be forn [& also er þan owr lord toke hir crying fro hir / for

noᷓnota materia̅materiam
istam 

þow þ^eþe mat ᷑mater be wretyn be forn þⁱsþis / neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse it fel aftyr

þⁱsþis · [þan þ^eþe ꝑsunpersun cesyd a lityl of hys p᷑chyngprechyng / & seyd to þe

pepil · frendys beth stille & grutchith not w^twyth þⁱsþis woman ·

for iche of ȝow may synne deedly in hir / & sche is nowt

þ^eþe cawse / but ȝo ȝowr owyn demyng / for þow þⁱsþis man᷑maner of wer⸗

kyng may seme boþ^eboþe good & ylle / ȝet awt ȝe for to demyn

þe best in ȝo ȝowr hertꝭhertys / & I dowt it not it is ryth wel /· Also I

dar wel say it is a ryth gcyowsgracyows ȝyft of god / blissed mote

he be / þ⸧þan þ^eþe pepil blissyd hym / for hys goodly wordꝭwordys / and

wer þ^eþe mor steryd to beleuyn hys holy werkys /· Aft ᷑wardAftyrward

whan þ^eþe ẜmownsermown was endyd a good frend of þ^eþe seyd cͤaturcreatur

met w^twyth þ^eþe frer whech had p᷑chydprechyd so sor ageyn hir / & askyd

how hym thowt be hir / þ^eþe frer answeryng scharply a geyn

seyd sche hath a deuyl w^twyth inne hir no thyng meuyd fro

hys opynyon but raþ ᷑raþar defendyng hys errowr 

s

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·68·

S

One aftyr þ ᷑þer was at lynne holdyn þ^eþe chapetyl

of þ^eþe frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys / & þedir comyn many wor⸗

schepful clerkꝭclerkys of þ^tþat holy ordyr / of whech it long^tlongyth

on to seyn a ẜmownsermown in þe parisch cherch · · And þ ᷑þer was

come a mongꝭmongys oþ ᷑oþer to þ^eþe sayd chapetyl a worschepful

docto doctowr whech hite Maistyr Custawns / & he had knowyn þ^eþe

forseyd creatur many ȝerys be forn ·/ Wh⸧Whan þ^eþe creatur herd

seyn þ^tþat he was comyn þedyr  sche went to hym & schewyd

hym why sche cryed & wept so sor / to wetyn ȝyf he myth

fyndyn any defawte in hir crying er in hir wepyng ·/ þe

worschepful docto doctowr seyd to hir Margery · I haue red of an ⸗

81

holy woman whom god had ȝouyn gret gcegrace of wepyng &

crying as he hath don on to ȝow

‸

&

· In þ^eþe cherch þ ᷑þer sche dwellyd

was a p᷑ystepreyste whech had no co͒seytconseyt in hir wepyng / & cawsyd

hir thorw hys steryng to gon owte of þ^eþe cherche / Wh⸧Whan sche

was in þ^eþe cherch ȝerd sche p᷑ydpreyd god þ^tþat þe p᷑ystpreyst myth haue

felyng of þe gcegrace þ^tþat sche felt / as wistly / as it lay not in

· wystly ·

hir powyr to cryen ne wepyn but whan god wolde · And

so sodeynly owr lord sent hym deuocyon at hys messe /

þ^tþat he myth not mesuryn hym self / & þ⸧þan wolde he no more

despisyn hir aftyr þ^tþat / but raþ ᷑raþar co͒fortyncomfortyn hir ·/ thus þ^eþe sayde

Docto Doctowr confermyng hir crying & hir wepyng seyd / it was

a gcyowsgracyows & a specyal ȝyft of god / & god was hyly to be

mgnifyedmagnifyed in hys ȝyft And þ⸧þan þ^eþe same docto doctowr went to an

oþ ᷑oþer docto doctowr of Diuinite whech was assygned to p᷑chynprechyn in þ^eþe

parisch cherche be for al þe pepil / pyngprayng hym þ^tþat ȝyf þe

sayd creatur cryid er wept at hys ẜmownsermown þ^tþat he wolde ⸗

suffyr it mekely / & no thyng ben a baschyd þ ᷑þer of ne not

spekyn þ ᷑þer a geyns / So aftirward whan þe worschepful

Docto Doctowr xulde p᷑chynprechyn & worthily was browt to þ^eþe pulpit / as

he be gan to p᷑chynprechyn ful holily & deuowtly of owr ladiis

Assu͒psyonAssumpsyon / þe sayd creatur lyftyd vp in hir mende be

hy swetnesse & deuocyon brast owt w^twyth a lowde voys

& cryid ful lowde & wept ful sor /· þ^eþe worschepful Docto Doctowr

stod stille & suffyrd wol mekely tyl it was cesyd · And

sithyn seyd forth hys ẜmownesermowne to an ende · At aft ᷑aftyr noon

he sent for þ^eþe same creatur in to place þ ᷑þer he was / and

mad hir rith glad cher ·/ þan sche thankyd hym for hys

mekenes & hys charite / þ^tþat he schewyd in supportacyon

of hir crying & hir wepyng be for noon at hys ẜmownsermown

The worschepful Docto Doctowr seyd a geyn to hir · Margery I wold

nota

deuout doct doctowr

not a spokyn a geyn ȝow tþhow ȝe had cryid tyl euyn /

And ȝe wolde comyn to Norwich ȝe schal be rith wolcom

[?]

& han swech cher as I can make ȝow · a[þꝰþus god sent hir good mayst ᷑maystyr⸗

schep of þⁱsþis worthy docto doctowr to strengthyn hir a geyn hir det ctorysdetractorys

worschepid be hys name · Aftirward in lenton p᷑chydprechyd a good ⸗

clerk a frer Austyn in hys owyn hows at lynne & had a gret

audiens / wher þ^tþat tyme was þ^eþe sayd creatur p᷑sentpresent /· And god of

hys goodnes enspired þ^eþe frer to p᷑chynprechyn mech of hys passyon

so co͒passyflycompassyfly & so deuowtly / þ^tþat sche myth not beryn it ·/ þ⸧þan

fel sche down wepyng & crying so sor · þ^tþat meche of þ^eþe pepil

wondryd on hir & bannyd & cursyd hir ful sor / supposyng þ^tþat

sche myth a left hir crying / ȝyf sche had wolde / in as mech

as þ^eþe good frer as had so p᷑chydprechyd þ ᷑þer a geyn / as is beforn wretyn

¶

And þ⸧þan þⁱsþis good man þ^tþat p᷑chydprechyd as now / at þⁱsþis tyme / seyd to þ^eþe

pepil · frendꝭfrendys beth stille ȝe wote ful lityl what sche felyth

& so þ^eþe pepil cesyd / & was stille / & herd vp þe ẜmownsermown w^twyth

qwyet & rest of body & sowl 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·69·

A

lso on a good fryday at seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys chirch

þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr of þ^eþe same place & þe same town lynne

xuld p᷑chynprechyn / & he toke to hys teme Ihu̅Ihesu is ded

þan þ^eþe sayd creatur al wowndyd w^twyth pite & co͒passyoncompassyon cryid

& wept as ȝyf sche had seyn owr lord ded w^twyth hir bodily eye

/ þe worschepful p̍owrpriowr & Docto doctowr of Diuinite suffyrd hir ful ⸗

mekely / & no thyng meuyd a geyn hir  An oþ ᷑oþer tyme Bischop

Wakeryng · bischop of Norwich p᷑chydprechyd at lynne / in þ^eþe seyd

cherch of Seynt Margarete / & þ^eþe forseyd creatur cryid and

wept ful boystowsly in þ^eþe tyme of hys ẜmownsermown & he suffyrd

it ful mekely & paciently / & so dede many a worthy clerk

bothyn reguler & seculer / for þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuyr clerk p᷑chydprechyd opynly

a geyn hir crying / but þ^eþe grey frer as is wretyn be forn

So owr lord of hys m᷑cymercy liche as he had ꝓmysydpromysyd þ^eþe seyd

creatur þ^tþat he xulde eu᷑euyr ꝓuydynprouydyn for hir · Steryng þ^eþe spiritꝭspiritys

of tweyn good clerkꝭclerkys þ^eþe whech longe & many ȝerys had ⸗

knowyn hir co̅u᷑sacyonconuersacyon and al hir ꝑfeccyonperfeccyon / made he͒hem mythy

& bolde to spekyn for hys ꝑtyparty /· in excusyng þ^eþe seyd creatur ⸗

82

bothyn in þ^eþe pulpit & be syden wher þei herd any thyng meuyd

goyd clarkꝭclarkys

a ȝen hir ·/ strengthyng her skyllys be auctoriteys of ^‖sc̍pturscriptur^‖ holy

sufficiently ·/ of whech clerkys on was a white frer a Doctowr of

diuinite /· þe oþ ᷑oþer clerk was a bacheler of lawe canon / a wel labowrd

man in sc̍pturscriptur · And þ⸧þan su̅sum enuyows ꝑsonyspersonys co͒pleynydcompleynyd to þe

ꝓuincyalprouincyal of þe white frerys / þ^tþat þ^eþe sayd docto doctowr was to co͒u᷑sawntconuersawnt

w^twyth þe sayd creatur / for as mech as he supportyd hir in hir we⸗

pyng & in hir crying / & also enformyd hir in qͤstyonsqwestyons of

sc̍pturscriptur whan sche wolde any askyn hym · Than was he

monischyd be v᷑tuvertu of obediens þ^tþat he xulde no mor spekyn

w^twyth hir / ne enformyn hir in no textꝭtextys of sc̍pturscriptur / & þ^tþat was to hym

ful peynful / for as he seyd to su̅sum ꝑsonyspersonys he had leu᷑leuar a lost an

hu͒drydhundryd pownd ȝyf he had an had it / þ⸧þan hir communicacyon /

iIt was so gostly & fruteful · · Whan hir co͒fesso confessour ꝑceyuydperceyuyd how

þ^eþe worthy docto doctowr was chargyd be obediens þ^tþat he xulde not spe⸗

kyn ne comownyn w^twyth hir / þ⸧þan he for to excludyn al occasyon

warnyd hir also be u᷑tuuertu of obediens / þ^tþat sche xulde no mor

gon to þ^eþe frerys ne spekyn w^twyth þ^eþe sayd docto doctowr / ne askyn hym

no qwestyons as sche had don beforn · · And þ⸧þan thowt

sche ful gret sweme & heuynes / for sche was put fro mech

gostly comfort Sche had leu᷑leuar a lost any erdly good þ⸧þan hys

comunycacyon / for it was to hir gret encres of vertu 

/ þan long aft ᷑wardaftyrward it happyd hir goyng in þ^eþe strete to metyn

w^twyth þ^eþe seyd docto doctowr & non of hem spak o word to oþ ᷑oþer / & þ⸧þan sche

had a gret cry w^twyth many teerys · Aft ᷑Aftyr wh⸧whan sche cam to hir

meditacyon sche seyd in hir mende to owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist

Alas lord why may I no co͒fortcomfort han of þⁱsþis worschepful clerk /

þe whech hath knowyn me so many ȝerys / & oftyn tymes

strengthyd me in þⁱþi lofe / now hast þ^uþu lord takyn fro me þ^eþe

Ankyr · I trust to þⁱþi m᷑cymercy · þ^eþe most special & synguler co͒fortecomforte

þat eu᷑euyr I had in erde / for he eu᷑euyr louyd me for thy lofe / & wold

neu᷑neuyr forsakyn me for nowt þ^tþat any man cowd do er seye ⸗

whylys he leuyd / & Maist ᷑Maistyr Aleyn is putt fro me & I fro hym Syr

ThomsThomas Andrew / & syr Iohn Amy arn benefysed & owt of town

Maist ᷑Maistyr Robert dar vn ethys spekyn w^twyth me [Now haue I in a

man᷑maner no co͒fortcomfort neiþ ᷑neiþyr of man ne of childe / Owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord c̍stcrist

Ihu̅Ihesu answeryng in hir mende seyd Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I am mor worthy

to thy sowle þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr was þ^eþe Ankyr · & alle þo whech þ^uþu hast

rehersyd / er alle þ^eþe werld may be / & I xal co͒fortyncomfortyn þ^eþe my⸗

self / for I wolde spekyn to þ^eþe oftynar þ⸧þan þ^uþu wilt latyn me

¶

And dowt ᷑dowtyr I do þ^eþe to wetyn þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt spekyn to maist ᷑maistyr Aleyn

A geyn as þ^uþu hast don be forn ·· And þ⸧þan owr lord sent be

ꝓuysyonprouysyon of þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr of lynne / a p᷑stepreste to ben kepar of a ⸗

chapel of owr lady · clepyd þe Iesyn w^twyth inne þe cherch of

seynt Margarete whech p᷑ystpreyst many tymes herd hir co͒fessyonconfessyon

in þ^eþe absens of hyr p̍ncipalprincipal co͒fesso confessowr / & to þⁱsþis p᷑ystpreyst sche sche⸗

wyd al hir lyfe as ner as sche cowde / fro hir ȝong age boþ^eboþe

hir synnes / hyr labowrys / hir vexacyons / hir co͒templacyonscontemplacyons

& also hir reuelacyons / & swech gcegrace as god wrowt in hir

thorw hys m᷑cymercy ·/ & so þ^tþat p᷑ystepreyste trustyd ryth wel þ^tþat god w

wrowt ryth gret gcegrace in hir 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum·70·

O

N a tyme god visited þ^eþe forseyd docto doctowr Maystyr ⸗

Aleyn w^twyth gret sekenes / þ^tþat no man hith hym no lyffe

þ^tþat saw hym · And so it was teld þ^eþe sayd creatur of

hys sekenes / þ⸧þan sche was ful heuy for hym / & specialy for

as meche as sche had be reuelacyon / þ^tþat sche xulde spekyn

w^twyth hym a geyn as sche had don be forn / & ȝyf he had deyd

of þⁱsþis sekenes / hir felyng had not ben trewe ·/ þ ᷑þer for sche ran

in to þ^eþe qwer at seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys chirche / knelyng down

be forn þ^eþe sacmentsacrament & seying on þⁱsþis wise · A Lord I p᷑yprey þe

for alle goodnes þ^tþat þ^uþu hast schewyd to me / & as wistly

as þ^uþu louyst me / late þⁱsþis worthy clerk neu᷑neuyr deyin tyl I

may spekyn w^twyth hȳhym as þ^uþu hast behite me þ^tþat I xulde do

to oour lade ·

¶ And þ^uþu gloriows qwen of m᷑cymercy haue mende what he was

wonet to seyn of þ^eþe in hys ẜmownyssermownys ·/ he was won wonet to seyin ⸗

83

lady · þ^tþat he was wel blissyd  þ^tþat had ȝow to hys frend / for whan ȝe

p᷑yidpreyid / alle þ^eþe cu̅panycumpany of heuyn p᷑ydpreyd w^twyth ȝow ·/ Now for þ^eþe blisful lofe

þ^tþat l ȝe had to ȝowr sone · late hym leuyn tyl þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat he hath leue

to speke w^twyth me / & I w^twyth hym / for now we arn þut a su͒dyrsundyr be ⸗

obediens ·/ þ⸧þan sche had answer in hir sowle þ^tþat he xulde not dey

be for þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat sche had leue to speke w^twyth hym & he w^twyth hir as

þei had don ȝerys be forn · And as owr lord wolde in schort

tyme aftyr þ^eþe worthy clerk recuryd & went a bowtyn heyl

& hool / & had leue of hys souereyn to spekyn w^twyth þ^eþe sayd cͤaturcreatur / ·

And sche had leue of hir co͒fesso courfessowr to spekyn w^twyth hym ·/ So it

happyd þ^eþe forseyd Docto Doctowr xulde dinyn in

‸

þe

towne w^twyth a worschip⸗

ful woman whech had takyn þ^eþe mentyl & þ^eþe ryng / & he sent

for þ^eþe sayd creatur to comyn & spekyn w^twyth hym / sche hauyng

gret m᷑ueylmerueyl þ ᷑þer of · toke leue & went to hym · Whan sche cam

in to þ^eþe place wher he was / sche myth not spekyn for wepy͒gwepyng

& for Ioy þ^tþat sche had in owr lord / in as meche as sche fonde

hir felyng trewe & not deceyuabyl ·/ þ^tþat he had leue to spekyn

to hir & sche to hym / þ⸧þan þ^eþe worschepful Docto Doctowr seyd to hir · Margery

ȝe ar wolcome to me / for I haue long be kept fro ȝow ·/ & ⸗

now hath owr lord sent ȝow hedyr · þ^tþat I may spekyn w^twyth ȝow ⸗

blissed mote he be · [þ ᷑þer was a dyner of gret Ioy & gladnes /

meche mor gostly [þ⸧þan bodily / for it was sawcyd & sawryd

w^twyth talys of holy scriptur · And þ⸧þan he ȝaf þ^eþe sayd creatur a peyr

of knyuys in tokyn þ^tþat he wolde standyn w^twyth hir in goddꝭgoddys cawse

as he had don be forn tyme  laudes deo i̅in et ᷑^meternum Ame̅Amen

o

O

N a day þ ᷑þer cam a p᷑ystpreyst to þ^eþe sayd creatur whech

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·71·

had gret trust in hir felyngꝭfelyngys & in hir reuelacyons /

desyryng to p᷑uynpreuyn hem in diuers tymes / And

p᷑yidpreyid hir to p᷑yprey to owr lord þ^tþat sche myth haue vndirston⸗

dyng / ȝyf þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr of lynne whech was good Maist ᷑Maistyr to þ^eþe sayd

p᷑ystpreyst / xulde be remownyd er not / & as sche felt makyn

hym trewe relacyon / Sche p᷑ydpreyd for þ^eþe forseyd mat ᷑mater & whan ⸗

sche had answer þ ᷑þer of / sche telde þ^eþe p᷑ystepreyste þ^tþat þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr of lynne hys Maist ᷑Maistyr

xulde be clepyd hom to Norwich / & an oþ ᷑oþer of hys breþ ᷑breþyr xulde be

sent to lynne in hys stede / & so it was in dede / but he þ^tþat was

sent to lynne abood þ ᷑þer but a lityl while / er þ⸧þan he was clepyd hom

to Norwich a geyn / & he þ^tþat had ben p̍owrpriowr of lynne be forn was

sent a geyn to lynne & dwellyd þ ᷑þer wel a bowtyn · iiii · ȝer / tyl

he deyd · And in mene tyme þ^eþe seyd creatur had oftyn felyng

þ^tþatt he þ^eþe whech was last clepyd hom to Norwich & a bood but

lityl while at lynne / xulde ȝet ben p̍owrpriowr of lynne a ȝen · Sche

wolde ȝeue no credens þ ᷑þer to in as meche as he had ben þer

& was in lityl tyme clepyd hom a geyn · Than as sche went

on a tyme in þ^eþe white frerys cherch at lynne · vp & down / sche

¶

felt a wondyr swet sauowr & an heuynly / þ^tþat hir thowt sche

myth a leuyd þ ᷑þer by w^twyth owtyn mete or drynke / ȝyf it wolde a

co͒tynuydcontynuyd / & in þ^tþat tyme owr lord seyd vn to hir ·· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr be þⁱsþis

swet smel þ^uþu mayst wel knowyn þ^tþat þ ᷑þer schal in schort tyme

be a newe p̍owrpriowr in lynne / & þ^tþat xal ben he whech was last

remownd þens / & sone aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe elde p̍owrpriowr deyid And þ⸧þan owr

lord seyd to hir as sche lay in hir bed · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr as loth as þ^uþu

art to leuyn my steryngꝭsteryngys / ȝet schal þ^uþu se hym of whom I

schewyd þ^eþe be forn · p̍owrpriowr of lynne er þⁱsþis day seuenyth/· & so

owr lord rehersyd hir þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater ech day þ^eþe seue nyth tyl sche

sey it was so in dede / & þ⸧þan was sche ful glad & Ioyful þat

hir felyng was trew · Sithyn wh⸧whan þⁱsþis worshepful man

was comyn to lynne / & had dwellyd þ ᷑þer but lytil while · Whech

was a wol worschepful clerk · a docto doctowr of diuinite / he was

poyntyd for to gon ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see to þ^eþe kyng in to frawnce / and

oþ ᷑oþer clerkꝭclerkys also of þ^eþe worthyest in ynglond / þ⸧þan a p᷑ystepreyste þ^tþat had

an offyce vndyr þ^eþe sayd p̍owrpriowr cam to þ^eþe forseyd creatur

/ & besechyd hir to haue þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater in mende wh⸧whan god wolde

mynystyr hys holy dalyawnce to hir sowle / & wetyn in

þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater wheþ ᷑wheþyr þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr xulde gon ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe se er not · And so

sche p᷑yidpreyid to haue vndirstondyng of þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater And sche had ⸗

84

answer þ^tþat he xulde not gon / neu᷑neuyr þe lesse he wend hym self to a gon

& was al pueydpurueyd þ ᷑þer for / & w^twyth gret heuynes had takyn leue of hys

frendꝭfrendys / supposyng neu᷑neuyr to a comyn a geyn / for he was a ful weyk

man & a febyl of co͒plexioncomplexion / & in þ^eþe mene tyme þ^eþe kyng deyid/

& þ^eþe p̍owrpriowr bood at hom / & so hir felyng was trewe w^twyth owtyn any

deceyte · Also it was voysyd þ^tþat þ^eþe Bischop of Wynchestyr was ded /

& not w^twyth standyng sche had felyng &þ^tþat he leuyd / & so it was in ⸗

trewth · · And so had sche felyng of many mo þ⸧þan be wretyn

whech owr lord of hys m᷑cymercy reuelyd to hir vndirstondyng þow

sche wer vnworthy of hir meritys 

s

S

O be ꝓcesseprocesse of tyme hir mende & hir thowt was so

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·72·

ioynyd to god / þ^tþat sche neu᷑neuyr forȝate hȳhym but co͒tynualycontynualy

noᷓnota bn̅bene ·
eiꝯeius ꝑfecco̅ꝫperfeccionem

had mende of hym / & behelde hym in alle creaturys /

/ & eu᷑euyr þ^eþe mor þ^tþat sche encresyd in lofe & in deuocyon / þ^eþe mor sche

encresyd in sorwe & in contrycyon / in lownes / in mekenes / &

in þ^eþe holy dreed of owr lord / & in knowlach of hir owyn frelte /

/ þ^tþat ȝyf sche sey a creatur be ponischyd er scharply chastisyd / sche

xulde thynkyn þ^tþat sche had ben mor worthy to be chastisyd

þan þ^tþat creatur was ·/ for hir vnkyndnes a geyns god ·/ þan ⸗

xulde sche cryen wepyn & sobbyn for hir owyn synne / and

for þ^eþe co̅passyoncompassyon of þ^eþe creatur þ^tþat sche sey so ben ponyschyd &

¶

scharply chastisyd ·/ ȝyf sche sey a p̍nceprince a p᷑latprelat er a worthy

man of state & degr᷑degre · Whom men worschepyd & reu᷑ensydreuerensyd

w^twyth lownes & mekenes / a non hir mende was refreschyd in

to owr lord / thynkyng what Ioy / what blysse / what worschep

& reu᷑ensreuerens / he had in heuyn a mongꝭmongys hys blyssyd seyntꝭseyntys / syn

a deedly man had so gret worschep in erth · And most of

alle whan sche sey þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows sacmentsacrament born a bowte þ^eþe

town w^twyth lyte & reu᷑ensreuerens / þ^eþe pepil knelyng on her kneys /

/ þ⸧þan had sche many holy thowtꝭthowtys & meditacyonys And þ⸧þan

oftyn tymys xulde sche cryin & roryn as þow sche xulde

a brostyn / for þ^eþe feyth & þ^eþe trost þ^tþat sche had in þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows sa⸗

crament · Also þ^eþe sayd creatur was desiryd of mech pepil

to be w^twyth hem at her deying & to p᷑yprey for hem / for þow þei ⸗

louyd not hir wepyng ne hir crying in her lyfe tyme / þei de[si]ryd þ^tþat

sche xulde bothyn wepyn & cryin whan þei xulde deyin / & so sche

dede / Whan sche sey folke be a noyntyd sche had many holy thowtꝭthowtys

many holy meditacyons / & ȝyf sche saw hem deyin / hir thowt

sche saw owr lord deyin & su̅sum tyme owr lady as

…

owr

‸

lord

god ⸗

wolde illumyn hir gostly syth of vndirstondyng / þ⸧þan xulde

sche cryin wepyn & sobbyn ful wondirfully as sche had ben

heldyn owr lord in hys deying · er owr lady in hir deying / &

sche thowt in hir mende · þ^tþat god toke many owt of þⁱsþis worlde

whech wolde a leuyd ful fawyn / and I lord thowt sche / wolde

ful fawyn comyn to þ^eþe / & aftyr me þ^uþu hast no ȝernyng / and

swech thowtꝭthowtys encresyd hir wepyng & hir sobbyng ¶On a tyme ~

a worschepful lady sent for hir for cawse of comowny͒gcomownyng / & as

þei weryn in her comunycacyon / þ^eþe lady ȝaf to hir a m᷑mer man᷑maner

of worschip & p᷑ysyngpreysyng / & it was to hir gret peyne to haue

any p᷑ysyngpreysyng / Neu᷑Neuyr þ^eþe lesse a noon sche f offryd it vp to owr

lord / for sche desyrid no p᷑ysyngpreysyng · but hys only w^twyth a gret cry

¶

& many deuowt terys · So þ ᷑þer was neiþ ᷑neiþyr worschep ne p᷑ysyngpreysyng

lofe ne lakkyng schame ne despite þ^tþat myth drawyn hir lofe

fro god / but aftyr þ^eþe sentens of Seynt powle / to hem þat

louyn god al thyng t nythturnyth in to goodnes/ so it ferd w^twyth hir

What þ^tþat eu᷑euyr sche sey er herd / al wey hir lofe & hir gostly affec⸗

cyon encresyd to owr lord ward / blissyd mot he ben · þ^tþat wrowt

swech gcegrace in hir for many mannys ꝓfyteprofyte · [An oþ ᷑oþer tyme þ ᷑þer

nota

sent for hir an oþ ᷑oþer worschepful lady þ^tþat had meche meny

a bowtyn hir / & gret worschep & gret reu᷑ensreuerens was don vn

to hir · Whan þ^eþe sayd creatur behelde alle hir mene a bowtyn

hir / & þ^eþe gret reu᷑ensreuerens & worschep þ^tþat was don hir / sche fel on

a gret wepyng & cryid þ ᷑þer wyth rith sadly ·/ þ ᷑þer was a p᷑ystpreyst herd

how sche cryid & how sche wept / & he was a man to

no

sa⸗

uowryng gostly thyngꝭthyngys · bannyd hir ful fast / seying vn

to hir / What deuyl eylith þ^eþe why wepist

‸

thow

so · god ȝeue þ^eþe sorwe /

Sche sat stille & answeryd no word ·/ þan þe lady had hir

in to a gardeyn be hem self a loone & p᷑ydpreyd hir to tellyn ⸗

why sche

85

why sche cryid so sor ·/ And þ⸧þan sche supposyng it was expedient

for to do / telde hir in parcel of þ^eþe cawse ·/ þ⸧þan þ^eþe lady was ille

plesyd w^twyth hir p᷑ystepreyste þ^tþat had so spokyn a geyns hir / & louyd hir

ryth wel desiryng & p᷑yingpreying hir to abydyn stille w^twyth hir · Than

sche excusyd hir & seyd sche myth not a cordyn w^twyth þ^eþe aray

& þ^eþe gou᷑nawnsgouernawns þ^tþat sche say þ ᷑þer a mong hir mene 

o

O

N þ^eþe holy thursday as þ^eþe sayd creatur went ꝓcessyonprocessyon

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·73·

wyth oþ ᷑oþer pepil / sche saw in hir sowle / owr lady Seynt

Mary Mawdelyn / & þ^eþe xii apostelys / And þ⸧þan sche

be held w^twyth hir gostly eye how owr

‸

toke hir leue of hir blys⸗

‸

lady

ful sone crist Ihu̅Ihesu / how he kyssed hir & alle hys Apostelys /

& also hys trewe louer Mary Mawdelyn ·/ þ⸧þan hir thowt it was

a swemful partyng / & also a Ioyful partyng / Wh⸧Whan sche beheld

father MM[ethley] ·
was wont
so to doo 

þⁱsþis sygth in hir sowle / sche fel down in þ^eþe feld a mong þ^eþe pepil /

sche cryid sche roryd sche wept as þow sche xulde a brostyn þ ᷑þer

with · Sche myth not mesuryn hir self ne rewlyn hir selfe /

but cryid & roryd þ^tþat many man on hir wonderyd /· but sche

toke non heed what ony man seyd ne dede ·/ for hir mende

was ocupyid in owr lord / sche felt many an holy thowt in

þ^tþat tyme whech sche cowde neu᷑neuyr

‸

tell

aft ᷑aftyr/ sche had forȝetyn alle

+x

erdly thyngꝭthyngys / & only ententyd to gostly thyngꝭthyngys / hir thowt

þ^tþat al hir Ioy was a go ·/ sche sey hyr lord steyn vp in to heuyn /

‸

therfor sche cowde not forberyn hym in erde /· þ ᷑þer for sche desiryd

to a gon w^twyth hym / for al hir Ioy & al hir blysse was in hym

And sche knew wel þ^tþat sche xulde neu᷑neuyr han Ioy ne blys tyl

nota

sche come to hym [Swech holy thowtꝭthowtys & swech holy desirys

cawsyd hir to wepyn / & þ^eþe pepil wist not what hir eylyd

An oþ ᷑oþer tyme þ^eþe seyd creatur beheld how owr lady was

‸

as

hir

thowt in deying / & alle þ^eþe Apostelys knelyng be forn hir /

& askyng gcegrace / þ⸧þan sche cryid & wept sor ·/ þ^eþe Apostelys comawn⸗

dyd hir to cesyn & be stille The creatur answeryd to þe

Apostelys ·/ Wolde ȝe I xulde see þ^eþe modyr of god deyin & I

xulde not wepyn / it may not be / for I am so ful of sorwe

þat I may not w^tstondewythstonde it / I must nedys cryin & wepyn · And þ⸧þan ⸗

h

sche seyd in hir sowle to owr lady · A blyssyd lady p᷑yprey for me to ȝo ȝowr

¶

sone / þ^tþat I may come to ȝow / & no lengar be teriid fro ȝow / for

lady þⁱsþis is al to gret a sorwe for to be boþ^eboþe at ȝo ȝowr sonyd dethe

& at ȝowr deth & not deyin w^twyth ȝow but leuyn stille a lone &

no co̅fortcomfort han w^twyth me / þ⸧þan owr gcyowsgracyows lady answeryd to hir

sowle behestyng hir to p᷑yprey for hir to hir sone / & seyd / Dowtyr

alle þ^esþes sorwys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast had for me & for my blissyd sone

xal t neturne þe to gret Ioye & blys in heuyn w^twyth owtyn ende

/ & dowt þ^eþe not dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt comyn to vs ryth wel & be ⸗

ryth wolcome whan þ^uþu comyst / but þ^uþu mayst not comyn ȝet /

/ for þ^uþu xalt comyn in ryth good tyme And dowt ᷑dowtyr wete þ^uþu

wel þ^uþu xalt fyndyn me a very modyr to þ^eþe / to helpyn þ^eþe and

socowr þ^eþe as a modyr owyth to don hir dowt ᷑dowtyr / & pchasynpurchasyn

to þ^eþe gcegrace & vertu / & þ^eþe same ꝑdonpardon þ^tþat was grawntyd þ^eþe befor

nonota indul
gencia ·

tyme / It was co͒fermydconfermyd on Seynt Nicholas day / þ^tþat is to seyn

pleno plenowr remissyon · And it is not only grawntyd to þ^eþe · but

also to alle þo þ^tþat beleuyn & to alle þo þ^tþat xul beleuyn in to

þ^eþe worldꝭworldys ende / þ^tþat god louyth þ^eþe & xal þankyn god for þ^eþe / ȝyf

þei wyl forsakyn her synne & ben in ful wylle no more

to turnyn a geyn þ ᷑þer to / but ben sory & heuy for þ^tþat þei

haue do / & wil don dew penawnce þ ᷑þer for / þei xal haue þ^eþe

same pardon þ^tþat is grawntyd to þⁱþi selfe And þ^tþat is alle þ^eþe ꝑdonpardon

þ^tþat is in IerIerusalem as was grawntyd þ^eþe wh⸧whan þ^uþu wer at Rafnys

as is be forn wretyn 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·74·

T

he sayd creatur on a day heryng hir messe & reuol

uyng in hir mende / þ^eþe tyme of hir deth sor syhyng &

& sorwyng for it was so long delayd / seyd on þⁱsþis man᷑maner /

¶

A lasse lord how long xal I thus wepyn & mornyn for thy

nonota

lofe & for desyr of thy p᷑senspresens · Owr lord answeryd in hir

la̅gynglangyng loue

sowle & seyd al þⁱsþis xv ȝer ·/ Than seyd sche a lord I schal

thynkyn many thowsend ȝerys ·[Owr lord answeryd to hir

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu must bethynkyn þ^eþe of my blissyd modyr / þ^tþat leuyd

aft ᷑aftyr me in erth · xv · ȝer · Also seynt Iohn þ^eþe Evangelyst &

86

Mary Mawdelyn þ^eþe whech louyd me rith hyly [a blysful lord seyd ⸗

sche / I wolde I wer as worthy to ben sekyr of thy lofe as Mary

Mawdelyn was / þ⸧þan seyd owr lord / trewly dowt ᷑dowtyr I loue þ^eþe as wel /

& þ^eþe same pes þ^tþat I ȝaf to hir / þ^eþe same pes / I ȝeue to þ^eþe · ffor dowt ᷑dowtyr /

nota

þ ᷑þer is no seynt in heuyn displesyd / thow I loue a creatur in erde

as mech as I do hem / þ ᷑þer for þei wil non oþ ᷑oþer wyse þ⸧þan I wil  //

¶

Thus owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu drow hys creatur vn to

hys lofe & to mynde of hys passyon / þ^tþat sche myth not dury̅duryn

to beheldyn a laȝer er an oþ ᷑oþer seke man / specialy ȝyf he had

any wowndꝭwowndys aperyng on hym / so sche cryid & so sche wept /

as ȝyf sche had sen owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist w^twyth hys wowndꝭwowndys ble⸗

dyng / & so sche dede in þ^eþe syght of hir sowle / for thorw þ^eþe be⸗

heldyng of þ^eþe seke man / hir mende was al takyn in to owr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / Than had sche gret mornyng & sorwyng

for sche myth not kyssyn þe laȝerys wh⸧whan sche sey hem · er

met w^twyth hem in þ^eþe stretꝭstretys / for þ^eþe lofe of Ihu̅Ihesu /· Now gan sche to

louyn þ^tþat sche had most hatyd be for tyme / for þ ᷑þer was no

thyng mor lothful / ne mor abhomynabyl to hir whil sche

was in þ^eþe ȝerys of werldly ꝓsꝑiteprosperite þ⸧þan to seen er beheldyn

a laȝer · Whom now thorw owr lordꝭlordys m᷑cymercy sche desyryd to

halsyn & kyssyn / for þ^eþe lofe of Ihu̅Ihesu wh⸧whan sche had tyme & place

co̅uenyentconuenyent · Than sche teld hir co͒fesso confessowr how gret desyre

sche had to kyssyn laȝerys / & he warnyd hir þ^tþat sche xulde

kyssyn no men but ȝyf sche wolde al gatꝭgatys kyssyn / sche xuld

kyssyn women / þ⸧þan was sche glad for sche had leue to kyssy̅kyssyn

þ^eþe seke women / & went to a place wher seke women dwellyd

whech wer ryth ful of þ^eþe sekenes / & fel down on hir kneys

be forn hem p᷑yngpreyng hem þ^tþat sche myth kyssyn her mowth ⸗

for þ^eþe lofe of Ihu̅Ihesu /· & so sche kyssyd þ ᷑þer ii · seke women with

many an holy thowt & many a deuowt teer ·/ & whan sche

had kyssyd hem & telde hem ful many good wordꝭwordys & steryd

hem to mekenes & pacyens / þ^tþat þei xulde not grutchyn w^twyth

her sekenes / but hyly thankyn god þ ᷑þer for / & þei xulde han gret ⸗

h · ii ·

noᷓnota

A sotel & a
sore te̅ptaco̅ntemtacion

blysse in heuyn thorw þ^eþe m᷑cymercy of owr lord Ihu͒Ihesu crist [þ⸧þan þe o̅o̅ woman

had so many temptacyons / þ^tþat sche wist not how sche myth best be

gou᷑nydgouernyd / sche was so labowryd w^twyth hir gostly enmy / þ^tþat sche durst not

in siche a case
we shold be
more stra̅ge &strange
bold a gaste
o our gostly enmy

blissyn hir ne do no worschep to god for dreed þ^tþat þe deuyl xuld

a slayn hir / And sche was labowryd w^twyth many fowle & horibyl

thowtꝭthowtys / many mo þ⸧þan sche cowde tellyn / & as sche seyd sche

was a mayde / þ ᷑þer for þ^eþe sayd creatur went to hir many tymys

to co͒fortyncomfortyn hir / & p᷑ydpreyd for hir also ful specialy þ^tþat god xulde

strength hir a geyn hir enmye / & it is to beleuyn þ^tþat he dede

so blissyd mote he ben 

a

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·75·

A

S þe sayd creatur was in a chirch of Seynt M^rgaretMargaret

to sey hir deuocyons / þ ᷑þer cam a man knelyng at hir

bak wryngyng hys handꝭhandys & schewyng tokenys of

gret heuynes / sche ꝑceyuyngparceyuyng hys heuynes / askyd what hym

Notabile q^dquod

eylyd / he seyd it stod ryth hard w^twyth hym for hys wyfe was newly

delyu᷑yddelyueryd of a childe & sche was owt hir mende / & dame he

seyth sche know^tknowyth not me ne non of hir neyborwys /· sche

roryth & cryith so þ^tþat sche makith folk euyl a feerd ·/ sche wyl

boþ^eboþe smytyn & bityn / & þ ᷑þer for is sche manykyld on hir wristꝭwristys /

Than askyd sche þ^eþe man ȝyf he wolde þ^tþat sche went w^twyth hym

& sawe hir / & he seyd ȝa dame for goddꝭgoddys lofe ·/ So sche

went forth w^twyth hym to se þ^eþe woman / & whan sche cam in to þ^eþe

hows as sone as þe seke woman · þ^tþat was alienyd of hir witte

d R · fow
dyd so

saw hir / sche spak to hir sadly & goodly / & seyd sche was ryth

wolcome to hir / & sche was ryth glad of hir comyng / and

gretly co͒fortydcomfortyd be hir p᷑senspresens / for ȝe arn / sche seyd / a ryth

good woman / & I behelde many fayr awngelys a bowte ȝow

/ & þ ᷑þer for I pypray ȝow goth not fro me / for I am gretly co͒fortydcomfortyd

be ȝow ·/ And whan oþ ᷑oþer foIke cam to hir / sche cryid & gapyd

as sche wolde an etyn hem / & seyd þ^tþat sche saw many deuel

a bowtyn hem / sche wolde not suffyrn hem to towchyn hir

be hyr good wyl / sche roryd & cryid so boþ^eboþe nyth & day for þ^eþe

most part / þ^tþat men wolde not suffyr hir to dwellyn a mongꝭmongys

hem / sche was so tediows to hem ·/ þ⸧þan was sche had to þ^eþe

87

forthest ende of þ^eþe town / in to a chambyr þ^tþat þ^eþe pepil xulde not

[i D?]

heryn hir cryin / & þ ᷑þer was sche bowndyn handꝭhandys and feet w^twyth

chenys of yron / þ^tþat sche xulde smytyn no body / And þ^eþe sayd creatur

went to hir iche day onys er twyis at þ^eþe lest wey / And whyl sche

was w^twyth hir sche was meke a now / & herd hir spekyn & dalyin

w^twyth good wil w^twyth owtyn any roryng er crying / And þ^eþe sayd crea⸗

tur p᷑yidpreyid for þⁱsþis woman eu᷑yeuery day þ^tþat god xulde / ȝyf it were

hys wille / restoryn hir to hir wittꝭwittys a geyn ·/ And owr lord

nota

answeryd in hir sowle & seyd / sche xulde faryn ryth wel / þ⸧þan

was sche mor bolde to p᷑yinpreyin for hir recuryng / þ⸧þan sche was

be forn / & iche day wepyng & sorwyng p᷑yidpreyid for hir recur

tyl / god ȝaf hir hir witte & hir mende a ȝen /· And þ⸧þan was

]

sche browt to chirche & purifiid as oþ ᷑oþer women be /· blyssed

mote god ben / It was as hem thowt þ^tþat knewyn it / a ryth

gret myrakyl / for he þ^tþat wrot þⁱsþis boke had neu᷑neuyr be for þ^tþat

tyme sey man ne woman as hym thowt so fer owt of

hir self / as þⁱsþis woman was / ne so euyl to rewlyn / ne to

gou᷑nyngouernyn / & sithyn he sey hir sad & sobyr a now ·/ Worschip

& p᷑ysyngpreysyng be to owr lord w^twyth owtyn ende / for hys hy m᷑cymercy

& hys goodnes þ^tþat eu᷑euyr helpith at nede  deo gra̅sgracias

i

I

T happyd on a tyme þ^tþat þ^eþe husbonde of þ^eþe sayd creatur

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·76·

A man in gret age passyng thre scor ȝer / as he ⸗

her husband

wolde a comyn down of hys chambyr bar foot & bar

legge he slederyd er ellys faylyd of hys fotyng / & fel

down to þe grownd fro þe gresys & hys heuyd vndyr hym

greuowsly brokyn & bresyd / in so meche þ^tþat he had in hys

heuyd v · teyntꝭteyntys many days / Whil hys heuyd was in holyng

/ & as god wold it was knowyn to su̅mesumme of hys neybowrys /

how he was fallyn downe of þ^eþe gresys / ꝑauenturparauentur thorw

þ^eþe dene & þ^eþe luschyng of hys fallyng / & so þei comyn to hȳhym

& fowndyn hym lying w^twyth hys heuyȝd ⎣ vndir hym / half on

lyfe / al rowyd w^twyth blood / neu᷑neuyr lyke to a spokyn w^twyth p᷑ystepreyste ne

with clerk / but thorw hy gcegrace & myracle Than þ^eþe sayd ⸗

h · iii ·

IcIhesu crist

creatur hys wife was sent for / & so sche cam to hym ·/ þan was

he takyn vp & hys d heuyd was sowyd / & he was seke a long

tyme aftyr / þ^tþat men wend þ^tþat he xulde a be deed · And þ⸧þan þ^eþe pepil

seyd ȝyf he deyd hys wyfe was worthy to ben hangyn / for hys

[?]g

deth / for as meche as sche myth a kept hym & dede not · They

dwellyd not togedyr / ne þei lay not to gedyr / for as

‸

it

is wretyn

vow ·

be forn / þei bothyn w^twyth on assent · & w^twyth fre wil of her eiþ ᷑eiþyr haddy̅haddyn

mad avow to leuyn chast / & þ ᷑þer for to enchewyn alle perellys

þei dwellyd & soiowryd in diuers placys · Wher no suspicyon

xulde ben had of her incontinens / for first þei dwellyd to⸗

gedir aftyr þ^tþat þei had mad her vow / & þ⸧þan þe pepil slawndryd

hem & seyd þei vsyd her lust & her likyng as þei dedyn be forn

her vow makyng ·· And whan þei wentyn owt on pilg̍magepilgrimage

er to se & spekyn w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer gostly creaturys ·/ many euyl folke whos

tongꝭtongys wer her owyn

‸

hurt

faylyng þ^eþe dreed & lofe of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu

crist / demtyn & seydyn þ^tþat þei went raþ ᷑raþar to woodys grouys

er valeys · to vsyn þ^eþe s

…

lust of her bodiis · þ^tþat þ^eþe pepil xuld not

aspyin it ne wetyn it ·· They hauyng knowlach how ꝓneprone

þ^eþe pepil was to demyn euyl of hem / desiryng to avoydyn

al occasyon in as mech as þei myth goodly be her good wil

& her boþins co͒sentyngconsentyng / þei partyd a su̅dyrsundyr / as towchy͒gtowchyng

to her boord & to her chambrys / & wentyn to boord in diu᷑sdiuers

placꝭplacys / & þⁱsþis was þ^eþe cawse / þ^tþat sche was not w^twyth hym / & also þ^tþat

sche xulde not be lettyd fro hir co͒templacyoncontemplacyon · And þ ᷑þer for

whan he had fallyn & greuowsly was hurt / as is seyd be

forn · þ^eþe pepil seyd / ȝyf he deyid it was worthy þ^tþat sche xulde

answeryn for hys deth ·/ þ⸧þan sche p᷑yidpreyid to owr lord þ^tþat hir ⸗

husbond myth leuyn a ȝer / & sche to be deliu᷑yddeliueryd owt slawn⸗

dyr / ȝyf it wer hys plesawns · Owr lord seyd to hir mende

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu xalt haue þⁱþi bone / for he xal leuyn & I haue wrowt

a gret myrakyl for þ^eþe ·/ þ^tþat he was not ded / And I bydde þ^eþe take

hym hom & kepe hym for my lofe · Sche seyd nay good lord

for I xal þ⸧þan not tendyn to þ^eþe ·/ as I do now ·/ ȝys dowt ᷑dowtyr seyd

owr lord þ^uþu xalt haue as meche · mede for to kepyn hȳhym & helpyn

88

hym in hys nede at hom / as ȝyf þ^uþu wer in chirche to makyn þi

p᷑yeryspreyerys · And þ^uþu hast seyd many tymys þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist fawyn kepyn ⸗

me / I p᷑yprey þe now kepe hym / for þe lofe of me / for he hath su̅sum⸗

tyme fulfillyd þⁱþi wil & my wil boþ^eboþe ·/ And he hath mad þⁱþi body ⸗

nota

fre to me þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist ẜuynseruyn me / & leuyn chast & clene / And þ ᷑þer for

caritas di^adivina ·

I wil þ^tþat þ^uþu be fre to helpyn hym at hys nede in my name A ·

lord seyd sche for þⁱþi m᷑cymercy grawnt me gcegrace to obeyn þⁱþi wil & ful⸗

fille þⁱþi wil / & late neu᷑neuyr my gostly enmys han no powyr to

lett me fro fulfillyng of þⁱþi wil / þ⸧þan sche toke hom hir hus⸗

bond to hir / & kept hym ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr / as long as he leuyd / &

had ful mech labowr w^twyth hym / for in hys last days he t nydturnyd

childisch a ȝen & lakkyd reson / þ^tþat he cowd not don hys owyn

esement / to gon to a sege ·/ er ellys he wolde not but as a

childe / voydyd his natural digestyon in hys lynyn clothys

þ ᷑þer he sat be þ^eþe fyre / er at þ^eþe tabil wheþ ᷑wheþyr it wer ·/ he wolde ⸗

sparyn no place And þ ᷑þer for was hir labowr meche þ^eþe mor

in waschyng & wryngyng / & hir costage in fyryng & lettyd

hir ful meche fro hir co̅templacyoncontemplacyon / þ^tþat many tymys sche xuld

an yrkyd hir labowr saf sche bethowt hir how sche in hir

ȝong age had ful many delectabyl thowtꝭthowtys / fleschly lustꝭlustys

& inordinat louys to hys ꝑsonepersone / & þ ᷑þer for sche was glad to

be ponischyd w^twyth þ^eþe same ꝑsonepersone / & toke it mech þ^eþe mor esily

& ẜuydseruyd hym & helpyd hym / as hir thowt as sche wolde a

don crist hym self 

w

W

han þ^eþe seyd creatur had first hyr wondirful cryis

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·77·

& on a tyme was in gostly dalyawns w^twyth hir so⸗

noᷓnota

ueryn lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu / sche sayd / lord why wist þ^uþu

ȝyf me swech crying þ^tþat þe pepil wondryth on me þ ᷑þer for /

dyscretione

& þei seyn þ^tþat I am in gret ꝑelperel / for as þei seyn ·/ I am cawse

þ^tþat many men synne on me · And þ^uþu knowist lord þ^tþat I wolde↙

ȝeuyn no man cawse ne occasyon of synne ȝyf I myth /

for I had leu᷑leuar lord ben in a p᷑sonpreson of ten fadom depe / þ ᷑þer

to cryin & wepyn for my synne / & for alle mennys synnys

h · iiii ·

/ & specialy for thy lofe / al my lyf tyme / þ⸧þan I xulde ȝeuyn þ^eþe pepil

occasyon to synnyn on me wilfully / lord þe worlde may not suf

wyl ·

fyr me to do thy wil ne to folwyn aft ᷑aftyr þⁱþi steryng & þ ᷑þer for I p᷑yprey

þ^eþe ȝyf it be thy wil / take þes cryingꝭcryingys fro me in þe tyme of ser⸗

mownys · þ^tþat I cry not at þⁱnþin holy prechyng / & late me hauyn hem

be my self alone / so þ^tþat I be not putt fro heryng of þⁱnþin holy

p᷑chyngprechyng & of þⁱnþin holy wordꝭwordys / for grett ᷑grettar peyn may I not suffyr

in þⁱsþis worlde / þ⸧þan be put fro þⁱþi holy worde heryng And ȝyf

I wer in p᷑sonpreson  my most peyn xulde be / þ^eþe forberyng of þⁱnþin

holy wordꝭwordys & of þⁱnþin holy ẜmownyssermownys /· And good lord ȝyf þ^uþu

wilt al gate þ^tþat I crye / I p᷑yprey þ^eþe ȝeue me it alone in my cham⸗

byr as meche as eu᷑euyr þ^uþu wilt / & spar me a mongꝭmongys þ^eþe pepil

Responcio ·

ȝyf it plese þ^eþe ·/ Owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu answeryng to

hir mende seyd / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr p᷑yprey not þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu xalt not han thy

desyr in þⁱsþis / thow my modyr & alle þ^eþe seyntys in heuyn p᷑yepreye

for þ^eþe ·/ for I xal make þ^eþe buxom to my wil þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt criyn

¶

whan I wil / & wher I wil / bothyn lowde & still / for I teld

þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu art myn / & I am thyn / & so xalt þ^uþu be w^twyth owtyn

ende / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu seist how þ^eþe planetꝭplanetys ar buxom to my wil /

planetꝭplanetys

þ^tþat su̅sum tyme þ ᷑þer cu̅cum gret thundir krakkys / & makyn þ^eþe pepil

ful sor a feerd · And su̅sum tyme dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu seest how I sende

gret leuenys þ^tþat brennyn chirchys & howsys / Also su̅sum tyme

þ^uþu seest þ^tþat I sende gret wyndꝭwyndys / þ^tþat blowyn down · stepelys / howsys

& trees ·/ owt of þ^eþe erde / & doth mech harm in many placys /

And ȝet may not þ^eþe wynd be seyn but it may wel be felt ·/

potestas di^adivina

/ & ryth so dowt ᷑dowtyr / I fare w^twyth þ^eþe myth of my godheed / It may not

be seyn w^twyth mannys eye / & ȝyt it may wel be felt in a sym⸗

pil sowle / Wher

‸

me

likyth to werkyn gcegrace / as I do in þⁱþi sowle / &

nota̅ꝱnotandum

as sodeynly as þ^eþe leuyn comith fro heuyn / so sodeynly come

I in to thy sowle / & illumyn it w^twyth þ^eþe lyght of gcegrace / & of vndir

standyng / & sett it al on fyr w^twyth lofe / & make þ^eþe fyr of lofe

to brenn þ ᷑þer in / & pgynpurgyn it ful elene fro alle erdly filth / &

su͒sum tyme dowt ᷑dowtyr I make erde denys for to feryn þe pepil

þ^tþat þei xulde dredyn me And so dowt ᷑dowtyr gostly haue I don w^twyth þ^eþe

& w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer chosyn sowlys þ^tþat xal ben sauyd / for I t neturne þ^eþe erthe ⸗

89

of her hertꝭhertys vp so down / & make hem sore a feerd þ^tþat þei dredyn ven⸗

iawnce xulde fallyn on hem for her synnys / & so dedist þ^uþu dowt ᷑dowtyr

wh⸧whan þ^uþu t nedistturnedist fyrst to me / & it is nedful þ^tþat ȝong be gynnarys

do so /· but now dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast gret cawse to louyn me wel / for

ꝑfca̅perfecta caritas
foras mittit ti[morem?]

þ^eþe ꝑfyteparfyte charite þ^tþat I ȝyf þ^eþe / puttyth a way al drede fro þ^eþe /· And

thow oþ ᷑oþer men settyn lityl be þe / I sett but þ^eþe mor prys be þ^eþe

As sekyr as þ^uþu art of þ^eþe sunne / whan / þ^uþu seest it schynyn ⸗

bryghtly / ryth so sekyr art þ^uþu of þe lofe of god at al tymes /

Also dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu wost wel þ^tþat I send su̅sum tyme many gret reynys

& scharp schowerys / & su̅sum tyme but smale & softe dropis /

& ryth so I far w^twyth þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr whan it likyth me to spekyn

in þi sowle / I ȝyf þ^eþe su̅sum tyme smale wepyngꝭwepyngys & soft teerys /

terꝭterys

for a tokyn þ^tþat I lofe þ^eþe ·/ & su̅sum tyme I ȝeue þ^eþe gret cryis and

roryngꝭroryngys for to makyn þe pepil a ferd w^twyth þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat I putte

in þ^eþe ·/ in to a tokyn þ^tþat I wil þ^tþat my modrys sorwe be knowyn

by þ^eþe ·/ þ^tþat men & women myth haue þ^eþe mor co͒passyoncompassyon of

hir sorwe þ^tþat sche suffyrd for me /· And þ^eþe thryd tokyn is

þⁱsþis dowt ᷑dowtyr · þ^tþat what creatur wil takyn as mech sorwe for my passyon

as þ^uþu hast don many a tyme / & wil sesyn of her synnys / þ^tþat þei ⸗

xal haue þ^eþe blys of heuyn w^twyth owtyn ende · The ferth tokyn is

þⁱsþis þ^tþat any creatur in erthe / haf he be neu᷑neuyr so horrybyl a synner /

he thar neu᷑neuyr fallyn in dispeyr / ȝyf he wyl takyn exampil of

thy leuyng / & werkyn su̅sum what þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr / as he may do ·/ Also dowt ᷑dowtyr

þe fifte tokyn is þ^tþat I wil þ^uþu knowe in þⁱþi self be þ^eþe gret peyne þ^tþat

þ^uþu felist in thyn hert whan þ^uþu cryist so sor for my lofe / þ^tþat it

xal be cawse þ^uþu xalt no peyn felyn wh⸧whan þ^uþu art comyn owt of

þⁱsþis worlde / & also þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt haue þ^eþe lesse peyn in thy deying /

for þ^uþu hast so gret co̅passyoncompassyon of my flesche / I must nede haue

ma̅heydmanheyd of
cryst 

co̅passyoncompassyon of þⁱþi flesch · And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr suffyr þ^eþe pepil to sey

what þei wil of þⁱþi crying / for þ^uþu art no thyng cawse of her

noᷓnota

synne · Dowtyr þ^eþe pepil synnyd on me / & ȝet was I not cawse of

her synne ·/ þ⸧þan sche seyd · A lord blissyd mote þ^uþu be for me thyn⸗

kyth þ^uþu dost þiself al þ^tþat þ^uþu biddist me don ·/ In holy writte lord þ^uþu ⸗

h · v ·

byddyst me louyn myn enmys / & I wot wel þ^tþat in al þⁱsþis werld was

neu᷑neuyr so gret an enmye to me as I haue ben to þ^eþe / þ ᷑þer for lord þei

I wer slayn an hu̅drydhundryd sithys on a day / ȝyf it wer possibyl /

for thy loue ȝet cowde I neu᷑neuyr ȝeldyn þe / þe goodnes þ^tþat þ^uþu hast

· nonota bn̅bene ·

schewyd to me · Than answeryd owr lord to hir & seyd / I p᷑yprey

þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr ȝeue me not ellys but lofe / þ^uþu maist neu᷑neuyr plesyn

me bettyr þ⸧þan hauyn me eu᷑euyr in þⁱþi lofe / ne þ^uþu xalt neu᷑neuyr in

no penawns þ^tþat þ^uþu mayst do in erth / plesyn me so meche

as for to louyn me · And dowt ᷑dowtyr ȝyf þ^uþu wilt ben hey in

heuyn w^twyth me / kepe me al wey in þⁱþi mende as meche as

þ^uþu mayst / & forȝete me not at þⁱþi mete / but thynk alwey

þ^tþat I sitte in þⁱnþin hert / & knowe eu᷑yeuery thowt þ^tþat is þ ᷑þer in boþ^eboþe good

& ylle / & þ^tþat I ꝑceyueparceyue þ^eþe lest thynkyng / and twynkelyng / of

thyn eye · Sche seyd a ȝen to owr lord · Now trewly ⸗

lord I wolde I cowde louyn þ^eþe as mych as þ^uþu mythist maky͒makyn

me to louyn þ^eþe / ȝyf it wer possibyl I wolde louyn þ^eþe as

wel as alle þe seyntys in heuyn louyn þ^eþe / & as wel as

alle þ^eþe creaturys in erth myth louyn þ^eþe ·/ And I wolde 

lord for þⁱþi lofe be leyd nakyd on an hyrdil / alle men

to wonderyn on me for þⁱþi loue / so it wer no ꝑelperel to her

sowlys / & þei to castyn slory & slugge on me / & be dra⸗

wyn fro town to town eu᷑yeuery day my lyfe tyme / ȝyf þ^uþu

wer plesyd þ ᷑þer by / & no mannys sowle hyndryd ·/ þⁱþi wil mote

be fulfillyd & not myn 

m

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·78·

M

Any ȝerys on palme sonday as þⁱsþis creatur was at

þ^eþe ꝓcessyonprocessyon w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer good pepyl in þ^eþe chirch ȝerd & beheld

how þe p᷑ystꝭpreystys dedyn her obẜuawnceobseruawnce · how þei knelyd

to þe sacrament & þe pepil also ·/ it semyd to hir gostly sygth

as þei sche had ben þ^tþat tyme in IerIerusalem / & seen owr lord in hys

manhod receyuyd of þ^eþe pepil / as he was whil he went her

in erth ·/ þ⸧þan had sche so meche swetnes & deuocyon / þ^tþat sche

myth not beryn it / but cryid wept & sobbyd ful boistowsly

sche had many an holy thowt of owr lordꝭlordys passyon / & be⸗

held hym in hir gostly syght as verily / as he had ben a forn

hir in hir bodily syght / þ ᷑þer for myth sche not w^tstondy͒wythstondyn wepy͒gwepyng

90

& sobbyng / but sche must nedꝭnedys wepyn cryin & sobbyn whan

sche be held hir sauyowr suffyr so gret peynys for hir lofe /

Than xulde sche p᷑ynpreyn for al þe pepil þ^tþat was leuyng in erth /

nota

þ^t&at þei myth do owr lord dew worschep & reu᷑ensreuerens þat tymys

& al tymys / & þ^tþat þei myth ben worthy to heryn & vndirstondyn

þ^eþe holy wordꝭwordys & lawys of god / & mekely obeyn & trewly fulfillyn

hem vp on her powyr / & It was custom in þ^eþe place · þ ᷑þer sche ⸗

was dwellyng to haue a ẜmownsermown on þ^tþat day ·/ & þ⸧þan as a wor⸗

schepful docto doctowr of diuinite was in þ^eþe pulpit / & seyd þ^eþe ẜmownsermown

he rehersyd oftyn tyme þ^esþes wordꝭwordys · Owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu langurith

for lofe ·/ þo wordys wrowt so in hir mende · Wh⸧Whan sche herd ⸗

spekyn of þ^eþe parfyte lof þ^tþat owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist had to mankynde /

& how der he bowt us w^twyth hys bitt ᷑bittyr passyon schedyng hys hert

blood for owr redempcyon / & suffyrd so schamful a deth for ⸗

·

owr saluacyon /· þ⸧þan sche myth no leng᷑lengar kepyn þ^eþe fir of lofe clos

w^twyth inne hir brest / but wheþ ᷑wheþyr sche wolde er not / it wolde ape⸗

ryn w^twyth owte forth / swech as was closyd w^twyth inne forth / & so

sche cryed ful lowde & wept & sobbyd ful sor / as þow sche ⸗

xulde a brostyn for pite & co͒passyoncompassyon / þ^tþat sche had of owr

lordꝭlordys passyon /· & su̅sum tyme sche was al on a watyr w^twyth þ^eþe labo labowr

of þ^eþe crying / it was so lowde & so boistows / & mech pepil ⸗

wondryd on hir & bannyd hir ful fast / supposyng þ^tþat sche had

feynyd hir self for to cryin · And sone aft ᷑aftyr owr lord seyd

¶

on to hir · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þⁱsþis plesith me rith wel for þ^eþe mor schame

& mor despite þ^tþat þ^uþu hast for my lofe / þ^eþe mor Ioy schalt þ^uþu

haue w^twyth me in heuyn · And it is rithful þ^tþat it be so · Su̅Sum

nota

tyme sche herd gret sowndꝭsowndys & gret melodiis w^twyth hir bodily

erys / & þ⸧þan sche þowt it was ful mery in heuyn / & had ful

gret languryng / & ful gret longyng þedyr ward / w^twyth many

a stille morny͒gmornyng · And þ⸧þan many tymys owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist

wolde sey to hir · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr her is þⁱsþis day a fayr pepil / and

many of hem xal ben ded er þⁱsþis day twelmonyth / & telde

hir be forn wh⸧whan pestilens xulde fallyn & sche fonde it in

dede

h · vi ·

dede as sche had felt be forn / & þ^tþat strengthyd hir mech in þ^eþe lofe

of god · Owr lord wolde seyn also Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þei þ^tþat wil not beleuy͒beleuyn

þ^eþe goodnes & þ^eþe grace þ^tþat I schewe on to þ^eþe in þⁱsþis lyfe / I xal make

hem to knowe þ^eþe trewth wh⸧whan þ^eiþei arn dede & owt of þⁱsþis world

¶

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu hast a good ȝele of charite / in þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist alle ⸗

men wer sauyd / & so wolde I ·/ & þei seyn þ^tþat so wolde þei / but þ^uþu

maist wel se · þ^tþat þei wol not hem self be sauyd / for alle

þei wil su̅sum tyme heryn þ^eþe word of god / but þ^eiþei wil not alwey

don þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr / & þei wil not sorwyn hem self for her synnys

/ ne þei wil suffyr non oþ ᷑oþer to suffir for hem / Neu᷑Neuyr þ^eþe lesse

dowt ᷑dowtyr I haue ordeynd þ^eþe to be a merowr a mongꝭmongys hem / for

i̅in exe̅plu̅exemplum

to han gret sorwe / þ^tþat þei xulde takyn exampil by þ^eþe / for

to haue su̅sum litil sorwe in her hertꝭhertys for her synnys / þ^tþat þ^eiþei

myth þ ᷑þer thorw be sauyd / but þei louyn not to heryn of

sorwe ne of co͒tricyoncontricyon ·/ but good dowt ᷑dowtyr do þ^uþu þⁱþi deuer

& p᷑yprey for hem whil þ^uþu art in þⁱsþis world / & þ^uþu xalt haue þe

same mede & reward in heuyn / as ȝyf al þ^eþe werlde wer

noᷓnota

sauyd be þⁱþi good wil / & þⁱþi p᷑yerpreyer · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I haue many tymys

bona̅bonam volu̅t^ꝯvoluntatem

seyd to þ^eþe / þ^tþat many · thowsand sowlys xal be sauyd thorw

þi p᷑yeryspreyerys / & su̅sum þ^tþat lyn in poynt of deth xal han gcegrace ⸗

thorw þⁱþi m᷑itꝭmeritys & þⁱþi p᷑yeryspreyerys / for þⁱþi terys & þⁱþi p᷑yeryspreyerys arn

perpraer

ful swet & acceptabil vn to me ·/ þ⸧þan sche seyd in hir mende

to owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist · A Ihu̅Ihesu blissyd mote þ^uþu be w^twyth owtyn

ende / for I haue many a gret cawse to thank þ^eþe & lofe þ^eþe

w^twyth al myn hert /· for it semith to me lord þ^tþat þ^uþu art alle

charite / to þe ꝓfyteprofyte & helth of mannys sowle · A lord I beleue

þ^tþat he xal be ryth wikked þ^tþat xal be partyd fro þ^eþe w^twyth owtyn ende

he xal neiþ ᷑neiþer welyn good ne do good ne desiryn good ·/ &

þ ᷑þer for lord I thanke þ^eþe for al goodnes þ^tþat þ^uþu hast schewyd on

to me ryth vnworthy wrech / And þ⸧þan on þ^eþe same sonday

wh⸧whan þ^eþe p᷑ystepreyste toke þ^eþe crosse staf & smet on þ^eþe chirche dor ·/ &

þe dor openyd a geyn hym / & þ⸧þan þ^eþe p᷑ystpreyst entryd w^twyth þ^eþe sacsacra⸗

ment / & al þ^eþe pepil folwyng in to chirche / þ⸧þan thowt sche ⸗

91

þ^tþat owr lord spak to þ^eþe deuyl & openyd helle ȝatys confowndyng

d

hym & alle hys Oste / & what gcegrace & goodnes he schewyd to þo

sowlys delyueryng hem fro eu᷑euyr lestyng p᷑sonpreson mawgmawgre þ^eþe deuyl

& alle hys · Sche had many an holy thowt & many an holy

desyr whech sche cowde neu᷑neuyr tellyn ne rehersyn ⎣ ne hir tu͒getunge

myth neu᷑neuyr expressyn þ^eþe habu͒dawncehabundawnce of gcegrace / þ^tþat sche felt / blis⸗

[?]

syd be owr lord of alle hys ȝyftꝭȝyftys ·/ Whan þei wer comyn

in to þe cherch & ache beheld þe p᷑ystꝭpreystys knelyng be forn þ^eþe

c^ucifixecrucifixe And as þei songyn ·/ þe p᷑ystepreyste whech executyd þ^eþe

ẜuyseseruyse þ^tþat day drow up a cloth be for þ^eþe c^ucyfixecrucyfixe / ththre tymys /

eu᷑yeuery tyme heyar / þ⸧þan oþ ᷑oþer / þ^tþat þe pepil xulde se þ^eþe c^ucifixecrucifixe ·/

þ⸧þan was hir mende al holy takyn owt of al erdly thyngꝭthyngys /

[?]

& set al in gostly thyngꝭthyngys preying & desyryng þ^tþat sche myth

at þ^eþe last han þe ful syght of hym in heuyn · Whech is boþⁱnboþin

god & man in oo · ꝑsonepersone ·· And þ⸧þan xulde sche al þ^eþe messe tyme

aft ᷑aftyr wepyn & sobbyn ful plentyuowsly / & su̅sum tyme amo͒gamong

cryin rith feruently / for hir thowt þ^tþat sche saw owr lord

crist Ihu̅Ihesu as verily in hir sowle w^twyth hir gostly eye / as sche

had seyn be forn þ^eþe c^ucifixecrucifixe w^twyth hir bodily eye 

t

T

han sche beheld in þ^eþe syght of hir sowle owr blisful

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·79·

lord cstcrist Ihu͒Ihesu comyng to hys passyon ward / & er

he went he knelyd down & toke hys moderys blissy͒gblissyng /

/ þ⸧þan sche saw hys modyr fallyng down in swownyng befor

hir sone / seyng vn to hym Alas my der sone how schal I

suffyr þⁱsþis sorwe / & haue no Ioy in al þⁱsþis werlde but þ^eþe ⸗

a lone A der sone ȝyf þ^uþu wilt al gatꝭgatys dey: late me deye

befor þ^eþe / & late me neu᷑neuyr suffyr þⁱsþis day of sorwe / for I may

neu᷑neuyr beryn þⁱsþis sorwe þ^tþat I xal han for þⁱþi deth / I wolde sone

þat I myth suffir deth for þ^eþe / so þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist not deyin / ȝyf

mannys sowle myth so be sauyd / Now der sone ȝyf þ^uþu haue

no rewth of þⁱþi self / haue rewth of þⁱþi modyr · / for þ^uþu wost

ful wel þ ᷑þer can no man in al þⁱsþis worlde co͒fortyncomfortyn me ⸗

but þ^uþu a lone · Than owr lord toke up hys modyr in hys ⸗

armys & kissyd hir ful swetly & seyde to hyr A blissyd modyr beth

of a good cher & of a good co͒fortecomforte / for I haue tel ȝow ful oftyn

þ^tþat I must nedys suffyr deth / & ellys schulde no man be sauyd ne

neu᷑neuyr comyn in blisse / & modir it is my fadyrs wil þ^tþat it be so

& þ ᷑þer for I p᷑yepreye ȝow late it be ȝo ȝowr wil also / for my deth xal t neturne

me to gret worschep & ȝow & al man kynde to gret Ioye &

ꝓfyteprofyte whech þ^tþat trustyn in my passyon & werkyn þ ᷑þer aftyr

And þ ᷑þer for blissyd modir · ȝe must abydyn her aft ᷑aftyr me · for

¶

in ȝow schal restyn al þ^eþe feith of holy chirch / & be ȝo ȝowr feith

holy chirch xal encresyn in hir feith · And þ ᷑þer for I p᷑yprey ȝow

derworthy modyr cesyth of ȝo ȝowr sorweng / for I xal not leuy̅leuyn

ȝow co͒fortleescomfortlees / I schal leuyn her w^twyth ȝow Iohn my cosyn to

co͒fortcomfort ȝow in stede of me / I xal send myn holy Awngelys to

co͒forcomfor ȝow in erth / & I xal co͒fortyncomfortyn ȝow in ȝo ȝowr sowle myn owy̅owyn

self / for modir / ȝe wote wel I haue behyte ȝow þ^eþe blys of he⸗

uyn & þ^tþat ȝe ar sekyr þ ᷑þer of · A derworthy modyr what wolde

ȝe bett ᷑bettyr þ⸧þan þ ᷑þer I am kyng  · ȝe for to be qwen · & alle Awngel ̅Awngelys

& seyntꝭseyntys xal be buxom to ȝo ȝowr wil / & what gcegrace ȝe aske me

I xal not denye ȝo ȝowr desyr / I xal ȝeuyn ȝow powyr ou᷑ouyr þe

deuelys þ^tþat þ^eiþei xal be aferd of ȝow / and ȝe not of hem · · And

also my blissyd modyr · I haue seyd to ȝow be for tyme þ^tþat

I xal comyn

…

for ȝow myn owyn self wh⸧whan ȝe xal passyn

owt of þⁱsþis world · w^twyth alle myn Awngelys & alle myn seyntꝭseyntys

þ^tþat arn in heuyn / & bryng ȝow be for my fadyr w^twyth al man ᷑maner

of musyk melody & Ioy / & þ ᷑þer xal I sett ȝow in gret pees

& rest w^twyth owtyn ende /· And þ ᷑þer xal ȝ

‸

e

be corownyd as for

qwen of heuyn / as for lady of al þ^eþe worlde / & as for emp᷑sempres

of helle / & þ ᷑þer for my derworthy modyr · I pypray ȝow blissyth

me & late me go do my fadrys wille /· for þ ᷑þer for I cam

in to þⁱsþis worlde & toke flesch & blood of ȝow  / Whan þ^eþe

sayd creatur beheld þⁱsþis gloriows syght in hir sowle

& saw how he blissyd hys modyr / & hys modyr hym / &

þan hys blissyd modyr myth not spekyn o word mor to ⸗

92

hym but fel down to þ^eþe grownde / & so þei partyd a sundyr

hys modyr lying stille as sche had ben ded / þan þe sayd creatur

thowt sche toke owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist be þ^eþe clothys / & fel down at hys

feet · p᷑yngpreyng hym to blissyn hir / & þ ᷑þer w^twyth sche cryid ful w lowde & wept

rith sor seying in hir mende · A lord wher schal I be come I had

wel leu᷑leuar þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist sle me / þ⸧þan latyn me abydyn in þ^eþe worlde

w^twyth owtyn þ^eþe / for w^twyth owtyn þ^eþe I may not abydyn her lord · Than

answeryd owr lord to hir / be stille dowt ᷑dowtyr & rest w^twyth my modyr

her & co͒fortcomfort þ^eþe in hir / for sche þ^tþat is myn owyn modyr must

suffyr þⁱsþis sorwe · / but I xal come a geyn dowt ᷑dowtyr to my modyr

[?]

& comfortyn hir / & þ^eþe bothyn / & t nynturnyn al ȝo ȝowr sorwe in to Ioye /

And þ⸧þan hir thowt owr lord went forth hys wey / & sche went

to owr lady & seyd A blissyd lady risith vp / & late vs folwe

ȝo ȝowr blissyd sone as long as we may se hym / þ^tþat I may lokyn I

now up on hym er he deye · A der lady how may ȝo ȝowr hert lestyn

& se ȝo ȝowr blisful sone se al þⁱsþis wo / lady I may not dur it & ȝyt

am I not hys modyr · / þ⸧þan owr lady answeryd & seyd · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr · þ^uþu

herist wel it wil non oþ ᷑oþer wise be / & þ ᷑þer for I must nedys suffyr

it · for my sonys lofe · / And þ⸧þan hir thowt þ^tþat þei folwyd forth

aft ᷑aftyr owr lord / & sey how he mad hys p᷑yerispreyeris to hys fadyr in

þ^eþe mownt of Olyuete / & herdyn þe goodly answer þ^tþat cam fro

hys fadyr / & þ^eþe goodly answer þ^tþat he ȝaf hys fadyr a geyn · / þan

sche sey how owr lord went to hys discipulys / & bad hem

wakyn hys enmys wer ner · And þ⸧þan com a gret multitude

of pepil w^twyth mech lyght & many armyd men w^twyth stauys swer

dys & polexis to sekyn owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / Owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord

as a meke lombe seying on to hem whom seke ȝe  / þei an⸗

sweryd w^twyth a scharp spiryt Ihu̅Ihesu of Naȝareth · Owr lord seyd

a ȝen · Ego sum · And þ⸧þan sche sey þ^eþe Iewys fallyn down on

þ^eþe grownde / þei mowt not stondyn for drede / but a non þei

resun a geyn & sowtyn as þ^eiþei had don be forn / And owr lord

askyd · · Whom seke ȝe · And þei seyd a geyn Ihu̅Ihesu of Naȝareth /

Owr lord answeryd I it am And þ⸧þan a non sche sey Iudas come ⸗

& kyssyn owr lord / & þe Iewys leyd handꝭhandys vp on hȳhym ful violentlyche

/ þ⸧þan had owr lady & sche meche sorwe & gret peyn to se þ^eþe lombe

of innocencye · so co̅temptiblycontemptibly be haldyn & drawyn w^twyth hys owyn

pepil þ^tþat he was specialy sent vn to · And a swithe þ^eþe sayd cͤaturcreatur

beheld w^twyth hir gostly eye þe Iewys puttyng a cloth be forn owr

lordꝭlordys eyne / betyng hym & bofetyng hym in þ^eþe heuyd / & bobyng

hym be forn hys swete mowth / criyng ful cruelly vn to hy͒hym

telle us now how smet þ^eþe · / þ^eiþei sparid not to spittyn in hys face

in þ^eþe most schamful wise þ^tþat þei cowde And þ⸧þan owr lady &

sche hyr vnworthy hand maydyn for þ^eþe tyme wept / & syhyd

ful sor for þ^eþe Iewys ferd so fowle & so venowslych w^twyth hir

blisful lord / & þei wolde not spare to luggen hys blisful

erys & drawyn þ^eþe her of hys berd And a non aftyr sche saw

hem drawyn of hys clothys / & makyn hym al nakyd & sithyn

drewyn hym forth a forn hem / as it

‸

had

ben þ^eþe most malefacto malefactowr

in al þ^eþe worlde / &

‸

he

went forth ful mekely a forn hem al mod ᷑modyr

nakyd as he was born to a peler of ston / & spak no worde

a geyn hem / but leet hem do & sey what þei wolde And þ ᷑þer

þei bowndyn hȳhym to þ^eþe peler as streyt as þei cowde & beetyn

hym on hys fayr white body w^twyth baleys wyth whippis & w^twyth scorgꝭscorgys

& than hir thowt owr lady wept wondir sor · And þ ᷑þer for þ^eþe

¶

sayd creatur must nedꝭnedys wepyn & cryin whan sche sey swech

gostly syȝtꝭsyȝtys in hir sowle / as freschly & as verily / as ȝyf it

· racio hic
ponit ᷑ponitur qrequare
sic plora̅splorans clama^tclamauit

had ben don in dede in hir bodily syght / and hir thowt þ^tþat owr

lady & sche wer al wey to gedyr to se owr lordꝭlordys peynys

Swech gostly syghtys had sche eu᷑yeuery palme sonday & eu᷑yeuery

good fryday / & in many oþ ᷑oþer wise boþ^eboþe many ȝerys to gedyr

And þ ᷑þer for cryid sche & wept ful sor & suffyrd ful myche

despite & repref in many a cu͒trecuntre · And þ⸧þan owr lord seyd toin

hir sowle /· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^esþes sorwys & many mo suffyrd I for þⁱþi lofe

& diuers peynys mo þ⸧þan any man can tellyn in erth ·’ / þ ᷑þer for

dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast gret cawse to louyn me ryght wel for I haue

bowt þⁱþi lofe ful der  trew it is blyssyd lord 

93

¶

ca^mcapitulum 7 ·80·

a

A

N oþ ᷑oþer tyme sche saw in hyr co͒templacyoncontemplacyon owr lord

Ihu͒Ihesu crist bowndyn to a peler & hys handꝭhandys wer bowndybowndyn ·

a bouyn hys heuyd · · And þ⸧þan sche sey sextene men

wyth sextene scorgꝭscorgys & eche scorge had · viii · babelys of leed on þe⸗

ende / & eu᷑yeuery babyl was ful of scharp p᷑kelysprekelys as it had ben þ^eþe rowelys

of a spor & þo men w^twyth þ^eþe scorgꝭscorgys madyn comenawnt þ^tþat ich of

hem xulde ȝeuyn owr lord · xl · strokys · Wh⸧Whan sche saw þⁱsþis petows

syght / sche wept & cryid ryth wo lowde as ȝyf sche xulde a ⸗

brostyn for sorwe & peyne · And whan owr lord was al to

betyn & scorgyd / þ^eþe Iewys · losyd hym fro þ^eþe peler / & tokyn hym

hys crosse for to beryn

…

to

…

þ^eþe

…

mownt

…

on hys schuldyr · And þ⸧þan

hir thowt þ^tþat owr lady & sche went be an oþ ᷑oþer wey for to metyn

w^twyth hym / & whan þ^eiþei mettyn w^twyth hym / þ^eiþei sey hȳhym beryn þ^eþe heuy

crosse w^twyth gret peyne / it was so heuy & so boystows þ^tþat vnethe

he myth bere it / & þ⸧þan owr lady seyd vn to hym A my swete

sone late me help to ber þ^tþat heuy crosse / & sche was so weyke

þ^tþat sche myth not but fel down & swownyd & lay stille as it

had ben a ded woman · / þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur say owr lord fallyn

down by hys modyr / & co͒fortyncomfortyn hir as he myth w^twyth many

swete wordꝭwordys · Whan sche herd þ^eþe wordꝭwordys & sey þ^eþe compassyon þ^tþat

þ^eþe modyr had of þ^eþe sone & þ^eþe sone of hys modyr / þ⸧þan sche wept

sobbyd & criyd as þow sche xulde a deyid for pite & co̅passyoncompassyon

þ^tþat sche had of þ^tþat petows syght & þ^eþe holy thowtꝭthowtys þ^tþat sche had

in þ^eþe mene tyme þ^eþe whech wer / so sotyl & heuynly / þ^tþat sche

cowde neu ᷑neuyr tellen hem aft ᷑aftyr / so as sche had hem in felyng /

Sithyn sche went forth in co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / þorw þ^eþe m᷑cymercy of

owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist to þ^eþe place þ ᷑þer he was naylyd to þ^eþe crosse

And þ⸧þan sche sey þ^eþe Iewys w^twyth gret violens · rendyn of owr

lordꝭlordys p᷑cyowsprecyows body a cloth of sylke þ^eþe which was cleuyn &

hardyd so sadly & streitly to owr lordꝭlordys body w^twyth hys p᷑cyowsprecyows

blood / þ^tþat it drow a wey al þ^eþe hyde & al þ^eþe skyn of hys blissyd

body / & renewyd hys p᷑ciowspreciows wowndꝭwowndys & mad þ^eþe blod to

renne down al a bowtyn on eu᷑yeuery syde / þ⸧þan þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows body

aperyd to hir syght / as rawe as a thyng þ^tþat wer newe flayn

owt of þe skyn ful petows & rewful to be holdyn And so had sche a

newe sorwe þ^tþat sche wept & cryid ryth sor / & a non aftyr sche beheld

how þ^eþe cruel Iewys leydyn hys p᷑cyowsprecyows body to þ^eþe crosse / & sithyn

tokyn a long nayle a row & a boistews & sett to hys on hand

& w^twyth gret violens & cruelnes þei dreuyn it thorw hys hande /

hys blisful modyr beheldyng & þⁱsþis creatur how hys precyows

body schrynkyd & drow to gedyr w^twyth alle senwys & veynys in

þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows body / for peyne þ^tþat it suffyrd & felt þei sorwyd and

mornyd & syhyd ful sor · Than sey sche w^twyth hyr gostly eye ⸗

how þ^eþe Iewys festenyd ropis on þe oþ ᷑oþer hand / for þ^eþe senwys

& veynys wer so schrynkyn w^twyth peyne þ^tþat it myth not come

to þ^eþe hole þ^tþat þei had morkyn þ ᷑þer for / & drowyn þ ᷑þer on to maky͒makyn

it mete w^twyth þ^eþe hole & so her peyne & hir sorwe eu᷑euyr encresyd

And sithyn þei drowyn hys blisful feet on þ^eþe same man᷑maner

¶

& þ⸧þan hir thowt in hir sowle / sche herd owr lady seyn to þ^eþe

Iewys · Alas ȝe cruel Iewys why far ȝe so w^twyth my swete ⸗

sone & dede he ȝow neu᷑neuyr non harm / ȝe fille myn hert ful

of sorwe And þ⸧þan hir thowt þ^eþe Iewys spokyn a geyn boys

towsly to owr lady / & put hir a way fro hir sone / þ⸧þan þe

forseyd creatur thowt þ^tþat sche cryid owt of þe Iewys / & seyd ·

ȝe cursyd Iewys why sle ȝe my lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist sle me raþ ᷑raþar

& late hym gon And þ⸧þan sche wept & cryid passyngly sor þ^tþat

myche of þ^eþe pepil in þ^eþe chirche wondryd on hir body & a

non sche sey hem takyn vp þ^eþe crosse w^twyth owr lordꝭlordys body han⸗

gyng þ ᷑þer on & madyn gret noyse & gret crye / & lyftyd it

vp fro þ^eþe erthe a certeyn distawnce / & sithyn letyn þ^eþe crosse

fallyn down in to þ^eþe morteys / & þ⸧þan owr lordꝭlordys body scha

kyd & schoderyd / & alle þ^eþe IoyntꝭIoyntys of þ^tþat blisful body brostyn

& wentyn a sundyr / & hys p᷑cyowsprecyows wowndꝭwowndys ronnyn down

w^twyth reuerys of blood on eu᷑yeuery syde / & so sche had eu᷑euyr mor ⸗

cawse of mor wepyng & sorwyng · And þ⸧þan sche herd owr

lord hangyng on þ^eþe crosse seyn þes wordꝭwordys to hys modyr

Woman se thy sone of seynt Iohn þ^eþe Euangelist / þ⸧þan hir

thowt owr lady fel down & swownyd / & seynt Iohn toke ⸗

94

hir vp in hys armys & co͒fortydcomfortyd hir w^twyth swete wordꝭwordys as wel ⸗

as he cowde er myth · The creatur seyd þan to owr lord as hir semyd

Alas lord þ^uþu leeuyst her a careful modyr what xal we now don &

how / xal we beryn þⁱsþis gret sorwe þ^tþat we xal han for thy lofe · And

þan sche herd þ^eþe too theuys spekyn to owr lord And owr lord seyd

to þe on thefe /· þⁱsþis day þ^uþu xalt ben w^twyth me in paradys · / þ⸧þan was sche

glad of þ^tþat answer / & p᷑iydpreiyd owr lord for hys m᷑cymercy · þ^tþat he wolde ben

as gcyowsgracyows to hir sowle whan sche xulde passyn owt of þⁱsþis

worlde as he was to þ^eþe thef /· ffor sche was wers hir thowt þ⸧þan

any thef And þ⸧þan hir thowt owr lord comendyd hys spiryt in

to hys fadrys handys & þ ᷑þer w^twyth he deyid · / þ⸧þan hir thowt sche sey

owr lady swownyn & fallyn down / & lyn stille as sche had ben

ded · / þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur thowt þ^tþat sche ran al a bowte þ^eþe place / as it

had ben a mad woman crying & roryng / & sithyn sche cam

to owr lady & fel down on hir kneys be forn hir / seying to

to hir / I p᷑yprey ȝow lady cesyth of ȝo ȝowr sorwyng / for ȝo ȝowr sone is ded

& owt of peyne / for me thynkyth ȝe han sorwyd a now / &

lady I wil sorwe w^twyth

‸

for

ȝow for ȝo ȝowr sorwe is my sorwe · Than hir

thowt sche sey loseph ab Armathy takyn down owr lordꝭlordys

body of þ^eþe crosse & leyd it be forn owr lady on a marbil ston

Owr lady had þ⸧þan a man᷑maner of Ioye · Whan hir dere sone was

takyn down of þe crosse & leyd on þ^eþe ston be for hir · And

þan owr blisful lady bowyd down to hir sonys body & kyssyd

hys mowth · & wept so plentyuowsly ou᷑ouyr hys blissyd face

þ^tþat sche wesch a wey þ^eþe blod of hys face w^twyth þe terys of hir

eyne · And þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur thowt sche herd Mary Mawdelyn

seyn to owr lady / I pypray ȝow lady / ȝyf me leue to handelyn

& kissyn hys feet / for at þ^esþes get I gcegrace · Anon owr lady ȝaf

leue to hir & alle þo þ^tþat wer þ ᷑þer a bowte to do what worschip

& reu᷑ensreuerens þei wolde to þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows body · And a non Mary

Mawdelyn toke owr lordꝭlordys feet & owr ladiis sisterys toke

hys handys ·· þ^eþe on syst ᷑syster on hand & þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer sist ᷑sister an oþ ᷑oþer hand / &

wept ful sor in kissyng of þo handys & of þ^oþo p᷑cyowsprecyows feet · /

And þe sayd creatur thowt þ^tþat sche ran eu᷑euyr to & fro as it had be a woman

w^twyth owtyn reson · gretly desyryng to an had þe p᷑cyowsprecyows body be hir

self a lone / þ^tþat sche myth a wept a now in p᷑senspresens of þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows

body / for hir thowt þ^tþat sche wolde a deyid w^twyth wepyng & morny͒gmornyng

in hys deth for loue þ^tþat sche had to hym And as swythe sche

saw seynt Iohn þ^eþe EungelistEuangelist Ioseph of Aramathye & oþ ᷑oþer frendꝭfrendys

of owr lord comyn & woldyn beryn owr lordꝭlordys body & p᷑yidepreyide

owr lady þ^tþat sche wolde suffyr hem to beriin þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows body

Owr dolful lady seyd to hem Serys wolde ȝe takyn a wey

fro me my sonys body I myth neu᷑neuyr lokyn vp on hym I now

whil he leuyd / I pypray ȝow late me han hym now he is ded / &

partith not my sone & me asondyr And ȝyf ȝe welyn al⸗

gatꝭgatys beryin hym / I p᷑yprey ȝow berith me w^twyth hym / for I may not

leuyn w^twyth owtyn hȳhym And þ^eþe creatur thowt þ^tþat þei p᷑yidpreyid owr

lady so fayr til at þ^eþe last / owr lady leet hem beryin hir der

sone w^twyth gret worschep & w^twyth gret reu᷑ensreuerens as longyth to hem to do 

w

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·81·

W

han owr lord was beriid  / owr lady fel down in ⸗

swownyng as sche xulde a comyn fro þ^eþe gvegrave /&

seynt Iohn toke hir vp in hys armys · / & Mary ⸗

Mawdelyn went on þ^eþe oþ ᷑oþer syde to supportyn & co͒fortyncomfortyn owr

lady in as meche as þ^eiþei cowde er myth ·/ þ⸧þan þ^eþe sayd creatur ⸗

desiryng to a bydyn stille be þ^eþe gvegrave of owr lord / mornyd wept

& sorwyd w^twyth lowde crying for tendyrnes & co͒passyoncompassyon þ^tþat sche

had of owr lordꝭlordys deth / & many a lamentabyl desyr þ^tþat god

put in hir mende for þ^eþe tyme Wherfor þ^eþe pepil wondryd vp

on hir · · hauyng gret m᷑ueylmerueyl what hir eylyd for þ^eiþei knewe

ful litil þe cawse · / hir thowt sche wolde neu᷑neuyr a partyd þens

but desiryd to a deyd þ ᷑þer & ben beriid w^twyth owr lord · Sithyn þ^eþe

creatur thowt sche sey owr lady gon homward a geyn / & as

sche went þ ᷑þer comyn many good women a geyn hir / & seyd

lady us is wo þ^tþat ȝo ȝowr sone is ded / & þ^tþat owr pepil han don hym

so meche despite · And þ⸧þan owr lady bowyng down hir heuyd

thankyd hem ful mekely w^twyth cher & w^twyth contenawnce for sche

myth not spekyn / hir hert was so ful of heuynes · Than þ^eþe

95

creatur thowt whan owr lady was comyn hom & was leyd down

on a bed / þ⸧þan sche mad for owr lady a good cawdel & browt it hir to

co͒fortyncomfortyn hir And þ⸧þan owr lady seyd on to hir · do it a wey dowtyr

ȝeue me no mete but myn owyn childe / þ^eþe creatur seyd a ȝen

A blissyd lady ȝe must nedꝭnedys co͒fortyncomfortyn ȝo ȝowr self & cesyn of ȝowr

sorwyng · A dowt ᷑dowtyr wher xulde I gon ·

‸

er

wher xulde I dwellyn w^twyth

owtyn sorwe / I telle þ^eþe certeyn was þ ᷑þer neu᷑neuyr woman in erth had

so gret cawse to sorwyn / as I haue / for þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuyr woman in

þⁱsþis world bar a bett ᷑bettyr childe ne a mekar to hys modyr ·’ / þ⸧þan my

sone was to me And hir thowt sche herd owr lady cryin a

non w^twyth a lamentabyl voys / & seyd / Iohn wher is my sone Ihu̅Ihesu

crist & seynt Iohn answeryd a ȝen & seyd · Der lady ȝe wetyn

wel þ^tþat he is ded · A Iohn sche seyd þ^tþat is to me a careful reed /

The creatur herd as clerly þⁱsþis answer in þ^eþe vndirstondyng of

hir sowle / as sche xulde vndirstondyn o man spekyn to an

oþ ᷑oþer And a non þ^eþe creatur herd seynt petyr knokkyng at þ^eþe dor

& seynt Iohn askyd who was þ ᷑þer / petyr answeryd / I synful ⸗

petyr þ^tþat hath forsakyn my lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist Seynt Iohn wolde

a don hym comyn in / & petyr wolde not / tyl owr lady bad

hym comyn in And þ⸧þan Petyr seyd lady I am not worthy

to comyn in to ȝow / & was stille w^twyth owtyn þ^eþe dor / þ⸧þan seynt Ion

went to owr lady & telde hir þ^tþat petyr was so abaschyd · þ^tþat he

durst not comyn in · Owr lady bad seynt Iohn gon a geyn

ȝerne to seynt Petyr / & bid hym comyn in to hir · And þ⸧þan

þe creatur in hyr gostly syght / beheld seynt petir comyn be

forn owr lady & fallyn downe on hys kneys · w^twyth gret wepy͒gwepyng

& sobbyng / & seyd · lady I cry ȝow m᷑cymercy for I haue forsakyn ȝo ȝowr

derworthy sone & my swete maist ᷑maistyr / þ^tþat hath louyd me ful wel

& þ ᷑þer for lady I am neu᷑neuyr worthy to lokyn on hȳhym ne ȝow ⸗

neiþ ᷑neiþyr but vp ȝo ȝowr gret m᷑cymercy · A petyr seyd owr lady drede þ^eþe

not for thow þ^uþu haue forsakyn my swete sone he forsoke

neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe petir / & he xal comyn a geyn & co͒fortyncomfortyn us alle ryth

wel / for he behite me petir þ^tþat he wolde comyn a geyn on þ^eþe

thryd day & comfortyn me · A petyr seyd owr lady ful long ⸗

tyme xal I thynke þ tyll þ^tþat day comyth þ^tþat I may se hys blissyd face

Than owr lady lay stille on hir bed & herd how þ^tþat þ^eþe frendꝭfrendys of

Ihu̅Ihesu madyn her co͒pleyntcompleynt of þe sorwe þ^tþat þei haddyn /

& eu᷑euyr owr lady lay stille mornyng & wepyng w^twyth heuy cher / & at

þe last Mary Mawdelyn & owr ladys sisterys tokyn her leue

of owr lady / for to go byin onyment · þ^tþat þei myth a noynty͒noyntyn

þ ᷑þer w^twyth owr lordꝭlordys body · / þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur left stille w^twyth owr lady / &

thowt a thowsand ȝer tyl þ^eþe thryd day cam / & þ^tþat day sche

was

w^twyth

owr lady in a chapel

þ ᷑þer

…

of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist aperyd

vn to hir & seyd Salue sc⸧sancta parens ⎣ · And þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur thowt

in hir sowle þ^tþat owr lady seyd Art þ^uþu my swete sone Ihu̅Ihesu · &

he seyd ȝa my blissyd modyr · I am ȝo ȝowr owyn sone IhuIhesu

þan he toke vp hys blissyd modyr & kissyd hir ful swetly

And þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur thowt þ^tþat sche say owr lady felyn and

tastyn owr lordꝭlordys body al a bowtyn / & hys handꝭhandys & hys feet

ȝyf þ ᷑þer wer ony sorhed er any peyne And sche herd owr

lord seyn to hys modyr Der modyr my peyne is al a goo

& now xal I leuyn for eu᷑euyr mo And modyr so schal

…

ȝe ȝo ȝowr

peyne & ȝo ȝowr sorwe be turnyd in to ful gret Ioye · Modyr aske

what ȝe wole & I xal tellyn ȝow And whan he had suffyrd

hys modyr to aske what sche wolde / & had answeryd to hir

questyons · / þ⸧þan he seyd Modir be ȝo ȝowr leue I must go spekyn

wyth mary Mawdelyn Owr lady seyd it is wel don / for sone

sche hath ful meche sorwe for ȝo ȝowr absens And I p᷑yprey ȝow ⸗

¶

beth not long fro me · / þ^esþes gostly syghtys & vndirstondy̅gꝭvndirstondyngys

cawsed þ^eþe creatur to wepyn to sobbyn & to cryin ful lowde

þ^tþat sche myth not mesuryn hir self / ne restreyn hir þ ᷑þer fro

On estern day & oþ ᷑oþer days whan owr lord wolde visityn

hir w^twyth hys gcegrace blissyd & worschepyd mote he ben And a non

aftyr þe creatur was in hir co̅templacyoncontemplacyon w^twyth Mary Mawdely̅Mawdelyn

mornyng & sekyng owr lord at þ^eþe guegraue & herd & sey how ⸗

owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist aperyd to hir in lekenes of a gardener

seying · Woman why wepist þ^uþu · Mary not knowyng what he

was al inflawmyd w^twyth þ^eþe fyre of lofe / seyd to hym a geyn ·

96

Sir ȝyf þ^uþu has

‸

takyn

a wey my lord telle me & I xal takyn hȳhym a ȝen ·/ þan

owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord hauyng pite & co͒passyoncompassyon of hir · / seyd · / Mary 

And w^twyth þ^tþat word sche knowyng owr lord · fel down at hys feet ·

& wolde a kyssyd hys feet / seying · Maist ᷑Maistyr  Owr lord seyd to

hir towche me not · / þ⸧þan þ^eþe creatur thowt þ^tþat Mary Mawdelyn

seyd to owr lord · A lord I se wel · ȝe wil not þ^tþat I be so homly

w^twyth ȝow as I haue ben a forn & mad heuy cher · / ȝys Mary 

seyd owr lord / I xal neu᷑neuyr forsake þ^eþe / but I xal eu᷑euyr be w^twyth þe

w^twyth owtyn ende And þ⸧þan owr lord seyde to Mary Mawdelyn

go telle my bretheryn & petyr / þ^tþat I am vp reson · And þan

þ^eþe creatur thowt þ^tþat Mary went forth w^twyth gret Ioye / & þ^tþat was

gret m᷑ueylmerueyl to hir þ^tþat Mary enioyid · / for ȝyf owr lord had seyd

to hir as he dede to Mary / hir thowt sche cowde neu᷑neuyr a ben

mery · / þ^tþat was whan sche wolde a kissyd hys feet / & he seyd

towche me not · The creatur had so gret swem & heuynes

in þ^tþat worde / þ^tþat eu᷑euyr whan sche herd it in any ẜmownsermown as sche

dede many tymys / sche wept sorwyd & cryid as sche xulde

a deyd for lofe & desir þ^tþat sche had to ben w^twyth owr lord 

la̅gynglangyng loue

o

O

N þe purificacyon day er ellys candilmesse day

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·82·

whan þ^eþe sayd creatur be held þ^eþe pepil w^twyth her candelys

in cherch / hir mende was raueschyd in to beholdy͒gbeholdyng

of owr lady offeryng hyr blisful sone owr sauyowr to þe

p᷑ystpreyst Simeon in þe tempyl / as verily to hir gostly vndir⸗

stondyng / as ȝyf sche had be þ ᷑þer in hir bodily p᷑senspresens / for to

an offeryd w^twyth owr ladys owyn ꝑsonepersone /· þ⸧þan was sche so co͒forcomfor⸗

tyd be þe co͒templacyoncontemplacyon in hir sowle þat sche had in þ^eþe behol⸗

dyng of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist & of hys blissyd modyr / of ⸗

Simeon þ^eþe p᷑ystepreyste / of Ioseph / & of oþ ᷑oþer ꝑsonyspersonys / þ^tþat þ ᷑þer wery͒weryn whan

owr lady was purifyid / & of þe heuynly songꝭsongys / þ^tþat hir thowt

sche herd · whan owr blisful lord was offeryd up to Symeon

/ þ^tþat sche myth ful euyl beryn vp hir owyn candel to þ^eþe p᷑ystpreyst /

as oþ ᷑oþer folke dedyn at þ^eþe tyme of offeryng /· but went wauery͒gwaueryng

on eche syde as it had ben a dronkyn woman wepy͒gwepyng & sobby͒gsobbyng ⸗

noᷓnota ·

so sor þ^tþat vn ethe sche myth stondyn on hir feet / for þ^eþe fervowr of lofe

feruor of loue

& deuocyon þ^tþat god putte in hir sowle thorw hy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / & su̅sum

tyme sche myth not stondyn but fel downe a monge þ^eþe pepil &

cryid ful lowde / þ^tþat many man on hir wonderyd & m᷑ueylydmerueylyd what

hir eyled / for þ^eþe feruowr of þ^eþe spiryt was so meche / þ^tþat þe body fayld

& myth not endur it Sche had swech holy thowtꝭthowtys & meditacyons

many tymes whan sche saw women ben purifyid of her chil⸗

deryn · / sche thowt in hir sowle þ^tþat sche saw owr lady ben purifiid

& had hy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon in þ^eþe beheldyng of þ^eþe women wheche

comyn to offeryn w^twyth þ^eþe women þ^tþat weryn purifiid / hir mende

↗

was al drawyn fro þ^eþe erdly thowtꝭthowtys & erdly syghtys / & sett al to

¶

gedyr in gostly syghtys / whech wer so delectabyl & so deuowt

þ^tþat sche myth not in þ^eþe tyme of feruowr / w^twyth stondyn hir wepyng hir

sobbyng ne hir crying / & þ᷑þer for suffyrd sche ful mech wondery͒gwonderyng

many a

‸

mok

Iape & many a scorne · Also whan sche sey weddyngꝭweddyngys

men & women ben Ioyned to gedyr aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe lawe of þ^eþe chirche

a non sche had in meditacyon / how owr lady was Ioynyd to

‸

holy

Ioseph

& of þ^eþe gostly Ioynyng of mannys sowle to Ihu̅Ihesu crist p᷑yingpreying

to owr lord / þ^tþat hir lofe & hir affeccyon myth ben Ioynyd to hy͒hym

¶

only w^twyth owtyn end /· And þ^tþat sche myth han gcegrace to obeyn hym /

louyn

‸

hym

& dredyn hym · Worschepyn & p᷑ysynpreysyn hym / & no thyng

to louyn but þ^tþat he louyth / ne no thyng to welyn but þ^tþat he wolde

& eu᷑euyr to be redy to fulfillyn hys wil bothyn nyght & day w^twyth

owtyn grutchyng er heuynes / w^twyth al gladnes of spiryt / &

many mo holy thowtꝭthowtys þ⸧þan sche eu᷑euyr cowde rehersyn / for sche

had hem not of hir owyn stody / ne of hir owyn witte  / but

of hys ȝyfte whos wisdom is inco͒p᷑hensibylincomprehensibyl to alle cͤaturyscreaturys

saf only to hem · þ^tþat he chesith & illuminyth mor er lesse as

he wil / hys owyn selfe for hys wil may not be constreyned

it is in hys owyn fre disposicyon · Sche had þ^esþes myndys &

þes desyrys w^twyth ꝓfowndeprofownde teerys syhyngꝭsyhyngyss & sobbyngꝭsobbyngys / & su̅tymesumtyme

(···

w^twyth gret boistows cryingꝭcryingys as god wolde sende it / & su̅tymesumtyme

soft teerys & p᷑uypreuy w^twyth owtyn any boistowsnesse · Sche myth

neyþ ᷑neyþyr wepyn

97

↓

neyþ ᷑neyþyr wepyn lowde ne stille / but whan god wolde sende it hir · / for sche

was su͒tymesumtyme so bareyn fro teerys a day er su͒tymesumtyme half a day / &

had so gret peyne for desyr þ^tþat sche had of hem / þ^tþat sche wold a ȝouy͒ȝouyn

al þⁱsþis worlde / ȝyf it had ben hir / for a fewe teerys / er a suffyrd

ryth gret bodily peyne for to a gotyn hem w^twyth And þ⸧þan whan

nota

sche was so bareyn sche cowde fynde no Ioye ne no co͒fortecomforte in

mete ne drynke ne dalyawns / but eu᷑euyr was heuy in cher & in

cuntenawnce tyl god wolde send hem to hir a geyn / & þan

was sche mery a now · / and þei so wer þ^tþat owr lord w^twyth drow hir

fro hir su̅tymesumtyme þ^eþe habundawnce of teerys / ȝet he w^twyth drowe ⸗

not fro hir holy mendꝭmendys ne desyrys of ȝerys to gedyr · / for ⸗

eu᷑euyr hir mynde & hir desyr was to owr lord · / but hir thowt

it was no sauowr ne swetnesse but wh⸧whan sche myth wepyn

for þan sche thowt þ^tþat sche cowde p᷑yinpreyin 

t

T

Weyn p᷑istꝭpreistys whech had gret trost in hir man᷑maner of crying

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·83·

& wepyng / neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse þ^eiþei wer su̅tymesumtyme in gret dowte ⸗

whedyr it wer deceyuabyl er not / for as meche as sche

cryid & wept in þ^eþe syght of þe pepil / þ^eiþei had a p᷑uypreuy co͒seytconseyt hir vn⸗

wetyng / þ^tþat þ^eiþei wolde p᷑uynpreuyn whedyr sche cryid for þ^eþe pepil xulde ⸗

heryn hir / er not / & on a day þ^eþe p᷑istyspreistys cam to hir & askyd · ȝyf

sche wolde gon too myle fro þen sche dwellyd on pilg̍magepilgrimage /

to a cherch stod in þe feld / a good ptyarty distawnce fro any oþ ᷑oþer hows

whech was dedicate in þ^eþe hono honowr of god & seynt Michael Archawngyl

& sche seyd sche wolde gon w^twyth hem w^twyth good wil · / þ^eiþei toke w^twyth hem

a childe er tweyn & went to þe seyd place al in fere Whan

þei had a while mad her p᷑yeryspreyerys þe sayd creatur had so mech

swetnes & deuocyon / þ^tþat sche myth not kepyn it p᷑uypreuy / but brast

owt in boistows wepyng & sobbyng & cryid as lowde er ellys

lowder as sche dede wh⸧whan sche was a mongꝭmongys þ^eþe pepil at hom /

& sche cowde not restreyn hir selfe þ ᷑þer fro / ne no ꝑsonyspersonys beyng

þ ᷑þer p᷑sentpresent / þ⸧þan þ^eþe tweyn p᷑istꝭpreistys & a childe er tweyn w^twyth hem merveld

And þ⸧þan as þei cam homward a geyn þei mett women w^twyth

childeryn in her armys / & þ^eþe forseyd creatur askyd ȝyf þ ᷑þer

wer any man childe a mongꝭmongys hem / & þe women seyd · nay ·

I a I i

þan was þ^eþe mende so raueschyd in to þ^eþe childhod of crist for desir þ^tþat

sche had for to see hym / þ^tþat sche mith not beryn it / but fel downe &

wept & cryid so sor / þ^tþat it was m᷑ueylmerueyl to her it / þ⸧þan þ^eþe p᷑istꝭpreistys haddyn

þ^eþe mor trust þ^tþat it was ryth wel w^twyth hir whan þei herd hir cryin

in p᷑uypreuy place / as wel as in opyn place / & in þ^eþe feld as in þ^eþe town

¶Also þ ᷑þer wer nu͒nysnunnys desiryd to haue knowlach of þ^eþe creatur / & þ^tþat

þ^eiþei xulde þe mor be steryd to deuocyon · / sche was in her chirch

at mydde nyght / to heryn her mateyns /· & owr lord sent hir

so hy deuocyon & so hy meditacyon & swech gostly co͒fortꝭcomfortys

[þ^tþat sche was al inflawmyd w^twyth þ^eþe fir of loue / þ^eþe whech encresyd so

sor þ^tþat it brast owt w^twyth lowde voys · & gret crying / þ^tþat owr lordys

name was þ^eþe mor mgnifiidmagnifiid a mongꝭmongys hys ẜuawntꝭseruawntys þo þ^tþat wery̅weryn

good meke & sympil sowlys / & wolde beleuyn þ^eþe goodnes of o owr

lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / þ^tþat ȝeuith hys gcegrace to whom he wole / & specialy

to hem þ^tþat dowtyn not / ne mystrostyn not in her askyng / hir

crying gretly ꝓfytydprofytyd to encres of m᷑itemerite & of vertu / to hem

þ^tþatt litil trostyd & lityl beleuyd ꝑauenturparauentur was litil encres of

vertu & of m᷑itemerite / but wheþ ᷑wheþyr þ^eþe pepil beleuyd in hir crying

er not / hir gcegrace was neu᷑neuyr þe lesse / but eu᷑euyr encresyd · & as wel &

as goodly owr lord visityd hir on nyght as on day whan he wolde

O------

& how he wolde & wher he wolde / for sche lakkyd no gcegrace but

whan sche dowtyd er mistrostyd þ^eþe goodnes of god / supposyng er

↘

dredyng þ^tþat it was þ^eþe wyle of hir gostly enmy to enformy͒enformyn hir

er techyn hir oþ ᷑oþer wyse þ⸧þan wer to hir gostly hele · Wh⸧Whan sche

supposyd þꝰþus er co̅sentydconsentyd to any swech thowtꝭthowtys / thorw steryng

of any man er thorw any euyl spiryt in hir mende / þ^tþat wolde

many a tyme a don hir left of hir good ppospurpos / had þ^eþe myghty

hand of owr lordꝭlordys m᷑cymercy not with stande hys gret malyce · / þan

lakkyd sche gcegrace & deuocyon & alle good thowtꝭthowtys & alle good ⸗

mendꝭmendys tyl sche was thorw þ^eþe m᷑cymercy of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist com⸗

pellyd to beleuyn stedfastly w^twyth owtyn any dowtyng / þ^tþat it was

god spak in hir & wolde be mgnyfiidmagnyfiid in hir for hys owyn ⸗

goodnes / & hir ꝓfyteprofyte / & for þ^eþe ꝓfyteprofyte of many oþ ᷑oþer ·· And whan

sche beleuyd þ^tþat it was god & no euyl spiryt þ^tþat ȝaf hir so mech

98

grace of deuocyon / contricyon / & holy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / þ⸧þan had sche so ⸗

many holy thowtꝭthowtys holy spechys and dalyawns in hir sowle / techyng hir

how sche xulde louyn god / how sche xulde worschepyn hym & ẜuy͒seruyn

nota

hym / þ^tþat sche cowde neu᷑neuyr rehersyn but fewe of hem · it wer so holy

& so hy · / þ^tþat sche was abaschyd to tellyn hem to any creatur / & also

it weryn so hy a bouyn hir bodily wittꝭwittys þ^tþat sche myth neu᷑neuyr exp᷑ssynexpressyn

hem w^twyth hir bodily tunge liche as sche felt hem / sche vndirstod

hem bett ᷑bettyr in hir sowle / þ⸧þan sche cowde vttyr hem / ȝyf on/of hir

co͒fessowrysconfessowrys come to hir whan sche ros vp newely fro hir co͒temcontem⸗

placyon / er ellys fro hir meditacyon / sche cowde a telde hym

meche thyng of þe dalyawnce þ^tþat owr lord dalyid to hir sowle /

& in a schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr · sche had forȝetyn þ^eþe most party þ ᷑þer of

& ny eu᷑yeuery deel 

t

T

he Abbas of Denney an hows of nu͒nysnunnys oftyn tymys

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·84·

sent for þ^eþe sayd creatur / þ^tþat sche xulde come to speke w^twyth

hir & w^twyth hir sisterys / þ^eþe creatur thowt sche wolde not

gon tyl an oþ ᷑oþer ȝer / for sche myth euyl duryn þ^eþe labowr / þ⸧þan as

sche was in hir meditacyon & had gret swetnes & deuocyon /

owr lord comawndyd hir to gon to Denney & co͒fortyncomfortyn þ^eþe ladiis

þ^tþat desyryd to comownyn w^twyth hir / seying on þⁱsþis man᷑maner to hir sowle /

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr go forth to þ^eþe hows of denney in þ^eþe name of Ihu̅Ihesu / for

I wole þ^tþat þ^uþu comfort hem · Sche was loth to gon for it was pes⸗

tylens tyme / & hir thowt þ^tþat sche wolde for no good a deyd þer /

Owr lord seyd to hir mende a ȝen Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu xalt go saf & come

saf a ȝen · Sche went þ⸧þan to a worschepful Burgeys wyfe

þ^eþe whech louyd hir & trostyd hir ryth mech whos husbond lay

in gret sekenes & teld þ^eþe worschepful wife þ^tþat sche xulde go to

¶

denney The worthy woman wolde þ^tþat sche xulde not a gon and seyd · I

wolde not sche seyd þ^tþat myn husbond deyid whil ȝe wer owt for xl s͒schillingys

And sche seyd a ȝen · ȝyf ȝe wolde ȝeue me an hundryd pownde / I

wolde not a bydyn at hom / for whan sche was bodyn in hir sowle

for to gon / sche wolde in no wey w^twyth stond it / but for any thyng

sche wolde forth what þ^tþat eu᷑euyr fel · / & whan sche was bodyn ben at

hom sche wolde for no thyng gon owte And þ⸧þan owr lord telde

hir þ^tþat þ^eþe forseyd Burgeys xulde not dey · / þ⸧þan ȝede sche a geyn ⸗

I b I ii

to þe worthy wife & bad hir ben of good comforte for hir husboᷠdhusbond

xulde leuyn & faryn ryth wel / & þ^tþat he xulde not dey ȝet / þ^eþe good

wife was ryth glad & seyd a ȝen to hir / now gospel mote it be̅ben

in ȝo ȝowr mowth · Sithyn þ^eþe creatur wolde a sped hir forth as sche

was comawndyd / & whan sche cam to þ^eþe watyrs syde alle þ^eþe

botys weryn forth to Cambrygge ward er þ⸧þan sche cam / þ⸧þan

had sche mech heuynes how sche xulde fulfillyn owr lordys

biddyng And a non sche was bodyn in hir sowle þ^tþat sche xulde

not ben sory ne heuy / for sche xulde ben ordeynd for wel a

now / & sche xulde gon safe & come saf a ȝen / & it fel so in dede

/ þan owr lord mad a man᷑maner of thankyng to hir for as meche

as sche in co̅templacyoncontemplacyon & in meditacyon had ben hys

d

modyrs maydyn & holpyn to kepyn hym in hys childhod

so forth in to þe tyme of hys deth & seyd vn to hir Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

þow xalt han as gret mede & as gret reward w^twyth me i̅in heuy͒heuyn

for þi good ẜuyseseruyse / & þ^eþe good dedꝭdedys / þ^tþat þ^uþu hast don in þⁱþi mynde

& meditacyon / as ȝyf þ^uþu haddyst don þo same dedys w^twyth thy

bodily wittꝭwittys w^twyth owtyn forth · / And also dowt ᷑dowtyr whan þ^uþu dost ⸗

¶

nonota bn̅bene

any ẜuyseseruyse to þ^eþe & to þin husbond in mete or drynke er any

oþer thyng · þ^tþat is nedful to ȝow / to þⁱþi gostly fadirs / er to any

oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat þ^uþu receyuyst in my name / þ^uþu xalt han þ^eþe same mede

in heuyn / as thow þ^uþu dedist it to myn owyn ꝑsonepersone / er to

my blissyd modyr / & I xal thankyn þ^eþe þ᷑þer for · Dowtyr þ^uþu seyst þ^tþat

it is to me a good name to be callyd al good · / & þ^uþu xalt

fyndyn þ^tþat name is al good to þe · And also dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu seyst

it is wel worthy þ^tþat I be callyd al lofe  / & þ^uþu xalt wel fyndyn þ^tþat

I am al lofe to þe / for I knowe eu᷑yeuery thowt of thyn hert

And I knowe wel dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu hast many tymys þowt / ȝyf þ^uþu

haddist · an had many chirchys ful of Nobelys / þ^uþu woldist

a ȝouyn hem in my name · And also þ^uþu hast thowt / þ^tþat þ^uþu wol⸗

dist / ȝyf þ^uþu haddist had good a now / a made many Abbeys

for my lofe / for religiows men & women / to dwellyn in

& a ȝouyn iche of hem hu̅drydhundryd powndꝭpowndys be ȝer for to ben

my seruawntꝭseruawntys · And þ^uþu hast also in þⁱþi mende desyryd to han ⸗

[?]s

99

many p᷑istꝭpreistys in þe town of lynne / þ^tþat myth syngyn & redyn nyght &

day for to ẜuynseruyn me / worschepyn me / & p᷑ysynpreysyn & thankyn me / for

þ^eþe goodnes þ^tþat I haue don to þ^eþe in erthe / & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr I behote þ^eþe

þ^uþu xalt haue þ^eþe same mede & reward in heuyn for þⁱsþis good willys /

& þ^esþes good desyrys / as ȝyf þ^uþu haddist don hem in dede Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

I knowe alle þ^eþe thowtꝭthowtys of þin hert þ^tþat þ^uþu hast to alle man᷑maner men

& women / to alle laȝerys & to alle p᷑soneryspresonerys / & as mech good

as þ^uþu woldist ȝeuyn hem be ȝer to serue me w^twyth · / I take it as yf

it wer don in dede / & dowt ᷑dowtyr I thanke þ^eþe for þ^eþe charite · þ^tþat þ^uþu ⸗

nota

hast to alle lecherows men & women for þ^uþu p᷑ystpreyst for hem /

¶

& wepist many a teer for hem · / desyryng þ^tþat I xulde delyu᷑delyuyr

hem owt of synne / & ben as gcyowsgracyows to hem as I was to ⸗

Mary Mawdelyn / & þ^tþat þ^eiþei myth han as gret lofe to me · / as

Mary Mawdelyn had · And w^twyth þⁱsþis co͒dicyoncondicyon þ^uþu woldist þ^tþat eu᷑yeuery

of hem xulde haue xx pownde be ȝer to louyn me & preysyn

me And dowt ᷑dowtyr þⁱsþis gret charite þ^tþat þ^uþu hast in þⁱþi p᷑ierpreier to hem

plesyth me ryth wel · And also dowt ᷑dowtyr I thanke þ^eþe for þ^eþe charite

þat þ^uþu hast in þⁱþi p᷑yerpreyer · Whan þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist for alle Iewys & saraȝenys /

& alle hethyn pepil / þ^tþat þei xulde comyn to cristen feith · /

þ^tþat my name myth be magnyfiid in hem · / & for þ^eþe holy teerys

& wepyngꝭwepyngys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast wept for hem / p᷑yingpreying & desyry͒gdesyryng þ^tþat ȝyf any

p᷑yerpreyer myth bryngyn hem to gcegrace or to cristyn dom / þ^tþat I xulde

heryn þⁱþi p᷑yerpreyer for hem yf it wer my wille /· fforþ ᷑morfforþermor dowt ᷑dowtyr

nota

I thanke þe for þ^eþe gen᷑algeneral charite þ^tþat þ^uþu hast to alle þ^eþe pepil þ^tþat

is now in þⁱsþis worlde leuyng / & to alle þo þ^tþat arn for to come /

in to þⁱsþis worldꝭworldys ende · / þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist ben hakkyd as smal as

mark

flesche to þe potte for her lofe · / so þ^tþat I wolde be þⁱþi deth sauy̅sauyn

hem alle fro dampnacyon ȝyf it plesyd me · / for þ^uþu seyst

oftyn in thy thowt þ^tþat þ ᷑þer arn I nowe in helle · / & þ^uþu woldist

þat þ ᷑þer xulde neu᷑neuyr mo men deseruyn for to comyn þ ᷑þer in · And þ ᷑þer for

dowt ᷑dowtyr for alle þ^esþes good willys & desyrys þ^uþu xalt han ful hy

mede & rewarde in heuyn / beleue it ryth wel / & dowt it

noᷓnota bn̅bene

neu᷑neuyr a deel / for alle þ^esþes gcysgracys ar my gcꝭgracys & I werke hem in

þ^eþe my self for þ^uþu xuldist han þe mor mede in heuyn · And I ⸗

I iii

¶

nonota bn̅bene

telle þe trewly dowt ᷑dowtyr / eu᷑yeuery good thowt & eu᷑yeuery good desyr þ^tþat þ^uþu hast in

þⁱþi sowle is þ^eþe speche of god / al yf it be so þ^tþat þ^uþu her me not spekyn

to þ^eþe su͒tymesumtyme / as I do su͒tymesumtyme to þⁱþi cler vndirstondyng And þ ᷑þer for

dowt ᷑dowtyr I am as an hyd god in þⁱþi sowle And I wythdrawe su̅sum tyme

þⁱþi teerys & þⁱþi deuocyon / þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist thynkyn in thy self þ^tþat þ^uþu

hast no goodnes of þⁱþi self / but al goodnes comyth of me · And

also þ^uþu xuldist verily wetyn what peyn it is for to forbere

me / & how swet it is for to fele me / & þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist be þ^eþe mor besy

for to sekyn me a ȝen Also dowt ᷑dowtyr for þ^uþu xuldist knowyn what

¶

peyne oþ ᷑oþer men han þ^tþat wolde felyn me & may not / for þ ᷑þer

nonota

is many a man in erth þ^tþat ȝyf he had but oo day in al

hys lyue tyme of swech as þ^uþu hast many days / he wolde

eu᷑euyr louyn me þ^eþe bett ᷑bettyr / & þankyn me for þ^tþat oo day And þ^uþu maist

not dowt ᷑dowtyr forberyn me oo day w^twyth owtyn gret peyne /· þ ᷑þer for

dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast gret cawse to louyn me ryth wel · / for it is

for no wrech dowt ᷑dowtyr / þ^tþat I w^twyth drawe su͒sum tyme fro þ^eþe  þ^eþe felyng of

gcegrace / & þ^eþe feruo feruowr of deuocyon / but þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist knowyn ryth

wel þ^tþat þ^uþu maist be no ypocryte / for no wepyng / for no cyngcriyng

for no swetnes / for no deuocyon / for no mynd of myn

passyon ne for non oþ ᷑oþer gostly gcegrace / þ^tþat I ȝeue er send to þ^eþe

/ for þ^esþes arn not þ^eþe deuelys ȝyftꝭȝyftys · but þei arn my gracys

& my ȝyftꝭȝyftys · And þ^esþes arn myn owyn special ȝyftꝭȝyftys þ^tþat I ȝeue

to myn owyn

…

specyal

…

chosyn

sowlys / þ^eþe whech I knew w^twyth owtyn

be gynnyng xulde come to gcegrace / & dwellyn w^twyth me with⸗

owtyn endyng · / for in alle oþ ᷑oþer thyngꝭthyngys þ^uþu maist ben an ypocteypocrite

yf þ^uþu wilt / þ^tþat is to sey / in vndirstandyng / in many bedꝭbedys byddyng /

in gret fastyng / in gret penawnce doyng / w^twyth owtyn forth /

þ^tþat men may se it · / er in gret almes dedꝭdedys doyng / w^twyth þin handꝭhandys

/ er in good wordꝭwordys spekyng w^twyth þⁱþi mowth / In alle þ^esþes dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu

maist ben an ypocteypocrite yf þ^uþu wilte And þ^uþu maist also don hem

wel & holily yf þ^uþu wilt þⁱþi selfe ·· lo dowt ᷑dowtyr I haue ȝoue þ^eþe swech

a lofe þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt non ypocteypocrite be þ ᷑þer in And dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu xalt neu᷑neuyr

lesyn tyme whil þ^uþu art ocupiid þ ᷑þer in · / for ho so thynkyth wel

he may not synnyn for þ^eþe tyme / & þe deuyl knowith not

þ^eþe holy thowtꝭthowtys þ^tþat I ȝeue þ^eþe · ne no man in erde know^tknowyth · how ⸗

100

wel & holily þ^uþu art ocupiid w^twyth me ⎣ne þⁱþi self can not tellyn þ^eþe

gret grace & goodnes þ^tþat þ^uþu felist in me And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu be⸗

gilyst boþ^eboþe þe deuyl & þe worlde wyth þⁱnþin holy thowtꝭthowtys · And it is

ryth gret foly to þ^eþe pepil of þ^eþe worlde / for to demyn þⁱnþin hert

þ^tþat no man may knowyn but god a lone / & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr I telle

þ^eþe trewly þ^uþu hast as gret cawse to enioyin / & ben mery in þⁱþi

any ·

sowle · / as

‸

lady er maydyn in þⁱsþis world / My lofe is so mech

to þ^eþe þ^tþat I may not drawyn it fro þ^eþe · / for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ ᷑þer may non hert

thynke / ne tunge telle / þ^eþe gret loue þ^tþat I haue to þ^eþe And þ^tþat I

take witnes of my blissyd modyr / of myn holy Awngelys / & of alle

þ^eþe seyntꝭseyntys in heuyn / for þei alle worschep me for þⁱþi lofe in heuy͒heuyn

& so schal I ben worschepyd in erth for þⁱþi loue dowt ᷑dowtyr /· for I wyl

nota

haue þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat I haue schewyd to þe in erth knowyn to þ^eþe worlde /

/ þ^tþat þe pepil may wonderyn in my goodnes / & merueylyn of my

gret goodnes þ^tþat I haue schewyd to þ^eþe / þ^tþat hast ben synful & be

cawse þ^tþat I haue be so gcyowsgracyows & m᷑cyfulmercyful to þe · / þei þ^tþat ben in þ^eþe

worlde xal not dispeyrin be þei neu᷑neuyr so synful for þei may

nonota bn̅bene

han m᷑cymercy & gcegrace ȝyf þei wil hem self  deo gra̅sgracias 

o

O

N a tyme as þ^eþe sayd creatur was knelyng be forn an

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·85·

Awter of þ^eþe cros / & seying on an oryson / hir eyne wer

eu᷑euyr to gedirward as þow sche xulde a slept / & at þ^eþe

last sche myth not chesyn sche fel in a lityl slomeryng / & a

non aperyd verily to hir syght an Awngel / al clothyd in ⸗

white / as mech as it had ben a lityl childe / beryng an howge

boke be forn hym / þ⸧þan seyd þe creatur to þ^eþe childe/ er ellys

to þ^eþe Awngel · A sche seyd · þⁱsþis is þ^eþe boke of lyfe · And sche saw

in þe boke þ^eþe t nitetrinite / & al in gold / þ⸧þan seyd sche to þ^eþe childe · Wher

is my name / þ^eþe childe answeryd & seyd · her is þⁱþi name at

þ^eþe t nitetrinite foot wretyn / & þ ᷑þer w^twyth he was a go / sche wist not how

And a non aft ᷑aftyr owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist spak vn to hir & seyde

¶

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr loke þ^tþat þ^uþu be now trewe & stedfast / & haue a good feith

for þⁱþi name is wretyn in heuyn in þe boke of lyfe · And þⁱsþis

was an Awngel þ^tþat ȝaf þe comfort · And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu must

be ryth mery / for I am ryth besy boþ^eboþe for none & aft ᷑aftyr none

to drawe þⁱnþin hert in to myn hert / for þ^uþu xuldist kepyn þⁱþi ⸗

I iiii

100

mende al to gedyr on me / & xal most encresyn þⁱþi loue to god /

¶

for dowt ᷑dowtyr · ȝyf þ^uþu wilt drawyn aft ᷑aftyr goddꝭgoddys cownsel / þ^uþu maist not

don a mys / for goddꝭgoddys cownsel is to be meke · pacient · in cha⸗

rite & in chastite · An oþ ᷑oþer tyme as þ^eþe creatur lay in hir co͒te͒pcontemp

placyon in a chapel of owr lady / hir mynde was g ocupiid

in þ^eþe passyon of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist / & hyr thowt verily / þ^tþat / he

saw owr lord aperyn to hir gostly syght in hys manhod with

hys wowndꝭwowndys bledyng · as fresch as þow he had ben scorgyd

be forn hir / & þ⸧þan sche wept & cryid w^twyth alle þ^eþe myghtys of hir

body / for ȝyf hir sorwe wer gret beforn þⁱsþis gostly syght / ȝet

it was wel grettar aft ᷑aftyr · þ⸧þan it was be forn / & hir loue was

mor encresyd to owr lord ward / & þ⸧þan had sche gret wondyr

þ^tþat owr lord wolde be comyn man / & suffyr so greuows pe⸗

ynys for hir þ^tþat was so vnkynde a creatur to hym · An oþ ᷑oþer

tyme as sche was in a chirch of Seynt Margarete in þ^eþe

qwer / beyng in gret swetnes & deuocyon w^twyth gret plente

of teerys / sche askyd owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist how sche myght

nonota bn̅bene

best plesyn hym / & he answeryd to hyr sowle · seying /

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr haue mynde of þⁱþi wykkydnes /& thynk on my good⸗

nes · / þan sche p᷑ydpreyd many tymys and oftyn þes wordys

lord for thy gret goodnes / haue m᷑cymercy on al my wykkydnes

As wistly as I was neu᷑neuyr so wykkyd / as þ^uþu art good / ne neu᷑neuyr

may be thow I wolde / for þ^uþu art so good þ^tþat þ^uþu mayst no bett ᷑bettyr

be / & þ ᷑þer for it is gret wondyr / þ^tþat eu᷑euyr ony man xulde be depar⸗

tyd fro þ^eþe w^twyth owtyn ende Than as sche lay stille in þ^eþe qwer

wepyng & mornyng for hir synnys · / sodeynly sche was in

a man᷑maner of slep / & a non sche saw w^twyth hir gostly eye / owr

lordys body lying be forn hir / & hys heuyd as hir thowt

fast be hir w^twyth hys blissyd face vpward / þ^eþe semeliest man þ^tþat

eu᷑euyr myth be seen er thowt And þ⸧þan cam on w^twyth a baselard

knyfe to hir syght / & kytt þ^tþat p᷑cyowsprecyows body al on long in þ^eþe

brest · And a non sche wept wondyr sor hauyng more

mynde pite & co͒passyoncompassyon of þ^eþe passyon of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cstcrist 

101

þan sche had beforn / & so eu᷑yeuery day encresyd hir mynde & hir lofe

to owr lord / blissyd mote he ben / & þ^eþe mor þ^tþat hir loue encresyd / þ^eþe

mor was hir sorwe for synne of þ^eþe pepil [An oþ ᷑oþer tyme þ^eþe seyd

nota

creatur beyng in a chapel of owr lady sor wepyng in þ^eþe

mynde of owr lordꝭlordys passyon / & swech oþ ᷑oþer gcysgracys & goodnes as

owr lord ministryd

‸

to

hir mynde · / & sodeynly sche wist not

how / sone sche was in a man᷑maner of slep & a non in þ^eþe syght

of hir sowle sche sey owr lord standyng ryght up ou᷑ouyr hir

so ner þ^tþat hir thowt sche toke hys toos in hir hand &

felt hem · / & to hir felyng it weryn as it had ben very flesch

& bon / & þ⸧þan sche thankyd god of al  / for thorw þes gostly sytꝭsytys

hir affeccyon was al drawyn in to þ^eþe manhod of cstcrist / & in

to þ^eþe mynde of hys passyon / vn to þ^tþat tyme þ^tþat it plesyd owr

lord to ȝeuyn hir vndirstondyng ⎣ of hys i̅in vndirstondabyl godhed /

as is wretyn be forn · / þes man᷑maner of visyons & felyngꝭfelyngys sche had

sone aft ᷑aftyr hir co͒u᷑syonconuersyon whan sche was fully set & pposydpurposyd to

ẜuynseruyn god w^twyth al hir hert in to hir power / & had fully left

þ^eþe worlde / & kept þ^eþe chirche boþ^eboþe for none & aft ᷑aftyr none / & most

specialy in lent tyme whan sche w^twyth gret instawns & mech

p᷑yerpreyer had leue of hir husbond to leuyn chast & clene /· & dede

gret bodily penawns / er sche went to IerIerusalem  / but aft ᷑wardꝭaftyrwardys

whan hir husbond & sche w^twyth on assent / had mad a vow of cha⸗

stite as is be forn wretyn / & sche had ben at Rome and

IerIerusalem / & suffyrd mech despite & repref for hir wepyng

nota

& hir cyngcriyng /· owr lord of hys hy m᷑cymercy drow hir affeccyon in

to hys godhed / & þ^tþat was mor feruent in lofe & desyr & mor

sotyl in vndirstondyng / þ⸧þan was þ^eþe manhod And neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse

þ^eþe fyr of loue encresyd in hir / & hir vndirstandyng was

mor illumynyd & hir deuocyon mor feruent þ⸧þan it was

be for ·/ whyl sche had hir meditacyon & hir co͒templacyoncontemplacyon

only in hys manhod ·/ ȝet had sche not þ^tþat man᷑maner of werkyng

in crying as sche had be for / but it was mor sotyl & mor

softe & mor esy to hir spiryt to beryn / & plentyuows in

teerys as eu᷑euyr it was be forn · [An oþ ᷑oþer tyme as þⁱsþis creatur ⸗

nota

I v

was in an hows of þe frer p᷑chowrysprechowrys w^twyth inne a chapel of owr ⸗

lady · stondyng in hir p᷑yeryspreyerys / hir ey ledꝭledys went a lityl to gedyr

wyth a man᷑maner of slep / & sodeynly sche sey hir thowt / owr lady in

þ^eþe fayrest syght þ^tþat eu᷑euyr sche say / holdyng a fayr white kerche

in hir hand / & seying to hir / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr wilt þ^uþu se my sone & a

non forth w^twyth sche say owr lady han hyr blissyd sone in

hir handꝭhandys / & swathyd hym ful lytely in þe white kerche

þ^tþat sche myth wel be holdyn how sche dede / þe creatur had

þan a newe gostly Ioye / & a newe gostly co͒fortcomfort / wheche

was so m᷑uelyowsmeruelyows þ^tþat sche cowde neu᷑neuyr tellyn it as sche ⸗

felt it 

o

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·86·

O

N a tyme owre lord spak to þ^eþe sayd creatur whan

it plesyd hym / seying to hyr gostly vndirsto̅dyngvndirstondyng

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr for as

…

meche many tymys as þ^uþu hast receyuyd

þe blissyd sacrament of þe Awter w^twyth many holy thowtꝭthowtys ·/ mo

O

þan þ^uþu canst rehersyn / for so many tymys xalt þ^uþu be rewar⸗

dyd in heuyn w^twyth newe Ioyis & new co͒fortꝭcomfortys And Dowt ᷑dowtyr in ⸗

heuyn xal it be knowyn to þ^eþe ·/ how many days þ^uþu hast had

of hy co̅templacyoncontemplacyon / þorw my ȝyft in erth ·/ And of alle þ^tþat

¶

it so be / þ^tþat it arn my ȝyftꝭȝyftys & my gcꝭgracys whech I haue ȝouyn

þe / ȝet xal þ^uþu han þ^eþe same gcegrace & reward in heuyn as ȝyf

it weryn of thyn owyn m᷑ytꝭmerytys / for frely I haue ȝouyn hem

to þ^eþe ·/ but hyly I thanke þ^eþe dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu hast suffyrd me to w᷑kynwerkyn

my wil in þ^eþe / & þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist latyn me be so homly w^twyth þ^eþe ·/ ffor

nota

in no thyng dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu myghtyst do in erth / þ^uþu myghtyst no

bett ᷑bettyr plesyn me þ⸧þan suffyrn me speke to þ^eþe in þⁱþi sowle / for þ^tþat

tyme þ^uþu vndirstondyst my wyl / & I vndirstond þⁱþi wyl And

also dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu clepist my modyr for to comyn in to þⁱþi sowle

& takyn me in hir armys / & leyn me to hir brestꝭbrestys & ȝeuyn

me sokyn / Also dowt ᷑dowtyr I knowe þ^eþe holy thowtꝭthowtys & þ^eþe good desyrys

þ^tþat þ^uþu hast / wh⸧whan þ^uþu receyuyst me & þ^eþe good charite þ^tþat þ^uþu hast

to me / in þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat þ^uþu receyuyst my p᷑cyowsprecyows body in to þi

sowle · And also how þ^uþu clepist Mary Mawdelyn in to þⁱþi sowle

to wolcomyn me / for dowt ᷑dowtyr I wot wel a now what þ^uþu ⸗

102

thynkyst ·/ þ^uþu thynkyst þ^tþat sche is worthiest in þⁱþi sowle / & most þ^uþu trustyst

in hir p᷑yeryspreyerys / next my Modyr / & so þ^uþu maist ryth wel dowt ᷑dowtyr / for

sche is a ryth gret mene to me for þ^eþe in þ^eþe blysse of heuyn / & su̅sum⸗

tyme dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu thynkyst þⁱþi sowle so large & so wyde / þ^tþat þ^uþu clepist

al þ^eþe cowrt of heuyn in to þⁱþi sowle / for to wolcomyn me / I

wot ryth wel dowt ᷑dowtyr what þ^uþu seist  / comyth alle

//

xii Apostelys /

þ^tþat wer so wel belouyd of god in erde / & receyuyth ȝo ȝowr lord in my

sowle · Also þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist Kateryn Margarete & alle holy virginys /

to wolcomyn me in þⁱþi sowle · And þ⸧þan þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist my blissyd mod ᷑modyr

Mary Mawdelyn / alle Apostelys / Martirys / co͒fessowrysconfessowrys · / Kat᷑yneKateryne

Margaret / & alle holy virginys / to wolcomyn me in þⁱþi sowle

þ^tþat þei xulde arayn þ^eþe chawmbchawmbre of þⁱþi sowle / w^twyth many fayr

flowerys & w^twyth many swete spicys / þ^tþat I myth restyn þ ᷑þer in · fferþ ᷑fferþer⸗

mor þ^uþu thynkist su̅tymesumtyme dowt ᷑dowtyr / as þow þ^uþu haddist a cuschyn

of gold An oþ ᷑oþer of red veluet þ^eþe thryd of white sylke in thy

sowle And þ^uþu thynkist þ^tþat my fadyr sittyth on þ^eþe cuschyn of

golde / for to hym is a propyrd myght / & power /· And þ^uþu thyn⸗

kist þ^tþat I þ^eþe secu͒desecunde ꝑsonepersone þⁱþi loue & þⁱþi Ioy / sytte on þ^eþe red cuschyn

of veluet / for on me is al þⁱþi thowte be cawse I bowt þ^eþe so der

& þ^uþu thynkyst þ^tþat þ^uþu kanst neu᷑neuyr a qwityn me þ^eþe lofe / þ^tþat I haue

schewyd þ^eþe ·/ þei þ^uþu wer slayn a thowsend tymys on þe day

ȝyf it wer possibyl for my lof ·/ thus þ^uþu thynkist dowt ᷑dowtyr in þⁱþi

sowle / þ^tþat I am worthy to syttyn on a red cuschyn in reme⸗

morawns of þ^eþe red blood þ^tþat I schad for þ^eþe ·/ Mor ou᷑ouyr þ^uþu þⁱnkistþinkist

þat þ^eþe holy gost sittyth on a white cuschyn ·/ for þ^uþu thynkist þ^tþat

he is ful of lofe & clennesse & þ ᷑þer for it semyth hym to sittyn

on a white cuschyn ·/ for he is ȝeuar of alle holy thowtys

& chastite And ȝet I wot wel I now dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^uþu thynkyst þ^uþu

maist not worschepyn þ^eþe fadyr / but þ^uþu worschep þ^eþe sone · /

ne þ^uþu may not worschep þ^eþe sone · but þ^uþu worschep þe holy ⸗

gost / And also þ^uþu thynkyst su̅tymesumtyme dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat þ^eþe fadyr is al

myghty & al witty & al gcegrace & goodnes / & þ^uþu thynkyst þ^eþe same

of þe sone / þ^tþat he is al myghty & al witty & al gcegrace & goodnes

And þ^uþu thynkyst þ^tþat þ^eþe holy gost hath þ^eþe same ꝓpirteyspropirteys euyn w^twyth ⸗

I vi

/ þe fadyr & þe sone / ꝓcedyngprocedyng of hem bothyn / Also þ^uþu thynkyst þ^tþat eche

of þ^eþe · iii · ꝑsonyspersonys in tnitetrinite / hath þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer hath in her godhed / & so þ^uþu

beleuyst verily dowt ᷑dowtyr in thy sowle / þ^tþat þ ᷑þer be iii · dyuers ꝑsonyspersonys

& oo god in substawnce / & þ^tþat eche know^tknowyth þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer know^tknowyth / & ech may

¶

þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer may / & eche wil þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer wil / And dowt ᷑dowtyr þⁱsþis is a very feith

& a ryght feyth / And þⁱsþis feith hast þ^uþu only of my ȝyfte

And þerfor dowt ᷑dowtyr yf þ^uþu wilt be thynk þ^eþe wel þ^uþu hast gret

cawse to louyn me ryth wel / & to ȝeuyn me al holy þⁱnþin

[heart]

hert ·/ þ^tþat I may fully restyn þ ᷑þer in / as I wil my self · ffor ȝyf

þ^uþu suffyr me dowt ᷑dowtyr to restyn in þⁱþi sowle in erthe / beleue

it ryght wel / þ^tþat þ^uþu schalt restyn w^twyth me in heuyn w^twyth owtyn

ende And þ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr haue þ^uþu no wondyr / þow þ^uþu wepe sor wh⸧whan

þ^uþu art howselyd & receyuyst my blissyd body / in forme of breed /

for þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist to me a forn er þ^uþu be howselyd / seying to me in

thy mende As wistly lord as þ^uþu louyst me / make me clene

fro al synne / & ȝeue me gcegrace to receyue þⁱþi p᷑cyowsprecyows body ⸗

worthily w^twyth al man᷑maner of worschep & reu᷑ensreuerens / & dowt ᷑dowtyr wete þ^uþu

wel I her þi p᷑yerpreyer / for a bett ᷑bettyr word maist þ^uþu not sey to my

→

lykyng / þ⸧þan as wostly as I loue þ^eþe ·/ for þ⸧þan I fulfille my gcegrace

in þe & ȝeue þe many an holy thowt / it is vnpossibyl to þ^eþe

tellyn hem alle · And for þ^eþe gret homlynes þ^tþat I schewe to þ^eþe þ^tþat

tyme / þ^tþat þ^uþu art mekyl þe boldar to askyn me gcegrace for þⁱþi selfe /

for þin husbond / & for þⁱþi childryn / & þ^uþu makyst eu᷑yeuery cristen

man & woman þⁱþi childe in þⁱþi sowle / for þ^eþe tyme / & woldist

han as meche gcegrace for hem as for þin owyn childeryn  ⸗

Also þ^uþu askyst m᷑cymercy for thyn husbonde / & þ^uþu thynkyst þ^tþat þ^uþu art

meche beholdyn to me / þ^tþat I haue ȝouyn þ^eþe swech a man þ^tþat

wolde suffryn þ^eþe leuyn chast / he beyng on lyue / & in good

hele of body / forsoþ^eforsoþe dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu thynkist ful trewe / & þ᷑þer fore

hast þ^uþu gret cawse to louyn me ryth wel · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr ȝyf þ^uþu knew

how many wifys þ ᷑þer arn in þⁱsþis worlde / þ^tþat wolde louyn me

& ẜuynseruyn me ryth wel & dewly / ȝyf þei myght be as frely

fro her husbondꝭhusbondys · as þ^uþu art fro thyn ·/ þ^uþu woldist seyn þ^tþat þ^uþu wer ⸗

103

ryght meche beheldyn on to me / & ȝet ar þei putt fro her wyl &

suffyr ful gret peyne / & þ ᷑þer for xal þei haue ryght gret reward

in heuyn / for I receyue eu᷑yeuery good wyl as for dede / Su̅Sum tyme

dowt ᷑dowtyr I make þe to haue gret sorwe for þⁱþi gostly fadyrs synnys /

in special þ^tþat þ^uþu he xulde haue as ful forȝeuenes of hys synnys /

as þ^uþu woldist haue of thyn And su̅tymesumtyme whan þ^uþu receyuyst þ^eþe

p᷑cyowsprecyows sacmentsacrament I make þ^eþe to p᷑yprey for thy gostly fadyr on þⁱsþis

wyse / þ^tþat as many men & women myth be t nydturnyd be hys p᷑chy͒gprechyng /

as þ^uþu woldist þ^tþat wer t nydturnyd be þ^eþe teerys of thyn eyne / & þ^tþat myn

[heart]

holy wordys myght sattelyn / as sor in her hertys / as þ^uþu woldist

of

þ^tþat þei schulde sattelyn in thyn hert · And also þ^uþu askyst þ^eþe

same gcegrace for alle good men þ^tþat p᷑chynprechyn my word in erth / þ^tþat

þei myght ꝓfitynprofityn to alle resonabyl creaturys ·/ & oftyn

tymys þ^tþat day þ^tþat þ^uþu receyuyst my p᷑cyowsprecyows body ·/ þ^uþu askyst

gcegrace & m᷑cymercy for alle þⁱþi frendꝭfrendys / & for alle þⁱnþin enmyis / þ^tþat eu᷑euyr dede

þ^eþe schame er repref ·/ eyþ ᷑eyþyr scornyd þ^eþe er Iapyd

mokyd

þ^eþe / for þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat

I werke in þ^eþe / & for al þⁱsþis world boþ^eboþe ȝong & elde w^twyth many

teerys sore wepyng & sobbyng /· þ^uþu hast suffyrd mech schame

& meche repref / & þ ᷑þer for xalt þ^uþu han ful mech blys in heuyn /

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr be not a schamyd to receyuyn my gcegrace whan I wil

ȝeue͒ȝeuen it þ^eþe ·/ for I schal not ben a schamyd of þ^eþe / þ^tþat þ^uþu xalt ben

receyuyd in to þe blys of heuyn / þ ᷑þer to be rewardyd for

eu᷑yeuery good thowt / for eu᷑yeuery good word / & for eu᷑yeuery good dede / &

for eu᷑yeuery day of co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / & for alle good desyrys

þat þ^uþu hast had her in þⁱsþis world / w^twyth me eu᷑euyr lestyngly / as my

derworthy derlyng ·/ as my blissyd spowse / & as myn holy

wife · And þ ᷑þer for drede þ^eþe not dowt ᷑dowtyr / thow þ^eþe pepyl wondyr

why þ^uþu wepist so sor whan þ^uþu receyuyst me / for ȝyf þei

knew what gcegrace I putte in þ^eþe þ^tþat tyme ·/ þei xulde raþ ᷑raþar wondyr

þ^tþat þⁱnþin hert brost not a sundyr ·/ & so it xulde / ȝyf I mesuryd

not þ^tþat gcegrace my self ·/ but þ^uþu seest wel dowt ᷑dowtyr þi self þ^tþat whan

þ^uþu hast receyuid me in to thy sowle / þ^uþu art in pees & in

qwyete & sobbist no lengar ·/ & þ ᷑þer of þ^eþe pepil hath gret ⸗

wondyr / but it thar no wondyr be to þ^eþe / for þ^uþu wost wel þ^tþat I far

lyke an husbond

·

‸

þ^tþat schulde weddyn a wyfe what tyme þ^tþat ⸗

he had weddyd hir hym thynkyth þ^tþat he is sekyr a now of hir / &

þ^tþat no man xal partyn hem a sundyr · / for þ⸧þan dowt ᷑dowtyr may þei

gon to bedde to gedyr w^twyth owtyn any schame er dred of þ^eþe

pepil / & slepyn in rest & pees ȝyf þei wil And ththus dowt ᷑dowtyr

it farith be twix þ^eþe & me / for þ^uþu hast eu᷑yeuery weke specialy on

þe su͒daysunday gret feer & drede in thy sowle / how þ^uþu maist best

be sekyr of my lofe / & w^twyth gret reu᷑ensreuerens & holy drede / how þ^uþu

maist best receyuyn me to þ^eþe saluacyon of thy sowle /

w^twyth al man᷑maner of mekenes · lownes · & charite / as any lady in þⁱsþis

werld is besy to receyue hir husbond whan he comyth hom

& hath be long fro hir ·/ My derworthy dowt ᷑dowtyr · I thank þ^eþe hily

for alle men þ^tþat þ^uþu hast kept seke in my name / & for al þ^eþe

goodnes & ẜuyseseruyse þ^tþat þ^uþu hast don to hem · in any degre / for

þu schalt hauyn þ^eþe same mede w^twyth me in heuyn / as þow þ^uþu

haddist kept myn owyn self whil I was her in erde Also

dowt ᷑dowtyr I thanke þ^eþe for as many tymys as þ^uþu hast bathyd me

in þⁱþi sowle at hom in þⁱþi chambchambre / as þow I had be þ ᷑þer p᷑sentpresent

in my manhod / for I knowe wel dowt ᷑dowtyr alle þ^eþe holy thowtꝭthowtys

þ^tþat þ^uþu hast schewyd to me in þⁱþi mende And also dowt ᷑dowtyr · I thank

þ^eþe for alle þ^eþe tymys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast herberwyd me & my blissyd

gostly

modyr in þⁱþi bed / for þes & for alle oþ ᷑oþer good thowtꝭthowtys & good

dedꝭdedys · þ^tþat þ^uþu hast thowt in my name / & wrowt for my lofe

/ þ^uþu xalt haue w^twyth me & w^twyth my modyr w^twyth myn holy AwngeAwngelys

w^twyth myn apostelys w^twyth myn Martirys · Confessowris and ⸗

virginys / & w^twyth alle myn holy seyntꝭseyntys · al man᷑maner Ioye & blysse

lestyng wythowtyn ende  Ame̅Amen ·

t

T

he sayd creatur lay ful stille in þ^eþe chirch heryng

& vndirstondyng þⁱsþis swet dalyawnce in hir sow⸗

le / as clerly as on frende xulde spekyn to an oþ ᷑oþer

And whan sche herd þ^eþe gret behestꝭbehestys þ^tþat owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist be⸗

hite hir / þ⸧þan sche thankyd hy͒hym w^twyth gret wepyngꝭwepyngys & sobbyngꝭsobbyngys

104

& w^twyth many holy & reu᷑entreuerent thowtꝭthowtys / seying in hir mende / lord Ihu̅Ihesu

blissyd mote þ^uþu be / for þⁱsþis deẜuyddeseruyd I neu᷑neuyr of þ^eþe / but I wolde I ⸗

wer in þ^tþat place þ ᷑þer I xulde neu᷑neuyr displese þe / fro þⁱsþis tyme for⸗

ward ·/ w^twyth swech man᷑maner of thowtꝭthowtys & many mo / þ⸧þan I cowde eu᷑euyr

writyn sche worschepyd & mgnifyedmagnifyed owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu cstcrist / for

hys holy visitacyon & hys comfort / And in swech man᷑maner

visitacyons & holy co͒templacyoniscontemplacyonis / as arn beforn wretyn

mech mor sotyl / & mor hy w^twyth owtyn co͒parisoncomparison / þ⸧þan be wrety͒wretyn /

þ^eþe sayd creatur had co͒tinuydcontinuyd hir lyfe / þorw þ^eþe p᷑seruyngpreseruyng of

owr sauyowr crist Ihu̅Ihesu / mor þ⸧þan xxv ȝer ·/ Whan þⁱsþis tretꝭtretys

was wretyn weke be weke / & day be day / les þ⸧þan sche wer

ocupiid w^twyth seke folke / er ellys wer lettyd / w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer nedful occupasyon

/ as was necessary vn to hir / er to hir euyn crystyn ·/ þ⸧þan it was

w^twyth drawyn su̅sum tyme ·/ for it wil be had but in gret qwyet

nonota bn̅bene

of sowle thorw long excersyse / Of þⁱsþis man᷑maner speche and

dalyawnce sche was mad mythy & strong in þ^eþe lofe of owr

lord / & gretly stabelyd in hir feith / & encresyd in mekenes /

& charite / w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer good vertuys / & sche stabely & stedfastly

beleuyd / þ^tþat it was god þ^tþat spak in hir sowle / & non euyl

spiryt ·/ for in hys speche sche had most strength & most co͒fortcomfort

& most encresyng of vertu blissyd be god · Dyuers tymys

whan þe creatur was so seke þ^tþat sche wend to a ben ded ·/ &

oþ ᷑oþer folke wende þe same / it was answeryd in hir sowle þ^tþat

sche xulde not deyin / but sche xulde leuyn & far wel / &

so sche dede · Su͒Sum tyme owr lady spak to hir & co͒fortydcomfortyd hir

nota

o^ꝛour lade

in hir sekenes / Su̅Sum tyme seynt Petyr / er seynt powle / Su̅Sum⸗

tyme seynt Mary Mawdelyn ·/ seynt Kateryne / seynt Mar⸗

garet / er what seynt in heuyn þ^tþat sche cowde thynke on /

thorw þ^eþe wil & sufferawns of god · / þei spokyn to þ^eþe vndir⸗

stondyng of hir sowle / & enformyd hir how sche xulde

louyn god / & how sche xulde best plesyn hym / & answeryd

to what þ^tþat sche wolde askyn of hem / & sche cowde vndirstond

be her man᷑maner of dalyawns whech of hem it was þ^tþat spak vn ⸗

¶

to hir & comfortyd hir / Owr lord of hys hy m᷑cymercy visityd hir so mech

& so plenteuowsly w^twyth hys holy spechys & hys holy dalyawnce / þ^tþat

sche wist not many tymys how þe day went / sche supposyd su̅sum

tyme of · v · owrys er vi · owrys it had not ben þe space of an

owr · It was so swet & so deuowt / þ^tþat it ferd as sche had ben in

an heuyn Sche thowt neu᷑neuyr long þ ᷑þer of / ne sche was neu᷑neuyr irke

þ ᷑þer of / þe tyme went a wey sche wist not how Sche had leu᷑leuar

a ẜuydseruyd god ȝyf sche myght a leuyd so long / an hu̅drydhundryd ȝer

in þⁱsþis man᷑maner of lyfe / þ⸧þan oo day as sche be gan fyrst · And

¶

oftyn tymys sche seyd to owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu · A lord Ihu̅Ihesu syn it is

so swet to wepyn for þⁱþi lofe in erth / I wote wel it xal

be ryght Ioyful to be w^twyth þ^eþe in heuyn ·/ þ ᷑þer for lord I p᷑yprey þ^eþe late

me neu᷑neuyr han oþ ᷑oþer Ioy in erthe but mornyng & wepyng for

thy lofe ·/ for me thynkith lord þow I wer in helle ȝyf I ⸗

myth wepyn þ ᷑þer & mornyn for þⁱþi lofe / as I do her ·/ helle xuld

not noyin me / but it xulde be a man᷑maner of heuyn ·/ for thy

lofe puttyth a wey al man᷑maner of drede of owr gostly enmye

/ for I had leu᷑leuar ben þ ᷑þer as long as þ^uþu woldist & plesyn þ^eþe ·/ þ⸧þan

ben in þⁱsþis worlde & displesyn þ^eþe ·/ þ ᷑þer for lord as þ^uþu wilt so

so mote it be 

w

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·88·

W

han þⁱsþis booke was first in wrytyng þe sayd creatur

was mor at hom in hir chambre w^twyth hir writer / &

seyd fewer bedꝭbedys / for sped of wrytyng þ⸧þan sche had

don ȝerys be forn / & wh⸧whan sche cam to chirche & xulde hery͒heryn

messe pposyngpurposyng to seyn hir mateyns · & swech oþ ᷑oþer deuocyons

as sche had vsyd a for tyme / hir hert was drawyn a wey

fro þ^eþe seying & set mech on meditacyon Sche beyng aferd

of displesawns of owr lord ·/ he seyd to hir sowle · drede þ^eþe

not dowt ᷑dowtyr / for as many bedꝭbedys as þ^uþu woldist seyin I accepte

hem as þow þ^uþu seydist hem / & þⁱþi stody þ^tþat þ^uþu stodiist · for to do

writyn þ^eþe gcegrace þ^tþat I haue schewyd to þ^eþe · plesith me ryght

meche & he þ^tþat writith boþ^eboþe · ffor þow ȝe wer in þ^eþe chirche

& wept bothyn to gedyr as sore as eu᷑euyr þ^uþu dedist /· ȝet xulde

ȝe not plesyn me mor ·/ þ⸧þan ȝe don w^twyth ȝo ȝowr writyng ·

↑

ffor ⸗

105

· ·

Dowt ᷑Dowtyr

‸

be

þⁱsþis boke many a man xal be t nydturnyd to me & beleuyn þ ᷑þer in 

/ Dowt ᷑Dowtyr wher is a bett ᷑bettyr p᷑yerpreyer be thyn owyn reson / þ⸧þan to p᷑yinpreyin to me

nonota bn̅bene

w^twyth þⁱnþin hert er thyn thowt / Dowt ᷑Dowtyr whan þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist be thowt þ^uþu vndir

me̅tallmentall pᷓerpraer ·

stondist þⁱþi selfe what þ^uþu askyst of me / & þ^uþu vndirstondist also what

I sey to þ^eþe / & þ^uþu vndirstondist what I behote þ^eþe / to þ^eþe & to þⁱnþin / & to

alle þⁱþi gostly fadyrs / And as for Maist ᷑Maistyr Robert þⁱþi co͒fesso confessowr · I haue

grawntyd þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu hast desiryd / & he xulde han halfe thy teerys

& half þ^eþe good werkys / þ^tþat I haue wrowt in þ^eþe / þ ᷑þer for he schal

trewly be rewardyd for thy wepyng / as thow he had wept

hym selfe / & beleue wel dowt ᷑dowtyr / þ^tþat ȝe xal be ful mery in

nota

heuyn to gedyr at þ^eþe last / And xal blyssyn þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat eu᷑euyr

ȝowr on knew ȝo ȝowr oþ ᷑oþer · And dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu xalt blissyn me w^twyth

owtyn ende / þ^tþat eu᷑euyr I ȝaf þ^eþe so trewe a gostly fadyr / for þow

he hath be scharp to þ^eþe su̅sum tyme / it hath ben gretly to thy

ꝓfyteprofyte / for þ^uþu woldist ellys an had to gret affeccyon to hys ꝑsonepersone

& wh⸧whan he was scharp to þ^eþe / þ⸧þan þ^uþu ronne w^twyth al thy mynde to me /

seying · lord þ ᷑þer is no trost but in þ^eþe alone / & þ⸧þan þ^uþu crydist to

me w^twyth al þⁱnþin hert · / lord for þⁱþi wowndꝭwowndys smerte · drawe alle

my lofe · in to thyn hert / & dowt ᷑dowtyr so haue I do · Thow thyn

kyst oftyn tymys þ^tþat I haue do ryght meche for þ^eþe / & þ^uþu ⸗

thynkyst þ^tþat it is a gret myracle þ^tþat I haue drawyn al/thyn

¶

affeccyon to me / for su̅sum tyme þ^uþu wer so affectyd to su̅sum syn⸗

guler ꝑsonepersone / þ^tþat þ^uþu wendist þ^tþat tyme / it had ben in a maner

inpossibyl · to a w^twyth drawyn thyn affeccyon fro hym · And

sithyn þ^uþu hast desyryd ȝyf it had plesyd me þ^tþat þ^eþe same ⸗

ꝑsonepersone xulde a forsakyn þ^eþe for my lofe / for ȝyf he had

not supportyd þ^eþe / fewe men wolde a sett any pseprise by þ^eþe

as þe semyd ·/ And þ^uþu thowtist yf he had a forsakyn þ^eþe ·/ it

had be þ^eþe grettest repref þ^tþat eu᷑euyr cam to þ^eþe / as a ȝens þ^eþe pepil

/ & þ ᷑þer for þ^uþu woldist a suffyrd þ^tþat repref w^twyth good wil for my

lofe / yf it had lykyd me · And þꝰþus w^twyth swech dolful thowtꝭthowtys

þ^uþu encresyst þⁱþi lofe to me ward / & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr I receyue þⁱþi

desirys as yf þ^eiþei wer don in dede ·/ & I knowe ryth wel þ^tþat

þ^uþu hast ryth trewe loue to þ^tþat same ꝑsonepersone / & I haue ofty̅oftyn ⸗

seyd to þ^eþe  þ^tþat he xulde be ryth fawyn to louyn þ^eþe / And þ^tþat he xulde bele⸗

uyn it is god þ^tþat spekith in þ^eþe & no deuyl · Also dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^tþat ꝑsonepersone hath

plesyd me ryth wel / for he hath oftyn in hys ẜmownyssermownys excusyd

thy wepyng & þⁱþi crying And so hath Mayst ᷑Maystyr Aleyn don bothyn

And þ ᷑þer for þei schal haue ful gret mede in heuyn Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I haue

telde þ^eþe many tymys þ^tþat I xulde maynteyn þⁱþi wepyng & thy

crying be ẜmownyssermownys & p᷑chyng prechyng · Also dowt ᷑dowtyr I telle þ^eþe þ^tþat Mayst ᷑Maystyr

Robert þⁱþi gostly fadyr plesyth me ful meche whan he byddyth

þ^eþe beleuyn þ^tþat I loue þ^eþe / And I knowe wel þ^tþat þ^uþu hast gret feyth

in hys wordꝭwordys & so þ^uþu maist ryth wel / for he wil not flatyr

þ^eþe · And also dowt ᷑dowtyr I am hyly plesyd w^twyth hym for he biddith þ^eþe

þ^tþat þ^uþu xuldist sittyn stille & ȝeuyn thyn hert to meditacyon /

& thynkyn swech holy thowtꝭthowtys as god wyl puttyn in þⁱþi mende

¶

And I haue oftyn tymys bodyn þ^eþe so my self & ȝet þ^uþu wilt

not don þ ᷑þer aft ᷑aftyr / but w^twyth meche grutchyng & ȝet am I not

displesyd w^twyth þ^eþe / for dowt ᷑dowtyr I haue oftyn seyd on to þ^eþe · / þ^tþat wheþ ᷑wheþyr

þ^uþu p᷑yistpreyist w^twyth þⁱþi mowth / er thynkist w^twyth thyn hert /· Wheþ ᷑Wheþyr þ^uþu redist

er herist redyng / I wil be

…

disdisplesyd w^twyth þ^eþe & ȝet dowt ᷑dowtyr · I telle

þ^eþe / yf þ^uþu woldist

‸

be

leuyn me · þ^tþat thynkyng is þ^eþe best for þ^eþe & most

xal incresyn thy lofe to me ·/ & þ^eþe mor homly þ^tþat þ^uþu suffyr me

to be in þⁱþi sowle in erthe / it is worthy & rythful þ^tþat I be þ^eþe

mor homly w^twyth þⁱþi sowle in heuyn And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr yf þ^uþu wilt

not don aftyr my cownsel ·· do aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe cownsel of þⁱþi gostly

fadyr / for he biddith þ^eþe do þ^eþe same þ^tþat I bidde þ^eþe do /· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr whan

þⁱþi gostly fadyr seith to þ^eþe þ^uþu displesyst god / þ^uþu leuyst hym ⸗

ryth wel ·/ & þ⸧þan takist þ^uþu meche sorwe & gret heuynes &

wepist ful fast tyl þ^uþu hast gotyn gcegrace a geyn ·/ & þ⸧þan I come

oftyn tymys to þ^eþe my self & co͒fortcomfort þ^eþe / ffor dowt ᷑dowtyr I may not

suffyr þ^eþe to haue peyne any while · but þ^tþat I must do remedy

And þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr I come to þ^eþe & make þ^eþe sekyr of my lofe /

& telle þ^eþe w^twyth myn owyn mowth ·/ þ^tþat þ^uþu art as sekyr of my

lofe / as god is god / & þ^tþat no thyng is so sekyr to þ^eþe in erthe

·:-------

þat þ^uþu maist se w^twyth þⁱþi bodily eye / & þ ᷑þer for blissyd dowt ᷑dowtyr loue

hym þ^tþat louyth þe / & for ȝete me not dowt ᷑dowtyr · for I forȝete ⸗

106

not þe · / for my m᷑cyful eye is eu᷑euyr up on þ^eþe / & þ^tþat wote my m᷑cyfulmercyful ⸗

modyr ful wel dowt ᷑dowtyr / for sche hath oftyn tymys telde þ^eþe so / and

many oþ ᷑oþer seyntꝭseyntys bothyn / & þ ᷑þer for dowt ᷑dowtyr þ^uþu hast gret cawse to

louyn me ryth wel / & to ȝeuyn me al thyn hool hert / w^twyth alle

[heart]

thyn affeccyonis / for þ^tþat I desyr / & no thyng ellys of þ^eþe And I

schal ȝeuyn þ^eþe þ ᷑þer a geyn al myn hert / And ȝyf þ^uþu wilt be buxom

to my wil / I xal be buxom to þⁱþi wil / dowt ᷑dowtyr beleue it ryth wel 

a

A

lso whil þ^eþe forseyd creatur was ocupiid a bowte þ^eþe

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·89·

writyng of þⁱsþis tretys / sche had many holy teerys

& wepingꝭwepingys / & oftyn tymys þ ᷑þer cam a flawme of fyer

A tokyn of gcegrace

a bowte hir brest ful hoot & delectabyl / And also he þ^tþat was

hir writer cowde not su̅sum tyme kepyn hym self fro wepyng / &

oftyn in þ^eþe mene tyme whan þe creatur was in cherche · /

oowr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist w^twyth hys gloryows modyr & many seyntꝭseyntys

also / comyn in to hir sowle / & thankyd hir / seying þ^tþat þei wer

wel plesyd w^twyth þ^eþe writyng of þⁱsþis boke · And also sche herd many

tymys a voys of a swet brydde syngyn in hir ere · And

oftyn tymys sche herd swet sowndꝭsowndys & melodiis / þ^tþat passyd

hir witte for to tellyn hem · / And sche was many tyme

seke whyl þⁱsþis tretꝭtretys was in writyng · And as sone as sche

wolde gon a bowte þ^eþe writyng of þⁱsþis tretys sche was heil

& hoole sodeynly in a man᷑maner · And oftyn sche was comawndyd

to makyn hir redy in al hast · And on a tyme as sche lay

in hir p᷑yeryspreyerys in þ^eþe chirche / þe tyme of Aduent befor cstmescristmes

sche thowt in hir hert sche wolde þ^tþat god of hys goodnes

wolde makyn Maistyr Aleyn to seyin a ẜmownsermown as wel as

he cowde /· & as swithe as sche had thowt þꝰþus /·sche

herd

owr sou᷑eynsouereyn

lord cstcrist Ihu̅Ihesu seyin in hir sowle /· Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I wot ryth wel what

þ^uþu thynkist now of Maist ᷑Maistyr Aleyn · / & I telle þ^eþe trewly / þ^tþat he xal

seyin a rith holy ẜmownesermowne / & loke þ^tþat þ^uþu beleue stedfastly / þ^eþe

wordꝭwordys þ^tþat he xal p᷑chynprechyn / as þow I p᷑chydprechyd hem my selfe / for þ^eiþei

schal be wordꝭwordys of gret solas & co͒fortcomfort to þ^eþe / for I schal spe⸗

kyn in hym ·· Whan sche had herd þⁱsþis Answer /· sche went &

telde it hir confesso confessowr & oþ ᷑oþer tweyn p᷑istꝭpreistys / þ^tþat sche trustyd mech on · /

IcIhesu crist

And whan sche had telde hem hir felyng sche was ful sory for

dreed wheþyr he schulde sey so wel as sche had felt er not / for ⸗

reuelacyons be hard su̅sum tyme to vndirstondy͒vndirstondyn / & su̅sum tyme ·

nonota bn̅bene et caue

þ^oþo þ^tþat men wenyn wer reuelacyonis it arn deceytꝭdeceytys & illusyons

tibi

& þ ᷑þer for it is not expedient to ȝeuyn redily credens to eu᷑yeuery

steryng / but sadly abydyn & p᷑uynpreuyn / yf þ^eiþei be sent of god · /

/ neu᷑neuyr þ^eþe lesse / as to þⁱsþis felyng of þⁱsþis creatur / it was very ⸗

trewth schewyd in exꝑiensexperiens / & hir dred & hir heuynes t nydturnyd in

to gret gostly comforte & gladnes / Su̅Sum tyme sche was in

¶↗

gret heuynes for hir felyngꝭfelyngys wh⸧whan sche knew not how þei

schulde ben vndirstondyn many days to gedyr / for drede

þ^tþat sche had of deceytꝭdeceytys & illusyons / þ^tþat hir thowt sche wolde þ^tþat

hir hed had be smet fro þe body / tyl god of hys goodnesse

declaryd hem to hir mende / for su̅sum tyme þ^tþat sche vndirstod

bodily ·/ it was to ben vndirstondyn gostly / & þ^eþe drede þat

drede

sche had of hir felyngꝭfelyngys / was þe grettest scorge þ^tþat sche had

in erde /· & specialy wh⸧whan sche had hir fyrst felyngꝭfelyngys / & þ^tþat

drede made hir ful meke / for sche had no Ioye in þ^eþe felyng

tyl sche knew be exꝑiensexperiens wheþ ᷑wheþyr it was trewe er not · / But

eu᷑euyr blissyd mote god ben / for he mad hir al wey mor myty

& mor strong in hys loue / & in hys drede /· & ȝaf hir en⸗

cres of vertu w^twyth ꝑseuerawnsperseuerawns · / her endith þⁱsþis tretꝭtretys for

god toke hym to hys m᷑cymercy þ^tþat wrot þ^eþe copy of þⁱsþis boke /· &

þow þ^tþat he wrot not clerly / ne opynly to owr man᷑maner of

spekyng /· he in hys man᷑maner of wrytyng & spellyng · / mad

trewe sentens / þ^eþe whech thorw þ^eþe help of god & of hir

selfe / þ^tþat had al þⁱsþis tretys in felyng & werkyng / is trewly

copy ·

drawyn owt of þ^eþe copy / in to þⁱsþis lityl boke /   

107

ScđsSecundus liber

a

A

fftyr þ^tþat owr souereyn sauyowr had take þ^eþe ꝑsonepersone

¶

ca^mcapitulum p^mprimum

whech wrot first þ^eþe tretys aforn seyd to hys

many fold m᷑cymercy · And þ^eþe p᷑istepreiste of whom is be

forn wretyn / had copiid þ^eþe same tretys aft ᷑aftyr hys sympyl

cu͒nyngcunnyng · / he held it expedient to hono honowr of þ^eþe blisful t̍nitetrinite /

þ^tþat hys holy werkꝭwerkys xulde be notifyid & declaryd to þ^eþe pepil · wh⸧whan

it plesyd hym to þe worschip of hys holy name · · And þ⸧þan he

‸

be

gan

to writyn in þe ȝer of owr lord M^lōMillessimo · cccc · xxxviii · in þ^eþe fest of

Seynt Vital mrtyrmartyr / sweche gcegrace as owr lord wrowt in hys sym

pyl creatur / ȝerys þ^tþat sche leuyd aft ᷑aftyr not alle  / but su͒mesumme of hem /

aftyr hyr owyn tu͒getunge ·· And first her is a notabyl mat᷑mater þ^eþe whech

is not wretyn in þ^eþe forseyd tretꝭtretys · / It befel sone aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat þ^eþe cͤaturcreatur

be forn wretyn had forsakyn þ^eþe occupasyon of þ^eþe worlde / &

was Ioynyd in hir mende to god as meche as frelte wolde

suffyr /· The seyd creatur had a sone / a tal ȝong man dwelly͒gdwellyng

w^twyth a worschepful Burgeys in lynne / vsyng Marchawndyse

& seylyng ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see · Whom sche desyryd to a drawyn owt of

þe perellys of þⁱsþis wretchyd & vnstabyl worlde / ȝyf hir po⸗

wer myth a teynyd þ ᷑þer to / neu᷑neuyr þe lesse · sche dede as meche

as in hir was / & whan sche myth metyn w^twyth hym at leyser /

many tymys sche cownselyd hym · to leeuyn þe worlde / & folwyn

crist / in so meche / þ^tþat he fled hyr cu̅panycumpany & wolde not gladlych

metyn w^twyth hir / So on a tyme it happyd / þ^eþe modyr to metyn

w^twyth hir sone / þei it wer a geyns hys wille / & hys entent / as

þ^tþat tyme And as sche had don be forn tyme / so now sche spak

to hym a geyn / þ^tþat he xulde fle þ^eþe perellys of þⁱsþis world / & not

settyn hys stody ne hys besynes so mech þ ᷑þer up on / as he

dede /· he not co̅sentyngconsentyng but scharply answeryng a geyn  /

sche su̅sum del meuyd w^twyth scharpnes of spiryt seyde / Now sithyn

þ^uþu wil not leeuyn þ^eþe world at my cownsel / I charge þ^eþe at my

blissyng / kepe þⁱþi body klene at þ^eþe lest fro womanys feleschep /

tyl þ^uþu take a wyfe aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe lawe of þ^eþe chirche · / And ȝyf þ^uþu do ⸗

not I pypray god chastise þe & ponysch þ^eþe þ ᷑þer for · / þei partyd a su̅dyrsundyr

& sone aft ᷑aftyr þe same ȝong man passyd ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see / in wey of

Marchawndyse / & þ⸧þan what thorw euyl

‸

entisy͒gentisyng of oþ ᷑oþer ⸗

co̅panycompany &

k i

ꝑsonyspersonys & foly of hys owyn gou᷑nawncegovernawnce · he fel in to þ^eþe synne of

letchery ·· Sone aft ᷑aftyr hys colowr chawngyd · hys face wex ful of

whelys & bloberys · as it had ben a lepyr / þ⸧þan he cam hom a

geyn in to lynne · to hys Maist ᷑Maistyr w^twyth whech he had ben dwellyng

be for tyme / hys maist ᷑maistyr put hym owt of hys ẜuyseseruyse for no

defawte he fond w^twyth hym / but ꝑauenturparauentur supposyng he had

ben a laȝer as it schewyd be hys visage · The ȝong man

telde wher hym likyd · how hys modyr had bannyd hym

wher thorw as he supposyd god so greuowsly ponyschyd hym

Su᷑Sum ꝑsoneperrsone hauyng knowlach of hys co͒pleyntcompleynt & co͒passyoncompassyon

of hys disese / cam to hys modyr · seying sche had don ryth

euyl / for thorw hir pyerprayer · god had takyn veniawns on hir

owyn childe / Sche takyng lityl heed of her wordꝭwordys · let it

passyn forth as sche had mad no fors tyl he wolde comyn

& p᷑yinpreyin for gcegrace hys self / So at þe last whan he sey non

oþ ᷑oþer bote / he cam to hys modyr tellyng hir of hys mysogou᷑mysogouer⸗

nawns / ꝓmittyngpromittyng he xulde ben obedient to god & to hir

& to a mende hys defawte thorw þ^eþe help of god / enchewy͒genchewyng

al mysgou᷑nawncemysgouernawnce fro þ^tþat tyme forward vp on hys power

he p᷑yidpreyid hys modyr of hir blissyng · & specialy he p᷑ydpreyd hir to

p᷑yprey for hym / þ^tþat owr lord of hys hy m᷑cymercy wolde forȝeuyn hy͒hym /

þ^tþat he had trespasyd / & takyn a wey þ^tþat gret sekenes for whech

men fleddyn hys company & hys felaschep / as for a lepyr

for he supposyd be hir p᷑yeryspreyerys · / owr lord sent hym þ^tþat ponischy͒gponischyng

& þ ᷑þer for he trustyd be hir p᷑yeryspreyerys / to be deliu᷑yddeliueryd þ ᷑þer of ȝyf sche

wolde of hir charite p᷑ynpreyn for hym / þ⸧þan sche hauyng trust

of hys a mendyng & co͒passyoncompassyon of hys infirmyte w^twyth scharp

wordꝭwordys of correpcyon / ꝓmysydpromysyd to fulfillyn hys entent / ȝyf

god wolde grawntyn it · Whan sche cam to hir meditacyon

not forȝetyng þe frute of hir wombe / askyd forȝeuenes

of hys synne & relesyng of þ^eþe sekenes þ^tþat owr lord had ȝouy͒ȝouyn

hym ȝyf it wer hys plesawns & ꝓfiteprofite to hys sowle · So ⸗

longe sche p᷑yidpreyid þ^tþat he was clene delyu᷑yddelyueryd of þ^eþe sekenes / and

leuyd many ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr / & had a wife & a childe blissyd mote ⸗

108

god ben for he weddyd hys wife in pruce / in dewchelonde · /

Whan tydingꝭtydingys cam to hys modyr fro ou᷑ouyr þe see / þ^tþat hir sone had weddyd

sche was ryth glad / & thankyd god w^twyth al hir hert / supposyng & trus⸗

tyng he xulde leuyn clene & chast as þ^eþe lawe of matrimony askith

Sithyn whan god wolde hys wife had a childe a fayr mayde child /

þ⸧þan he sent tydingꝭtydingys to hys modyr in to Inglond how gcyowslygracyowsly

god had visityd hym & hys wife / hys modyr being in a chapel

of owr lady / thankyng god of þ^eþe grace & goodnes þ^tþat he schewyd

to hir sone / & hauyng desyr to sen hem ȝyf sche myth · A non

it was answeryd to hir mende / þ^tþat sche xulde seen hem alle

er þ⸧þan sche deyid · / Sche had wondyr of þⁱsþis felynge / how it xulde

be so as sche felt / in as meche as þei weryn be ȝowndyn þ^eþe

see / & sche on þⁱsþis halfe þ^eþe see neu᷑neuyr pposyngpurposyng to passyn þ^eþe see ⸗

whil sche leuyd / neu᷑neuyr þe lesse sche wiste wel to god was

no thyng impossibyl / þ ᷑þer for sche trustyd it schulde be so as

sche had felyng whan god wolde 

i

I

N fewe ȝerys aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat þⁱsþis ȝong man had weddyd he

¶

ca^mcapitulum 2^msecundum

cam hom in to Inglond to hys fadyr & hys modyr /

al chongyd in hys aray / & hys condicyonis · / for a for

tyme hys clothys wer al daggyd / & hys langage al uanyte /

now he weryd no daggys / & hys dalyawns was ful of vertu /

hys modyr hauyng gret m᷑ueylmerueyl of þⁱsþis sodeyn chongyng seyd

vn to hym · / Benedicite sone how is it w^twyth þ^eþe þ^tþat þ^uþu art so chongyd /

Modyr he seyd / I hope þ^tþat thorw ȝo ȝowr p᷑yeryspreyerys / owr lord hath dra⸗

wyn me And I pposepurpose be þe grace of god to folwyn ȝowr

cownsel · mor þ⸧þan I haue don be forn · Than hys modyr

seyng þⁱsþis m᷑uelyowsmeruelyows drawte of owr lord / thankyd god as

sche cowde / takyng good heed of hys gou᷑nawnsgouernawns / for dred of

symulacyon · / þe leng᷑lengar þ^tþat sche beheld hys gou᷑nawnsgouernawns / þ^eþe mor

sadde sche thowt he was / & þe mor reu᷑entreuerent to owr lord ward

Whan sche knew it was þ^eþe drawt of owr lordꝭlordys m᷑cymercy · / þ⸧þan sche

was ful Ioyful / thankyng god ful many timys for hys

grace & hys goodnes · / Sithyn for he xulde be þ^eþe mor diligent /

& þe mor besy to folwyn owr lordꝭlordys drawyng · / sche openyd ⸗

k ii

hir hert to hym / schewyng hym & enformyng how owr lord had

drawyn hir thorw hys m᷑cymercy ⎣ & be what menys Also how meche

gcegrace he had schewyd for hir · þ^eþe whech he seyd he was vnworthy

to heryn / þ⸧þan he went many pilg̍magꝭpilgrimagys to Rome & to many oþ ᷑oþer

holy placys / to pchasynpurchasyn hym pardon / resortyng a geyn to hys

wife & hys childe / as he was bowndyn to do / he enformyd

hys wife of hys modyr in so meche / þ^tþat sche wolde leeuyn hir

fadyr & hir modyr & hir owyn cu̅tcuntre for to comyn in to Ing⸗

londe / & seen hys modyr / he was ful glad þ ᷑þer of / & sent word

in to Inglond to hys modyr / to certifyin hir of hys wyfys

desyr / & to wetyn whedyr hys modyr wolde cownselyn hy͒hym

to comyn be lond er be wat ᷑watyr / for he trustyd meche in hys

moderys cownsel / leuyng it was of þ^eþe holy gost /· hys modyr

whan sche had

‸

a

lett᷑lettyr fro hym & knew hys desyr · went to

hir p᷑yerpreyer to knowyn owr lordꝭlordys cownsel / & owr lordꝭlordys wyl /

And as sche p᷑yidpreyid for þ^eþe sayd mat ᷑mater /it was answeryd to hir

sowle / þ^tþat whedyr hir sone come be lond er be wat ᷑watyr he xulde

comyn in saf warde / þan wrot sche letterys to hym / seying

þ^tþat whedyr he come be londe er be wat ᷑watyr · he schulde come in safte

be þ^eþe gcegrace of god / Whan he was certifiid of hys moderys cownsel

he speryd whan schippys xulde come in to Inglond / & hiryd

a schip er ellys a part of a schip / in whech he putt hys good

hys wife hys childe & hys owyn self / pposyngpurposyng alle to comy̅comyn

in to Inglond to gedyr · Whan þei weryn in þe schip þ ᷑þer resyn

swech te͒pestꝭtempestys þ^tþat þ^eiþei durstyn not takyn þ^eþe see / & so þei comyn

on lond a geyn bothyn ·/ he ·· hys wife · & her childe /· þ⸧þan þei

left her childe in pruce w^twyth her frendꝭfrendys / & he & hys wife co⸗

myn in to Inglond be lond wey to hys fadyr & to hys modyr

Whan þ^eiþei wer come þedir hys modir ful meche enioiid in

owr lord / þ^tþat hir felyng was trewe · for sche had felyng in hir

sowle / as is wretyn be forn / þ^tþat whedyr þ^eiþei come be lond er

be wat ᷑watyr / þei schulde comyn be safte / & so it was in dede

blissyd mote god ben · / þei come hom on þe sat ᷑daysatyrday in good

heele & on þe next day þ^tþat was þe sonday whil þei wer at

109

mete at noon with oþ ᷑oþer good frendꝭfrendys / he fel in gret sekenes þ^tþat he

ros fro þ^eþe tabyl & leyd hym on a bed ·· whech sekenes & infirmite

ocupiid hym a bowte a monyth / & þ⸧þan in good life & ryth beleue he

passyd to þ^eþe m᷑cymercy of owr lord / So gostly & bodily / it myth wel ben

verifiid / he xal comyn hom in safte / not only in to þⁱsþis dedly lond

but also in to þ^eþe lond of leuyng men Wher deth xal neu᷑neuyr aperyn

In schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr þe fadyr of þ^eþe sayd ꝑsonepersone folwyd þ^eþe sone / þ^eþe

wey whech eu᷑yeuery man must gon · Than leuyd stille þ^eþe modyr of

þ^eþe sayd ꝑsonepersone / of whom þⁱsþis tretys specyaly makyth mencyon /

And sche þ^tþat was hys wife a dewche woman dwellyng w^twyth hys

modyr a ȝer & an halfe · vn to þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat hir frendꝭfrendys whech wer

in duchelond / desyryng to haue hir hom wretyn lettrys to hir /

& steryd hir to resortyn to hir owyn cu͒tcuntre And so sche desiryng

þe beneuolens of hir frendꝭfrendys · vtteryd hir co̅seyteconseyte to hir eldmodyr

declaryng to hir þ^eþe desyr of hir frendꝭfrendys p᷑yingpreying hir of good lofe

& leue / þ^tþat sche myth resortyn to hir owyn cu̅trecuntre · And so thorw

hir eldmodrys co̅sentyngconsentyng sche pueyidpurueyid hir to gon as sone

as any schippys wentyn in to þ^tþat lond /· So þ^eiþei speryd a schip

of þ^tþat same lond & hir owyn cu͒trecuntre men xulde seylyn þedyr

And hem thowt it was goodly þ^tþat sche xulde raþ ᷑raþer seylyn w^twyth

hem in her schip / þ⸧þan w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer men Than sche went to hir co͒fessowrconfessowr

for to be schreuyn / & whil sche was in þ^eþe schryuyng þ^eþe sayd ⸗

creatur hir eldmodir · went vp & down in þ^eþe qwer · thynkyng

in hir mende · · lord ȝyf it wer þⁱþi wille I wolde takyn leue

of my co͒fessowrconfessowr & gon w^twyth hir ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see · Owr lord answeryd

to hyr thowt seying Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I wote wel yf I bode þ^eþe gon

þ^uþu woldist gon al redy ·/ þ ᷑þer for I wyl þ^tþat þ^uþu speke no word to ⸗

hym of þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater · Than was sche ryth glad & mery trusty͒gtrustyng

sche xulde not gon ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see /· for sche had ben in gret perell

on þe see a for tyme / & was in ppospurpos neu᷑neuyr to comyn þ ᷑þer on mor

be hir owyn wille /· Whan hir dowt ᷑dowtyr in lawe was schreuyn

þ^eþe good man whech was co̅fesso confessowr to hem bothyn / as þ^tþat tyme /

cam to hir & seyd / ho schal gon w^twyth ȝo ȝowr dowt ᷑dowtyr to þ^eþe see syde ⸗

k iii

tyl sche come at hir schip / it is not goodly þ^tþat sche xulde gon so fer

w^twyth a ȝong man a lone in strawnge cu̅trecuntre · wher her neiþ ᷑neiþyr is knowy͒knowyn /

for a strawnge man was come for hir / & her neiþ ᷑neiþyr was but

lityl knowyn in þⁱsþis cu̅trecuntre wher for hir confessowr had þ^eþe mor

co͒passyoncompassyon of hir ·/ þ⸧þan þ^eþe sayd creatur seyd a geyn Syr ȝyf

ȝe wele biddyn me I xal gon w^twyth hir my self tyl sche come

at ȝepiswech ·/ þ ᷑þer lyth þe schip & hir owyn cu̅trecuntre men þ^tþat xal

ledyn hir ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see / hir co̅fesso confessowr seyd / how xulde ȝe gon w^twyth

hir ·/ ȝe hirtyd but late ȝo ȝowr foote / & ȝe ar not ȝet al hool / &

also ȝe arn an elde woman · ȝe may not gon Sir sche seyd

god as I trust xal helpyn me ryth wel / þ⸧þan he askyd · ho xulde

gon w^twyth hir & brynge hir hom a geyn ·· And sche seyd Ser her

is longyng to þⁱsþis chirch an ermyte / a ȝong man / I hope he

wil for owr lordꝭlordys lofe gon & comyn w^twyth me / ȝef ȝe wil ȝeuy̅ȝeuyn

me leue ·/ So sche had leue to brynge hir dowt ᷑dowtyr to ȝepiswich ·

& þ⸧þan comyn a geyn to lynne ·/ þꝰþus þei passyd forth in her ⸗

Iurne in tyme of lenton And wh⸧whan þei weryn · v · er · vi ·

myle fro lynne / þei comyn forby a cherch / & so þei t nydturnyd

in for to heryn messe And as þei wer in þe chirche þ^eþe forseyd

creatur desiryng teerys of deuocyon / non myth pchasynpurchasyn at

þ^tþat tyme / but eu᷑euyr was comawndyd in hir hert / for to gon ou᷑ouyr

þ^eþe see w^twyth hir dowt ᷑dowtyr / sche wolde a putt it owt of hir mende

& eu᷑euyr it cam a geyn / so fast / þ^tþat sche myth not rest / ne qwiet

hanve in hir mende / but eu᷑euyr was labowryd & comawndyd to gon

ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see · Sche thowt it was heuy to hir to takyn sweche ⸗

labo labowr · vp on hir / & excusyd hir self to owr lord in hir mende

seying ·/ lord þ^uþu wost wel I haue no leue of my gostly fadyr & I

am bowndyn to obediens / þ ᷑þer for I may not do thus w^twyth owtyn

hys wil & hys co͒sentyngconsentyng ·/ It was answeryd a geyn to hir ⸗

thowt / I bydde þ^eþe gon in my name Ihu̅Ihesu ·/ for I am a bouyn

thy gostly fadyr / & I xal excusyn þ^eþe & ledyn þ^eþe & bryngyn þ^eþe

a geyn in safte Sche wolde ȝet excusyn hir yf sche myth

in any wey / & þ ᷑þer for sche seyd / I am not pueydpurueyd of gold ne of ⸗

110

sylu᷑syluer sufficiently for to gon w^twyth · as I awt to be And þow I wer

& wolde gon / I wote wel my dowt ᷑dowtyr had leu᷑leuar I wer at hom / & ꝑauenperauen⸗

tur þe schip Maistrys xulde not receyuyn me in to her vessel

for to gon w^twyth hem Owr lord seyd a geyn yf I be w^twyth þ^eþe ho schal

icihesucrist

¶

ben a geyns þ^eþe / I xal purueyin for þ^eþe / & getyn þ^eþe frendꝭfrendys to helpyn

þe / do as I bydde þ^eþe & þ ᷑þer schal no man of þ^eþe schip sey nay vn to þ^eþe ·

The creatur say þ ᷑þer was non oþ ᷑oþer help / but forth sche must at þ^eþe

comawndyng of god · / sche thowt þ^tþat sche wolde fyrst gon to

WalsynghmWalsyngham / & offeryn in worschep of owr lady / & as sche was

in þ^eþe wey þedir ward sche herd tellyn / þ^tþat a frer schuld seyin

a ẜmownsermown in a lityl village a lityl owt of hir wey / sche t nydturnyd

in to þe cherch wher þe frer seyd þ^eþe ẜmownsermown / a famows man

& a gret audiens had at hys ẜmownsermown And many tymys he ⸗

seyd þes wordꝭwordys · / ȝyf god be w^twyth us ho schal be a geyns us /

si dedeus ꝓpro nobis qi^squis

thorw þ^eþe whech wordꝭwordys sche was þ^eþe mor steryd to obeyn þ^eþe wil

of god & parformyn hir entent · So sche went forth to

WalsinghmWalsingham & sithyn to Norwich w^twyth hir dowt ᷑dowtyr in lawe & þ^eþe

Ermyte w^twyth hem · / Whan þei cam at Norwich sche mett a grey

frer a worschepful clerk · a docto doctowr of diuinyte · whech had herd

of hir leuyng & hir felyngꝭfelyngys be for tyme /· þ^eþe docto doctowr schewyd

hir gret cher & dalyid w^twyth hir as he had don be for tyme · /

Sche many tymys syhyng was heuy in cher & in cu͒tenawncecuntenawnce

þ^eþe docto doctowr askyd what hir eylyd · Sir sche seyd whan I cam owte

of lynne w^twyth þ^eþe leue of my co͒fesso confessowr · I pposydpurposyd to ledyn my dowt ᷑dowtyr

to ȝepisweche wher is a schip in þe whech sche be þ^eþe gcegrace of

god xal seylyn to deuchelond · / & I than to t nynturnyn hom a geyn

as sone as I myth goodly to lynne w^twyth an Ermyte whech cam

w^twyth me for þe same entent to ledyn me hom a geyn / & he

wenyn fully þ^tþat I xulde don so And ser whan I was a bowtyn

vi · myle owt of lynne in a chirch to makyn my p᷑yeryspreyerys / I

was comawndyd in my sowle · þ^tþat I schulde gon ou᷑ouyr þ^eþe see · w^twyth

my dowt ᷑dowtyr · & I wote wel sche wolde I wer at hom / & so wolde I

yf I durst · / þꝰ was I meuyd in my sowle & no rest myth han

in my spiryt ne deuocyon / tyl I was co̅sentydconsentyd / to do as I was ⸗

k iiii

meuyd in my spiryt / & þⁱsþis is to me gret drede & heuynes / þ^eþe wor ⸗

schipful clerk seyd vn to hir ȝe schal obey þ^eþe wil of god / for I leue

it is þ^eþe holy gost þ^tþat spekyth in ȝow / & þ ᷑þer for folwyth þe meuyng

of ȝo ȝowr spiryt in þe name of Ihu̅Ihesu Sche was meche co͒fortydcomfortyd

w^twyth hys wordꝭwordys / & toke hir leue / goyng forth to þ^eþe see syde w^twyth

hir felaschip / Whan þei were comyn þedir þe schip was redy

to seilyn / þ⸧þan sche p᷑yidpreyid þ^eþe maistyr þ^tþat sche myth seilyn w^twyth hem

in to duchelond / & he goodly receyuyd hir / & þei þ^tþat weryn in

in þ^eþe schip seyd not onys nay / þ ᷑þer was non so meche a geyn

hir as was hir dowt᷑dowtyr þ^tþat awt most to a ben w^twyth hir / þ⸧þan sche

toke hir leue of þ^eþe Ermyte þ^tþat was come þedyr w^twyth hir / rewardy͒grewardyng

hym su̅sum deel for hys labowr / & p᷑yingpreying hym to excusyn hir to

hir co͒fesso confessowr / & to hir oþ ᷑oþer frendꝭfrendys whan he come hom to lynne / for

it was not hir wetyng ne hir entent whan sche partyd fro

hem to a passyd þ^eþe see / neu᷑neuyr whil sche had leuyd / but sche seyd

I must a beyn þ^eþe wil of god The ermyte partyd fro hir

w^twyth heuy cher / & cam hom a geyn to lynne excusyng hir to

hir co̅fesso confessowr · & to oþ ᷑oþer frendꝭfrendys / tellyng hem of her sodeyn & won⸗

dirful partyng / & how it was not hys knowyng / þ^tþat þ^eiþei xulde

a partyd so sodeynly a sundyr /· þ^eþe pepil þ^tþat herd þ ᷑þer of had gret

wondyr & seydin as þei woldyn / Su̅Sum seyd it was a womanys

witte / & a gret foly / for þ^eþe lofe of hir dowt ᷑dowtyr in lawe / to putte

hir self · a woman in gret age to perellys of þe see / & for

to gon in to a strawnge cu̅trecuntre wher sche had not ben be forn

⎣ne not wist how sche xulde come a geyn Su͒meSumme heldyn it was

a dede of gret charite / for as meche as hir dowt ᷑dowtyr had be forn

tyme left hir frendꝭfrendys & hir cu͒tcuntre / & cam w^twyth hir husbond to vi⸗

sityn hir in þⁱsþis cu͒trecuntre / þ^tþat sche wolde now halpyn hir dowt ᷑dowtyr hom

a geyn in to þ^eþe cu͒trecuntre þ^tþat sche cam fro · Oþ ᷑Oþer whech knewe mor

of þe creaturys leuyng supposyd & trustyd þ^tþat it was þe wille

& þe werkyng of al mythy god to þe magnifying of hys ⸗

owyn name  Amen 

111

¶

ca^mcapitulum·3^m·

t

T

he sayd creatur & hir felawschip entryd her schip on

þ^eþe thursday in passyon weke / & god sent hem fayr

wynde & wedyr þ^tþat day & þ^eþe fryday / but on þ^eþe satirday

owr lord t nyngturnyng hys hand as hym likyd / & þ^eþe palme sonday also

p᷑uyngpreuyng her feith & her pacyens · wyth þe ii · nyghtꝭnyghtnyghtꝭ sent hem ⸗

swech stormys & tempestꝭtempestys / þ^tþat þei wendyn alle to a ben pe⸗

rischyd ·/ þ^eþe tempestꝭtempestys weryn so greuows & hedows / þ^tþat þei myth

not rewlyn ne gou᷑negouerne her schip ·/ þei cowde no bett ᷑bettyr chefsy⸗

awns þ⸧þan comendyn hem self & her schip to þ^eþe gou᷑nawnsgouernawns

of owr lord ·/ þei left her craft & her cu̅nyngcunnyng / & leet owr

nota

lord dryuyn hem wher he wolde ·/ þe sayd creatur had sorwe

& care I now / hir thowt sche had neu᷑neuyr so mech be forn /

Sche cryid to owr lord for m᷑cymercy & p᷑seruyngpreseruyng of hir & alle

hir felaschep · Sche thowt in hir mende · A lord for þⁱþi lofe

cam I hedyr / & þ^uþu hast oftyn tyme behite me þ^tþat I schulde neu᷑neuyr

perischyn neiþ ᷑neiþyr on londe ne in wat ᷑watyr / ne w^twyth no tempest /· þ^eþe pepil

hath many tyme bannyd me / cursyd me / & wariid me for þ^eþe

gcegrace þ^tþat þ^uþu hast wrowt in me / desiryng þ^tþat I schulde deyin in

myschef & gret disese / & now lord it is lyke þ^tþat her bannyng

comyth to effect / & I vnworthy wretche am deceyuyd and

defrawdyd of þ^eþe ꝓmyspromys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast mad many tyme on to me /

whech haue eu᷑euyr trostyd in þi m᷑cymercy & þⁱþi goodnesse / lesse þ⸧þan þ^uþu

þ^eþe sonar w^tdrawewtdrawe þes tempestꝭtempestys · & schewe us m᷑cymercy / Now

may myn enmyis enyoyin / & I may sorwyn / yf þei haue

her intent / & I be deceyuyd ·/ Now blisful Ihu̅Ihesu haue mende

of thy many fold m᷑cymercy / & fulfille þⁱþi behestꝭbehestys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast behite

noᷓnota

me Schewe þ^uþu art sothfast god & non euyl spiryt / þ^tþat hast

browte me hedyr in to þe perellys of þe see ·/ Whoys cown⸗

sel I haue trustyd & folwyd many ȝerys / & xal don thorw

þⁱþi m᷑cymercy / yf þ^uþu delyu᷑delyuyr us owt of þⁱsþis greuows perellys ·/ help

us & socowr us lord er þ⸧þan we perischyn er dispeyryn /

for wewe may not long enduryn þⁱsþis

…

perel

sorw

þ^tþat we ben in

w^twyth owtyn þⁱþi m᷑cymercy & þⁱþi socowr ·/ Owr m᷑cyfulmercyful lord spekyng

nota

in hir mende blamyd hir of hyr feerdnes / seying  Why ⸗

k v

dredist þe Why art þ^uþu so aferd / I

t~

am as mythy her in þ^eþe see as on þ^eþe

londe · Why wilt þ^uþu mistrostyn me Al þ^tþat I haue hite þe · I xal trewly

¶

fulfillyn / & I xal neu ᷑neuyr deceyuyn þe · suffyr paciently a while 

nonota

& haue trost in my m᷑cymercy ·· Wauyr nowt in thy feith · for w^twyth

pacye̅cepacyence

owtyn feith þ^uþu maist nowt plesyn me / ȝyf þ^uþu woldist verily

trostyn in me & no thyng dowtyn / þ^uþu maist han gret co͒fortcomfort

in þⁱþi self & mythist co͒fortyncomfortyn al thy felaschep ·/ wher ȝe ben

now alle in gret drede & heuynes ·/ wyth swech man᷑maner of daly⸗

awns & meche mor hy & holy ·/ þ⸧þan eu᷑euyr I cowde writyn owr

lord co̅fortydcomfortyd hys creatur blissyd mote he ben / holy seyntꝭseyntys

whech sche p᷑yidpreyid on to / daliid vn to hir sowle / be þ^eþe sufferawns

of owr lord · / ȝeuyng hir wordꝭwordys of gret co̅fortcomfort /· At þ^eþe last

¶

cam owr lady & seyd · dowt ᷑dowtyr be of a good comfort þ^uþu hast

eu ᷑euyr fowndyn my tydingꝭtydingys trewe / & þ ᷑þer for be no leng ᷑lengar a ferd

for I telle þe trewly þes wyndꝭwyndys & tempestꝭtempestys xal sone sesyn

& ȝe xal han rith fayr wedyr And so blissyd mote god ben

it was in schort tyme aft ᷑aftyr ·/ her schip was dreuyn in to

Norwey coost & þ ᷑þer þei londyd on good fryday & abedyn þ ᷑þer

Estern euyn & Estern day / & þ^eþe Monday aft ᷑aftyr Estern · And on

þ^tþat monday þei weryn howselyd w^twyth inne þ^eþe schip alle þ^tþat longyd

to þ^eþe schip / On Estern day þ^eþe maist ᷑maistyr of þ^eþe schip & þ^eþe sayd crea⸗

tur & oþ ᷑oþer for þ^eþe most ꝑtyepartye of þ^eþe schip gynge went on lond

& herdyn her ẜuyseseruyse at þ^eþe chirche / aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe vse of þ^eþe cu͒t ᷑cuntre / þ^eþe cros

was reisyd on estern day a bowte noon tyme & sche had

hir meditacyon & hir deuocyon w^twyth wepyng & sobbyng

as wel as yf sche had ben at hom ·/ god drow not hys gcegrace

fro hir neiþ ᷑neiþyr in cherch / ne in schip / ne in þ^eþe see / ne in no place /

þ^tþat sche cam to / for eu᷑euyr sche had hym in hir sowle · Whan þ^eiþei

had receyuyd þ^eþe sacmentsacrament on Estern Monday / as is wretyn

be forn · Owr lord sent hem a fayr wynde þ^tþat browte hem

owt of þ^tþat cu̅trecuntre / & drofe hem hom in to duchelond as þei

desiryd · The forseyd creatur fond swech gcegrace in þ^eþe Maist ᷑Maistyr

of þe schip ·/ þ^tþat he ordeynd for hir mete & drynke / & al þat

was necessary vn to hir as long / as sche was w^twyth inne þ^eþe schip ·

112

& was as tendyr to hir as sche had ben hys modyr · / he curyd

hir in þ^eþe schip w^twyth hys owyn clothys / for ellys sche myth a

deyd for colde · / sche was not purueyd as oþ ᷑oþer weryn · / sche

went at þ^eþe biddyng of owr lord / & þ ᷑þer for hyr Maist ᷑Maistyr whech

bad hir gon pueyidpurueyid for hir · / so þ^tþat sche ferd as wel as any

of hir felawschep · Worschep & preysyng be to owr lord þ ᷑þer⸗

t

T

he seyd creatur a bood in danske in ⸗ ¶for 

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·4^m·

duchelond a bowt · v · er vi · wekys / & had ryth ⸗

good cher of meche pepil / for owr lordꝭlordys lofe / þ ᷑þer

was non so meche a geyn hir as was hir dowt ᷑dowtyr in lawe

þ^eþe whech was most bowndyn & beholdyn to a comfortyd

hir yf sche had ben kende · þ⸧þan þe creatur enyoyid in owr lord

þ^tþat sche had so gret cher for hys lofe / & pposydpurposyd to a bydyn þ ᷑þer

þ^eþe lengar tyme · Owr lord spekyng to hir thowt / monischyd

hir to gon owt of þ^eþe cu͒trecuntre Sche was þ⸧þan in gret heuynes

& diswer how sche xulde do þe byddyng of god whech sche

wolde in no wey w^twyth stondyn / & had neiþ ᷑neiþyr man ne woman

to gon w^twyth hir in felawschep / be þ^eþe watyr wolde sche not

gon as ny as sche myth / for sche was so afrayd on þ^eþe see

as sche cam þedirward / And be lond wey sche myth not

gon esyly / for þ ᷑þer was werr in þ^eþe cu͒trecuntre þ^tþat sche xulde passyn

by /· so what thorw o cawse & oþ ᷑oþer / sche was in gret heuy⸗

nesse / not wetyng how sche xuld be releuyd · Sche went

in to a chirche & mad hir p᷑yeryspreyerys / þ^tþat owr lord liche as he

comawndyd hir for to gon / he schulde sendyn hir [he]lp &

felaschip w^twyth þ^eþe which sche myth gon · And sodeynly a man

comyng to hir / askyd yf sche wolde gon on pilg̍magepilgrimage / a

fer cu̅trecuntre fro thens / to a place clepyd Wilsnak wher is

worschepyd þe p᷑cyowsprecyows blod of owr lord Ihu̅Ihesu crist whech

· Wylsnak ·

be miracle cam of thre Oostys · þe sacmentsacrament of þ^eþe awter þ^eþe

O O O

whech · iii · Oostys & p᷑cyowsprecyows blood ben þ ᷑þer

…

upon to þⁱsþis day /

had in gret worschip & reu᷑ensreuerens / & sowt fro many a cu͒trecuntre

Sche w^twyth glad cher seyde þ^tþat sche wolde gon þedyr / yf sche had

good felaschep / & yf sche wist of any honest man þ^tþat myth sithyn ⸗

bryng hir in to Inglond / & he behestyd hir þ^tþat he wolde gon on

pilg̍magepilgrimage w^twyth hir to þ^eþe forseyd place on hys owyn cost /· & sithyn

yf sche wolde al qwite hys coste in to Inglond he xulde comyn

w^twyth hir tyl sche wer in þ^eþe costys of Inglond þ^tþat sche myth han ⸗

good felaschep of hir nacyon / he pueydpurueyd an heeke a lityl schip

/ in þ^eþe which þei xulde seylyn to þ^eþe holy place warde · And þ⸧þan

myth sche han no leue to gon owt of þ^tþat lond / for sche was

an englisch woman / & so had sche gret vexacyon & meche

lettyng er sche myth getyn leue of on of þe heerys of p^ucepruce

for to gon þens · At þe last thorw þ^eþe steryng of owr lord þ ᷑þer

was a marchawnt of lynne herd tellyn þ ᷑þer of / & he cam to

hir & co͒fortydcomfortyd hir behestyng hir þ^tþat he xulde helpyn hir

fro þens / eyþ ᷑eyþyr p᷑uylypreuyly er apertly And þⁱsþis good man thorw gret

labowr gate hir leue to gon wher sche wolde /· þ⸧þan sche w^twyth þ^eþe

man whech had ꝓuydydprouydyd for hir · / tokyn her vessel & god sent

hem calm wynde / þe whech wynde plesyd hir ryth wel

for þ ᷑þer ros no wawe on þe watyr / hir felaschep thowt þ^eiþei sped

no wey / & weryn heuy & grutchyng · Sche p᷑yidpreyid to owr lord

& he sent hem wynde a now / þ^tþat þei seylyd a gret cowrse

& þe wawys resyn sor · hyr felaschep was glad & mery / and

sche was heuy & sory / for dred of þe wawys · Whan sche lokyd up

on hem sche was eu᷑euyr feryd · Owr lord spekyng to hir spirit

bad hir leyn down hir heuyd þ^tþat sche xulde not seen þ^eþe wawys

& sche dede so / but eu᷑euyr sche was a feerd / & þ ᷑þer for was sche oftyn

tymys blamyd / & so they seylyd forth to a place whech is

( ( (

clepyd · strawissownd / yf þe namys of þ^eþe placꝭplacys be not ryth

wretyn late no man m᷑ueylynmerueylyn / for sche stodyid mor a bowte

co͒templacyoncontemplacyon / þ⸧þan þ^eþe namys of þe placꝭplacys / & he þ^tþat wrot hem · had

neu᷑neuyr seyn hem & þ ᷑þer for haue hym excusyd 

w

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·5^m·

W

han þei wer comyn to strawissownd þ^eiþei toke þe

lond / & so þ^eþe sayd creatur w^twyth þ^eþe forseyd man went

toward Wilsnak in gret drede / & passyd many ⸗

perellys / þ^eþe man þ^eþe which was hir gyde was eu᷑euyr aferd & wold ⸗

113

eu᷑euyr a forsakyn hir cu͒panycumpany · / many tymys sche spak as fayr

to hym as sche cowde / þ^tþat he xulde not forsakyn hir in tho

strawnge cu̅treyscuntreys & in myddꝭmyddys of hir enmyis / for þ ᷑þer was

opyn werr be twix þ^eþe Englisch & þ^oþo cu̅treyscuntreys / þ ᷑þer for hir drede ⸗

was meche þe mor / & eu᷑euyr a mong owr lord spak to hir mende

Why dredist þ^eþe / þ ᷑þer schal no man don non harm to þe / ne to

non þ^tþat þ^uþu gost w^twyth · / þ ᷑þer for co͒fortecomforte þⁱþi man / & telle hym þ ᷑þer xal

no man hurte hym ne harmyn hym whil þ^tþat he is in þⁱþi

cu͒panycumpany Dowt ᷑Dowtyr þ^uþu wist wel a woman þ^tþat hath a fayr man

& a semly to hir husbonde / ȝyf sche loue hym sche wyl

gon w^twyth hym wher eu᷑euyr he wil · And dowt ᷑dowtyr þ ᷑þer is non so fayr

& so semly ne so good as I · / þ ᷑þer for yf þ^uþu loue me þ^uþu xalt not

nota

dredyn to gon w^twyth me wher þ^tþat eu᷑euyr I wil hauyn þe · Dowt ᷑Dowtyr I

nonota bn̅bene

browte þe hedyr & I xal bryngyn þ^eþe hom a geyn in to Ing⸗

lond in saf warde /· dowte it not / but leue it ryth wel · Swech

holy dalyawns & spechys in hir sowle cawsyd hir to sobby̅sobbyn

ryth boistowsly & wepyn ful plentyuowsly · / þ^eþe mor sche

wept · / þ^eþe yrkar was hir man of hir cu͒panycumpany / & þ^eþe raþ᷑ reþarbesyn

hym to gon fro hir & leeuyn hir a lone / he went so fast

þ^tþat sche myth not folwyn w^twyth owtyn gret labo labowr & gret disese /

he seyd þ^tþat he was a ferd of enmyis & of theuys / þ^tþat þ^eiþei xulde

takyn hir a wey fro hym ꝑauenturperauentur / & betyn hym & robbyn

þ ᷑þer to · Sche co͒fortydcomfortyd hym as wel as sche cowde & seyde

sche durst vndirtakyn þ^tþat þ ᷑þer schulde no man neyþ ᷑neyþyr betyn

hem ne robbyn hem ne seyn non euyl worde to hem

And sone aft ᷑aftyr her dalyawns þ ᷑þer cam a man owt of a ⸗

wode a tall man w^twyth good wepyn & wel a rayd for to

fyten as hem semyd / þ⸧þan hir man beyng in gret drede

seyd to hir · lo · what seyst þ^uþu now Sche seyd · / trust in ⸗

owr lord god & drede no man / þe man cam by hem &

seyd non euyl worde to hem / so þei passyd forth to ⸗

Wilsnak ward w^twyth gret labo labowr · / sche myth not enduryn

so gret Iurneys as þ^eþe man myth / & he had no co͒passyoncompassyon

of hir / ne not wolde a bydyn for hir · And þ ᷑þer for sche ⸗⸗

labowryd as long as sche myth tyl þ^tþat sche fel in sekenes / and

myth no ferþ ᷑ferþer / It was gret m᷑ueylmerueyl & myracle þ^tþat a woman ⸗

dys ewsyd of goyng / & also abowtyn · iii · scor ȝer of age / xuld

enduryn cotidianly · to kepyn hir Iurney & hir pase w^twyth a

man fryke & lusty to gon / On corpcorpus xcristi euyn it lukkyd he͒hem

to comyn to a lityl ostage fer fro any towne / & þ ᷑þer myth

þ^eiþei getyn no beddyng but a lityl strawe /· & þ^eþe sayd creatur

restyd hir þ ᷑þer up on þ^tþat nyght / & þe next day tyl it was a

geyn euyn · / Owr lord sent leeuyn thu᷑dyrthundyr & reyne ny al

þe tyme / þ^tþat þei durst not labowryn owtward / sche was

ful glad þ ᷑þer of for sche was ryth seke / & sche wist wel yf

it had ben fayr wedyr / þ^eþe man þ^tþat went w^twyth hir wolde not

abedyn hir / he wolde a gon fro hir / þ ᷑þer for sche thankyd

god þ^tþat ȝaf hym occasyon of a bydyng / þow it wer a geyns

hys wille / & in þ^eþe mene tyme becawse of hir sekenes /

þ ᷑þer was ordeynd a wayne / & so sche was cariid forth to þ^eþe

holy blood of Wilsnak / w^twyth gret penawns & gret disese

/ þe women in þe cu̅trecuntre as þei wentyn hauyng co̅passyoncompassyon

seydyn many tymys to þ^eþe forseyd man / þ^tþat he was worthy

gret blame / for he labowryd hir so sor / he desiryng to

be delyu᷑yddelyueryd of hir chargyd /not what þ^eiþei seydyn ne neu᷑neuyr

sparyd hir þ^eþe mor · / þꝰþus what w^twyth wel & w^twyth woo thorw þ^eþe

¶

help of owr lord / sche was browt to Wilsnak & saw þ^tþat

p᷑cyowsprecyows blood · whech be myracle cam owt of þ^eþe blisful

sacrament of þe Awtere 

t

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·6^m·

T

hey beed not long in þ^eþe sayd place / but in schort

tyme þ^eiþei tokyn her wey to Akun ward / ryding in

waynys tyl þei comyn to a wat ᷑watyr · wher was meche

concowrs of pepil / su̅sum to Akun ward & su̅sum to oþ ᷑oþer placꝭplacys / A mo͒gmong ⸗

whech was a Monke / a ful rekles man & euyl gou᷑nydgouernyd /

& in hys cu͒panycumpany weryn ȝong men chapmen / þ^eþe monke & þ^eþe

chapmen knewyn wel þe man þ^tþat was gyde to þ^eþe sayd cͤaturcreatur

& clepyd hym be hys name / schewyng hym rith glad cher

whan þei wer passyd þ^eþe wat ᷑watyr & went on þ^eþe lond / þ^eþe monke w^twyth

þ^eþe chapmen & þ^eþe seyd creatur w^twyth hir man alle in felaschep ⸗

114

to gedyr in waynys / þei comyn forby an hows of frer Me⸗

nowrys / hauyng mech thrist / þ^eþei bodyn þan þ^eþe seyd creatur

gon in to þe frerys & getyn hem su̅sum wyne Sche seyd serys

ȝe xal haue me excusyd / for yf it wer an hows of nu̅nysnunnys

I wolde al redy gon / but for as meche þei arn men / I xal not

gon be ȝo ȝowr leue / so went on of þ^eþe chapmen & fette to hem a

potel of wyne / þ⸧þan cam frerys to hem & p᷑yidpreyid hem þ^tþat þ^eþei wolde

comyn & seen þ^eþe blisful sacmentsacrament in here chirche / for it was

w^twyth inne þe vtas of CorpCorpus xp͒ichristi / & it stod opyn in a cristal

þ^tþat men myth se it yf þei wolde /· þe monke & þ^eþe men went

w^twyth þe frerys to seen þ^eþe p᷑cyowsprecyows sacmentsacrament / þ^eþe sayd creatur thowt

sche wolde se it as wel as þei / & folwyd aft ᷑aftyr þow it wer

a ȝens hir wille / & whan sche beheld þ^eþe p᷑ciowspreciows sacmentsacrament /

⎣ owr lord ȝaf hir so mech swetnes & deuocyon þ^tþat sche wept

and sobbyd wondyr sor / & not myth restreyn hir self þ ᷑þer fro /

þ^eþe monke was wroth & al hir felaschip / for sche wept so

sor / & whan þei wer comyn a geyn to her waynys / þei che⸗

dyn hir & rebukyd hir / clepyng hir ypocteypocrite / & seyd many

an euyl worde vn to hir · / sche for to excusyn hir selfe

leyd scpturscriptur a geyn hem versys of þ^eþe sawter · Qui sem̅ntseminant

nota

in lacmislacrimis & c᷑cetera Euntes ibant & fleba̅tflebant & c᷑cetera / & swech oþ ᷑oþer / þan

wer þei wel wroþ ᷑wroþar / & seyd / þ^tþat sche xulde no lengar gon in

her cu̅panycumpany / & ꝓcurydprocuryd hir man to forsakyn hir Sche mekely

& benyngly p᷑yidpreyid hem / þ^tþat þei wolde for goddꝭgoddys lofe suffyr hir

to gon forth in her cu̅panyecumpanye / & not letyn hir a lone wher

sche knew no man ·/ ne no man hir whidyr sche xulde

gon / w^twyth gret p᷑yerpreyer & instawns sche went forth w^twyth hem /

tyl þei comyn at a good town in þ^eþe vtas of CorpCorpus xp͒ichristi

And þ ᷑þer þei seydyn vttyrly for no thyng sche xulde no

lengar gon w^twyth hem / he þ^tþat was hir gyde & had behite hir

to a browt hir in to Inglond / forsoke hir deliueryng hir

gold & swech thyng as he had of hir in kepyng / & ꝓferydproferyd

to a lent hir mor gold / yf sche had wolde Sche seyd to hy͒hym

John I desiryd not ȝo ȝowr gold / I had leu᷑leuar ȝo ȝowr felaschep in þese ⸗

strawnge cu͒treyscuntreys þan al þ^eþe good ȝe han I And I leue ȝe xulde mor

plesyn god to gon w^twyth me as ȝe hite me at Dansk / þan yf ȝe went

to Rome on ȝo ȝowr feet þꝰþus þei putt hir owt of her cu̅panycumpany & leet

hir gon wher sche wolde · Sche seyd þ⸧þan to hym þ^tþat had ben hir

gyde · Iohn ȝe forsakyn me for non oþ ᷑oþer cawse but for I wepe

whan I se þ^eþe sacmentsacrament / & whan I thynke on owr lordꝭlordys passyon

And sithyn I am forsakyn for goddꝭgoddys cawse / I beleue þ^tþat god xal

ordeyn for me / & bryngyn me forth as he wole hym selfe

for he deceyuyd me neu᷑neuyr blissyd mote he be So þei went

her wey & letyn hir þ ᷑þer stille / þ^eþe nyght fel up on & sche was

ryth heuy / for sche was a lone sche wist not w^twyth whom sche

sche myth reston þ^tþat nyght / ne w^twyth whom sche xulde gon þ^eþe

next day / þ ᷑þer cam p᷑istyspreistys to hir þ ᷑þer sche was at Oste of þ^tþat cu͒trecuntre

/ þei clepyd hir Englisch sterte / & spokyn many lewyd wordꝭwordys

vn to hir / schewyng vn clenly cher & cu͒tenawnscuntenawns ꝓferyngproferyng

to ledyn hir a bowtyn yf sche wolde · Sche had mech drede

for hir chastite / & was in gret heuynes · / þ⸧þan went sche

to þe good wife of þe hows / p᷑yingpreying hir to han su̅sum of hir

maydenys þ^tþat myth lyn w^twyth hir þ^tþat nyght / þ^eþe good wife as⸗

sygnyd tweyn maydenys / þ^eþe whech weryn w^twyth hir al þat

nyght / ȝet durst sche not slepyn for dred of defilyng

Sche woke & p᷑yidpreyid ny al þ^tþat nyght / þ^tþat sche myth be p᷑seruydpreseruyd

fro al vnclennes / & metyn w^twyth su̅sum good felaschep þ^tþat myth

helpyn hir forth to Akun · · Sodeynly sche was comawndyd

in hir sowle for to gon to chirche be tymys on þ^eþe next day

/ & þ ᷑þer schuld sche metyn w^twyth felaschep · On þe next day be

tyme sche payd for hir lodgynge / speryng at hir Oostys yf

þei knewe of any felaschep to Akun ward · / þei seyd nay

Sche takyng hir leue of hem went to þ^eþe chirche for to

felyn & preuyn yf hir felyng wer trewe er not / Whan sche

cam þ ᷑þer / sche saw a cu͒panycumpany of powr folke / þ⸧þan went sche

to on of hem speryng whidyr þei wer pposydpurposyd to gon ·

he seyd to Akun · / sche p᷑yidpreyid hym þ^tþat he wolde suffyr hir to

gon in her cu͒panycumpany / Why dame he seyd hast þ^uþu no man ⸗

115

to gon w^twyth þ^eþe · / no sche seyd my man is gon fro me So sche ⸗

was receyuyd in to a cumpany of powr folke / & whan þ^eiþei comyn

to any towne sche bowte hir mete / & hir felaschep went on beggy͒gbeggyng

Whan þ^eiþei wer w^twyth owtyn þ^eþe townys / hir felaschep dedyn of her

clothys / & sittyng nakyd pykyd hem / Nede co͒pellydcompellyd hir to a⸗

bydyn hem / & ꝓlongynprolongyn hir Iurne / & ben at meche mor cost

þ⸧þan sche xulde ellys a ben · Thys cͤaturcreatur was a bauyd to

putte of hir cloþⁱscloþis / as hyr felawys dedyn & þ ᷑þer for sche thorw

hir comownyng had part of her vermyn / & was betyn

& stongyn ful euyl · boþ^eboþe day & nyght / tyl god sent hir oþ ᷑oþer

felaschep Sche kept forth hir felaschep w^twyth gret Angwisch

& disese & meche lettyng / vn to þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat þei comyn to ⸗

w

W

¶han þei wer come to Akun · ¶ Akun 

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·7^m·

þ^eþe seyd creatur met w^twyth a Monke of Inglond þ^eþe whech

was to Rome ward / þ⸧þan was sche mech comfortyd /

in as mech as sche had a man þ^tþat sche cowde vndirstonden /

And so þei abedyn þ ᷑þer to gedyr · x · er ellys · xi · days / for to

seen owr ladys smokke / & oþ ᷑oþer holy reliqⁱisreliqwiis whech wer sche⸗

[smock]

wyd on seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys day · · And in þ^eþe mene tyme þ^tþat

þei abedyn þ ᷑þer / it lukkyd þ^tþat a worschepful woman cam fro

london / a wedow w^twyth meche meny w^twyth hir / to seen & worsche⸗

pyn þe holy relikys / þ^eþe sayd creatur cam to þⁱsþis worthy

woman compleyny͒gcompleynyng / þ^tþat sche had no felaschep to gon w^twyth

hir hom in to Inglond / þ^eþe worthy woman grawntyd hir

al hir desyr / & dede hir etyn & drynkyn w^twyth hir / & made

hir ryth good cher / Whan seynt MargaretꝭMargaretys day was comyn

& gon / & þei had seyn þ^eþe holy relikys / þ^eþe worschepful wo⸗

man sped hir fast owt of Akun w^twyth alle hir mene · / þ^eþe

seyd creatur wenyng to a gon w^twyth hir / & þꝰþus defrawdyd of

of hir pposepurpose / was in gret heuynes Sche toke hir leue

of þ^eþe Monke whech was to Rome ward as is wretyn be forn /

& sithyn gate hir a wayne w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer pilgmyspilgrimys / & psuydpursuyd aft ᷑aftyr

þe forseyd worþⁱworþi woman / as fast as sche myth / to lokyn yf ⸗

sche cowde ou᷑ouyr takyn hir but it wolde not be /· þan it happyd hir

to metyn w^twyth tweyn men of london / goyng to london ward / sche

p᷑yidpreyid hem to gon in her cu͒panycumpany · / þei seydyn yf sche myth duryn

to gon as ȝerne as þei / sche xulde be wolcome / but þei myth not

han no gret lettyng · / neu᷑neuyr þe lesse þ^eiþei wolde helpyn hir forth in

hir Iurne w^twyth good wyl · So sche folwyd aft ᷑aftyr hem w^twyth gret labo labowr

tyl þei comyn at a good town wher þei mettyn pilgrimys of

Inglond

þ^tþat

wer comyn fro þ^eþe cowrt of Rome / & xulde gon hom

a geyn in to Inglond · Sche p᷑yidpreyid hem þ^tþat sche myth go w^twyth hem

And þei seydyn schortly þ^tþat þei woldyn not lettyn her Iurne

for hir / for þei weryn robbyd / & haddyn but lityl mony to bry͒gbryng

hem hom Wherfor þ^eiþei must nedys makyn þe scharpar Iurneys

And þ ᷑þer for yf sche myth duryn to gon as ȝern as þ^eiþei / sche xulde

be wolcome & ellys not / Sche saw non oþ ᷑oþer socowr þ⸧þan to abydyn

w^twyth hem as long as sche myth / & so left þ^oþo oþ ᷑oþer tweyn men &

abood stille w^twyth þⁱsþis men [þ⸧þan þei wentyn to her mete and ⸗

madyn mery · / þ^eþe sayd creatur lokyd a lityl be syden hir

& sey a man lyng & restyn hym on a benchys ende Sche

enqwiryd what man þ^tþat was / þei seydyn it was a frer on

of her felaschep / Why etith he not w^twyth ȝow / for we wer robbyd

as wel as he / & þ ᷑þer fore ych man must help hȳhym self as wel

as he may / Wel seyd sche he xal haue part of swech good

as god sendith me / Sche trustyd wel þ^tþat owr lord xuld ordeyn

for hem bothyn as wer nedful to hem Sche dede hym etyn

& drynkyn & co͒fortydcomfortyd hy͒hym ryth meche Sithyn þ^eiþei wentyn alle

in fer to gedyr / þe sayd creatur cam sone behyndyn sche

was to agyd & to weyke to holdyn foot w^twyth hem · Sche ran

& lept as fast as sche myth · / tyl hir myghtꝭmyghtys failyd / þ⸧þan sche

spak w^twyth þ^eþe powr frer whom sche had cheryd be forn / ꝓfery͒gproferyng

to a qwityn hys costꝭcostys / tyl he come at Caleys / yf he wolde

abydyn w^twyth hir & latyn hir gon w^twyth hȳhym tyl þei comyn þer /

& ȝet ȝeuyn hym reward be syden for hys labowr / he was

wel content & co̅sentydconsentyd to hir desyr · So þ^eiþei letyn her fe⸗

laschep gon forth / & þei tweyn folwyd softly as þ^eiþei myght

116

enduryn · þe frer beyng euyl for thryst / seyd to þe creatur

I knowe þes cuntreys wel a now / for I haue oftyn tymys ⸗

gon þꝰþus to Romeward / & I wote wel þ ᷑þer is a place of recͤacyonrecreacyon

a lityl hens / late us gon þedyr & drynkyn · / sche was wel

plesyd & folwyd hym · Whan þei cam þ ᷑þer þ^eþe good wife of þ^eþe

hows hauyng co͒passyoncompassyon of þe creaturys labo doctowr · / cownselyd

þ^tþat sche xulde takyn a wayne w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer pilg̍myspilgrimys / & not gon so

w^twyth a man a lone Sche seyd þ^tþat sche was pposydpurposyd & fully trustyd

for to a gon w^twyth a worschepful woman of london / & sche was

deceyuyd / be þan þ^tþat þei had restyd hem a while & dalyid w^twyth

þ^eþe good wife of þe hows / þ ᷑þer cam a wayn forby w^twyth pilg̍myspilgrimys /

þe good wife hauyng knowlach of þ^eþe pilg̍myspilgrimys in þ^eþe wayne /

Whan þei wer passyd hir hows sche clepyd hem a geyn be⸗

sechyng hem þ^tþat þⁱsþis creatur myth rydyn w^twyth hem in her wayne

for þ^eþe mor sped of hir Iurne · / þei goodly consentyng recey⸗

uyd hir in to her wayn / rydyng alle to gedyr / tyl he comyn

at a good towne wher þe sayd creatur parceyuyd þ^eþe worschep⸗

ful woman of london / of whom is be forn seyd Than sche

p᷑yidpreyid þ^eþe pilg̍myspilgrimys þ^tþat weryn in þ^eþe wayne / þei xulde heldyn

hir excusyd & latyn hir payn for þ^eþe tyme / þ^tþat sche had ben

w^twyth hem as hem lykyd / for sche wolde gon to a worschepful

woman of hir nacyon / þ^tþat sche parceyuyd was in þ^eþe towne

w^twyth þ^eþe whech sche had mad forward whan sche was at \Akun/

for to gon hom w^twyth hir in to Inglond · Sche had good lofe &

leue & partyd fro hem ·/ þei redyn forth & sche went to þe

worschepful woman wenyng to a be receyuyd w^twyth a rith

glad cher / & it was euyn ryth co͒trarycontrary Sche fonde rith schort

cher & had rith scharp langage ·/ þ^eþe worschepful woman sey⸗

ing to hir ·· What wenyst þ^uþu for to gon w^twyth me ·/ Nay I do þe

wel to wetyn I wyl not medelyn w^twyth þ^eþe ·/ þ^eþe cͤaturcreatur was so rebu⸗

kyd þ^tþat sche wist not what to do / sche knew no ma̅n þ ᷑þer ·/ ne no

man knew hir ·/ sche wist not whedir to go / sche wist not

wher þe frer was whech xulde a ben hit gyde / ne whedyr ⸗

he xulde comyn þ^tþat wey er no / sche was in gret diswer & heuynes

/ þ^eþe grettest as hir thowt / þ^tþat sche had suffyrd syn sche was comyn

owt of Inglond / neu᷑neuyr þe lesse sche trustyd in owr lordꝭlordys ꝓmyssepromysse

/ & a bood stille in þe towne / tyl god wolde sendyn hir sum co͒fortcomfort

And whan it was ny euyn sche saw þ^eþe frer comyng in to þe

towne ward · Sche hyid hir to spekyn w^twyth hym co͒pleynyngcompleynyng how

sche was deceyuyd & refusyd of þ^eþe good woman þ^tþat sche trustyd

so meche to / þ^eþe frer seyd þei xulde don as wel as god wolde ȝeuy͒ȝeuyn

hem gcegrace & co͒fortydcomfortyd hir in to hys power / but he seyd he wolde

not abydyn in þ^tþat towne þ^tþat nyth / for he wost wel it was a ꝑlyowsperlyows

pepil / þ⸧þan went þei forth to gedyr owt of þ^eþe towne a geyn þe

euyn w^twyth gret drede & heuynes / mornyng be þ^eþe wey wher þei

xuldyn han herborwe þ^tþat nyth ·/ þei happyd to comyn vndyr

a wodꝭwodys syde bisily beheldyng yf þei myth spyin any place

wher in þei myth restyn / & as owr lord wolde þei parceyuyd

an hows er tweyn & in hast þedir þei drowyn ·/ þ ᷑þer was dwel⸗

lyng a good man w^twyth hys wife & tweyn childeryn / þ⸧þan heldy͒heldyn

þei non hostel ne not wolde receiuyn gestys to her herborw

/ þe seyd creatur saw an hep of brakys in an hows / & w^twyth gret

Instawns sche pchasydpurchasyd gcegrace to restyn hir on þ^eþe brakꝭbrakys þ^tþat nyth ·

/ þe frer w^twyth gret preyer was leyd in a berne / & hem thowt þei

wer wel esyd / þ^tþat þei haddyn þ^eþe hows ou᷑ouyr hem ·/ On þ^eþe next day

þei made a seth for her lodgyng / takyng þ^eþe wey to Caleysward

/ goyng wery weys & greuows / in dep sondꝭsondys · hillys & valeys ·

tweyn days er þei comyn þedyr sufferyng gret thrist & gret

penawns / for þ ᷑þer wer fewe townys be þ^eþe wey þ^tþat þei went

/ & ful febyl herberwe · And on nyghtys had sche most dreed

oftyn tymys / & ꝑauenturperauentur it was of hir gostly enmy ·/ for

sche was eu᷑euyr a ferd to a be rauischyd er defilyd / sche durst ⸗

trustyn on no man Whedir sche had cawse er non / sche was

eu᷑euyr a ferd · sche durst ful euyl slepyn any nyth / for sche wend

men wolde a defylyd hir ·/ þ ᷑þer for sche went to bedde gladlich

no nyth / les þ⸧þan sche had a woman er tweyn w^twyth hir ·/ for þ^tþat

gcegrace god sent hir wher so sche cam for þ^eþe most ꝑtyparty ·/ Maidenys ⸗

117

wolde w^twyth good cher lyn be hir & þ^tþat was to hir gret co͒fortcomfort /

Sche was so wery & so ou᷑comynouyrcomyn w^twyth labowr to Caleys ward /

þ^tþat hir thowt hir spiryt xulde a departyd fro hir body as

sche went in þ^eþe wey · / thus w^twyth gret labowrys sche cam to Ca⸗

leys & þ^eþe good frer w^twyth hir / þ^eþe which ful goodly & honestly had

ben gouernyd to hir ward / þe tyme þ^tþat þei went to gedyr 

And þ ᷑þer for sche ȝaf hȳhym reward as sche myth a teyn / so þ^tþat

he was wel plesyd & content & departyd a sundyr 

i

I

N Caleys þⁱsþis creatur had good cher of diuers ꝑsoperso⸗

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·8^m·

nys / bothyn of men & of women whech had neu᷑neuyr

seen hir be forn / þ ᷑þer was a good woman had hir ⸗

hom to hir hows / þ^eþe whech wesche hir ful clenly / & dede hir

on a newe smok / & comfortyd hir rith mech · / Oþer good ꝑsonyspersonys

had hir to mete & to drynke whil sche was þ ᷑þer abydyng ⸗ /

schepyng · iii · or · iiii · days Sche met þ ᷑þer w^twyth dyuers ꝑsonyspersonys

whech had knowyn hir beforn / þ^tþat spokyn fayr to hir / & ȝouy͒ȝouyn

hir goodly langwage /· oþ ᷑oþer thyng þei ȝaf hir non · / þe whech

ꝑsonyspersonys abedyn schepyng as sche dede Sche desiryng to

seylyn w^twyth hem to douyr nowt þ^eiþei wolde helpyn hir · / ne

latyn hir wetyn what schip þei pposydpurposyd to seylyn in · /

Sche speryd & spyid as diligently as sche cowde & eu᷑euyr sche had

knowlach of her intent owey er oþ ᷑oþer / tyl sche was schepyd w^twyth

hem & whan sche had boryn hir thyng in to þ^eþe schip wher

þei wer / supposyng þei xulde a seylyd in hast Sche wist not

how sone þei pueydpurueyd hem an oþ ᷑oþer schip redy to seilyn · What þ^eþe

cawse was sche wist neu᷑neuyr · / thorw gcegrace sche hauyng knowyng

of heer ppospurpos / how redy þei wer to seylyn /· left al hir thyng

in þe vessel þ^tþat sche was in / & went to þe schip þ ᷑þer þei weryn

& thorw owr lordꝭlordys help sche was receyuyd in to þ^eþe schip /

& þ ᷑þer was þ^eþe worschepful woman of london / þ^tþat had refusyd hir

as is be forn wretyn / & so þei seilyd alle to gedyr to douyr /

þ^eþe seyd creatur parceyuyng þo þorw her cher & cu̅tenawncecuntenawnce

þ^tþat þei had lityl affeccyon to hir ꝑsonepersone / p᷑yidpreyid to owr lord

þ^tþat he wolde grawntyn hir gcegrace to holdyn hir heuyd up &

& p᷑seruynpreseruyn hir fro voidyng of vnclene mater in her p᷑senspresens ·

l i

so þ^tþat sche schulde cawsyn hem non abhominacyon / hir desyr was

fulfillyd / so þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer in þe schip voydyng & castyng ful boistowsly

& vnclenly / sche her alderys m᷑uelyngmeruelyng myth helpyn hem / &

do what sche wolde And specialy þe woman of london had

most of þ^tþat passyon & þ^tþat infirmite / to whom þⁱsþis creatur was

most besy to helpyn & co͒fortyncomfortyn for owr lordꝭlordys loue / & be cha⸗

rite · / oþ ᷑oþer cawse had sche non · / so þ^eiþei seilyd forth tyl þei comy͒comyn

at Douyr / & þ⸧þan eche on of þ^tþat cu͒panycumpany gat hym felaschep to gon

w^twyth yf hym likyd · / safe sche only / for sche myth getyn no fe

lawe to hir ese / þ ᷑þer for sche toke hir wey to Cawnt ᷑beryCawntyrbery ward

be hir self a lone / sory & heuy in man᷑maner þ^tþat sche had no felaschep

/ ne þ^tþat sche knew not þe wey · Sche was up be tymys in þe ⸗

morwenyng & cam to a powr mannys hows knokkyng at

þ^eþe dor / þ^eþe good powr man hogelyd in hys clothys vn sperd &

vn botenyd / cam to þ^eþe dor to wetyn hir wille Sche p᷑yidpreyid ⸗

hym yf he had any hors þ^tþat he wolde helpyn hir to Cawnt ᷑Cawntyr⸗

bury / & sche xulde aq̍tynaqwityn hys labowr / he desiryng to do hir

plesawnce in owr lordꝭlordys name / fulfillyd hir intent / ledyng

hir to Cawnt ᷑buryCawntyrbury Sche had gret Ioy in owr lord þ^tþat sent

hir help & socowr in eu᷑yeuery nede / & thankyd hym w^twyth many

a deuowt teer w^twyth meche sobbyng & wepyng ny hand in

eu᷑yeuery place þ^tþat sche cam in / of al þ^tþat it be not wretyn / as wel

on ȝen half þ^eþe see as on þⁱsþis halfe /· on þ^eþe wat ᷑watyr as on þ^eþe lond

blissyd mote god ben 

f

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·9^m·

F

Ro þens sche went to london / clad in a cloth of

Canvas / as it wer a sekkyn gelle / as sche had gon

be ȝondyn þ^eþe se · Wh⸧Whan sche was comyn in to london

mech pepil knew hir wel a now / in as mech as sche was not

clad as sche wold a ben / for defawte of mony / sche desiry͒gdesiryng

to a gon vn knowyn / in to þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat sche myth a made su̅sum

chefsyawns / bar a kerche be for hir face / Not w^tstondyngwythstondyng

sche dede so  / Su̅Sum dissolute ꝑsonyspersonys supposyng it was · Mar ·

kempe of lynne / seydyn þ^tþat sche myth esily heryn þ^esþes wordys

/ in to Repref · A þ^uþu fals flesch / þ^uþu xalt no good mete etyn ·

118

Sche not answeryng / passyd forth as sche had not an herd · /

þ^eþe forseyd wordys wer neu᷑neuyr of hir spekyng / neyþ ᷑neyþyr of god ne

of good man / þow so wer þ^tþat it wer leyd to hir · And sche many

tymys & in many placꝭplacys had gret repref þ ᷑þer by / þei wer fown⸗

dyn of þ^eþe deuyl fadyr of lesyngꝭlesyngys fauowryd maynteynd and

born forth of hys membrys / fals Invyows pepil / hauyng

indignacyon at hir vertuows leuyng / not of powyr to hyn⸗

dryn hir but þorw her fals tu͒gystungys · / þ ᷑þer was neu᷑neuyr man ne wo⸗

man þ^tþat eu᷑euyr myth p᷑uynpreuyn þ^tþat sche seyd swech wordꝭwordys / but eu᷑euyr þ^eiþei

madyn oþ ᷑oþer lyars her autorys / seying in excusyng of hem

self / þ^tþat oþ ᷑oþer men telde hem so · / On þⁱsþis man᷑maner wer þes fals

wordꝭwordys fowndyn þorw þ^eþe deuelys suggestyon Sum on ꝑsonperson

er ellys mo ꝑsonyspersonys deceyuyd be her gostly enmy / co͒triuydcontriuyd

þⁱsþis tale not long aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe co̅u᷑syonconuersyon of þe sayd creatur · / seying

þ^tþat sche sittyng at þe mete on a fisch day / at a good mannys

tabyl ẜuydseruyd w^twyth diuers of fyschys / as reed heryng / & good

pyke / & sweche oþ ᷑oþer · / þꝰþus sche xulde a seyd as þei reportyd /

A þ^uþu fals flesch þ^uþu woldist now etyn reed heryng / but þ^uþu xalt

not han þⁱþi wille  / & þ ᷑þer w^twyth sche sett a wey þe reed heryng /

& ete þe good pike & swech oþ ᷑oþer þꝰþus sche xuld a seyd / as þei

seydyn · / & þꝰþus it sprong in to a man᷑maner of ꝓu᷑beprouerbe a ȝen hir þ^tþat

su͒mesumme seydyn · / ffals flesch þ^uþu xalt ete non heryng  / And

su̅sum seydyn þ^eþe wordꝭwordys þ^eþe whech arn be forn wretyn / & al was

fals · / but ȝet wer þei not forȝetyn · þei wer rehersyd in

many a place wher sche was neu᷑neuyr kyd ne knowyn / · sche

went forth to a worschepful wedows hows in london /

wher sche was goodly receyuyd / & had gret cher for owr

lordꝭlordys lofe / & in many placꝭplacys of london sche hily was

cheryd in owr lordꝭlordys name / god rewarde hem alle /· þ ᷑þer was

on worschepful woman whech specialy schewyd hir hy

charite bothyn in mete & drynke & oþ ᷑oþer rewardꝭrewardys / ȝeuyng /

in whoys place on a tyme sche beyng at þ^eþe mete w^twyth oþ ᷑oþer

dyuers ꝑsonyspersonys of diuers condicyons / sche vnknowyn

on to hem & þei vn to hir / of þ^eþe whiche / su͒mesumme wer of þ^eþe ⸗

Cardenalys hows / as sche had be relacyon of oþ ᷑oþer / þei haddyn

a gret fest & ferdyn ryth wel / & wh⸧whan þei wer in her myrthys

su̅sum rehersyd þ^eþe wordꝭwordys be forn wretyn / er oþ ᷑oþer liche / þ^tþat is to

seyn / þ^uþu fals flesch þ^uþu xalt non etyn of þⁱsþis good mete 

Sche was stille & suffyrd a good while  ech of hem Iange⸗

lyd to oþ ᷑oþer / hauyng gret game of þe InꝑfeccyonInperfeccyon of þ^eþe ꝑsonepersone

/ þ^tþat þ^esþes wordꝭwordys wer seyd of ·/ Wh⸧Whan þei had wel sportyd hem

w^twyth þ^esþes wordꝭwordys / sche askyd hem yf þei had any knowlach of þ^eþe ꝑsonepersone

whech xulde a seyd þes wordꝭwordys · / þei seyd nay for soþ^esoþe / but we

haue herd telde þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is swech a fals feynyd ypocrite i̅in lynne

whech seyth sweche wordꝭwordys / & leeuyng of gret metꝭmetys sche t

etith þ^eþe most delicyows & delectabyl metꝭmetys þ^tþat comyn on þe

tabyl  / lo serys sche seyd ȝe awt to seyn no wers þ⸧þan ȝe ⸗

knowyn / & ȝet not so euyl as ȝe knowyn / Neu᷑Neuyr þ^eþe lesse her ⸗

ȝe seyn wers þ⸧þan ȝe knowyn god for ȝeue it ȝow / for I am

þ^tþat same persone to whom þes wordꝭwordys ben arectyd / whech oftyn

tyme suffir gret schame & repref / & am not gylty in þⁱsþis

mat ᷑mater / god I take to record / Whan þei beheldyn hir not meuyd

in þⁱsþis mat ᷑mater no thyng rep᷑uyngrepreuyng hem desiryng thorw þ^eþe spirit

of charite her correccyon · / Wer rebukyd of her owyn honeste

obeyng hem to a seeth makyng · Sche spak boldly & mytily

wher so sche c⸧cam in london a geyn swerars / bannars / lyars

/ & swech oþ ᷑oþer viciows pepil / a geyn þe pompows aray boþⁱnboþin

of men & of women / sche sparyd hem not / sche flateryd

hem not he sparyd hem not / sche flateryd

hem not neiþ ᷑neiþyr for her ȝiftꝭȝiftys / ne for her mete / no for her

drynke / hir spekyng profityd rith mech in many ꝑsonyspersonys

/ þ ᷑þer for whan sche cam in to chirch to hir co̅templacyoncontemplacyon  /

/ owr lord sent hir ful hy deuocyon / thankyng hir þ^tþat sche

was not aferd to rep᷑uynrepreuyn synne in hys name / & for

¶

sche suffyrd scornys & rep᷑uysrepreuys for hys sake / behestyng hir

ful meche gcegrace in þⁱsþis lyfe / & aft ᷑aftyr þⁱsþis lyfe to hauyn Ioy

& blysse w^twyth owtyn ende / sche was so co͒fortydcomfortyd in þ^eþe swet

dalyawns of owr lord / þ^tþat sche myth not mesuryn hir⸗

self ne gou᷑negouerne hir spirit aft ᷑aftyr hyr owyn wyl / ne aft ᷑aftyr

discrecyon of oþ ᷑oþer men / but aft ᷑aftyr þ^tþat owr lord wolde ledyn it 

119

& mesuryn it hys self / in sobbyng ful boistowsly & wepyng

ful plenteuowsly wher for sche suffyrd ful mech slawndyr

& repref / specyaly of þ^eþe curatꝭcuratys & preistꝭpreistys of þ^eþe chirchis in london /

þei wold not suffyr hir to abydyn in her chirchys / & þ ᷑þer for

sche went fro on chirch to an oþ ᷑oþer þ^tþat sche xulde not ben

tediows on to hem · / mech of þ^eþe comown pepil magnifiid

god in hir / hauyng good trost þ^tþat it was þ^eþe goodnes of god

whech wrowt þ^tþat hy gcegrace in hir sowle 

f

F

Ro london sche went to schene a iii · days be

¶

ca^mcapitulum ·10·

forn lammes day / for to pchasynpurchasyn hir pardon /

syon

þorw þ^eþe m᷑cymercy of owr lord · / & wh⸧whan sche was in þ^eþe

chirch at schene sche had gret deuocyon / & ful hy co̅temcontem

placyon / sche had plentivows teerys of co͒pu̅ccyoncompunccyon & of

co͒passyoncompassyon / in þe rememorawns of þ^eþe bitt ᷑bittyr peynys & pas⸗

syons · whech owr m᷑cifulmerciful lord Ihu̅Ihesu cstcrist suffyrd in hys blis⸗

syd manhod / þei þ^tþat seyn hir wepyn & herdyn hir so boistows⸗

ly sobbyn wer takyn w^twyth gret m᷑ueylmerueyl / & wondyr what was

þe ocupasyon of hir sowle · A ȝong man whech beheld

nota

hir cher & hir cu̅tenawnscuntenawns / meuyd thorw þe holy gost / we͒twent

to hir whan he myth goodly be hym self a lone w^twyth ferue͒tferuent

desir to haue vndirstondyng what myth be þ^eþe cawse of

hir wepyng / to whom / he seyd · Modir yf it lyke ȝow I

pypray ȝow to schewyn me þe occasyon of ȝo ȝowr wepyng ·/

for I haue not seyn a ꝑsonepersone so plenteuows in teerys as

ȝe ben / & specialy I haue not herd be forn any ꝑsonepersone so

boistows in sobbyng as ȝe ben · / & modir þow I be ȝong

my desir is to plesyn my lord Ihu̅Ihesu cstcrist / & so to folwyn

hym as I kan & may · / & I purpose me be þ^eþe gcegrace of god to

takyn þe Abite of þⁱsþis holy religyon / & þ ᷑þer for I p᷑yprey ȝow

beth not strawnge vn to me / schewith modirly & goodly

ȝowr conceit vn to me as I trust vn to ȝow / Sche beny͒glybenyngly

& mekely w^twyth gladnes of spirit as hir thowt it expedi⸗

ent / comendyd hym in hys entent & schewyd to hym

in parcel þ^tþat

þ

^ee

cawse of hir wepyng & sobbyng was /

hir gret vnkednes a ȝens hir maker · wher thorw sche had ⸗

many tymys offendyd hys goodnes / & þ^eþe gret abhominacyon

þ^tþat sche had of hir synnys / cawsyd hir to sobbyn & wepyn · Also þ^eþe

gret excellent charite of hir rede͒pto redemptowr / be þ^eþe whech thorw þe

vertu of hys passyon sufferyng & hys p᷑cyowsprecyows blod schedy͒gschedyng

sche was redemyd · fro eu᷑euyr lestyng peyne / trustyng to ben

an eyr of Ioy & blisse meuyd hir to sobbyn & wepyn as

no m᷑ueylmerueyl was / sche teld hȳhym many good wordꝭwordys of gostly

co͒fortcomfort / thorw þ^eþe whech he was steryd to gret vertu · And

aft ᷑wardaftyrward he ete & dranke w^twyth hir in þ^eþe tyme þ^tþat sche was þ ᷑þer /

/ & was ful glad to ben in hir cu̅panycumpany  On lammes day

was þ^eþe pncipalcrincipal day of pardon / & as þ^eþe sayd creatur went

in þ^eþe chirch of schene / sche had a syght of þ^eþe Ermite whech

led hir owt of lynne · Whan sche went to þ^eþe se ward w^twyth

hir dowt ᷑dowtyr in lawe / as is wretyn be forn · A non w^twyth gret

Ioy of spirit sche offeryd hir self to hys p᷑senspresens / wolcomyng

hym w^twyth alle þ^eþe myghtys of hir sowle / seying vn to hym A

Reynald ȝe arn wolcome / I trust owr lord sent ȝow hedyr

for now I hope as ȝe led me owt of lynne sc ȝe xal bryng

me hom a geyn to lynne / þ^eþe Ermyte schewyd schort cher

& heuy co̅tenawncecontenawnce / neyþ ᷑neyþyr in wil ne in ppospurpos to bryng hir

hom to lynne as sche desiryd  / he answery͒gansweryng

‸

ful

schortly seyd

I do ȝow wel to wetyn / ȝo ȝowr confesso confessowr hath forsakyn ȝow / for ȝe

wentyn ou᷑ouyr þe see & wolde telle hȳhym no word þ ᷑þer of · / ȝe toke

leue to brynge ȝo ȝowr dowt ᷑dowtyr to þe see syde / ȝe askyd no leue

no ferþ ᷑ferþer Ther was no frend ȝe haddyn þ^tþat knew of ȝowr

cownsel / þ ᷑þer for I suppose ȝe xal fyndyn but lityl frenschep

whan ȝe come þ ᷑þer / I pypray ȝow getith ȝow felaschep wher

ȝe can / for I was blamyd for ȝo ȝowr defawte whan I led ȝow

nonota bn̅bene quod ap^dapud deu̅deum
nonota e̅est tnsmutaciotransmutacio

last / I wil no mor · Sche spak fayr & p᷑ydpreyd for goddꝭgoddys lofe

þ^tþat he wolde not be displesyd ·/ for þei þat louyd hir for

god er sche went owte  / þei wolde louyn hir for god ⸗

whan sche come hom · / Sche ꝓferydproferyd hym to aqwityn ⸗

hys costꝭcostys be þe wey homward · / So at þ^eþe last he co͒senty͒gconsentyng

120

browt hir a geyn to london / & sithyn hom to lynne / to þe

hy worschep of god / & to gret meryte of her botherys sowlꝭys

Whan sche was come hom to lynne / sche obeyd hir to

hir co̅fessowrconnfessowr · / he ȝaf hir ful scharp wordꝭwordys · for sche was

hys obediencer / & had takyn vp on hir swech a Iurne

wyth owtyn hys wetyng / þ ᷑þer for he was meuyd þe mor a

geyn hir · / but owr lord halpe hir so þ^tþat sche had as good

loue of hym & of oþ ᷑oþer frendꝭfrendys aft ᷑aftyr · / as sche had bc forn /

worschepyd be god · Amen  A  m e  n 

t

T

Hys creatur of whom is tretyd be forn vsyd many

ȝerys to be gynnyn hir p᷑yeryspreyerys on þⁱsþis man᷑maner · ffirst

whan sche cam to chirche knelyng be forn þ^eþe sacme͒tsacrament /

in þ^eþe worschep of þ^eþe blissyd T niteTrinite fadir sone & holy gost oo ⸗

god & iii · ꝑsonyspersonys / of þ^tþat gloryows virgine qwen of m᷑cymercy / owr

lady seynt Mary / & of þ^eþe xii · Apostelys / Sche seyd þⁱsþis holy

ympne Veni creator sp͒cspyiritus / wyth alle þe versys longyng þ ᷑þer to /

þ^tþat god xulde illumynyn hir sowle as he dede hys AposteƚApostelys

on pentecost day / & induyn hir w^twyth þ^eþe ȝyftꝭȝyftys of þe holy gost /

þ^tþat sche myth han gcegrace to vndirstondyn hys wil & parformy͒parformyn

it in werkyng · / & þ^tþat sche myth han gcegrace to wythstondyn þe ⸗

temptacyons of hir gostly enmiis / & enchewyn al man᷑maner

synne & wikkydnes / Whan sche had seyd Veni creator

sp͒cspyiritus w^twyth þ^eþe versys / sche seyd on þⁱsþis man᷑maner The holy gost I

take to witnesse / owr lady seynt Mary þ^eþe modyr of god

al holy cowrte of heuyn / & alle my gostly faderys her in

erth / þ^tþat þow it wer possibyl / þ^tþat I myth han al knowyng

& vndirstondyng of þe p᷑uyteyspreuyteys of god / be þ^eþe tellyng of

¶

any deuyl of helle / I wolde not ·· And as wistly not kno⸗

wyn · heryn ·/ seen ·/ felyn ·/ ne vndirstondyn in my sowle

in þⁱsþis lyfe / mor þ⸧þan is þ^eþe wil of god þ^tþat I xulde knowyn / so

wistly god mote helpyn me in alle my werkꝭwerkys / in alle

my thowtꝭthowtys / & in alle my spehchys / etyng / & drynkyng · / sle⸗

pyng / & wakyng / as wistly as it is not my wil ne myn

entent / to worschepyn no fals deuyl for my god · / ne no

fals feith / ne fals beleue / for to han · / so wistly · I desfye

þ^eþe Deuyl & al hys fals cownsel · And al þ^tþat eu᷑euyr I haue don

seyd er thowt / aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe cownsel of þe Deuyl ·· weny͒gwenyng it had

be þ^eþe cownsel of god & inspiracyon of þ^eþe holy gost /· yf it

:·

hath not ben so / god þ^tþat art inseare & knowar of þ^eþe p᷑uytepreuyte

of alle mennys hertꝭhertys hafe m᷑cymercy of me þ ᷑þer for / & grawnte

me in þⁱsþis lyfe a welle of teerys / spryngyng plenteuowsly

wyth þ^eþe which I may waschyn awey my synnys thorw þⁱþi

m᷑cymercy & þⁱþi goodnes · And lord for þⁱþi hy m᷑cymercy / alle þ^eþe teerys

121

i̅creseincrese

þ^tþat may encresyn my lofe to þ^eþe / & moryn my m᷑ytemeryte in Heuy͒Heuyn &

helpyn & ꝓfitynprofityn myn euyn cristen sowlys · lyuys · er dedys ·

visite me w^twyth / her in erth · / Good lord spar no mor þ^eþe eyne in

myn hed / þ⸧þan þ^uþu dedist þe blood in þⁱþi body whech þ^uþu scheddist

plenteuowsly for synful mannys sowle And grawnt me

so meche peyne & sorwe in þⁱsþis world / þ^tþat I be not lettyd fro

fro þⁱþi blisse / & þ^eþe beholdyng of þⁱþi gloryows face / whan I

xal passyn hens · / As for my crying my sobbyng & my

nota

wepyng / lord god al mythy as wistly as þ^uþu knowist / what

scornys what schamys what despitꝭdespitys & what rep᷑uysrepreuys I haue

had þ ᷑þer for / & as wistly as it is not in my power to wepyn

neyþ ᷑neyþyr lowde ne stille / for no deuocyon ne for no swetnes /

/ but only of þe ȝyft of þe holy gost / so wistly lord excuse

me a geyn al þⁱsþis world / to knowyn & to trowyn þ^tþat it is

þⁱþi werke / & þⁱþi ȝyfte / for magnifying of þⁱþi name / & for en⸗

cresyng of oþ ᷑oþer mennys lofe to þ^eþe Ihu̅Ihesu · And I p᷑yprey þe sou᷑souer⸗

eyn lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu þ^tþat as many men mote be turnyd be

my crying & my wepyng · / as me han scornyd þ ᷑þer for · / er

xal scornyn in to þ^eþe werdꝭwerdys ende · / & many mo yf it be ȝo ȝowr

wille · And as a nemst any erdly mannys loue as wistly

as I wolde no loue han but god / to louyn a boue / al þⁱngeþinge

& alle oþ ᷑oþer creaturs louyn for god / & in god / al so wistly

qwenche in me al fleschly lust / & in alle þ^oþo þ^tþat I haue be⸗

holdyn þⁱþi blisful body in · And ȝeue us þⁱnþin holy drede

in owr hertꝭhertys / for þⁱþi wowndꝭwowndys smert · / lord make my gostly

fadirs for to dredyn þ^eþe in me / & for to louyn þ^eþe in me /

& make al þe world for to han þe mor sorwe for her

owyn synnys / for þ^eþe sorwe þ^tþat þ^uþu hast ȝouyn me for oþ ᷑oþer

mennys synnys · / Good Ihu̅Ihesu make my wil þⁱþi wyl / & þⁱþi wil

· Wyll ·

my wil / þ^tþat I may no wil han but þⁱþi wil only [now good

lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu I crye ȝow m᷑cymercy for alle þ^eþe statꝭstatys þ^tþat ben in

holy chirche · / for þe Pope & alle hys Cardinalys · / for alle

Erchebischopys & bischopys · / & for al þ^eþe ordir of p᷑sthoodepresthoode ·

· oꝛ̅ooracio ·

for alle men & women of Religyon / & specialy for hem þ^tþat arn besy

to sauyn & defendyn þ^eþe feith of holy chirch · / lord for þⁱþi m᷑cymercy s

blisse hem & grawnt hem þ^eþe victory of alle her enmiis / & spede

hem in alle þ^tþat þei gon abowtyn to þⁱþi worschep / for alle þ^tþat

arn in gcegrace þⁱsþis tyme god send hem ꝑseuerawnsperseuerawns in to her

lyuys ende / & make me worthy to be partabyl of her p᷑yprey⸗

erys / & hem of myn / & eche of vs of oþ ᷑isoþeris · / I cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy

blisful lord for þ^eþe kyng of Inglond / & for alle cstencristen kyngꝭkyngys /

& for alle lordꝭlordys & ladiis þ^tþat arn in þⁱsþis world / god sett hem

in sweche gou᷑nawncegouernawnce / as þei may most plesyn

the

hym &

ben lordꝭlordys & ladꝭladys in heuyn w^twyth owtyn ende / I cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy

lord for þ^eþe riche men in þⁱsþis worlde / þ^tþat han þⁱþi goodꝭgoodys in wel⸗

dyng ȝeue hem gcegrace for to spendyn hem to þⁱþi plesyng /· I

cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy lord for Iewys & saraȝinys & alle hethen

pepil / good lord haue meynde þ^tþat þ ᷑þer is many a seynt in

heuyn whech su̅sum tyme was hethen in erde / & as þ^uþu hast

spred þⁱþi m᷑cymercy to hem þ^tþat arn in erthe · / lord þ^uþu seist þⁱþi self

þ ᷑þer xal no man comyn to þ^eþe w^twyth owtyn þ^eþe · / ne no man be dra⸗

wyn w^twyth owtyn þ^uþu drawe hym · / And þ ᷑þer for lord yf þ ᷑þer be any

man vndrawyn I p᷑yprey þ^eþe drawe hym aft ᷑aftyr þ^eþe · Me hast þ^uþu

drawyn lord / & I deseruyd neu᷑neuyr for to ben drawyn · / but

aft ᷑aftyr þⁱþi gret m᷑cymercy þ^uþu hast drawyn me ·/ yf al þⁱsþis world knew

al my wikkydnes as þ^uþu dost / þei wolde m᷑ueylynmerueylyn / & won⸗

deryn of þe gret goodnes þ^tþat þ^uþu hast schewyd me ·/ I wolde

þ^tþat al þⁱsþis worlde wer worthy to thankyn þ^eþe for me / & as

þ^uþu hast mad of vnworþⁱvnworþi cͤaturyscreaturys worthy / so make al þⁱsþis

world worþi to thankyn þ^eþe & p᷑isynpreisyn þ^eþe ·/ I cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy lord

¶

for alle fals heretikꝭheretikys / & for alle mys beleuarys ·/ for alle

fals titharys ·/ theuys / vowtererys / & alle comown wo⸗

men / & for alle myscheuows leuarys ·/ lord for þⁱþi m᷑cymercy

haue m᷑cymercy vp on hem yf it be þⁱþi wille / & bryng hem

owt of her mysgou᷑nawncemysgouernawnce þ^eþe sonar for my p᷑yeryspreyerys

I cry þe m᷑cymercy lord for alle þ^oþo þ^tþat arn temptyd & vexid w^twyth

her gostly enmiis / þ^tþat þ^uþu of þi m᷑cymercy ·

‸

wyll

ȝefe hem gcegrace to with⸗

122

stondyn her temptacyons / & delyu᷑delyuyr hem þ ᷑þer of whan it is

þⁱþi most plesawns · / I cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy lord for alle my gostly fa⸗

derys þ^tþat þ^uþu vochesaf to spredyn as mech gcegrace in her sowƚsowlys ·

as I wolde þ^tþat þ^uþu dedist in myn /· I cry þe m᷑cymercy lord for alle

my childeryn gostly & bodily / & for al þ^eþe pepil in þⁱsþis world /

þ^tþat þ^uþu make her synnys to me be very co̅tricyoncontricyon / as it wer

myn owyn synnys / & for ȝeue hem as I wolde þ^tþat þ^uþu forȝoue

me / I cry þ^eþe m᷑cymercy lord for alle my frendꝭfrendys & for alle myn

nota

enmiis / for alle þ^tþat arn seke specialy / for alle laȝerys / for

alle bedred men & women / for alle þ^tþat arn in p᷑sonpreson / & for alle

creaturys þ^tþat in þⁱsþis world han spokyn of me eyþ ᷑eyþyr good er ylle /

¶

& er xal don in to þ^eþe worldꝭworldys ende / haue m᷑cymercy vp on hem / &

be as gcyowsgracyows to her sowlys / as I wolde þ^tþat þ^uþu wer to myn

And þei þ^tþat han seyd any euyl of me / for þⁱþi hy m᷑cymercy forȝefe

it hem / & þei þ^tþat han seyd wel / I pypray þ^eþe lord rewarde hem / for

þ^tþat is thorw here charite / & not thorw my m᷑ytꝭmerytys / for thow þ^uþu

suffredist al þⁱsþis world to vengyn þ^eþe on me / & to hatyn me

for I haue displesyd þe / þ^uþu dedist me no wrong ·/ I cry þe

m᷑cymercy lord for alle þe sowlys þ^tþat arn in peynys of pgatorypurgatory /

þ ᷑þer abydyng þⁱþi m᷑cymercy / & þe p᷑yerispreyeris of holy chirche / as wistly

lord as þei arn þⁱnþin owyn chosyn sowlys / be as gcyowsgracyows to

hem / as I wolde þ^tþat þ^uþu wer to myn / yf it wer in þe same

peyne þ^tþat þei arn in / lord crist Ihu̅Ihesu I thank þ^eþe for al helth /

nota

& al welth / for al riches / & al pou᷑tepouerte / for seeknes / and alle

scornys / for alle spitꝭspitys / & alle wrongꝭwrongys / & for alle diuers t tri⸗

bulacyons / þ^tþat han fallyn er xal fallyn to me / as long as I

leue /

+

heily ⎣ I thank þ^eþe / þ^tþat þ^uþu woldist letyn me sufiryn any pane

in þⁱsþis world / in remissyon of my synnys / & moryng of

my m᷑ytemeryte in heuyn / as wistly as I haue gret cawse to

thanke þ^eþe / here my p᷑yerispreyeris / for þow I had as many he[?]

hertꝭhertys & sowlys closyd in my sowle / as god knew w^to[wtyn]wytho[wtyn]

begynnyng / how many xulde dwellyn in heuyn w^to[wtyn]wytho[wtyn]

ende / & as þ ᷑þer arn dropys of wat ᷑watyr / fres and salt · chesely[s]

of guelgrauel / stonys smale & grete / gresys growyng in al erthe / kyr⸗

nellys of corn / fischys fowelys / bestys & leevys up on treys

whan most plente ben / fedir of fowle / er her of

…

man best

seed þ^tþat growith in erbe / er in wede / in flowyr in lond er in wat ᷑watyr

whan most growyn / & as many creaturys as in erth han ⸗

ben & arn er xal ben & myth ben be þⁱþi myth · And as þ ᷑þer arn

sterrys & Awngelys in þⁱþi syght / er oþ ᷑oþer kynnes good þ^tþat grow^tgrowyth

up on erthe / & eche wer a sowle as holy as eu᷑euyr was o owr lady

seynt Mary þ^tþat bar Ihu̅Ihesu owr sauyowr And yf it wer possi⸗

byl þ^tþat eche cowde thynkyn & spekyn al so gret reu᷑ensreuerens &

worschep / as eu᷑euyr dede owr lady seynt Mary / her in erthe

& now doth in heuyn & xal don w^towtynwythowtyn ende / I may rith

wel thynkyn in myn hert / & spekyn it w^twyth my mowth at þⁱsþis

tyme in worschip of þe t nitetrinite / & of al þ^eþe cowrt of heuyn

/ to gret schame & schenschep of Sathanas þ^tþat fel fro goddꝭgoddys

face / & of alle hys wikkyd spiritꝭspiritys / þ^tþat alle þes hertꝭhertys ne sowƚsowlys

cowde neu᷑neuyr thankyn god / ne ful p᷑ysynpreysyn hym / ful blissyn ⸗

hym / ne ful worschepyn hym / ful louyn hym / ne fully

ȝeuyn lawdacyon / p᷑isyngpreisyng / & reu᷑ensreuerens to hym / as he were

worthy to han / for þe gret m᷑cymercy þ^tþat he hath schewyd to me

in erth · / þ^tþat

‸

if

I can not don ne may don /·’ I p᷑yprey my lady

whech þ^tþat is only þ^eþe modyr of god / þ^eþe welle of grace flower

& fairest of alle women / þ^tþat eu᷑euyr god wrowt in erth / þ^eþe most

worthiest in hys syght · /þe most leef der & derworthy vn

to hym · / best worthy to ben herd of god / & þ^eþe heyest þ^tþat hath

deẜuyddeseruyd it in þⁱsþis lyfe /· benyngne lady · / meke lady / chariteful

lady / w^twyth al þ^eþe reuerens þ^tþat is in heuyn / & w^twyth alle ȝo ȝowr holy seyntꝭseyntys

I pypray ȝow lady / offyr ȝe thankꝭthankys & preysyngꝭpreysyngys to þ^eþe blisful T niteTrinite

for loue of me / askyng m᷑cymercy & grace for me & for alle my

gostly fadrys &

for

ꝑseuerawnsperseuerawns in to owr lyuys ende / in þ^tþat life

[we] may most plesyn god in  / I blisse my god in my sowle

[&] ȝow alle þ^tþat arn in heuyn · / blissyd mote god ben in ȝow

[all]e & ȝe alle in god · / blissyd be þ^uþu lord for alle þⁱþi m᷑ciismerciis þ^tþat þ^uþu

[h]ast schewyd to alle þ^tþat arn in heuyn & in erth /· And specyaly ⸗

123

I blisse þ^eþe lord ffor Mary Mawdelyn / for Mary Egipcyan / for seynt

nota

powle / & for seynt Awstyn · And as þ^uþu hast schewyd þ ᷑ⁱþeri m᷑cymercy to hem /

so schewe þⁱþi m᷑cymercy to me / & to alle þ^tþat askyn þ^eþe m᷑cymercy / of hert · þ^eþe ⸗

pees & þe rest / þ^tþat þ^uþu hast be qwothyn to þⁱþi discipulys / & to þⁱþi

louars ·’ / þ^eþe same pees & rest / mote þ^uþu be qwethyn to me in erth ·

& in heuyn w^twyth owtyn ende · / haue mend lord of þ^eþe woman

þ^tþat was takyn in þe vowtre / & browt be forn þ^eþe / And as þ^uþu dreue

a wey alle hir enmyis fro hir / & sche stod a lone by þ^eþe / so

verily mot þ^uþu dryuyn a wey alle myn enmiis fro me boþⁱnboþin

bodily and gostly / þ^tþat I may stondyn a lone by þ^eþe / & make my

sowle ded to alle þ^eþe Ioyis of þⁱsþis world / & qwyk & gredy

to hy co͒templacyoncontemplacyon in god hafe mend lord of laȝer þ^tþat lay

iiii · days ded in hys guegraue / & as I haue ben in þ^tþat holy stede

þ ᷑þer þⁱþi body was qwik & ded & c^ucifiidcrucifiid for mannys synne / &

þ ᷑þer laȝer was reisyd fro deth to lyfe / as wistly lord yf any

man er woman be ded in þⁱsþis owr be dedly synne / yf any

pyerprayer may helpyn hem · / here my p᷑yeryspreyerys for hem & make

hem to leuyn w^twyth owtyn ende · / Gra m᷑cymercy lord for alle þ^oþo ⸗

synnys þ^tþat þ^uþu hast kept me fro / whech I haue not do · And

gra m᷑cymercy lord / for al þ^eþe sorwe þ^tþat þ^uþu hast ȝouyn me / for þ^oþo

þ^tþat I haue do · ffor þes gracꝭgracys & for alle oþ ᷑oþer gcysgracys whech arn

nedful to me & to alle þe creaturys in erth /· And for alle

þ^oþo þ^tþat feithyn & trustyn / er xul feithyn & trustyn in my pyerysprayerys /

in to þe worldꝭworldys ende · / sweche gcegrace as þei desiryn gostly er ⸗

bodily to þe ꝓfiteprofite of her sowlys / I pypray þe lord grawnt hem

for þe multitude of þⁱþi m᷑cymercy Amen     A[m̅n]A[men]

Ihu͒Ihesu m᷑cymercy qdquod Salthows 

A transcription of this folio is not yet available.