ADDIT. MS. 25,719, BR. Mus., leaf 131" (REDUCED FACSIMILE)
ORIGINAL SERIES. 127.
of
AN ENGLISH 15TH CENTURY TRANSLATION OF THE
ALPHABETUM NARRATION UM
ONCE ATTEIBUTED TO
ETIENNE DE BESANgON.
FROM ADDITIONAL MS. 25,719 OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
EDITED BY
MRS. MARY MACLEOD BANKS.
PART II, I-Z,
LONDON:
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY,
BY KEGAN PAUL, TEENCH, TRUBNER & CO., LTD.
DRYDEN HOUSE, 43 GEEEAKD STEEET, SOHO, W.
MDCCCCV
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1/13
V.2.
J>1 OXFORD
HORACE HAET: PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
NOTE.
Part II of the Alphabetum Narrationum brings the text
to an end, and leaves introduction, glossary, index and
general clearing-up for Part III.
The name of fitienne de Besancon still stands on the
title-page ; this is the last time it may be associated with
this collection of Tales. The association is of so long and
respectable a standing that it is worthy of an easy dissolu-
tion, though fitienne himself might possibly have felt no
regret to see it brought about, as it assuredly has been by
Mr. J. A. Herbert's article in the Library for January, 1905.
Mr. Herbert sums up the case as stated by Mons. Haure'au,
and adds evidence of his own weighty enough to dispose
finally of the claims made for fitienne's authorship by
Leandro Alberti, Que'tif and fichard, and later writers.
There is a case for Arnold of Liege, but the verdict is
a little in suspense. A definite attribution of authorship
must wait for Part III, though it may be said forthwith
that any testing of evidence hitherto undertaken serves
only to strengthen Arnold's claims. For the present, how-
ever, readers must look for these in the article quoted
above.
M. M. BANKS.
ERRATA
Page 4, line 9. A note wanting from the Latin MSB., which begin,
Damianus. Abbas quidam.
P. 4, line 14, for mete read mece, and delete note 3. See p. 245, line 27.
P. 15, line 6. ^4 #ote wanting from the Latin MSS., which begin,
Humbertus. Quidam monachus.
P. 22, line 6, /or JZpiscopus read l&piscopws.
P. 29, line 8, for [J>er] read [per].
P. 86, line 30, delete the inverted commas after hym).
P. 55, line 29, add as note, Latin MSS. Damianus. In monaaterio quod
Beatus Gregorius, etc.
P. 63, line 35, for ydolsis read ydolfis.
P. 71, line 5, for Clunacensts read Cluniacensts, and passim,
P. 72, line 15, add as note, Latin MSS. losephus. Cum quesitum fuisset a
Tiberio Cesare.
P. 79, line 21. A note wanting from the Latin MSS., which begin,
Gregorius. Quidam monachus.
P. 89, line 27, for ydolsis read ydolfis.
P. 104, lines 14, 26, for Jacobus read Jacobus, and passim,
P. 123, line 4, r missing from shrafe.
P. 147, line 22, for [de read [de].
P. 151, line 3. A note wanting from the Latin MSS., tvhich begin, Tullius.
Presbiter ecclesiae Sancti Magni.
P. 154, note 2, for imperaor read imperator.
P. 235, lines 12, 15, for Antissiodorens, here and elsewhere, Autissio-
dorens is a better reading.
P. 236, line g, for vylans read vylaus.
P. 242, line 29, for at read J>at.
P. 469, line 13, add as note, Latin MSS. Toletum.
379- Pardon for the Dead. 380. Deacon wrongly accused. 261
CCCLXXIX.
Indulgencie valent defunctis. et c 5 .
We rede in ' Legenda LombaroVca ' how on) a tyme a legatt
of fe courte of Rome gatt a grete pardon) vnto his fadur, fat was
dead; of J?e pope. And he sent Iper-with a wurthi knyght in-to the 4
contre of Albygenszs to a kurk ]>er his fadur lay ; & jns knyght
taryd Iper Iper-with alt a lentren). And f is clone, vppon) a nyght
his fadur aperyd 1 vnto f is legatt, clerar fan) any light, and thonkicT
hyin) hartelie for his pardon) at he was delyverd? by. 8
CCCLXXX.
Infamia. Infamatur aliquis sine culpa.
Heraclides tellis how som tyme fer was a preste fat had a
doghter, and sho happend to be corrupte & be -with childe ; and sho
put fe cryme f er-of apon) a dekyn), & made a lye on) hynD. And fe 12
bisshopp) & f e preste hur fadur sent after hyin), & inquyred hyin)
ferof ; and he deiiyed itt. And f>e bisshopp) wax wrote Iperwith,
and said? }?at he was bod a Iyer ; and J?e clerk ansswercT agayii)
& said 1 ; " For suthe, sur, I hafe sayde as it is in my consciens, 16
and ye wold 1 here me now ; for it was not I J?at did 1 f is dede."
And when) he had f>us said 1 , Jmi putt hyin) oute of his dekynshup),
and garte hyin) wedd hur. And he commendid hur vnto a monas-
teri & hyin) selfe was closid 1 vp) in a ceft ; & Iper, with grete 20
prayers & wepyngis he besoght God at fe treutli mott be knawen).
And when) fe day of hur byrth drew nere, sho traueld 1 vij dayes
to-gedur, & was hugelie vexid? with grete paynys, so mekutt fat
sho mot nowder eate, nor drink, nor slepe, bod trowed hur selfe 24
verelie at sho sulde dye. And sho was passancT ferd 1 at sho sulde
be dampnycT, and fan) sho began) to cry horrible & sayd 1 ; " Wo is
me, wriche ! for I am) fallen) into a dubble perift. Furst, for
I hafe loste my mavdenhecT; and fe secund 1 , I hafe putt a fals 28
cryme vppon) fe DekefD." And [?e susters of fe place hard 1 hur, &
went to \>ev prayers for hur, at God wold? vuchesafe at sho mot be
T
262 ^ 1 - loJiannes Damascenes.
delyver; bod it profett nott, vnto so mekuft f>e bisshopj? sent
vnto Jns Dekyn) & bad hym) pray for hur. Bod he wolde nott
here )?e messangers, nor giff ]>a,im none aiisswer. So at )?e laste f>e
4 bisshop) come vnto hym) and bad hym) lowse J?at he had bun). And
at )?e bisshoppis commandment he prayed 1 for hur, & onone sho was
delyver. And on) fis maner of wyse J?is dekyn) was purgicT of Ipia
defame, & restorid 1 agayn) vnto his offes.
8 Infamat aliquanefo meretrix qwos ad peccatum trahere
non potest. Infra de meretrice.
cccLxxxr.
Infamata fama aliqucmcfo restituitur.
Prudencius tellis in J?e * Life of lohanwes Damascenes ' how
12 at >is lohannes was a passancT holie man) emang his brethir, &
a mayden), and passand devowte vnto ou? Ladie; and bothe in
Grew & in Latyn) he was passandlie wele lernycT, in wrytyng
& endytyng and syngyng. So on) a tyme hym) happend be taken)
1 6 wiih j?e Sarrazens, and J:at lord 1 , ]mt happend 1 to hafe hym) in
his parte, had a son). And f>is Iohmies Damascenes lernyd 1 hym)
so in writyng & in endytyng & in syngyng, and in other )nngys
Ipai perteynycT vnto )?is sciens, so fat in writyng, in endytyng, & in
20 voyce, his werk semyd 1 no noder bod at it had bene >is lohavwies
Damascene his maister. So the Emperour Theodosius send for
hym) & payed his rawnson), & borowcT hym) ; & his disciple wold 1
hafe gone wttA hym), & he wold? not latt hym). And ffor envy
24 here-of this his 1 disciple, wtt/i-in a few yeris after, enditycT
a 2 lettyr & wrate Jer-in treson) of J?e Empmm?, & how he was in
purpos to destroy hys roalm) ; and f>is lettre he garte hafe privalie
vnto Constantynople, & caste it in f>e Empmmrs pales. And
28 onone, as it was fon) & redd 1 , pe man^r & f>e forirD of f>e lettir
& of f>e endytyng was knowen), at it was of J>is lohannes Damas-
cenus. And f>e Emperoer when) he saw it accusid 1 hyiTD, & \er
1 his, omitted and added aJtore the line. a After a, luru, erased.
381. lohannes Damascemts. 263
he was taken) & fowle farfD \viih & callicf traytur. And when) f>e
\ethQ was shewid 1 hyfn), he ansswerd 1 & said 1 ; " Forsuthe, surs, Jis
I knaw wele is f>e form) of my wrytyng & of myne endytyng,
bod God I take to witnes ]?at I did it noght." And aft men) 4
wondred & cryed on) hyin) becauce he wolde not say f>e treutn
& graunt, & Jmi cryed 1 & sayd 1 he was wurthi to dy ; & ]>er he was
broght befo? ]>e iuges. And becauce he was lp e Emperou? cussyn)
J?ai wold 1 not deme hyin) to dy, bod f>ai demyd 1 at his hand 1 at he did 8
Jis trispas with sulde be cutt off. And when) Jns was done, in
reprefe of Ipis felony at f>ai trowed J?at he had done, his hand
at was cut off, f>ai hang it in his awn) kurk. So on) Ipe night after,
)?is Johannes Damascenus with a hand 1 come befo? a speciaft "
ymage of ou? Lady, & band 1 his wownd 1 & shewid 1 hur his arm).
And mekelie he flate with hur & said 1 in f>is maner of wyse;
" Behalde, swete lady ! What rewardis is of vs Ipi servandis 1
Behold 1 our" reward 1 ! Lady, f>ow hase willid 7 me, a synner, Ipi \6
servand 1 , for my reward 1 to suffre suche a turmentrie, at J?ou sufferd
J>e instrument of fine offes for to be fms cut off. For f>is hand 1
at is cutt off wrate oft sythis sangis of ])i lovyng, & oft sithes
sacred 1 , & offerd 1 f>e flessh & Ipe blude of J>i son)." And when) 20
he had fus made his complaynt & his prayers, he went vnto
his bed 1 ; and as he was halfe slepancT, halfe wakand 1 , f>e blissid 1
mayden), our Lady Saynt Marie, apperid vnto hyin) with grete
light & a gude chere, & said 1 vnto hyin); " My trew childe, what 24
duse f>ou ? " And he ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; "Alias! Lady,
wharto askis fou me 1 For rather I sulde aske Ipe wha? J?ou
was wheiD I sufferd 1 Ipis. Behald 1 , Ladie, how, bathe to Ipi shame
& myne, Ipi hand of ])i servand 1 at was cutt of is hongen) vp in f>e 28
kurk." And ]?an) sho ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 5 ; " Soii), be of gude
comfurtti in God 1 ! " And Ipis said 1 , evyii) att he myght see, sho
went into Ipe kurk & broght his hand 1 fro thens, & restorid 1 it
agayn) vnto Ipe arm) & made it hale. And he held 1 vp his handis & 32
thankicT hur, & with ]>at sho vanysshicT away. And on) Ipe morn)
he rase & callicT s&men his brethyr, & shewid 1 faim his hand 1 ; and
onone, with a mery voyce & a lowde, he begaii) ou? Ladie mes.
And ofD fe morn), wheii) Ipe Emp^rou? hard 1 telt of Ipis miracle, 36
T 2
264 3 8 2. A Bale speaks. 383. Apostles' Aid.
he come on) his fete vnto hym) & sett hym) down) oiD his kneis, and
kyssid 1 his hand 1 , and askicP hym) if he knew any fat had his maner
& form) of writyng & endityng. And he told 1 hym) how fat he had
4 lernyd one it ; and fan) f e treuth was serchid & it was fon)
who it was.
CCCLXXXII.
Infans in baptismo loquitur.
We rede ex ' Gestis Beati Amandi ' how fat when) f e kyng
8 of Fraunce had no chylde, he made a grete prayer vnto Allmijty
God 1 , & God 1 sent hym) one. And when) it was born), he vmthoght
hym) whome he mot make to baptys itt. And so fis Amandus
come in his mynde & he made hyin) to baptis it. And when)
ia it was namycT & crystencT, fe childe ansswercTfat aft myght here,
and said 1 , " Amen ! "
CCCLXXXIII.
Infans vnius diei loquitur.
We rede in f e ' Legend of Symond & lude ' how on) a tyme
1 6 a dukis doght^r happend 1 to do fornycaciofD, & was wet h childe.
And sho putt it vppon) a dekyn), and hur fadur tuke fis dekyn) &
wolde hafe putt hym) to dead 1 . And f e Apostels SymoncT & lude
askyd when) f e childe was born), and it was ansswercT f aim & said 1 ,
20 fat same day in fe-mornyng. And at commandment of f e apostels,
fis dekyn) & f is childe was fechid 1 afor faira. And fe apostels
sayd 1 vnto fis yong child 1 , " In f e Name, speke, f on yong childe, &
teft if fis dekyn) did fis trispas ! " And f e yong childe ansswerd 1
24 & said", at aft men) mot here ; " fis dekyn) fylicT neuer his flessTi
-with lichorye." And fan) fis duke besoght f aim to spur who did
fis trispas. And f e Apostels ansswerd 1 agayii) & sayd 1 ; " It is ow?
parte to excuse f aim fat er innocentis, and not for to discure f aim
28 fat er mysdoers."
384. Pains of Hell. 385. A Drop of Pain. 265
CCCLXXXIV.
Infernus. InfernaKs pene consideracio inducit
hommem a[e] penitenciam.
Saynt Bede tellis in ' Gestis Anglomw ' how Iper was a maiD fat
was dead & restoricT agayn) vnto life, abowte f e yeris of on? Lord 1 4
cccc vj. And he was so fercT for paynys fat he had sene, fat
he fled in-to wyldernes, & Iper biggid 1 hym) a celt beside a grete
watir. And he wolde gang iri-to f e watir with his clathis on)
vp to f e ne, and fan) he wold 1 com) vp) & latt f aim frese on) hym) 8
vnto his flessli. And fan) onone he wolde go into a hate batfi,
& f us evur whils he lifficT, he sufferd 1 ay f e tone after f e toder vnto
he dyed 1 . And when) }>ai a att saw hym) reprovicT hyiri) whi he did
so, he ansswerd 1 faim agayn) & saycf; "And ye had sene J>at I saw, 12
ye wold 1 hafe done f>e same with me fat I did 1 ." et c 5 .
Infernalis meditacio. Supra de Apostasia.
CCCLXXXV.
Infernalis pena est multum acerba.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' a grete miracle & a 16
solempne, how som) \tyrri\ at Parissh, a scolar J?at was dead 1 ,
in a garthyn) apperict 1 vnto his maister, and shewid 1 hym) f e payn)
of heft att he was dampnycT vnto in J>is maner of wyse ; he lete
a drope of hys payn) faft of his 2 fynger apon) his maister hand 1 , 20
whilk \>at evyn) furtn-wit^ a grete warke went jmrgfi his hand 1 . So
fat evur after vnto he dyed 1 fer was ay a hole furgli his hand 1 .
CCCLXXXYI.
Infernalis pena est magnitudmis inestimabiKs 3 .
We rede in ' Vitis Palram ' how ofD a tyme as Macharius went 24
in wyldernes he fancT a dead mans head 1 , and he had grete mervayft
whose it was. And he comwandid 1 it to spek & tell hym), & so it
1 MS. ]>at. 3 MS. inextinguibilis, Lat. MSS.
3 After his, maister, erased. as above.
266 3 86 - The Depth of Hell. 387. A Woman's Latin.
dicT, and saycT it was a pastes head 1 "pat was a gentyle, |?at was
vncristencT. And he askid 1 it wha? f>e saule Iper-of was in payn).
And it ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd? J?at it was in heft, als depe as
4 is fro hevyn) vnto erthe, & he said 1 fat it was als depe vnder-nethe
hyin). And \er he sayd 1 wer fals cristen) men). And a noder tale
like J?is tellis Saynt Gregur in his ' Dialoggis ' of a grete man) \>ai
hyght Repmitus ; and on) a tyme he was kepyd 1 as dead* & sodanly
8 turnycf vnto life agayn). & he tellid 1 how fat he had sene a grete
kyngdoin) and it was aft covercT ouer; and hym) thoght }>e heght
lper-of was als hy as is fro hevyn) vnto ertfi.
CCCLXXXVII.
Infernalis pena est eterna. Supra de Conuersione.
12 A tale like vnto Je same tellis Saynt Gregu?, how on) a tyme Iper
was a fond 1 womman) J>at somwhatt vnderstude Latyn). And on)
a tyme as sho was in f>e kurk at a Dirigie, sho harde J>aim syng ;
" In inferno nulla est redempcio/' And when) sho had hard 1 it,
16 sho cryecT with ane horrible voyce & sayde ; <( I wift neuer coin) j?er,
ffor Ipat is ane ift place for me to putt my truste in." et c 5 .
InfernaKs pena intolerabilis T est. Supra, de con*
uersione.
20 Infernales pene horribiles sunt ad vidend^m. Infra
de sciencia nigromancie. et c 5 .
Infernales pene viuis 2 &liquando ostendimtur. Supra
de cruce signatis, v., et infra de sciencia nigro
24 manege.
Infernales pene surz,t multiplices, Sup?'a de elemo-
sina, xj.
Infideles minus puniu^it^r in inferno qwam mali
28 Christian!. Infra de Chmtianis.
1 MS. intollerabilis. 3 MS. vicijs. Harl. MS. viuis.
388. The patient Paralytic. 267
Infideli defimcto valuit oracio Sancti. Infra de om-
cione, iiij.
Infidelis a deo occiditur. Infra de vindictfa, v.
Infidelis aliquancfo bonas leges condit. Infra de 4
CCCLXXXVIII.
Infirmitas propria pacienter debet sustineri.
Saynt Grego? tellis in his * Dialoggts ' how som tyrae }>er was
a man) fat higlit Seruulus, and he was passand pure of gudis, bod 8
he was riche of merettis. And aft his lyfe-tyme he lay alway
in f e peralysye, fat he neu^r rase oute of his bed, nor neu^r put his
hand vnto his mowthe, nor neuer myght turn) hym). And his
moder and his bruther come vnto hym) to kepe hym) & seryff hym) ; 1 2
and what at evur he gatt of almos ouer fat at f ai expuwdicT,
he made f aim to deale it vnto pure folke. And with any money
fat he gatt, eu^r he boght hym) bukys of holie script ur ; and
he garte religios men) fat hrbard? with hym) rede faim. vnto hym), 16
to so mekle fat wit/i-in a proces he, fat cuthe no wurd? on) f e
buke, lernycF holie scriptur. And when) he knew hym) selfe fat he
drew nere his dead 1 , he garte caft vnto hym) alt f ais pylgramys fat
he was wunte to herber, and commawndid 1 f aim fat f ai sulde sitt 20
abowte hym), & say Iper p'ayers & syng fe latynie vnto fat he
dyed 1 ; and he sang with faim. And evyn) as he was bown) to
dye, he spakk vnto f aim & sayd 1 ; " Be stitl ! be stiH & holde
your tongis ! For ye hard 1 neuer suche voyces as I here now 24
songeri) in hevyii)." And as he was giffand 1 hede vnto faim his
holie sawle passicT furth of his bodye vnto blis.
CCCLXXXIX.
Infirmis est diligenter se? l uiendum.
Heraclides tellis how a man) fat hight Eulogius forsuke f is 28
warld 1 so fat he myght nothyng do be his one nor wirk * ; and few
of his gudis he kepicT vnto hym) fat he myght liff vppon). And he
1 Lat. MSS. quia per se nichil poterat opcrari.
268 3 8 9- Patience with the Sick.
mott nowder be in f e monasterie with many, nor he myght nott liff
be his one. On) a tyme he fande a man) fat had a sekenes fat was
callid 1 Morbus Elefanticus, and he had it so fellie fat it had
4 distroyed his fete & his handis, & aft his membris bod his tonge.
And fan) fis Elogius, evyiD as he had made a corwande with
almyghti God, said 1 on) fis wise ; "Lorde God ! In pi name I salt
take fis man), & take hym) as pi srvancT, and kepe hym) vnto fat
8 he dye." And he sett hym) on) his ass, & led hym) vnto f er he was
lugicT, & kepicThym) & servicThym) his awn) handle space of xv yere.
And fan) fis seke man) be f e instinccion) of f e devuH desyrid 1 to be
away fro hym), & flate with hym) & reprevicT hym), & said 1 ;
12 " Thow come & stale me furthe of my howse becauce be me f o\i
trowidMo hafe welthe of gudis, and to requeuer helthe of fi bodie."
And fan) f is Eulogius spakk fayr with hym), & prayed hym) to be
in peace & said 1 ; " Gude sur ! Say nott so, bod tell me & I hafe
1 6 oght trispasioT vnto the, & I salt amend 1 itt." And he said 1 ;
" Nay, go f i wayes, I will none of f i fagyngis ! Lay me f eroute
opynlie ; me misters none of f i refresshyng, ffor I desyre to eate
flessV And he garte ordan) flessh soden) & broght hym) itt : and
20 fan) he wolde none f er-off, & said 1 ; " I may nott dwelt with f e, for
I wilt go se f e peple." And fan) Elogius tolde hym) he sulde
bryng in a grete meneya of brethir & latt hym) se. And he
ansswerd? agayn) & saidT; "I wilt se none suche distroyers as fou
24 erte ; hafe me agayn) f er fou tuke me fro ! " f aiD f is Elogius
layde hym) in a bote & had hym) vnto Saynt Anton) f e Abbott,
& tolde hym) all his reule & how he wolde putt hym) oute. And
Saynt Anton) said 7 ; " P^raventur, & fou forsake hym), a bettir
28 man) fan) fou shall take hym) in & fynde hym)." And fan) he
said 1 vnto f is seke man) ; " fou behaldis nowder wurthelie hevyn)
nor ertTie ; knowis fou not at f is is Criste att servis the ? For alt
fe serves at hym) f is duse the, he duse it for Cristis sake." And
32 after fatt he comfurthicT faim bothe & said 1 ; " Childre, parte you
nott in eonder, ffor ye mon) be bothe savicl! And f^rfo? fis
temptacion) happend you now, when) ye er bothe nere at encT
of your life." And fis done, f ai turnyd 1 agayn) vnto f er celt, and
3 6 within xl fci dayes after f ai bothe dyed 1 .
390. Saint Petronella. 391. The old Man's Sickness. 269
cccxc.
Infirmitas corporalis aliquando prodest spiritui.
We rede in f e ' Legend 1 of Saynt Petroneft,' f a t was Saynt
Petir doghter, how fat sho was a passand fayr wcraman). And be
f e wift of hur fadur sho had f e axes. And on) a tyme when) 4
f e disciples come & dynycF \viih hym), f ai said 1 vnto hym) ; " Sen)
aft seke folk er helicT be fe, whi suffres fou fis Petroneft 1 Ipi
doghter to lye so sore seke 1 " And he ansswerd 1 f aim agayn)
& said 1 fat it was necessarie for hur. And becauce f ai sulde nott 8
trow fat it wer impossible fat sho sulde be hale be his wurdis,
f erfo? he said 1 vnto hur ; " Thow Petronett ! Rise swithe & seryff
vs ! " And onone at his wurde sho rase & servicT f aim. And
when) fai had etyn), he bad hur go vnto hur bed agayn), & so sho 12
did & was als seke agayn) in fe axis as evur was sho ; and so
sho lay many day vnto hym) foght att sho was parfite in fe luff of
GodcT. And fan) he made hur fissch-hale. And fan) \er come
vnto hur ane erle fat hight Flaccus, & desiricT for hur fayrnes 16
to hafe hur vnto his wife. And sho ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " If
f ou desire to hafe me vnto f i wyfe, command 1 a certayn) of maydens
to com) vnto me & bere me felachup) vnto fi place." And so
he did. And fan) f is Petroneft fasticT hugelie, & made devowte 20
prayers vnto almyghti God 1 , & tuke fe holie sacrament, and
wit7i[-in\ iij dayes after sho passicf oute of f is warld 1 .
CCCXCI.
Infirmitas corporalis aliquowcfo est appetenda 2 .
We rede ex ' Dictis Patrum ' how som tyme f er was ane olde 2 4
man) fat evur-ilk yere had a grete sekenes. So it happend a yere
fat he was not seke, and f erfo? he tuke a grete sorow & wepyd 1 ,
and sayd vnto hym) selfe ; " Dereliquit me Deus, ei c 9 . Almighti
God hase forsaken) me, becauce He vissettts not me as He was 28
wunt."
1 MS. Peroneil. 3 MS. appitenda.
270 39 2< G u t as a Teacher.
CCCXCII.
Infirmitas corporalis aliquando de superbo facit
humilem.
Jacobus de Vetrtaco tellis how som tyme in f e bysshoppryke of
4 Parissfi \>er was a paress clerk, & he vsid 1 to com) vnto a knyghtis
place \vith halie water evur-ilk wuke ; & he cuthe neuer gett nott
on) hym) bod flytyng & bannyng. And it happend on) a tyme f is
knyght fett seke, and when) f e clerke come w^tA holi watyr & keste
8 on) hym), he prayed 1 f is clerk to pray for hyin). And he garte giff
hym) a kirk. And fan) f is clerk spakk vnto hym) & said 1 ; " How
is f is happend, sur, fat ye fat so ofte base flittyn) wiih me,
& bannyd me so oft, is now f us turnycT at ye pray me now for to
la pray for you 1 " And f e knyght ansswercT & said 1 ; " Seis f ou not
how I am) seke, & how f e gowte is in my fute on) f e to syde ? "
And fan) f e clerk said 1 ; " Sur, I satt pray God fat it may be also
in fe toder fute." And fe knyght askycT hym) what he said 1 .
1 6 And fe clerk ansswercf hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " f ou was als prowde
as a lion) when) f ou was hale, and now in f i sekenes f ou erte made
als meke as a lambe. And yit for f i gude I sail pray for the."
Infirmus aliqucmc/o convalescit per votum religionis.
20 Infra de voto.
Ingratus Deo de beneficio percepto ab eo merito
perdit illud. Supra de heretico.
Ingratitudinis vicium incurrit vane glorians de bene-
24 ficio percepto, et ideo merito illud perdit. Supra
de confessione.
Ingratus homini de beneficio ab eo recepto multum
est reprehensibil^. Supra de Infirmo.
CCCXCIII.
28 Iniuria propter Deum debet dimitti.
We rede ex ' Dicft's Pa^rwm' how fat fe Abbot Hillarion),
when) on) a tyme he visit a certayiD bisshopp> 3 and when) f ai war at
393- A Bishop's Pardon. 394. The evil Spirit, 271
meatt, f is bisshop) sett befo? hym) a capon) & bad hym) eatt. And
fe Abbott ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Sen I tuke fis abbett
I etc ueuer f ing fat suffred dead 1 /' Than) f e bisshop) ansswerd 1
hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " And I, sen) I tuke fis abbett, suffred neu*r 4
man to slepe fat had oght agayn) me. Nor I slepid 1 nevur als lang
as I had oght agayns 5 hym) vnto we war in charite." And fan) fis
Abbott said 1 ; " Fathir ! fforgiff me ; for f i conuersacion) is more
fan) myne." g
Iniurie sunt aiiquando dissimulande. Supra de
amicicia, viij et ix.
Inobediencia. Infra de obediencia et religione.
Insidie. Insidiantur superbi bonis operibus. Infra 12
de superbia.
Insidiantur demones bominibus nmltipliciter. Supra
de demonibus pluribus locis.
Insidiantur mali quandoque bonis. Supra de carne, 16
iiij.
CCCXCIV.
Intencio mala eciam bonum opus viciat.
Saynt Gregorie tellis how som) tyme Iper was a holie man) fat
hight Fortunatus, & he was a bisshop). And on) a day he drafe 20
oute ane evutt spiritt oute of a man) f att was vexid 1 f er-with,
whilk spiritt agayn) evyn) fenyd 1 hym) selfe like a pylgrem), & went
aboute in fe cetie furgTi fe stretis, & said?& cried 1 ; "O! fou holie
man), Fortunatt f e bisshopp), fat putt oute a pylgram) oute of his 24
hoste ! And I seke now in his cetie f er I mot be lugid 1 , & I can) gett
no hdrberie." And Iper was a man) fat satt in his howse be f e fyre
with his wife & his childre, and he come furtH & askid 1 hym) what
f e bisshop) had done vnto hym) ; & he tolde hym). & he tuke hym) 28
in & herberd 1 hym), and as f ai satt talkand? be f e fyre, fis same
spiritt keste a barn) of hys in f e fyre and burnyd it o dead 1 . And
with fat he flew away with a grete noyse. And fis sorie man)
272 395- Innocence pr oved. 396. An envious Maid.
purseyvid 1 fat he fat he had resayvid was not putt oute be f e
bisshopp), bod at it was ane ift spiritt fat coine for to disclander
hym) 1 .
4 Inuencio. Inuenta res debet restitui. Infra de
promisso.
Irmidia inter religiosos inuenitur. Infra de obe-
diencia.
CCCXCV.
8 Invidie stinmlis agitati religiosi &liquando se
excusant.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme Iper was a monke fat was stirrid"
vriih envie, and he accusid a yong man) vnto f e Abbott, & putt
vppon) hym) grevus trispas. And f e Abbott belevid 1 hym) nojt,
12 & so oppynlie in Ipe chapit? he putt furth aft fies trispas of fis
yong man), when) f er visitur was Iper. And f e visitur belevid? hym)
& putt fies trispas vnto fis yong man) ; and he said 1 he was nott
giltie, & fat he tuke God to witnes. Notwzt/istondyng he was
16 commytt vnto prison ; and onone after f is envious man) feft seke
and was ferde to dye. And fan) he graunticT opynlie how he
for envye had accusid 1 fis yong man). And so f is yong man) with
grete ioy be his visitur was taken) oute of prison) agayn), & restorid 1
20 vnto his olde estate as he was befo?.
Inuident mail bonis. Supra de carne, iiij.
CCCXCVI.
Imiidia aliqualis eciam in puellis paruis reperitur.
Cesarius tellis how fat in Freseland 1 in a nonrie f er was ij little
24 maydens fat lernyd ofi) f e buke, & eur f ai strafe whethur of f aim
shulde lern) mo? fan) f e toder. So f e tane of f aim happencT to faft
seke, and sho garte caft f e Priores vnto hur & saycT; " Gude ladie !
suffre nott my felow to lern) vnto I cover of my sekenes, and I salt
1 Harl. MS. Qui miser orbatus . . . lect&b&iur sed efiscojn derogactowe.
qwm new hospital! tatis pietate de-
397- Spite tiU Death. 398. The Maimed cured unwittingly. 273
pray my moder to gif me vjcT & fat I saft giff you & ye do so ; ffor
I drede fat whils I am) seke, fat sbo saft pas me in lernyng, & fat
I wolde not at sho did 1 , ei c 5 ." And at f is wurde f e priores smylicT
& hadd 1 grete mervayle of fe damyseft conseyte. et c 9 . 4
CCCXCVII.
Invidus in morte eciam new cessat.
Cesarius tellis fat when) f e Duke of Siringie was deade, \>er
was harde a voyce besyde fe Mownt of Tybir 1 , fat spat fyre,
& it saycf; " Ordand fyre ! " And a nbder voyce anssweroT & sayd ; 8
" I wote neu^r wbatt, nor to wbame I sail ordan)." And f e toder
said 1 agayn) ; "Our gude & wele-beluffid 1 frend 1 , f e Duke of Siringie,
commys hedur." And onone it was knawn) fat in fe Empyre
of Frederyke, vnto whome f ies wa? wreten), f e same day & how? 12
was Bertolfus 2 , fat was Duke of Siringie, dead 1 ; fat was a grete
tyrand and a robber bothe of riche men) & pure men). And for als
mekyft as he had no child 1 , or he dyed 1 he prayed 1 fat all his tresurs,
fat war of grete valow, mott be molten) in-to a grete mace, & sayd 1 16
\nio hym) selfe ; " I gnaw weft at my cussyns wift be fayn) of my
dead 1 ; and if f ai fynctme tresurs, sone f ai wift devide f aim emang
f aim. And if f ai be aft in a grete lompe f ai er noght ethe to
parte emang f aim." et c 9 . ao
CCCXCVIIT.
Inuitis prestat Deus multa beneficia.
We rede in f e ' Legend of Saynt Martyn) ' how fat f er was two
at war felowse to-geder, & fai war beggers; & fe tone was blynde
& fe toder myght not goo. And he fat was blynde was a strong 24
man) & bare 3 the tother in his nekk, & he tellid 1 hym) alway how
he sulde goo; and fus fai beggicT many day & gatt mekle syluer.
And when) fai hard 1 teft how fat att Saynt Martyn) tombe many
seke folke wer he! id 1 , oporD f e day of his translacion) it was vse to 28
1 Arund.MS.McwtemGeber. Harl. 2 Lat. MSS. Bertoldus.
MS. Montew Ciber. 3 After bare, to, erased.
274 399- John the Evangelist. 400. Saints in Accord.
bere his bonys furth of J?e kurk, and J>ai come thedir. And yit f>ai
war aferd 1 J?at peraventur, and fai abade in Ipe strete fer his bonys
war born) thrugh, ]?at J>ai sulde be made hale ; & f>a[t] wold" not
4 be made hale for drede ]>er begyng sulde defayle J>aim. And
]mi went furtli of J>at strete. And sodanlie J?aiw happend 1 mete
\vith his shryne in a noder gate, & ]>er J>ai war made hale agayn)
\>er wylt.
CCCXCIX.
8 lohannis 1 Euuangeliste.
Cassianus tellis how on) a tyme a man) come & broght Saynt
lohn) Euuarcgeliste a pertrykk whikk, & gaff hyfn) it ; and he tuke
it & held 1 it in his hand 1 & strakid 1 it & made mekytt Iper-off. And
1 2 \>er was a yong felow at saw & skornyd 1 hyfn), saicT vnto his felows
att stude abowte hym) ; " "WiK ye se yone olde felow how he
laykis wiih yone byrd 1 as it wer a yong barn) 1 " And Saynt lohn)
be Ipe Holie Gaste pwseyvid? Ipis, and callicT }>e yong man) vnto
16 hym) & askycThyin) what J>at was at he held 1 in his hand 1 . And he
ansswerd? agayn) & said 1 J?at it was a bow. And he askicThym) what
he did" Iperwith, and Ipe yong man) sayd 1 ; " I shute burdis & bestis
Iperwiih." And Ipe apostett askid'hyiri) whi it was vnbendicT, and he
20 said 1 , for & he helde it allway bendyd 1 , it wolde be Ipe wayker
to shute away his shaftis Vfith. Than) Ipe aposteft ansswerd 1 hym)
agayn) & sayde ; " Son), on) Ipe same wise mans freletie wolde be
passand 1 wayke & it wer allway bendyd 1 in foght of cowtemplacion) ;
24 ffor as Ipe egle emang att burdis fleis hyest & seis nexte Ipe son), &
yit hur muste nedelyng coin) down) vnto f>e law placis, right so
mans witt, when) it wttMrawis it a little from) co^templaciofi)
& base a litle cowfurth, afterward" it is mor ardent vnto hevynlie
28 matyrs." et c 9 .
CCCC.
Baptiste et lohannis Euuangeliste.
We rede in ' Legenda Lombardica ' how som tyme Iper was
ij docturs of dy vynyte, and Ipe tone of J?aim luffed 1 in esspeciaft afo?
1 MS. Tohawwes,
401, 402. St. John the Baptist. 275
aft ofer Saynttzs Saynt lohii) Baptiste 1 , & fe tocUr Saynt lohn)
Euuarcgeliste, into so mekuft fat betwix faim fai made grete
disputacions of f <?r ioy & f er excellence, vnto so mekuft at ather
of f aim war passand 1 besy to fynd 1 resons & auctorities to prefer f e 4
Saynt lohfi) fat he luffid 1 wetA. And so fai poyntid? a day of
disputacion). And in f e menewhile ather of f ies Sayntis apericT
vnto his doctur at held? with hyiri), & saycF; " We er wele acordicT
in hevyn), and f erfo? dispute nott of vs in erthe." And when) fai 8
mett samm, ather of f>aim aforn) att J>e peple tellid 1 other Iper vision),
and thankid 1 Almijti God & fase holie sayntis.
CCCCI.
lohanms Baptiste.
We rede ex ' "Legenda 'Lombardica' how one Ipat hight Pawle. 12
J?at was historiographies Longobarciforwm, and a dekyn) of ]?e kurk
of Rome, and afterward 1 a monk of Cassynence, on) a tyme when)
he sulde hafe halowid? J>e pascaK, hym) happend to wex dom), J>at
he cuthe not als mekuft as say A, fat is J?e furst voweft. And 16
he made hys prayer vnto Saynt lohn) at he mott speke agayfD,
& in wurshup) of hyin) he made fis yrnpne, " Vt queant laxis,
et c 9 /' & als tyte as he had made fat he mot speke.
CCCCII.
Iterum lohannis Baptiste. 20
"We rede in f e same ' Legend? ' how soirD tyme f er was a huswyff
fat punysshid 1 hur selfe with fastyng & prayers. And euer sho
prayed Almyghti God? to send hur som) of fe relikkis of Saynt
lohn) Baptiste. And sodanly apon) ane alta? sho saw a thombe fat 24
was passand white, and sho was glad f^rof & tuke itt. And 1 f er
come vnto hur iij bysshoppis, when) fai harde tett fat sho had
sucli a relyk, & desyrid? to hafe parte f erof ; & sho lete iij droppis
1 MS. Saynt lolm of Baptiste.
276 43- Wrath to le guarded. 404. Discipline in Life.
of blude dropp) opon) a clothe, & f ai cut it in sender & tuke ilkone
of f aim a drop), and went home ]>erwith & was passyng glad!
lohannis Damasceni. Infra de infamia.
CCCCIII.
4 Ira aliquancfo est dissimulanda.
Valerius tellis how on) a tyme ane arschedekyn) l fat was callid
Carentinus, on) a tyme when) a bondman) of his had grevid hym),
he said 1 on) f is man^r vnto hym) ; " Had I not bene angrecT vnto f e
8 I sulde hafe putt f e vnto grete punyssment." And so he had
levur lefe f e blame vnpunysshid 1 fan) fulfyft f e movyng of his yre.
We rede also of Plato, when) on) a tyme he was grevid 1 agayns his
servand 1 for a tryspas, ffor drede fat he sulde be vengeable & pas
12 mesur, he commytt fe chastiment of his seruancT vnto fe fre liste
of a noder man).
Ire signa. Supra de Correcione, iij.
Irasci new debet iudex corrigendo. Supra de cor-
*6 recc^one, iij.
CCCCIV.
Iracuralus naturaliter eciam solus existens irascitur.
We rede in ( Vitis Pamm ' how som tyme Iper was a brother Ipai
was passand 1 angrie in hym) selfe. So on) a tyme he said 1 vnto hym)
20 selfe ; " pou bodie i & f ou war be fine ane, f ou sulde not be so
ofte movid 1 vnto angrynes." So he went vnto wildernes & liffid be
hym) selfe. & on) a tyme he tuke a little pott & fillid? itt fuft
of watyr, and he turnyd 1 vp fe pott & powrioT it oute. So fe
24 secund 1 tyme he fyllicT it & wex angrie & powrid 1 it oute agayn) ;
and fan) he wex so tene fat he tuke fe vessett & brakk it alt
to gobetti's. And fan) he come vnto hym) selfe & knew fat he was
stiirid? to wratt be a feiid 1 . And fan) he said 1 ; " Lo ! f uff att
1 Harl. MS. archidiaconus Canentinus.
405. An angry Maid,. 406. Jews deceived ly a Clerk. 277
I be be myne ane, neuer-f>e-less I am) ouer-commen) with angrynes."
And f>an) he turnycT agayn) vnto his felashup); for wha? ]>er is
labur & felashup) commonlie Iper is paciens & Goddis helpe.
ccccv.
Iracimdus eciam visibiliter punitur. 4
Cesarius tellis how som tyme \er was a riche mans doghter, and
sho was so angrie ]>at whare at evur sho wa? sho made stryfe
& debate ; & yit sho lete hur selfe holye & sho mott nott restrene
hur tong. So at J?e laste hur happend to dye, & f>ai berid hur in 8
J?e kurk porche. And on) J?e morn) when) folk come vnto j?e kurk,
J?ai saw reke com) oute of hur grafe, & j?ai had mrvetl J>er-of,
& was feroT & opynde it, & keste oute J?e erthe. & J>ai fande
fe vpper halfe of hur bodie to hur navift burnycT clene away vrith xa
fyre, & Ipe lawer partie lay hale, in betokynyng f>at sho was
a clene maydyn) bod yit sho was passancT angrie.
Irreuerencia facta sanctis punitur. Supra de blas-
femia, iij. 16
CCCCVI.
ludei expectantes Messiam per clericum decipiuntur.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme in J>e cetie of London) T a clerk
gatt a lewis doghter with childe ; & he was ferde for grevans
of hur fadur & hur moder, & he gatt hym) a long rede & come on) 20
fe night to f>e watt \>er hur fadur & hur moder lay witAin. & he
put Ipe vpper end 1 of f>e rede in at a hole, & he spaklt in att fe toder
en<T& said 1 ; " O ! ye rightwus folk, in God wele-beluffidTl " & callid 1
faim be Iper names & bad f>aim be merie, for \er doghter had con- 24
seyvicT Messias & yit sho was a mayden). And with Ipat J?e mafD
was estonyoT & askicP his wife if sho hard" fis voyce, and sho said 1
nay ; & f ai made \>er prayers at }>ai myght here it agayn). And
J>e clerke stude stilt & harde faim ; and as he did befo?, he spakk 28
1 Harl. MS. Lorn odon ens/*. Arund. MS. Lomo?n'densis.
U
278 4 7- Catalyses* Judgement.
agayn). And when) f ai hard? hym) f ai war passand 1 fayn), & trowid?
fat it had bene trew ; & vnnethis f ai abade a clay vnto f ai grapid"
"per doghter bodie & fancT at sho was witT* childe. & f ai askid 1 hur
4 how sho conseyvicT, and sho ansswerd 1 as f e clerk had 1 bedyn)
hur, & sayoT; "I wote neuer whefer I be "with childe or nay, bod
I know wele I am) a mayden) & had neu^r at do with man)." And
\er was hur fadur & hur moder so ioyfufi fat onone f e noyse ran)
8 f urgli f e cetie fat \>er doght^r was with childe with Messias. So
tyme come sho sulde be delyver, & Iper come vnto hur many lewis
with grete myrtfi & ioy, & abade to sho war delyver at f ai mot se
what sho had born). And in hur travellyng sho had grete payn),
12 & at f>e laste with grete sorow & crying sho bare a doghter, fat
cryed & grete & made mekytt mornyng. And when) J?ai saw fis
fai aft war confusid 1 passynglie, to so mekift fat ane of faim in
a tene tuke f>is childe be fe legg & threw it agayn) fe watt & killid 1
16 it. et <P.
ludei filius in fornacem missus per beat&m Mariam
est libe?^atus. Supra, de eukaristia.
ludei canonicum accusantes vsum loquer^di perdide-
20 runt. Supra de contricione.
ludei ymagi^em crucifixi verberantes sanguine ex ea
prosiliente conuersi sunt ad Christum. Supra
de cruce.
CCCCVII.
24 ludex iniuste iudicans puniendus est.
Helinandus tellis ! of Cambises, fat was Cyrus 2 f e kyng of Perce
son), when) he had optenyd? his kyngdoin) & fande a iustis fat
had giffen) a wronges eniugement, he comwandid 1 at he sulde
28 be flane, & his son) to be made iustis after hym) ; & at f e sete
at his son) sulcT sitt in for iugement sulde be couerde with his fadir
1 of Cambises added above the line. * MS. Ciri.
4o8. Text and Context. 279
skyn), at he sulde hafe mynde of hys l faders iugement & of Ipe payn)
att he had Jwfo?, and so at he sulde be ferde to giff a fals eniugement.
ludex a ueritate uon debet deuiare propter amici-
ciam 2 . Supra de amicicia. 4
Index debet esse sobrius maxime in potu. Supra,
de abstinencia, vij.
ludex non debet eligi puer. Infra de puero.
ludex non debet constitui pauper vel auarus, vt supra 8
de balliuo.
ludex cito credere new debet. Supra de credere, ij.
ludex veritatem vendere et aliena rapere new debet.
Infra Laurenci}', ij. 12
ludex debet astutus esse in causis obscuris in-
qidrendis. Infra de nmliere.
CCCCVIII.
ludex sine causa reum absoluere new debet.
Cesarius tellis of a bisshop J?at was a holie man) & a devowte, 16
and on) a tyme in Ipe Lentren) he red ow? his psalter, and when) he
come at j>is place in his psalter, " Qitis loquetur potentias Domini,
&uditas [faciet] oranes \audes eiusl 3 '' sodanly-ane of his iustis
come in vnto hyin) and askid 1 hyin) what he sulde do with a man) 20
fat had done a grete cryme & a trispas. And }>is bisshopp) was
futt of mercie and bad hym) spare hyin) for f>e holie tyme. And
with ]>at f>e Iustis turnyd 1 agayn) purposyng to lat hym) go. And
j?e bisshop red on) on) Ipe psalter \>er he lefte, & onone he fande J?is 24
verce, " Beati qui custodiunt iudiciuw et f&ciunt iusticzaw in onwi
tempore, et c 5 ." And with f>is he was flayed 1 as he had bene resoncT
be almighti God. And onone he garte catt fis iustis agayn) &
1 MS. hym). Domino, quoniam in saeculum miseri-
3 MS. amicisiam. cordia eius.
3 This comes after: Confitemini
U 2
280 49- Father and Judge.
said 1 vnto hym) ; " Serche diligentlie f>e cauce & deme hyirD
rightwuslie." And so be )>e voyce of fe prophett he f>at was
giltie loste his lyfe.
CCCCIX.
4 ludex debet esse adeo iustus vt eciam propinquis
delinquewtibws non parcat.
Valerius tellis of one J?at hight Zaleucius ]?at was a iustis.
And on) a tyme hys son) for avowtrie was condempnyd 1 afo? hym)
8 fat bothe his een) sulde be putt oute. And afi J?e cetie wztAstude
it for wurship) of his fadir a grete while, vnto so mykitt he was
evyn) oumsomwen). And at )?e laste, becauce he wolde J>e law war
kepid trewlie & not broken), he garte furst put furtli one of his
i a awn een) for his son), & syne one of his son) een), at his son) sulde not
hafe bothe putt oute. And so be tempmins of a nwvalos evynhed 11 ,
ather of Ipaim loste ane ee. And f>us he shewicT hynD selfe bothe
a rightwus man) of law & a mmsyfuft fadur. et c 9 .
16 ludex debet esse compositus in sensibtts exterioribus.
Supra, de aspectu.
ludici malo frequent er succedit deterior. Supra de
balliuo 2 .
ao Indices 3 freque?iter mutare non expedit. Supra de
balliuo, ij.
ccccx.
ludex bonus now debet differre iusticiam 4 sine
causa rot^'onabili.
24 Helynandus tellis of J>e Emperour Traiane, how on) a tyme when)
he sulde go vnto bateft and lepid opon) his hors, a wedow come
1 Arund. MS. sibiqwe mirabili equi- 2 MS. balneo.
tati8teraperamewto,8emisericordtepa- ' MS. ludeces.
hrem et iustum legislatore?n ostendit. * So Lat. MSS. Eng. MS. causam.
4io. Trajan admonished. 411. Divine Mysteries. 281
& tuke hym) be fe fute; & with grete sorow & lamentacion) sho
prayed" hym) at sho mott hafe right of f aim at had slayn) hur son)
wronguslie. And sho said 1 ; "Sur! fou reingnes as emperowr,
& whi lattis fou me suffer fis fowle eniurie 1 " And he said 1 he 4
sulde make it to be amendid 1 when) he come agayn) ; and sho askid 1
hym) how sho sulde do & he neuer come agayn), and he said 1 his
successur sulde make hur to be asethidl And sho askid 1 hym) how
scho sulde know fat ; " and if he do/' sho said 1 , " whatt wifl fat 8
profett the ? And if no man) make me a sethe, yit Ipou erte dettur
vnto me, & fou mon) be rewardicTaftir f i warkis. And f i successur
is bon) for the, bod a noder mans rightwusnes sail not delyvir f e
for fat at fou sulde hafe done fine awn) selfe." And with fies 12
wurdis f is Emperour Traiane was somwhat movid 1 & lightid 1 of his
hors, and in his awfi) person) he exsamynd 1 f e wedous cauce, & he
comfurthid 1 hur & made hur to hafe a due satisfaccion) for hur
hurte. 1 6
CCCCXI.
ludicia Dei frequenter sunt occulta.
lacobus de Vetnaco tellis how som tyme f er was ane hennett
fat was tempicT with f e spiritt of blasfemyng, vnto so mek[ill] l
he thoght in his awn) myncT fat f e domys of Almi^tti God wer nott 20
rightwus, fat sufferd 1 synners & iff men) to hafe prospertie &
welefar of fis warlde, & gude men) & rightwus to hafe disease
& tribulation). And f er apperid 1 vnto hym) ane angeft on) a tyme
in a mans liknes, & said 1 vnto hym) ; " Folow me & f ou salt se f e 24
privay lugementtr's of almijtti God 1 ." So f ai come vnto a gude
mans hows fat herbercT f aim al nyght 2 , & made f aim gude chere.
& on) f e morn) when) f ai went, f e aungett stale f e sylucr copp)
at f ai dranke of, & tuke it with hym) ; whilk cop f e gudeman) luffid 28
beste of any thyng fat he had 1 . And f ai wente f er wayse, & on
f e nexte nyg[fa] f ai herberd 1 with ane ilt man) & a wykkid 1 , whare
f ai wer reseyvid wtt^ iS witt & fure ilt. And f e copp) at he tuke
fro f e toder man), f e angett gaff fiym) itt. And fis hermett thoght 3 3
1 MS. raekyng. a MS. repeat^ wiih gude chere.
282 4 J 2. A. Choice of Chests.
ill Iper-with, bod he sayde noght. And on) f e iij nyght f ai wer
hostid at a gudemans howse pat reseyvid 1 f aim with gude wift
& made f aim wele at fare. And on) f e morn) he sent a servand 1
4 of hys furtli with f aiw to teche f aim f e way, & when) f ai war aft
on) a bryg fis aungeft keste fis mans s^rvand 1 our 1 fe bryg &
drownyd 1 hym). And fis hermett saw & had grete mervayle Iper-of
& yit he said 1 noght ; and on) f e iiij nyght f ai war herberd 1 in
8 a gude mans howse & had grete chere. And he had a yong childe
fat wepicT aft nyght & wolde nott lat f aim slepe, and fis aungeft
rase vp) & wrathe f e nekk in-sonder f m>ff. And when) f e hmnett
saw aft fis, he thoght fat he wolde sodanlie stele away & lefe hym),
12 & trowicT }>at he had bene rather ane aungeft of }>e devutt fan) off
GooT. And fan) f e aungeft bad hym) abyde, & sayde vnto hym) ;
" Almi3tti God sent me vnto f e at I mot shew f e His privay
domys. The furste man) at reseyvid vs so wele, luffid fat copp)
16 abown) all of er thyngis ; f e?-fo? I tuke it fro hym) for his gude, &
gaff it vnto hym) at reseyvicT vs with itt will, at he may resayfe his
mede in f is werlde. And our thrid oste servancT fat I drownycT,
he was purposicf als tite as he had commefD home, to hafe slayn) his
ao maister. And so I delyverd?our gude oste fro dead', & f e toder fro
mansslaghter, at his punyssment myght be les in heft. And our
iiij hoste, befor he had a childe, did grete almos dede, bod als sone
as his childe was born), he withdrew his hand 1 , & foght to be
24 covatus & gadir gudes vnto his childe. And f erfo? I hafe taken)
fro hym) f e cauce of his covatice, at he may be as he was befor\
And f e saule of f e innocent childe I hafe putt in Paradice." And
when) f e hermett hard 1 fis, he thankid 1 God? & tuke his lefe at
38 f e aungeft ; & fro thens furth he was delyverd 1 fro al maner of suche
temptacion).
CCCCXII.
Indicium humanum. ludicantes secundum apparen-
ciam exteriorem frequenter decipiuntur ; vt
32 patet.
Som tyme ]>er was a kyng, & he garte make iiij kistis of tre.
And ij of faim he nllicT fuft of stynkand 1 bauys of dead folk, & he
413- Judgement to be restrained. 283
garte cover f aim clene abown) with platis of golde ; & f e toder ij
he fillict 1 full of fyne precious stonys ; & enoyntid" f aim wMoute
with pykk & tarr. And fan) he callicT aforn) hym) all f e wyse
men) of his cownceH, and askicT f aim whilk of f ies war moste 4
wurthie. And fai said 1 f ase at war coverd 1 with golde, & f e toder
fai reprovid & sett at noght. And fan) f e kyng sayd 1 ; " I wiste
wele ye walde say so." & fan) he commawndid 1 at oppyn) f ies
kystis at war gilticT; & so fai war, & far come oute of faim g
a fowle stynke & ane iff. And fan) fe kyng said 1 ; "This is
a figur of f aim fat er cled withoute with gay aray, and witAin er
full of syn) & ill dedys." And he garte oppyn) f e toder, and fer
come oute a swete smell at all men) myght fele. And fan) fe 12
kyng sayde, " This is a figur of f aim fat er cled with feble clothis
withoute, & within hase a grete fayrnes in f er sawle, & er full of
gude warkis."
ludicare new de&ent religiosi seculares. Infra de 16
religiosis et supra de Basilic.
CCCCXIII.
ludicandum non est de proximis eciara peccatoribus.
We rede in ' Legenda lohawnis Elemosinarij ' of a yong man) fat
ravisshid a non). And when) clerkis broght f is man) befo? Johannes 20
Elemosinarius, fai reprovid 1 hym) & said 1 he was wurthi to be cursid?
as he fat had slayn) ij sawlis, fat was to say, bothe his & hurs.
And fis holie man), lohn), snybbicT f aim, & said 1 ; "Not so brether,
not so ! ffor I sail shew you ye do ij synys ; ifurst ye do agayns f e 24
commandment of God 1 fat sais ; ' Nolite iudicare.' And f e secuncT,
[ye wote noght l ] whethir fai forthynk f er syfD & hafe done penans
f erfo? or noght, nor whethir fai contynue in syn) to fis day or noght."
ludicium plurimorwra aliquando comprobatur. Infra 28
de suspictone.
ludicando aggrauantes facta aliorwra aliquando eciam
visibik'to puniuntur. Supra de contricione, iij.
1 Harl. MS. " secundo, quia nescitis pro certo si usqe hodie peccewt aut
peniteant."
284 4 I 4- The Lay of Doom. 415. Divine Messengers.
ludiciura medicorwm de infirmis frequenter new
evenit. Supra de Basilic, ij.
CCCCXIV.
ludicij vltimi aduentum incertum est hominibus
4 quantum ad tempus.
We rede of a husbandman) f>at on) a tyme went fro home, & he
lefte behyncFhym) to kepe his place iij servandis, and he tolde none
of Jmiw when) he wolde com home. So emang fies iij servandis
8 ]>er movicT a question) of fe comwiyng home of Iper maister, when) it
sulde be. And one said 1 he wolde com) home sone, & Ipe secund 1
said 1 nay, it wolde be lang or he come home. And Je iij said 1 ;
" Forsuthe I wote neuer when) he will com) home." And so it is
12 certayn) at fe thrid said 1 Ipe moste trew. And so it is of fe laste
day, Ipe day of dome ; we wote wele it mon) com), bod we wote
neuer when), nor what tyme.
CCCCXV.
ludicium vltimum debet timeri.
16 We rede of a kyng fat travelcTbe Ipe way wiih his baronage in a
gay kyngis charyott. So hym) happend to mete ij men) cled in
hevie clothyng, whilk fat war itt hewicT, & had pale facis, and f e
kyng come down) oute of his chariott & wurshuppid 1 f>aim. And
20 his baronage tuke it to ill, & be Iper cowncelt his bruther resoncT
hym) f>erfo?. And in ]mt realm) Ipis was f>e custoin), J>at vnto
J>e yate of hym) J>at sulde be iugied vnto dead 1 , sulde Ipe kyngis
messanger be sent befoi*, to make ane oyas. And when) J?ai come
24 home Ipe kyng garte Ipat be done befo? his bruther yate. And fat
done, his bruther & his wife & his childer come in a mornyng
clothyng vnto f>e kyng, wepancT & makand 1 sorow. And fan) Ipe
kyng spak vnto his bruther & saycT; " 0, foil fule ! If J?ou hafe
28 dred J?e bedell of j?i bruther, whome J>ou knowis lp on trispasid 1 nojt
vnto, how durste fou take on) hand 1 to chalange me becauce
I mekencT me befo? fe bedels & Ipe messangiers of attmighti God 1
4 1 6. Saint Julian. 285
whome fat I know fat I hafe grevid 1 many tymys & ofte, and fat
grevuslie 1 "
ludicio vltimo redditur racio de ommbus. Supra,
de episcopo, et infra de risu e de mercatore. 4
ludicio vltimo reddetwr cuih'&et iuxZa opera sua 1 .
CCCCXVI.
luliani Confessoris.
We rede how fat when) Saynt Lilian) was a yong man) & went
on) huntyng, he pursewid 1 on) a tyme after a harte. & f is harte 8
tarnyd agayn) & spak vnto hym), & sayd 1 ; "Thow fat mon) sla
bothe f i fadir and f i moder, whar-to pursewis f ou me ? " And
he had grete wonder here-of, and becauce f is sulde not happyn)
hym), he went away oute of a fer contreth & servicT a wurthi 12
prince : & he made hym a knyght and gaff hym) a warde, a grete
gentylwomman), vnto his wife. And his fadur & his moder at
home, hafyng grete sorow fat he was gone oute of f e contrey
fro faim, went & soght hym) many mylis. So on) a tyme when he 16
was furthe, be a sodan) cace faim happynd" to com) vnto his castelt.
And be wurdis at fai said 1 fer, his wyfe vnderstude at fai war fadir
& moder vnto hur husband, be aft fe proces at sho had hard*
hur husband say. And when) scho had made faim wele to fare, 20
sho laid 1 faim samew in hur awn) bedd 1 ; and fis luliafi) come home
sodaulie in f e mornyng & wente vnto his chambr*, & fancT faim
ij s&men in f e bed 1 . And he, trowyng fat it had bene one fat had
done avowtry vfiih his wyfe, he slew faim bothe and went his 24
ways. & he mett his wife fro f e kurkward) and sho tolde hym)
how his fadir & his moder was commefD, & how sho had layd 1 faim
in hur awn) bedd". And fan) he began) to wepe & make sorow,
& said 1 ; " Lo ! fat at fe harte said 1 vnto me, now I a sarie wriche 28
hafe fulfillid 1 itt." & fan) he went oute of centre & did 1 penans, &
his wyfe wolde neuer forsake hym). & f er fai come vnto a grete
watir, fer many war perisschid 1 , and fer he byggicT a grete hostre ;
1 A Tale of Silvanus in illustration omitted from the English MS.
286 4 J 7- DeUs forsworn. 418. St. Peter merciful.
& aft fat eu<?r come he herbard 1 f aim, & had f aim ouer f is watyr.
And f is he vsyd a lang tyme. So on a nyght aboute mydnyght,
as he lay in his bed and it was a grete froste, he hard 1 a voyce cry
4 petifullie, & saycT; " lulian) ! com) & feche me ow?, I pray the !"
And he rase onone & went ou? f e watir, & f er he fand a man) fat
was nerehand frosyn) to dead?, and he had hym) ou?, & broght hym)
into his howse & refresshid 1 hym), & laid 1 hym) in his awn) bed 1
8 & happid hym). And wttAin a little while he fat was in f e bed 1 ,
fat semycT seke & like a leppre, ascendid vnto hevyn) & saycf
on) f is maner of wyse ; " lulyan) ! Almighti God hase reseyvicT
f i penans. And wit^-in a little while ye bothe shaft com) vnto
i 2 Hym)." And with fat he vanysshioT away, et c 5 .
CCCCXVII.
luramento aliquos compellere non est bonum.
We rede how on) a tyme a gude, trew, innocent man) lent vnto
one of his neghburs a certan) fing, & when) he woloT hafe had
16 it agayn) he said? he had borowid?none swilk on) hyni), & wolde nott
giff hym) it agayn). And he was co/ra.pellicT to swe? ferfo?, &
sware; & fus fe gude, trew man) loste it. So vppon) fe same
nyght fis man) was ravisshicP vnto fe dome of Almighti God 1 .
20 And he was askicT on) f is maner of wyse ; " Whi hase f ou made
yone man) to swe? ane athe whilk fou knew was a fals athe ? "
And he ansswerd? agayn) & said?; " For he gaynsaioTme fe fing fat
I lent hym)." And fan) f e iustis said vnto hym) ; " It had bene
24 bettir to f e to hafe loste f i f ing f an) for to lat hym) lose his saule."
And f er f e iustis comma wndid 1 fat for his truspas he sulde be bett.
And with fat he wakend? & grapycT his bakk, & it was passand
sare & fuft of yeddyrs & wowndis as he had bene betyn). And f us
28 his trispas, after he was f us amendicT, was forgiffen) hym).
CCCCXVIII.
lurare supra reliqtdas sanctorum falsum est
periculosum.
We rede how som) tyme ij men) war at debate, & fat grete ; and
32 f e iustis cuthe nott witt whethir of faira was gyltie. And he
419- Trajan s Justice. 420. Of Erkenwaldus. 287
broght faiw bothe vnto ane altar & garte faim purge faiw be \>er
athe. And he besoght }>Q apostett at aght J>e altar to send hym)
som) takyn) fat he mot knaw f e treuthe. And when) he f att was
giltie sware *, he began) to wax all seke & ill at ease. And fe 4
iustis purseyvid 1 it, & he said 1 ; " Owder is f is gude aposteH Petur
passand mmjefutt, or els he differs fis martyr. And fsrfo?,"
he said, "we will go vnto Pancrace grafe." And when) he fat
was gyltie sware on) Pancrace grafe, he wold 1 hafe takyS) his hand 1 8
away bod he myght nott, bod it held 1 hym) still. & with-in a little
while after, Iper he swelte. et c 5 . And so yit vnto f is day in fat a
contrey f>ai swe? yit vppon) Saynt Pancras tombe, and any Jring be
in varyans emang j^aim. l3
luliani Apostate. Infra de sancto et de signo de
vindicta et de vsu.
lusticia aliquancfo temperanda est. Supra de ludice,
iij. 16
lusticie execucio non debet differri sine causa.
Supra de iudice, iiij.
CCCCXIX.
lustitia eciam in proprio filio debet excerceri.
We rede how on) a tyme, when) a son) o Traiaiie rade prowdlie 20
furgh )?e cetie, hym) happencT of raklesnes with his hors to kyll
a wedow son) ; and ]?e wedow with mekiH sorow [cow?)] & tellid 1
Traian) Ipe Emperour. And he gaff )?e wedow in-stede of hur son)
his son), \>ai had done hur J?e trispas, and magnified 1 hur with riche 24
giftis.
ccccxx.
lusticia eciam exerceri debet in propriis parentibws.
Herkenwaldus s tellis of ane fat hight Bormar, fat was a noble
man) and a myghti, & in dome he sett by no man). So on) a tyme 28
1 Arund. MS. et mchil mali passiz* defert."
esset, iudex, eiws malicie cowsciws, 2 MS. )>an.
exclainauit; " Senior iste Petnts aitt 8 MS. Harl. Herkyndaldw* de
nimis inis^icors es, aut iunioribas Bornayrc, vir nobilis, etc.
288 42O. Erkenwaldus.
he feft seke & lay in his bed in his chambre, and as he lay he hard 1
in f e nexte chainb? by hym) grete cryingzs as it had bene of
wommen). And he spurrid 1 what it was & f ai wold 1 not tett hym).
4 And fan) he sent one of his childer fedur and warnycf hym), a payn)
of puttyng oute of bothe his een), to tett hym) f e treuth. And fan)
he went & saw it & coin) agayn), & with grete drede tellicThyfn)
what it was & said 1 ; " Sur ! my felow, your sister son), wold 1 Iper
8 hafe oppresid 1 a womwan) & defowlid 1 hur, and f is was f e cauce of
fe cry." And at fis wurd 1 he was gretely grevid 1 , and bad ij
of his knyghtis go & hang hym). And f ai said 1 f ai sulde, and went
furtfi & tolde f e yong man) what his earn) had bydden) f aim doo.
i a And fai bad hym) withdraw hym) oute of his earn) sight at he saw
hym) not, & fai sulde tett hym) at fai had done as he bad f aiw do j
for fai durst not sla fis yong man). And with-in a few howris fai
come agayn) vnto Iper maister, & tolde hyin) fai had done as he
16 comwanddid 1 faiw. And vppon) fe fifte day after fis yong man),
trowyng jmt his earn) had forgetten) f>is trispas, putt oppyn) J>e
chamb?-dure & lukid 1 in. And onone as J?is seke man) saw hynD, he
callid 1 hym) vnto hym) & gaff hym) fayr language, & made hym)
20 to sitt down) by hym). And sodanlie with his one arm) he gatt
hym) aboute f>e nekR, & held 1 hym) ; & with J?e toder arm) he drew
his knyfe & shewicT it in his throte & kyllid 1 hym). And aft Ipat
was aboute wondrecT tyrof & vgged Iperwith. So his sekenes
24 swagict 1 a littytt, & fan) he sent for }>e bisshop) Herkenwaldus *, and
he come with J>e sacrament & shrafe hym), & howseld? hym) not 2 . &
he made grete sorow & had grete contricion) in his harte for
his syn). And in his confession) he spak no wurd 1 of }>e slayng
28 of his cussyn). And }>e bisshop had grete m^rvatt ferof, & said 1 ;
" Whi layn) ye J?e mansslaghter of your cussyn) at ye slew ? " And
he ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " Sur, was fat a syn) 1 " & f e bisshop
said 1 , ya, it was a cruett syn). And f e seke man) ansswerd 1 agayn)
3 3 & said 1 ; " I am) a lustis & hafe f e law in gouernans, & nowder
I deme it a syn), nor I witt neuer aske God forgifnes f erof." pan)
1 Harl. MS. Episcopws uocatwscuw omma peccata, sua confessus
sacris aduenit. Herbinbaldtw, cum tacita iuuewis interfec^one.
multis lac?nmi.s ct cordis contrictiwe, 8 MS. not added above the line.
421. Strictness of the Premonstratensians. 289
f e bisshopp) ansswer(T& said 1 ; " I wilt neuer gyff you fie sacrament
or ye shryfe you feroff." fan) fis lustis anssweid 1 hym) agayn)
& said 1 ; "Now ex rancore, sed ex zelo iusticie et Eei timore ilium
interfeci ; I slew hym) not of ranker nor of il will, bod for luff of 4
rightwusnes & drede of God ; ffor f er was neuer man) luffid 1 his
sister son) bettyr fan) I did 1 hym). And fer-for & ye deny me
f e holi sacrament fat is Goddis bodie, I betake bothe my body &
my saule vnto fat holie sacrament, fat is God Hym) selfe." And 8
f us f e bisshop went away & wulde not howsyft hym). And oiione
after, f is seke man) sent for hym) agayn). And when) he come att
hym), f is seke man) bad hym) luke in his box if f e sacrament war
\>er. And so he did & fande rijt not fmn. pan) fis seke man) 12
said vnto hym) ; " Lo ! fat at ye denyed me, Almijtti God Hym)
selfe hase giffen) me & not denyed me." And with fat he oppynd 1
his mouthe, & f ai mot se f e sacrament f erin ; and fan) he dyecT.
And fan) fe bisshopp) was ferd 1 & had grete sorow herefo?, & 16
pr^chid 1 fis in euer-ilk place for a grete meracle.
CCCCXXI.
luuentus facit homines diligenter mulieres
considerare.
We rede of a profeste of f e ordur of Premonstracence, on) a tyme 20
as he rade with a yong man), a bruther of his howse, f aiwi happencT
to mete a fayr yong damysell ; & fis profeste stoppicT his hors
& haylsid 1 hur honestelie, & sho stude stitt & lowtid 1 vnto hym)
& thankicT hym). And when) sho was passid 1 f aim a littyll, fis 24
profeste f oght he wold 1 prufe fis yong man) & said 1 vnto hym) ;
" Me f oght fis was a passand fayr maydyn)." & fis yong mafD
ansswerd 1 & said 1 , so f oght hym). And fan) f e profest said 1 agayn) ;
" A thyng difformys hur hugelie, fat is sho hase bod one ey." 28
And f e yong man) said 1 ; " Sur, forsuthe sho hase bothe hur ene,
ffor I behelde hur graythelie." And fan) fe profest said 1 vnto
hym); "And I sail considur fi bakk, ffor fou sulde be of so
mekytt symeplenes, & fou met a womman) fou sulcT not luke 32
whefer sho had bothe hur een) or bod f e tane." And fan) he
290 422. Charles the Great.
turnycT agayn) vnto his monasterie & said 1 vnto his brethir ; " Ye
repruvicT me for I take no yong men) furth with me." And fan) he
tellicT f aim f e cauce, & snybbid 1 f is yong man) & chastid 1 hym) for
4 his truspas.
luuenes puelle pulcritudmem corporalem abscondere
debent. Infra de temptacione et supra de
abscondere.
s luuenis ncm debet prefici mulierib'ws. Supra de
carne.
CCCCXXII.
Karolus. De statura et vita Karoli regis.
This kyng Charlis was of a fay? statur, for he was viij fute long
12 & wele shapyn) & awfuH to sight; & he was passand 1 large of
renys, & he was clenlie bothe in bely & in armys & had grete
theis ; & he was a passand? wyse knyght & a bitter & strong
of lyinX & his face was in lenthe oderhalfe palme (and 1 his berd"
jg a fute long), & his nese emyddiste f erof & halfe fat lentft. & his
fored? was a fute long, and he had eefi) like a lyofi) fat shane
as a precious stane, and his browis was a palm) brede. And if he
had bene wrathe & lukid 1 on) a man) he wolde hafe flayed 1 hym)*
j And his gyrdyft was viij fute lang wztA-oute fat at hang. And he
etc bod littyl brede, bod at ans he wolde ete a quarter of a weddur,
or ij hennys, or a guse, or a swyne shulder, or a pacok, or a crane,
or a hale hare. And he wolde drynk bod esy wyne, bod if it war
24 medlicT with watir. & he was of suche strenthe fat, at a strake
with his swercP, he wald 1 cut in sender ane armyd knyght syttand
on) a hors fro f e crown) of )?e hede vnto J>e sole of J?e fute, & his
hors als ; and he wolde lightlie breke iiij hors shone at ans, and
28 he wolcTlifte eselie to his hede ane armyd knyght stondyng on) J?e
luff of his hand 1 . And" he bare tables with hym) fat he bare alt his
actis in. And he drank bod seldom) mo? fan) thrise at his meat.
And he luffid 1 wele to ride and bere armys, and he made his
32 doghters to be clothe-makers, & for to lere at spyn) on) f e rokk, at
fai sulde nott be ydilJ. And at Coleyn) he garte byg ij briggis
423. St. Katharines Finger. 424. St. Katharine grieved. 291
ou? Ipe watir of Reine. And when) he come to Rome he wold 1 light
a myle w^tA-oute Ipe town), & go vnto Ipe cetie apon) his fute, & kys
ener-ilk kurk dure, & giff grete rewardis vnto euer-ilk kurk. And
he dely vercT Ipe Holie Lande oute of Saracens handw, and come fro 4
thens-ward be Constantynople ; and he broght thens many wurthi
relikkw, Ipat is to say, parte of ]>e crown) of ou? Lord 1 , whilk f>at
florisshicT in his syght, and ane of fe naylis \>ai our Lord 1 was
naylicT vnto J>e cros with, and His suclarie, & ou? Ladie sarke, and 8
Saynt Symeon) arm). And aft f>ies he putt in a kurk of our Ladye
J>at he byggid", and he fowndid 1 & byggicT als many abbays as f>er
was lettrea in J>e Abce. And in eur-ilk one of )miw he lefte
a letter of golde. And at J>e laste, when) his son) Lowis was 12
crownycf, he was full of gude werkw & decesid 1 , and was bericl 1
at Aquis Granttm in a kurk of our 1 Ladye fat he byggicT. And yit
or he dyed 1 he callid 1 samen all his prelattis, & gaff jmim all his
tresurs to distribute f>aim whai* Ip&im foght nede emang }>er 16
kurkis.
CCCCXXIII.
Katerine Yirginis.
Som tyme Iper come a monk of Rothomagence vnto Ipe monkes &
Ipe abbay }mt is on) Ipe Mownte of Synay, and Iper he abade in serves 20
of God & Saynt Katryn) vij yere. And he was a passand devoute
man) ; and he prayed evur vnto Saynt Katryn) at he mott hafe
som) relykk of hur bonys. And sodanlie, as he satt at his prayers,
\>er was putt in his hand?, at he wiste nevur how come, hur little 2 4
fynger ; and he thankid 1 God ferof, & Saynt Katryn), & had it
home vnto his monastme, and Iper it is wurshuppicT vnto f>is day.
CCCCXXIV.
Iterum de Sancta, Katerina.
We rede of a man) J?at was passand devoute vnto Saynt Katryn), 28
& made his prayers speciallie vnto hur l a long while & besoght
hur to helpe hym). So afterwerd 1 he forgatt hur, & made nott his
1 MS. hym).
292 4^5- -^ Montis Watching. 426. Reward by Footsteps.
prayers nor his offrancT vnto hur, nor did hur nott wurshup) as he
was wunte to doo, bod cesid? Iperoff. So on) a tyme as he was
in his prayers he feft on) slepe, and hym) foght f>at he saw in
4 a vision) a grete multitude of virgyns goyng on) a raw by hyffD.
And emang f aim ane Ipat was passancT shynancT & fayr forby aft J?e
toder, when) sho come nere hym) sho covercT hur face f>at he sulde
not Be hur, and so sho passicT away by hym) & he mot se all }?e
8 toder facis bod hurs. And he had grete merveft what sho was at
shynyd 1 so forbe aft fe toder, & hid hur face Ipat he sulde not se
hur. And one of paiw, when) he spurryd what sho was, tolde hym)
at sho was Katryn), whilk pat he was wunte to know & to do
12 wurshup) to. "And becauce," sho said; "at fou base now
forgettyn) hur & giflfes none almos-dede in wurshup) of hur, nor
malu's no prayer vnto hur nor wurshuppis her no3t as J>ou was
wunte to do, perfo? sho covers hur face when) sho passis by the, att
1 6 J>ou sulde nott know what sho was becauce fou had forgetten)
to know hur." et &.
CCCCXXV.
Labor manuum est necessarius.
Arsenius aft his life-tyme he vsicT at sitt & wurk a crafte with
20 his handis, & he had evur so mekift poght of pe Passion) of ou?
Lord", J>at he had alway in his bosom) a clothe to wype his ene
with, he wepid? so when) he thoght j^ronX And aft fe night
he wolde be in his prayers & slepe nott, & in f>e mornyng when)
24 he was wery for wakyng & liste slepe, fan) he walde say f>us ;
" Com), pou vnthrifti servancT, slepe ! " And so sittand 1 he wold 1
elepe a while, and fan) onone he wolde rise & say ; " Itt sufficis
vnto a monk, & he had neuer so grete labur, to hafe a nyght slepe
28 ans in a yere, or ilk nyght to hafe ane how? slepe."
CCCCXXVI.
Laborem in present! Deus reddet in future, et qwanto
plus laborauenmt, tanto magis merentur. et c 9 .
We rede of ane hermet f>at dwelte in wildernes, and f>e watir
32 was passand far? fro his ceft. And on) a tyme as he went for
427- <& Mary's Sorrow. 428. &7, P0^ rf//? Hermit. 293
watir he wex irk, & sett hym) down) & said 1 ; "Whatt nedis me
}>us to labur when) I may dwell harde be f e watir & I will ? "
And alssone he was war of a man) fat folowed after hym) & tellid 1
his fute-steppis, and he askicT hym) & said 1 ; " What erte f ou 1 " 4
And he said 1 agayn) ; " I am) f e aungeft off God sent for to nowmer
fi fute-steppis, at f i mede may a noder day be rewardid vnto
fe after fat fi labur is." And fan) fis hermett wiih a strong
wytt removid 1 his cell v myle ferrer fro f e watir. et (>. 8
CCCCXXVII.
Lacrimam habundancia multum valet ad
compassionew.
On a day when) Sanct-d [Maria] de Oginiez l satt f inkancT of Ipe
benefice of Almighti God, how largelie he gaff faim vnto mans ia
kynd 1 , sho tuke suche a cowipunccion) & felt opon) suc^ a wepyng,
fat as sho went abowte in f e kurk men) mot hafe folowcT hur
steppis be f e confluens of f e teris of hur een) fat fell down) on) f e
payment, vnto so mekull fat a long tyme sho mot nowder luke on) 16
f e crucifyx nor speke, nor yitt here no noder speke, of f e Passion)
of Criste, fatten) evur sho fell in swone as sho had bene dead 1 .
& f erfo? to restrene hnr wepyng sho lefte thynkyng of f e manhede
of Criste & toke hur to vmbethynkyng of His godded 1 , at be f inkyng 20
f erof sho mott take a comfurth. Nevur-f e-les hur wepyng was
evur mo? & more when) sho thoght of His godhed, als mekull as it
was when) sho thoght of His manhede. And fus hur sorow was
renewid 1 and hur sawle prikkid 1 vriih a swete compunccion). et c 2 . 2 4
CCCCXXVIII.
Laborare debet monachus vt cogitaciones malas
euadat.
Paulus Heremita, fat was a moste provid man) emang aide
fadurs, on) a tyme when) he lifficT in wildrenes, & had bod esi fude 28
bod of f e frute of f e palm) tre, and if he wroght oght wit& his
handis no man) wolde giff hyifD noght f erfo? becauce he was so fer
fro townys & no man) come nere hym), becauce he wold 1 somwyse be
1 MS. Scwc/a Deogiuiez.
X
294 4^9- ty. Mary of Oignies.
occupyed 1 ilka day, he walcF gaddur samew, a grete meneya of palme-
levis & bryn) faim, in exsample Ipat he did soin) bodele labur for
his sustentacion) ; provand be fatt a monk myght not be in
4 a place wit^-oute laboryng vriih his handis, or els he mot not
esskape many ilt thoghtis & vnthrifti. et c 5 .
CCCCXXIX.
Lacrimarwm impetus retineri non possunt quia
flante spiritu vehement! fluunt aque.
8 On a day befo? fe Glide Fryday, l Maria de Oginiez, when)
Ipe passion) of Aftmyghti God neghid nere, sho foght sho wold 1
suffer a passion) hur selfe in wurshup) of His passyon) ; and sho
feft vpon) a grete wepyng & a sorow & a syghyng ferfo?. And so
1 2 as sho sat fus wepand in fe kurk, a preste come to hur & blamycT
hur & bad hur lefe hur wepyng & say hur prayers in sylens. And
sho, knowyng wele enogh at sho mot not forbere wepyng, rase vpp)
& went furth of fe kurk and hid hur in a privay place far thens ;
16 & \>er sho wepid 1 & besoght Almighti God in hur prayers J>at
he wolde shew vnto Jris preste Jat a man) may not restren) hyin) fro
wepyng when) it flewis vppon) be grace of Ipe Holie Gaste. And
on) a day as f>is preste was att mes, be prompyng of Ipe Holie Gaste
20 he fell on) suche a wepyng fxzt he was nerehancT strangled \>er-vrith.
And ay Ipe mare at he laburd 1 to i estrene hym) f>e more he wepyd 1 ,
vnto so mekuft at nott alonelie hyin) selfe, bod also his buke & att
J>e altar 1 clothis war aH bod water with his wepyng. And after-
34 warcTfis holie maydyn) come vnto J?is preste and teld 1 hyin) afi J>is
als playnlie as sho had sene it hur awn) selfe, & said 1 vnto hym) ;
" Now ye hafe lernyd? be exp^riens fat a man) may not witA.-draw
hyin) fro wepyng for J>e passyon) of Almighti God 1 , when) he thynkys
28 feron) & is movid Iperto be the Holie Gaste."
Lacrime contricionis impetrantur orationibits san-
ctQYum. Infra de Om^one.
Laicus non debet stare in choro et audire diuina.
32 Supra Ambrosij.
1 MS. has another when) here.
43- Satan as Host. 431. St. MacJiarius. 295
ccccxxx.
Lantgrauiws Lowicus.
We rede how fat f is Lantgrauius Lowicus was a passand 1 grete
tyrand 1 and a mysdoer. And agayn) fat he sulde dye he com-
mawndid 1 f aim at was aboute hym) fat als ty te as he was dead 1 f ai 4
sulde clethe hym) in a monkw cowle of f e Ceustus ordur, hod not
or he war dead 1 ; & so fai did 1 . And when) he was so cled, one of
his knyghtis lukicT opoii) hym) & said 1 f us in skorn) ; " Lo ! hym)
f is is not now like my lord? in aft his virtues, ffor he was a wurthi 8
knyght, & now he is a passand 1 gude monke & kepis his sylence
passand wele." So his sawle was broght vnto f e prince of Heft
syttand 1 opon) f e pytt bra, & he held 1 a copp) in his hand 1 & said 1
vnto hyfn); " Welcom), ou? wele-belufid 1 frend 1 ! Shew hym)," he 12
said 1 , " your chawmers ! " And belife was shewid 1 hym) alt f>e
paynys. And fan) he sayd 1 vnto hym) agayn) ; " Drynk, frend 1 ,
of my copp) ! " And f uf aft he war not l welewillicT f erto, yit
he was compellicTto drynk ; and als sone as he had done Iper come 16
oute stynkkand flawmys oute of his ene, his nease-thrillis, & his
eris. And after f is he said 1 vnto hym) ; " Now f ou saft se my pitt
fat is w^tAouten) bothomV' And belife it was opynd 1 & he casten)
fmn. 20
Latroni possimt adaptari que supra, dicuntur de
ffure, et infra de predone et raptore.
Laudacto. Laudant multi aliquem in comparactowe
alte?ius. St*pra de comparacione. 2 4
CCCCXXXI.
Laudem appetur^t aliqui de bonis operibus.
We rede how on) a tyme, when) a man) spirrid 1 Macharius whi
he sufferd 1 so mekuft honger in wyldernes, fat 2 mot wekelie hafe
1 Not omitted, and added above the ebdomatfis integris abstines now
line. sensisse esuriem.
2 Harl. MS. qui in monastmo
X 2
296 43 2 - M. Laurence and St. StepJien.
byddyn) in his abbay & suffred no honger, he ansswerd 1 agayn)
& said 1 ; " For here is no wittnes of \>\ faste fat sulde nurisst
fe wtt/i lovyng, nor at mot susteyn) fe. And Iper mans serves
4 & refresshyng of a vayn) glorie makis f e fatt."
Laudem nolunt aliqui acqmrere per facta enormia.
Infra de memoria.
Laudes adulatoris contempmmt sapientes. Supra
s de adulacione.
Laudem fugiunt aliqui ne in ea dilectentur. Infra
de vanitate.
CCCCXXXII.
Laurencij Martiris.
12 We rede in * I^egenda Lombardica,' of Eusodia fat was doghter
vnto Theodose f e Empenwr, how sho was vexid 1 -with a fend 1 , and
was had vnto Constantynople to fe body of Saynt Stephan to
be curid! And fis fend? spak wttftin hur & said 1 ; " I will not pas
1 6 oute on) hur bod if Stephan com) to Rome, for so it is f e apostels
witt." And so, be f e consent of f e pope & f e Emperou?, J?e bodie
of Saynt Stephan was sent vnto Rome be f>e Grekis, -with counand
at }>ai suld 1 bryng vnto Constantynople J>e bonys of Saynt Laurens.
ao And when) J>ai come at Rome wit/* hym) & sett down) his bodie in
ecclesia Sancti Petri ad Umcwla, fase at sulde bere hym) myght
gett hym) no ferrer. And f>an) fis fend 1 cryed agayn) in Ipe maydyfd
& sayd 1 ; "Ye labur in vayn), for he hase not chosyn) his seate
24 here, bod att his bruther Laurens." And f>ai bare J>e bodye
thedur, & onone )?e maydyfD was hale. And Saynt Laurens, as he
had bene ioyfutt of his bruther commyng, remowicFhym) vnto f>e ta
side of f>e sepulc?, & left Ipe toder syde voyde vnto his bruther. And 1
28 ]?an) )?e Grekis putt Iper handis to take Saynt Laurence away,
& f>ai feft down) vnto J?e erth as Jai had bene fonde. And w^tA-in
x dayes after ]?ai war all dead 1 . And fan) a voyce was harde
in Rome ]mt sayde ; " O, felix Roma ! et c 5 . ! f>ou happy Rome,
32 fat sparris bothe in a grafe J>e bodie of Saynt Laurens J>e Hyspany,
& fe bodie of Saynt Stephan of
433- & Laurence offended. 297
CCCCXXXIII.
Laurencius accusat facientes sibi iniuriam.
We rede in Ipe 'Heracles of ou? Ladie/ how at Rome Iper was
a yong man) fat hyght Stephan), fat vsid 1 gladlie to take giftis
& so for to forbar right of many folke in f e law. And he wronguslie 4
tuke away & held 1 in possession) vnto hym) selfe iij howsis of Saynt
Lauren s kurk, and a garthyn) of Saynt Agnes kurlL So hym)
happencf to be seke & sulde dye, and hym) f oght he was broght
befo? f e iugement of Almighti GccT. And onone as Saynt Laurens 8
saw hym), he come vnto hym) wetA a grete indignacion) & iij tymys
he thrustid 1 hym) be f e arm), & fat sare, & crusid 1 it att it warkid 1
gretlie with. And Saynt Agnes nor none of er vyrgyn) wold 1 nott
ans luke on) hym), bod turnyd? Iper facis fra hym)-wardl And fan) 12
f e iustis gaff a sentans of hym) & said 1 ; becauce he tuke ofyer mens
gude fro }>aiw & selde Ipe treutft for takyng of giftis, he sulde
be putt into Ipe place at ludas Ipe traytur was in. And }?an) come
Sanctus Proiectus, whome ]?is Stephan had had grete deuocion) to 16
in his life, & prayed Saynt Laurens & Saynt Agnes to forgiff hym).
And so ou? Ladye & f>ai prayed for hym) vnto J>is iustis, to
so mekutt he grauntid 1 fat his saul [swZjde 1 goo agayn) vnto his
body, & Iper he sulde do penaus xxx^ dayes. And our Ladie gaff 20
hyin) in commandment J>at he sulde daylie say fis psalme, ' ?>eati
immaculati/ whils he liffid! And when) his saule come vnto his
bodie agayn), his arm) was als bla & als sare with J>e thrustyng
of Saynt Laurens as he had suffred? it evyn) on) his body, whilk 24
takyn) was apon) hym) e whils he liffid 1 . And fat at he had
wronguslie takyn) away, he restorid 1 itt and did penans ferfo?.
& opon) Ipe xxx w day he passid 1 vnto Almighti Godd 1 .
CCCCXXXIV.
Laurencius se honorantes in necessitate adiuuat. a 8
We rede in ' Legenda ~Lombardica ' when) f e Emperour Henrie
and Kanegunde 3 his wyfe abade alway clene virgyns, Jwrgli
1 MS. his saulde goo. 2 MS. Ranegude.
298 434 St>* Laurence and the Pot of Gold.
instigacion) of f e fend 1 , he suspecte his wyfe with a knyght, & made
hur for to gang on) hate coles, barefute, xv fute lang. And
als sone as sho began) to ga sho said 1 in fis m&ner of wise ; " Lord?
4 Criste ! As f ou knowis that I am) vnfylid 1 bothe of Henry my
husband 1 & alt of er, so I beseke f e helpe me ! " & with fat fis
Emperour was esshamyd 1 & gaff hur on) f e cheke wiih hys nefe.
And fan) a voyce sayde vnto hur ; " Marie fat is a mayden) hase
8 delyverd 1 fe becauce fou erte a mayden)." And fan) sho passid 1
f urgti all fis grete fire vnhurte. And efterward 1 , agayn) fis Henry
sulde dye, a grete multitude of fendis come be fe cett of ane
hermett, and he oppynd 1 his wyndow & askid? one of f aiwi what f ai
12 wer. And fai anss\vercT agayn) & said 1 ; " We er a legion) of fendis
fat bownys vs vnto f e dead 1 of fe Emperour Henrie, to luke if we
can) fyncT any thyng of owrs in hyin)." And he chargid? hym)
to coin) agayn) by hyin) & teft hyin) how lp ai had done. And he
16 come agayn) & tolde hym) Jmi had not sped 1 , & said 1 ; " Ewhils
J>e fals suspecte fat he had in his wife & aft his oder itt dedis war
weyecT in a weyscale with his gude dedis, fat swythyn) Laurens
broght a grete hevy pott of gold 1 . And when) his evutt dedis was
20 like to hafe bene f e heviar, he kest it in-to f e tother weyscale,
& it was hevyar & weyed 1 aft down). & wiih fat," he said 1 , " I was
angrie, and starte vnto f e pott & brakk of f e tone ere f eroff ; and
f is pott was a chales at f is Henre had giffen) vnto Ceustus ordur,
24 in wurshup) of Saynt Laurens. And becauce it was so grete, he
garte make it ij eris, at it mot be liftid 1 vp by." And fis
Empmwr was dede fe same tyme as fe hmnett had knowlege.
And he garte luke fe chales and 1 \_fie] ta ere wantyd 1 , as fe
28 fend 1 saycT.
ccccxxxv.
Leonis Pape.
We rede in his ' Heracles l ' how Leo f e pape opon) a Pace day
said 1 mes in a kurk of ou? Ladie, and as he was howsylland 1 cristerD
32 men), ilkone in fer ordur, a c^-tan) wommafD kissicThis hand; furgfi
1 Latin MSS. Ex Miracwlis Beate Virginis.
435- Pope Leo. 436. St. Leonard. 437. An Ass in Legacy. 299
J>e whilk he had a huge temptacion) in his flessn. And so )?is holie
man) J?oght he wolde venge >is temptacion) in hyrn) selfe, & ])e same
day f>at hand? at slanderd 1 hyin) so, privalie he cut it off & keste it
fro hyin). And in f>e mene while Iper rase emang f>e common) peple 4
a gret nmrmor whi J?e pope said 1 not mes as he was wunt to doo.
Than) f>is Leo made his p?*ayer vnto ou? Ladie, Saynt Marie,
& commytt hyin) aft vnto hur providens ; and sho onone come vnto
hyin) & wz'tA hur holie handis sho restorid? his hand 1 agayn) vnto his 8
arin), & comwawndid? hyin) for to go furtTi & do his mes, & offer f>e
sacrament vnto hur son) as he was wunte to do. And than) f>is
Leo prechid befo? aft f>e pepyft, & tolde J?aim what had happend 1
hyin), and shewid 1 f>diw his hand 1 how it was cott off, & J?orow 12
ou? Ladie restorid 1 agayiB vnto his arin). et c 9 .
CCCCXXXVI.
Leonard! Confessoris.
We rede in his Legend 1 how Iper was a knyght pmoncTin Bretany,
& he made his prayers speciallie vnto Saynt Leonard 1 to helpe hyin). 16
And onone, at aft men) saw & might know hyin), Saynt Leonard 1
apperid 1 in myddest of Ipe mute-haft, & went into f>e presofD & brak
his fetters & put J>aira in f>e mans hand 1 , & opynlie emang aft men)
he broght hyin) furth forow J>aii. And aft f>at saw had so mekuft 20
wonder Iperof Ipai f>ai wa? passynglie astonyd 1 .
CCCCXXXVII.
Legatum male custoditum amittitur.
We rede how som tyme Iper was a man) Jat when) he dyecTbewytt
vnto iij sonnys J?at he had ane ass, so fat one suld 1 labur it a day, 24
and a noder a noder day, and 1 pe iij fe thrid 1 day, & at fai sulde
vpholde it & giff it meate emang faim. And opon) J>e furste day fe
eldeste bruther had fis ass, & laburd 1 it sore and gaff it nothyng to
eate. ffor he vmthoght hyin) f>at his medyft bruther suld 1 hafe it )?e 28
secund 1 day & he wolde giff it meate enogti. And oiD J>e secund 1 day
300 43 8 - The Lion-Custodian.
j?is secund 1 brother had pis ass, & laburd 1 it sore, & gaff it no mo?
meat no mo? pan his furste bruther did 1 ; ffor he vmthoght hym)
pat his thrid bruther, pat was richest of paiw aft, sulde hafe it on)
4 pe thrid? day, & he said 1 he wold 1 giff it enogli. And vppon) pe
thrid day pe iij bruther had it, & laburd 1 it & gaf it no meate, ffor
he vmthoght hyirD pat his ij brethir had bothe had 1 it, & pai had
giffen) it meat enogli, for pai war richer men) pafi) he. And pus"
8 for grete labur & no sustentaciofD pis ass dyed 1 ; & pus for per
covatis none of paim had gude on) itt.
Legatarij debenfc pro legatoribus l orare. Supra de
elemosina, xi 2 .
12 Leo virginem defendebat a corrupcione. Inf?*a de
virginitate, iij.
CCCCXXXVIII.
Leo custodiebat asinum ex precept o beati leronimi.
On) a day when) Saynt leroin) satt with his brethir, sodanlie \er
16 come a haltand lion) & went into pe abbay. And onone as pe
brethir saw hyin) J>ai fled aG, and Saynt leroin) rase & mett [him]
as he had bene a geste. And J>is lyon) lifte vp) his sare fute & lete
hym) se it, and he callid? his brethir & garte one of J?aim wassh it,
20 & laycf sal vis & medcyns Iperto, made of h^rbys, & onone fis lion)
was hale and was als meke as a hors. And Saynt lerom) chargid
hym) j?at he suld 1 evur[e]day take charge of & kepe ane ass J>at
broght hyin) & his brethir feweK fro J>e wud, & he wolde euerilk
24 day at dew tyme hafe Jris ass of }>e felde & bryng it hame, & kepid
hur surelie. So on) a day as fis ass was pasturand 1 , fis lyon) liste
wele slepe, & layde hyin) down) & fett apon) a sad slepe ; and ]>er
come merchandes with camels be pis ass away, & saw at no bodie
28 was stirrand 1 , & J>ai tuke J?isass with paiw. And when) pai war
gone, J?is lyon) wakend? & myssyd 1 his felow, & soght here & \er
rornyancT & couthe not fynde hit. And when) he saw he cuthe not
fyncT it, he went home att hevylie vnto fe Abbay, & stude at
1 MS. legatarija. Lat. MSS. legatoribus. 3 MS. iij.
438. The Lion-Custodian. 301
]>e yate oferroiri) & durste com) no ner 1 becauce he broght not hame
f>e ass ; <fe he durste not com) in as he was wunte to do. And Ipe
inonk?s, when) f>ai say hym) at he come home & broght not )?e ass
with hyin) as he was wunt to do, & f>ai trowed he had etyn) hur, & 4
here-for ]?ai withdrew his meate fro hym) at J>ai war wunte to giff
hym) & wold 1 not giff hym) it, bod bad hym) go & etc Ipe hyiider-encT
of ]?e ass as he had etyn) Ipe for-endl And f>an) Saynt lerofn)
chargid? pis lyon) to do Ipe ass offes, & to bryng home wod on) 8
his bak daylie to Ipe kychyn) as it was wuut to do; & mekelie
he did 1 it as he was commandid 1 & gmchid 1 nothyng Ipervtith. So
on) a day as pis lyon) was walkand 1 be his one, he was war of
pies merchandis com) of ferrom) wet/i Iper camels ladyn), & pis lyon) 12
ass 5 at he kepicF emang paiw. And Vfiih a grete romying he ran)
opon) ):aim, & ait Ipe men) fled & war passand fercT, and aft fies
camels & f>is ass, bothe with merchandis as f>ai war ladyn), he
broght vnto f>e Abbay. And when) Saynt leroin) saw, he com- 16
mawndid 1 his brethir to giff f>ies cateft meate, and J>an) to abyde fe
wift of God 1 . & J?an) pis lion) come into f>e abbay as he was
wunte to do, & wente to Saynt leroin) & syne fro monk to monke,
& fawnyd 1 }>aiw & lowticT vnto Ipe ertTi, evyn) as he had askid 1 Ip&im 20
forgyfnes. And J>an) Ipe merchandis come & knew Iper fawte
& aski<T Saynt leroin) forgyfnes ; & he forgaff Ip&im when) pai
confessid 1 how ]?ai did 1 , & lete f>aim hafe aft Iper gudis agayn). And
J?ai gaff pe abbay to araendis a niessur of oyle, and band 1 J?aim 24
& Iper successurs for evur more yerelie to giff vnto Ipat abbay
Ipe same messur, and so fai do yerelie vnto J?is day.
Lena impetrat quod petit. Infra de oratione.
Letania cantari x debet. Sup?'a de cantu, vj. 28
CCCCXXXIX.
Leprosus. Leprosis seruire est deo smiire.
Theobaldus, f>at was J>e noble Erie of Campanye, with grete
deuocion) wold? visit layser howsis, and befor 1 his casteft-yate
Iper dwelte a layser. And ]?is loioThad hi condicion), fat als ofte as 3 2
1 MS. cantaria.
302 439- Theobald and the Leper. 440. A Leper s Gems.
he coine be his howse away he wolde go in & wassft hys fete & giff
hym) almcs. So it happend afterward? pis layzer dyed? & was bericT,
& pe erle wiste [not]. So hym) happend 1 afterward 1 com) be pis
4 howse & wiste not at pe layzer was dead, bod he went in as he was
wunt to do, & Iper he fand 1 , not Ipe layzer, bod Almyghti God in pe
layser clothyng, and he did hym) serves as he was wimte to do ;
and in his harte he felid a grete swetnes. And when) he was gone
8 fur in, one of his men) tolde hym) pat pis layzer was dead 1 & berid
in suche a place. And als tite as he harde pis, pis trew mail)
thankicT Almijtty God 1 , whome pat he adlicT to serve in His awn)
pr^sens; and afterward 1 he serviJ? Hym) ofter in his membres.
I2 et c3.
CCCCXL.
Leprosis seruire credens deo servit.
In Frawnce Iper was a man) of grete mekenes & nwcie, &
inspeciaH vnto laysers, vnto so mekuft pat wharesom-evur he
16 mett paim he wolde giff paim almos. So on) a tyme hym) happynd 1
to mete a man) pat was passand 1 horrible lepre, & wolde hafe gifferi)
hym) alnios. And he said 1 ; " Nay, I witt no money. Bod I pray
pe wype pe filthe fro my nease." And pis man), furste with
20 his fynger & syne with his sarke skirte, wypid it als softlye as
he cuthe. pan) pe layser man) saycT; "I may not suffer so mekyft
sharpnes, & perfo? I pray pe lykk it away with pi tong." And he
neuer-pe-les, puf aft his natur vggicl per-wit, yit he lykkid 1 it away
24 with his tong. And sodanlie oute of pe layzer nese in-to his mouthe
per felt ij precious stonys 1 , & furthw^tA, evyn) at he say, pis layser
stevencT vp) vnto hevyn). et c 9 .
Leprosi specie deus hospicio recipitur. Supra, de
38 hospicio.
Leticiam aliquancfo gerit paupertas, et diuicia tristi-
ciam. Sitpra de diuicijs.
Lex. De Lege, et c 9 2 .
1 Lat. MSS. Subito gemma, precio- ascendit.
sissiina in os suuw de naribws leprosi 2 A discourse on Law omitted here.
cecidit, et, ipso uidente, ad celum
44 r. A just Father. 442. Seneca on Gifts. 443. Titus. 303
CCCCXLL
Leges imperatorwm debent obseruari.
Commestor Mallius Torquetus *, fat was a conselur of Rome,
when) he had betyn) his son) \viih a wand 1 , he strake hym) wiih
ane ax, becauce he faght wiih his enmys agayns f e commandment 4
of f>e concelurs ; & neu<?r-f e-les 3 it he ouer-come f aim. e* c 9 .
Leges quas imperatores faciunt eciam ipsi observare
debent. Infra de prelate.
CCCCXLII.
Liberalitas. De Liberalitate. 8
Lantigonus 2 , fat was kyng of Macydony, on) a tyine when)
a pure man) 8 askid hym) a peny, he ansswercT agayn) & said fat
it was mare fan) a pure man) 4 sulde aske. And f>an) he askid 1 hym)
a halpeny, & he ansswercT agayn) & said 1 ; "It is les J>an) it semys 12
a kyng for to giff." And Senec stude by & saw, & he said 1 f>is was
a fowle cauillacion), when) he mot nowder se J?e kyng giff ]?e pure
man) a peny, nor J>e pure man) resayfe a halpeny of > e kyng ; ffor
Iper is no J?ing so mekuft made of as is J>at f>yng f>at a man) gift's 16
wtt^ his gude wylt. et c 5 .
CCCCXLIII.
Iter^m de Liberalitate.
We rede of }?e Emperou? Titus, how fat he was so liberaft
of gifte fat on) a day when) no man) come & askid hym) noght, 20
he sayd at evyn) vnto hys men) ; " O, ye frendis ! This day Lafe
I loste ! "
Liberacio. Liberat Maria incarcerates. Infra de
Maria, ij. 2 4
1 Harl. MS. Manliw* Torquatfff . * Lat. MSS. plus es*e qwam ainictc*
3 Lat. MSS. Antigonus. deberet petere.
3 Lat. MSS. amicus.
304 444- Worldly Talk. 445. Doom draws near.
Liberant diuersi sancti diuersos. Supra, et infra in
locis suis.
Libido. Infra de muliere.
4 Lingua mala multum est detestabilis. Supra, de
excommtmicacione.
Lingua aduocati est venalis. Supra de Aduocato, iiij.
Lingua mala turbat multos. Supra, de Iracuwiia, iij.
CCCCXLIV.
8 Locucio. Loqui new, debent religiosi de rebus
pertinentibws l ad uitam.
When) ameneya 2 of brether war at a calacion) & pai spak to-gedur
of pingis pat perteynyd 1 vnto pe bodie, per was one aide maiD
12 emang paira pat hyght Corpreys. & he rase & went away, &
knokkicFon) his breste & said 1 ; " Wo is pe, Corpres ! For pou levis
pase pingis pat God comwandicT )?e, pat is to say, meknes & paciens
& sike olper thingis lyke, and 3 spekis nothyng of swilk pingis
1 6 as God askis of pe." et c 9 .
CCCCXLV.
Loquendi/m est de rebus pertinentib^s ad saluaci'cwem
a^ime et edificacionem proximi
On) a tyme whefD Saynt Petur prechid 1 , \>er was som) pat wolde
20 mofe vnto hyirD vnprofitable questions, & pan) he wolde say vnto
paim; " pe tyme is shorte, & pe dome of God drawis nere, & p^rfo?
befo? al thyngis latt vs seke how & of what maiier of wise we sulde
doo to gett vs euer-lastand life."
CCCCXLVI.
24 Loquentes multum ve-rba stulta puniuntur.
Som tyme per was a non) pat was chaste of bodie, bod sho wold 1
nott restrene hur tong fro fowle langwage ; so hur happend to dy
1 MS. iinpe/'tinentibzts. Harl. MS. s Uarl. MS. et loqueris de hijs que
as abore. dews non requirit a te.
2 MS. meneza.
44-6- Foolish Words. 447. Pride in the Tongue. 305
& be berid in fe kurk. And opofi) f e night after, he fat kepid fe
kurk saw hur broght befo? ane altar & cut in sender evyn) be
lp e myddeste. & f e [force] parte was burnyoT and f e toder parte
putt in f e grafe agayn) ; and on) f e morn) f ai mot se f e prynte 4
apon) fe merbylt stonys, like as a woman) had bene bodelie
burnycT Iper.
Loquendum new est indifferenter coram omnibus.
Supra de augurio 1 . 8
Loqui non debemus de defectibus alionm. Sup?-a
de iudicio, iij 2 .
Loquendum est semper caute et non est demon
denomi/zandus. Supra, de demone. 12
CCCCXLVII.
Loquendum non est nimis superbe.
Tn J>e iiij yere of lustinyan) was Iper ij bisshoppis, and Iper enmys
come on) J>aim & pullid 1 ]?^ tongis oute of \>er hedis. Afterward 1 be
revelacion) J>ai wer restorid 1 vnto Iper tongis & mot speke, & did 1 16
many meracles. So at }>e laste f>ai began) to wax prowde of speche,
and onone, as God woloT, J?ai wex bothe doin), & did neuer meracles
after. And Saynt Grego? tellis in his ' Dialoggis ' fat J?e tone
of f>aim fell vnto f>e syfD of lichorie, & he^-fo? God deprividT hyifi) 20
of meracles-doyng ; and J>e toder of }>aiw fett vnto pride, & loste att
J?e virtue of his meracles- doyng.
CCCCXLVIH.
Lucrum quod cito adquiritur cito expenditur.
The? was scin) tyrae in a cetie a passancT curios barbur, and for 24
euer-ilk man fat he shufe he tuke a peny, and at f e weke-end 1 he
mot pay for his burd? & putt in his purs ij or iij shelyng. So byfn)
happend 1 on) a tyme to here teii of a noder cete fat barburs tuke
for ilk man) shavyng in a shelyng, and he tuke his instruments 28
1 MS. aufforrio. 2 MS. i.
306 44#- A Barlers Savings. 449. The ill-savoured Trumpet.
with hym) & }x>ght he wolde go dweft Iper. Not-wztAstondyng,
or lie went, aft fat evur he gatt of his wynnyng he spendid it
& made hym) mery Iperwith. So he conie vnto Ipe toder cetie
4 & sett vp his crafte, & on) f e furste day he gatt mekuft money.
And he was fayfi) ferof & wente vnto fe bowcherie & thoght
to by hym) flessh vnto his supper, & it was spitefuft dere, and
so \vith-m a while he conseyvid 1 fat, if aft he tuke neuer so mekuft
8 for a mans shavyng, yit his meat & his drynke koste so mekift fat
he mot not spare no sylu^r bod spendid 1 it euer as he gatt it. And
fan) he vmthoght hym) & said 1 vnto hym) selfe ; "I spend aft
my wynnyng of my meatt & my drynk & can) not safe a peny,
1 2 f uf aft I take a shelyng for a shavyng, and when) I tuke bod
a peny for a shavyng, I couthe wele spar soin) syluer eu^r-ilk day,
& now I can) not so, for here I may not get my lyfelocT." And he
gatt his gere to-gedur & went agayn) vnto f>e toder cetie & right
16 not in his purs.
CCCCXLIX.
Ludus debet esse honestus.
When) Altibiades Socrasticus was wiih ane eame of his &
lernycT Ipe vij scians liberaft, his * eame gaff a tromper a trompe fat
20 is callicT Tibia, to thentent fat he sulde lern) his cossyn) to trompe
]>erwith & to syng ])er\\ith, jffor in fat contre it was a common)
mynstralcy. And he sett fis trompe to his mouthe & began)
to blaw, & it was foyste & ift-saverd 1 & garte hym make grete
24 chekis, & as hym) f oght, it deformycT his face when) he blew Iper'm.
And he?-fo? he keste it fra hym) & brak it. And be exsample of
hym), fat he luffid it nott, he chargicT aft fe contre Iper he dwelte
afterward 1 fat f ai suld neuer vse fat mynstralcie, and so f ai vsioT
28 it neuer vnto fis day.
CCCCL.
Ludit miles ad taxillos cum demone.
In fe Cetie of Susan), witA-in f e dioces of Golan), Iper was a
knyght, and he was so giffen) vnto playing at fe dice, at nyght
1 MS. he.
450- The Devil at Dice. 451. A Wolf s Device. 307
& day he was evur redie to play with any J>at wolde com) ; and he
was passand fortunat in playing & temyd many mans purs. So on)
a nyght Ipe devuft come in a mans liknes & desyricT to play with
hyin), & he went in-to fe howse with hyin), & a grete saketfc full of 4
mony in his hand 1 , & fai played to-gedur to J>is knyght had nere-
hand 1 loste aft Ipe mony fyat he had 1 . And jns knyght, when) he had
loste, began) to wax angrie & said 1 ; " pou erte Ipe devuft, hope I."
And J?an) Ipe toder said 1 ; " Now we hafe played enoghe, and vs bus 8
now go." And he tuke f>e knyght be Ipe nekk & drew hym) oute
)mrgli Ipe thakk of f>e howse. And his body breste & his bowels
cleuyd 1 on) Ipe sclathe stonys. And on) f>e moriD his bowels was
fon), bod what at wurthed of Ipe bodie cuthe neuer man) tell to f>is 12
day, & J?ai went & berid 1 his bowels.
Ludus avium in hoc seculo punitur. Supra de Aue.
Lupi confessoris. Supra de Amore.
CCCCLI.
Lupus puellam invasit. 16
We rede how on) a tyme a wulfe ouercome a damysett & gatt hur
be Ipe arm) in a town), & sho cryecT faste ; & eu^r when) sho cryed
he wolde strene hur sore, & when) sho held? hur tong he sparioThur.
Notwrtftstondyng he haylid 1 hur vnto Ipe wud 1 vnto a noder wulfe 20
}mt had a bane stykkand 1 in his throte, and he was gretely turment
Iper-with & he gapid? wyde. & fe 1 damysett saw Ipe bane stik
in his throte, & sho put in hur hand 1 in his mowthe & pullid 1
it oute. And he & his felow broght hur agayn) vnto f>e town) safe 24
& sowncT, & lowtid vnto hir and went Iper wayes. et c 9 .
CCCCLII.
Lupa vindicauit quantum potuit.
In companye scolers on) a tyme had remedy & went to play
Jwiwi, & f ai fande in J>e wud a wulfe den) ; & Iper was wulfe- whelpis 28
1 After >e, j, erased.
308 45 2 - A Wolfs Vengeance: 453. A Wolf-Boy.
j?erin, bod ]>er dafii) was away. So one of fies scolers cut of aft f> e
fete of J>e wulfe-whelpis, and when) Ipe scolers was gone f>e wulfe
come vnto hur den) and fand 1 hur whelpe fete cut of. & sho gat
4 oute & folowid 1 opon) Ipies scolers, and sho sewid 1 alonelie on) liym)
J>at did fe dede. And he was passand ferd 1 & clambe vp in-to
a tre, and when) sho saw sho mot not gett hyin), sho began) to skrape
& grafe abowte J>e rowte with hur naylis. & when) sho saw
8 sho mot not so coin) to hyin), sho cryed & gaderd 1 samm a grete
meneya of wulvis to helpe hur. And in J> e mene-while J>e scolers
tolde men) in f>e town), and f>ai come oute with clubbis and staffis
& flayed f>ies wulvis l away, & broght >is scolar hame emyddeste of
12 f>aim all. pe wulfis folowid 1 J?aim oferroin), bod sho alonelie come
evur on) Jmirn & wolde not lett for fairn att, bod come rynancT
in emang J>aim & gatt }>is scolar be J>e nekk, & onone sho weiid?
hyin). And fai fett vpon) hur & slew hur. et c 9 .
CCCCLIII.
1 6 Luporwm more currit et vlulat aliquis.
Petrus de Lombardia tellis & says ; " I saw ans a yong man)
f>at was born) in Fraunce & broght vnto he was at mans age 2 ,
and he cuthe gang on) his fete & his handis as a beste and crye like
20 a wulfe."
Lupanari expositam virginem custodiutt deus. Infra
de vi^-gine.
CCCCLIV.
Luxuria multa mala tacit.
24 In ]>e Cetie of Susace was ]>er a womwaiD J>at keste hur harte
hugelie on) a clerk f>at had fay? eeri), to hafe at do with hyin), vnto
so inekuft at sho said 1 vnto hyin); " And f>ou wilt hafe at do with
me alt my gude sal be thyne." And he excusid? hyin) & wolde nott.
28 And sho saw fat & went vnto J>e iustis & accusicT hyin), & said 1 he
1 MS. wufvis. luporww semper ad manus et pedes
2 Harl. MS. educatus vt more soinit currere ate ululare.
454- An eml Woman. 455. A Woman unshriven. 309
wold 1 hafe oppressid'hur. And J?e iustis sente for hyni) & dampnum x
for lichori vnto prison). And sho contynod stitt in hur fals syn) &
luste, & gatt a stye & clani) vp at a hy watt to a wyndow of )?e
pnson), & clambe our & lepyd down) vnto hynD & laburd 1 hyni) 4
to hafe att do with hyni), and he wolde not grawnt vnto hur. And
als tyte as sho was fon) with hym) J?ai went & tellid 1 }?e iudgies, and
f>ai trowid 1 he had bene a wyche & vsicT sorcerye, & demyd? hynD to
be burnyoT, and so he was. & when) his ribbys was burnycT f>at 8
men) myght se his longis, he began) to syng " Ave Maria," at
att folke hard 1 . And onone one of J?e wommans cussyns putt
a grete colle in his mouthe & said"; ' I satt putt away Ipi prayers."
& with Ipat he worod 1 hyni); & his bonys war berid? in J)e felde 12
& did many grete nwacles. And now vpon) his grafe is Iper made
a wurthi kurk.
Luxuriosa mulier. Infra de muliere, iiij.
CCCCLV.
Luxuriosa mulier conceptum infantem necat. 16
We rede of a non) of J>e dioces of Golan), and sho conseyvict 1
& bare a child 1 & when) it was born) she slew it. So afterward 1 hur
happend fatt seke & was bown) to dye, and sho shrafe hur of att hur
synys outtakyn) f>is syn) of J?e slayng of hur childe ; and fan) sho 20
dyed 1 . So afterward 1 sho append 1 vnto a cussyn) of hurs at prayed
for hur, and sho bare in hur armys a burnande childe, & said 1 ;
" }?is childe I conseyvicT, & when) it was born) I slew it. & J?erfo?
euer I mofi) bere it abowte & it is a passand 1 byrnand 1 fyre vnto me. 24
And if I had bene shrevyn) }>m)f I had had grace, & now I mon)
hafe none for I anD dampnyd 1 ."
Luxurie peccatum committunt eciam religiosi, vt
hie et supra et infra diuersis locis. 28
Luxuria religiosos religionem relinquere facit. Infra
de Maria, vij.
1 For dampnatus est f
310 45^- ^ Woman carried to Hell.
CCCCLVI.
Luxuriosam mulierem diabolus ad infernum
portauit.
We rede of a pr^stis concubyne, f>at when) sho was bown) to dye
4 sho cried 1 opon) jmim at was aboute hur with grete instans, & bad
f>aim gar make hur a payr of hy bottois & putt jmim on) hur leggis
for Jmi war passancT necessarie vnto 1 hur, arid so fai did 1 . And
opon) f>e night after f>e mone shane bryght, and a knyght & his
8 servancF was rydancT in }>e feldis to-gedur, and j?er come a womman)
rynand 1 fast vnto J>aim, cryand?, & prayed? faiw helpe hur. & onone
)ns knyght light & betaght his man) his hors, & he kennycT Je
womman) wele enogli, & he made a cerkle abowte hym) with
ra his swercT, & tuke hur in vnto hym) ; & sho had nothyng on)
bod hur sarke & f>ies buttois. And belife he harde a blaste of
ane vgsom) horn) at a hunter blew horrible, & huge barkyng of
hundis, and als sone as fai hard 1 , Jris womwan) was passand ferde.
16 And fis knyght spin-id? hur whi sho was so fercf, & scho tellicThym)
aft ; and he light & tuke ]?e tressis of hur hare & wappid it strayte
abowte his arm), & in his right arm) he helde his swerd 1 drawen).
And belife J)is hunter of heft come at hand 1 , & J>afD J>is womman)
20 said?; " Lat me go, ffor he comwys." And fis knyght held 1 hur
stift, & f>is womman) pullid 1 faste & wolde hafe bene away. So at
f e laste sho pullid 1 so faste at aft hur hare braste of hur heade,
& sho ran) away & J?is fend 1 folowcT after & tuke hur, & keste hur
24 ouerthwarte behyncT hym) on) his hors at hur hede & hur armys
hang down) on) J>e ta syde, & hur legis on) fe toder syde. & f>us,
when) he had his pray, he rade his ways, and be fan) it was nere
day. & J?is knyg[Atf] went in J>e mornyng vnto J?e town), & he
28 fancT ]?is womman) new dead 1 , & he telcT aft as he had sene, & shewicT
j?e hare at was wappid 1 abowte his arm). And fai lukycT hur head?
Iper sho lay, and J?ai fande how aft J?e hare was plukkicT of
43e J>e rutis. And J?is happend 1 in J>e bisshopprik of Magen-
32 tyne.
1 After vnto, h, erased.
457- Dogs devour a Woman's Corpse. 311
CCCCLVIL
Luxuriosam mulierem canes dentib^s
comminuerunt.
In pe dioces of Coleyn) Iper was a yong damyseft fat was rakles
& lichoros. So at Ipe laste, after grete sekenes, hur happend* to 4
dye, and as sho lay nakicT on) J>e flure, couerde with a shete, aft J>e
doggis of f e town) come samm into J?e howse, & drew of Ipe shete
and pullicT hur aft to gohettis so pat vnnethis Ipe husbandzs l myght
dyng j?aiw away. And fan) f>ai gaderd 1 samen Ipe pecis of hur body 8
& bericT it. And fe dogis come agayn) vnto hur grafe & skrapid 1
vp Ipe pecis agayn), & bate faim as Jai did?befo? in sonder, & faght
ilk one with otyer als faste as J?ai myght, to fai had alt etyn) hur for
oght at any man) cuthe lett f aim. i a
Luxuria inter alia pecca^a impedit confessionem.
Supra de contricione.
Luxuria eciam a sene difficile vincitur. Supra, de
Andrea. 16
Luxurie possuTit adaptari ea que supra dicuntur de
adulterio, Andrea, carnis temptacione et forni-
cacione 2 .
Macharij Abbatis. Macharij humilitas demonem 20
conftwdit. Supra, de h^militate.
Macharius 3 de occisione culicis 4 se mordentis peni-
tenciam egtt. Infra de vindicta.
Macula nocet homini multipliciter 5 . Supra de 24
debito.
Machometi. Supra de decepcione, j.
1 After husbandis, )>e h, erased. * MS. Harl. pulicis. MS. Arund.
2 MS. et infra de fornicacione. culicis.
3 MS. Macharij. 5 MS. multiplex.
Y 2
312 45^' Mary Magdalen's Miracles.
CCCCLVIII.
Magdalene precibus films procreatur et nutritur per
ipsam, et mater a morte eius meritis suscitatur.
We rede ex ' Legenda Lounbardica ' how Ipe Duke of Marsilie
4 & his wife furgti techyng and prechyng of Marie Magdalen) war
turnyd vnto Ipe faitfc ; and }>ai had no child 1 , & fai prayed 1 vnto hur
at f>ai myght hafe a childe. So his wife happend to be grete with
childe, and Mary Magdalen) markid? J>aiw bothe with J?e cros, for )?ai
8 desyrid 1 to see Saynt Petur J?e appostett, & to be enformycT of hym) ;
and Ipe wife was grete & wolde nott lefe hur husband 1 . So as fai
wer vppon) \>Q se it fett a grete storme of wedur, so mekuft at
J?ai att, & in special! >is womman) with childe, war passynglie
i a trubbled 1 & dissesid 1 , vnto so mekult f>is womman) was delyver
of a childe & dyed 1 . & when) Jris childe was born) it layticf after J>e
moder papp>, & wepid and made grete murnyng. And J?e fader
f>erof wepid & said 1 vnto hyni) selfe ; " Alias, wriche ! ]?ou desyrid 1
16 a childe & now Tpon hase loste bathe fe moder }>erof and J>e childe."
And f e shipmeii) wolde hafe castefD hur bodie into f>e see, and hur
husband" gatt grawnte of J>aim at sho sulde be had to land 1 , & so
sho was; & hur husband 1 laid 1 Tmr Iper wappicfin a mantytt dead 1 , &
20 hur childe whik in hur arm). And fan) he said? with grete wepyng ;
" O Ipou Magdalene ! Wold 1 God j?ou had neuer commen) vnto
Marsilie, and wold 7 God my childe had bene born) Iper. Bod J>at
I purchasid 1 be the, I beteche it to God & Ipe to kepe." And so he
24 went vnto J>e shupp) agayn) & come vnto Rome vnto Saynt Petur,
and told 1 hym) aft Ipe case. And Saynt Petur comforthioT hym) &
said 1 vnto hym) f>at God was of power to turn) his sorow into ioy. And
he informyd \hym\ in Ipe faith, and shewid'hym) alt Ipe coraiersacion)
38 of Criste, & J?e placis of His passion) ; & he went agayn) vnto shipp).
And after Ipe space of ij yere afterward 1 he landid 1 at Ipe same place
\>er he lefte his wyfe, and he was war of a little childe ])er on)
J?e see-bank, playing hym) with little stonys, and he had grete
32 mervatt what it was & went Iperto. & onone as J>e childe saw hym)
& had neuer sene man) befo?, he ran) vnto his moder breste, &
459- Mary Magdalen's Vision. 313
crepicT vnder-nethe )?e mantytt & hid 1 hym). And when) his fadur
come at hym) & lifte vpp) J?e mantytt & fancT it was a fayr, whikR
childe, "O Ipou, Marie Magdalen) ! " he said 1 , " how happy war I if
my wyfe war now on) life & myght go home with me into myne 4
awn) contrett, ffor I knaw wele enogn at })ou, whilk hase nurisshid 1
my childe, is of power to rayse my wife fro dead 1 to life, & Ipou will."
And at J?is wurcT J>e womman) was olife & rase vp, and said! 1 ;
" 0, Ipou Magdalen) ! Ipou erte of grete merett, whilk ]?at in my 8
childyng was medwife vnto me, & evur syne hase helpid 1 me in att
my nedis ! " And when) hur husband 1 hard 1 hur speke, he was
fayn) & sayd 1 ; " Womman), liffis Ipou ? " And sho anssweroT ; " Ya,
& I hafe [60W0] with Ipe in euerilk place Iper Ipou hase bene." And xa
sho tellid 1 hym) aft & faylicT neu^r a wurctl And ]?an) J>ai ali samgn
wente hame vnto Marsulie, Iper awn) contrey. And when) f>ai come
at home )?ai fell on) kneis befo? Marie Magdalen) & thankicT hur
h^rtelie, & tolde hur aft how it had happend 1 j>aiw. 16
CCCCLIX.
Magdalenam angeli ad celum eleuant.
We rede in '"Legenda Lombanfo'ca' how, on) a day, Marie
Magdaleyn) in J?e vij canon) howris was liftid 1 vp in-to Ipe ayre wiih
angels, and wiih hur bodelie eris sho harcTglorios sangis of hevynlie 20
companys, fu[r]gh Ipe whilk eumlk day sho was fed, & wytft J>e same
aungels had in-to }>e ayr & broght down) agayn), so J?at sho mysterd 1
nor desyrid 1 no bodelie meat. So opon) a day Iper was a solitarie
preste at dwelte bod a little f>ine, and with his bodelie een) he saw 24
how sho was daylie liftid 1 vp) into J>3 ayr wiih angels, & Iper holdefi)
ane how? space, & how angels wiih mery sang sett hur down)
agayn) ]>er sho was.
CCCCLX.
Magdalena denotes sibi ad pentitenciam adducit. as
We rede in 'Legenda ~Lombardica ' how Iper was in Flandres
a clerk fat hight Stephan, & he fett vnto so grete syn) & folie
314 460. Cleric Stephen's Devotion. 461. Titus s Mildness.
so fat he vsicT to do all man^r of folie, bod he wold 1 nowd^r do nor
here nothyng fat was gude. Neuer-f e-les he had grete deuocion)
vnto Marie Magdaleyn), & wurshuppid 1 hur day & fastioT hur evyn),
4 and wold 1 go in pylgfamege vnto hur grafe. So on) a tyme sho
aperid 1 vnto hym) in lyknes of a fayr wommafD, bod sho had wepyng
eefi), and sho said 1 vnto hym) ; " Stephan, whi duse f ou itt dedis
agayn) my gude merettis $ Whi ert f ou not movid 1 with no cora-
8 punccion) for f i syn) 1 And I hafe prayed so hartlie for f e sen) f ou
had deuocion) vnto me, and ferfo? rise & forthynke f e, for I witt
not forsake f e to f ou be recownceld 1 ." And fro thens furtn he felicT
so mekuK grace yett in hym) fat he forsuke f is werld 1 , & tuke hym)
12 vnto religion) & shrafe hym) & did penance, & lificT a gude life
& died 1 a holie man). And when) he dyed 1 Mari Magdaleyn) was sene
at his dying, & had his sawle vnto hevyn) in ane angett lyknes.
Magistro est exhibenda reuerencia. Infra de peti-
16 clone.
Magisro possu^t adaptari que dicuntur de doctore
et predicatore.
Magus multa signa facit. Infra de Simone Mago.
20 Magus arte sua multos decipit. Supra* de decepcione.
CCCCLXI.
Mansuetus homo ab onmiims diligitur.
We rede in f e Cronicles how Titus fe Emperour was futt of all
vertues, to so mekutt he was callio! 1 j?e delitis of att mans kynd 1 ;
34 and f>ai fatt war co?ivicte of coniuracion), he tuke f aim x to
familiarite & forgaff j?aim, & he wolde deny nothyng to no man) fat
askid 1 hym), becauce he wolde at no man) went hevylie fro hym),
& fat day hym) thoght was loste at he gaff no thyng on).
28 Mansuetus iniurias remittit. Infra de paciencia, ij.
Malicia sacerdotis uon polluit sacramentum. Infra
de sacerdote, ij.
1 After J>aiw, toke, erased.
462. Knightly Devotion rewarded. 463. Mary's Child taken. 315
Malicia societatis nocet eciara bonis. Infra de
societate, i et iij.
Malicia mulieris multa mala facit. Infra de muliere,
ix et x. 4
Malicia mulieris cpiandoque in caput suum reuertitur.
Infra de muliere.
CCCCLXII.
Maria deuotis sibi eciam honored mundi procurat.
We rede in ' Ou? Ladie Miracles ' how som) tyme Iper was a noble 8
knyght of Kurkby fat was deuowte vnto ou? Ladie, and on) a tyme
as he went vnto f e were, he went in-to ane abbay fat was fowndid?
of ou? Ladie & was in his way, & Iper he hard 1 mes. And when) ilk
mes was done after of 0r, & he for wurshup) of our Ladie wold 1 not i 2
go or he had hard 1 f aim aft, at f e laste he wente fiirth of f is abbay
& hastioT hym) vnto fis turnament. He mett meneya command 1 fro
f e turnament, & aft was done ; f ai said 1 at he had foghten) manlelie
in f e bateft & born) hym) passanoT wele. And 1 fai stude stifi vnto 16
att come aboute, & ilk man) with a hale voyce commendicP & said 1
he had foghten) wurthelie. And }>er come som) & offerd 1 j?aiw vnto
hym) & said 1 J?at he had* taken) J>aiw prisoners in Ipe batett. So J?e
man) was discrete and pursey vid 1 how our Ladie had rewardicT hym), 20
& he gaff vp all werldlie f>ingis & servioT bur Son) & hur euer after
whils he liffidl
CCCCLXIII.
Maria incarcerates liberat.
We rede in hur ' Meracles ' how Iper was a wedow fat had 24
no childe bod a son), whilk fat sho luffid'passandlie. So on) a tyme
hym) happyucTto be taken) with his enmys and putt in prison), and
his moder was passand 1 devowte vnto ou? Ladie & made hur prayers
hertlie vnto hur for hur son). And so sho saw at it profetticT nott, 28
& sho wente vnto f e kurk f er ou? Ladie was bericT, and f er was a
316 4^4* Mary saves a Thief.
fayr ymage of ou? Ladie with hur Son) opon) hur kne, and be hur
one sho sett hur down) on) hur kneis & Baid 1 vnto ou? Ladie on) j?is
mangy of wyse ; " Thow blissid 1 Ladie ! I hafe ofte prayed vnto
4 Ipe for my son), & Ipou hase not hard 1 me, & ferfo? as my son)
is takyn) fro me, so satt I take Ipi Son) fro the, & kepe hym) in wed
for my son)." & sho tuke away Ipe ymage of ou? Ladie Son) f>at
satt on) hur kne & had it home, & wappict 1 it in a clene shete,
8 and putt it in hur arke & lokkicT it, & was ioyfufl & trowid 1
sho had a gude wed for hur son). And on) J?e night after, ou?
Ladie append? vnto Ipe yong man) and lowsicF his fetters, & oppenct 1
hym) Ipe pn'sofD dure & lete hym) furth & sent hym) vnto his moder,
1 2 and bad hym) say vnto his moder J>at sho suld 1 bryng hur hur Son) l
agayn) for sho had sent hur hurs. And lp is yong man) come vnto
his moder & tellid 1 hur alt how ou? Ladie had delyuerd 1 hym). And
sho was passand 1 fayn), & ba? agayn) Ipe ymage-childe vnto }>e kurls
1 6 and said 1 , " Blissid 1 Ladie, I thank Ipe at J?ou hase giffeiD me my son)
agayn), & behold 1 , lo, I bryng Ipe thyne agayn)."
CCCCLXIV.
Maria denotes sibi a morte liberat.
We rede in hur ' Meracles ' how som tyme Iper was a thefe, & he
20 had a grete deuocion) vnto ou? Ladie, & said 1 hur salutacion)
oft vnto hur. So at f>e laste he was takyn) with thift & hanged]
and our Ladie come & held 1 hym) vp iij dayes, hur awn) handis, so
fat he felid 1 no sare. So fai J?at hanged 1 hym) happencT be cace
24 to com) by hym) away, & fand 1 hym) mery and 1 liffancT, and f>ai
trowed 1 he had 1 not bene wele hanged 1 . & J?ai wer avysict 1 to hafe
stykkicT hym) with a swerd 1 as he hang, and as f>ai wold 1 hafe
stryken) hym), our Lady putt it away with hur hand 1 , so at Ip&i
28 noyed hym) noght. And he told 1 J>aim how our Ladie helpicT hym),
& j?ai tuke hym) down) & lete hym). & he went vnto ane abbay &
Iper servid 1 ou? Ladie ewhils he liffid 1 .
1 MS. Sons.
465. A devout Clerk. 466. Mary befriends a Woman. 317
CCCCLXV.
Marie virginis horas deuote dicentes per ipsam
a miserijs seculi liberantur.
We rede in hur * Meracles ' how Iper was a devowte clerk, and
euer-ilk day he wolde say deuotelie }>e howris of our Ladye. So 4
his fadur & his moder dyed", and he was Iper heir & had a grete
heritage. So he was compellicT & cownceld 1 be his frendis to take
hym) a wyfe, and so he did 1 . & on) ]>e day at he was wed, as
he went hamward 1 fro f>e kurk, Iper was ane abbay of ou? Ladie in 8
his way, & he had forgetten) to say his howris & went into f>e
abbay to say J>aira, & sett hym) down) on his kneis befo? owr" Ladie
& said 1 f>aim. And sodanlie our" Ladie spak to hym) & said 1 ;
" O, Ipon fule, & vnwise clerk! Whi forsakis fou me, Ip'i best 12
frend l , & takis a noder spowse 1 " And with f>is wurdis he was
gretlie cowpuiicte & went hame & made a nend 1 of his weddyng.
& att evyn) he lefte his wife & aft his lifelocT, & went vnto J>^ abbay
& made hym) a monke, & servid* God & our Ladie att his life. 16
etc? 1 .
Marie placet missa de eadem 2 dicta. Infra Thome
marftris, v.
CCCCLXVI.
Marie se commendans ab incendio liberatur. 20
We rede in hur ' Meracles ' of a man) & a wommafi) J?at wunte
nere J>e cetie of Lugdun), abowte Ipe yere of our Lord 1 M. C., & )?ai
had no childe bod a doghter. & )?ai marid 1 hur with a yong man),
& }?ai helde hym) in ]w howse, & ]>e moder luffid 1 hym) als wele as 24
sho did hur awn) doghter. And kurste tongis said" J>at sho luffid 1
hym) not alonelie for hur doghter sake, bod rather becauce sho lete
hym) lig by hur in-stede of hur doghter, & sho hard 1 tett j?eroff
& was ferd 1 f>at sklanderd? sulde rise of hur betwix hym) & hur, and 28
1 MS. frendis. 2 MS. eo.
318 4^7- Mary saves Theophilus.
privalie scho slew hym) when) hur husband 1 & hur doghter war
away, & layd 1 hym) in hur doghier bed. So in f>e mornyng, as ai
satt at denr sho bad hur a doghter go wakyn) hur husband", & bycf
4 hym) rise. And sho went & fanct 1 hym) dead 1 , & cryed 1 , and sho
& J>e moder made bathe mekuft sorow ; neur-f>e-les sho forthoght
hur f>erof, & wente vnto }>e preste & shrafe hur, & tolde hym) aft
how sho had done. So afterward 1 ]?is worn/nan) & jris preste fell at
8 debate, and he disclanderd? hur & tolde hur cownceft, & vpbrayed
hur ]>ervfith. And when) it come to knowlege of J?e yong man)
fathir & his moder, thai garte take hur & bryng hur befo? a iustis,
& \>er sho was demyd to be byrnycT. And scho wepycT& betuke hur
12 vnto our Ladie. And when) j?e fyre was kyndled 1 abowte hur, sho
stude stift vnhurte, and hur enmys kyndled ]>e fire ner hur & it
profetid 1 f>aiw noght. So }>ai tuke forkt'0 & stowris & thruste hur
down) with, & it stedicT J>aim of noght. And J>aiD J>e iustis had
1 6 grete m^rveft & beheld 1 hur graythlie, & he cuthe se no takyn)
of burnyng on) hur, bod alonelie wowndis f>at sho had with J?e
forkts & Ipe stowris. So sho was takyn) furth & led hame, & balmyd
& refresshiot 1 , and with-iu iij dayis after sho, p^rseuerand in grete
ao lovyngis of our Ladie, gaff vp hur gaste, and passid 1 vnto Almighti
God 1 .
CCCCLXVII.
Maria ad se ccwfugientes deo reconsiliat.
We rede in hur ' Meracles/ \>at aboute J?e yere of ou? Lord 1
24 CCC vij 2 , in ]>e land 1 of Cecilie, [was] one J>at hight Theophil, at
was chauncelur vnto a bisshopp), & was wise & gracious. So on)
a tyme he was putt oute of his offes, and he?-fo? he feft in a grete
sorow & a dispayr. And so hym) happend speke with ]> e devuft,
28 and be command 1 of hym) he forsuke Criste & His moder, & he
renowncecT his faithe, and herefo? he made hym) a cyrographatt
wretten), & selid 1 it with his awn) ryng. And when) it was selid 1 he
delyverd" 1 it vnto j?e devuft, and band 1 liym) to do hym) serves whils
33 he liffid 1 . So wet^-in a while after, be procuryng of ]?e fend 1 , he was
1 MS. our. a Lat. MSS. xxxvij.
468. Mary pardons a fair Nun. 319
restorid 1 agayn) vnto his offes. So after hym) forthoght, and callid?
opoii) our Ladie, & made his prayer vnto hur ; & sho append 1 vnto
hym and blamyd? hym) for )?at at he had done. And be hur com-
mandmend [he] forsuke f e devutt and tuke hyni) vnto God & our 4
Ladie, and he was broght befo? a iustis. And f>e devutt shewid 1
)?is cirographatt, and our Ladie tuke it fro hym) & laid 1 it on)
Theophift breste, Iper he was slepand 1 . And when) he wakicT he
fand 1 it, & was passand fayfi) Iper-of, and evyn) opynlie, befo? ]>e 8
bisshopp) & aft Ipe peple, he stude vpp & confessicT hyni). And all
men) had grete m^rvayle fer-off, & he did his penans Ipai was
ioyned hym) Jwfoi 1 , & wit^-in a while after he decesicT & made
a gude endyng. 12
Marie salutacio causa est miracidi post l mortem.
Supra, de annunciacione domimca.
Maria protegit a combustione. Supra de eukaristia.
Maria liberat de infamia. Supra, de infamia, ij, et de 16
abbatissa, j.
Maria ordinem predicatorum attulit. Supra> Domi-
nici, iij.
Maria deuotis sibi in necessitate adiuvat. Supra, de 20
familiaritate.
Maria horas de se dicentibws apparet in morte. Supra
de horis, ij.
Maria consolatur suos. Supra de consolacione. 24
CCCCLXVIII.
Maria oiKcium seruitorwm suorwm eis absentibws
implet.
Som tyme Iper was a non) Ipat hight Betres, a passand fayr
womman), & sho was sacristan) of ]>e kurk and sho had grete 28
deuociofD vnto our Ladie ; and oft sithis men) desiricT hur to syn).
1 After post, p, erased.
320 4^9- Tfo Fiend tempts an Anchoress.
So at f e laste sho cowsenticT vnto a clerk at go away with hym)
when) complyn) was done, and or sho yode sho went vnto ane altar
of ou? Ladie & said 1 vnto hur ; " Lady, as I hafe bene deuoute vnto
4 f e, now I resigne vnto f e f ies keyis, for I may no langer susteyn) f e
temptacion) of my flessh." & sho laid 1 fe keyis on) fe altar &
went hur wayes vnto f e clerk. And when) he had defowlid 1 hur,
wet^-in a few dayes he lefte hur & went away ; & sho had nothyng
8 at liff on) & thoght shame to gang home agayn) vnto hur clostre,
and sho fett to be a common) woman). And when) sho had Hind? in
fat vice xv yere, on) a day sho come vnto f e nonrie yate, & askid 1
f e porter if he knew evur a non) in fat place fat hight Betres, fat
1 2 was sacristan) & keper of f e kurk. And he said 1 he knew hur on) f e
beste wyse^ and said 1 sho was a wurthi womwan) & a halie of barn)
little, " & euer hase kepud hur clene & in gude name." And sho
vnderstode not f e wurdis of f is man), & went hur wayis. And oui?
1 6 Lady append 7 vnto hur & said 1 ; "Behold 1 ! I hafe fulfillid 1 fine
offes fis xv yere, and ferfo? turn) agayn) now into fi place &
be agayn) in fine offes as f ou was, & shryfe f e & do f i penance, for
f er is no creatur he? at knowis f i truspas, for I hafe euer bene for
20 the in fi clothyng & in fine abbett." And onone sho was in hur
abbett & went in & shrafe hur & did* her penance, and told 1 aft fat
was happend 1 vnto hur.
CCCCLXIX.
Marie salutacio fantasma disparere facit et
24 demonem fugat.
We rede how fat f e fend 1 oft sithis in liknes of a gude angelt
append 1 vnto ane ancres. So at f e laste he told 1 hur fat he come
to comfurth hur, and sho had a grete comfurth f erof, & told 1
28 hur confessur of his apperans. & he was a gude man) & bad hur,
when) he come agayn), fat sho sulde [bid him] l shew vnto hur ou?
Ladie, Saynt Marie ; and if he did so fat onone as sho saw hur sho
sulde say, " Ave Maria." And f e next tyme he come agayn) sho
32 desiricThym) fat sho mot se our Ladie, and he said? it nedid not, ffor
it suffisid 1 vnto hur his prdsens. And eu^r sho desyrid 1 hym) more
1 Harl. MS. ' Die ei vt ostendat tibi beatam Marlam.'
4 jo. A Nun leaves off to hail Mary. 321
& mo? at sho mot se ou? Ladie. So on) a tyme f is fend forinyd?
hym) selfe in lyknes of a fayr womwan), and apperid 1 vnto hur.
And onone as sho saw liur, sho felt on) kneis befo? hur and said 1 ;
" Ave Maria." And onone sho dispayricP away as a fantasie. 4
Hec valet ad decepciowem demonis.
So fare it on) a tyme f e Devuli apericT oft sithis vnto ane hermett
in lyknes of a man) of law, so a noder wise man) cownceld 1 hym) fat
when) at he come, he sulcT say his Ave Maria ; and so he did 1 . 8
& f e fend 1 flow away in liknes of a whorl e-wyncT & gnaysticT his
tethe, & wari<T hym) fat taght hym) to say it.
CCCCLXX.
Marie salutacio imim'ttit timorem et malum
cogitatum emittit. ia
Som) tyme a nofD, tempicT for luff of a yong man), wolcT hafe gane
into f e werlcT, and sho mot not gett oute bod if sho had went f urgh
f e kurfc. And so as sho went f urgh f e kurk sho * set hur down)
befo? our Ladie, as sho was wunt to doo, & lowticTdown) & said? hur 16
Ave Marea. And sodanlie Iper come on) hur so grete a drede fat
sho mot no ferrer go furtli ; and so it happend? oft sithes we'tA. hur.
And at ]>e laste sho was tempid? with so grete temptacion), to
so mekuli at sho thoght at sho sulcT pas furthe by our Ladie 20
& nothyng lowte vnto hur, nor at sho wold 1 not say hur Ave Maria.
And J?is done Ipe devutt tuke a power in hur, and gaff hur a
hardynes to go oute of hur ordur with, & J?us on) a tyme sho went
hur wayes & fulfillid? f>e luste of hur flessh. 24
CCCCLXXI.
Marie ymago infeccionem aeris fugat.
Saynt Grego?, when) fat he was pope, agayn) fe infeccion) of }?e
ayre fat was cauce in Home of grete deacf & mortalitie 2 , he garte
make solempne processions : and ane ymage of ou? Ladie fat Saynt 28
1 MS. & set. 2 MS. inserts and here.
322 47 * Mary's Image in Rome. 472. Burial of Martha.
Luke had paynticT, evyn) after J?e lyknes of our Ladie, he garte bere
befo? Ipe procession). And onone fis infeccion) of Ipe ayr vanysshid 1
away and fled fra J>e ymage, and a grete reste & a quietnes come.
4 And abown), }>e aungeft in f>e ayr enence fe ymage sang ; " Regina
celi letare, Alleluia, ! Quia quern meruisti portare, Alleluia, ! Resur-
rexit sicut dixit, Alleluia, ! " And orione Saynt Gregur & his
felashupjP addid Jwto & sang; " Ora pro nobis Deuw, Alleluia, I "
8 Marini qui eciam Marine dicitur. Supra, de accusa-
cione, iij.
CCCCLXXII.
Marthe corpus per dominum sepelitur.
We rede in ' Legenc/a Lombarcfa'ca ' f>at [wAew] Saynt Martha was
12 dead? at Clarascon) 1 , apon) J?e day afterward 1 at Pictagoras 2 our Lord 1
append 1 vnto Saynt Francou 3 , J?e bisshopp), as he was at mes and
after J>e epistutt was fallen) on) slepe in his chayr, and said 1 vnto
hyni) ; " My welebeluffid 1 Franco 4 ! Ryse tite & folow me 1 " And
16 so he did 1 ; and sodanlie J>ai come vnto Therascon) bothe to-gedur,
and f>ai sang aboute ]>Q bodie of Saynt Martha, & all j?at was
abowte anssweroT J?aim. And J>us f>ai did 1 afi f>e offes, & layd 1 hur
in hur grafe. And at Pictagoras, when) aft f>e sang after Ipe
20 epistuft was done, & Ipe dekyn) suld" 1 go rede Ipe gospelt & take f>e
blissyng of }>e bisshopp), he was on) slepe. And ]>e dekyn) went to
hym) & wakencThyin), and fan) he said 1 ; " Brethir, whi wakkencTye
me ^ For our LorcTIesu Criste had led me vnto J>e bodie of Martha
24 his hoste, & he & I hase berioT hur. And ferfo? send faste thedur
for to feche vs ou? gold 1 ryng & our glovis, fat we hafe lefte ]>er,
whilk )?at I betuke vnto f>e sacristafD when) we putt hur in hur
grafe. And becauce ye callid 1 me so tyte or J?e mes was done,
28 ferfo? I hafe lefte J>aiw behyncT me." And j>ai sent a messanger
onofD & fand 1 aft as fe btssl opp) said 1 , bothe f>e ryng & Ipe gluvis, &
broght Jmim home. And in tokyn) here-of j?e sacristan) kepicTfe ta
glufe, & so fai hafe it yitt for a relikk.
1 Harl. MS. Tharasconew. 3 Harl. MS. beato Frontoni Episcopo.
a Latin MSS. Petragoricas. * Harl. MS. "Dulce mi Fronto ! "
473- M. Martin and the Pauper. 323
CCCCLXXIII.
Martini, Episcopi et Confessoris.
Seumis l in his ' Dialoggis ' tellis how on) a ffestiuafl day a pure
nakid 1 man) folowid? Saynt Martyn) vnto f e kurk-ward 1 , and he
comwandyd? his archedekyn) to garr hym) be cledcT, and he lachid? 4
f mn. And Saynt Martyn) saw fat, & went in-to his secretorie &
dofficT his cote & gaff it vnto f is pure man), and bad hyin) go faste
his wayis ]>ervtiih. And fan) f e archdekyn) desyrioT at he wold 1 go
to mes, & he, spekand 1 of hym) selfe, said 1 fat he mot not go to mes 8
vnto fis pure man) was elect! And so in a tene fis archdekyn)
went in-to fe markett & boght a sary old 1 cote for vd 1 , & broght it
vnto Saynt Martyn) & said? he cuthe not fyncT fis old 1 pure man).
And Saynt Martyn) bad hym) giff hym) f>e clothe, & J?e pure man) 12
Buld? nott want itt. And in a tene he threw it vnto hym), and he
tuke it & went privalie & gatt it on) hym), & f>e slevis f>m>f come
bod vnto his elbow, & )?e lenthe Jwof was bod vnto his kne ; and
so he went vnto mes. And as he was att mes, a byrnyng globe 16
apericT abown) his head 1 , whilk fat many folk saw, and for f>at
he was callicT Par Aposfolis, Evyn) vnto fe Apostels. And vnto fis
miracle addid? maister lohn) Belet^, and says fat when) he was at
mes and sulde lifte, as fe vse is, his lyn) slevis slafe bakk, & his 20
armys was bod smaft, and fe slevis of f e olde cote come bod vnto
his elbow, and so when) he lifticT, his armys war bare. And fan)
a mervalos wrethe of golde & precious stouys was sene aboute his
armys, fat coverd? his armys vnto his elbow. 24
Martinus eciam inuitis beneficia prestitit. Supra de
invitis 2 .
CCCCLXXIV.
Martini sepulture interfuit Ambrosius.
Opon) f e same day at Saynt Martyn) decesicT, Saynt Ambros f e 28
bisshopp) was att mes at f e cetie of Mediolan), and as he lenyd 1 on)
1 MS. Severius. * MS. inimicis.
324 474- St. Ambrose and St. Martin. 475. The Cup of Eases.
f e alta?, betwix f e prophesie & f>e epistuft, he fell on) slepe ; and
f er was none at durste wakyfi) hym). And f e subdekyn) sulde go
rede f e pistell, & he durst not go or J>e bisshop assigned 1 hym).
4 And so f ai stude f e space of ij or iij howris abydand 1 hym). So at
f e laste one of f aim wakend 1 hym) & said 1 f e peple recedid 1 away,
and desyricThym) to command l f e dekyii) to rede fe epistitt. And
fan) he said 1 ; " Brether, be not trublecT, ffor my bruther MartyfD is
8 passid 1 vnto God and I did 1 f e obseruance at his beryafi. & becauce
ye wakend 1 me so sone I hafe lefte f e laste colett vnsaicT." And
f>an) f ai notid 1 f e day & f e how?, and f ai fand 1 at Saynt Martyn)
was decesicT J?e same tyme, & passid vnto Godd 1 .
CCCCLXXV.
12 Martirium sustinent aliqui ex magno fervore.
Saynt Ambrose tellis how on) a tyme when) a grete multitude of
cristenmen) war drawen) vnto martirdom), Iper come a mayden)
of hur fre liste with a hertelie desyre vnto J?aim for to be slayfi)
1 6 with J>aim. And fan) a ryche man) fat was a paynom) spak vnto
hur & said 1 ; " Womman), whedur rynys f>ou so faste ? " And sho
ansswerd 1 agayn) & saycT; " I go vnto my frend 1 fat hase biddin) me
with ofer vnto fe weddyng Iper grete daynttys er." And so
ao he vmthoght hym) at sho callid 1 Criste hur frend 1 , and at she ran)
to be martyrcT, & trowicP sho had bene a fule & skornyd hur,
& said 1 ; " Say vnto f i frend 1 at send 1 me ane of his rosis." And so
sho was martird 1 emang of er. & als sone as sho was dede and
24 fallyfi) down), a fayr chyld 1 come vnto hym with a white copp) futt
of rosis fat saverd? passand 1 wele, & told 1 hym) at f e womman) frend 1
fat was passid 1 sent hym) som) of his rosis as he had 1 askicT. & he
sett f aiwi down) & onone he was vanysshid? away. And f is man)
28 was passand 1 fercl? & compuncte, for als mekutt as it was not rose
tyme ; and he vmthoght hym) at God of cristen) men) had callid 1
hym) vnto martyrdom). And evyn) furth-witA he went vnto f e
place of f e martyrdom) and said 1 he was a cristen) man). & onone
1 MS. commandid.
476. Athenian Counsel. 477,478. About Marriage. 325
he was hedicP& cristencFin his awn blude, & broght vnto fe rosary
of paradyce.
Mater tenere diligit filium suum. Infra de morte,
ij *, et de visitacicwe, ij 2 . 4
CCCCLXXVI.
Matrimoniuw contrahi debet magis inter personas
bonar^m condicionum quam diuitum.
lustinus tellis how on) a tyme a man) askicT cowncett at Theris-
tides 3 of Athenys whef r 4 hym) was bettir giff his doghter vnto a 8
pure man), or to a riche man). And he ansswerct agayn) & said 1 ;
" I hafe levur fe money of f>e man) fan) money be boght vnto
f e man)."
Matrimonio debet accipi vxor prudens magis qwam 12
diues. Infra de vxore.
CCCCLXXVII.
Matrimomo plus queritw substancia frequenter
q^am persona.
Agellius tellis how fat Caton) som tyme had a doghter, and 16
when) hur furst husband was dead 1 sho come & askid 1 hur fader whi
he wold 1 not make hur to hafe a noder husband 1 . And he ansswerd 1
hur agayn) & said 1 ; "For I can) not fynde a man) bod he wolde
titter hafe fi gudis fan) fi selfe." 20
CCCCLXXVIIL
Matrimonialis coniuncczo perictdosa est.
Valerius tellis how on) a tyme a yong man) come vnto Socrates
& askid 1 hyin) cowncett, whether hym) was bettir wed hyin) a wife or
nay. And he ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; " Ather of f aim 24
1 MS. iij. 4 Vtrum filiam suam pauperi eecZ
2 MS. j. ornato, uel locupleti sed parww pro-
3 Harl. MS. Thimistidew. bato collocaret.
326 479- Matrimonial Problems. 480. Fame by Trespass.
is a grete penance to do, for & f ou be not wed 1 , f ou may happely
syn) in fornicacion), or in avowtrie, or els be ift defamyd? & sklandred 1
& neuer be at no certantie with f i selfe. And if fou be wed 1 f ou
4 may happen) wed? a shrew at will be f i maister, and? f ou bus be ferd?
for hur frendis, & eur be besy & labur, & ofte in stryfe and? debate,
& suffer many grete wurcP & say nothyng agayn), & hafe a snowryng
cowntenance, & happelie bryng vp olper mens childer. & if fou do
8 nott wele to J)i wyfe f ou salt be bostid? with hur frendis, & f us fou
salt euer liff in trubble & in dissese."
CCCCLXXIX.
Matrimonialis conhmccio tediosa est.
Theofrastus fe philosophur sayd 1 , a womwian) is owder fayr
12 or fowle, and if sho be fayr onone sho salt be luffid? & desyrid 1
to be had, and if sho be fowle sho will desyre to be had. And
J>erfo? it is hard? to kepe J?at at many men) desyris, and it is hevie
to hafe fat in welde fat no man) dedengnys to hafe.
16 Mediatrix mulier. Infra de muliere.
Medicortmi indicia de infirmis new semper evemunt.
$upr& de Basilio.
Medicus proprietarius monachus in s^erquilinio sepe-
20 litur. Infra de proprietate, ij.
Medicus debet infirmis ea que sunt salutis sue pro-
ponere. Infra de predestinacioTie.
Meditacio inferni penitentem corporaliter extenuat,
24 et meditacio paradisi exhilarat \ Supra, de
apostasia.
CCCCLXXX.
Memoriam sui acq^/irunt aliqui per aliq^a facta
interdum eciam mala 2 .
28 Valerius tellis & says how fat, som tyme s , certayn) folk,
for to assecute euerlastand 1 memorie, dowtis not for to do grete
1 MS. exhillarat. heading is incomplete.
a So Harl. MS. The translator's 3 MS. adds som while here.
481. Allot Arsenius dreads his Mother. 327
trispas, whase namys he said 1 ]rat he kennyd 1 nott. So ]>er was a
mail) J?at spirricTErmodeus how clere he might be had 11 ; he ansswerd?
agayn) & said 1 , fat & he slew any wurthi man), it suld 1 turn) hym)
vnto grete 2 glorie. And so he slew one Jat hight Philipp), and he 4 '
was taken) & putt to dead 1 J>erfor\ And after- ward it was fon) J>at
he did 1 it be commandment of f>e Dyan) of Ephesie s , for sho wolde
hafe burnyd? fe temple. c 5 .
CCCCLXXXI.
Memoria mulieris in corde viri remanere non debet. s
We rede in * Vitis Potfmm ' how J?at a noble womwian), ane olde
wyfe *, come vnto ane abbot fat hight Arsenius, to se hym), & he
prayed f e bisshop at sho suld 1 not se hym), & he wold 1 not graunt
j?0rto. So sho come vnto his celt dure, & fan cT hym) fer-att, & felt ia
down) on) hir kneis aforn) hym). & he with grete dedeyng tuke
hur vpp> and said 1 vnto hur ; " And j?ou wilt se my face, se itt
now." And sho for shame durst not luke vpon) hym), l>od sho
went away & prayed 1 hym) to pray for hur vnto God 1 , & hafe hur in 16
his mynde always. And he said) nay, he wold 1 nott, he sulde pray
God 1 to do away fe mynd? of hur oute of his harte. And when) sho
hard lp is, sho was gretelie trubbled 1 , and went in-to J?e cetie & felt
into lp e axis. And when) f>e bisshop) come to vyssit hur, sho said 1 20
vnto hym); "I am) so hevie J?at I mon) dy/' & fe bisshopp)
ansswer[d] hur agayn) & said 1 ; " Knowis Ipou not at J?ou ert a
womwan) ? And fe devull tempis men) witA womwen), & special!
haly men). And ferfo? yone mafD said 1 vnto the as he did 1 . Bod 24
fuf alt he said 1 so, yit he prayis for fi saule." And so he com-
furthid 1 hur and sho wente home vnto hur awn) place, et c 5 .
Memoria mortis est nmltum vtilis. Supra de conuer-
sione, iiij, et de confessore, v, et infra de morte. a8
Memorie labiles 5 simt aliqui. Infra de muliere, iiij,
1 Lat. MSS. quo modo subito clarus consumpto nomew suuwt per totuw
possef haberi. orbew innotesceret.
3 MS. repeats grete. * Lat. MSS. Matrona quedorm no-
3 Harl. MS. Sic eciam inuentum bili* et senex.
est, qod Diane Ephesei sic templum 5 MS. labilis.
incendere uellet, ut opere pulcherrimo
Z 2
328 4'8^ Julius and Julianus. 483. A Cistercian Advocate.
CCCCLXXXII.
Mendacium eciam corporaliter nocet.
We read 1 in ' Legenda "Lombardica ' how Julius & lulianus wer
brether, and J>ai bygid 1 a kurk, and be commandment of Je
4 Empgrour Theodoce, alt Ipat evur come by J>aim J?ai wold 1 gar Jmira
abyde, & helpe J>aim. So }>er happend 1 a meneya com) fer-away
[W^A,] a carte, & pai laid 1 ane of \>er felows in )?e carte, & coverd 1
hym) with a clothe as he had bene dead 1 . And when) j?ai come be
8 Ipis werke, f>ies ij saynttis bad Ip&im abide with Iper carte & helpe
f>aiw, and J>ai said 1 J>ai had in Iper carte a dead man) & frfo?
f>ai had nede at haste J>aim away. And f>e sayntis ansswerd 1 J?aim
& said 1 ; " Whi lie ye ? Go your wais, & as ye say so be it vnto
1 2 you." And when) ]mi war passid 1 , f>ai callid 1 vppon) Iper felow and
f>ai fand 1 hym) starke dead 1 . And fro ]?ens furtt }>er was nane
at come ]w-away at durst ans make a le vnto fies sayntis. et c?.
CCCCLXXXIII.
Mendacium aliquibtts temporaliter nocet.
1 6 Ex ' I^egenda Tuombardica ' we rede how J?at a grete aduocatt of
J?e Ceustus ordur was made a monk, & he went oft sithis for
to defend cawsis of }?e abbott, & euer he was casten) & had J?e war.
And f>e abbott & J?e monkis wax wrathe with hym) & said 1 vnto
20 hym) ; " How is it at Tpou fallis alway in our cawsis, and whils }?ou
was in J>e werld 1 Ipou prevaylid 1 alway in olper mens cawsis ? " And
he ansswerd 1 fairn agayn) & said 1 ; " While I was secular I was not
ferd 1 to lie, ffor oft sythes be my fraudis & be my lesyngis I oner-
24 come myne aduersaries. And now becauce I dar say no fing
bod treuth, it happens me )?e contrarie." And so he was com-
ma wndid 1 vnto his cloystur.
Mentiri mm debet religiosus. Infra de religione.
28 Mendacium eciam punitur in presenti. Infra de
periurio et de paupertate.
484. Merchant-Customs. 485. Fair Dealing rewarded. 329
CCCCLXXXIV.
Mercator^m J vita amota 2 cowputacione, a multis
approbatur.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris/ how ane Erie of Pictauence
cled hym) dyuers tymys in pure mans clothyng whils he had sene 4
all man^r of craftis & ofies. And when) he had serchicT all )?ies, he
said 1 at Ipe m^rchand? crafte war Ipe beste crafte ]?at he fand 1 , & f>e
beste offes, war not a thyng war, j?at is 3 to say, cowntyng &
rekynyng in )?e end 1 . For, he said 1 , at evyn) when) J?ai come home 8
J?ai made rekkenyng of fe leste peny at f>ai reseyvid 1 , and at
Jai expuTidid 1 , and he ]?at made not a gude rekynyng was casten) in
prison) & holden) Iper.
CCCCLXXXV.
Mercatores in empcione et vendicione frequenter is
menciuntur vt lucrentur.
Cesarius tellis of ij cetisens of Colayfi) confessid? Jrniw of ij maners
of syns, & Ipe tane was leyng & Ipe toder manesweryng. And j^ai
tolde fe preste fat wit^-outen) J>ies ij ]mi myght nowder by nor 16
sett. And J>e preste told 1 f>aim at fies was grete synnys, bod
he bad Jmim vse >ai?n, oil) Ipis man^r of wyse ; " Furste lofe yowr
gude as ye will giff it, and it saft be wele with you, I warand 1 ."
And f>ai promysid 1 hym) f>ai sulde so doo Ipat yere. Bod be lettyng 20
of Ipe devutt J>at yere fai wafD no thyng, and at Je yere end 1 J>ai
come vnto J>e preste & tolde hym). And Ipe preste told! 1 }>aim at it
was bod a temptacion) of Ipe fende, & bad faim trow hym) ; bod he
said 1 , " Feste it faste in your mynde, and jnnk at ye will kepe hit 24
fro hens forwharcT, and it sail be wele enogh with you." And so
J?ai diet, and with a few yeris J>ai war passand 1 riche men).
Mercator de bonis suis et new de alienis debet mer-
cari. Supra, de abbate. 28
1 MS. Marcatorum. 2 MS. ammota. s MS. it.
330 486. Honest Measures save a Woman.
Mercator 1 vicium rei new debet celare. Infra de
negociacicwe.
CCCCLXXXVI.
Mensura semper debet esse iusta.
4 Cesarius tellis how in Ipe bisshopprik in Golan) som tyme
\>er was a wedow at was a brewster, & vsid? to sell ale, & fyre
happend 1 in )?e towfD & byrnyd a grete dele feroff. And when) sho
saw it come nere hur howse, sho wold? nothyng remow furth of hur
8 howse, bod tuke hur mettis & hur raessurs at sho fillict 1 ale with,
and sett ]>&im at hur dure wit^-oute, & saicF; " 0, J>ou rightwus
& merciful! God ! If I hafe rightwuslie & trewlie mesurcP with
thies mesurs to Jmiw at I selde ale to, I beseke ye at J?is tyme to
12 behalde my myster, and at Ipon wolde vuchesafe to spare me and
my hows & my howsolcP Ipai is ]>er-m. And if I hafe with J?ies
messurs messurd 1 wrang, or disseyvid 1 any creatur, ]mn), Lord 1 ,
I witt at my howse be burnyd & ali J? e gudis at I hafe." Lo ! }>is
1 6 was a mervalos fay the of J>is womwan) ! And yit was J>e mercie of
God mo? m^rvalos, ffor when) )?e fire come at hur howse, at afi folk
saw & had grete wonder f>roff, as God 2 wold 1 , J?e fflawme at had
burnyd? afi J>e town)-end to thedir sesicT, & wold? burn) no manr of
20 J?ing of [hur] howse, nowder thak nor tymmer. & yit not-wetA-
standyng, alt J>e howse semyd 1 clene our with fire as it had burnyd 1 ,
& yit was it nothyng hurte wiih J>e fyre, nor no gude of hurris J>at
was Iperm. And f>e fire sesid 1 & burnyd? no ferrer, f>at a hondretli
24 men) cuthe not sease befo?. And here-by hur neghburs vnderstude
J?at hur messurs warr gude & trew. et c 9 .
COCCLXXXVII.
Meretrix. Mulier accusat quos ad peccatum
trahere new potest.
a8 Cesarius tellis how som) tyme Iper was a common) womwan) J>at
was fayr, and sho folowid* a grete lord 1 fro town) to town), for
J>e lordis men) synnyd 1 with hur euer whefD Jmiw liste, and J^e lord 1
1 MS. marcator. 3 MS. gold.
487. False Accusation. 331
wiste not. & at f e laste f e lord 1 pr^ste accusid 1 hur vnto f e lord)
& f e lord 1 garte catt hur befo? hym), & sho denyed itt and accusid 1
fis preste, & said 1 he complenyd 1 on) hur becauce sho wold 1 not
consent vnto hym), and fis sho oblisshicT hur to prufe. So at 4
f e laste sho fenyd 1 hur contrite, & come vnto fis same pr^ste &
shrafe hur. And in f e end 1 of hur confession) sho said 1 fat sho was
so tempid 1 with his luff fat bod if sho had itt sho sulde sla hur
selfe. And fis pr<?ste was afercT on) hur & had no faste purpos to 8
syn) with hyr, yit he assigned 1 hur a place & a tyme "per he suld 1
com) vnto hur ; and sho was fayn) f erof & went & tellid 1 f e lord 1
how f e prest had promissid 1 vnto hur. And fis pmte come to f e
place befo? f e how?, & he made in fe same place a bed of dry wucT, ia
& put stra J?mn & put fyre vud^r-nethe in tow, & coverd 1 it clenlie
with a shete. And belife sho come & J>e fyre began) to kyndett in
f e bed 1 , & }>e prest went }>erto, & laid 1 hyfn) down) feron), evyfD in J?e
fire, & bad hur com) vnto hym). & J>e fire rase alt abowte hym) & 16
sho callid 1 on) hym) & wold 1 hafe had 1 hym) fine, & he lay stilt
& was nothyng burnyd) nor his clothes nowther. And fan) fis
wrichid 1 womman) was conpuncte & reknowlegicT hur selfe fat
Bho accusid 1 fis holye man) of verray rancor & ilt witt. And fis 20
done fis holie preste went & made hym) a monk.
Meretrix multa mala facit. Infra de muliere pl^ritws
locis.
Merit! causa est aliqu(mcfo temptacio. Infra de 2 4
temptacione.
Meretur homo relinquens om7^ia propter deum.
Infra de milite, iiij.
CCCCLXXXVIII.
Miles malus per seram penitenti&m saluatur. 28
Cesarius tellis of a knyght fat 1 on a tyme was taken) with
his enmys & slayn). And wherD he saw fat hym) burde nedelyngt's
dy, he said 1 fies iij wurdis, " Doming miserere mei. Lord 1 , hafe
1 MS. J>an.
332 4 g 8. Fiends lose their Prey, 489. The Sign of Job,
mercie on) me." And when) he dyed 1 , a man) fat was vexict 1 with a
fend 1 was delyverd 1 . So afterward 1 f e fend 1 come agayn) vnto fis
man) and vexid 1 hyin) hugelie, more fan) he did 1 afo?. And a gude
4 holie man) come vnto hyin) & askid 1 hyin) whi fat he did so. And
he ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " We war many fendis gadurd 1 samm
at f e dead 1 of swylk a knyght, and becauce we gatt nothyng
f er, ferfo? aft fat I can) saft I venge me in hyin) fis." And fis
8 holie man) spin-id 1 hyin) f e cauce how f ai had no power of fat
knyght, and he ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd? fat fe knyght sayd 1
alonelie iij wurdis or he dyed 1 , " be f e whilk aft f e power fat
we had in hyin) was loste."
CCCCLXXXIX.
u Miles punitur et saluatur.
Cesarius tellis how on) a tyme fer was a knyght of SaxoiD,
fat was cled in new skarlett clothes, and on) a day as he was
rydand 1 , he mett a husbands-man) dryvand 1 his carte. And with
1 6 f e sprenclyng & dasshyng of f e whelis, fis knyghtis clothis war
al todasshicF with myre. And fis knyght, as a prowde man)
& a tyrancT, drew hys swerd 1 & smate of f e ta legg of fis husband 1
be his kne. So after ward 1 furgh fe grace of God 1 he wex sorowfuft
20 for his syn), & made hyin) a monk of f e Seustus ordur. And
witA-in a few yeris after he was made monke, \>er began) to brede
a sur like a sylk threde in his legg, on) f e same syde & in f e same
place whar he cutt of f e husbandman) legg. And be little & little
24 it began) to rote, so fat att f e laste mawkis bred? f erin. And fan)
he wex fayfD & sayd 1 ; " Now I trow for to hafe forgyfnes, ffor I se
on) my body f e syngne of lob." And so he lifficT many day in
grete cowtricion), and at fe laste, furgh fis maledie, he dyed 1
28 & yeldyd 1 God a gude sawle.
ccccxc.
Miles demone T vt famulo vtitur.
Cesarius tellis of a knyght fat dwelte in Saxon), and he was
famos & noble in armys, and his name was Albert Stobberd! So
1 MS. deuocione.
49O' -4 Fiend in a KnigMs Garment. 333
on) a day hym) happend 1 to com) vnto a place Iper a damyseft was
vexid 1 with a fend) and onone as he come sho began) to cry and
sayd 1 , " Ecce ! amicus meus venit. Lo ! nay frencF is commen)."
And evur as he come inward 1 sho bad gyff hym) rowm), and lat hur 4
frend? com) ner hur. And Jmf aft he war wrothe tyerwith, yitt
he smylid? & said 1 ; " f>ou fende, Ipou ert bod a fole ! Wharto vexis
f ou J>is womman) on) j?is maner, Ipat is so innocent 1 Lefe hur
& go with me vnto turnamentis & batels." And J>is fend said 1 he 8
wold? gladlie go with hym) and he wold 1 latt hym) entre into his
bodie, " or els to lat me in J>i sadle or in Ipi brydift, or in som) other
parte at longes vnto the." And Jis knyght had grete compassion)
of J>is noble maydyn) and said 1 ; "And J>ou wift pas from) hyne 12
I wift grawnt Ipe a plyte of my gown) vnder-nethe a condicion),
at Ipou saft not hurte me, bod when) at I wift, onone Ipou saft pas
fro me." And he beheste hyfn) J>at he shulcT. And vrith Ipat
he went oute of Ipe maydyn) & come in-to a plite of Ipe gown) 16
and made Iper a grete movyng. And from) Jat how? J?is knyght
had so gret a strentft & a comfurtTi, at whoso-euer he wold he mot
ouerthraw faiw, & whom) so euer hym) liste take, and }?ai war ne so
swyfte, yit he mott take faiw. And when) Ipe knyght satt in J>e 20
kurk at his prayers, f>is fencP made a grete gruchyng and said? hym)
thoght Ipat he taryd long \>er. And he kaste holie watir on) him \
f>is fend wolde byd hym) war at he tuchyd not hym). So on) a tyme
J>is knyght happend to coin) in-to a kurk whar Iper was made 24
a sermon) of fe cros. And ]mn) Je fend said vnto hym) ; " What
duse Ipou her ? " And J?is knyght ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " Now
I wuft forsake Ipe & seryff Almightie God 1 ." And Ipe fend 1 ansswerd 1
agayn) & said 1 ; " What displesans haste pou fon) in me ? I neuer 28
yit hurte J?e, bod I hafe broglit Ipe vnto mekuft vvurshup and
riches, and Jrargli me Jou erte made passyng glorious." Ipis knyght
ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Loo ! now I behold 1 f>e cros, and
I command 1 Ipe now, in vertue of Hym) \>ai was done on) fe cros, 32
J?at from) hens furth J?ou nevur turn) vnto me agayn)." And with
J>at- fis fend lefte hym). And J>is knyght burnyd hym) with Ipe
cros, and went to beyond 1 se, & J*?r he servid Almightie God ij yere.
1 MS. he.
334 49 * ^ Crusader's Sorrows.
And after J?at he come home agayn), and byggid 1 ane hospital*.
And j?<jrin he abade att his life after, & smyffed seke folk of swilk
as jmiw nedud 1 . And so in peas \>er he endicT his life.
4 Miles executor necligens punitur. Supra, de exe-
cucione.
Miles ludo avium deditus punitur. Supra, de a vibes, j.
Miles obstinates in peccads dampnatur. Supra, de
8 accusacione.
Miles spoliat modica occasione habita. Infra de
monacho, iiij.
Militi per beatam vi?*ginem gratia, dei eciam tem-
la poralia perdita restitmmtur. Infra de nega-
cione, j.
CCCCXCI.
Miles cruce signatus vxorem et liberos relinquens
multum meretur.
1 6 lacobus de Vetriaco tellis how on) a tyme a knyght J>at was
markid 1 with J?e cros went from) his awn) place to beyond 1 fe se.
Or he wente, afo? a grete parte of his frendis, he callid 1 afi his
childer aforn) hym), & he hawsid? & kyssid 1 J>aim frendlye, & kyssycf
ao faim tenderly, & wepyd swetelie. So one come in & callid on) hym)
& said 1 ; "Sur, your felows abydis you, lefe j?ies childer & com)
your wayes!" And J?is knyght ansswerd 1 agayn) & saycT; "I do
J>is to make me mo? hevie & sad when) I parte with ]?aim, at
24 my mede may be \>Q mo? for fe levyng of f>aiw."
Militis vxori aliqucmcfo sacerdos copulatur. Supra,
de confessione, vij.
Miles amore crucifixi culpam inimico remittit. Supra l
2 g de Maria.
Miles obstinatus per imperfectfam contricionem a
peccato retrahitwr. Infra de obstinacioTie, ij.
1 MS. Infra.
492. ^ devout Knight, kneels in the Mire. 335
Miles corpore Christi percepto eciam corporaKter
efficitur forcior. Supra, de communione, iiij \
Miles predo per aliquas orafoones dictas saluatur.
Infra de remuneracione.
CCCCXCIL
Miles devotus reuerenciaw facit deo et sacramentis.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme ]>er was a knyght of France. And
he was of suche devocion), Iper whare-soraevur he saw Goddis bodye
he wolde fail down) and wurshup) it, and it had 1 bene evyn) in 8
J?e myre. So it happencP on) a tyme }>at he was cled in gude
clothes, & he went into a cetie, and Ipe strete ]?at he rade in was
passand 1 myrye. And sodanlye hym) happend 1 mete }>e preste with
Goddis body, and onone as he saw itt, he avysid 1 hym) a while 12
& said 1 vnto hym) selfe ; " What wyft f>ou do now ? And f>ou
knele down) here J>ou losis aft Ipi gay clothyng. And if f>ou do it
nott, Ipou erte breker of a helefutt condicion) at fou was wunt
to vse." And with )?at, wtt^-outen) more, he lightid 1 of his hors and 16
sett hym) down) in f>e myre on) bothe his knethis, and held? vp) his
handts and wurshuppid J>e sacrament. And our Lord 1 , Jmt wur-
shuppid 1 )?aim at wurshuppis Hym), shewid 1 ]?is meracle ]?urgh his
power, at }>er was not ofD att his clothis a drope of 2 myre nor 20
a spott of clay. And when) he saw J>is, he had grete nwveft
& lepict 1 vp) vppon) lus hors agayn). And evur fro thens furth,
he was mo? comforthed 1 in J>e faith ]mn) he was afo?, and thankyd 1
Almighti God 1 . 24
Militum magistri quales decent esse. Supra, de
bello, ij.
Miles demones esse non credidit. Infra de nigro-
mancia. 28
Miles videt visionem de paradiso. Infra de paradise.
* MS. iij. a MS. repeats, of.
336 493- A persistent Knight.
Miles malus post mortem apparens terret suos. Infra
de mortuis xvi & xvij.
CCCCXCIII.
Miles debet esse constans in prelio et corpus
4 exponere periculo \
lustinus tellis of a knyght of Athenes J?at hight Cinigrus
how on) a tyme when) he saw hys enmys had done grete slaghter, and
J?ai gaderd 1 mekuft gude to-gedur & had it vnto a ship), and when)
8 Jmi wer aft J>erin, he gatt hold 1 on) J?e ship) & held 1 it with his
right hand 1 & wold 1 not lat J?aim go. And f>ai saw f>at, and smate
it of. And when) it was of, he gatt hold 1 f>eron) agayn) wt'tA his
lefte hand 1 , and held 1 it, & J)ai smate it of. And when) he saw
1 2 bothe his handis was of, he gatt held 1 it with his tethe. And J>us
nowder for los of bothe his handis, nor for no oder hurte at he had,
he wolde not lefe, bod faght as he had bene a wude beste, tyff att
J>e laste J>ai smate hyin) down) & kyllid 1 hyin).
1 6 Miles magntts et senator vrbis heremita efficitw.
Infra de solitudme, ij.
Miles crudeKs per mfirmitatem mansuetus efficitw.
Supra, de infirmitate, ij & v.
20 Miles devotus beate virgini eciam temporaHter
hon orator. Sttpra de Maria virgine, j.
Mimo possuni adaptari que dicimtur supra, de hi-
strionib^s.
CCCCXCIV.
24 Minucio. Minucwne aliquaudo perdit^r sciencia,
prius ha^ita 2 .
Cesarius tellis how som tyme Iper was a clerk fat was wele and
sufficientlie lettercT. And on) a tyme he garte latt hyin) blode, and
1 MS. j'aradiso; Harl. MS. as above. 2 Heading supplied from Harl. MS.
494- Blood-letting. 495. The merciful Man. 337
when) he had bled 1 he loste att his letteratt cormyng, right evyn) as
he J had loste f aim be blode-lattyng 2 , so fat he knew not a leftre
nor cuthe not vnderstancT a lattyn) wurcF; not-wzt/istondyng he
was refte no thyng els. And fis he tolde-vnto many men). So 4
Iper was a man) on) a tyme cownceld 1 hym) & sayde, " f e same day
twelmo[n]th at f ou was lattyn) blude on), and f e same howre," he
sulde lat hym) blude agayn), and so peraventur he sulde gytt agayn)
his connyng. And so he did, & he requovercf hys conwyng agayn) 8
als wele as evur he had it.
ccccxcv.
Misericordia impendittfr inimico crucifix! amore.
Cesarius tellis how in) DuchelancTf 0r 3 was a knyght fat happend
sla fe fadur of a noder knyght. So be chawnce his son) att was 12
slayn) happend 1 to take hym) at slew his fadur. And he drew his
swerde and wold 1 hafe taken) hym) and slayn) hym). And he felt on)
kneis befo? hym) & said 1 ; " Sur, I beseke you, ffor His luff fat dyed
on fe cross & had mercy of att fis werlcT, fat ye wold hafe mercie 16
on) me now/' And with f ies wurdis he was compuncte, & tuke
hym) vpp) & sayde vnto hym) ; " Loo, in wyrshup) of f e holie cros,
& for His sake fat dyed 1 f eron), at He may forgyf me my synnys
I forgyff f e, not alonelie f e truspas at f ou hase done vnto me, bod 20
from) hens furth I shatt be f i frencT." And with fat he tuke hym)
abowte fe nekk & kyssyd?hym). And \vith-in a little while after,
f is same knyght burnyd? hym) with Ipe cros & went vnto f e holie
land 1 . And when) he come at f e kurk of f e sepulcre of ou? Lord 1 , 24
he went in-to it as other did 1 . And, at att folk saw, f e ymage of
f e crucifix bowed 1 evyn) down) & lowtid 1 vnto hym). And when) f ai
at saw vnderstude not vnto whome he did 1 it, f ai att went aforn) f e
rude ilkone after of er. And itt inclynyd vnto none of faim bod 28
vnto hym). And f ai axked hym) what was f e cauce, and he tolde
f aim att as is aforn) sayd.
1 MS. repeats, he. MS. blode lastyng. 3 MS. >at.
338 496. Mercy guides a Scholar.
CCCCXCVT.
Misericordia del omnibus est aperta.
Maister Alexander, f e bisshop of Mylan), tellis how som) tyme Iper
was a scoler off BolayfD. And on) a nyght as he lay in his bed,
4 hym) f oght he was be his one in a grete felde, & Iper he was war, as
hym) f oght, of a grete tempeste, & a huge, of storm) & evutt weddur
com) oute of fe north. And he hym) selfe was gretelie giffen)
to syn) and wrichidnes. So hym) f oght he was feid 1 for fis storm)
8 & was nere evyn), & he ran) als faste as he myght & gatt hym) to f e
town), and come vnto a howse & knokkid? at f e dure & prayed
f aim latt hym) com) in. And a womman) wi'tAin answered 1 hym) &
said 1 ; " I am) Rightwusnes att dwellis here, and foil fat erte nott
12 rijtwus may nott com) in here." And fan) he went vnto a noder
dure & knokkid 1 , & prayed 1 faim latt hym) com) in. And one
within ansswerd? hym) & said 1 ; " I am) Trewth at dwellis x here,
& fou fat luffis not trevvth salt not com) in here." And fan)
1 6 he went vnto fe iij dure, & knokkid? & prayed? at he mott com) in,
& one ansswercF hym) wttAin & said 1 ; " I am Pease f att dwelles
here, & becauce J>at peas is not to wykkyd men), ferfof J?ou salt not
com) in here, ffor att my thothtes er of peas, & not of affliccion) nor
20 of dissese. Bod I cowncett f>e att J?ou go vnto my suster fat
dwellis by me att ]> e next howse, fat helpys att fat er in dissese."
And he went vnto f e iiij dure & knokkid 1 , and a womwian) ansswerd?
hym) with-in. & said 1 ; "I am) Mcrcye fat dwellis here, and if f ou
24 witt hafe me & be savicTfro yone grete tempeste, f ou muste go vnto
f e howse of f e freer prechurs in Bolayfi) & make f e a freer, & f er
fou satt be savid?." And fis scoler with fis wakynd 1 , & on) fe
morn) he rase & went vnto f e freers & told? f aim. att his vysion) &
28 askyd 1 f aim f e abbett & reseyvicT it, & liffid 1 f er many a day & was
a gude man) & a holie.
CCCCXCVII.
Misericordia dei parata est eciam eum negaritibws.
Wee rede in * Vitis Patrum. ' how on) a tyme Iper was a monke fat
32 gretelie was tempid, & he went into a strete of Egipp>; & Iper
1 MS. dwellid.
497- The w htte Dove. 498. The sacramental Loaf. 339
hym) happend se f e doghter of a paynoms preste, & he axked to
hafe hur vnto his wyfe. And fis preste wente vnto his 1 goddzs in
his temple, & axkicT f aim cownceft & said 1 }>e monk wold 1 algatis
hafe his doghter to wyfe, "whethur sail I giff hur vnto hym) 4
or nay 1 " And f e fend ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Gyff hur
not vnto hym) bod if he furste forsake his God 1 & his baptymV'
And he went & told? f e monk, & he did aft as he bad hym). And
onone f er come oute of his mouthe a white duffe, whilk fat flow 8
vnto hevyn). And fan) fis preste went agayn) and axkid cownceft
att fcis god 1 , and he ansswerd? hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Gyff nott yitt
fi doghter vnto hym), for yitt his God helpis hym), f uf aft he hafe
forsaken) Hym)/' And fis preste come agayn) & tolde f e monke, 12
and fis monke made grete sorow & said 1 ; " A, so wo is me ! Loo 1
God duse me gude agayn) ift." And be f e cownceft of a gude
holie olde man) he was shrevyn) and did penance, and adled? after-
ward 1 for to see f e duffe fat he had loste comwyng agayn) vnto 16
hym), and entred in att his mouthe.
Misericordie del possunt adaptari nmlta que dicuntur
supra, de ccwtricione et confessione, et alibi.
CCCCXCYIII.
Missa prodest viuis. 20
Saynt Gregur tellis how on) a tyme \er was a shifD-man), & hym)
happend be perisshid be J>e see. And he had a gude frencT,
a preste, fat said 1 a mes for hym) & offred 1 f e sacrament for hym).
And as f is preste was at f e sacryng of his mes, f is man) come 34
al hole furthe of J>e see, and come vnto f is preste and tolde hym)
fat when) he was in f e se and alsmoste defaylid 1 , sodanlie f er come
one vnto hym) & broght hym) a lafe. & when) he had eten) itt,
onone he was comforthed 1 & had strenthe, & was takyn) vp into a8
a ship), & so he was savicT. And be his tellyng, f is preste knew
fat f e same how? at f e lafe was broght vnto hym) he was att mess,
& offred 1 f e sacrament for hym).
1 MS. our ; Harl. MS. deos suos.
340 499- ^ Man buried in a Bank.
CCCCXCIX.
Missa iterum et alio modo valet viuis.
Petrus Clunacensw l tellis fat in f e dioces of Politan), in Grece 2 ,
f er was a man) 3 f att wroght in a banke for syluer vre. And
4 sodanlie f e banke feli and kyllid aft fat was vnder-nethe. So Iper
was one of f aim ran) in-to a corner of f e banke and was savid 1 ,
neuer-f e-les he mott nott gett oute. And his wyfe, trowyng fat he
was dead 1 , euerilk day garte do a mes for hym), and daylie at fat
8 mes sho offerd 1 a candeH and a lofe of bread 1 and a litle pott fufi of
wyne. And on) a tyme f e devuft had envy at hur dede, & daylie
iij dayes to-gedur, in a mans liknes, he mett hur and axkicP hur
whedur sho went, and evur sho tolde hym) f e cauce of hur gate.
12 And he ansswerd 1 hur agayn) & said 1 ; " Labur not to fe kurk
in vayn), for f e preste hathe done mess." And so f ies iij dayes
to-gedur sho ow^-hippid 1 & offird 1 nott. So afterward 1 Iper happend 1 a
man) grafe in f e same banke. And sodanlie as he wroght, he hard 1
1 6 one speke & say ; *' Smyte softelie, for Iper is a grete stone bown)
to fait on) me." And ]ns man) was ferd 1 with J>is voyce, & callid 1
dyvers folke to here it. And he grofe on), and belife he harde J>e
same voyce. And with pat he wroght on) & fond? J?is man) & tuke
20 hym) oute quykk, & axkid hym) how he limd 1 Iper so long. And he
told 1 faim fat eumlk day, outtaken) iij dayes to-gedur, sen) J?e
banke feH on) hyin) was broght vnto hym) a lofe of bread? and
a pygg with wyne & a light candyff. And when) his wyfe hard fis
24 sho was passyng glad 1 , & knew verelie J>at he was sustenyd 1 with
hur offrand, and at J>e devult begylid 1 hur fies iij dayes fat sho
sulde nott gar mes be done, to thentent fat he wold? nott fe
meracle of f e mes had bene provid 1 nor of f e sacrament nowther.
28 Missa prodest deftwctis. Infra de Oculis.
Missam pro defunct^ celebrare est vtile. Infra de
sacerdote, j.
1 MS. Climacenst's. 3 Harl. MS. in diocesi Greciopolitana.
3 For men, Latin viri.
500. ' What am IV 501. The Monk 's Habit. 341
Missa iterum valet defunctis. Infra de purgatorio,
iij, et de peccato, iij, et de sufFragio i et iij.
Missa debet celebrari cum orrmi diligencia. Infra
de sacerdote, v. 4
Missa celebrari ncm debet ab indigno. Infra de
sacerdote, x et vj.
Missam omni die audire bonum est. S^ra de
Maria, i 1 , et de decepczone, ij. s
D.
Monachus debet se humiKter habere e neminem
iudicare.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how one pat night losepn axkecT
abbott Pastor how he sulde make hym) selfe a monke. And 12
he ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said ; " And pou witt fynd 1 riste bothe
in pis werld 1 & in f>e toder werld 1 , in euer-ilk cauce say vnto Ipi
selfe, { whatt arn) I ] ' And JmiD shaH f>ou nevur deani) no man)."
DI.
Monachus in ha&itu suo debet mori. 16
Cesarius tellis how in an abbay of Ceustus ordur Iper was
a monk f>at was gretelie vexid 1 with sekenes, & he doffid?his cowle
& did on) his skaplorie, and so he dyedl And he was born) in-to
\>er oratorie, & f>e monk?s began) att say Iper psalters for hym). 20
And sodanlie he rase vp) & callicT J?e abbot vnto hym). And his
brethur war ferct 1 & ran) away, & J>e abbott come vnto hyin). And
he said 1 vnto j?e abbott ; " Sur, I shryfe me vnto you pat I dyed 1
WtAowten) my cowle vppon) me. And when) I trowed 1 frelie to 24
hafe entrecTinto paradice, Saynt Bennett come vnto me & said 1 ;
' Whar is pine abbett 1 Here may pou nott ente? w^tAouten) itt.' "
& one, he said 1 , axked 1 hym) whatt he was, and he tolde hym) pat he
was a nionke of Ceustus ordur. And he said 1 , " ' & pou be a monke, 28
1 MS. v.
A a
342 53- A Monk's Ideal. 503. A Monk's Surety.
wha? is fine abbett ? ' and with fat oper fat was aboute prayed 1
for me, and f us I was sufFred com) agayn) vnto my bodye at I mott
resayfe myne abbett of f e, and at I mott so be wurthie to entre
4 into paradice."
DII.
Monachus passiones debet reprimere.
We rede ex ' Diciis Patfmm ' how fat abbott Pastor said 1 in his
life ; " He fat is evur compleynancT sulde nott be a mouke, and he
8 fat duse ill for ill is no monke, and he that is angrie is nott
wurthie be callid 1 a rnonke." et c 9 .
Monachus apostata penitens, et sic moriens, eciam
post mortem ha&itum recuperauit. Infra de
i a voliwtate, ij.
Monachus cibaria exqwisita comedere non debet.
Sup?*a de gula, v.
Dili.
Monachus in gestis exteriorib^s debet onwes
1 6 edificare.
lacobws de Vetn'aco tellis how som) tyme f er was a knyght fat
happend in were to take a pure man). And f is pure man) prayed
hym) to latt hym) gone, and gett his rawson). And f is knyg[7itf]
20 had petie off hym) & said"; " Whatkyn) suertie shaft f ou lefe me for
f i commyng agayn) 1 " And he ansswercT agayfD & sayd ; " I shall
fynde you God to borgli & a cawson) be myne othe, for other fing
I may not fynd you." And f us he went his ways and selde all his
24 lyfelocT, and yit he mott nott coifD agayn) at f e day att he had
poynticT; and here-fo? fis knyght wex passyng wroth. So on)
a day, as he rode, he was wer of a monke fat was passand fatt
& read 1 , syttand prowdelie vppon) a fayr palfray, and rydyng
28 passand secularelie. And fis knyght ansswercT to his sweyers
54 The Lesson of Purgatory. 343
& saycT; " Wutt ye se fis monke, J?at be his ordur sulde ride
on) ane ass, base a better bors fail) I hafe." And with fat be rade
vnto hym) & tuke byffi) be the brydytt, and askid 1 hym) whose man)
he was. & he said 1 he bad no lord 1 bod Almijti God. And fan) f e 4
knyght sayd vnto hym) ; " Thi lorde is a suertie bon) vnto me,
& I will att f ou for him) make a sethe vnto me." And with fat
he garte hym) light, and tuke fe hors from) hym). And wit/i-in
a while after come f is pure man) and brogbt f e knyght his rawn- 8
son), & prayed hym) to forgiff hym) att he kepid 1 not his day. And
f e knyght wolde nott take his money, bod bad hym) take it agayn) ;
for, he said 1 , his borgh had payed hym) for hym) & delyverd 1 hym).
And when) fe pure man) harde >is be was passand fayn) & tuke his 12
money vp) agayn), and went home als merie as he mott be &
thonkid 1 God 1 .
Monachus eciam post mortem ab abbate suo est a
suis absolutus. Supra de absolucione. 16
DIV.
V ,
Monachus in se debet esse magne penitencie, et
leues et dissolutos reprehendere.
In 'Libro Purgatorio Beati Patricij,' we rede how soiri) tyme Iper
was a monk )?at entrecT into fe purgatorie of Saynt Patrykk, and 20
evur after whils he liffid 1 he had wowndis att ffressti & new, whilk
he tuke ]>er. And he was also evur in grete penaunce, and evur
when) he saw any yong monk lagh vnmesurable or othervvyse
be lewidlie governyd) he wold cry & say; "0 ! wold 1 God f>ou wist 24
whatkyii) byttyr payn) is giffen) for mysgovernans, for fan) fou wold 1
nowder do nor say as f>ou dose." et c 9 .
Monachus recuperamt de vacca quod potuit. Infra
de simplicitate. 28
Monachus proprietarius in sterquilinio sepelitur.
Infra de proprietate, ij.
A a 2
344 55- A Housewife seeks Discipline.
DV.
Monialis in omnibus debet esse paciens.
Saynt Ambros tellis how \er was som tyme a gude huswyfe,
& sho besoght ane abbatice at sho wulde graunte hur a non) for to
4 dwell with hur awhile for recreacton, & sho grauntid hur one
whilk fat was a gude buxsom), and was as a servand in f e howse,
bothe vnto hur and all hur meneya. & sho servid hur all a yere
& grevicf no creatur in fe howse. So at f e yere end 1 f is abbatis
8 come & visitt fis huswyff & f is non). And f is huswyff prayed f is
abbatis to take home hur non) agayn), for, sho said 1 , sho mot wyn)
no f ing by hur, sho was so pacient and so buxsom) & so s^rvisable
in alt f ingis, & wilt nowder truble hur selfe nor oder folk. And
la sho prayed hur to send hur one at sho myght wyn) somwhatt bye.
And fan) sho sent hur one fat was a maydyn) and vncorrupte, bod
sho was debatus & passyng angrie & euer chidand 1 , & alway
gruchand agayns hur huswyffe, & wolde flite with hur and with
16 all J?e howse-meneya. And when) J>e yere end was done, f>is
abbatice come agayn) & visitt f>is huswyffe, & fan) fis huswyfe
spak vnto hur & said 1 ; " Ye hafe now giffen) me a gude non), whilk
I wold 1 Ipat neuer sulde parte with me ; ffor I hafe won) als mekult
20 mede be suffryng of hur inpaciens f>is yere as I loste be f>e mekenes
of f e toder Je laste yere." And so f>is non) was with hur aH hur
lyfe. et c 9 .
Monialis debet esse casta et constans. Supra, de
24 castitate, iij.
MoniaHs bona m^ttit occasiones videndi viros et pro-
pi nquos carrie. Supra de affectu carnali.
MoniaKs cum puritate cordis et corporis debet sacras
2 8 vestes contractare. Supra de corporali.
MoniaHs absentis officium su[p]plet beata Maria.
Supra, de Maria, vij.
506. Joy unto Death. 507. Maddening Mirth. 345
MoniaKs amore carnali capta monasterium wit re-
linquere. Supra, de Maria, ix.
Moniah's debet ad onmes e in omnibus 1 esse
humiKs. S^ra de fatuitate. 4
Monialis luxuriosa. Supra, de luxuria.
MoniaHs temptata fuit carnaliter e postea spmtua-
liter 2 . Infra de temptacione, vij.
Moniali possuut adaptari multa que dicimtur infra s
de muliere.
DVI.
Mors aliquomcfo ex gaudio causat^r.
Valerius tellis how som tyme at Tracie fa? was a grete fray
w#A-oute J>e town), and J>er was a wedow had hur son) Iper, and att i a
was nerehand slayn) J?at J>r was. & when) wurde come in-to
J>e town), f>is wedow went hur son) had bene slayn), & sodanlie hur
happend 1 to mete hur son) in J>e yate, fat sho went had bene dead 1 .
And sho was passand fayn) & hawsid? hyin) about e j?e nekk, & 16
kyssyd hyin), & evyn) forth wttA for ioy sho svvelte & was dead 1 .
DVII.
Mors citius prouemt ex gaudio q^am ex tristicia.
Valerius tellis how after f e same fray Iper was a womman) in fe
cetie, and message come vnto hur at hur son) was dead 1 ; and scho 20
went home vnto hur howse & was passand hevye. So at fe laste
sho sett hur down) to mete, and sodanlie hur son) come in, and als
tyte as sho saw hym), for ioy sho wex evyn) oute of hur mynde.
And so it was mo? sunrable vnto hur, f>e sorow of dead 1 , fan) was 24
J?e mirthe of life.
Mors aliquando causatur ex confusione. Supra, de
confusione 3 et infra de silencio, ij.
1 MS."ho7imbtf*. * MS. Monialt carnaliter fuit et postea.
3 MS. confucicwe.
346 58- Flames foretell Death. 509. The Death-Banner.
Mortis cogitacio mitigat temptaci'cwem carnis.
de cogitacio^e, iij.
Mors aliquancfo differtur oicationibus sanctorum.
4 Supra de Basilio, ij x .
DVIII.
Morte subita morhmtw aliqucmcfo peccafores,
eciam in actu peccandi.
Petrus Damyanus tellis how soiri) tyme Iper was a prynce pat
8 hight Salamitanws 2 . So oii) a day hym) happend 1 to hike vp vnto a
hytt, and he saw bruste oute at pe top of pe hitt grete low &
smoke. And when) he saw it he said 1 vnto paiwi at stude abowte
hym) ; " WitAouten) dowte Iper is som) curste ryche man) dead 1 &
12 gane vnto heft, ffor per is swilk a custom) in pat coiitretli, pat
when) pe dead 1 of a curste riche man) drawis nere, pat hytt wilt
caste oute low & stynk of pykk and burnte stane." And when)
pis was said 1 , apon) pe nexte nyght after, as pis prince thoght
1 6 he was sekur enoghe & lay in his bed w^tA a strompett, soclanlie he
dyed 1 . Whame, as sho telcT afterward 1 , sho suffred 1 lyg long vppon)
hur body, and at pe laste sho felicT he was no man) bod a stynkyng
caryon), & keste hym) of hur.
DIX.
Mors eciam omnes ditissimos spoliat.
We rede in ' Cronicles ' of ane pat hight Saladinws, when)
on) a tyme he knew pat he sulde dye att Damaske, he callid 1 his
hansman) vnto hym) & said 1 ; " pou at was wunt to bere my banor
24 vnto bateH, bere now pe banor of my dead 1 , pat is to say a fowle
clothe, purgh att Damaske, & cry & say pus, ' Behold 1 ! pe kyng of
pe Orient is bowfD to dye, and he mon) nothyng bere vfiih hym)
bod pis fowle clothe/ " And onone after he dyed 1 , & was won) in
28 pe same clothe.
Morientes in hora mortis temptati per ora^'ones
sanctorum adiuuantur. Supra de demone, iij 3 .
1 MS. iij. 2 Lat. MSS. Princeps Salami tanus, Salanitanus. 9 MS. iiij.
5io. The transitory World. 511. Tie Abasement of Death. 347
Mors est timenda. Infra de timore.
Mor te imp TO visa J moriiwt w aliquando aliqui . St^pra
de ArcAidiacono.
DX.
Mors omma facit relinquere. 4
We rede in Libro de Dono Timoris ' how fat f e kyng of
Lothoringe, fat was bod a yong mail), on) a tyme when) he was
in a trans of dead 1 , he beheld 1 his palas & his grete howsis and
saycT; "O! fou Lord God?! How mekuft fis werlcf aght to be 8
dispysyd 1 ! For I, fat hase had so many grete palas and so many
howsis to lygg in, fis nyght I wate nott whythir I mon) goo, nor
who fat mon) take me to herberye."
DXI.
Mors qwantifmcurape magnos humiliat. 12
Petrus Alphonsis 2 tellis how fat when) kyng Alexander was
dead 1 & his tombe was gaylie made of sylver & of golde, in his
palas Iper gader in many philosophers. And ane of faim said 1 ;
" Alexander yisterday made tresur of golde and now it is evyfi) 16
contrarie, for golde makis tresur of hyin)." And fan) a noder
said 1 ; "Yisterday wolde not alt fis werlcTsuffis vnto hyin), and fis
day for yerdis of grond? alonelie sufficis hyiin)." And fan) f e thrid
said 1 ; "Yisterday he had rewle of aft fe peple, and fis day fe 20
peple hase rewle of hyin)." Than) f e iiij said 1 ; "Yisterday he
myght hafe delyverd? many peple fro dead 1 , and fis day, for aft his
power, he mot [not] esshew dead 1 ." Than) fe v said 1 ; " Yisterday
he led 1 a grete hoste, and today he is led of f aim & putt vnto 24
beryaft." Than) fe sext sayd 1 ; "Yisterday he thristid? down)
f e ertft, and fis day f e erth f rustis hyin) down)." And fan)
a noder said 1 ; "Yisterday fe peple dred hyfn) gretelie, and fis day
f ai sett right not by hym)." And fan) a noder sai^d 1 ; " Yisterday 28
1 MS. inprovisa. a MS. Alphensis.
848 512, Worldly Joy as Tow. 513. A Lesson from Legends.
he had hothe many frendis and enmys, and .jris day aR er in lyke
vnto hym)."
DXII.
Mortis eciam consideracio multum valet homini
4 in dignitate constitute.
Ysidorus tellis how som) \tyme] ]per was a custom), J?at on) Ipe
furste day of J>e crownyng of f>e Emperour of Constantynople,
when) he was in his moste ioy, a mason) sulde coin) & bryng hym)
8 iiij or v maner of stonys of marble and say vnto hym) on) J?is maner
of wyse, and hyd hym) chese of f>ies of whilk he wolde hafe
his grave made. And so it was wunt to be done in Ipe cowrte
of Rome, for when) Ipe Pope was chosen) \>er was broght aforn) hym)
1 2 a pece of lyne-tow, & when) fyre was sett in it, J>an) was sayd vnto
hym) ; " Thus gose ]>e ioy of )?is werld 1 away, as }ns fyre bryngzs Jis
tow in-to a sparlc, and afterward 1 in-to right noght."
DXIII.
Mortis certitude qu&ntumcunque difFeretur nrnltos
16 inductt ad bonum.
We rede in * Libro de Dono Timoris ' how \>er was a man)
fat had mekyft conwyng in li^ratu? of phisykt'*, and he was giffien)
vnto vanyties of )?is werld 1 . So on) a tyme hym) happend to be
20 at matyns on) a Sonday, & "per he harde in f>e legend 1 of lang life of
olde fadurs, and how alway in Ipe encf of ilkone it was sayd 1 , ' Mortuus
est, he is dead 1 .' He vmbethoght hym) ]?ot it wold 1 happen) so on)
hym), and he lifficT neu^r so lang, and when) he conseyvid 1 jris, he
24 dispysid fe werlde & entred 1 into J>e ordur of freer pr^churs. And
Iper he was made a freer prechur at vniuersitie of Paryssh, and he
was a man) of grete auctoritie and holynes.
DXIV.
Mortis certitudo multum turret aliquos immortali-
28 tat em appetentes.
We rede in ' Historia Dragtaanortwn/ how )mt J>ies Dragmans,
like philosophurs, beand in wyldernes, dispysyd alt werldly thyngis.
514- Death sure. 515. Death ly an Image. 349
And kyng Alexander sent message vnto f aim & said 1 , aske what f ai
wold 1 & f ai sulde hafe it. And f ai wrote vnto hyra agayn) & said 1 ;
" Grant vs fat we shaft nevur dy, for fat we desyre moste of ali."
And he wrote vnto f aim agayn) & sayd 1 ; " When) I am) mortal! 4
& mon) dy my selfe, how mot I graunt you fat ye sali nevur dye 3 "
And fai wrote vnto hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; " Sen fou knowis at fou
mon) dye, whi duse fou so rnekuft ill & puttis f i selfe in so many
perels 1 " 8
Mortis certitude inducit hommem ad provisionem
necessarior^m post mortem. Infra de pro-
videncia, ij.
Mortis certitudo confirmat hominem in bono in- 12
choato. Infra de sortilegio.
Mortui corpus aliquomcfo vegetur ! a demone. Infra
de suffrages.
DXV.
Moritw homo aliquanc^o dum est in maiore festo. 16
We rede in 'Libro 2 de Dono Timoris' how at }?e cetie of
Dyvyofi) Iper was ane vsurar fat wed a wyfe, and \>er was made
abown) fe porche-dure many ymagis of stone. And emang other
Iper was made ane ymage of ane vsurar with a grete purs in his 20
hand of stone, and sodanly as fis vsura? stude at f e porche-dure
to be wed 1 , f is ymage of f e vsurar abon) lete fatt f e purs of stone
apon) f e vsura? head? fat shulde be wecT, & kyllicT hym).
DXVI.
Mors hommem quantumcunque adnichilat. 24
We rede in f e ' Gestis of Alexander ' how at f er was sent
on) a tyme vnto Alexander fe kyng a stone, and when) it was
put in f e balance to be weyed? in f e to skale, it weyed more fan 3
aft fat evur f ai cuthe put in f e toder skale. And when) f ai put 28
1 MS. vegetatur. a MS. repeats, in Libro. 3 MS. Jjat.
350 516. Earth-Powder. 517. T/te Horror of Death.
a little powder f eron), it weyid? les fan * any thyng did 1 at f ai cuthe
put in f e toder skale. And when) f ai say f is, many wise men) had
grete merveft ferof. And emangzs faiwi ane said vnto kyng
4 Alexander ; " f is stone shewis vnto you what ye er ; ffor now ye
wey mo? fan) duse all fe werlcT, for it may skantlie here you.
Bod fro ye be deade and a little powder of ertn casten) on) you,
fan) shall ye be les fan) any thyng fat is in f is werld 1 ."
DXVII.
8 Mortis horror aliquos ad bonum inducit.
We rede in ' LiJro de Dono Timoris/ when) f e kurk of Crepsie 2
shulde be halowed 1 , & for fat f ai wolde take oute fe bodie of
ane erle fat was bericF f er, f ai fancT a tade sittancT on) his face
12 knawand 1 , & many wormys and serpentis, to so mekutt at aft fat
\>er was fled 1 , aft bod a son) of his awn). And he come to it & saw
it, & tuke hyin) so mekuli f oght f erfo? fat he lefte all his gude &
tuke hyin) to pouertie, & was so pure at efterward 1 he beggicT his
1 6 meat. And so he persevercT many day. So hyin) happend 1 on)
a tyme to coin) vnto Rome, & f er he become a collear to gett hym)
meat with, & he had no noder place to lig in bod vnder-nethe
a grece in f e howse of a cardinal!. And f er he lay vnto he dyed 1 ,
20 and made a gude end 1 . And on) fe nyght when) he dyeoT, aft
f e bellis of f e kurk rang be f er one.
Mortis timor reddit howmem tristem et cogitatiuum.
Infra de timore, iij & iiij.
24 Mortuis valent suffragia et oratories et oblaciowes.
Supra de missa, iij, et infra de suffragio, iij.
DXVIII.
Mortis memoria inducit ho-mmes ad penitenti&m.
We rede in ' Li&ro de Dono Timoris ' how on) a tyme f er was
28 a cursid 1 knyght, and he wolde do no penance fat was enionyd 1
1 MS. >at. 3 Harl. MS. Cresby.
5 1 8. Penitential Thoughts. 519. Penance by Proxy. 351
hym) for his syfi) be Pope Alexander. & so fe Pope gaff hym)
liis ryng, & enionyd hym) to penans for to here itt, vndmiethe f is
condicion), fat evur when) he lukid 1 f 0r-vppon), he sulde vmthynk
hym) of his dead 1 . And when) he had worn) it many day, and done 4
as he bad hym), he turnyd agayn) vnto f e Pope, & said 1 fat he was
redie to fulfyft whatt penans at he wolde enioyn) hym). & so
he did? & was a gude man).
DXIX.
Mortuis prodest penitencia a viuis factfa loco 8
deftwctorwm.
Maister Nicholas, fe Archebisshop), tellis how soin) tyme fer
was ij felowis at war passand trew to-gedur, and ane of f aim
happend 1 to do a grete syn). So be counceft of fat ofer he went 12
vnto Rome & shrafe hym) Iperof, & hym) was enionyd 1 f erfo? iij yere
penance, & )?is taken), hyin) happend? fatt into a grete sekenes. And
he made grete sorow at he might not fulfytt his penance, and
his felow beheste hym) J>at, & he dyed 1 , he shulcT do itt for hym). 16
And when) he was dead 1 & his felaw had done f>is penance for hym),
in j?e end 1 of fe furste yere he fat was dead 1 apperid? vnto hym), and
fe thricf parte of his bodie was passand white and J>e toder ij partis
blak as pykk. And in f e end 1 of J?e secund yere he append 1 vnto 20
hym), & ij parties of his body white & J>e iij blakk. And in J>e end 1
of J>e iij yere he apperid vnto hym) aft white, and thankid 1 hyin)
gretelie for his delyvmins.
DXX.
Mortuis valet restitucio ablator^m fac^a pro eis. 24
We rede in ' Liiro de Dono Timor is ' how a duches son) was
bown) to dye, & he was shrevyn) & yit he was bod ix yere olde.
And when) he was dead 1 he aperid 1 vnto his moder & told? hur
he was in grevus payn), becauce l he had not payed 1 dettis fat 28
he had borowid? of his fadur meneya to play hym) with, becaus
1 MS. repeats, becauce.
352 52O. Restitution after Death. 521. Isabel of Navarre.
he had no thoght f 0ron) when) fat he dyed 1 . And his moder garte
spyr att whome he borowict 1 it, & garte pay it vnto f aim. And
afterward 1 f e child 1 append 1 vnto hur agayrD, & lete hur hafe know-
4 lege that he was delyverd oute of payn), & put in grete ioy and
felicitie.
DXXI.
Mors pulcritudmem et omnes gramas corporales
destruit,
8 "We rede of ane, Isabett, fat was by "Whene of Navern), and when)
sho drew nere hur dead 1 sho garte light many lightis about e hur
bed 1 , and garte feche in many knyghtis & grete men of fe cetie.
Sho sayde vnto f aim on) f is maner of wyse ; " Vmthynk you & se
12 fat I, fe Whene of Navern), fe Cowntas of Campanye, and fe
doghter of fe Kyng of Fraunce, whilk fat was clere & fayr &
discrete, and gracious in euer-ilk mans sight, now, as ye see,
dead wytt com) to me & destroy all f ies."
16 Mori debet religiosus in ha&itu suo. Supra de
monacho, ij.
.Morientes aliquancZo demones asserwnt. Infra de
vsurario, ij.
20 Mortui eciam in odio morie7ites post mortem illud
retinent. Infra de odio.
Mortuorwm peccatorum corpora eciam post mortem
visibi'liter puniu^twr. Supra, de luxuria.
DXXH.
24 Mortui aliqucmcfo monent viuos pro eis vt ablata
restituant.
Cesarius tell is how \>er was a knyght, fat bight Fredericus
of Kelle, when) he was dead append 1 vnto a man) sittancT vppon)
28 a blak stede, & oute of his nese-thrilles come a grete reke & flawm)
522. Unnatural Children. 533. Holy Water '$ Power. 353
& he was covercT alt witb skynnys & bare a grete lumpe of erth
betwix his shulders. And f e man) fat he append 1 vnto askid 1 hym)
if he war Fredericus, and he ansswerd 1 agayii) & said 1 he was.
& he axkicT hym) fro whyne he come, and what aft fat bement att 4
he saw. And he ansswercT hym) agayfi) & said ; " I am) in grete
paynys, and f ies skynnys I tuke fro a wedow & now I fele f aim
burnand 1 vppon) me. Also \er was solde vnto me wronguslie
a certayn) porcion) of land 1 , & now it burnys on) my bakk & thrustis 8
me down). Bod & my childer wulcle restore it agayn), my payn)
mon) be lestend." And f us he vanysshid? away. And when) his
childer hard 1 tell of \>er fadur wurdis be f is man) fat spak with
hym), }?ai wolde not yelde f>is lande agayn), bod had levur at ia
Iper fadur sawle war evur in payfD fan at }>ai pcirtid 1 with J>is
lande.
DXXIII.
Mortui aliquancZo apparentes infestant viuos.
Cesarius tellis how Ipat in f>e bisshoppryk of Tryuarens Iper was 16
som tyme a knyght ]?at hight Henrie, & he vsid robborie, avowtrie,
inceste, & to be mane-sworn). And when) he was dead 1 he append 1
vnto many folk. So at )?e laste he apperid 1 vnto a doghter fat he
gatt in avowtrie, & afterward 1 lay by bur hym) selfe, and he wolde 20
nowder lett for crossyng nor strykyng with swerdl And when) he
was stryken), he mott not be wowndicT, and Iper come fro hym) swilk
a sownd? like as fe bed had bene dongen) on) with mellis. So at j> e
laste, when) he wold? no wyse away, thurgh cowncett of f e arche- 24
bisshopp) J?ai tuke holy watyr on) a Sononday, & keste on) hur
& our 1 all fe chawmer. And when) J>is was done J?ai saw hym)
nevur after.
DXXIV.
Mors amicorwm debet pacienter tolerari 1 . . a 8
Valerius tellis of ane fat hight Anaxagor, a whilosophur, when)
one tolde hym) fat his son) was dead 1 he ausswerd? agayn) & saycT;
1 MS. tollerari.
354 5 2 4- Sorrow borne patiently. 5^5* A- Dragon overcome.
" Tell me not fat I wate, ffor I knew when) he was born) fat
he sulde dye." Also Oracius tellis of a bisshop) fat hight lovis *,
how on) a tyme as he was halowand a howse, as he was enoynttand 1
4 fe poste with his hand 1 , ane come & teld'hym) fat his son) was dead 1 ;
and he nowder removid 1 his hand fro f e poste, nor left his obser-
vance for no sorow, fat he sulde not be sene of f e peple to do mo?
fat longed vnto a fadur fan) vnto a bisshopp). Also we rede of
8 Socraticws, when) fat he did his onrancT, one lete hym) witt fat f e
more 2 of his sons was dead 1 , he wold 1 not lefe his offrand 1 , neuer-f e-les
he doffed 1 his crown). Neuer-f e-les he spurrid' how he dyed 1 , & it
was told 1 his son) dyed* & faght manlelie in f e felde ; & when)
12 he harde telcT of fat he tuke fe crown) agayn) & dond 1 it on) his
head 1 , and said 1 he made mo? gladnes fat his son) dyed manlely fan)
sorow for his dead 1 .
DXXV.
Morientes liberantur a temptacionibws demonum
* 6 per deuotas oratories.
Saynt Gregur tellis fat in his monasterie f er was a childe fat
hight Theodoras, whame he was passand feft & grevus with, & f is
childe wolde be passand wrothe with any fat tolde hym) oght
20 for his gude, and gladlie he wold 1 not here f aim. So be proces of
tyme hym) happend to be seke & lay in trans of dead 1 , and when) aft
f e monkzs stude aboute hym) he began) to cry, & sayd 1 ; " Go your
ways ! Go your ways ! For I am) gyffen) vnto f e dragon) to devow?.
24 Now he hase swolod in-to his mouthe my head 7 , bod for you he
may not swolow me alt. Gyff hym) rome fat he no langer turment
me, bod fat he may do att he come for to do/' And one of f aim
bad hym) sayfi) hym), & he said? he wold fayn) bod he myght nott.
28 So fai felt vnto \>er prayers devoutelie, & fan) fis seke childe
began) to cry, & saycT; "I thank att-myghti [6W], for furgfa
your prayers f e dragon) is fled 1 & I am) delyverd 1 ."
1 Harl. MS. Oradkts, quoqe louis 2 Harl. MS. maiorew e duobus
pontifex. filijs.
526. Hurtful Backbiting. 52 7. Perverted Scruples. 355
DXXVI.
Mortuis ncm est detrahend^m.
We rede ex ' Legenda Lombarcfo'ca,' how ]>at in f>e monasterie of
Saynt Gregor Iper was a monk J?at was so vex id 1 with fe axis at lie
was like to dye. & his brethir saicT ]>er psalters aboute hym), 4
trowyng J?at he sulde dye. And when) ]?ai had done fai began) to
bakbyte hym). So yitt hym) happencF to turn) agayn) vnto lyfe,
& he lifte vp his ene & smylid & said 1 ; " God forgyf you, brethir !
Whi wolde ye bakbyte me 1 Ye hafe done vnto me a grete 8
impediment, ffor I was bothe at onys accusid 1 bothe of you & of j?e
devuft and I wiste neuer to whethur dissease I might ansswer.
And perfo? when ye se any man) bown) to dy, bakbite hym) not, bod
hafe compassion) on) hym), at ye make hym) no lettyng when) he ia
comwys afo? Ipe strayte iugement of almyghtie Godl"
DXXVII.
Mulierem tangere non est bonum.
Thai? was a man) of religion) fat on) a tyme went o-gatewaroT 1
with his moder. And when) ]?ai come vnto a watyr, & he sulde 16
bere our his moder, he 2 tuke his handis & wappid 1 f>aiw in his
skirte, at he sulde not tuche ]?e handis of his moder. And when)
he had born) hur our, sho askid? hym) whi he did so. And he
ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 , " f>e body of a womman) is fyre, & becauce 20
I thoght what wommeii) er, J>^rfor I wold 1 not tuche J>e for perett
f>at mot haj)pen) }>er vppon)."
Mulier debet cauere ne 3 ornatu, vel pulcritudir^e, vel
alloqwio provocet virum. Supra, de abscondere. 24
Mulier casta est amanda. Supra de castitate, ij.
Mulierib'ws naturaliter inest compassio. St^pra de
compassione, ij.
Mulier diligenter debet custodiri. Supra de ffilia. 28
1 Latin, cum matre sua iter 2 MS. & he.
faceret. 3 MS. ne donis ornatu.
356 5 2 ^. A false Woman. 529. A valorous Woman.
Mulier vitro se ingerit viro. Supra de castigate, v,
et de luxuria, i.
Mulier amore castitatisecmmpropria membra corporis
4 debet contempnere. Si^pra de castigate, iij.
Mulier amore castitotts eciam propriam patriam
debet relinquere. S^ra de Clemente.
Mulier amore castiZatis eciam corpus proprium ex-
s pomt perictdo. Vt supra,.
Mulieris coha&itacio non est secura viro. Sttpra de
cruce, ij, et de carne, i.
DXXVIII.
Mulier eciam amicum nititur decipere.
12 Valerius tellis of one fat hight Zenocrates Platonicus, whilk fat
was a man) of such virtue, fat he wolde lat no man) swere for
no maner of cauce, bod att euere man) sulde be trowid? be his playn)
wurd 1 ; & he was ffamilier vnto a womman) of Athenis. So on)
16 a day as sho spak with ofer wommen), sho trusting gretelie in
fe familiaritie of J>is philosophur, sho laid 1 a grete wageor at sho
sulde bryng hym) oute of f>e purpos of chastite. So )?is philosophur
on) a tyme come vnto hur, & sho made hym) mery of wyne so fat he
20 Hste slepe. & sho lenyd his head 1 down) in hur kne, & of his awn)
wyft Iper he lay a grete while. And evur sho talkid vnto hym)
wurdis to provoce hym) to luste of his bodie, and yit be no wyse
myght sho induce hym) f>erto, & so he went his wais & sho loste hur
24 wageor. And when) f e toder wommen) axked hur fat at sho had
loste, sho ansswercT agayn) & said 1 , f at sho layd 1 hur wageor of
a man) & not of a stokS, for he was a stokk, sho sayd 1 , & no man).
DXXIX.
Mulier virtuosa.
28 Valerius tellis how \>er was a man) fat hight Niuus, fat had
a wyfe. & when) he was dead 1 , on) a day as scho was byndand 1 vpp
530. Semiramis. 531. The Wife of Claudius. 357
hur head 1 , it was lattyn) hur wit fat BabylofD defaylid 1 in bataft.
And wiih fe ta syde of hur heade vnbun vpp) sho ran) to feght
agayn) faira of Babilon), & neuer wold sitt at bynd vp hur head?
ynto aft was won) & f ai fflecT. & f 0rfo? is ane ymage made of hur 4
& sett vp) in f is maner of wyse.
DXXX.
Mulier luxuriosa.
Orosius tellis of one fat hight Semiramis, fat was burnand
in lichorie & thristie in blude, made ane ordinans and a constitucion) 8
fat for no maner of reuerens nor inceste Ip'er sulde no lettyng be,
bod at betwix f e fadur & f e moder & f er childer, als ofte as f aiwi
lykid 1 , it sulde be lefufi to hafe at do samea or for to hafe to wyfe
or husband! So oiD a tyme sho desyryd hur awn) son) to hafe at do 1 2
with hur, and f er in despite he slew hur.
DXXXI.
Adhuc de muliere luxuriosa.
We rede in ' Cronicles ' of fe wyfe of Claudius, how fat sho was
so gyffen) vnto luste & lykyng, fat furste privalie and syne opynlie 16
sho wold? expownoT hur selfe, & cowncell f^rto other noble wommen),
so fat sho f oght fat sho had neur enogli f ^rof. And at f e laste
f e Emperow? & hur husband 1 to-gedur slew hur ; and sho was
so forgettelt of mynd 1 fat when) f ai slew hur sho askid 1 f aim whi 20
f ai wolde not com) & hafe att do with hur.
Mulier superba et despiciens virum quandoque
postea viro capitur. Supra, de AsseriecR.
Mulieres non expedit videre. Infra a de videre. 24
Mulier rixosa pacienter a viro est toleranda 2 . Inf?^a
de paciencia.
Mulier loquax grauiter punitur. Supra, de locucione.
1 MS. supra. 2 MS. tolleranda.
Bb
358 532- d niggardly Woman. 533. An understanding Judge,
Mulieris nequicia comparator serpenti. Infra de
serpente.
Mulier adultera virum suum ccwtempmt. Supra de
4 adulterio, j.
Mulier bona debet esse que ducit^r in vxorem. Infra
de vxore.
Mulier debet esse quieta et new vaga. Infra de
8 vxore.
Mulier ad peccandum est parata si requiratur. Infra
de silencio, ij.
Mulier natural iter ad se attrahit affec^m viri. Supra,
i3 de corampiscencia, j.
Mulier temptat virum. Infra de temptacione, v.
Mulier aliquomcfo feruens est ad * bonum, Supra, de
martirio.
DXXXIL
16 Mulier mfidelis est marito suo morienti.
We rede how a womraafi), when) hur husband lay in dead thrawis,
callid hur may den) & bad hur go by hur iij yerdes of hardy n),
'to wynde my husband in." And sho ansswerct 1 agaynV& saycT;
20 " Dame, ye hafe enogtie of fayr lyn clothe. Take Iperof iiij yerdis
and wynd hym) in." And sho was wrotfi 2 & said 1 ; " May not
iij yerdis of harden) serrifF hyin) wett enogti? " So )?is man) at lay
seke happend for to here hur, and when) he come to hym) selfe, als
24 itt as he myght, yitt he said 1 ; " Ya, make it shorte enogfi )?at it be
not fylid? \\iih clay *."
BXXXIII.
Mulieres quandoque pro parua re litigant.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how ]>er was ij women)
28 pleyd befor a iuge for a clew of threde. And fe iuge axkid ather
1 After ad, h, erased. 2 After wroth, s, erased.
3 A hand with Nota, above it points to this tale.
534- An old Wife 9 Word. 535. A deceiving Woman. 359
of lp aim wha?-of fe bothofn) at fe clew was won) on) was. And fe
tane said 1 it was on) a cole & fe toder said? it was on) a lyn) clowte.
And fan) he rewardicT at fe clew sulde be won) of, & sho at said?
sothe of f e bothom) sulde hafe it. 4
DXXXIV.
Mulieres * attente respicere non detent religiosi.
We rede in ' Vitis Patvum ' how on) a tyme a monk ran) for to se
maydens as f ai come same?! goyng be fe way. And when) he had
sene faiw he turnyd oute of fe way. And fan) tme olde wyfe 8
at was with f>ur maydyns sayd vnto J?is monk ; " And f>ou wer
a parfite monke foil sulde not behalde vs, nor know Ipat we wer
wommen)."
Mulier papa creatur. Infra de papa. 12
Mulierem demon incumbens infestat. Supra, de
demote, xj et xij.
Mulier nobih's eciam viro aliquanc^o se ingerit. Infra
de temptact'cwe, vj. 16
Mulier molestia carnis est temptata. Infra de
temptactone, vij.
Mulier um ornatui congaudet demon. Infra de
ornatu, ij. 20
Mulier virum suum in remotis partibus pergentem
debet expecta?^e diu ante quam nubat. Inf^-a de
peregrine et supra de celacione, j.
Mulier secretum est male celans. Supra de celacione. 24
DXXXV.
Mulier mala decipit virum suum.
Petrus Alphonfc?'s 2 ; how sonD tyme a man) went to wede hys
vyiiys, and his wyfe trowicTJmt he wold 1 hafe tarioTlong and callicT
1 MS. Muliere. 2 MS. Alphensis.
B b 2
360 53^- Women Companions in Evil.
hur luff into J?e hows. So |?is man) happend to be smytefi) in }?e ee
with a twyste, so j?at lie mot not se, & he mott hafe no ruste ferof
& went home. And when) he knokkid 1 at fe dure }>e wyfe was
4 ferde, & hid hur luff in a chawmer & afterward 1 oppynd }?e clure.
And hur husband went in & wolde hafe gane vnto Je bed 1 , and sho
axkicThym) what he wolde do at }>e bed 1 , and he tell id? hur aft as it
had happend hym). And sho bad hym) sitt down) & latt hur
8 charm) Ipe hale ee, fat it happend nott Ipe same. And sho putt hur
mowthe vnto fe hale ee to likk it, vnto hur luff was gone his way,
at hur husband wiste nott. And fan) sho bad hur husband ryse,
& sayd vnto hym) ; " Now I am) sekur of f is ee. And now if you
12 like ye may go vnto your bed and riste you." And so he did.
DXXXVI.
Mulier vna aliam in maleficijs iuuat.
Petrus Alphonszs 1 tellis how som tyme ]>er was a man) fat went
on) pylgramege, and he betuke his wyfe to kepe vnto hur moder
16 vnto he come home. And when) he was gone sho sent for hur
doghtur lemman) to sup) with fai?tt, & fai etc & drank s&men
& made merie. And sodanlie fe gudeman) come vnto fe dure
& callid 1 , and sho was gretelie trublid 1 Iper-with, & hid hur lemman)
20 in f e chawmer and fan) lete hur gudeman) coin) in. And 1 he was
wery & wete, & bad f aim go make his bed! And f>is olde wyfe
bad hur doghter bryng a shete & latt hym) se it J?at he sulde
lig in, or sho made J>e bed 1 . And sho broght a fayr shete, and
24 ]>e olde wyfe toke )?at one end Jerof, & f>e yong wyfe f>e toder, and
held it vp> ofi) ege als hy as J?ai might aforn) Ipe chavvm^r dure,
& f>us J?ai hid fe gude man) at he might not se to he was gone, at
j?ai had hyd, oute att f>e chawwber dure. And f>e gude man\bade
28 stytt & had a mokk 2 . And Ip&n J?is olde wyfe said vnto hur
doghter ; " Ga now & make J?i husband 1 bedd with Ipis shete at
I made myne awn) handis sen) he went." And he said 1 ; " Dame,
can) ye wefe such clothe ? " " Ya, son)/' sho said 1 , " forsuth I hafe
33 wroght mekutt suche sen) I was born)."
1 MS. Alphensis 2 Latin, et maritws delusus remansit.
537- ^ guileful old Wife. 361
DXXXVII.
Mulier mediatrix aliam ad peccatum inducit.
Petrus Alphonsis * tellis how som tyme Iper was a wurshupfuft
man) fat went on) pylgramege, and he had a gude wyfe and a
chaste. So f r was a yong man) fat luffid 1 hur passandly, & wolde 4
hafe giffen) hur grete giftis to hafe had his luste on) hur, and
sho wolde not on) no wyse. So at f e laste he fell seke for sorow at
he mot not spede, & lay in his bed 1 . So ])er come in ane olde wyfe
& vysitt hym) & askicThym) what was fe cauce at he was seke for 1 . 8
And he oppynd 1 his herte vnto hur & tolde hur all fat hym) aylid.
And sho said 1 hym) lp urte not be seke he?-for, sho cuthe help) hym)
well enogh. And he promysid* hur a gude rewarde to helpe hym).
So sho had a little bykk whelpe, & sho held 1 it fastand? ij dayes. i a
So on) f e iij day sho made a cake of mustard* & mele & gaff it,
& it ete it. And for bytuernes of Ipe musterd 1 it began) hugelie to
grete, & f e een) f m>f to ryn). So sho went vnto f is gude wyfe
hows, and f is whelpe folowid? hur. And sho, becauce sho was ane 16
olde wyfe, welcomyd? hur fayre, & gaff hur meat & drynk. So
at fe laste sho askid 1 hur what f is whelpe aylid 1 to wepe f us.
And sho ansswercT & said 1 ; " Dere Dame I it is no mervett if
I make sorow & wepe, for Jis whelpe was my doghter, & was 20
a full leall maydyn), & a gude & a fay?. And becauce sho wolde
not consent 5 vnto a yong man) fat luffid 1 hur, to be his luff, f us
sho was shapen) to be a biche whelpe." And with fat sho lete as
sho swownyd 1 & wepid? sore. So f is gude wyfe made mekutt sorow, 24
& said 1 ; "What mon) I do? Alias! for I am) in fe same cace;
ffor a yong man) luffis me & I hafe dispysicT hym), and I am) afercT
fat I sail oght be mysshapend!" And fan) f e olde wyfe ansswerd?
& cowncelcThur to consent vnto hym), & latt hym) hafe his liste at 28
sho wer not forshapyn) & made a byche whelpe. & sho prayed hur
to go fo? hym), and so sho did 1 & fechid 1 hym) vnto f is womman), &
]>er he had his luste & his desyre ; & fis false aide when) had
a gude reward 1 of ather partie. 3 2
VMS. Alphensis.
362 53^- A distrustful Man cheated.
DXXXVIIL
Mulier difficile custoditur.
Petrus Alphonsts 1 tellis how som) tyme }>er was a yong wed
man), and f urgh conseft of ane olde wyse man) lie closid 1 his wyfe
4 in a hye chawmer fat had no dure butt one, and a wyndow,
& evur as he come owder in or oute, he sparrid 1 f e dure faste.
And on) Ipe night he wolde hyde f e keyis at his bed head 1 . And
f us he did a long tyme. So on) a tyme when) hur husband 1 was
8 away, sho lukid 1 furth at f e wyndow, and sho was war of a fressTi
yong man), & onone sho wex iolious on) hym). And to f e entent at
sho mott gett oute vnto hym), iij nyghtis or iiij, by & by sho made
hu? husband 1 dronken). And on) a nyght privalie when) he was on)
1 2 slepe, sho stale Ipe keyis fro his head & oppynd f e durys. And
privalie sho went vnto f is yong man). So hur husband 1 wakynd 1 &
myssid'hur, & compasicTfat wit^-owten) a cauce sho wolde not hafe
desyrid 1 \hyni\ to drynk so faste on) evyns as sho did) & said 1 no f ing
1 6 bod lay stiff & slepte. So when) sho had had hur luste, sho come in
agayn), and he lete as he myssid'hur noglit. So on) a night afterward 1 ,
he fenycT hym) selfe dronken), and f e same night sho rase vp> as sho
did afo?, and went vnto hur luff. And onone as sho was gone, he
20 rase privalie & folowid 1 hur & come vnto f e dure & sparrid 1 it faste,
& went vp agayn) & stude in Ipe wyndow wachancT. And at Ipe
laste he was war of hur comwiand in hur sarE. And sho knokkicP,
& he axkid who was Iper 1 And sho besoght hym) forgyff hur
24 at sho went furth, & to latt hur coin) in. And he said 1 sho sulcT not
com) in, bod sho sulde stand 1 stitt Iper & he sulcT shew hur vnto hur
fadur & hur moder in J?e aray at sho was in. And Ipe vse was fat
J?ai Jat wer fon) Iper-onte at mydnyght, wachemeii) sulde take faiwi
28 & on) Ipe morn) sett J>aim on) Ipe pyllorie, fat alt men) myght wonder
on) f aim. And wheii) sho saw fat on) na wyse he wolde lat hur in,
sho said 1 sho sulde lepe into a draw- weft at was bod a litle fro f e
dure, & drown) hur selfe, rather or sho war takyn) & shamycT.
32 And when) sho saw for aft fis at he wold 1 not lat hur in, sho tuke
1 MS. Alphensfo
539- Queen Rosamund. 363
vp> a grete stone & keste in- to pe draw welt, and bad fare-wele for
evurmo?. And when) he herd 1 it fall in-to fe weft, he went it had
bene sho had loppyn) in-to Ipe weft, and he was somwhat asstonyct 1 ,
and he oppyn) fe dure faste, & ran) vnto Ipe weft at luke if he mott 4
gett hur oute. And sho had hid hur be Ipe waft & saw Ipe dure
was oppyn), & whippicD in & lokkicT }>e dure faste, & gatt hur vp
in-to Ipe wyndow. And when) he hard 1 sho was gettefD in, he said 1 ;
" 0, Ipon fals wommafi), and fuft of Ipe devuls crafte ! Lat me com) 8
in ! " And sho said 1 , nay, he sulde nott. And Iper sho held? hym)
oute vnto wache-mefi) come & tuke hym), & had hym) vnto pre'son).
And on) Ipe morn) sho went vnto hur fadur & hur modir, and told 1
faiw how fat he went oute on) Ipe nyght to his strompettw & for- ia
suke hur, & \>er fai come vnto Ipe pn'son) aft samen & made playrit
on) hym). And \>er in his sarke & his breke he was sett on) pe
pellorye, at aft folk wonderd? on) hym), & fus maliciouslie sho put
hur blame opon) hym). 16
DXXXIX.
Mulieris malicia quandoque in caput suum
redundat.
We rede in ' Cronicles/ when) kyng Albyon) was at Veron)
at a grete feste, he comrnanddicT his butler to feche hyin) a copp 20
)?at he had made of f>e heade of \>e furst husband 1 of Eosamond 1 , at
was his wyfe, whame he had slayn) in bateft ; & he garte fyft
it fuft of wyne & dranke f erof, & gaff Rosamond" his wyfe & made
hur to drynk Iperof. And he bad hur drynk with hur furst 24
husband 1 , and sho cowseyvid 1 what he ment & was passand 1 wrothe
with hym). So Iper was in J>e cowrte a duke fat held 11 a chawmerer
of f e whene, & sho had knowlege Iperof. And on) a tyme when) \>e
kyng was fro home, opon) a nyght sho went into J?is chawmerer 28
bed, & sent privalie vnto lp is duke a message as it had commen)
from) hur chawmerer, & bad hym) coin) & lye with hur ; and
Iper }>is duke lay bye hur. And when) he had done sho said vnto
1 MS. repeats, J>at held 1 .
364 539- Qwen Jtosamund. 540. The Wilderness.
hym); " Knowis fou what I am) ? " and he said 1 ; " Ya, fou erte fe
chawmerer, my leinman)." And sho said; " Nay, I am Rosamond 1 ,
att fou has done f is dede wttA ; & chese f e oon) of ij. For
4 owther fou. sail sla kyng Albyon) at slew my furst husband 1 &
garte me drynk of his head) or els I salt tell hym) what fou hase
done, & make hym) to sla f e. And f rfo? venge me of hym)
fat made my husband 1 head in a copp, or els fou salt dye ferforV'
8 And he said 1 , nay, he wold? not do it hym) selfe, bod he promysid 1
hur att he sulde gett a noder fat sulde do it. And sho gart
hide fe Isyngis armor & his batelt-ax at stude at his bed-head 1 ,
& his swerd 1 at hang sho gart byncT it, so at it mott not com) oute
12 of fe shetfte. And when) f e kyng was in his bed & of slepe,
f is manwheller come in, & fe kyng gat his swerd 1 & wold 1 hafe
drawen) oute, & it wold 1 not ; & so he was slayn). And fan)
lie tuke Rosamond 1 , & alt Ipe knygis tresur & filed vnto Ipe Cetie of
16 Raven) ! ; & ]>er he wedd hur. And hur happend 1 ]>er on) a tyme to
Be a fayr yong man), & sho wex amoros of hym), and ]x>ght fat sho
wolde hafe hym) to hur husband 1 . And sho gaff hym) fat had wed 1
hur poysen) to drynk, and kyllid 1 hym). And when) lie felid fat it
20 was venom), he garte hur drynke of f e reu^rcion). And sho wolde
nott, & he tuke oute hys swerd 1 & bad hur drynk it, or he sulde
kyft hur. And so sho drank it, & f er f ai wer botli dead 1 .
DXL.
Mulier vbiqwe ab omnibus est fugienda.
24 We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how f e abbot Semestras had curtail)
disciples fat on) a tyme said 1 vnto hym) ; " Sur, [#0] we into
f e werld 1 a while, & latt vs dwell f er." And he ansswerd 1 agayn)
& sayd 1 ; " Go we fan) whare no womraan) is." And fai ansswerd 1
28 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Wha? is fat place fat a womman) is not in,
bod if fat it be in wyldernes?" And fan) fe abbott ansswerd 1
agayn) & said?; " TheKo? I pray fe, lat vs abide in wyldernes."
Mulieris memoria in corde viri esse non debet. Supra
s a de memoHa, ij.
1 Lat. MSS. Ravenna.
<4 Woman's Fearlessness. 542. Scrupulous Women. 365
Mulier luxuriosa in proprium filium impetit. Swpra
Andree, ij.
Mulieris specie diabolus sanctos temptat. Sup/*a
Andree, iij. 4
DXLI.
Mulieris nobiKs virtus quandoque apparet in morte.
lustinus tellis of ane fat hight Olimpias, and when) she saw
armyd 1 men) come and 1 wold 1 hafe slayn) hur, sho went & cled hur in
gay clothyng, & tuke ij maydens with hur and went to mete f aiw. 8
And when) f ai saw hur in fat aray, f ai wer astonyd 1 at sho did so
& fai went agayn) vnto Iper maisters [<J- teld] how fai fanoThur not
ferd 1 nor fleancT fro dead 1 , nor at sho was not fercT for swercf nor
wowncT, nor wepid 1 wommanlyke, bod resayvid 1 armyd men) mekelie ia
-with ioy & rnurtft, and obeyid 1 hur to vndergo dead 1 . And f>us sho
was delyverdl
DXLIL
Mulier et viuens et moriens honestatem debet
servare. 16
lustinws tellis of ]ns same wom??iafD, how on) a tyme l sho was
stryken) vtiih a swerd 1 & feli down) & dyed 1 , & yit with hur clothis
& hur hare sho coverd? hur theis, so fat none vnwurshup) of hur
bodie sulde be sene. Also we rede of the whene of Narvan) 2 , 20
pat hight IsabeR, & was doghter vnto Saynt Lowyce fat was kyng
of Fraunce, fat if aft sho was yong and passand 1 fayr, neuer-f e-les
sho wolde neuer lyg witA Kyng Theobald 1 , at was a fayr yong man)
at had 1 wed hur, bod in .hur sark, nor lat hyifD lig with hur bod in 24
his sark & his breke. Nor fer was neuer none of hur maydens,
nowder privalie nor apert, fat nowder in bath nor in wasshyng
saw als mekuli as hur ancle bare. And when) sho dyed 1 , sho
comwandicT hur maydens fat f ai sulde wapp) att hur bodye & hur 28
1 MS. tyme when). a Harleian MS. de regina Navarre.
366 543* ^ P oor M an ' s G*fi> 544- ^ Man invincible.
membres in a long webb & sew it, at when) becauce of sethyng hur
membrus burde be cutt, f e clothe sulde be cutt, at f ai f att cutt
hur sulde not se none partie of hur body bare.
4 Mulier sine assensu viri non debet dare magna. Infra
de vxore.
Mundi debent esse qui contractant sanctfa vasa et
vestes. Sup?^a de corporal!.
8 MuTidi perictda sunt evitanda. Infra de risu et de
periculis.
Mimdo possunt adaptari que supra dicuntur de
contemptu mundi, de diuicijs et morte.
DXLIII.
12 Munera pa?^ua ab amicis data sunt non spernenda.
Senec tellis how fat when) f>e disciples of Socrates come and
broght hym) many giftis, he had a pure scolar fat hight Escharmes,
J>at come & ofFercP hym) selfe vnto hym) and 1 said 1 ; " Sur, I giff you
16 fe beste fing fat I hafe, fat is myne awn) bodye." & he said 1 fat
ofer fat gaff hym) small giftis helde fer beste giftis behynde, & so
wolde not he doo, bod he prayed his mayster to take fat pure gifte,
& so labur it with aft his diligens, att it mott be better & fayrer
20 for his sake. And his maister ansswerd 1 hym) agayii) & sayd ;
" I have tane a grete gyfte of f e bod if f ou f inke f i selfe little, and
giff fi selfe besylie for fine awn profett to do aft thyng at I
command 1 the."
34 Munera magna non debet dare vxor sine licencia
viri. Infra de vxore.
DXLIV.
Munera accipere non debet princeps vel prelatus.
Valerius tellis of one Marchus Thurius, fat was f e nobyllest
28 cowncelor within Rome. & on) a tyme a grete man) come vnto
545' Mice devour a Man. 546. Flies Cursed. 367
hym) & fanoT hym) syttand 1 at his supper be f i fyre, & aft his meat
on) a tre-dubler. And he offerd 1 vnto hym) & wulcf hafe gyffen)
a grete porcioiD of syluer vesstlt, & bad hym) were f aim for his
sake. & he forsuke f aim & wolde not take f aiw. And he was 4
wrothe Iperwith & said 1 ; "Ye salt nevur tell fat Marchus Thurius
had lere be lorde of riches fan) for to be maid 1 riche of wisdom).
For vmthynk you fat ye neu<er saw me ourcomwen) in bateft, nor
yit be corrupte vfiih money." 8
Murmurare new debet pauper cui datur elemosina.
Infra de paupertate.
DXLV.
Mures eciam homines aliquando inuadunt.
We rede in 'Cronicles' fat in fe tyme of fe iij Henrie J>e 12
Emperour, how \er was a riche man) on) a day satt at his meate.
And sodanlie he was vmlappid 1 Vfith a grete flo of myce, and
sodanly }>ai lefte ali J at was in J?e howse, & pursewid 1 vppon) hyin).
& men) tuke hyin) and had 1 hym) vnto a ship) on) J:e watir at he mot 16
so esskape f>e myce, & voyde Jmiw fro hyin). And )?ai lepid 1 after
hyin) in-to J>e watyr, & come to J)e shupp? & gnew it furgli. & so
he mott on) no wyse kepe hyin) fro fairn, vnto so muche att he was
had to land 1 agayn) ; & ]>er Ipe myce fett on) hyiri) & kyllicT hyiii), & 20
ete hym) vp euere morseli vnto }?e bare bonys.
DXLVI.
Musce infestant multos.
We rede ex ' Legenda Lombardica 2 ' how at Iper happend 1 on)
a tyme a grete multitude of fleis in ane abbay fat Saynt Barnard 1 24
made, vnto so mekull at fai did 1 mekutt noysans vnto att men) fat
dwellyd 1 Iper'm. And when) f ai come & tolde hyin), he said 1 fat he
sulde curs faim, & on) f e morn) f ai wer foil) dead 1 , ilk one.
Mutacio frequens iudicum 3 new est populo vtilis. 2 s
Supra, de ballivo, ij.
1 MS. repeats, att. s MS. ex legibws Lombardoruw.
3 MS. iu defD. Harl. MS. iudicuw.
368 547- Sancta Maria Nova. 548, 549. The Birth of Christ.
DXLVII.
Na tails Domini, primo.
The birtt of our Lord 1 is provycT be many meracleys, ffor
Innocencius j?e iij telles how at Rome Iper was contynuaft pease
4 xij yere to-gedur, and ferfo? f>e Romans byggid 1 a fayre temple, &
sett ]>er'm f>e ymage of Romulus, & garte call it Templuw Pacis.
And }?ai askyd 1 Appollo how long it sulde laste, & he said 1 vnto
a womman) f>at was a clene mayden) bare a childe. And when) J>ai
8 hard 1 Ipat, f>ai said 1 it sulde laste evur, & wrate abowne J>e dure
in golden) letters ; * Templum Domini l in eternum manet.' And
when) ou? Ladye bare hur childe, vppon) f>at same nyght it fett
down) vnto j?e hard 1 ertli, and Iper is now Ecclesia Sancte Marie
12 Noue 2 .
DXLVIII.
Natalis Domini probatur dupliciter, ij.
Ex ' Legenda Lombardica 3 ' we rede how }>at vppon) J>at day
\>Q ymage of Romulus and ati olper ydolfis in Rome fell down)
1 6 & brafc. And Saynt lerom) tellis also how \er come a tokyfi)
in Egipte for aft ])er idolfis fellis when) our Ladye bare hur chylde.
And he?-fo? }>e prestis of f>e temple garte make ane ymage of
a niaydyn) with a barn) in hur arm), and sett it in a privay place in
2 o ]>er temple, & vnto f>at J>ai did wurshup).
DXLIX.
Natalis Domini probatur multipliciter, iij.
We rede ex ' Jjegenda Lombardica ' how \>at same nyght Ipe
derknes of fe nyght and 1 clerenes of f?e day war turnyd 1 evun)
24 contrarie.
1 Lat. MSS. Templum Pacis. a MS. Sancfe Marie de nouo.
3 MS. Legibws Lombardorw.
55 551, 552. TKf Birth of Christ. 369
DL.
Natalis probatur, iiij to .
Orosius and Innosins l tellis how fat a weft in Rome fat same
nyght was turned 1 in-to oyle & ran) in-to Tyber, and aft f e day
after spran) habundandlye ; ffor Sibilla had prophecyed & said 1 fat 4
our Savyor sulde not be born) or a weft of oyle sprang oute of
f e erthe.
DLL
Natalis Domini probatur, v to .
Crysostimws tellis fat vppon) Ipe nyght of f e natiuitie, vnto 8
fe kynges fat war prayancTon) a hyft, a fayr starn) apperecT 2 vnto
f aim. & it had 1 in it a fayre childe, and vppon) his shulder a fayr
cros shynyng, whilk childe spak vnto f e kyng?s and bad f aim go
in-to ludea & seke hym), & \er f>ai sulde fynd 1 hyin) born). 12
DLTI.
Natalis Domini probatur, vj to .
We rede in ' "Legenda "Lombardica ' how ]?at vppon) fat day J>er
apperid 1 in fe este iij sonnys 8 , and somwhat befo? fat tyme after
fe dead 1 of lulius Cesar. 16
DLIII.
Natalis Domtni probatur, vij mo .
Innocencius fe iij, pope, tellis how fat Ottouianus f e Emperou?,
fat aft f e werld 1 was subgett vnto, and be his reson) he plesict 1
so vnto f e senaturs of Rome, fat f ai wolde hafe wurshuppicT hym) 20
as GodcT. And he callicT Sybilla f e prophetice vnto hym), & axkyd 1
hur if evur f er sulde be any born) fat sulde be gretter fan) he was.
1 Harl. MS. Innocens iij. Scolastica dicunt qod now ipso die
3 MS. appeyed. apparuermt tres soles, sed Skutem per
3 Harl. MS. qui paulatiwt in vnum aliquod tempw*, scilicet post mortem
corpus solare redact! sttnt. Eusebittg Julij Cesaris.
in Cronicis, et Magister in
370 553> 554- The % M f Wrist.
So it happend on) f e yole-day, and f is Sybyft was in f e Einperour
chawmer. And evyn) aboute raydday per append 1 aboute f e son) a
golden) cercle, and in myddeste of fe cercle was per standand 1
4 a fayr maydyn) and a chylde in hur armys. And sho shewicT f is
vnto Ipe Emperour, and fe Emperour had grete mervait here-of, &
said 1 fat he hard 1 a voyce fat spak, saying, " Hec est ara celi."
And S) by It said 1 fat childe sulde be mare fan) he was, and ftfrfo?
8 sho bad hyfn) wurshup) hyinX And J>at chawmer is consecrate
a kurk in honor of our Ladie, & is callicT to f>is day Sancia Maria
de Ara Celi *. And fro tbens furtti f>e Emperour wurshuppid?
J?is childe & wolde wurshup) none olper goddw. And vnto J?is
12 sentans accordis Timotheus, historiagraphus, and Orosius for ]?e
inoste partie,
DLIV.
Natalis probatur, viij uo .
We rede ex ' "Legenda Lombardica ' how j^at \>Q oxe & f>e ass,
16 knowyng mervolosly Almighty God 1 layd? in a cryb befo? Jrniw,
f>ai fett down) on) "per kneis and wurshuppid Hyin). And Saynt
lerom) tellis j?at vppon) fat nyght att J?at euer laburd 1 in vicio
sodomitico was slayn), so fat not in >e kynd 1 Ipat Almijty God had
20 taken) fro thens furtft per sulde be fon) so mekutt vnclennes.
For als Saynt Austyn) sayd 1 ; " videns Deus vicium contra naturam
in natura humana fieri, fere desijt incarnari."
DLV.
Negacionem del inducit frequenter malum consilium
24 et inopia siue paupertas.
Cesarius tellis how fat in fe dioces of Leodenensi's 2 , besyde
Florens, per was som tyin) a yong knyght & noble in tornamentts,
& giffen) vnto vanytis of fis werld 1 , vnto so mekutt pat, per aboute
28 he consumyd 1 att his gudis, so fat he fell evyn) in despayr. Vnto
so mekuft fat ofi) a nyght he garte a man) of his lede hym) in-to a
wude, & f er f ai raysict 1 the devutt as f ai was wunt to do, & made
1 MS. Cela. 2 Hail. MS. Leodiensw.
555- Mary craves Pardon for a Knight. 371
hym) to speke witli f aim. And "per he bad f e knyght make no
charge of his povertie, & he askid 1 hym) if he wold 1 hafe riches
agayn), & ioy, as he was wunt to hafe. And fe knyght said 1 ,
ya, he wolde, and it mot be done be God* Almyghtie. And fan) 4
hys man) sayd vnto f e fende ; " Here hafe I broght you a noble
man), my maister, at ye may restore hym) vnto fe degre at he was
in afore tyme." And fe fende saide, hym) burde furst forsake
Almyghti God & make homage vnto hym). And fis knyght, f uf 8
aft it war tremland 1 & makand 1 sorow, neuer-f e-les, in hope of
requoveryng agayn) of fat at he had loste, furgti cownceft of
fis man) he did itt. And fan) fe fend said 1 hym) burd nede forsake
Goddis moder. And fe knyght ansswercT agayn) & said 1 , fat wolde 12
he neuer doo. And f us he particT away fro f aim, and went agayn)
vnto f e town). And ]>er was a kurk in his way, and he went
in and sett hym) down) on) his kneis befo? ane ymage of ow? Ladye,
& wepid 1 & made grete sorow, at aft f e kurk rang with. So evyn) 16
f e same how?, a knyght fat had boght aft his lifelod befo?, happend
com) by fe kur away, & hard 1 grete noyse & went in, & when)
he fand f e knyght, fat he kend weft enogh, cryand & makand 1 his
prayer so devowtly, he had grete merveft, & drew hym) be-hynd 1 a 20
pyler & stude stift, & fogght he wolde wit what aft fis bement.
And, at bathe f ies knyghtis hard 1 , on? Ladie spak vnto hur Son) &
said 1 ; "O, fou swete SoiD! Hafe mercie of fis man) I" And
f e childe at satt on) hur kne wolde not speke agayn) vnto his 24
moder, bod turnyd 1 his head 1 away ward 1 fro hur. And sho prayed 1
hym) agayn), & sayd 1 fat f e man) was dessayvid 1 , and with fat
he turnyd 1 his bak opon) hur and said 1 ; " This man) hase denyed 1
me, what shulde I do vnto hym) 1 " And fan) f e ymage of ow? 28
Lade rase vp & sett hur Son) apon) f e altar, and feft down) on) hur
kneis at His fete and said 1 ; "I pray fe, swete Son), fat for my
sake fou forgyff hym) his syiD." And onone fe child 1 liftyd 1 vp His
moder and said vnto hur ; " Moder, yit I neu^r denyed? f e thyng 32
att fou axkid 1 me. And now, beholde, for f i sake I forgyff hym)."
And fan) fis kuyght was fayn), & rase & went his ways furth of f e
kurk, and was passyng sadd 1 & hevy for hys syn), & glad fat it was
forgyffen) hym). And f e toder knyght folowid 1 hym) privalie, & 36
372 556- Diogenes.
ouertuke hym) & axkid hym) whi his eefi) war so wate & so bownydl
And he ansswerd 1 agayfD & said 1 }?e wynd garte itt. And he said?
agayfi) ; " Sur, I knaw Ipe cauce of your truspas well enogh. And
4 Sur," he said 1 , "I hafe a doghter & no mo childer, and if ye wutt wed
hur I sail giff you alt your lyfelocT agayn), & you ij I sail make
heyris of alt my riches." And he thankicT hym) & wed hur, & was
afterwerd 1 a gude man) & a riclie.
8 Negant eciam deum religiosi. Supra de miseri-
cordia,.
NegacfoTiem del inducit amor carnaKs. Supra* de
amore.
12 Negacionem del inducit ambicio digni^at^. Supra
de Maria, vj J .
Neganda new esfc pauperi elemosina. Infra de
paupere, ij 2 .
1 6 Necligencia hommis impedit ne ei ab aliquo sub-
ueniatur. Supra, de cogitacione.
Negligencia executorwm nocet testatori. Supra, de
executore, j.
20 Negligencia vtencium aliqua re perditw alicpiando
ipsa res. Supra, de legato.
Necligencia dicendi horas. S^ra de Augustino, ij.
DLVI.
Negociatores sine fraude debent emere et vendere.
24 Tullius tellis how on) a tyme it was disputicT betwix Diogenes &
Stocius 3 , )?at was his disciple. And Diogenes saycT; " AH f>e vices
of a thyng fat is selde aw not to be expowndicf to hym) f>at byes it,
bod ewhils it is constitutt be Je law; ewhils neuer-f>e-les ofyer
' ! So Lat. MSS., Eng. MS. has, de Babilon-'uw stoicuw, et
iniuria, iij. eiw*, Antipatrem. Harl. MS. inter
3 MS. iij. Diogenew, Babiloniu-m storcum, etc.
3 Arund. MS. inter Diogenem,
; 557. Herod's Tyranny. 558. ~St. Nicholas s Image. 373
thynges er done w#7iouten) gyle." And his scoler ansswerd hym)
agayn) & sayd 1 , fat when) f e byer trowes att f e thyng be gude, &
puttis truste in hym) fat sellis it, f e sellar aw to tett f e byer & f er
be any fawte fmn. Than) Diogenes sayd 1 ; "It is one to be stytt 4
& anoder to layn), and fe tane is not profitable to f e to here, nor it
is not nedefutt to me to say/' And fan) his scoler sayd 1 ; " And
it be dampned? at Athenys at a man) satt not tett f e way vnto hym)
fat travels, mekutt mo? dampnable it is wittandlie to suffer a man) 8
fatt in-to error." Than) Diogenes sayd 1 ; "He hase not garte fe
bye fat stirris fe not to bye; and fou byes fat fing at plesis
f e, and he praysis fat fing fat is his awn). And whar f e dome is
in fe byer, \er is no begyle in fe seller. And ferfor 1 a 2 seller 12
aght to layn) nothyng vnto f e byer 3 , neu^r-f e-les hym) thar not
tett hym) bod if he wytt, for what-som)-evur langis to hym) fat byes
it, longes to hym) fat sellis, to witt how fat he salt sett."
Nequicia mulieris comparatur serpenti. Infra de 16
serpente.
DLVIL
Nequicia Herodis.
We rede in ' Cronicles ' how fat Herode, when) he hard 1 tett fat
f e lewis abade wft^ grete myrtli agayn) he sulde dye, he garte 20
gadur samm aft f e noble yong men) of ludee, & garte spar f aim in
a prison), & commandid 1 vnto Salome his wyfe fat als tyte as
he war deade, fat sho sulde sla faim ilkone, at on) fat maner
of wyse att ludee sulde make sorow when he was dead 1 as wele as 24
f ai dyd in his lyfe. And so was done.
Nero. Supr& de crudeli^ate, et infra de prodigalize
et Simone.
DLVIII.
Nicholai confessoris. 28
We rede in his ' Meracles/ how som) tyme f er was a lew fat
hard 1 tett of f e miracles of Saynt Nicholas, and he garte make ane
1 MS. repeat*, and J)erfor. 2 MS. & s MS. seller.
c c
374 559- Sf- Nicholas upbraided. 560. St. Nicholas s Day.
ymage of hym), & sett hym) to kepe alt his gudis. And when)
J?e lew on) a tyrae was fro hame, thevus come & stale away his
gudis, & when) he come and fand jmi wer away, he began) to reprufe
4 J>is ymage, and bett itt sore. And Saynt Nicholas apperid vnto
J?ies thevis, & shewicT J>aim how his body was betyii) for J>at gude
att }?ai had stollen), and threticT }>aim at fai sulde be hanged 1 bod if
j?ai had }?is gude agayn) & restorid it, & teld? Jmiw at he was Saynt
8 Nicholas, in whose kepyng J>is lew had putt att his gudis. And
J^ies thevis wer fferct 1 , and broght att fies gudis agayn), and tolde j?e
lew }>is meracle. And he was turnycT & f>ai 5 bothe, and become
gude men) ; & fe lew was distend 1 .
DLIX.
12 Nicholaus scolarem suscitauit.
We rede in his ' Meracles ' how \>er was a gude man) jmt vsid 1
yerelie, becauce of a son) fat he had J>at was a scolar, apoiD Saynt
Nicholas day for to make a grete feste, & dele grete almos in
16 wurshup) of Saynt Nicholas. So J>e devutt had a dispite f^ratt, &
come to f> e dure in a pure mans liknes, & axkicP almos vppofD
J?e Saynt Nicholas day. And J?e gude man) sent hym) almos with
)?is scoler, and ]>er f>e devutt strangeld 1 fe childe & kyllid 1 hym).
20 And when) f>e fader come vnto }>e dure and fande his son) dead 1 , he
made mekutt sorow & had vp ]>e dead 1 childe in-to a chamb?, and
sett hym) down) on) his kneis & made his complaynt vnto Saynt
Nicholas, & said 1 ; "Loo! Saynt Nicholas! behold 1 , is Ipis your
24 reward 1 of J?e wurshup) J?at I hafe f>is many day done vnto you ? "
And as he was J>us complenand 1 j?e childe oppynd 1 his ene & rase
vp) & was olyfe agayn).
DLX.
Nicholaus iuuenem de captiuitate patri restituit.
28 We rede in his ' Meracles ' how J?at a man) J>urg1i J>e mereiiis of
Saynt Nicholas had a childe, whilk ]mt wheiD he was a yong man)
5<5i. PUlip and the KnicjU. 375
was taken) in f e were with f e Aragans *, & depute into serves \\ith
fer^.kyng. So it happeud 1 vppon) Saynt Nicholas day fis yong
man) broght f e kyng wyne in a copp of golde, and as he held 1
it befo? f e kyng he remembred 1 hym) fat it was Saynt Nicholas 4
day, & how his fadur as fat day was wunte to make a grete feste.
And sodanly he gaff a grete sigli, and fe kyng wold 1 algattes wete
f e cauce at he sighed 1 for, and he told 1 hym) evure dele. And fis
vncrestencT kyng thrett hym) said 1 ; " What at evur fi Nicholas 8
duse, fou shaft dwelt here with vs." And with fat sodanlie fer
come a grete wyncT, & smate down) fe howse and lifticP vp) f e
childe with f e copp) in his hand* & f e wyne in it, & sett hym) evyn)
at his fadur dure. And he went in & fand 1 his fadur & all his 12
frendis at dyner, & f er he teld 1 J?aim all how it happencT. And J?ai
war passand? fayn) & thankid God & Saynt Nicholas.
Nicholaus indeuotos sibi verberat. Supra de de-
uocione, ij. 16
Nicholaus deuotos sibi remunerat. Supra de de-
uocione, j.
DLXI.
Nigr'omancie 2 ars est valde periculosa.
Cesarius tellis how soni tyme far was a knyght at wold 1 not trow 20
at lp er was any fendis. So on) a tyme he come vnto one fat was
callid 1 Philip), fat was practyse in nygromancye, and prayed 1 hym)
to latt hym) se som) fendis. And he re[cw]sicT& said 1 he durst nott;
& yit he laburd 1 hym) beselie. So on) a day, aboute none, f is 24
Philip) garte fis knyght put his swerd abowte hym), and at a
gateshatytt, with a 3 swercThe made a cercle aboute fis knyght, and
bad hym) kepe hym) wele with'm fis cercle, ffor and any membre of
hym) come withoiite itt, he mond lose itt vnto tyme fat he come 28
agayfi) vnto hym). And he bad hym), & he saw any bodie, nowd^r
1 Lat. MSS. ab Agarenis. 3 MS. Nigromancia.
3 After a, w, erased.
C C 2
376 5^i' Tlie KnigJii who would see Demons.
giff f aiw right not, nor take right not of f aira, and he tolde hym)
fat f ai wolde bothe tempe hym) & flay hym); bed & he wolde do so
he bad hym), he saycP, \>er shuld 1 nothyng noy hym). And when) he
4 was gone & f e knyght was be his one in f e cercle, belyfe f er come
as it had bene grete fludis, & a nowder tyme as it had bene
gruwtyng of swyne, and now blastis of wyndl And now hym)
foght he saw a man) als hye as treis, and when) he come nere
8 f e cercle he axkid 1 f is knyght what he wold 1 , & bad hym) aske & he
suld 1 tell hym). So he lukicT opon) hym) & hym) thoglit he was
a grete man) & a blakk, & of grete difformytie, so fat he durste not
verelie behald? hym). So att f e laste f is knyght spak & said 1 vnto
j 2 hym) ; " I hafe desyrid 1 gretelie to se f>e." And he axkid 1 bym),
whareto. And f e knyght said 1 , for he had hard 1 tell mekutt itt
of hym). And fe fend 1 ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Men demys
me oftsithis wit^owten) cauce, and I do no man) skathe bod if
1 6 he gar me. And Philip) fi maister is my frenct 1 , & I do att fat
plesis hym), for I grevid 1 hym) nevur yitt, vnto so mekutt when) he
callid 1 me & bad me now coin) vnto }>e, I come." And fe knyght
askicf hyin) wha? he was when) he callid 1 hyin). And he said 1 he was
20 als far beyonde J?e se as J?e se was fro thens ; " & j?rfo?," he said 1 ,
" it is right at f>ou reward 1 me for my labur." And pe knyght
axkyd 1 hym what he wold 1 hafe, and he said 1 owder his gown) or his
gyrdytt, or a shepe of his flokk ; & fan) he askid 1 a hen), & att J>e
24 laste a cokk. And f e knyght said 1 hym) evur nay, and wold 1 giff
hym) none of f>ies. So J?e knyght axkid 1 hym) whare he had so
muche coimyng as he had 1 , and he ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 at \er
was none ilt done in all f is werloT bod he knew itt " And to
28 so mekuft," he said 1 , " Ipon in sucTi a town) & in suche a howse loste
J?i maydenhede, and swylk synnys & swilk hase fou done." And
f is knyght cuthe not agayn)-say itt. And fan) f e devutt put furtTi
his hand 1 as he wold 1 hafe taken hyin), and fe knyght was fercT
32 & fell bakwarcT in f e cercle, & cryed as he had bene wude. And
als sone as fis Philip) harde hyin), he come and made att fis
fantasies to vanyssTi away. And evur after, fro fat how? forward 1 ,
he was pale & itt hewict 1 , & trowid? alway at Iper war fendis. And
36 afterward 1 he amendicT his life & become a gude man).
562. A cursed School. 377
DLXIL
Nigromantici discipulus a demone rapitwr et
deportatur.
Cesarius tellis how at f e cetie of Tholett Iper was ane fat held 1
a skule of nygromancy, and his scolers on) a tyine desyrid 1 Iper 4
maistd/* fat he wolde prufe fat befor 1 faim fat he taght faim.
And f^r maister, f uf aft he wer il-wyllioTferto, on) a tyme led 1 faim
into f e feld 1 , and witA a swerd 1 he made a cercle aboute faim, & he
bad faim if f ai saw any thyng nowd^r gif it nor take f er-off, bod 8
at fai sulde holde faim iustelie wrt/an fe cercle. And fan) he
went a littyft fro faiw, & began) to say his enchawntmentis.
& belyfe fendis fat war callid? corne, som) in liknes of a man), som)
of a womman), & som) makand mynstralcy, & soin) dawnsand 1 . And 1 2
emang faim fer was ane like a fay? womman), fayrer fan) aft
f e toder was, and sho profurd? a golde ryng vnto aue of f e scolers
ofte sythes, & lang he forsuke it, & at f e laste he tuke it, and
onone sho clekicT hym) oute of f e cercle & f e ryng, bothe, & onone 16
sho was away Viikh hym). And his felos began) to cry, & fer
maister come onone, & f ai told 1 hym). And onone he callid 1 vp f e
maister-fend 1 , and tolde hym) of f e wrong at was done vnto his
scolar, and desyryd to haffe hym) agayn). And f is fend 1 callid 1 aft 20
f e toder fendis vnto a cownceft, and reprovioThym) fat did f e dede.
And he excusid 1 hym) & sayd 1 he dyd no wrong, becauce f e scoler
was inobedyent vnto his maister. Neuer-fe-les a sentans was
gyffen) at he sulde be delyvercT agayn) vnto his maister, for he was 24
a behufable scolar vnto his maister, and f us he was restoryd 1
agayn) vnto his maister. And fro fat day forward 1 his felows
f oght att his face was lene & pale, evyn) as he had bene taken) oute
of his grafe. & he told 1 his felows what he saw at heft yatis, 28
& told 1 f aim it was a cursicT scule at f ai wer at, & desyrid 1 f aim to
lefe itt. And he went and made hym) a monk of Ceustus ordur,
and afterward 1 was a hali liffer.
Nigromanticam scienciam adipiscens dampnatur. 3*
Infra de sciencia, iij.
5^3- ^. fyuatiu*' 564. A quickening Vision.
DLXIII.
Nomen Chmd semper est in corde habendum.
We rede in ' Legenda Beati Ignacij/ fat when) he was in dyvers
grete turmentzs, he wold 1 neuer sease of calling of fe name of
4 Cryste, & f e turmenturs axkid 1 hym) whi he rehersyd fat name so
ofte. And he ansswercfagayn) & sayd 1 ; " I hafe fat name wretten)
in my h^rte, & f erfo? I may not sese fro calling f er-vppon)/' And
when) he was dead, f ai tuke his harte oute of his body, & cut
8 it sender be f e myddeste. And f ai fand aft his herte written)
within with f ies namys, lesus Christus, & aft of letters of golde.
And herefo? many oofD trusted in hym) & was cristend 1 .
Nomen acqwirunt aliqui eciam per aliq^a mala opera.
12 Supra, de memoria, i.
DLXIV,
Nouicius de&et semper in deuocione pro&scere et
non tepescere.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how \er was one fat wolde entir
1 6 into religion), and he lete his mode? hafe knowlege of his purpos.
And sho cownceld? hym) nay ; & he wold 1 not lefe his purpos
for hur, bod sayd 1 fat he wolde go safe his savvle. And when) he
was entred into f>e religion) & governycT hym) wele, & was fervent
20 in f e begynnyng, fro he had co^tynued awhile he began) to wax
slaw, & yrked 1 with f e strate[wes] of his religion). So on) a tyme
hym) happend to fatt seke & lay in a trans. So hym) foght fat he
was broght vnto his dome, & f er hym) thoght he fand his moder
24 fat was dead 1 . And when) sho saw hym) sho sayd vnto hym) ;
" Son), how is it wiih the 1 Come f ou hedu? to be demyd with vs 1
Wha? is it now at f ou saioT vnto me, ' I witt go safe my sawle 1 ' '
And at f is wurde he was confusicT, & wuste nevur what he suld 1
28 say vnto hur agayn). And with fat he wakend 1 of his trans, &
amen did 1 of his sekenes, and vm thoght hym) fat for he wex som-
wlmtt yrke in his religion) he was in way of dampnacioiD, & he
565. Second Marriage. 566. The half-drawn 0. 379
turnyd hym) vnto f e fervor & f e luff fat he had? vnto his religion)
at his furste entre, and 1 said 1 vnto hym) selfe ; " I fat myght not
abyde & suffer }>e blame & chalange of my moder, how may
I abyde f e blame of Aftn^ttie God & aft his aungels & aft f e 4
saynttis off hevyn) ? "
Nouicius confirmatur in religione ex
penarttm inferni. Supra, de conuersione \
Nouicius confirmatur in religione ex certitudiue 8
mortis. Supra, de cowiersione.
Nouicij dissoluti debe?it corripi. Supra de correccione,
/?:
Nouicij oraltonitms iuuantur ad perseuerandwm. 12
Infra de oracione.
Nouicio pomwt adaptari multa que dicuntur supra,
de contemptu mundi, conuerstone J , monacho, et
infra de religione et obediencia. 16
DLXV.
Nupcie secunde non sunt appetende.
leronimws tellis how on) a tyme Iper was a yong wedow fat
hight Ann, and? when) hur husband was dead 1 sho thoght sho wolde
not 2 be wed 1 with a noder man). Hur frendis come & cownceloT hur 20
yis, & said vnto hur; " Thow erte yit bod of a myddift age,
& a fay? womman) & a listie, take f e a noder husband 1 ." And sho
said 1 ; " Nay, fat wift I not doo ; ffor & I hafe als gude a husband 1
as I had befo?, I wift evur be ferd 1 fat I saft lose hym), & if he be 24
yft, me wyft gretelie repent fat I had 1 ane ift after a gude."
DLXVI.
Obediencia debet esse parata.
We rede in ' Vitis Patfmm ' of a monk fat was a writer, fat
hight Marchus, & as he was writand 1 & in makyng of ane O, 28
1 MS. co?iuersacio?ie. 2 Mlded above the line.
380 5 6 7 Hfy Obedience. 568. A dry Stalk buds.
his abbott callid 1 , & he lefte it half vnraade & went at his caft,
becauce he wolde not breke his obedyans.
DLXVIL
Obediendttm est eciam in impossibilibws T a viris
4 perfects.
Senefc 2 tellis how fat vnto a man) fat shulde entre in-to
religion) f e abbott declarid 1 f e grevus laburs f erof, & how fat hym)
burd 1 doo aft suche fing as was comwanddid hym); & he was
8 nothyiig ferd 1 f erfo? & recusid? nott to com) into religion), bod
promysid 1 to be always pacient & obedient. So afterward 1 his
maister f oght at he wold 1 prufe hym), so be cace it happend 1 at
f e oven) of "per abbay was hate, redie to sett bread 1 in ; and his
12 maister comwawndid 1 of obedyans to go into f>is ovyn). And he left
not to do his maist^r commandment, bod went in boldlie vrith
a gude belefe ; & whefD he was in lp e oven), lp e hete Iperof turnyd 1
in-to cold 1 , so J?at he felid 1 nothyng bod as it had bene sprencled?
16 oner wit/i dew.
DLXVIIL
Obediutit perfecd eciam contra spem optinendi
quod precipitur.
Seruius 3 tellis how on) a tyme }>e same abbott foght fat he wold 1
20 prufe a novace, & he tuke a dry stowre fat he vsid 1 to here in his
hand 1 & smate it into f e erth, & bad a novice fat he sulde watir it
evurilk day vnto fat it waxid" grene & bare liffis agayn) kynde.
And he did as he commandid 1 hym), and evur-ilk day bare a grete
24 pott fuft fro a watur ij myle thens, & watyrd 1 f is stow? unto
he had done it a yere ; and yitt he wex nott werie bod did on) as
he did afo?. And f uf aft hym) thoght f er come no frute on) his
warke, yit hym) thoght he wolde not breke his obediens, bod
28 enduricTin his labur aft fe secund 1 yere. And in f e iij yere when)
1 So Arund. MS., Eng. MS. in Seuaritts.
poseibilibM*. 3 Lat. MSS. Severus.
3 Arund. MS.Seuerus. Harl. MS.
569. The great Stone turned. 57 Obedience proved. 381
f is watir-ber sesid 1 not of his labur, f is stow? at was dry florisshicT;
& bare levis & frute. And he went vnto his abbott & told 1 hym),
& he tuke aft his monkz's with hym) & come & saw it & saycP ;
" Loo ! brethur, f urgh virtue of fulfyllyng of obediens, f is dry 4
stow? agayn) kynde is now fayr florisshid 1 & beris levis."
DLXIX.
Obediens verus new attendit quid precipitur.
Cassianus tellis how on) a tyme fer was ane abbott fat corn-
ea wndicT his dissiple & said 1 vnto hym) ; " Go, ryn)/' he said 1 , " als 8
faste as fou may, and als tyte as fou may turn) me yone grete
stone." And onone his dissiple a grete stone, fat many meiD
myght not hafe turnycf, now with lifte at his head 1 & now at
his breste, with grete strentn he turnyd 1 it ouer ; & he swett so fat 1 2
all his clothis war? wett thrugli, for he supposioT fat nothyng was
commandid 1 vnto hym) fat was impossible to doo.
DLXX.
Obediencia perfecta amorem naturalem postponit.
Cassianus tellis how som tyme ]>er was oon) taken) in-to ane 16
abbay, & he broght with hym) his son) of viij yere olde ; and
he was disseverd 1 fro hym) & put in a-noder celt. So f is abbot
foght Ipat he wolde [prufe] his obedians & his affeccion), & he
comwaundicT hym) to caste his son) in-to a grete watir. And onone 20
as he had commandid 1 hym), he gatt his son) in his armys and come
vnto f e watur-syde, and wold 1 hafe castyn) in his awn) barn) bod
at Iper was monkw fat wachid 1 what he wolde doo & lettid 1 hym).
And yitt for aft at f ai cuth do he keste it in, & onone f ai gatt it 24
oute and savyd itt olyfe.
DLXXI.
Obediunt quandoque creature eciam insensibiles l .
Saynt Gregorie tellis how fat in f e cetie of Placens f e watur fat
was 2 cald 1 Padus rase vp opofi) a grete spate and ow?yode aft f e 28
1 MS. ininsensibiles. 3 MS. waldl
382 57 ! Padus in, Flood. 573. The Bear-Companion.
feldis fat langid vnto ane abbay. & for was a gude, holie man)
fat hight Sabinus, a bisshopp), and when) he saw fis he garte
a notorie of his write a byll & caste in f e flude, and fis was
4 f e wrytyng ; " Sabinus, f e smrand 1 of ow? Lord 1 lesu Criste com-
wtandis vnto f e, Pado, fat ou? f i bankfc f ou pas no mor 1 fro hens
furtti, nor at f ou hurte nott landis fat longis vnto f e kurk." And
his notarie did 1 as he bad hym). And onone f e watir felt of f e
8 kurk-land 1 and come vnto f e bowndzs at it was wunte to ryn)
in ; and nevur after vnto fis day rase it ouer f e banker nor passid 1
f e bowndis.
DLXXII.
Obedhmt sanctis eciam bruta ammalia.
12 Saynt Gregorie tellis how fat Florencius, fe servand'of Almighti
God 1 , dwelt alone be hyin) selfe in a celt, & he had v or vj shepe.
And he made his prayer vnto Attmyghti God & besoght Hyin) at
He wold 1 send hym) somwhatt to dwelt vfiih hyiii) to cowfurth hyin).
1 6 And onone as he had made his prayer, he fand at his cett-yate,
standancT, a here, whilk fat lowtid 1 vnto hym) and fawnyd 1 hym), &
was nothyng wylde. And he co^seyvicT at it was sent hyin) be
Almyghti GodcP, & bad it go hafe his shepe furth & kepe f aim, & at
30 it sulde bryng f aim home at sex of f e clok at evyn) ; and it did
trewlie as he bad it. And in f e mornyng he command id 1 it not to
coin) home or ix of f e clok, and he fastid 1 evur to it come home.
And evur f is bere did as he bad itt, and so he tarioT long fastancT o
24 days *. And he had iiij disciples fat war wrothe -with f is here
becauce it held 1 f aim long fastancf o days, & f ai dwelt \\ith anoder
man) in fe wylderiies fat hyg!it Euticius. Becauce fer maister
did no swilk takens, and privalie, fai slew fis bere. And fis
28 holie man) bade of his dener to evyn), & evur lukid 1 aftur fis bere,
& she come nevur home. So opon) f e morn) he went vnto f e felde
and fand fis bere slayn), and als sone as he saw hur 2 he knew wele
1 Harl. MS. cepit ex hoc fama signa now faceret, latentcr vrsum
eiu longe lateqwe crebrescere ; cui occidunt.
inuidentes, quatuor discipwli Euthici, 2 MS. hym.
eo quod magister eorum, Euthiciw*,
573- Oledience frst. 574. The Box Test. 383
enogR who did itt, and lie felt opon) a wepyng, more for f e malice
of his bredur fan) for f e dead of f e bere. And f us he said 1 vnto
hym) selfe ; " I trow fat in f is life at vengeange saft be taken) on)
faiw for f er males." And belyfe after it happend? as he said 1 , ffor 4
f ies iiij brethur war onone streken) with a sodan) sekenes, & rotid
abown) erde at f ai stynkyd 1 with. And he?-vppon) fis holie man)
had conciens & tolde his brethur fat hym) forthoght at he had
saycT. And alt f e duyis of his lyfe he bad sorow ferfc?, & wepud 8
& made muche murnyng, and held 1 hym) selfe as a crow eft mail) &
a vengeable homycide.
DLXXIII.
Obediencia prefertur alijs 3 virtutibi^.
We rede in 'Vitis Patrum' how soin) tyme iiij bretbir fat 12
was cled aft in pylchis come vnto ane abbott J>at hyght Pambo,
& ilkone of fai/tt tolde hyifi) f>e virtue of olper, when) f ai war away
at f>ai spak off. So one of jmira was a grete faster, and anoder
was passancT pure, and J>e iij had passand mekull charitie, and 16
J>e iiij had xij yere dwelte in obediens emang olde men) & brak
neuer his obedyens. And fan) f is abbot Pambo sayde ; " I saw
fat f e vertue of hym) f is is mo? fan) of aft f e toder, ffor ilkoiie of
you f e virtue fat he hase holdys it f urgfi his awn) wyft } and he this ao
makis his wyft his s^rvanoT, And sucli meiD er acordable in
religion), and speciallie f ai fat perseuers f er'm vnto f er lyfis end 1 ."
DLXXIV.
Obediencia defret aliquando a superior! probari.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme \>er was a husband 1 fat had 24
a servancF fat was profetable & trew vnto hym). And when) he
hard 1 teft of f e inobediens of Adam), ow? former fadur, he had
grete dedeyn) f mitt. And on) a tyme he said 7 vnto his master fat
hym) foght fat Adam) was a grete fole, fat wolde not kepe his 28
maisters commandment. " For," he sayd 1 , " & ye comwandid 1 me a
1 MS. alij.
384 575- Perverse Woman.
thyng I sulde not breke itt." So \\ith-iu a few dayes afterward"
his maister delyverct 1 hyin) a box at was sparrid 1 , bod nott bod at he
myght oppyn) itt, and said? vnto hym) ; " f is boyste I delyver f e ;
4 bod I charge f e att f ou oppyn) it natt, for & fou do, fou saH lose
my grace, & I wutt giff f e no hyre." And when) he had takyn) f is
box and was be his one, he turnyd it abowte & sayd? vnto hynD
selfe ; " I am) now be myne one, whatt & I oppyn) f is boyste ?
8 N"a man) may se me & I doo." So f us he was ouercommen) with
temptacion) and oppynd 1 f is boyste. And Iper was tyerin a little
burde, & it flow away ; and fan) he was passand 1 hevy & felt
on) kneis befo? his maister & askicP hyin) forgyfnes, bod he had
12 it nojt,
DLXXV.
Obediencia ecia^^ siliquando in minimis 1 non seruatur.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme Jwfoi 5 \er was a knyght f>at had a
wurthi gentyH-womman) vnto his wyfe, and a gude, whilk Ipat had
16 a grete skorn) & a hethyng agayns [Eve], Jat sho sulde be so
vnobedient vnto Adam) hur husband 1 . And Ipis knyght blamyd 1 his
wyfe herefo? and said 1 J>at sho was inobediente vnto hyin) in les J>ing
J?an) evur was Eve vnto Adam). And sho sayd 1 nay, & he yis. So
20 he chargicf hur in payn) of xlti marE: fat opon) fat day at sho shulde
be wasshicf or bathid 1 , at sho sulde not entre iu-to fe cowrte nor
into f e dyke barefute. And lo ! so mervaloslie it happencT; ffor
fro thens furtTi sho was so turment with temptacion) fat on) a tyme
24 when) sho was bathid 1 , sodanlie sho sterte oute of hur bathe & went
barefute in-to fe cowrte & in-to fe dyke vp to fe kneis. And one
at saw hur come & tellid? his lord 1 , & he come vnto f e ladie & teld 1
hur fat sho had broken) hur obediens in les f ing fan) Eve did 1 , &
28 f er he blamyd 1 hur gretelie & made hur pay hur money at he had
putt hur in payn) of evurilk dele.
Obedienciam tollit aliquando temptacio gule. Supra
de gula.
1 MS. minis. Harl. MS. as above.
57(5. Good, simple Paul. 577. The false Offering. 385
Obedire nolens quandoque visibiliter 1 punitur. Inf?*a
de religione.
Obediunt perfect! suscipere penitenciam quam non
meruerunt. Supra, de accusac^cwe. 4
DLXXVI.
Obediencia debet impleri usque ad reuocactcwem
precepti.
"We rede in ' Vitis Patrwm ' how a gude, symple man), pat hight
Paule, left aft his gudis & went vnto Saynt Anton) Je abbott. 8
And J?e furste nyght pis abbott comraawndid" hyin) at he sulde sitt
hym) down) in his prayers vnto he come vnto hyin). And he sett
hym) down) befo? pe olde man) ceft dure & made his prayers, and
nowder for pe dew of pe nyght, nor yit for hete of pe day, he wold 1 1 2
not move hyin) nor go away or his maister come. So it happend?
ofi) a tyme when) he was emanghis brether, he askicT Jmira whethur
was furste, Criste or His profettis; and so Saynt Anton) was
ashamyoT with his questii-n) & commaundid 1 hyin) to go his wais 16
& holde his tong. And onone he did so; and fro thens furth
he kepycTsylens so ferventlie, at he wokTneuer speke bod when) his
fadur comma wndid 1 hyin).
DLXXVII.
Oblacio non debet fieri nisi de bono. 20
lacobus de Vetriaco tellis how soin) tyme ])er was a husband-man)
)?at was ane ytt payer of his tenndis, and he wold 1 seldom) offer bod
if it wer on) solempne dayis, and pan) he wold 1 off? a fals peny
or ane ytt. So on) a passch-day hyin) happend 1 emang ofyer to coiii) 24
vnto J>e howselburde, and )?e preste, Ipat knew fat he vsid 1 evur to
offer a fals peny, when) he had gyffen) olper men) \>er howseH, he gaf
YIB husband 1 , in-steaoTof his howseft, Je same yK peny fat he offerd 1 .
1 MS. invisibiliter. Harl. MS. as above.
386 577- The false Penny. 578. A Pledge unfulfilled.
And he chewid 1 & felcT at it was hard 1 , & grapicT in his mouthe what
it was, & he fancT it was fe same fals peny fat he had offerd 1 ;
& when) he saw it he had grete mervelt f erof, and made mekuft
4 sorow. So when) mes was done, he come vnto f e preste wepand 1 &
sayd 1 ; "A! sur, my syn) is so grete fat it happend? me fis day at
f e sacrament att ye gaff me is turnyd 1 in- to a fals peny." And f e
pr^ste ansswerd 1 hyfn) agayn) & said 1 ; " This thyng happynd 1 not
8 vnto f e wtA,-oute som) cawce, and f erfo? f ou haste done som)
horrible syn). Teti me what it is ! " And with grete shame he
tolde hym) in confession), & said 1 ; "I shryfe me fat I was so
att emptid 1 with l covatice, fat evur when) o]>er folk offerd 1 gude
1 2 syluer I offerd 1 alway ane itt penye." And J>an) }?e prste said? vnto
hym); "This was J?e iugement at J?ou tolde me off; and herefo?
in-stede of f>e sacrament Ipou. fancf in }>i mouthe ane iH peny. And
j?rfo? J?ou moste make restitucion)." And so he did 1 , & promysicT
16 fat evur after fro thens furtti he sulde trewlie pay his tend! 1 & offer
gude syluer. And 1 so f e preste asoylid 1 hym) & gaff hym) his
howsett, and evur after he was a gude man).
Oblacio sacrament! in missa valet ad viuos et de-
20 functos. Supra, de missa.
DLXXVIII.
Obligatus pro aliquo, vel hie vel in future, persoluet
illud ad quod se obligauit.
Petrus Damianus tellis how f er was a monke fat was a grete
24 synncr, & grete penance at was enionyd hyfn) he besoght one fat
was familiarie vnto hym) to helpe hym) to do. And he vndertuke
to do fat one halfe of his penance, & bad hym) be not ferd 1 f erfo?.
So hym) f is at band 1 hym) selfe f us, with-in a while after deyid 1 , and
28 he was a gude man) emang?'s his brethir ; and wit/i-in a little while
he append 1 vnto f is of er monk. And he axkid? hym) how it stude
with hyfn), and he said 1 ; " Itt & hardlie, not for my selfe bod
1 After vrith, ov, erased.
579- One Obstinate in Sin. 387
for the ; ffor whefD I was fre of myne awn) selfe I bancle me for
f>e. And f><?rforV' he said 1 , "go, & pray J?e covent at fai fullfyft aft
J?at at T promysid 1 to do for the." And wheiD }>at was done he
apperid 1 vnto hym) agayn), and lete hym) witt j?at onone he was 4
dely vercF fuvgh his brethir prayer.
Obligare se 1 pro aliquo non semper est securum.
Supra de fideiussore.
Obliuio scitomw prius causatur aliqucwcfo ex minu- 8
clone. Supra, de minucione.
Obliuissi debet confessor ea que in confessione
audim't. Supra, de confessione, iiij.
Obloquendwm non est sancds. Supra, de blasfemia, 12
DLXXIX.
Obstinacio. Obstinatus 2 in peccatis suis dam-
pnatur sepius.
Saynt Bede tellis in ' Gestis Anglorwm ' of one f>at was tumycT 16
in name bod he was shrewicT in condicions, and when) he was
correcte he wolde not amend 1 hyifD bod was ay longer war; bod
becauce he cuthe gude skylt of ane offes, f^rfo? he was suffred
more. So at J?e laste hym) happend to fait seke, and he garte catt 20
aft his brethir aforiD hym), and was aH comen), he tellid 1 J>aim his
sete was ordand 1 in heli, noght ferr fro Pylatt & Cayphas. And
when) his brethir cryed on) hym) & bad hym) aske m<?rcye & do
penans for his syn), he said? he might not forthynS his syn), for 24
iugement was passid 1 agayns hyni). And fus he dyed 1 in wrichidnes.
Obstinacio impedit restitucioTiem forisfac^or^m. In-
fra de vsurario, vj et x.
Obstinacio impedit contricionem . Supra decontri-as
1 MS, Obligare se semper pro aliquo. 2 MS. Obstinatutus.
388 580. A Imy Hermit. 581. Idle Words. 582. Cell-Life.
clone, v, et de heretico, ij ; de accusacione, e de
aduocato, iiij.
Occasionem querit potens el princeps contra im-
4 potentem. Infra de potente.
Ocium est semper fugiendum. Supra de labore, ij.
DLXXX.
Oclum detestantur sancti.
We rede in ' Vitis fatrum ' how soin) tyme \er was ane hmnett
8 in wyldernes, neuer-]?e-les, f>uf aH he mott nott sett ]mim, yit
he wolde make baskettis and swyllis of palme levis, f>at he sulde
not be ydift, and for to kepe his harte fro yduft thoghtys & vanyties
J>at wift coin) in a mans mynd 1 and he be not occupied 1 .
12 Ociosa verba non swit dicenda. Infra de verbo, j,
&ij.
DLXXXI.
Ociosa verba precipue in eccle^ia no^ sunt dicenda.
lacobws de Vetrmco tellis at fe devutt wrate in a kurk att
1 6 maner ydul wurdis f>at was wretten) ]:er 1 , and when) he had not
parchement enogli to write on) he drew it oute with his tethe
& his handis, & he drew so faste at he rappid 1 his head 1 agayn)
Ipe waJJ. And \>er was a holie man) at saw hym), and he askicT hyin)
20 what he did 1 , and he tolde hym) ait J?at is befo? said 1 .
DLXXXII.
Oculi su7'^t repi^'mendi.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum. ' of one fat hight Gladius 2 , when) he
had bene lang in his cett, xx yere or more, yit he lukid 1 neuer vp,
24 nor neuer saw J?e rufe Iperof within.
1 Lat. MSS. verba ociosa que ibi dicebantw. a Harl. MS. Claudius.
583. Eyes as Enemies. 584. Sinful Savours. 585. Patience. 389
DLXXXIII.
Oculus est inimicus cordis.
We rede in 'Gestis Petri ClareualhV how on) a tyme, when)
he had f urgh raklesnes loste ane of his een) and was made
monocwlws, afterwarde in his sporte he wolde say he had loste 4
ane of his enmys, & at he was mo? dredefuft for fat ee pat was
leffce hym) fan) for f e los * of f e toder ee.
DLXXXIY.
Odore contingit peccare.
We rede in * Vitis Pcrtmm ' off ane fat hight Arsenics, fat was 8
a passand grete laburer -with his handis, when) he was in wyldernes
he wolde nevur skyfte his clothis bod ons in a yere, to so mekutt
fat when) he doffid? f aim f ai stynkid 1 . And fan) he wolde say vnto
hyifD selfe ; "For fe vntement and gucle savurs fat I hafe felid 1 in ia
f e werld 1 , f erfo? it is necessarie to me to fele f is stynke."
Odore nimis delicati eciam corporaUYer puniuntur 2 .
Supra, de delicijs.
Offertorio possunt adaptari que supra, dicuntur de 16
oblacione.
OfHcialis malus est ammonendus 3 .
DLXXXV.
Oracio debet esse ccmtinua et cum reuerencia.
Saynt leroiri) tellis how som tyme f er was a man) fat hight 30
lohn), & in a banke vndernethe a grete stone he cotttynued? iij yere
in his prayers, and alt-way standdandl And he neur satt nor lay,
nor neur slepicT bod standand 1 , and he had neuer meate bod on) f e
Sonday when) a preste come vnto hym) and said? a mes aforn) hym) ; 24
and fat was his fude. So at f e laste he was ou?-coinwen) & myght
1 MS. repeats, of >e los. J MS. peruniuntur.
3 Reference missing in the MSS.
Dd
390 5 86 - & F x fay s Prayer- 5^7. Penitence after Death.
stand no langer, for his leggts & his fete warr rotyn) vndernetli
hym) & ware come oute of }?aiw. And whefD f>ies iij yere was done,
aungels come vnto hym) & helid 1 hym).
4 Omta'one impeditur raptor et restituere compellitur.
Infra de raptore, ij.
DLXXXVI.
Oracioni devote obediunt bruta.
Saynt Gregur tellis how on) a tyme when) }>e holie man) Boniface
8 stude vppon) a grece lenand? ou?, f>er come a fox & tuke a hen) evyn)
: befo? hym). And when) he saw J?at, he went in-to Ipe kurk & felt
down) in his prayers & said? ; " Lorde ! Plesis it Ipe at I may
not eatt of ]?at at my moder bryngis vp) 1 Lorde, behalcT, sho
12 bredis hennys, & Ipe fox comwys & eatis f>aiw." And when) he had
' done his prayer he rase & went furth of Ipe kurk ; and onone Ipe fox
come agayn), & Ipe hen) att he had takyfD lete hur fatt owte of his
mouthe. And with fat he feH dead 1 befo? fis holie man).
DLXXXVII.
1 6 Oracio eciam dampnatos ad vitam et peuetenti&m
revocat.
Petrus Damascenes 1 tellis how on) a tyme Iper was a monk
at was dead 1 , & was born) in-to Ipe kurk whils a mes sulde be
20 songen) for hym). And when) ]>e Agnus Dei was said, f>is dead
monke rase evyfD vp sodanlie & spakk & blasfemyd 1 God 1 & bannyd
Hym), & spitt vppon) ]>e crucifix, and wolde hafe revyn) down)
J>e ymage of ow? Ladie. & he said 1 vnto Ipe monkts; " Wharefo?
24 syng ye or prayes for me ? I am) dampnyd and in Ipe paynys of
heft/' And J?an) f>e monkis vrith att Iper hertis prayed for hym), &
did of Iper clothis & bete ]>er selfe for hym), & made tunsions on) J?er
breste. So at f>e laste, f>urg1i Iper prayer, he come agayn) vnto
1 Lat. MSS. Petrus Damiunua.
588. St. Mary pray* in vain; 589. Pray en from Purgatory. 391
hyin) selfe, and began) to di spice f e fend 1 & lofe God & ou? Ladie,
& wurshuppid 1 f e cros & askicT confession) & penance. And Iper he
confessicT hyirD fat after he had forsaken) all ]>e werld 1 he had fallen)
in-to fornicacion) & laynyd it, & was neuer shrevyn) f eroff. And 4
f us he liffid 1 to on) f e toder day in prayer & in penance. And
fan) he passid? vnto God!
DLXXXVIII.
Oraciones non iuuant finaliter dampnatos.
lacobus cle Vetnaco tellis fat when) Saynt Marie of Oigniez ' 8
apon) a day had made hur prayer vnto God for a ccrtayn) dead
man), hur was bydden) at sho sulde no mo? pray for hym) ; " ffor he
is reprovid 1 of Almijtty God 1 ." And when) fat he vnhappelie was
slayn) in turnament, he was dampnycl 1 vnto evurlastyng payn). la
DLXXXIX.
Oro^ionibt^ iuuantur a7^ime in purgatorio.
lacobus de Vetnaco tellis how on) a tyme f is Saynt Marie
of Oigniez 2 was in hur cell, and sho saw afo? hur a grete multitude
of handis haldyng vp) as it had bene to pray vnto hur. And sho 16
besoght God to latt hur hafe knowlege what it bement. And
it was ansswercfhur at f ai war sawlis of faira fat war in purgatorie,
fat besoght hur to pray for f aim. And sho was fayn) ferof &
prayed speciallie for f aim. 20
Oracio avis audita est. Supra de aue, ij.
Oracione Deus aliqucmcfo mortem tardat. Supra, de
Basilio.
Orantes impedit demon. Supra de oracione, iij. 24
Oraciones aliquas dicere onmi die vtile est. Infra
de remuneracione.
Oracioni cordis plus attendit deus qwam vocis.
Supra de Annunciacione. 28
1 MS.Ogimet. a MS. Oxninez.
D d 2
392 59- ^tan's Persistence. 591. Devils in Church.
DXC.
Omcioni corde est attendendwm.
Saynt lerom) tellis how J?at when) Hillarion) had lefte aft manr
of of>er Binges and was giffen) alonelie vnto his prayers, he sufferd?
4 many snybbis of fe fend 1 ; & when) he was in his prayers fe fend 1
appericP vnto hym) in many lyknessis. So it h appencT on) a tyrae
when) he was in his prayers, becauce he wolde be lett with no
maner of sight, he sett hym) down) on) his kneis & on) his elbowys,
8 & layd? his face down) vnto Ipe erth. And onone J?e devuft come &
sett hym) stridlyngts on his bakk, & dang hym) in J>e sydes wttA
sharpe spurris, & laid 1 on) his head 1 with a swip) & said?; " Wharto
syttys J?ou fws scornand 1 & nappis 1 " And he was als hevy on) his
12 bakk as it had bene a grete sekk full of barlie.
DXCL
Orantes illuduntur a demonibws.
We rede in * Vitis Pafrwm) ' how on) a tyme ]>e devutt said? vnto
J>e Abbott Macharie ; " Go we vnto gaderyng samw of ou? brethir."
1 6 And he askicf hym) what he had at do with f>e gaderyng samm
of J?aim, and fe fend ansswerd? hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Knowis J>ou
not at wttAouten) vs Iper is no gaderyng? Com) and j^ou satt
se ouf besynes/' And he went with hym) & saw, & Iper was alt >e
20 kurfc our as it had bene littyft men) of Ynde, & let j)e monkis
to make "per prayers, & turnyd )>aiw in wommen) liknes & made
J?aim thynke ofD ]mim, & samm fai garte slepe & be wery of
Iper prayers. And when) Jns holie man) saw }?at, he made his
24 prayers vnto God, & sodanlie fai vanyshid? away.
Oracionibws iuuantur morientes. Supra, de morte,
xix.
Oracio predonis ei vitam prolongat. Inf?^a de re-
2 8 muneractone, viij.
Gregory prays fora lost Man. 593. A Boy's Fortune. 393
DXCII.
Oracione reuocatur ab inferis dampnatus.
We rede in ' Gestis Beati Gregorij ' how on) a tyme as Saynt
Grego? walkid befoi 5 Ipe palace of Traian) and vmthoght hym)
of his mekenes, he began) to fait opon) a sore wepyng. And he 4
prayed hym) so long for hym) at Saynt Petur alta?, wepyng &
makyng sorow, vnto a voyce spak vnto hym) & sayd 1 , f>at Traiayn)
fmrgh his prayers was delyverd 1 oute of f>e payn) of heft ; bod
it bad hym) at fro thens furtn he sulde bewar, & not presume hym) 8
to pray for none vncristend man) f>at was dampnecT.
DXCIII.
Ordinacio del non potest impediri.
We rede in ' Cronicles ' f>at in Ipe yere of ou? Lorde M 1 xv,
the erle f>at was callid? Corandus \ beyng ferd 1 on) a tyme for 1 3
J?e emperow? wretn, filed with his wife in-to a wudd, & Iper he hid
hym) in a tufatt. So f>e Eniperour happend 1 on) a tyme to coin) to
jns wud on) huntyng, & folowid'a dere so lang at it was nyght, &
he cuthe fynd none of his meneya ; so hym) happend 1 com) to f>is 16
tofaH. Bod J?e Erie was gone & )?e ladie was ]>er be hur one,
grete with childe ; so hyin) burde nedis be herberd far Ipat nyght
& sho, als itt as sho myght, made hyin) a bed 1 . & fat nyght
sho traveld 1 & was delyverd 1 of a son), and when) j?e childe was 20
borii) Ipe emperour hard 1 a voyce say vnto J?e childe ; " Childe ! f is
emperour satt be ]?i fadyr-in-lay." And vpon) J>e morn) J>e Em-
perour rase & went his wais, & comwiandid? ij of his squeyers
to feche Jris childe in f>e wuoT, & for to sla itt & bryng hym) 24
J?e harte feroff. And when) Jai saw J?is childe }?ai had compassion)
feron), and J?ai gat a hare & tuke Ipe harte Iperof, & broght it vnto
f e emperowr, and lefte fe childe lyganct 1 in fe wudd. & onone
after Iper come a duke & fand J?is childe, and he sent it home vnto 28
his wyfe becauce he had no childe hym) selfe, and bad \>&im tett hur
1 Lat. MSS. Conradtt*.
394 593- ^ Soy* 9 Fortune. 594. Proud Raiment.
at he had getten) it, & bad name it Henrie. So when) jris chylde
was waxen) he was fayr & semely & wele-spokeiD, and passand
gracious. And when) ]?e emperowr saw at f>is childe was fayr
4 & wyse, he tuke hym) into his cowrte. So on) a tyme he keste
in his mynde a dowte whe]?er f>is was fe childe at he comwaundicf
to sla or nay. And he thoght he wolde be sekur, and he garte
make a lettve vnto his wyfe in J>is maner of wyse ; " As J?ou luffis
8 J)i lyfe, onone as }>ou hase red J>is lettre sla J>is childe " ; & he
sent ]?is childe vrith J>e same letter. So as he went vnto f>e whene-
ward 1 hym) happend 1 com) into a kurk, & he was werie forgone
& lenyct 1 hym) down) & felt on) slepe ; & his purs at }>e lettyr was in
12 hang oute of his bosom). So Iper come a preste & fande hym)
& opynd his purs & lukid? }>e letter, and hym) vgged with J^e
wykkydnes at was f>er-in, & he skrapid oute, "pueruw huwc
necabt's," & sett in f>ies wurdis ; " puero filiam meara dabis." And
1 6 so he went furth with J?is le^re & he was wele welcome!?; and
onone he wed ]>e Emperours doghter. So when) J>e Emperour
come home & saw how it was, ffro he wiste f>at he was ane erle
son) his sorow began) to slake. And he made mekutt off hym),
20 & after when) Je Emperour was dead? he was made Emperour.
And in J?e place ]>er he was born) he byggid a wurthie abbay.
DXCIV.
Ornatus hnmoderatus corporis dampnacioms est
causa.
24 We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how som tyme Iper was
a holie ladie in Frauiice. So on) a tyme sho was ravysshicT in hur
spirutt and sho saw a cowntas dead J>at sho was passand 1 familiarie
with, and sho saw hur drawen) with fendis vnto heft. And sho
28 made grete sorow, & cried 1 & said 1 ; " Alias ! Alias! I sary wrich,
I was chastie enogh & a grete almos-deler, & I am) now dampnyd 1
& for none of>er f>ing bod for varios & prowde arayment fat
1 lufficf passaud 1 wele ; & when) I was siiybbecT ferfo? yitt I wolde
32 not lefe it V
1 Tkls ami the following tale are marked No^a.
595- ^mons dance on a Woman s Train. 596. Costly Clothing. 395
DXCV.
Ornatus immoderatus causa est exultactoms
demonum.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme per was a preste at hight Catus, &
on) a tyme he saw a womwan) coin) fro pe kurk, & he met hur at fe 4
kurk-dure. & sho was gaylie atyrid? in cowrchevis, and sho had a
passand 1 lang tayle folowand 1 hur, and per was f>0r-vppon) dawnsand
a huge multitude of fendis, as it had bene hlak men) of Ynde,
skornand 1 with per mowthes and 1 clappand with per handis. And 8
fai war als thykk as it had bene fyssfi in a nett. So he com-
wiaundyd 1 att pe peple to stand styft, and he coniurid 1 Ipies fendis at
f>ai sulde nott go away, & he made his p?'ayer & besoght God att pe
peple myght se J>aim ; & so fai did 1 . And when) fis womwan) 1 2
saw at pe fendis had so mekuft power on) hur for J?e pryde of hur
clothyng, & at pe peple yrkid for to luke on) hur, sho went home
and skyfticT hur clothyng & wold neuer were tayle after. And
bathe vnto hur and aH olper at say J>is vision) it was ane occasion) of 1 6
mekenes, & at f>ai sulde neuer after vse prowde clothyng.
Ornare se potest mulier interdum per virum. Infra
de vxore, iij.
DXCVI.
Ornatus vestium no^ debet esse nimis sumptuosus. 20
Helynandus tellis how soin) tyme per was a kyng in Yngland 1 J?at
hight GilleZmws, and he wolde were no clothyng bod of a huge
price ; and if it war light of price, & it war neuer so gude, he wold 1
hafe grete dedeyn) }>er-att. So on a tyme hys chamberlayn) did on) 24
hym) a payr of new hose, and he axkid 1 hyni) what f>ai coste, & he
sayoTiij s-j ; and he grynnycf& had grete dedyn) per&tt & said 1 vnto
hyin) ; " fou hureson) ! Wha? saw Ipou evur kyng were hose off so
vile a price ? Go," he sayd 1 , " faste, & bryng me a payr of a marke 28
price." And he went furth & broght hym) a payr fat was mekuft
better fan) f>e toder, bod he made a lee of f e price of faiwi. And
396 597* Socrates and Scolds.
when) )?e kyng saw )?aim he said 1 ; " Ya, thies acordis vnto a kyng
to were." And fro ]>ai tyme evur afterward 1 his chawmberlayn)
tellid 1 hym) ]>e price of his clothyng as hym) lyste, and as it plesid 1
4 hym). And bod if he said 1 it coste mekutt he wold not were it.
Ornatus vestium quandoque eleuat cor hommis in
superbiam. Supra de augwrio, ij J .
DXCVII.
Paciencia. Paciens eciam ab infer ioribi^s suis
8 iniurias tollit.
Saynt lerom) tellis how Socrates had ij wyfis, & oft sithes ather
of faim wolcF flite with other, & evur he wolde do bod scorfi) Jmira.
And att ]>e laste fai wex bothe wrothe with hym) & callicThym)
i a bellucT chule, & said 1 his nease droppid 1 & his een) ran), and Je harys
on his browis war lyke swyne-brustyls. And J>us )?ai made hym)
fayn) fle fro faim & leve f>aim be )>er one. And a man) axkicT hym)
win he wold 1 not bete J^aim, and he ansswercT agayn) & saycT J?at
16 womman, ay )?e mo? sho was bett, lp e wars was sho.
Paciens iniurias illatas de naturalib^s defec^tbt^
paciente? 1 tolerat 2 . Supra de castitate.
Paciens ab indignis iniurias tollit. Infra de pauper-
20 tate, iiij.
Paciens e^animiter tolerat 2 . Supra de Anthonio.
Pacienter conuicia ferre signum est humilitatis.
Supra, de humilitate, ij.
24 Paciens eciam infamia de crimine falso sibi imposito 3
pacienter tolerat 2 . Supra de infamia.
Pacienter debet sustineri infirmitas corporales. Supra,
de infirmitate.
38 Pacientes debent esse religiosi in amissione tempo-
ralium. Infra de religioso 4 .
1 MS. iij. 3 MB. iiiposito.
3 MS. tollerat. * Reference from Arund. MS.
598. Alexandria marvels. 599. The Trial of 'Theodora. 397
Paciens obiurgacto^es et contumelias pacienter portat.
Supra de moniali, xiij.
DXCVIIL
Paciens bonum pro malo reddit.
We rede in ' Gestis lohwmis Elemosinarij ' how on) a tyme 4
when) a cussyn) of his had a grete wrang of a tavurner, & whefD he
made playnt vnto f e patriarke, he mott gett no comfurtli, and f e
patryarke said vnto hym) ; " Who is he att dar gaynsay f e or
oppyn) his mouthe agayns }>e ? Truste, son), vnto me, fat I shall 8
do to-day vnto hym) suche a thyng fat att Alexandria salt hafe
nwvett f eroff." And when) he hard? f is he tuke a grete comfurtli,
& trowid? fat he wold 1 gar hym) be grevuslie betyn). And fan)
when) lohn) saw he tuke a grete comfurth, he kyssicT his breste & 13
said 1 ; " Son), & f ou will be cussyn) vnto my mekenes, f ou bus
make fe to be betyn) & suff? stryfe & debate of ilka man), for
a trew thoght is nowder of flessli nor blude, bod it is knowyiD
of trewtH of fe myndl" & onone fai sent for fis man), and he 16
made hym) fre of al maner of tributt & pension). And all fat evur
hard 1 f is had grete nwvayle and vnderstude what he ment wheiD
he sayd 1 ; " I satt do vnto hym) suche a thyng fat att Alexandras
shatt hafe mervett f erofi." 30
DXCIX.
Pacientes iniuste deus in fine eciam in hac vita
honorat.
We rede in ' Legend 1 Longabar^'ca ' of ane fat hight Theodora,
a noble womman) & a fay?, fat had a husband at Alexander 24
in tyme of Zenonis f e Empmmr ; and hur husband was a gud
man) & a riche, and dowtid 1 God 1 . So f er was a yong man) fat wex
passand ameros of .hur and begylid hur be f e mene of ane aide
wyfe, fat tolde hur at Godd knew not fat at was done on) fe 28
nyght, bod alonelie fdt at was done on) f e day. And fus sho
398 599- The Trial f Theodora.
made hur to latt J>e in an) lygg by hur. So after ward 1 , when) sho
come to hur selfe, & felid 1 at sho had done wrong and at God knew
aft m&ner of Ipmg ]>ai was done, s.ho wepid 1 & made much sorow
4 & garte cut hur head 1 , & gatt hur mans clothyng of hur husbandis
& did it on) hur & went vnto ane abbay far thens & made hur
a monk, & sayd? hur name was Theodorus. & ])er sho liffid 1 a gude
lialy lyfe and did nwacles. So on) a tyme hur * happend 1 to be
8 hosticT with his camels at sho drafe vnto f>e cetie be J>e command^
nient of f>e abbott, at a mans howse }?at had a fayr doghter ; and
on ]>e night sho come vnto Jpis Theodora & wold? have lyggyn) with
hur, & sho wold 1 not latt hur. So wttA-in a while after j?is wenche
12 was with barn), and sho said 1 at j?is Theodora had gettyn) itt; and
hur abbott gretelie blamyd 1 hur f>erfo?, and when) fe childe was
born) it was broght & lay<T in hur skurte. And sho & it was putt
furth of )?e abbay for vij yere, and with mylke & swilk as sho
1 6 cuthe gett [sho nurisshid it\. And in J>is menewhile sho was
gretlie tempycTwt/& ]?e devuft to syiD, bod he prevaylid not on)
hur. And when) vij yere was gone Ipe abbott consydurd 1 hur
paciens & tuke bothe hur & }>e childe in agayn). And Iper sho & it
20 to-gedur was sparycT samen in a ceft. And ]>er wtt^-in ij yere
to-gedur sho passid 1 vnto God 1 ; and yit sho had enformycT f>is
child? or sho dyed? in lernyng & in holie liffyng to persevur. And
J?at night at sho dyed, j?e Abbott ]?oght at he saw aft f>e ordurs
24 of Aungels & Patriarkis & Prophettis & aft Saynttes com) & feche
hur sawle vnto hevyn) ; & hym) thoght )?ai made grete ioy. And
]>er was a voyce at sayd 1 vnto hym) ; " f>is Theodorus was falsly
accusid 1 of is childe-gettyng." And with J?at f>e Abbott wakend 1
28 and 1 callicT vp his brether, and went vnto hur ceft & fancThur dead 1 ;
and when) J?ai nakend? hur Jrai fand 1 sho was a womman). And
he garte caft ]>e wenche fadur & said 1 vnto hym) ; " Lo ! now,
whethur he this corrapte fi doghter or nay." And aft men) had
3 2 wonder hereof. So Iper come a voyce vnto f>e Abbot & bad 1 hym)
go in-to f>e cetie. And so he did, & ]>er mett hym) a man), and he
axkid 1 hynD whyter he was bowfD. And he said 1 ; "My wyfe is
dead 1 & I go to sc hur." And f>e Abbott & he went samen
. MS. hym.
6oo. Alexius. 399
wepand 1 , and with grete devocion) }?ai beryd 1 hur. And fan) hur
husband 1 made hym) monke & dwelte in hur cett, & was a gude
man) evur whils fat he liffict 1 . And fis childe persevurd 1 in gude
warkts & was made a monk in fat same place. And afterward 1 , 4
when) f e Abbott was dead, he was chosyfi) vnto Abbott.
DC.
Paciens villa a vilibws person is tolerat l .
We rede in ' Gestis Alexij ' fat fis Alexius was f e son) of
Eufemiafi) at was a wurthi offesur in }>e Emp^rour haft, and he was 8
made rewler of iij M 1 childir at wer aft cled in sylk & had gurdils
of gold 1 . And fis Eufemyan) & Aglaes 2 his wyfe war passanct 1
nwcyfuft & futt of gude werkt'0; and fai had no childe bod fis
Alexius, and hym) fai maryed" 1 vnto a wurthie womman) of fe ia
einjwou? howsoldl So vppon) fe nyght after fai war wed 1 , he
desyrid? his wyfe to kepe hur in clene virginytie. And when) sho
had grauntid? hym), he lefte hur a gold? ryng and a bygyrdylt fufi
of gold 1 , and went privalie away from) hyr & fled far thens into 16
Syrie, vnto f>e cetie of Egissam), wha? \>er is ane ymage of oure
Lord! 1 J?at nevur was made be mans hand". & tyer he come in-to
ane almos howse at was callid 1 Syndo, & \>er he satt in ane entry
emang pure men), & liffict 1 of almos f>at was giffen) jmiw. And his 20
ffadur sent men) ]?urgh aG J>is werld? to seke hym). So one of faim
at soght hym) come J>urg"h >is entry & gaff hym) almos, and he
knew hym) wele enogli, bod he knew not hym). And fan) he said 1
vnto hym) selfe ; "Lord 1 , I thanke The at pou hase made me to 24
reseyfe almos of myne awn) servancT." So att J?ies messangers come
agayii) & tolde his fadur jmi cuthe not fynde hym), and he & his wyfe
& his doghter made mekutt sorow for hym). And 1 when) he had
bene in J?is hospital! xviij yere in pouertie & in Goddis serves, 28
f>e ymage of ou? Ladie spak vnto hym) fat kepicT f e kurk, & said 1 ;
" Make fe man) of Almyghti God to com) in, for he is wurthie
Je kyugdom) of kcvyiD." And fis kepe/* wiste not whonie sho
MS, tollcratr 2 MS. Alglacs, w^A //ie first 1
400 6oo. Alexius.
merit off, and sho said 1 ; " He f>at is wet^oute fe dure, j?at is he."
And when) he was broght in & J?is was knowen) vnto aft his felows,
fai began) to wurshupp), and he saw \>ai fled away fro faiw
4 & gatt ou? ]?e see. And as God wold 1 , hym) happynd 1 to land 1
at Rome, and when) he conseyvicT J>at he said 1 vnto hym) selfe ;
" I sail ga dwell vnknowen) in my fadurs hows, and I salt bere no
grete coste of hym)." So he come vnto his fadur place & sayd 1
8 vnto his ffadur when) he mett hym) ; " Thow servand? of Almyghti
God 1 , take me into J>i howse at I may liff of J>e crombis comwys fro
]n burcT, for Ipi son) sawle fat was a pylgram)." And he tuke hym)
in for his son) sake, & comwandid 1 hyiri) into a place in his howse,
la & gaff hyiri) meate eumlk day from) his awn) burd) & made hym)
his awn) scrvand. And he did 1 all fing Ipat evur any bodye bad
hym), & none knew hym), ffor wit^ fastyng & with wakyng he
made hym selfe lene and oute of knowlege, and he?-fo? J>e servandes
i 6 of }>e howse wolde skorn) hym), & stryke hym), & pow? watyr at
fai had wasshid 1 vessel! in vppofi) his head 1 ; and all J>is he suffred 1
xvij yere & nevur was knowen). So at fe laste he knew be
reuelacion) at his dead drew nere, and he wrate aft J?e cowrs of his
ao lyfe in a grete roK. And vppon) J>e Sononday at evyfD \>er was
a voyce hard" in J>e kurk at Rome, f>at said 1 ; " Venite ad me ownes
qui laboratis et onerati estis, et ego [refficiam uos]." And all }>at
hard 1 it fell down) on) tyer kneis & had grete mervett f^roif. And
24 f>an) it said? agayn) ; " Go, seke ]>e smianct 1 of God, at he may pray
for Rome. " And J?ai soght hym) & cuthe not fynde hym). So ]mi
hard 1 it say agayn) ]>at he was in J>e howse of Eufemyan) ; and jmn)
f>e pope and J>e impmmr, a bisshop) & ane archdekyn) come vnto
28 ]^is mans howse and desyrid 1 to se J>is pure man) & bad hym) luke
graythelie whethir it war his son) or nay, for he was a man)
of gude life & of grete pacyens. And Eufemianus ran) in-to
J?e howse vnto hym) and fand hym) dead 1 , and his face shane as
3 2 it had bene ane angett. And he had a roll in his hand 1 , &
Eufemyan) wolde hafe takyn) it & sene it, & he wold 1 not latt it
goo ; bod when) j?e pope come he lete it go alredy. And when) it
was red befo? his fadur, at all fe peple hard 1 , his fadur wex nere-
36 hand 1 mad & drew of f>e hare of his head?& of his berd 1 , & fett down)
6oo. Alexius. 401
vppon) fe body of his son) & sayd?; " A! son), fuft wo is me ]>at
I se f e f us lygg in a bedcP & may not speke vnto me." And fan)
his moder come, & when) sho saw hym) sho swonyd? & made grete
wepyng & said 1 ; " Alias ! son), win did f ou so vnto vs, fat when) 4
f ou saw f i fadur & me wepe for ow? son) f ou wolde neuer shew f e
vnto vs? fine awn) servandw hatli done fe grete wrong, & fou
hase evur suffyrcF it." & evur sho swonyd? & cryed? & made
mekuft sorow, & sayct 1 ; " Aft fat bene here, I pray you wepe with 8
me, ffor xvij yere I hafe had myne awn) son) in my howse daylie, &
knew hym) noght." And fan) his wyfe come & made fe maste
sorow of aft. And fan) f e pope, f e Emperour, f e bisshop) & f e arche-
dekyn) tuke vp his body on) a bere, & bare it on) fer awfO shuldres 12
vnto f e beryaft ; & f ai myglit nott pass away f er-with, ffor nere-
hand 1 aft Rome was gadurcT f edur, & f e peple was passancT thrang.
And fai garte caste golde & syluer by fe way at peple sulde
be besy }>er aboute & so lat faim pas, bod fe peple lukicTnowder 16
after f e gold? nor yit f e sylver, bod evur was besy abowf eward? for
to tuche his bodye. So at f e laste with grete labur fai broght
hym) vnto his grafe. And \>er fe peple abade vij dayes & made
grete lovyng vnto Almyghti God. & f er [he] was berid 1 & his 20
grafe coverd with golde and precious stonys ; and fro his body f er
come a passyng gude odur. And he dyed xvij Kalends of Auguste,
in f e yere of our Lord 1 CCC xviij.
Paciens in amissione membror'wm pacienter tokrat l . 24
Infra de oc^lo, ij.
Paciens eciam mortem pro deo tolerat l . Supra, de
martirio.
Paganus aliquando bonas leges condit. Supra de 28
iege, j.
DCI.
Papa. Papa mulier creatur.
"We rede in ' Cronicles ' how som tyme f er was a yong damysett,
and a luff of hurs went away with hur & broght hur in mans 32
1 MS. tollerat.
402 6oi. A Woman Pope. 602. A Pope's Vicissitudes.
clothyng vnto Eome ; and ]>er sho went vnt'o }>e scule and wex
so parfyte in coiwyng fat sho had no make in all Rome. So att
}>e laste, be ane hole consent, sho was chosyn) to be pope and was
4 made pope. And when) sho was pope hur luff lay with hur & gatt
hur with chylde, so he wiste not at sho was with childe to sho was
evyn) at travellyng 1 . So hur happend 1 on) a day to com) in. proces-
sion) fro Saynt Peturs vnto Saynt lohn) Latarenens, and Tper sho
8 began) at traveft, and bare hur chylde betwix Colliseum & Saynt
Clemett kurk ; & \er sho dyed 1 , & Iper >ai bericfhur. And becauce
of J>at detestable dead 1 , f>e pope vsid? neu^r syne to com) ]%r-away
with procession), and here-for hur name is not putt emang other
12 popes namys in the Martiloge.
Papa per diaboli procuracicmem creatur. Supra de
ambicione.
DCII.
Papa multipliciter dehonestatur.
1 6 We rede in ' Cronicles ' of one j?at hight Formosus, at was furste
a cardynaft & syne pope. And pope lohn) cursyd"hym) & degradid
hym) agayfi) vnto the lay astate, and made hym) swere ]mt he sulde
nevur com) in Rome, nor desyre nor take f>e papeshup) on) hand 1 .
20 Neu0r-f>e-les after-ward 1 , of Ipis pope John) successour he was
asoylid 1 , & restorid? to com) agayn) vnto Rome ; and he tuke }>e
popeshup) agayfi) on handl And when) he was dede, Stephtmus VI
garte take his bodye, & doff aU J>e his pope clothyng & clethe hym)
24 in lay wede, & garte cutt of 2 ij of hy[s] fyngers of ather hancT& cutt
of bothe his handis & keste hym) into Tybur. So vnto f is Stephan
succedid John), and he reprovicf aR f>e warke's off Stephan, & provicT
J>e warkis of J>is Formosius. Than) after hym) come Sergius III,
28 & he garte take Formosius oute off his grafe & vnordurd 1 alt ]>at
he had gyffen) ordurs to, & garte caste hym) in Tybur. And
ffysshers happend 1 at ffynd 1 hym) in \>er nettis, & Jrai broght hym)
1 Havl. MS. verum autew partum iere abscisis, manu pr/uauit, et earn
ignora?is, cum de Sac/o Petro, &c. in T'iberim iactari precepit.
2 Harl. MS. ef dnobus digitis dex-
603. T/ie good Savour of Paradise. 403
into Saynt Peturs ; and when) J?ai broght hym) in, aft f>e ymagis
in fe kurk, att att men) myght se, as he come by ]>o,im lowticT
vnto hym) & wurshuppicT hym). And here-by ]mi wyste he was
a gude man). 4
Papa bonus. Supra, de Gregorio.
Pape possunt adaptari multa que infra dicimtur l de
prelate, et supra de morte.
DCIII.
Paradisus. Paradisi disposicio. s
Saynt Gregur tellis how som tym) at Home Iper was a knyght
f>at felt seke, & was evyn) bown) to dye & lay in a trans. And
when) he come agayn) vnto hym) selfe, he said? fat he saw a bryg,
and vuderneth it ran) a grete blak watur at keste owte intolerable ra
savurs & stynkis. And when) he was passid 1 j)is brygg, on) f>e
toder syde of f is watyr was fayr medows & grene, & futt of gude
flowris wele savurandl And Iper he saw a grete company of white
men) in albys ; and \>er was suche a gude savur emang fairn at f>ai 16
war saciatt & fulfyllid 1 ])er-vfith as it had bene with meate or
drynk. & Iper he saw dyvers mansions for evure man), at war
futt of grete light. And Iper was byggicT a howse, and att f>e sydis
J?eroff wer off fyne gold 1 , for he cuthe not wytt whose it was. And 20
Iper was many habitacles apon) J?e banke of the same watir ; and he
said" he saw many on) jris brygg fat, furgh felyng of fe itt savur
on) J?e watur, fai fett in-to itt.
Parentes frequenter visitare no/i expedit religiosis. 24
Supra, de afFec^u carnali.
Parentes debent filij horiorare. Supra de honore, j.
Parentes non decent filij s maledicere. Infra de
Stephcwo. 28
Parentes sunt relinquendi perfects. Tnf?^a de
relinquere.
1 MS. repeats, infra after dicimtur.
404 604. St. Paul and the Adder. 605. St. Paul and Plautilla.
Paruulus male disciplinatus eciam deum blasfemans
dampnatw. Supra, de blasfemia.
Pafris necligencia circa correccionem filicrom fre-
4 quento 1 est ipsis filijs in detrimentum. Supra
de blasfemia.
Pater filios T instruere debet. Supra, de ffilia, j.
Patriarchia. Infra de veste.
DCIV.
8 Pauli Apostoli.
We rede in his legend 1 how on) a tyme when) Pawle was hostid"
att Ipe He of Mustelan), \er come ane erdur in-to his skurte and
hurte hym) noght, & he keste it in f>e fyre. & J?e gude man) was
12 wrothe, ffor alt ]?at evur was born) of the kynrecT of fat person) at
he was at hoste with was neuer hurte wiih J>ase venomos bestis.
And when) Iper childer war born), fai wolde put Jries serpents in fe
creduls with faim, at f>ai mot prufe whethur f>ai wer Iper trew
1 6 fadurs or nay.
DCV.
Paulus velum restituit Plautille.
We rede of Saynt Pawle J>at when) he went vnto his passion),
Plautilla, at was his disciple, delyverd 1 hym) hur curchyff to wype
20 f>e swete of his face, & to covur his een) in f>e how? of his passion).
And 1 when) ]>e turmaturs smate of his head 1 , evyn) in )?e strake
he tuke J>is curchyff ancT 3 gadurd! 1 Iperm att his awn) blude. And
he wappid 1 [it] samew [$ gaff it] vnto fis Plautille 3 . When)
24 )?e turmatur was gone, J?is PloattyK rnett hyin) & axkid? hym)
whare he had done hur maistdr Pawle, and he teld 1 hur J?at he lay
1 So Latin version. English MS. ueluw explicuit, et in eo sanguiwew
has liberos. proprium collegit, obuoluit, et tmdidit
a MS. repeats, and. Plautille.
8 Harl. MS. Paulus in ipso ictu
606. St. Paul's Head. 607. The meek poor Man. 405
\vith his felow dead 1 wttA-oute J>e cetie. And sho said? agayn) vnto
hym); " Petur & Pawle is gone in-to Ipe cetie, & fayr crownys
vppon) Iper hedis, & J>ai er cled in gay clothyng." & sho tuke
furth hur curchiff fufi l of blude & shewid 1 hyni) & many of>er. 4
And herefo? many folke become crystend 1 .
DCVI.
Pauli caput proprio corpori post mortem per se
coniimgitur.
Dionisius tellis how fat many yeris after f>e passion) of Saynt 8
Pawle, his 2 head was fofi) in) J>e felde wstA a hurcT-man), & he sett
it vp) on) a rodd 1 . & oppon) J>e nyght a grete light shane fw-
oppon) fro hevyn) ; and when) J>e pope hard 1 tett of fis, he tuke }?e
hede & laid 1 it at Saynt Paule fete. And, at mekult pepuli saw, 12
f>e body of Saynt Pawle rase & turnyd 1 it, & ionyd it vnto J?e hede ;
& mekutt peputt had grete m^rvayle ])ero&.
Pauli primi 3 heremite. Paulus honorat hospitem 4
suum. Supra de honore, iij 5 l6
DCVII.
Pauper humik'5 ditabitur et pauper superbus pau-
per&bitur.
lacobus de Vetnaco tellis how som tyme "per was ij pure men),
ane meke and 1 a noder prowde ; bod Ipe meke man), whare-so-evur 20
pai bend 1 corn), he wold 1 coin) with his glofe & ask J?aim itt futt, &
no man) grucicf bot gaff hyin). And witA-in a while he was a 6
rpjche mail). And J?e prowde pure man) wolde com) wztA a sekk
and ax corn). And f>e gretnes of fie sakk flayed 1 ilk man) so and Jjai 24
wolde giff hym) noght ; and so he was neu^r bod a pure man).
1 MS. repeats, fuif. has hostem.
2 MS. he. 5 MS. j.
3 MS. prime. 6 MS. repeats t &.
4 ^o Latin MSS. The English MS.
E e
406 608. Alms to be given. 609. Patriarch John.
DCVIII.
Pauperi ncm est neganda elemosina.
Sigilb^rtus tellis how \>er was a pure man) axkid 1 almos of a shift-
man), and he wolde giff hym) none. And the shipman) bad hym)
4 lefe his almos-axking for J)ai had nothyng fxsr bod stonys. And f e
pure man) ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " Stonys be f ai fan)." & aft
fat evur was in f e ship) was turnyoT in-to stonys, & f e color & }>e
facion) abade stytt.
8 Pauperis meritis bona temporalia augentur. Supra,
de elemo^ma, iij.
Pauperi data elemosina datur deo. Supra, de
abbate, iiij x .
12 Pauper plus dilectatur in mimmis qttam diues in
magnis. Supra, de Basilio.
Paupe?i est gratis consulend^m. Supra, de
Aug^s^no, iij.
16 Pauperi datum datwr deo. Supra, de abbate, iiij, et
de Gregorio, i 2 .
DCIX.
Pauper murmurans tolerandus 3 est.
We rede in ' Gestis lohmwis Elemosinarij ' when) Johannes
20 Elemosinarius, J?at was patriarE of Alexander, vnto a pure man)
fat axkid 1 hym) almos commandid 1 to be gyfifen) vd 1 he had grete
dedeyng at he wold 1 gyff hym) no more. And onone he feft at
debate with hym), & began) to flite. And when) fe patriark
24 servandis saw fis, fai wold? hafe betyfD hym). And fis holy man)
lohn) sayd nay, and said 1 ; " Suffre hyin), brethur, to ban) me ; ffor
I am) Ix yere old 1 and I have oftsithis blasfemyd almyghti God 1 ; &
I may sufifer a flytyng of fis man)." And with fat he garte
1 MS. iij. 2 MS. iij. 3 MS. tollerandus.
6io. Sin injurious. 611. Heraclides. 407
bryng a sacheft full of syluer and lay befo? hym), & bad hym) take
enogh f eroff.
Pauper non debet fieri villicus aut balliuies. Supra>
de balli^o, j. 4
Pauper[es honorare debent T ] principes e prelati.
Supra, de iudicio.
Pauperes non sunt deridendi. Supra, de apostasia, j.
Pax. PaceirD semper cum omnibus quantum possible 8
est debet ha&ere bonus chmdanus. Supra, de
odio et inuidia.
DCX.
Peccatum multiplex nocet hommi.
We rede in ' Vitis Pa^rwm' how som tyme Iper was a voyce 12
at said 1 vnto }>e abbot Arsenics ; " Coin), and I sail shew }>e werkis
of men)." And he went furth & he saw a man) of Ynde cuttant
treis and makand 1 a burdyn) fat he mot not bere. And Ipe yoyce
sayd 1 ; " Thies er \ ai fat ekys syn) vppofD syn)." And fan) he saw 16
a temple & ij men) syttand? on) hors, holdand 1 vp) a brade tre for f e
whilk f ai myght not entre in. And fan) f e voyce saycf ; " pies er
fai fat beris rightwusnes wttA pride." And fan) he saw a man)
standand? vppon) a dyke, & fillancT a vesett with watir f roff & 20
puttant it in-to ane ill cistern). And fan) fe voyce said 1 ; " Thies
er fai fat base som gude dedis, and blendis faim with evutt
wa ike's."
DCXI.
Peccatores aliqui benigne eciam recipere debent 2 24
sancti.
Heraclides tellis & sais fat on) a tyme when) he visitt ane olde
man) fat had f e grace of prophecying" & spak with hym), f er come
f e mayr of f e cetie, and he forsuke Heraclides & talkyd wit/* hym). 28
1 Supplied from the Latin MSS. 3 So Latin MSS. The English has
The English MS. leaves a blank. sunt sancti.
E e 2
408 6 1 2. Stern Discipline.
& afterward 1 when) fai commonecf to-geder, ]mi commond" of J>is, at
he sulde forsake hym) & talk with )?e mayr, & jmn) he said 1 ;
" Wherefor hase Ipou. reprovid 1 me in f>i saule ? fou & I luffid 1 wele
4 athur of vs to com) vnto olper, at ather of vs myght hafe solas
& comfurth of other with ow? talkyng ; and he is gyffen) aft vnto
f>e devuls power, and vnnethis he may brethe in ane how?. And
now he as a stfrvand 1 come hedur from) his lorde to seke refute,
8 it wer ane vnsondabyft thyng to do, if it sulde be he lefte &
[/] taryd 1 with f>e J ]?at hase bene wunte beselye to caft me vnto }>i
hele."
Peccatum incurrit aliqucmcfo nimis de se presumere.
12 Supra, de carne, iij.
Peccata rerm'ttuntur orationibus sanctorum. Supra,
de Basilio, iij.
DCXIL
Peccata venialia impossibile est vitare.
1 6 lacobus de Vetn'aco tellis how \>er was a monk f)at luffid 1 passand 1
wele clennes and innocentrie fro fe state of childyd 1 vnto J^e state
of man). And he wold 1 eatt, bod he wold 1 not hafe delectacion)
J>erin, and he studyd 1 for to put away syn), and for to luff 2 with-
20 owten) any syn). And becauce for ane impossible thyng 3 he feft
into a dispayre, vnto so mekuft }>at he myght not liff wit h- owten)
venyaft syn), [he] demyd 1 hym) selfe fat it was impossible J?at
he sulde be savyoT.
DCXIII.
24 Peccantes simul in morte sim^l in vita puniimtur.
Helynandus tellis how som tyme per was a colyer 4 & he was
servand 1 vnto religious men) and vnto >e commoutie of M^ruernens.
1 MS. if it sulde be taryd 1 vtiih J>e ad eo [ut] quid sine veniali now pote> at
& he left J>at hase, $c. uiuere, iudicabat se saluari impossi-
3 Should be liff; Harl. MS. ducere bile,
uitam sine omwi peccato. * Lat. MSS. uir carbonarius, pauper
3 Harl. MS. et quia laborabat ad Bed religiosus, et corniti Munensr
impossibile, decidit in desperacione?w, plwrimum familiam.
613. The Collier's Vision. 409
So on) a nyght as he was kepand? his cole-pi tt, & Iper was a light
fyre by hym), he was warr of a nakycT womman) rynancT, and
ane on) a blak hors with a swercF in his hand 1 drawen), folowand 1
after hur for to take hur. And as sho come, sho ran) vnto J?e cole- 4
pytt, & ]>er he tuke hur & strake hur furgh with his swerd 1 ;
when) sho was nere dead 1 he keste hur into Je fyre. And when)
sho was aft to-swythyn), he drew hur oute, & layd 1 hur befo? hym)
on) lp e hors & rade away. And f>is he saw dyvers nyght tis ; and 8
aft f>is he tolde vnto J?e said 1 commontie \ So on) a nyght Iper
come a felow 2 wztA fis colleyer vnto f>e same place, and he saw
aft as J?e colyer told 1 . And he tuke J?is hors-man) be Ipe brydift
when) aft was done, and askyd 1 hym) what he was. And he 12
ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; "I was swilk a knyght, and fis was
J>e wyfe of swylk a knyght whome sho slow for my luff, att sho &
I mot mo? frelie hawnte our syn) ; and in fat syn) we er bothe
dead 1 . And vnnethis when) we dyed 1 we forthoght our syn) ; and 16
jms ilk a nyght I sla hur & burnys hur, and sho suffers mo? payn)
with J?e strake of my swercF ]?at I stryke hur with, J>an) evur sho
did 1 w^ dead 1 ; and with J?e burnyng sho felis mekuft mo?." And
J?an) he askid 1 hym) what hors J>at was at he satt oft, and he said 1 ; 20
" It is a fend 1 p>at turmentis vs." Than) he askycf hym) if any J>ing
mot helpe faim, & he sayd 1 ; " Ya, and ye wold 1 gar syng so many
messis & gar say so many psalters for vs, onone we sulde be helpyd 1
& ou? payn) relesidT And Jus f ai partid 1 , and J?is man) garte do 24
J>ies messis & say jries psalters for fairn, & fai wer neuer sene
after.
T*eccatum punit Deus quandoque in hac vita. Supra,
ambulacto, ij. 28
Peccator per que peccat per hec et pumtur. Swpra
de agro, i & ij.
Peccata, esse remissa ostendit alicpiando deus aliquibus
signis. Infra de remissione. 32
1 Lat. MSS. Quo<i ille comtti pre- 2 Ac comes vna cum carbonario
dt'c^o per ordinem narrauit. ad prefatuwi locum . . . veniens.
410 6 1 4. Sin brings trouble. 615. The Vengeance of Demons.
~Peccatum quandoque dissimulat J Deus ut plus
puniat. Supra, de dissirrmlac^cme.
Peccata, sua eciam bruta aliquando cognoscunt.
4 Supra de furto, ij 2 .
Peccata, delet confessio quandoque de memoria con-
fessoris. Supra, de confessione, iiij.
Peccata, delet confessio de consciencia penitentis.
8 Supr& de confessione, iij.
Peccaa celat confessio multiplex. Supra, de con-
fessione in ipluribus locis.
Peceatum unum quandoque inducit in aliud. Supra,
12 de contricione, vj.
DCXIV.
Peccata, sunt causa aduersitatum que nobt's eveniunt.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how Iper was som tyme a gude mafD
J?at suffred wrong of a noder, and he compleynyd hym) vnto ane olde
16 man). And j?e old man) ansswercf hym) agayn) & said 7 ; "He did 1
not }>is, bod }>i synnys did itt. And ferfo? blame not f>is man) in
nothyng at he duse vnto f>e, nor at is happend vnto fe, bod say at
f>i synnys hath adlid 1 f>aim."
2oPecca?;^m fetet coram deo et angdis. Supra, de
Angelo, iij.
Pecca^m onerat hominem et ammam. Infra de simia.
DCXV.
Peccatum trahit hominem ad infernum.
24 We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how f>at on) a tyme when) ane
ypocryte was deacT, men) Ipat wer present aboute hym) hard? a voice
say vnto fendes on) f>is maner of wyse ; <( Draw hyin) oute wheder
1 MS. dissimilat. 2 MS. iij.
6 1 6. Penance before Purgatory. 411
he witt or nay. And as he gaf me no reste in J>e synnys f>at he did 1
beselie befo? me, on J;e same maner of wyse giff ye hym) no reste."
Peccafores portat demon ad infernum. Supra de
demone in plumbus locis. 4
Peccafor in inferno punitur. Supra, de Langrauio.
Pena infernah's est multiplex. Supra, de inferno per
totum.
Penam debitam minuunt suffragia. Infra de 8
suffrages.
Pena respondet culpe. Supra de agro.
DCXVI.
Penitencia pocius est hie facienda q^am in future.
lacobus de Vetrtaco tellis & says ; " SoirD tyme I saw a holye 1 2
womman) whilk J?at when) sho was long dead 1 , or hur body was
beryd & layd in erth, hur sawle turnycT agayn) vnto hur bodye.
& sho had grawntid 1 at sho sulcT lifF styft in f>is werld 1 , and sho
sulde suffre in purgatorie penans for hur syn) & sho wold 1 , & if sho 16
wold 1 not, sho suld 1 suffre penance in J)is werld 1 : & sho tuke hur to
suffre penance in )?is werld 1 . So a long tyme, as God wold 1 *, sho
was gretelye turment, to so muche at sho wold 1 som tyme weltyr in
f>e fyre, and som) tyme in wynter sho wolde lay hur down) in 20
frosyn) watyr & lay hur Iper a long while ; and 1 som) tyme sho was
constreynyo? to entyr dead mens gravis. So at }> e laste sho had
grace graunticTof almyghtie God 1 at sho was oft sythes ravysshicTin
hur spyritt at sho led? dyvers tymys J?e sawlis of )?aim at wer dead 1 24
into purgatorie, & thrugh purgatorie, & sho had no hurte, vnto fe
kyngdom) of hevyfD."
Penitere potest interdura unus pro alio. Infra de
satisfaccione. 28
1 MS. repeats, a long tyme, here.
412 6ij. Angels joy in Penitence. 618. Abbot Pastor's Wisdom.
DCXVIL
Penitencia perfects delet peccata, et nichil formidat.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme Iper was a blak monk }>at fell
in apostasye, & syne he was a Premonstracence & went oute ; and
4 at fe laste he was a monk of Ceustus. And evur he gaff hym)
vnto luste & lykyng of his bodie, & vnto oper innumerable vices.
So at f>e laste, as God wold 1 , he tuke }>e ordur & habett of Ceustus
ordur, and onone he shrafe hym) and tuke his penance. And
8 he did 1 his penance trewlie, in wepyngzs, prayer, & fastyng, &
in aft olper thyngys. So at >e laste he feft seke and was bown) to
dye, & evur he contynewid 1 in syngyng, prayers-saying, and wur-
shippyng our Lady vnto J>e stounde of dead 1 . And in presens
12 of his abbot & his brethyr he said 1 on) J>is maner of wyse ; " Wur-
shupfuft brethur, I, a synner & a penytent, ye beryng me wytnes,
covettw of almyghtie God to hafe a space to make a clere con-
fession), & to do verray penans for my synnys. And if God wyft
1 6 graunt me lyfe, I am) redie to make a sethe, and for to vnder-go
aft man^r of turment, and aft man^r of hard 1 thyng & labur ; ffor
nothyng is hard 1 nor inpossible vnto hym) ]mt is verray penytent."
And Jus, emang Jies wurdis, with a grete compunccion) & a grete
20 forthynkyng, he gaff vp vnto God a gude sawle ; and Iper was sene
com) vnto hym) aungels, whilk J?at bare his sawle into hevyn) \\ith
a grete myrth & a ioy.
Penitencia magis unum qttam alium attenuat. Swpra
24 de apostata, ij.
Penitere facit hommem cogitacio periart^m. Supra
de delicijs et de inferno, i.
DCXVIII.
Penitencia modica * ex corde fac^a placet Deo.
28 We rede in ' Vitis PaJmm ' how som tyme \>er was a monk f>at
askid" abbott Pastor, & said 1 on) Ipis maner of wyse ; " I hafe done a
1 MS. inordita. Lat. MSS. a* alove.
619. Gobard and the Apple. 413
grete syn), & I witt ' J?is iij yere be penytent Iperof." And J>an) f>is
abbot Pastor ansswerd 1 hym) agayn), & sayd 1 ; "]mt is mekutt ! " &
Jns monk bad hym) commawnd hym) a yere, & yitt f>e abbott said 1
f>at was mekutt. And f>ai at was aboute desyrid 1 at he sulde be 4
enionyd 1 Jwfo? XL** dayes, and yitt fis abbott said 1 it was mekutt,
& said 1 on) fis maner of wyse ; " I trow fat & a man) forthynk his
syn) wtt& all his harte, & turn) not f>Mo agayn), at God wift for iij
dayes penans-doyng forgyff hym) hys syn)." 8
Penitenciam impedit gula. Supra de gula, iiij et v to .
Penitenciam facit peccator inductus. Supra, de
abbate, iij.
Penitencia debet esse firma et perse verans. Sttpra "
de familiaritate e^ infra de perseuerancia.
Penitencia in fine vite valet. S^pra de peccafo, iij.
DCXIX.
Penitencia nimis tarda nichil prodest.
lacobus de Vetn'aco tellis how on) a tyme Charlis j?e Eniperour 16
garte call befor hym) his iij sonnys, Gobardus, Lotharius, and
Lodouicus ; and he helde ane appytt in his hand 1 & bad J?aim
all oppyn) Iper mouthes. & J>e ij yonger oppynd 1 \er mouthis,
& ]>is Gobardus wold 1 nott. And he gaff vnto )?e ij yonger, f>e tone 20
a kyngdom), and f>e toder a dukedom). And when) J>is Gobardus
saw, he said 1 vnto his fader at he wolde oppyn) his mouthe & hafe
parte of J>is appytt. And his ffadur ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ;
" pou oppynd 1 J?i mouthe to late, & f>erfo? I wytt nowder gyff 24
]>e appytt nor land?." And hereof come a proverb j?at is said 1
in Franche, " A tart bea 2 Gobard, qe eu la tere nout parte."
Penitent simul qui simul peccant. Sttpra de
peccato, iiij 3 . 28
1 After will, not, erased. a MS. Acarbea Gobard,' &c. 3 MS. iij.
414 62O. Gerard and the furred Gown.
Penitencia viuor^m faca pro mortuis valet eis.
Supra, de morte, xiij.
Penitencia debet a confessore acceptari quam a ccw-
4 fitente potot extorquere. Swpra de ccwfessore.
DCXX.
Peregrinum demon subito reportauit '.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme in fe town) of Halybach, f>er was
a knyght J?at hight Gerard 1 , and he had grete deuocion) vnto Saynt
8 Thomas pe apostell. So on) a tyme J?e devuft in lyknes of a pure
man) come vnto hym), & askycP hym) gestynnyng for Saynt Thomas
luff; & he grauntid 1 hym) it. And when) he was gone vnto his
bed 1 , f>is knyght sent vnto hym) his beste furryd 1 gown) to happ
1 2 hym) witA. for colde, and he vppon) fe nyght had }?is cape away, &
wolde not be fon) in f>e mornyng. And Ipe knyghtis wyfe was
wrothe here-wtA, & blamyd hugelie 2 hur husband 1 for h^rberyng
of pure beggers, & said 1 ; " pou sulde nevur do hym) mo? gude.'* And
16 J>is knyght ansswerd 1 hur agayn) mekelie & said 1 ; " Saynt Thomas
is in power to do me als gude a turn) as my gown) was wurth."
So on) a tyme after >is knyght wold 1 go in pylgramege vnto \>er
Saynt Thomas lay, and he brak a golde ryng in ij befo? hys wyfe,
20 & he gaf Ipe tone halfe vnto his wyfe and sayd 1 ; " Trust vnto J>is
tokyn), & I send Ipe itt, and abyde my comwyng home vnto v yere
be passyd." And sho said 1 yis & tuke }>is ryng, & he went his
ways. So after dyvers yeris he come vnto Ipe cetie of Saynt
24 Thomas, and when) he was in J>e kurk & made his prayer vnto
Saynt Thomas, & commendid 1 in his prayers his wyfe and his
childer & his meneya, he was war of Ipe fend 1 walkand vp & down)
in his furryd 1 gown). And Ipe fend 1 come vnto hyin) & sayd 1 ;
28 " Gerard 1 ! knowis fou oght me?" And he said 1 ; "Nay, I know
Ipe not, bod I know fat gown) weft enogh." And 1 J?an) Ipe fend 1
said 1 ; " I am) f>e devutt f>at in lyknes of a pure man) was herbard 1
with Ipe, and I stale J>i gown) ; & herefor 1 I hafe bene gretely
1 MS. temptauit. Lat. MSS. a* above. 8 MS. repeats, hugelie.
621. Divine Compensations. 622. A heavenly Vision. 415
punysshicT. And I am) chargicT at I shall onone hafe f>e home
agayn) vnto f>i place safe & sowncT, for als mekutt as J?is day J>i
wyfe is wed* with a noder man); for now it is xv yere sen) J?ou
come fro hur." And w^t^ j?at, when) he had offerd 1 , he tuke hym) 4
vpp) in Ynde, and onone he broght hym) home to his awn) yate
in DuchelancT. And his wyfe & hur husband, att war wed 1 J?at
same day, wer at meatt, & he come in & keste in hur copp) Iper sho
satt J?e halfe of J?e golde ryng. And when) sho saw it sho tuke f>e 8
tuder parte f>er-of & putt Iperto, & f>ai acordid 1 ; & here-by sho
wyste he was hur husband 1 , and \er sho forsuke hur new husband?
& tuke hur to hur olde.
DCXXI.
Peregrines deus in morte consolatur. 12
"We rede in ' Vitis Pafrwm ' how som tyme Iper was ij brethir, &
f>e tone was a pylgrem, and Je toder gaff hym) vnto quiete & ryste.
So it happi6T at f>is pylgram) dyed 1 , and angels tuke his saule &
flow up* vnto hevyn) Iper-with, & wolde hafe broght it in. And 16
fan our Lord? said 1 ; " He was a little necligent, bod becauce
he was a pylgram), J^rfo? take hym) in." So onone after his other
bruther dyed 1 , and a gude olde man), )?at saw aungels coin) to }?e
furst & not to Je latter, he axked 1 our Lord? why ]) is was. And 20
ou? Lord 1 ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; " pis pylgram) in att
his life had 1 no comfurth of none of his frendis, and ferfo? me
behuvis comfurthe 1 hym) wttA myne angels; bod his bruther in
his life had comfurth of his gude frendis, & j?er-for I comfurthid? 24
hym) not with myne aungels."
DCXXII.
Peregrines a deo remuneratur.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme \>er was a cetysyn) of Tulpytt
at hight Cono, & he went with other pylgramys vnto f>e see ; 28
and ]>er he fett passancT seke and dyed 1 . And when) he was dead 1 -
1 MS. comfuthe.
416 623. The great Pit of the World.
lyke, he began) to wax passancf mery, and 1 his felows axkid 1 hym)
whatt was cauce att he was so merye. He ansswerd 1 agayn) &
saycT ; " Whi sulde I nott be mery ? Our Ladie was here & sayd 1
4 vnto ine, ' Cono ! becauce J?ou left f>i wife, Ipi childer, & att Ipi
gudis for J?e luff of my son), I shaft wele reward 1 )?e.' " And with
fat he cryecT & said 1 ; "Behold 1 ! I se hevyn) oppyn) & a seatt
ordand 1 for me." And with fat he passicf away, & his sawle went
8 vpp) vnto hye hevyn).
Peregrine inclinat ymago crucifix!. Supra, de
misericordia.
Peregrinacio mentalis valet. Infra \ Petri mart iris.
DCXXIIL
12 Pericula mundi simt pertimenda 2 .
We rede in ' Dictts Barlaam ' how som tyme Iper was a man) f>at
fled from) ane vnycorn), and hym) happend 1 fatt in-to a grete pytt.
And as he fett, hynS happend with his handis to gett holde be
16 a buske at grew in fe syde of J>e pytt, and his fete wer stray te in
a vessett 3 . So he lukid 1 aboute hym) & he saw ij myce, ane white &
a noder blakk, & daylie }>ai gnew vppon) J?e rute of J>is buske, to it
was nerehancT in sondre. And he consydurd 1 f>e depenes of J>is
20 pytt, & he saw f>er-in ane vglie dragon) spowtand fyre. So he
lukid? vnto f>e grownd 1 feroff, & Iper he saw iiij neddyr-hedis knytt
to-gedur. So he lukyd wpward 1 , & he saw a dropp) of hony drope
in Ipe bewis of >is buske, & he, negligent of f>e said 1 perels, he
24 thoght he wold 1 not lefe, bod he wold 1 hafe fis drope of honye.
et c 9 . Moraliter sic. Frendis ! Be f>is vnycorn) is vnderstond 1
deade, & be J>is pytt f>e werlcf, and be f>is buske Ipe lenthe of our
lyfe, whilk J?at be howris of ]>e day & of f>e nyght, as a white
28 mowce and a blaS, cuttis it down) ; & be f>e iiij neddyrs is vnder-
stancT fe iiij elementis J?at mans body is made of, & be f>e dragon)
1 MS. Supra. 3 Harl. MS. pedib uase quodam
2 So Lat. MSS. The English MS. impressus, for pedibus base quadam
has percanenda. lubrica impressis.
6^4- A Debt acknowledged. 625. John the Anchorite. 417
is vnderstand 1 heft, and be f is drope of hony, f e swettnes of f is
life, whilk who-so covatt^s er casten) in f e said 1 perels.
Peric^lis possu?it adaptari multa que dicuntur
supra, de morte et de immdo. 4
DCXXIV.
Periurium eciam in hac vita punitur.
Cesarius tellis how fat f e dean) of Bononye \ beyng in f e dioces
of Colayn), lent vnto a bruther fat he had 1 xx marcw of cone
of mony of his kurfc. And when) f is dean) was dead 1 , his 2 bruther, 8
a knyght, denyed 1 f is said 1 dett. And f e chanons, fat had no
prefe f er-in, made f is knyght for to swere j^rfoi 4 , and so he did 1 ,
and? forswore hynD. Bod when) he went fro Bononye, wha? he
sware, vnto his awn) howse-warcf, hym) happencTto stand 1 in myddest is
of J>e way styli, & mott go no ferrer nor yitt turn) bakE. And his
tong was taken) froin) hym), vnto he promysicT in his harte fat
he sulde turn) agayn) vnto Bonon) & knowlege his manesworn) athe
& resto? f e said 1 money vnto f e chanons agayn). And so he did & 16
was hale.
Pmurio possunt adaptari que supra dicuntur de
iuramento.
DCXXV.
Perseuerancia. Perseuerandum semper est in bono 20
We rede of one fat hight lohn), fat was ane ankyr, fat was
a man) fat had lede ane itt lyfe. And when) he was cowipu[n]cte,
he garte spar hym) selfe in a grafe, and f er he wasshid 1 away
his synnys wiih salte teris, and he lay on) his kneis & his elbows, 24
and wolde not lifte vp) his een) nor name f e name of almyghtie
God 1 , bod far he enduryd a long tyme in his prayer. So ]>er come
fendis into f is grafe vnto hym, and cryecT vppon) hym) & sayde ;
1 Harl. MS. decanus Bonnensis. 2 MS. repeats, his.
418 626. Alexander persuaded .
" pou cursid 1 caytuff ! Whatt duse f ou here ? For when) f ou was
fulfyllid 1 wiih al maner of syn) & vnclennes, & now f i strentn
sufficies not to do no syn), now f ou wift liff in chastite and seme
4 a gude man). TurfD agayn) vnto vs, ffor f ou erte one of vs." An<
fan) a noder spak vnto hym) & sayd ; " What hopis f ou att f is
place shaft do f e gude 1 Do as f ou hase done befor, & lyff in luste
& lykyng of f i flessn ; ffor what payfi) inott f ou suffer mo? in heft
8 fan) f ou suffres now ? " And euer he lay styft & nothyng wold 1
say. And when) fe fendis saw fatt, fai bett hym) & gaff hyin)
many a sore wownde, and fat anys, twyse, thryce, to so mekuft fat
att f e laste f ai lefte hym) halfe deade. And f ai cryed 1 with a
1 2 hedus noyce & sayd 1 : " Vicisti ! Vicisti ! " And with fat f ai
vanyshicT away, and nevur after append? vnto hym).
Perseuerans in bono eciam mortem contempnit. Infra
de silencio, ij.
16 Perseuerare debent novicij in deuocione. Supra de
Novicio.
DCXXVI.
Peticio. Petitur aliquancfo contrarium uolito.
Valerius tellis how on) a tyme Grete Alexander was streken)
20 in a grete yre, & thoght to kaste dowft f e cetie of Lapsatuw. So
hym) happend? mete sodanlie one fat was callicT Anaximetes, fat
was his pr^ceptur & his maister, and he was ashamyd to mete
his maister becauce he was in suche ane angre, and he grawntict
24 his maister fat what f ing som)-evur at he wulde axke hyin), he
wolde grawnt hyin) itt. And when) f is Anaximetes hard? f is
he said?; " Sur Kyng, I aske at f ou dof fine envie ayeynste fe
cetie of Lapsatt." And he grawnticT hyin) it. And f us f urgli his
28 benefice was fe cetie savid 1 .
Petri A.postoli. Petrus cum voluit Petronillam
sanauit et cum placuit eidem infirmitatem
reddidit. Supra de infirmitate, iiij.
627. St. Peter veils the Sun. 628. St. Peters Name-child. 419
DCXXVII.
Petri Martiris.
We rede in his Legend how on) a tyme when) he was at j?e cetie
of Melayn) 1 & prechid Iper, he disputict 1 wit A a maister J>at hight
Hesiarcha 2 in presens of all >e prdattis of fe cetie. And j?is 4
Hesyarcha said 1 vnto hym); " O ! J>ou fraward 1 Petur ! And f>ou be
als holie as Jries fond 1 peple trowis, whi prayes fou noght ]?i God? to
putt a clowde betwix J>aim & fe son), at Jmi dye nott for so grete
hete as >ai d[oo] 1 " And Jris Petur ansswerd" hym) agayn) & said 1 ; 8
" And Ipou will promytte me at f>ou shall renownce fine heresie,
I shall do as Ipou. hase axkicf." And }>e heretykis, trowyng at J>at
myght not be done, cryed oppon) J>is maist^r, and bad hym) make a
promys. And yitt he wolde nott. Neuer-f>e-les fis Petur, to la
shew fe power of almightie God, and at He was former of al
thyngis visible and invisible, made his prayer & made a cros agayn)
J>e son) ; and Iper apperid 1 betwix J?e son) & J>e peple a little
clowde like a tent fat coverd 1 }>e peple fro Je son). And befo? 16
J?a? was no clowde in all f>e ayre.
DCXXVIIL
Petrus mortuum suscitauit.
We rede also in his Legend how Iper was som tyme a womwan)
in Flawndres, and when) sho had born) iij childer sho prayed 1 Saynt 20
Petur for to helpe hur. And sho bare J>e iiij childe and it was
dbacF, and sho tuke J>is childe & broght it vnto Saynt Petur &
besoght hym) hertelie ferfor*. And onone Ipia dead 1 childe become
whik. And when) it was ordancT J?at at his baptym) he sulde 24
be callicT John), J?e preste, not wittand 7 what he suloT say, namyd 1
hym) Petur ; and f>at name remaynyd 1 with hym) ewhils he lifficT.
1 Lat. MSS. Apd Mediolanem. strum, heresiarcham examinawte.
2 Harl. MS. et quemdow magi-
420 629. St. Peter heals a Nun. 630. Line upon Line.
DCXXIX.
Petrus monialem absentem sanamt *.
We rede also in his Legend 1 how ]>er was a non) in Lombardye
fat had lp e gutt grevuslie in hur kne, and sho cuthe not be helicT
4 with no medcyn). And when) sho hard teft at it was bod xiiij day
iorney fro hur place vnto Mylayn), fat at sho mot not do with hur
bodye sho thoght to go in hur mynde. And ilka day sho saycT
a hondreth patyr noster, and fus sho thoght ilk day to make
8 a iorney. And onone as sho began) Jms for to go in hur 2 mynde,
sho wex evur bettur and bettyr. And when) sho did 1 hur laste day
iorney, & in hur mynde went vnto his tombe, kneland on) hur kneis
as sho had bene at hys tombe in hur prayer, sho said 1 our" hur
1 2 psalter with a grete devocion). And be sho had done it, sho felicT
bod a litle of hur sekenes. And so sho turnyd? agayn) with hur
prayers as sho began), and be sho had done aft hur day iorneys, sho
was al hole & sowncT as evur sho was.
16 Pietas. Pietati comieniunt multa [que dicuntuic
supra de elemosina, hospitalitate, leprosis et
p&uperibus 3 ].
DCXXX.
Pigricia. Pigricia semper est uitanda 4 .
20 Saynt lerom) tellis how som tyme \>er was ane olde monke, & he
thoght to comfurth a slaw bruther of his, and sayd 1 vnto hym) in f is
maner of wyse ; " Som tyme f er was a man) Jmt had lande to
be sawen), bod becauce of his negligens it grew futt off thornys
24 & breers. So he bad his son) go & clence itt of f>aiw. And when)
he come f>0rto, & saw Iper was so grete multitude of thornys &
breers, he began) to fayle in his \\erte & sayd 1 vnto hym) selfe ;
" When) shaft I hafe clensioT aft )?ies 1 " And with fatt he layed
1 MS. absentem nowiwauifc et 3 From the Harl. MS.
Kanam't. * Heading from the, Arun. MS.
2 MS. his.
The Wolf and the Lamb. 633. Divine Straitness. 421
hym) down) & slepydl And when) his fadur knew how he did 1 ,
he sayd vnto hym) ; " Son) ! wurke & clence evurilk day als mekutt
grownd as f ou occupyes when) fou lyes on) fe erthe & slepis."
And he obeyed 1 his fadurs comwawndment and did so. And J)us 4
be little & little he clensict 1 all f is grownd 1 .
Piscator. Infra purgatorij, iij.
Pollucio nocturna aiiquando non imped^t commu-
nionem et aliquando impedit. Supra de com- g
Trmnione, v.
DCXXXI.
Potencia. Potentes frequenter quenmt occasiones
contra paupe?*es.
Esopus tellis in his fables how fe lambe & fe wulfe war bothe 12
thrustie, and f ai come bothe vnto }>e watir to drynk ; & f>e wulfe
dranke abown), & Ipe lambe benethe. Than) J?e wulfe sayd vnto J?e
lambe ; " "Whi haste Ipou trubled 1 Je watyr vnto me ? " And
f>e lambe ansswerd? hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; "How sulde I make 1 6
f>e watir drovy when) itt come fro the vnto me ? " And J?an) fe
wulfe said 1 ; "Whi 1 bannys Ipon me?" And J>e lambe sayd 1 ;
<{ Nay, I ban) J?e nott." And fan) J?e wulfe said 1 ; " Thi fadur did
vnto me mekuH ill, and now I sail venge me of the." And with 20
]mt he ran) on) f>e selie lambe and worocT itt. And f>is had J>e
lambe fat did no tryspas
Potus superfluus est vitandus. Supra, de abstinencia,
ebrie^ate et gula. 24
DCXXXII.
Preceptum. Preceptum eciam indiscretu7?i nocet
subdito inobedienti.
Cesarius tellis how \>er was a monk som tyme of Ceustus ordur
fat dyed 1 , and he apperid vnto a bruther of his and requirid 1 hym) 28
1 MS. whaa Lat. MSS. cur
Ff
422 633- Predestination.
of his estate. And f>e dead monk ansswerd 1 agayn) &, sayd 1 ;
"I trowed 1 neuer God had bene so strayte, ffor He thynkts of
]?e leste thyng. Bod God/' he said 1 , " for-giff ou? prelattis, for J?ai
4 make vs oftsithis to vnder-go great paynys, & many. And He
byndys hugelie fe preceptis of J>aim when) J?ai comma wncT any thyng
vndiscretelie, & Iper subgettzs giffis little hede Iperto, or els sett it at
noght ; & so it is reservict 1 vnto J?e laste iugementt."
8 Precepto comreniimt que dicimtur supra de obe-
diencia.
DCXXXIII.
Predestinacio. Predestinaciom innitentes multi
deciphmtur.
*2 Cesarius tellis of one f>at hight Lodowicus, Lafctgravim Thu-
rungie, fat was a letterd? man), & he was deseyvicT with suche
ane errour at he said 1 hym) burd'nedis be savyd 1 & he wer destanyecT
j?rto, or els he sulde be dampnecT and he war destanyd 1 Jwto.
16 And also he said 1 he mott not fle ]>e how? of his dead 1 , nor uowder
lenthe it nor shorten) itt ; and for j)is, wttA-owtyn) any drede,
he gaff hym) vnto all maner of vices. So att f>e laste he fell
in a huge sekenes, & he garte gett hym) a leche, and prayed 1 hym)
20 to take hym) in cure and amend hyirD of his sekenes. And J>is
leche was wele lernyd 1 , not alonelie in lechecrafte, bod also in
dyvynyte, and knew wele enogh his errour, and said 1 vnto hym)
in f>is maner of wyse ; " Sur, and f>e day of your dead be comwen),
24 J?an) it wer in vayiD ]mt I sulde do any cure vppon) you." And [?e
seke man) axkid 1 hym) why he sayd 1 so, & said 1 ; "I know weft
enogh bod if I hafe sone helpe I mon) dy befo? fe tyme." Than)
fe leche sayd 1 vnto hym) ; " And ye trow at your lyfe may be
28 lenthencTbe )?e vertue of medcyns, wharto denye ye to do penance,
f>at is medcyn) of Ipe sawle 1 " And fan) f>is Lattgravms, con-
sydurand f e vertue of his wurdis, sayd 1 vnto hym) in fis maner of
wise ; " Fro hens furth be Ipou. f>e leche of my sawle ; ffor be
33 f>i medycynable tong I trow at God shaft delyver me from) my
moste errour."
634. Fears in Death. 635. A simple Monk's Vision. 423
DCXXXIV.
Pmlicacio. Predicandum sincere * est propter deum.
Cesarius tellis how Iper was ane of f e Prmonstracencts ordur
fat, when) he had 1 pr^chicT of f e cros, he dyed 1 and apperid 1 vnto his
felow. And he axkid 1 hym) how at it stude wttA hym), and he 4
ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; " When) I dyed 1 devuls vmbelappid 1 me 3 ,
and ane of f aim sayd 1 , ' f ou kepyd 1 neuer trevvlye fine ordur.' And
a noder said 1 , * f on prechid 1 neuer trewlie for Goddis cauce/ And 1
I vnder stude at f ai said 1 bothe trewlie, and I was nerehancT in 8
despayr becauce Iper was none att ansswer for me. And fan)
almyghti God held 1 me with His hand?& sayd 1 ; 'ffolow-Me, ffor fou
prtfchid 1 for Me.' And onone f e fendes fledd, and I folowid 1 Cryste
vnto evurlastand ioy ; and I had none other payn) bod alonelie >is ia
drede."
DCXXXV.
Predicatori infundit deus aliquando scienciam.
Cesarius tellis how some tyme \>er was a symeple monke, &
he was bod ane ydiott, bod he was devowte. And on) a tyme hym) 16
thoght in his slepe f>at he was ravisshicTin-to hevyfD, & was cled in
aray like a dekyri) befo? God 1 , as lie sulde hafe red 1 J?e gospeli. And
when) he sulde hafe axked 1 f>e blissing 8 , hym) J?oght at J?is was sayd?
vnto hym) ; " Fro J>is day forward 1 f>ou shatt hafe conwyng & vertue 20
in prechyng \>Q wuid 1 of God." And he was gretelie mervaylid 1
of pis vision) at hym) J>oght he saw so oppynlie, and foght he wold 1
rede J>e gospett fat day, if so wer at }?e sacrestan) ordancT hym)
suche a stole and a vestement as he saw in hevyfD ; ffor fan) 24
he wold 1 trow at his vision) wer trew. And so when) he come in-to
J>e revestiarie, & saw f e stole and f>e vestiment at was laycT furth
for J?e dekyn), he knew it wele enogh ; & fan) he was certayn)
of his vision) and went vnto his abbott & tolde hym) aH fat he had 28
1 MS. scincere. * MS. blissid. Harl. MS. a quo cum
8 MS. }>aiw. Lat. MSS. circumde- benedicttowem acciperet.
derunt me demones.
Ff 2
424 636. White Bread darkened.
sene. And he comwandid 1 hym) go rede f>e gospeft & for to preche.
And so he did} and he fell vnto prechyng and prechid" 1 so clerklie
at vnto f>is day his saying is taken) for auctorite. And aft men) f>at
4 hard 1 hym) had grete nwvayle how f>at he, f>at had no conwyng
befo?, had so conwynglie preehud, & had so grett perfeccion) in
cowyng.
Predicantes demon nitit^r impedire. Supra de
s auditu.
DCXXXVI.
Predicator ea que predicat debet facere.
loharmes Anachorita was a monk in wyldernes, and was
enowrned 1 with Ipe flour of aft maner of vertues ; and he was
12 in bodye lyke vnto ane aungeft. And he was sent ilk day his
fude from) almyghti GocT, ffor evure day he wold 1 go into his cafe,
& J?er he fand a burd, & bread 1 sett Iper vppon) fat was passand
white & of a m^rvalus swetnes. & when) he had etyfD ]?er-of,
16 he wold? J>onk God 1 & go vnto his prayers and his ympnes. And
when) he began) to hafe a ioy of his merettis, onone Iper entred into
hym) certan) desyris of his witt be little & litle, at he mot vnnethis
pwrseyve Jraim, and afterward* gretter, vnto so much at he wexid
ao necligent, & mo? slow in his prayers fan) he was wunte to be.
And so Iper folowicT in his herb fowle thoghte's & wykkicP, & he
made no charge to correcte hym) for jnes little thyngis. So on)
a tyme when) he was strekyn) with a grete luste of his flessh,
24 he went into his cafe to take hym) bread 1 , and he fand bread",
bod it was browner somwhatt J>an) l Ipe toder was ; & he had grete
mervett feroff & was passand 1 hevye. NotwitAstondyng he ete
Iperof and refresshid 1 hym). And vppon) J?e toder day his thoghtis
28 grew apon) hym), & on) fe nyght hym) thoght he lay be a womman) ;
neuer-f>e-les in f>e mornyng he went vnto his prayers, & stude
with a waveryng ee and a waveryng mynde. So he went into his
1 MS. J>at.
6 tf. Stones hail Bede. 425
cave to take by in) meate, and he faud 1 a lafe, bed it was passand
brown), & hard ferwttA, and as it had bene gnaweii) aft aboute
with myce. And 1 fan) he began) to make sorow & weppyd, bod his
sorow was not so great to distroy f e flawmys of his ift thoghtzs. 4
So at f e laste he was ouercomwien) with thoghtis, to so much fat
at mydnyght he rase & went vnto f e cetie ; and when) it was day
he was war of a lityft cell of freers & he was werye, & f er he
restid 1 hym). And f e brethur began) to axke of hym), as of a wyse 8
fadur, who may esshew fe temptacions of fe devuft & evuli thoghtis.
And fan) he sufficientlie techand 1 f aim) turnycT agayn) vnto hym)
selfe & sayd 1 ; " How may I command 1 other men) & is deseyvid?
my selfe?" And fan) he saicf vnto hym) selfe fus; "0 fou ia
wriche ! Do furste f i selfe at f ou techis of er men) to do." And he
tuke his lefe at his brethur & rail) als faste as he myght into
wyldernes vnto his cafe agayn), & f er he sparrid 1 hym) selfe f erin,
& cled his bodie in hare & putt askts on) his head 1 . & f er he lay 16
a long tyme in prayers & wepyngis, vnto ane angeft come vnto
hym) & sayd 1 ; " Almighti God hase reseyvicf f i prayers and fi
penance, bod fro hens furtt bewar at fou wex no mo? prowde, anxl
so be deseyvid 1 when) fou leste wenys." 20
DCXXXVII.
Predicator devotus vbiqwe feruenter pralicat.
We rede in f e ' Gestis of Bede ' when) for grete age his sight
faylid 1 hym), he had a leder to lede hym) to townes & castels, & in
evur-ilk place f er he come he wolde preche f e wurde of God. So 24
on) a tyme as fai went furgh a valie fuft of stonys, his leder
in a skorn) tolde hym) at f er was a huge peple, fat bade vppon)
hym) in sylence to here hym) preche, and fan) he began) ferventlie
to preche. And when) he had done, & concludicT his sermon) with 28
' per onmia secwla seculorum,' onone, as men) sais, f e stonys with a
hye voyce cried 1 & sayd 1 ; " Amen ! VenerabiKs pater ! " Som) says
fat aungels ansswerd 1 & sayd 1 ; " Amen ! Bne, ven^rabihs pater,
dixisti ! " 32
426 638. Pollonlus in the School. 639. Demosthenes' Eloquence.
DCXXXVIII.
Predicate* discrete debet predicare secundum con-
diciones audientium.
Valerius tellis how som tyme \>er was at Athens a yong man) f>at
4 hight Polloniws, & he was gyffen) to suche luste of his bodie Jat he
had grete ioy in his infame. So on) a tyine he was at a feste, &
he satt Iper not alonelie vnto j?e sofD sett, bod also vnto f>e morn) at
fe son) rase. & he was fuft of wyne and of gude meatis, & had
8 enoyntid 1 hym) with precious oyntementts, he cled hym) in gay
clothyng, & made hym) a gay head 1 & went home. So hym) happend
se }>e scolehowse dure oppyn) of one Ipat hight Zenoccrates J?at was
techand 1 ; he went in at he mot here what he said 1 . And when) all
1 2 fe scolers loghe at hym) & had grete disdeyn) at he come in, ]?is
Zenocrates with a merie chere began) to preche hym) of sobernes
and temperans, not-witA.-stondyng att J?at he saycT befo?. And
J>urgh sadnes of his wurdis J?is Polloniws was gretelie movicT,
1 6 so ]>at he keste of J>e hatt Jmt was on) his head, & afterward 1
he keste of his gay clothyng & was passand 1 glad of his pr^chyng.
And at J?e laste he lefte aft his luste & lykyng f>at he had in
lychorie, and become a gude man). And f>us with medcyn) of ane
20 how? he was helicf of aft hys infame. et c 5 .
DCXXXIX.
Predicacio cum bono modo et gestu multum valet.
Valerius tellis of one J>at hight Eschines comwendid gretelie
Demostenis eloquews 1 ; and he said 1 he consydurd 1 Iperin a bytter
34 strentn of een) and a ferdfuft chere, and a hevye burdyn), & in
evure wurd 1 a sowncT of voyce, & at he knew Iper-in ]>e spedefuft
movyngzs of f>e bodie, vnto so mekift ]?at nothyng mot be putt vnto
J?e nede f>m>ff. Neuer-J>e-les a grete parte of Demostenes wantys
28 when) it is red 1 , mo? J>an) when) it is hard 1 .
Pf^edo. Predonem deus in hac vita remunerat si aliqua
bona ab eo sint facta. Infra de remunerac^one.
1 MS. Eschines Demostenis com- Eschines Demostenis eloquewtiawcom-
mendid gretelie eloquews. Harl. MS. ?ne?*dabat.
640. Fabius. 641. Difficult Rule. 427
DCXL.
Prelatus racione carnalitatis new debet eligi.
Valerius tellis of one Fabius, f>at was a grete cowncelur of
Rome ; & he governed] nobyllie after his grawncer & his fadur J)e
offes of cowncett J?at he bare. So on) a tyme Ipe peple desyrid 4
gretelie f>at his sofD sulde be made a cowncelur of Eome, and
he alone, als muche as he myght, laburde to lett it. NotwttA-
stondyng he was not dowtand 1 of Ipe virtues of hys son), for he was
passancF connyng, bod for cauce he wold? not hafe many maisters in 8
one howshold 1 .
Prelatus non debet eligi puer. Infra de puero, iij.
Prelatus non debet eligi pauper vel auarus. Supra
de balli^o.
DCXLI.
Prelatus debet condescendere moribus subditorwm.
Valerius tellis how on) a tyme Ipe consullis of Eome desyricT
gretelie one ]>ai hyght Manliciosus 1 to be of cowncett vriih faim,
and evur he excusid 1 hyin) & gayd 1 nay, & said" his syght faylid? hyin) ; 16
bod nevur-fe-les )?ai alt laburd 1 hyni) hugelie therto 2 . And evur
he bad }mim take a noder in-to J>at wurschup), fFor he said 1 ; " And
ye make me to bere itt, I may not suffer your maners, nor ye may
not suffer me to hafe rewle abown) you, nor ye wutt not fulfytt my 20
comwandmentttV
DCXLII.
Prelatus non debet se ingerere.
Hugo Florianensts tellis when) f>e knyghtzs of Rome saw Vas-
pasyan), at he was a nobyl man) and a redy to cownceH, and 24
comfurthable to yong men in batelt, J>ai besoght hyin) at he wold 1
take governance of Ipe empyre of Rome. And when) he denyecT
1 Harl. MS. Cum consulate* Man- 2 MS. repeats, hugelie, here.
lio, seni, . . . offerreretwr.
428 642. The Burden of Empire. 643. Apollo 8 Judgement.
faim & saycF he was not wurthie f>erto, & J>ai laburcf hym) ]>erio
day lie, at J)e laste he grauntyd 1 vnto f>aim, J>uf aft it wer agayns his
witt, at he wulde furste tytter take ]>e charge of fe empyre rather
4 f>an) f>e wurschup) peroff. And when) he had reseyvid 1 })& empyre
he saycT }>at in his begynyng onone he wold 1 clens J?aim at wer
fowle, & putt vnwurthi men) oute of Iper placis and fulfytt fair
rowm) with honeste men). And he was iieuer prowde nor statelye,
8 bod all-way consydurd 1 of what kynryd 1 at he come ; & he wold 1
neuer do grete punysshment for offens.
DCXLIII.
Prelatus non debet superbire.
Helinandus tellis how som tyme in J?e kyngdom) of lurie \>er
12 was a hurd-man) \>ai hight Gygens, J?at on) a tyme after a grete
rayn) he went down) in-to a law crak in fe erde, and Iper he fande
a man) dead, syttand vppon) a hors of bras. And vppon) his fynger
he fande a ryng, be J>e whilk he made hyni) selfe invisible, & lay
1 6 be J>e whene ; & als sone as sho knew ]ns sho garte sla ]?e kyng *, &
he vsurpicP J?e kyngdom). And Valerius tellis fat when) he had
getten) fe kyngdom) be J?is chawnce, he wexid? so prowde jmt
he axkicT cowncett of Apollo his god 1 , if Iper war any in J>is werlcT
20 f>at was happyer J>an) he was. And Apollo ansswercT hym) agayn)
& saycT; " J?ou sulde be bettur provicT with sekurtie of a sheperde
tofatt J?an) for to hafe a grete hafi & lathis, & giff lp i selfe to grete
charge and 1 besynes ; for it is bettur vnto a man) [hafe] bod att
24 hym) nedis vnto his lyfe, and so for to halcT hym) plesid", J?an) for to
gett hym) s&men grete tresurs & evur lyff in drede and covatyce."
DCXLIV.
Prelatus new debet esse crudeHs nee facere vnde
odio habeatur.
28 Valerius tellis how on) a tyme when) Diouisius Situlus shewid 1
hym) selfe vnto his [suggettis] 2 mo? to be a tyraunt J?afD a prince,
1 MS. kyngdom), -doni erased.
2 Lat. MSS. subditis suis; Engl. MS. tyrandis.
644* Known Ills best. 645. Benevolent Emperors. 429
he was so hatefuft vnto aft men) at aft folk desyricT at he had had a
myschefe. Neuer-fe-les one old? wyfe evurilk day in matyn-tyme
prayed vnto \er goddts to kepe hym) hale & sownd. And when) he
axkecF hur J>e cauce at sho did so fo?, and sho ansswercT hym agayn) 4
& sayd ; " Me had levur hafe fe a grevus tyrancf as fou erte, fan)
fou sulde dye & a war succede after f e ; and f erfoj? I bow down)
my head 1 & prayes for the." & when) he herd 1 hur say fus * he
wexicf confusid 1 & ashamycT, and began) to forthynk and amend 8
hym).
Prelatus aliqucmcfo morte subitanea moritur. Supra,
de archidiacono.
Prelatus a demone aliquancfo deportatur. Supra de 12
demone, v.
Prelatus eciam malus 2 debet subditos in disciplina
tenere. Supra de abbatissa 3 , i.
DCXLV.
Prelatus debet e55e communis et affabilis [omnibus] 4 . 16
Seutonius tellis how fat when) Titus was made emperour,
he vsid 1 to make mony ryaft festis, & he wolcT dispyse no cetysyn),
bod gladlie wold 1 speke with J>aim & here what fai sayd 1 ; & he
wold 1 neuer gyff o man) bettyr gyfte f>an a noder. And he was so 20
ben^uolus at he wold 1 latt none go away from) hym) wet^-ovvtyn)
a glide hope. So on) a tyme his howsholcT-men) cownceld 1 hym)
at he sulde not do so, and he ansswercT faiw agayn) & sayd 1 Iper
sulde no man) go hevylie away J?urgn \>Q wurdes of a prmce. So ofD 24
a day when) he went to supper, he vmthoght hym) how Ipat he had
J:at day notbyng nowder gyffen) nor lent, and he said 1 unto hym)
selfe; " Diem pmlidisti." Also Eutropius tellis of Troiayn), fat
when) his frendzs blamyd 1 hym) for he was so hamelie with evure 28
man), he ansswercT agayn) & said 1 ; " Ane emperour sulde be such a
1 MS. repeats, Jms. 3 Reference from Lat. MSS.
2 MS. malos. * From Lat. MSS.
430 646. Those who make Laws should keep them.
man) outewarcTanence his commons as he wolcTf>ai war inward 1 vnto
hym) agayfD."
Prelatus pauperes debet ha&ere in reuerencia. Supra
4 de iudicio vltimo.
Prelatus new debet cito credere contra subditos.
Supra de accusactone, iij.
Prelati aliqui nolunt audire nisi placencia. Supra, de
8 adulacicwe.
Prelati debent beneficia dare dignis. Supra, de
beneficio, ij,
Prelati new decent munera suscipere. Supra, de
12 munere, ij.
Prelatus debet esse liberalis. Supra, de liberalitate.
Prelatus debet fugere rapinam. Infra de rapina, j.
DCXLVI.
Prelatus statuta sua servare debet.
1 6 Valerius tellis how one J?at was callid? Licinius ordancT a law,
Ipat no man) sulcP by our 1 acre of land ; and he boght many ma.
And vnder grace of a fenyng he excusyoT hyiri) J>erof & gaff parte
feroff vnto his son). And for f>is he was accusyd 1 , furst Ipat he
20 made a law & chargicT it to be kepycT, & syne f>at he was furste afe
brak it hym) selfe.
Prelatus no7^ debet esse nimis rigidus vel dus.
Supra, de abbate, ij.
24 Prelate possunt adaptari fere omnia que dicuntur
supra, de abbate.
Prelatus debet esse constans in execucwne officij sui.
Supra, de Ambrosio, j.
28 Prelatus infirmis debet condescendere. Supra, de
leproso, i, & ij.
647- Abbot John as Angel. 431
Prelatus debet compati ipeccatoribus. Sitpra de
abbate, ij.
Prepositus dampnatur. Supra de demone, v.
Presciencia. Prescitus potest saluari. Supra, de 4
predestinacione.
Presciunt demones aliqua futura. Supra de
demone, iv ] .
DCXLVIL
Presumpcio. Presumunt aliqui plus qwam deberent 8
de statu suo.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' of ane abbott Jat hight lohn), J>at
f>oght he wold 1 seryff aftmyghtie God in maner as aungels duse,
and he dofncT att his clothis and he stude att a weke so in wylder- 1 2
nes. And when) he was like to perissh for hunger & was shrewidlie
wowndid? wiih waspis & fleis, he turnyd 1 agayn) vnto his bruther
dure, & knokkid 1 lper-B.it. And he axkict 1 who was Iper, and he
saycT; "I, lohn)." And his bruther ansswerd? agayfD & sayd; 16
" Nay, it is not lohn), for lohn) is made ane aungeH & wytt be no
mo? emang men)." And he said 1 agayn); "Forsuthe I am he."
And he wold 1 not oppyn) Ipe dure, bod lete hyifD alone stondyng Iper
vnto in f?e mornyng ofD f>e toder day. And J>afD he oppyncPfe dure 20
& said 1 vnto hym) ; " And J?ou be a man), J?ou hase myster to hafe
j?e dure opyncT, and to hafe meatt and warm) J>e ; and if fou be ane
angeft, wharto desyris fou to come in-to my cefi?" And J?an)
]?is lohn) sayd 1 agayn) vnto hyin) ; " Bruther, I pray f>e forgyiF me, 24
ffor I know my selfe J?at I hafe synnycT."
Presumptuosus aliqua?^c?o cadit in peccatum. Supra
de carne, iij.
Presumpcio nimia de se ipso aufert del beneficia. 28
Supra, de predicare, iij.
Presumpcio est aliquowcfo occasio. desperacionis.
Supra de peccato, ij.
1 MS. v.
432 648. The high-minded Anchorite.
Presumiwt aliqucmcfo religiosi nimis de statu suo in
comparactcwe sectdarium. Supra* de Basilic, j.
Presumptuosus debet humiliari ex consideracicwe sui.
4 Supra, de consideracicwe, ij.
DCXLVIH.
Presumptuosum est verb[a] subtilia et alia, loqui.
We rede in ' Dictis Patruw ' l of ane ankyr, when) he come vnto
f e cetie of Pemenen, Iper was a gude man) reseyvicT with gladnes
8 hym). And as f ai satt, f is ankyr began) to talke of holie writt,
and of privaties of hevyn). And fan) f is olde man) turnyd 1 his face
vnto a noder of his brethir, and wold 1 nothyng ansswer f is ankyr ;
and so he went furth and was passand hevye. So a disciple come
12 vnto fis olde abbott & saycP; "For }>e come fis man) hedur, fat
had grete myrth at home in his awn) place, and f ou dedeynys
not now to speke vnto hym)." This olde abbott ansswerd 1 hym)
ayeyn) & sayoT; " He is a man) of hie placys, & spek^s alt of hevyn-
16 He thyngis ; and I am) a man) of law place, and vnnethis I may
vnderstond erdlie thyngis." And f>is dissiple went furth & tolde
fis ankir what he said 1 . And he was gretelie compuncte here-witA.,
& went in-to f is olde abbott agayn) & said 1 vnto hym) ; " What
20 shall 2 I do, ffadur abbott 1 For fe passions of my sawle hase
lordschup) on me." And fan) f is old 1 abbott had ioy of hym)
& sayd 1 ; " Now fou erte welcom), fadur. Oppyn) f^rfo? my mowthe
and I satt fulfytt it with f i gudis/' And wit^ fis wurd" fis ankir
24 was gretlie comfurthid 1 & sayde ; " Forsuthe it is a gude way
at fou holdes, & a trew." And fan) he thankid 1 fis olde abbott &
went agayn) vnto his awn) region).
Presumptuosus frequenter credit habere grataas quas
28 new hafcet. Supra, de cantu 3 et de obediencia.
Princeps debet QSSQ compositus in aspecfri. Supra,
de aspectu.
1 MS. repeats, we rede. 3 So the Latin versions. The
2 MS. shat. English MS. has canHri.
649- Nero's Prodigality. 650. Promise-Keeping. 433
Princeps new debet esse odiosus subditis. Supra, de
prelato.
Principi possimt adaptari multa que dicimtur supra,
de abbate, iudice et prelate. 4
Princeps subito moritur. Supra de morte, iij.
Princeps debet humiliter suscipere correccionem.
Supra de Ambrosio \
Probacio. Probat deus aliquos. Infra de tern- 8
ptacione, vij.
DCXLIX.
Prodigalitas multa mala facit.
Seutonms tellis how J>at Nero Je emperour was so statelie
f>at he trowed? j?e frute of 2 riches and of money was no nodur fing 1 2
bod ordynance made for a mans expens, vnto so mekult at he wuld
nevur were a garment twyce, and he wold! 1 fyssh with a nett made
of gold* wyre, and all J?e duris of his pales was made of evurye
& enowntid 1 with precious oyntementi's. And he had rownd?i6
chawmers J>erin, }>at day & nyght turnyd 1 abowte as J>e firmament
duse. And yit at J>e laste hyiri) )?oght he had not tresur enogh, bod
he gart punyssli and sla dyvers ryche mefD at he myght hafe \>er
gudis. 20
DCL.
Promissio. Promissum debet solui.
Petrus Alphonsis 3 tellis how som) tyme f>er was a knygh[<],
and hyirD happend oil) a tyme to lose a sakett and a thowsancT
talentis fmn and a serpent of gold 1 ; and a pure man) happend to 24
fyncT itt. And he garte cry it in Ipe markett, & promysid 1 in
his cry J?at he fatt had fon) itt sulde hafe for J?e fyndyng tyrof
a hondreth of J?e talent?^ with gude wifi. So J?is pure man) at
fand it f>oght hyirD had levur hafe les with-owten) syri) fan) more 28
1 MS. anbrosio. 3 MS. Alphensw, a* elsewhere, for
2 MS. repeats, of. Alphonsus.
434 650. A poor Man's TrutTt.
with syn), f>uf aft his wyfe agaynJ-saicT it, [&] gaff agayfi) f>is sakett
vnto Ipe knyght & ask id 1 ferof a hondreth talentis as he promysid 1
in his cry. Bod ]?e riclie mail), when) he had )?e sakett agayn),
4 wolde not pay fe sal fay, and he said 1 per was ij serpentis of gold 1 in
f>e sakett, & at f>e pure maiD had witA-drawefD J?e tone of Jmiin).
And Ipe pure man) said 1 nay ; so he cowplenyd 1 of J>is pure man)
& f>ai war bothe broght afo? Ipe knyg. And evur-ilk man) held 1
8 wet A fe riche man), & none with j?e pure man). So \>er was
a philosophyr & he had grete petie of f>is pure man), and saycT vnto
)?e kyng in f>is maner of wyse ; " Sur kyng ! It is mekuft to trow
vnto fis riche man), for he wold? not say at he loste ij serpentis of
12 gold 1 bod if he did so. And on) J?e toder partie, J?is pure man)
at fand Jris gude, and he had not bene a gude man) and a trew, he
mot hafe holden) aft jns gude privalie, & nevur giffen) it agayfi).
And f>6rfo? caft f>e riche man) & say vnto hym) in J?is maner of
1 6 wyse ; ' This sakett and J>is gold 1 is not f>ine, for J>ou says f>ou lost ij
eerpentynys & here-in is bod one/ & kepe f>is styli in your handis
& gar cry agayn) in J>e markett a sakett with ij serpentynys Iperiu."
And when) )>is riche mafD hard 1 J?is, at he sulde be f>us betyn) with
20 his awn) staff, he grawntycT vnto Ipe kyng at he said 1 Iper was ij ser-
pentynys in f>e sackett when) Iper was bod one, becauce he wold 1 nott
hafe gyffen) J>e pure man) a hondreth talentis to safye, as he
promysid? he sulde do. And when) J?e kyng hard 1 f>is, he made
24 J>e riche man) to pay vnto J?is pure man) f>is hundreth talenttzs,
as he promysid 1 he sulde doo.
Promittunt multi multa que non soluunt. Supra, de
amicicia 1 .
28 Promocio 2 . Promocionem in temporalib^5 impedit
aliqucmrfo auaricia. Supra, de auaricm, iij 3 .
DCLI.
Proprietas. Proprium now debet habere religiosus.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme in Pycardye, Iper was ane abbay of
32 Ceustus ordur, Iper was a lewid monk, and hym) happencTfalt seke
1 MS. amicisia. a MS. promosio. 3 MS. ij.
651, 653. Monks not to hold Property. 435
and lyke to dye. And he was shrevyn), and ]?an) fe sacrament was
broght to hym) and he was howselcT; and when) it was in his
mouth he myght nowder chew it nor swelow it. Neuer-Jpe-les
)?e same day, a little befo?, he had etyn) a hen) be his ane. So hym) 4
happend sone for to dye, and when) he was dead 1 Iper was fon) with
hym) v soldi, not of clene syluer bod of coppur ; and he? -for 1 it was
demyd J?at he myght not ressayfe his sacrament.
Proprium aliqucmcfo est causa confusionis religiose. 8
Infra de simonia, i.
DCLII.
Proprietarius in sterquilinio sepeliri debet.
Saynt Grego? tellis how som tyme fyer was a monk in ane abbay,
and he was a leche, & he had a noder bruther, monke in f>e same 12
place. So hym) happynd 1 fait seke, bown) to dye, & Iper was fon)
emang his medcyns iij nobles of gold 1 . And when) Saynt Gregur
saw ]?aim he made rnekult sorow what he sulde do here-in, in
clensyng of hym) J?at was bown) to dye, and in exsample also 16
of )?aiw at warr olyfe. And hereto? he commawndid" at none
of his brethyr bod his fuft bruther sulde speke with hym), nor gyff
hym) no wurd of comfurth, bod at his bruther sulde tett hym)
J?at his brethir vggid with hym) becauce he kepycT golde privalie 20
vnto hym) selfe. And when) he wiste Ipis he made mykytt sorow,
and in fis sorow and wepyng he decesicT. And when) he was dead,
Saynt Grego? comwandid 1 he sulde be berycT in a myddyng, and at
)?e money sulde be casten) on) hym), and at f>ai sulde say when) )?ai 24
keste it ; " pecunia tua tecum sit in perdic^OTiem." furgt ])&
whilk J?ing it salde be bothe punyssment to hym) J?at dyed 1 , &
ferdfulnes to Jaim f>at liffid 1 , at )?e bitternes of dead mott do away
his syn), and at J?is penance done vnto hym) mot flay Jaiw att war 28
on) lyfe. And f>us it was done. So afterward 1 }>e monkzs durste
nevur prive to f>er selfe kepe no maner of j?ing, and it war nevur
so feble. And when) xxx dayes war passyoT he had compassion) of
J>is monk, and garte say mes for hym) xxx dayes. And when) J>ies 32
war passicT he appericT vnto his bruther german), & sayd 1 vnto
436 653. Chastening for Love.
hym) ; " Vnto now it was bod ill with me, bod now I thank God it
is wele, ffor J>is day I reseyvid 1 ray howsyft."
Proprietarius monachus est excommunicandus 1 .
4 Supra de absoluci'cwe, ij.
Proprietarius eciam post mortem absoluitur. Supra
de absoluciowe, ij.
Propria voluntas est deserenda. Infra de voluntate, j.
8 Propositura bonum debet impleri. Infra de voto et
voluritate.
DCLIII.
Prosperitas est siliquando signum aduersitatis future.
"We rede in Ipe ' Legent of Saynt Ambros ' how on) a tyme
12 as Saynt Ambros went to Rome-ward and was h^rberd 1 at a riche
man) howse in a town) in Tussie, he emang oder carpyngis askid
hym) of his astate. And he ansswerd agayn) & sayd ; " Sur,
my state was evur happie & glorious, ffor I hafe at will grete
1 6 riches, many servandis, many childer, & many cussyns, and all
f>ies I hafe evur had at my liste. And I had nevur none adur-
sitie." And when) Saynt Ambros hard 1 )?is, he had mekuH nwveft
& sayd vnto his felows ; " Ryse, go we hyne, for God is not in J?is
20 place ; and f>erfo? haste us hyne at f>e vengeange of God taR
vs not here." So in J>e mornyng J^ai 2 gatt )?aiw faste vp) & wente
\>er wayes; and when) f>ai war passid 1 a little, J?ai lukicF behynd
faim, and sodanly J>e ertn oppynd 1 and swolud? J?is man) & alt
24 J>at longid 1 vnto hym), at Iper was nothyng left aboue erde. And
when) Saynt Ambros saw f>is, he sayd vnto his felaschup) ; " Lo !
brethur, how nwcyfult at God is ! For He sparis )?aim at He
sendis aduersitie & truble in f>is werloT, & how felly He is grevud
28 vnto )mim at He sendis prosperite and no dissese." And in witnes
here-of yit vnto ))is day in Jat s place Iper is a passancT depe
dyke 4 , callid 1 ]?e ricne man) pitt of Tuscan B .
1 MS. excominicandus. 6 This Legend has two hands
3 MS. )>at. pointing to it, no/a, written above
3 MS. J>aft. them.
* MS. repeats, dyke.
654. The first Plough. 655. An Isle of Banishment. 437
DCLIV.
Providencia del infallibilis est.
We rede of f e kyng of Crete he was a semelie man), & he had a
nygromancier in his courte at hight Estus. And f is kyng had
a doghter, and f is Estus happend to gett hur wit/4 childe. And 4
when) it was born), for tene f is kyng hur fadur garte caste it oute
in f e wud emang wylde bestis. So with-in a while after hunters
fand it in a cafe emang wyle bestis, & f er it was nurisshid with
hur mylk. And when) it was broght home in a strayte gate whar 8
catett vsyd? to com) by, and when) he saw f ai wolde do it no
skathe bod rather norysshid 1 it, he comraaundid? at it sulde be
casten) vnto hundis fat long had bene kepyd 1 fastyng, at fai
mott destroy itt, & fai wold 1 do it no skathe. & fan) he garte ia
caste it emang swyne at fai mott devow? it ; and f er it was
nurisshid 1 on) a sew papp). And when) he saw fat, he garte caste
it in-to f e occian) ; and when) it was casten) f er, f is Estus, f e fadur
f erof, be his craft broght it vnto f e land? agayn) whikk ; & f er it was 16
nurisshid with a hynde. And fro thens furtft it wexid so swyfte of
fute at whare at evur f e hartys went it wold? go with f aim. So at
f e laste it was taken) in a snare, & broght to f e kyng & gyffen) hym)
to a present 1 . And onone he knew it & had compassion) f eroff, & 20
garte name it & nurtur it ; & f e name fr-of was Avidus. And
afterward? he made it his successur. And fis kyng Avidus, as we
rede, was furste fat evur garte tame oxen) & lern) f aim to draw ;
and he was furst fat evur fand pleugh, & he taght men) to plew & 24
to saw whete & of er cornys *.
Providet Deus suis in necessarijs. Supra Benedict i
et de hospite, iij, et iiij.
DCLV.
Providencia in futurum est laudabilis. 28
BarlaairD tellis how fat in a cetie beyond se f e cetysyns had
suche a custom) fat eumlk yere fai wolde chalange a strange
1 A sidenote here has a small hand pointing to the words [Su~]pr& de
[jw]venct'cwe aratfi.
Gg
438 656. Tie Virgin Mary accepts a Boy '# Ring.
mari), & chese hym) vnto \er kyng fat knew nothyng of f e lawis
of f e cetie. And alway fro lie war chosyn) he suld 1 hafe his com-
mandmente's fulfyllicT vnto f e yere end, & what at evur he bad be
4 sude be done. And when) fat yere was gone, when) hym) thoght
he was in his moste sekurtie & his moste mirthe, sodanlie ]>e
cetyzens wolde rise vppon) hym) and wolde take from) hym) ]>Q
kyngis crown) & nakyn) hym) & harle hym) f urgh lp e cetie, & send
8 hym) in-to ane yle in fe se "per he sulde nowder hafe mete nor
clothe, bod at he sulde Iper dye for Longer & sorow. So on) a tyme
Iper was a man) made kyng fat vnderstude f is custom) & f is law at
f ai hadd, and when) he was made kyng he garte opyn) f e kyngis
la tresurie, and sent a grete copye fm>ff into fis yle. And when)
his yere was done & he was sent into fis ile, he had habundance
enogh of riches at he had ordand fo? be hys wisdom) ewhyls
he lifficT as a kyng in f e cete.
16 Prudencia necessaria est multis. Supra de cautela
et provisione.
DCLVI.
Puer desponsauit ymaginem beate Marie Virginia.
We rede in f e ' Mereclas of Our Ladye ' how som tyme Iper was
20 a felaship) of childer Ipai vsicT to play at hand-baft befo? a kurk ;
and Iper was one of paim fat had on his hand 1 a ryng whilk J>at
a maydyn) fat luffid 1 hym) be flesshly luff had gyffen) hym). And
he was ferde at he with his faste rynyng at fe baft sulde breke it,
24 and he went in-to f e kurk to gyff som bodie it to kepe to he had
laykicT hym). And when) he come befo? f e ymage of our Lady, he
stude mrveftand and beheld htir fayrnes, & he set hym) down) on)
his kne and deuotelie sayd afo? hur his Ave Maria. And when)
28 he had done he said 1 vnto hur ; " Forsuth, Ladie, f ou erte fayrer
Jmn) any olper & mo? fayr fan) sho fat gaff me f is ryng, and f erfo?
I forsake hur. I, fro hens furth, I wift luff the, so at f ou wyft luff
me agayfi)." And he profurcT f e ryng vnto f e ymage fynger, and
32 f e ymage put furth hur fynger streght & he putt it on). And
fan) f e fynger closyd agayn) vnto f e ymage as it was are. And
657. Soy raised by a Spear-shaft. 439
when) he saw f>is he had grete mervelA Iperoff & callicT his felous &
tolde J?aim & lete f>aim se itt. So afterward hym) happend breke
J>is promys and was wecP, and on) J>e furste nyght at he was wed
our Ladie come & lay betwix hym) & his wyfe, & putt furth 4
hur hand & lete hym) se fe ryng on hur fynger, & reprovid hym)
J>at he had broken) his beheste. So with J?at he wakynd & grapyd
after Ipe ymage 1 & fand hur not Iper, & lay styft & trowed j?at
it had bene bod a fantasye. So afterward 1 sho apperid vnto hym) 8
& thretid hym) att he was ferd? for hur. And when) he wakencT on)
Ipe morn), at evyn) privalie he forsuke his wyfe & att his gudis
& went to wyldernes, and Iper devotelie he servid our Ladie vnto
his lyfis ende. 12
DCLVII.
Puer ex actibws suis quandoque declarat qualis sit
futurus.
We rede in ' Cronicles ' how on) a tyme kyng Agibundus, kyng
of Lombardie, soiornyd? in Germanye, he fasted & walkid 1 abowte, 16
& he fand 1 casten) in piscina??* vij childer be a common) womman)
for to sla j?aim; and aK ]?ies )?is same common) womman) had
born). And when) })is knyght saw jmim he had grete mervayle and
put down) a spere-shafte vnto f>aim. And ane of J>aim gat fe 20
shafte with his hand 1 be Ipe end & helde it. sty It. And Ipe kyng had
merveH here-of & pullid hym) vp), & garte nurysst hym) and
namyd hym) Lawncelott 2 , f>at is als much to say as he })at sal
be a grete man) in tyme to com). So afterward 1 hym) happend 24
to be of so grete nobylnes j?at when) Ipe kyng was dead Ipe Lombardis
made hym) Iper kyng 1 .
Puer in purgatorio punitur. Supra de blasfemia.
DCLVIII.
Puer non debet eligi in prelatum vel presulem. 2 s
3 Helinandus tellis how )?at Adrianus Ipe empmmr on) a tyme
wolde algatis make his son) emperour in his life. And his princes
1 MS. ymange. 8 This Exemplum is corrupt and
2 Harl. MS. Lamissionew. Arund. part has been omitted from the Latin
MS. Lancissionem. versions.
G g 2
440 658. Youths not to bear Office. 659. Beauty disfigured.
ansswerd hyin) agayn) & sayd 1 fat it longicT not alonelie vnto fe
blude to hafe rewle; bod rather vnto fe adlyngw & vnto the
governance. And so his desyre contynued 1 , and efterward he con-
4 seyvicT in his mynd 1 fat childer sulde furste be broght vpp) and
excercysed in vertues, at fai mot be provid what gouer nance f ai
wolde be off or f ai war putt vnto any wurshup).
Puer a demone temptatur. Supra de blasfemia.
8 Puella debet abscondere suam pulcritudinem. Supra
de abscondere.
Puella debet solicite custodiri. Supra, de ffilia.
DCLIX.
Pulcritudo corporis debet abscond! ne alijs sit
12 dampnosa.
Valerius tellis how Iper was a fayr yong mail) f>at hight Spurannws,
and he was so pratie & so defte at yong wommen) wex evyn) fond 1
on) hyin), and he was ferd at ]?ai or Iper fadurs shulde desyre hym)
16 to be roaryd or to fall vnto syn). And he wowndicT hyin) selfe
his visage and his mouth to make hyin) disfygurd 1 at J?ai sulde not
desyre hyin), and J?oght hyin) had lyffer be deformyd 1 & liff in
halynes, fan) daylie be a pr^paratyfe to olper folE: luste & syn)
20 & wykkydnes.
Punicio. Puniuntur corizantes. Supra de cori-
zare.
Puniu^tur gulosi. Supra de gula, vj, et de bene-
24 diccione.
Punitur quis per hec que peccauit. Infra de
religiosis, iij.
Puniwitur pecca^ores diuersi diuersimode. Supra
28 et infra in locis suis.
660. St. Peter appears unto Mary of Oignies. 66 1. Purgatory. 441
DCLX.
Purgatorius. Purgatorij pene sunt diuerse.
lacobus de Vetrzaco tellis f>at when) Saynt Marie of Oginiez
prayed for a certayn) sawle vppon) Saynt Petur day J>e aposteft,
Saynt Petur aperid vnto hur and 1 tolde hur f>e paynys at it was in 4.
& fe cawsis )>0roff, and how at it was turment with huge hete
becauce it luffid passynglie J?is werlde & fe lustis IperoL And
som tyme it was gretelie turment with a huge caldnes, becauce it
was slaw to do gudenes, & neclegentlie governyd f>e chylder & 8
fe howsholde *. And [som]tyme it was punysshid 1 with hungre and
threste, becauce it had grete dilectacion) in meat & drynk. And 1
sum tyme it was gretelie punysshid with nakidnes, becauce it had
in f>e life grete delectation) in costious clothyng, & to be passynglie J2
warm) happed.
Purgatorij pena mitigatur orations. Supra, de
oratione.
Purgatorij pena soluitur missa. Supra, de pro- J 6
prietario.
DCLXI.
Purgatorij pena modico tempore diu videtur durasse.
lacobus de Vetrtaco tellis how som tyme [/er was] a synner )?at
was correcte with a grete infirmytie, to so mykytt he prayed 1 God 20
to feche hym) oute of ]?is werlde. And when) he had lang prayed
so, ane aungeH come vnto hym) and bad hym) chese whethur
he wolde stonde ij dayes in purgatorie or he wolde suffre his
sekenes ij yere.. And he chose Je furste, and decesid, and his 2 4
saule went vnto purgatorie. So with-m ane houre after it was
tyr, \>Q angeli apperid 1 vnto hym), and he axkyd ; " What ert f ou ? "
Je angett ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; "lam) fe aungelt )?at
apperid vnto the when) f>ou was olyfe." And he said ; "Nay, Ipon 28
erte none aungett, for aungells wytt not lye ; and fou erte bod
a Iyer, for Ipou tolde me Ipat I sulde be bod ij dayes in purgatorie,
1 A sidenote says, [n]oa bene, he.re.
442 662. A Soul delivered from Ice.
and I hafe stand Iperm many yeris." The aungeft ansswerd hym)
agayn) & sayd 1 ; "foil sail vnderstand at f>ou haste not bene here
nott fullie ane how?." And f>an) he prayed 1 f>e aungeft to bryng
4 hym) agayn) vnto f>is werld) for hym) had leuer \>er suffer any seke-
nes at God wold 1 send hym), J>an) for to be Iper a noder how? agayn)
in payn)." And so his sawle was broght agayn) vnto J>e bodie,
& mekelie he suffrecT sekenes ij yere, and J?an) he decesicT.
8 Purgatoriura suum faciunt aliqui aliquomcfo inter eos
inter quos peccauerunt. Supra, de abbate, viij.
Purgatorius plus timetur a bonis qitam a malis.
Infra de timore, iiij.
DCLXII.
12 Purgantur aliqui inter viuos.
"We rede in ' Legend 1 Lombard^a ' how Tper was * certayfD ffysshers
in a town) of Saynt Thebottt's 2 , and in harveste when) f>ai went on)
fysshyng, and in-stede of fyssli f>ai drew in Iper nett a grete panett
16 of yse. And f>ai war mo? fayn) J^^rof J?an) J>ai wuld 1 hafe bene
of fyssli, ffor \er bysshopD had a grete surans in his fete, and
J>ai laid 1 f>is yse vnder-nethe his fete & he had a grete remedie
of his sekenes Iperloye. So vppon) a day he harde oute of >is yse J>e
20 voyce of a man) speke & say dyvurs wurdis, and J?e bisshop)
coniured it & askid? it what it was, & it ansswercT agayn) & sayd 1 ;
" I aifi) a certan) saule J?at is punysshid 1 for my synnys in J)is panel!
of yse, and I myght be delyverd? and Ipou wolde say for me
24 xxx [messis xl u ] 3 dayes to-geddur." And he granttycT at he sulde
do so, & did. And when) he had sayd halfe Ipe messis & was bown)
for v to say J>e toder halfe, sodanlie be Ipe suggestion) of Ipe devuft,
all his household* fell at were emangz's Iper selfe, & ilkone of J>aira
28 was in poynt to kyft olper. And so f>e bisshopp) was trublid 1 here-
wetA, & lefte his mes-saying. And yit he fett vnto ]>&im agayn) &
1 MS. was a certayn ffysshers. 3 Latin MSS. si quadraginta diebus
2 Latin MSS. Theobaldus. continuia .xxx. missas diceres.
663. A Man dreads Lice. 443
sayd 1 paiw. And when) he had sayd 1 ij partis of )mim and was
bown) to say mes, one of his meneya come vnto hym) & tolde hym)
at Iper was a grete sege of men) of arrays layde abowte Ipe cetie ;
and herefo? he put of his mess-saying fat day. And at Ipe iij 4
tyme, when) he had sayd 1 aft his messis bod 1 ane, Iper come a man)
vnto hym) when) he was bown) vnto pe laste mes, & tolde hym) at
\>er was a grete fyre in f>e cetie. And pe bisshop) ansswerd agayn)
& sayd 1 ; "And aft pe cetie burn) vp stowte & rowte, I saft not 8
ouerhypp) nor lefe pis mes vndone." And onone as f>e mes was
done, pis yse resoluyoT into watir, and pis fyre vanysshid 1 away
and was nevur sene after.
Pena purgatory est acerba eciam si diuturna. I2
DCLXIII.
Pusillanimitas quando 2 retrahit a bono.
Cesarius tellis how Iper was som tyme a knyght Ipat made hym)
monk of Ceustus ordur, to the intent at make a noder knyght
at was his felaugh to do Ipe same. And Ipe toder knyght ansswerd 1 16
& sayde he wold 1 gladely 3 entyr in-to fe ordur bod he was fercf for
lyce. And Je toder ansswerd 1 hy in) agayn) & sayd 1 ; " He is nowder
wurthi nor noble knyght fat in Ipe bateft of J?e devuft dredis
nowder swerd'nor spere, & is in Ipe bateft of Cryste ferde for a few 20
smale wormys. And f erfo? bewar at Ipies lies take not fro the the
kyngdom) of hevyn)." And with f is wurd? f>is knyght was confusid,
& holilie and strong-lie he tuke J?e ordur and vttirly forsuke aft lp is
werlcT. 24
DCLXIV.
Quies mentis in omnibus est querenda.
Saynt lerom) tellis of iij men) pat luffict 1 passand wele to-geclur,
& lp ai aft iij went and made faim monkis. And one of lp aiw chose
1 After bod, iij, erased. 2 Latin MSS. quac?oqe. 3 MS. goldely.
444 664. A quiet Mind. 665. A Demons Prompting.
to condycion) to make f aim att ane at was at debate, and f e secuncT
chose hym) to seryff f aim at wer seke, and f e iij luffyd alway to be
solitarie and be hym) selfe. And f e furste, when) he had done
4 mykyli & mott not agre f aim att fat wer at discorde, he began) to
wax irke, & come vnto fe toder & tolde hym), & fande at he
was irk also becauce he mott not seryff seke folk to plesans. And
f ies ij war acordyd 1 samm & come vnto f e thricT and tolde hym) of
8 att ])er trubbles, and prayed? hym) at he wold 1 tett f aim what at
profettyd f aim. And he went from) f aim a litett and put watir in
a copp) and saycT vnto f aim l ; " Behold 1 in-to f e watir ! " And it
was drovy, & so f ai did? & f ai saw Iper awn) facis as f ai had lukid?
12 in a myrrour. And fan) he said?; " fus fai fat er emang many
men) may not se Iper awn) synnys no mo? fan) ye mot se your awn)
shadus in f is watir when) it was drovye ; and when) fai hafe bene
awhile in solatare place be f er ane, fan) fai may se f aim."
DCLXV.
1 6 Quies corporis a demone ali quando impeditttr.
We rede how on) a tyme Abbott Isaac told? in a collacion) ; ' Som
tyme ]>er was a moste holy fadur, and on) a tyme as he went
be a cett of ane of his brethur, 2 he was war of his bruther dyngand
20 on) a grete stone wiih a huge hammer, and ane standand by hym)
lyke a man) of Ynde, as he had prompyd hym) vnto his warlt
And f is gude olde fadur had mervett of such ane illusion) and
trowid it was bod a dissayte. And he come vnto fe cett and
24 haylsyd his bruther, & saycT; " What warK is fis at f ou wyrkis ? "
And he ansswerd agayn) & saycT; " Fadur, we hafe laburd agayn)
a harde stone, an vnnethis we may any thyng breke it." And f is
olde man) ansswerd hym) agayn) & saycT; " f ou says wele, we hafe
28 laburd, for f ou was not be fine one ; anod^r was with the at f mi
saw nott, fat stude evur and prompyd? the to wurk besylie." '
1 Latin MSS. " Intendite in aquaw," intenderent in aquam viderunt uultos
et turbulewta erat. Post modicmn suos.
iterum. dixt< ; " Attendite q^am 3 MS. inserts, and, before he.
liinpida facta est aqua." C umque
666. Thought-Battles. 66 J. Martin tempted. 668. Tiberius. 445
DCLXVI.
Quies corporis appetenda est a sanctia.
Heraclides tellis & says of hym) selfe ; When) variable thoghtis
hase trublid me & bydden) me go furtn of my cell, and I had
nothyng to do, I corapleynd vnto Anton) of Antiocen) oppon) J>is 4
hevynes. And he ansswercT me & sayde; "When) }?ies thoghtys
comrays vppon) f>e, ansswer J)aim agayn) & say, ' ffor Cristis sake
I kepe J>ies wallis and will do, jmf I doo no noder thyng els.' "
DCLXVII.
Quietem corporis et mentis mtitur demon eciam s
visibih'ter impedire.
Saynt Grego? tellis ; " som tyme Iper was a man) fat hight Martyn),
and he led a solitarie lyfe. And J>e devutt had dispite here-att, &
in lyknes of a serpent he laburd & keste for to lett hyfri). And Jns 1 2
serpent en) a tyme be hym) selfe come into Ipe cafe wha? })is MartyfD
led his lyfe in wyldernes, and when) he was alone in his prayers,
sho stude vp ryght befor hym), and when) he wold? lay hym) down),
sho wolde lay hur down). And on) a tyme f>is holy man) putt furst 16
his hand & syne his fute nakid vnto hur, & saycT; ' And J>ou hase
lefe for to smyte me, I sail not lett the/ And when) fai had vsid
J?is iij yere sam0n, at 1p e laste J?is fals enmy, J>e devuli, was ouer-
commen) wiih his mekenes & vanysshid away from) hym)." 20
Eana. Eanam peperit Nero imperator arte medi-
comra. Supra, de crudelitate, ij.
DCLXVIII.
Bapina omnis fugienda est et maxime a p^incipe vel
prelato. 24
Seutonitu tellis how on) a tyme, when) he had exhortid 1 Tyberius
Cesar J>at he sulde eke J?e tributis of his regions, the empmmr
ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd ; " Nay, ffor it longis vnto a gude hurd 1 to
clypp his shepe, & not alt at ons for to worow itt." 28
446 669. Rollers checked. 670. Holy Ravishment.
DCLXIX.
Raptor orations restituere compellitur.
Saynt Grego? tellis how on) a tyme a company of Gothomys * mett
Libertinus, a gude holy man), rydand on) his hors, and f ai threw
4 hym) of his hors & tuke it from) hym). And when) f ai had taken) it
from) hyin), he profurd f aim his whipp), & sayde ; " Take f is with
you at ye may gar f e hors ga with." And f ai tuke it and went
Iper wayse. And als sone as f ai war gone he feft vnto his prayers,
8 and it happend? at f ai mott go no ferrer, nor with Iper spurris gar
]>er hors go furtli. So f ai vmthoght f aim at f ai had done wrang
vnto f is holy man), and f ai turnyd agayn) & restorid 1 hym) of his
hors. And fan) f <ii went Iper wayes, and nothyng lettyd f aim 2 .
* 2 Rapine antecessomra debent restitui. Supra de
ecclesia.
Rapine possunt adaptari ea que dicuntur supra de
fure.
DCLXX.
!6 Raptus sp^r^ualis. Rapitur aliqucmcfo a^iima
extra se.
lacobus de Vetrtaco says ; " I saw som tyme devote wommefD,
fat was so hugelie ravissicT w^t^ thoght of holy liffyng, fat of
20 aft f e day f er was no witt in f aim vnto none oute-ward thyng bod
was evyn) as f ai had bene on) slepe. And f ai myght not be wakynd
with no rnaner of criyng, nor f ai myght fele nothyng sore and fai
had bene nevur so prykkid 1 ." And he says he saw a noder
24 womman) nerehancT of xxx tj yere old 1 , and sho was kepyd with
so grete luff be hur spowse in fe clostre, at sho mot be no ways go
furtli feroff. And neuer so many men) had drawen) hur be f e
hanoT, ffor oft tymys sho was enforcid 1 to be drawen) oute, bod it was
28 in vayn) bod if f ai wuld 1 hafe rugid? hur in sonder. Also he says
fat he had sene a noder womman) fat som tyme xxti S ythes on) f e
day was besyde hur selfe, whilk fat in his presence opon) a day was
1 Arund. MS. exercits Gothomm.
3 Tales DCLXVIII and DCLXIX marked, Note, in the margin.
671. Socrates at Play. ' 447
vij sithes ravysshid 1 . And in what state som) evur slio was ravissid?
sho abade in ]?at astate vnto sho was turuycfowte of hur ravisshyng.
And hur handzs hang vp) in f>e ayre vnmouable after f>e disposiciofD
at sho was ravisshid in, at sho was garte shew a bodely ioying. et c 5 . 4
Rebellio. Rebellis punitur. Infra de religione, ij.
Recidiuum. Recidiuum nocet. Supra de heretico, ij-
Recognic^'o. Recognoscere debemus beneficia nobis
impensa. Supra de beneficio, i. 8
Recreacio interdum vtilis est religiosis. Supra
Johannis Euangeliste.
DCLXXI.
Recreacio eciam moderata omnibus est necessaria.
Valerius tellis f>at when) Socrates f>e wyse clerke wexid 1 aide and 1 2
taght his scolers, he wold 1 not alway bynd Ipsam in at lernyng, bod
som tyme to avanyssh away Iper labur he wolde suffer Jaim to have
recreacion), to cauce J>aim to be more dyligent & craftie in \>er
lernyng afterward, at )mi sulde not be yrke of Iper labur. And 16
herefo? J?is wise philosophur, Socrates, \uayd~\ for to lope on) a rede
betwix his leggis, as barnys rydys, and ryde with faim as )mi do to
make J>aim sporte.
Redempcio nulla est in inferno. Supra de inferno, iiij. 2
Reddicio. Reddit deus centuplum. Supra de
elemosma xiiij, et de decimis.
RedduTit aliqui malum pro bono. Infra de serpente.
DCLXXII.
Regma quanto dignior tanto magt's castitotem suam 24
servare debet.
We rede in J>e ' Meracles of our Ladie/ how som tyme in Rome
Iper was ane emperour J?at had a fayr wyfe & a chaste. So * on) a
1 MS. soml.
448 672. Troubles of an Empress.
tyme )?is emperour sulde travell furtli oute of centre fro his empyre
vnto other grete regions, and he putt a bruther fat he had, & also
att his empyre, vnto gouernans of his whene. And when) he was
4 gone, his bruther wexicT fond 1 of J?e whene, & at f>e laste he oppynd 1
his harte vnto hur, & sho forsuke hym) vttirlie and wolde not
graunte vnto hym) ; notw^tAstandyng he wolde not lefe, bod laburd 1
hur daylie J?erin. So at J?e laste when) sho saw he wolde not lefe,
8 sho sparrid 1 hym) in a tow? horn) faste, and gourniyd? f>e empyre
peasfullie. And when) v yere waspassicTf>is emperour come home,
& be lefe of lp e empryce his bruther was lattyn) furtli e of Ipe tow?
& come vnto Ipe empm>ur and accusyd 1 >e emprice hugelie vnto
12 hym), & saycT f>at sho was ane oppyn) fornycatur nerehancT with
evur-ilk maiD. And becauce he wolde not consent vnto hur to ly
by hur, }?erfo? sho sparrid? hym) faste in a tow?, & herefo? he said 1
he was lene and iK hewicT. And J?is emperour gaff our redelie
1 6 truste vnto hym), & tuke a grete sorow in his harte, to so mykett
at he fett down) in swownyng & lay a grete while. So when)
he come vnto his spyrittis agayn) he went furth, and Ipe whene
mett hym) & wolde hafe kissid? hym), & he wolde not bod gaff hur
20 a grete strake, & felde hur vnto Ipe erth. And he commaundicT
ij of his men) to take hur & hafe hur vnto Ipe wudd & smyte of hur
heade. And >ai tuke hur & had hur furth as he bad. & when) J>ai
come Iper jmi sulde hafe smyten) of hur head 1 , ]mi wolde bothe hafe
24 ligen) by hur. And sho putt Jaim by and cryed & made a grete
noyse. And J?er happeud com by a wurthi man), & many men)
with hym), and harde hur cry & rade to hur & slew J?ies ij har-
lottis at was with hur, & tuke hur J home with hym) & betaght
28 hur vnto his wyfe. And sho made hur nuress of a little yong son)
at sho hadcT. So f>is wurthi man) had a bruder was a knyght,
& he wexid so fond 1 on) hur at he wiste neuer what he might doo,
& oft wolde hafe had at do with hur ; and evur sho putt hym) bye.
32 So on) a nyght, as sho was on) slepe in hur bed & )?is yong bab by
hur, he come privalie with a knyfe & cutt J?e barn) throte in
Bonder, & put nemelie >e knyfe in hur hand and sho of slepe ; &
so he lefte hur and went his wayes. So sho felde warm) blude
1 MS. hym.
672. Troubles of an Empress. 449
ryn) aboute hyr in }>e bed, & wakend Iper-with. And when) sho
saw how it was sho eryecP, at Ipe lorde & Ipe ladie and aft f>e hows-
hold 1 hard 1 . So j?ai come vnto hur at luke what hur aylid 1 , and
fande Ipe barn) dead 1 . And fe howshold 1 meneya wold 1 hafe slayn) 4
hur, bod Ipe lorde and }>e ladie wolde not latt Jmira. So Ipe lord 1
comwandid 1 at sho sulde be delyverd 1 vnto shipmen), & at J?ai sulde
hafe hur in-to a far contrey. And so sho was delyverd 1 vnto ship-
men) & broght vnto J?e ship). And onone ]?ai wolde hafe ligen) by 8
hur, and in no wyse sho wolde consent vnto f>aiw, and herefore J>ai
wolde hafe drownyd 1 hur. Bod )mgh grace of God Iper cownceft
changid 1 , and J?ai sett hur vpp) apon) a hy skar in >e see. And Iper
our Ladie Saynt Marie apperid vnto hur & comfurthid hur, and 1 12
bad hur take ane erbe f?at was vnder hur head 1 Iper sho lay & kepe
it, & with f>at sho sulde heale all Ipalm fat war lepre wha?-som)-
evur sho come. And sho was Iper many day & had 1 no meat bod
herbys & gress. So on) a tyme }>er come shipp)-men) by f>e land 1 , 16
and sho cryed 1 vnto j?aiw and J?ai had petie on) hur, and tuke hur
in-to per ship) & had hur vnto a haven-town) ; and onone Iper befo?
Jmim aft sho belief a lepre man). And in Ipe mene while J?is
vnhappie man) Jrat had slayn) his bruther barn) jmt sho kepicT, was 20
sodanlie fallen) lepre, and sho was broght vnto hym) & no bodie
knew hur of aft Ipe howshold 1 . So Ipe lord prayed hur to hele
his bruther, and sho ansswerd? agayn) & saycT sho myght nott bod
if he in presence of Ipe lorde & Ipe ladie & olper viij persons shrafe 24
hym) clene of aft his synnys. And so he did 1 , bod }?at syn) at he did 1
anence hur, he wolde not shryfe hym) Iperof, and evur sho sayd 1 he
was not fuft shrevyn). So he gatt assurans of his bruthir, &
knowleged aft his syn) how he had done. And sho ansswerd! 1 agayn) 28
& sayd 1 ; "I am) Ipat, same worn wan)." And Iper sho helicT hym).
And Ipe lorde wolde hafe garte hur wed hym) and sho wolde not, bod
went hur way ; & evur wha? any was lepre sho helicT f>aiw. So at
Ipe laste hur happend to coin) to Eoine, and Iper sho fand Ipe 32
emperour hur husband 1 bruther, at had done so vnto hur, lepre.
And sho was fechid? to hele hym), & sho wolde not bod if he cow-
fessid 1 hym) oppynlie of aft Ipe synnys at evur he had done befo? aft
men) ; and so he did 1 & telde opynlie how he had done vnto hur, & 36
450 ^73* ^ Monk tries to sell Asses.
how f e emperour had garte sla hur. And aft f e peple fat was
f er & harde made sorow for los of so gude a ladie. So at f e laste
sho lete f aiw witt at it was sho, & helid 1 in f e cetie aft fat evur
4 was lepur. And be fat tyme f e emperour was dead, and f e pope
sent vnto hur ; & becauce fat in hur tribulacion) sho had made a
vow of chastite, he made hur to take one abbet of religion). And
f us sho endid 1 hur lyfe in clene liffiyng. et c 5 .
8 Regina semper honestatem suam debet tenere.
Supra de muliere, xvi.
DCLXXIII.
Religiosus non debet se de secularibws intromittere.
lacobus de Vetrmco tellis how som tyme f er was a knyght fat
12 lefte aft his possessions & his wurshuppis and his welefaris, and
made hym) a monk. And f e abbot saw at he was a wyse man) and
sent hym) vnto \e marke.tt to sett assis of f e abbay at was olde, &
at he sulde by yong ; f uff aft he war displesid 1 f er-vfith, neuer-f e-
16 les he went, and wolde not breke his obediens. And when) men)
axkid hym) if f e assis wer gude & yong, he ansswerd euer agayn)
& sayd 1 ; " Trow ye at our abbay is fallen) vnto suche pouertie
at we sulde seft our gude assis & our profetable ? " So one come &
20 axkid hym) whi ])er taylis wer so pylde, and no hare lefte on) f aiw.
He ansswerd? agayn) & sayd 1 ; " Becauce f ai fatt oft sythis vnder f er
lade & we lifte f aim euer vp be f e tayllis, and fat is cauce Iper
tayllis er bare/' And f us he wolde nott layn) f e treuth. So hym)
24 happend 1 seft none of f aim, and come home vnto his cloystur.
A noder lewid? monke at was 'with hym) at f e markett accusycT
hym) evyn) opynlie in f er chapiter hows ; and f e abbott dysplycP
hym) as it had bene for a grete truspas. And he ansswercT vnto f e
28 abbott agayn) & sayd 1 ; u I lefte many assis & mekuft of er gude
thyng in f e werlde, and I come hedur to seryff God 1 & becauce
I sulde nott lye, bod at I sulde safe my saule." And f us fro thens
furth he was nevur sent oute forwarde.
32 Religiosus mentiri non debet. Supra de mendacio, ij .
674- The Devil swallows a Wine-libber. 451
Religiosus aduocatus esse non debet. Supra de
mendacio, ij.
DCLXXIV.
Religiosus non debet excedere in potu.
Petrus Clunacenszs * tellis how soin) tyme ])er was ane holie man), 4
and as be lay in his prayers on) Gude Fryday, he was ravisshid 1 his
spyrid 1 fro his body vnto Pasch day. And when) he come vnto hym)
selfe, he tolde how J>at he saw a religious man) of grete penance
Bwolud 1 of J?e devult in drynk J?at he was wunte to vse excesly. 8
And J?afD he was drawen) vnto his dome, and had noght Saynt
Nicholas bene, he had bene dampnecT; bod Saynt Nicholas at
he vsicFto seryff deuotelie helpict 1 hym). & so he was nott dampnyd 1 ,
bod demyd 1 vnto >e payns of purgatorie. ia
Religionis ingressus causat aliquancfo consideracio
penar^m inferni, periculorum mundi, penarwm
purgatorij, proprie complexionis. S^ra de
20
Religionis status securior est seculari. Infra de
relinquere.
Religiosus in hafritu suo debet mori. Sttpra de
monacho, ij.
Religiosus non debet pompose incedere. Supra de
monacho, iiij.
Religiosus proprietarius non potest communicare 2 .
Swpra de proprietate, i. 24
Religiosus proprietarius in sterquilinio sepelitwr.
S^^pra de proprietate, ij.
Religionis ingressus eciam infirmitatem corporalem
sanat. Infra de voto, ij. a8
Religiosus humilem habitum debet habere.
de abbate, x.
1 MS. Clymacenst. a MS. commtidcare.
452 675. Holy Obedience. 676. Monks fight in Cowls.
DCLXXV.
Religiosus inobediens aliqucmcfo eciam a deo
uisibiliter 1 punitur.
Cesarius tellis how soiTi) tyme Iper was ane abbot & he had
4 a seke monke. And he saw fat it was necessarie to hym) to eate
flessh, & he comraaundid 1 hym) fat he sulde eate flessli; and he
was passand 1 swaymos & wold 1 nott. And for als mekutt as God
wolde shew fat obediens war better fan) meat or drynk, fis
8 inobedient monke onone turnyd 1 into a wudenes, and ran) wude
into fe felde. And Iper he fande a dead 1 dogg & aft fe flessti
on) hym) stynkicT, and he fett to and ete of hym) gredelie. And f us
becauce he tiruspasid 1 in flessli & wolde not eatt flessh when) his
i2abbott bad hym), ferfo? he was punyssicF in flessli- etyng, et c 9 ,
for his inobedyance.
Eeligiosus ncm debet carnalite?' affici ad amicos.
Supra, de affectu 2 , ij.
16 E/eligiosos temptat demon. Supra, de demone in
pluribus locis.
DCLXXVI.
Religiosus potest bellare sine armis in spe diuini
auxilii defendendo ius suum quod aliter ha6ere
20 non posset, q^od magis est no^ bellare q^am
bellare.
Petrus Damianus tellis how fat in Ipe parties of Frawnce Iper
was in a place a 3 grete debate betwix ane abbott & a myghtie
24 seculer man) for a possession) of a lyfelod 1 , so fat when) jmi had
lang strevyn), ffavorers on) bothe parties arayicT faim evyn) vnto
batett. And f>is myghti man) come in-to }?e felde \vith a grete
company of armyd men) with hym), & bownd hym) to feglit. And
28 fis abbott, all fat come with hym) to feght, he cornraandicT f aim
1 MS. inuisibiliter. 3 MS. aspect. 8 MS. repeats, a.
677. Secular Life to be honoured. 453
stand oparte & latt hym) & his monkis alone, and he sett aft his
monkis on) hors, & made faira cover Iper hedis wiih faire cowlis.
And in fis maner of armur he come vnto Ipe place ^>er fai sulde
feght ; and orione his enmys, when) )?ai saw hym), wer strekyn) 4
with suche ane vgsomnes at onone f>ai lighticfof Iper horsis, & keste
away fro faim Iper armor & Iper wapyns and feft down) mekelie
vnto Ipe erde, & axkid 1 hym) forgyfnes and nevur after made
chalange vnto f is possession) agayn). 8
DCLXXVII.
Religiosi non debent statum secularium contempnere.
Saynt lerom) tellis of one jmt hight Paphencius, whilk f>at when)
he had long tyme vsyd aungeft lyfe, he made his prayer vnto
almightie God 1 at he wold 1 shew hyin) to whilk saynt of hevyn) he 12
sulde be like in blis. And it was shewid 1 hym) at he sulde be lyke
vnto one Simphoniacus fat dwelte in Ipe next strete. And he went
onone vnto hym) and axkicT hyin) of his reule & his goumians.
And he tolde hyin) at he had vsicf to be emang thevis & knew no 16
gude dede, nor neu^r did 1 none, safeyng onelie at he gatt a
damyseft fro his felows, at fai had taken) & defowlid 1 , & savid 1
hir honesti at fai lay not by hur. And he tolde hym) also how
he gaff vnto ane honeste womwan) in -wyldrenes, goand wyft, 20
iij c penys to rawnson) hur husband 1 & hur childer Jat lay in sore
pn'son). And ]?an) fis Paphencius tolde hym) hys vision) and had
hym) with hym) vnto wyldrenes, and vrith-in a little while after he
dyed, and he saw his saule had vnto hevyn). A nodir tyme J>e same 24
was shewid hym) of fe primat of J>e cetie, f>at was wed xxx^ yere
& evur kepud 1 hyin) in chastitie from) his wyfe, and he saw his
sawle also had vnto hevyn). And the thrid tyme it was shewid
hym) Ipe same of a merchandl And }?an) when) he sulde dye and 28
prestis come vnto hym), he said vnto ]mim ; " No man), nowder
thefe nor merchand 1 , sulde be despysid, for emang peple of evur-ilk
degre is God plesud with soin) sawlis." And he tolde faira in
ordur aft fat is aforn) saide, and fan) he passid? vnto God. 33
Religiosus non debet discurrere. Supra de aflfecfti.
H h
454 678. Monks break with earthly Ties.
Eeligiosi 1 attente mulieres aspicere non debent.
Supra de muliere, viij.
DCLXXVIII.
Relinquere. Relinquewli sunt parentes a viris
4 perfects.
Abbot Abraham on) a tyme tolde in his ' Collasion),' how som)
tyme fer come a yong man) vnto Saynt Anton) fe abbott, and
reprovid 1 f e life of ancharis and said 1 at f ai war of more perfeccion)
8 fat bade at hame with Iper fadurs & far moders, & ordand for
f aim att f ing att f aim mysterd 1 and wroght beselie daylie, fan) f>ai
war at went into wyldernes and 2 abstenyd f aim fro daylie laburyng,
and gaff f aim vnto nothyng bod vnto redyng ancT prayer. And
12 Saynt Anton) ansswercT hym) & saicF ; " Son), fou at duse fus,
whethur was fou not hevie when) f i fadur and J?i moder happend
any cace of aduersitie 1 And also was f>ou not ioyfutt whefD f>ai
war in prosperite ? " And he ansswerd? agayn) & said 1 yis. And
1 6 fan) f is abbott sayd vnto hym) ; " f ou sail vnderstoncT fat in f e
werld 1 fat is for to com f ou sal be demycPfor to be in f er companye,
in whase company in fis lyfe fou was conuersancT, owder in
wynnyng or in los, in ioy or in sorow. And f^rfoi 5 f uf att we hafe
20 bothe ffadurs & moders, yitt vs hase levur lefe f aim & liff in
wyldrenes & fer take syke fude as God 1 sendis vs, fan) for to
be in f e warlde & be sekur of fyndyng of our fadurs & moders."
Relinquentes omnia propter deum deus remunerate
24 Supra, de peregrine, iij.
DCLXXIX.
Reliquie sanctorum sunt honorande.
Cesarius tellis how fat som tyme in ane abbay of fe Ceustus
ordur Iper was ij bodis of fe xj ml virginys, and in a were tyme
28 f ai 3 war sett aboue a vowte in f e kurk, & Iper fai stude long
1 MS. religiose. a MS. repeats, and. 3 MS. ]>er.
679- Worship for Saints' Bones. 680. Arnulphuss Ring. 455
& was forge tten). So ofi) a tyme at mydnyght fai made sike
a dusshyng in ]> e cace at fai lay in, att aft hard 1 in f e quere,
and f us fai did 1 on) f e nyght ij or iij \8yihi], vnto so mekutt at f e
sacristanes said 1 at fai durste not lygg in f e kurk. And for att f is 4
f er was no wurshujP done vnto f aim, bod att way fai war nothyng
lukid after. So on) a nyght in matyn) tyme, when) att f e covent
was in) fe where, fai att saw befo? fe altar ij fayr virgyns in
maydyn) clothyng, inclynand f aim, & when) fai had done, went 8
furth of f e kurk at a dure at evur befoi 5 was wunte to be sparrid 1 .
So onone 1 f e monkis went vnto f e cace at f ies ij vi'rgynys lay in),
& oppynd it, & f er was nothyng f erin. And fai had grete nwvett
hereof, & sent vnto Colayn), and ]>er Ipe same bodis was fon) in 12
J>e same placis ]>er f>ai lay when) fai war furste giffen) vnto f>e sayd
abbay. et c 5 .
Remigij Remenst^. Supra, de familiaritate, ij.
DCLXXX.
Remissio. Remissionis peccatoicum ostendit deus 16
aliquando signum aliquod.
Petrus Damianus tellis of one f>at hight Arnulphus, J?at was
fadur of kyng Pypyii), and 1 grawnsur vnto great Charlis fat
was duke of Lothoringia. So on) a tyme sodonlie he lefte his wyfe 20
and his childre, and went into wyldernes. And on) a tyme as
he went ouer a grete bryg fat was ow? a depe watir, when) he was
at J?e myddest of fe brygg Iper f>e watyr was depeste, f er he keste
in his ryng wt& J>is condiciofD, & sayd 1 ; " When) I hafe f>is ryng 24
agayn), fan) w?tA-outen) doute I satt truste at my synys is forgyffen)
me, and 1 at I am) fullie asoylid 1 of faiw." And Iper he abade in
wyldernes many day in gude life. And in f e mene while dyed 1 f e
bisshopp) of Methenszs, and he was chosyn) vnto bisshopp). And he 28
abstenyd 1 hyifi) fro etyng of flessh. So on) a tyme f er was a ifyssch
broght hyin) to a present, and he garte oppyfi) itt befo? hym) and
fand 1 hys ryng in f e cudpoke fm>ff, & onone as he saw it he kend
it. And it was ij day iorney fro fat bryg at he keste it dow[w] 3 2
1 MS. orD one.
H h 2
456 68 1. A Robber's Pardon.
att, vnto ])at place f er f e fissfi was taken) at it was fon) in fe
bely off.
Remuneracio. Remunerat deus dantes all quid per
4 se. Supr& de elemosma, i, ij, et iij.
DCLXXXI.
Remunerat deus aliqua bona a peccatoYibus facta.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme \er was a knyght fat was a grete
robber and a thefe, and be commandmend of Emperour Frederyke
8 he was taken) & hongect! And vpon) f e iij day after he was
hanged, a noder knyght come rydancf be f e galows, and when)
he saw hym) hyng f er he sayd 1 vnto his man) ; " O God ! it was
mekutt petie at f is fayr man) was hanged ! " And his man)
12 ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & saycT; u Sur, fis was a noble knyght
& your nere cussyrD." So fis knyght & his man) come ner, and
thoght to take hym) down) & beryy hym) ; arid as he hang he spakk
vnto Jmira & sayd 1 ; " Take me down), ffor I lyff yitt." And when)
16 ]mi had tane hyifD down) he sayd 1 vnto }miw ; *' Thuff att I was
a synner, yit I did a litle serves vnto almyghtie God 1 , for }>e whilk
He had mercie on) me ; ffor I vsid eu^re day to say iij pater nosier,
& iij ave maria, in wurshup) of >e holie trynytie, & v pater noster
20 & v ave maria in wurshup) of Ipe v wowndis of our Lorde, and
a pater noster in wurshup) of f>e aungett at I am) betaght too, and
also one vnto f>e sacrament fat is daylie sacred Jmrgh att f>is
werlde, besekyng daylie almighti God 1 , at I myght be wurthi
24 to reseyfe J>e sacrament er I dyed 1 . And fat God hase grawntid 1
me of His mercie, and J>0rfo? I pray you catt vnto me a preste."
And when) f>e preste come he shrafe hym), and fan) he was howsled!
And onone as f is was done he yelde vp) his gaste, and f ai tuke
28 and berid^ym) 1 .
Remunerat Deus peregrines. Supra de peregrine, iij.
Restitucio. Restituere nolens ablata punitur. Supra,
de apostatis.
1 This tale is marked Note [be]ne.
682. A Golden Bird given to Apollo. 457
Restitui debent forisfaca antecessorttm. Supra, de
eccfeia, ij.
Restituere noltmt mail filij pro parentib^s eciam post
mortem eos monentib^s. Supra, de morte, xvij l . 4
Restitucio valet vsurarijs. Infra de testamento, 1.
Restituere nolentibi^s negatur sepultura. Infra de
sepultura 2 , iij , et iv 3 .
Restituere tenentur 4 executores pro testatorib^s. 8
Supra in pluribus locis, et infra de reuiuiscere,
de sacerdote et de sacramento.
DCLXXXII.
Reuerencia. Reuereri et honorari debent [se mutuo] 5
homines eiusdem status. 13
Valerius tellis how fat in f e tyme fat f e vij sagis florisshid 1 at
Athenis, it happend 1 in \ e region) of Niclase 6 at a man) boght of Je
fFysshers a draght wiih Iper nett, & at fat draght f ai f aim happend
draw a grete burde ail of golde of a grete weght. And so f ai fell 16
at varyans for fis burde, f e fisshers & f ai fat boght fe draght, for
f ai sayd 1 f ai solde hyin) noght bod ffissh, & he said 1 he boght what
at fortuii wolde send hyi). So fai had it vnto f e cetie, and
broght it befo? Appollo, & made f er prayers vnto hym) to send 20
faim som taken) to whame fis burde sulde be demyd 1 . And 1 he
ansswerd 1 f aim & bad f aim gift 7 it vnto hym) fat was f e wyseste in
all f e cetie. And so fai gaff it vnto one fat hight Talentus
Millesius, fat emang f e vij sagis was moste noble, and he sent it 24
vnto Byantes Priemo. And he wolde none f erofi bod gaff it vnto
a noder, and so it went f urgli f aim all vnto it come at f e laste.
And he gaff a iudgement at it sulde be halowicT in wurshup) of
Appollo & gyffen) vnto hym), and go it was. 28
1 MS. xvj. 4 MS. tenendl
2 MS. spepultura. 5 From the Latin MS.
8 MS. v. 6 MS. repeats, it happened, here.
458 683. One comes from the Dead. 684. The Judgement.
DCLXXXIIT.
Reuiuiscere vel resurgere. Reuiuiscit ali
homo ex gratia, spiritual!.
Saynt Gregur tellis how \>er was som tyme in Eome a noble
4 cetysyn) fat hight Eomanus *, and hym) happend 1 for to dye at
Constantynople. & on) Ipe morn) when) f ai wold 1 hafe opynd 1 hyin) &
sesoncFhym) \\ith spycis at he myght hafe bene curid 12 , he rase vpp)
& was whikk. And he tolde faiw mekuft fing at he. had sene
8 in heft, and at he neuer trowicT befo?, & he tolde also fat f e juge
at he was broght befo?, fat he callid 1 hyin) noght Eomanus 3 , bod
Romanus Ferarius fat was nere-hand 1 hyin). And fws he fat ans
was dead 1 was on) lyfe agayn) & liffid 1 many yeris.
13 Hex aliquando gloriatur in vestibus. Supra de
augurio et de ornatu.
Rex humiliter se habet ad subditos. Sup?^a de
iudicio vltimo.
1 6 Rex malus a deo deponitur. Supra de hospitcditate,
vi 4 .
Rex sapiens. Supra de prudencia et providencia.
DCLXXXIV.,
Risus. Ridere non debent ha&entes oculum ad
20 iudicium vltimum.
We rede in ' Yitis Patmm/ how on) a tyme ane olde man)
saw a yong man) lagh, & he said vnto hym) ; " Son), how may f ou
fyncT in fi herte to lagh ? Mon) not foa & I & we aft befo? bothe
24 hevyn) and erth gyf a rekynyng of aft our lyfe 1 And f erfo?
me mervels," he said 1 , " at fow may fynde in f i harte to lagV
1 Latin, civis romanus, Stephanus mortuus est. Arund. MS. sed 'Ste-
nomine. phanum Ferrariuw,' qwi erat iuxta
2 MS. carid 1 . euw, quo dicto, ille Stephanas mor-
3 Harl. MS. non petierat, ' huncSte- tuus est.'
phanwm,' Bed, ' Stephanum Ferariuw,' * MS. iiij.
685. The threatening Blade. 459
DCLXXXV.
Ridere ncm debent aduertentes pericula mundi.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how soin) tyme Iper was a
kyng, and if he made nevur so great a feste, he wolde neu^r lagli.
So a frend 1 of his reprovicT hym) f 0rfor, & askid? hym) whi he did so, 4
and he ansswerd 1 fenandlie. So after-ward 1 he ordand a chayre
with rotyn) fete, and he garte sett it abown) a hate burnyng oven),
and abown) it he gart 1 hyng a swercT with a wayke threde. And
f is done, he garte se t hym) f mn Ipat reprovid 1 hym) for he wolde S
not lagli, & he garte sett aboute hym) iiij men) with iiij drawen)
swerdis. And he garte bryng befo? hym) aft maner of delicious
metis & drynkis, & aft o\>er thyng?s fat sulde make hyifD merie.
So fan) fe kyng come in and stirrid n hym) to Lign, and he ansswerd 1 12
agayn) & said 1 ; "I may not lagh when) I se fies perels J>at er
aboute me." Than) fe kyng ansswerd 1 hyin) agayn) & said 1 ; " ThafD
vmthynE: Ipe how mot I lagn when) \er er grete festis made afore
me, f>at seis behynoT me f>e bitte?-nes of my syn) 1 And befo? me 16
I se ane vncMantie of fat at is for to coin), and on) my lefte hand 1
I see vexacions of present adu^rsities, and on) my right hand I se
noyea fat commys after prospmties. And aft f ies I se as sharp)
swerdis of f e sentans of aftmyghti God 1 . And I se dead 1 hyng 20
abown), whame I wate nevur what how? wift stryke me, and vnder-
nethe me I se f e pitt of heft at I am) ferd 1 at faft into, & with-in
me I se myne awn) freletie. And emang aft fies I am) sett in
a frele seatt, oute of f e whilk I am) ferde daylie to faft. And 24
hafe f ou no merveft if I may not fynd in my harte to lagTi."
Rosa. Rose hafrentur tempore hyemali. Supra de
martirio.
Rusticus delicijs nescit vti. Supra, de delicijs, ij et iij. 28
Rustico falsum denarium offerenti, idem ei pro com-
munione exhibetur. Supra, de oblacione.
460 686. All Souls. 687. Evil Priests cannot hurt Sacraments.
DCLXXXVI.
Sacerdos debet frequenter pro mortals celebrare.
Petrus Clunacenses * tellis how Iper was som tyme a bisshopp)
J>at suspent a certan) preste in his dioces becauce he sang euerilk
4 day for aft crysten) sawlis. So on) a tyme afterward 1 , as f is bisshopp)
walkid be his one in a kurk-garth, hym) f oght at aft f e dead folk
at lay in fat kurk-garthe rase agayns hym), ilkone with a spade
in fer hand 1 . And fai thrett hym) & said 1 ; " Beholde ! f is is
8 fe bisshopp) fat tuke fro vs our preste & suspend hym), at he may
not say mes for vs. And ferfo? certanlie, bod if he amend it vnto
vs, he saft dye." And with J>at he was so flayed 1 he was like
hafe dyed 1 , & feft in a swownd 12 . And when) he come vnto hym)
1 2 selfe agayn), he garte send after f e preste and asoylicT hym), & bad
hym) syng on) for al crysten) sawlis as he did befo?.
DCLXXXVII.
Sacerdotis malicia new polluit sacramentum.
lacobus de Vetnaco tellis how f er was som) tyme a man), whilk
1 6 fat of ane vnwurthie prest fat he knew wolde nowder here mes
nor resayfe his sacraments. So on) a tyme hym) thoght in his
slepe fat hym) was passand thrustie, and fat he stude be a pitt
wiih watir fer a leprus man) drew vp watir in a passand fayr
20 vesseft with a corde aft of golde. And fer come many one &
axkicf hym) a drynk of fat fayr watir, & he gaff f aim & f ai drank
faste. And at fe laste f is man) drew ner & wolde hafe had
a drynk, & f e layser man) drew bak his hand 1 & wolde not lat hym)
24 drynk, & saycT; " How wift f ou take a drynke of a lepros man)
hand 1 , fat wift not here mes nor take f e sacramentis of a preste at
f ou knowis is in syfD 1 Do no mo? so, bod fink of f is vers ; ' vim
sacramenti non mutat vita ministri.' " And with fat he wakynd 1 .
1 MS. Climacensfo. 2 MS. swownyd.
688. A pleasure-loving Priest. 461
And fro thens furth he neuer gru chid 1 after to here f>at prestis mes,
nor for to take his sacramentis of holie kurk of his hande.
Sacerdos indiscretus terret confitentes. Supra de
apostasia, iij. 4
Sacerdos tenens vxorem militis et de hoc laico con-
fessus, a confusione liberator. St^p?*a de con-
fessione, vij.
DCLXXXVIII.
Sacerdos curatus.infirmis debet esse paratus et pe- 8
tentibws omni tempore sacramenta ministrare.
Cesarius tellis of a preste at was a curatt, f>at on) a tyme satt
playaiid 1 at f> e dice with a cussyn) of his. And f>er come vnto hym)
a man) hastelie and tolde hym) at his moder was seke and bown) to 12
dye, & bad hym) in payfi) of f>e pereft fat wolde fall f>eron) J>at
he sulde coin) in all haste vnto hur & shryfe hur & giff hur
hur sacrament^. And J>e preste ansswerd 1 agayfD & said 1 fat
he wolde not vnto hys layke war done. And euer J>e man) stude 16
stitt & laburd'hym) to ryse. So at )?e laste })is pr^ste said 1 vnto his
cussyn) at he played 1 with ; " Cussyn), I compleyn) me, & at J?e
I take wittnes, at J>is felow will not lat me alone at my garner,
bod trubbles me and lettis me." So J?is man) saw Ipat his taryng 20
profettid? hym) nott, & went his ways. And his moder dyed with-
outen) howsett or shrufte. So it happend on) f>e iij day after,
Je cussyn) of f>is same preste mett f>is yong man) at f>e moder
was dead of, and vmthoght hym) of fe playnt at f>e preste made of 24
hym), & pullid 1 oute his dagger & stykked 1 hym). And after fis
and many olper synnys, J>is preste happend fall seke & bown)
to dye. So a cussyn) of his, at was his servand 1 , cowncelcT hym) to
be shrevyn) & forthynS hym) of his truspas. He wolde nott 28
bod fell into a despayr, & ansswerd 1 hur & saycT; " Seis Tpou.
yone grete lathe eneiice vs ? Forsuthe J:er is not 'perm so many
strais as j?er is fendis gadurd 1 here aboute me, to take my sawle
when) I pas." 32
462 689. An unworthy Priest. 690. An Altar rejects foul Things
DCLXXXIX.
Sacerdos indigrie celebrans eciam visibiliter
sacramen^o priuatur.
Cesarius tellis of a preste of Saynfr Petur kurk in Colayn), how
4 on) a day when) he had sacred his mes & layd 1 down) f e sacrament
on) Ipe altar, when) he sulde take it agayn) he cuthe not fynd it, nor
aft Ipe olper peple fat helpioThyin) to seke itt. Wha?-for witty men)
fat knew hym) supposid 1 fat aungels had taken) it from) hym),
8 & translat it into hevyn), fat he fat was a lichuros preste sulde not
resayfe it vnto hyin) dampnacion) ; for it was not vnkuowen) at he
had a lemman) in Ipe town) & heWhur opynlie.
DCXC.
Sacerdos diligenter debet aduerfcere quod hostia
12 consecranda nullura ha&eat detectum.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme Iper was a preste besyd Colayn),
and when) he was att mes & had sayd 1 Ipe gospett & layde down) Ipe
sacrament vppon) Ipe corprax, sodanlie it was away. And he
16 trowid? at f>at had happencT |?urgh soin) fallyng down), & he layd 1
Iper a uoder ; and onone J?at was removid 1 ferrer j^an) f>e toder was.
And J^an) he tuke f?e thrid; and onone it was casten) of f>e alta?.
And when) he saw fat he was ferde for J?at hoste behynd 1 hyfri), and
20 he consecratt a noder. And when) mes was done, he tuke f>is
hoste & broght it vnto Colayn), & shewid 1 it vnto parfite men)
& rehersid 1 vnto f>aira att Ipe mater. And ]mi brak it aforn) hyin)
and fand \>erm a lowse baken). And alt fat was Iper thankid 1
24 almighti GocT fat witt algattzs at f e sacrament be made of clene
thyng.
DCXCI.
Sacerdotem indigne celebrantem priuat deus
sumpcione sacramenti.
28 Cesarius tellis how f er was a preste in Fraunce, so hyin) happencT
on) yole nyght to go fro fe ta town) to f e toder, wha? he sulde say
mes in bathe placis ; so he was be his one, & hyin) happencT
691. The sinful Priest and the white Dove. 463
to mete with a womman) be hur ane. And so in Ipat same how?
hyffi) happynd 1 to syn) with hur, and so he mo? dredyng J?e shame of
man) j?an) Goddis vengeans, when) he had said 1 his matyns, he began)
solemplie )?e furste mes. And when) he had consecratt bothe Ipe 4
bread 1 & f>e whyne, a white duffe light down) on) J?e awter at
f>e preste saw, and sho suppid 1 of aft j?at was in Ipe chales with hur
neb, & tuke Ipe sacrament with hur and flow away. And f>is
preste was fercT, bod not as hym) aght to be, and wyste neuer what 8
he sulde do. Neuer-fe-les he said 1 oute Ipe wurdis & fulfyllid 1
]>e sygnes of \>e sacrament, and endid 1 his mes. And Ipe same
happend 1 hym) at fe secmuTmes, and also at f>e iij mes Ipe same day.
So at Ipe laste he repentid 1 hym), and with a grete contricion) 12
he went unto ane abbott of Ceustos ordur & confessid 1 hym), whilk
fat, when he saw his contricion), enionyd 1 hym) for to ga to mes.
And when) with grete drede & sorow he had said 1 mes, befo?
his su[m]pcions \ Ipe same duife come agayn). And ]?e same iij 16
hostis at sho had had away syngnlelie, ilkone be Iper one, sho broght
j^aim agayn) in hur byft, & layd 1 )?aim on) Ipe corprax. And f>e
liquore of iij messis sho put oute of hur throte into Ipe chales, and
went hur ways. And when) fe preste saw f>is, he was passand 20
fayn) and told 1 his confessur aft fis be ordur, and besoght hym)
at he mot be resayvid 1 into Ipe ordur to be one of his brethur.
And he grawntid hym) so at he wulde furste go & be iij yere beyond 1
se & Iper seryff seke folke of Iper religion), and so he did 1 . And J>is 24
done, he come home ; and Ipe abbot reseyvid? hym) & made hym)
a morike of his couerit.
DCXCII.
Sacerdoti curato imputantur defectus subditorwm.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme Iper was a preste, a curatt, at gaff 28
hyin) aft vnto etyng & diynkyng and lichorye. And he was
necligent anent 1 his parishyng, and gaff no hede vnto Iper sawlis.
So hyin) happend 1 to dye, & when) he was dead 1 his parisshyns
at war dead 1 vndernethe his cure, ilkone of Jaim gat a grete stane, 32
1 Latin,
464 692. A Priest stoned. 693. Human Hearts insatiable.
and accusid 1 hym) vnto heft, and said 1 vnto hym) ; " We wer commytt
vnto J>e and fou haste forgettyfi) vs; ffor when) we syncT, fou
nowder reuokicT with nowder gude wurde nor exsample, and ferfo?
4 J?ou ert cauce of ow? dampnacion)." And with >at J?ai keste aft f>e
stanys on) hym), and he feft into fe pitt of heft and neu^r efter
apperydl
Sacerdos malus tempestate perit. Infra de
s tempestate.
Sacerdotis 1 concubina punitur. Supra de luxuria, iij.
DCXCIII,
Sacietas. Saciari non potest cor humanitm.
Saywt 2 Barnard 1 sayd 1 & tellis ; " Som tyme," he sayd 1 , " I saw
1 2 v men) whilk I cuthe not say bod 1 at f>ai wer fond 1 , for }>e furste
wald 1 eate no meate bod graveft of f>e se, and fe secund 1 of J>aira
had a curage to fele aft maner of yft savyr, and J?e thrid?wald stand 1
be a bjrnyng ovyn) & evur gape to take in his mouthe Ipe byrnyng
1 6 sparkis. And 1 f>e iiij wold 1 sytt vppon) fe pynacle of Je temple,
and euer gape agayn) j^e weddur. And f>e v of J?aim wolde luke
behyncT hym) & scorn) his felas, and yit he was more to be skornyd 1
)?an) J>ai, for with aft his myght he laburd 1 to sowke his awn) flessh
20 & he wolde neugr nowder putt his arm) nor his hand 13 vnto his
mouthe. And in Jrniw aft I cowde fynd 1 no reson), bod 1 at he
be my consayte had suffred? a passand 1 hu[n]ggre, mo? fan) any
of J>e toder."
DCXCIV.
2 4 Sacramentum altaris devote celebrant! quandoque
apparet in specie pueri.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme Iper was a monke of Ceustus ordur,
and vppon) }>e yole day he sayd mes at a privay alta? with grete
1 MS. Sacerdos. a MS. Saywd 1 . 3 hand 1 written over mouthe, erased.
694- The Sacrament transformed. 695. Bees make a Church. 465
deuocion) and wepyng of teris. And when) he had made his conse-
cracion), he cuthe not se pe sacrament in kyncT of bread 1 , bod in
lyknes of a yong childe pat was passand 1 fayr. & he keste suche a
luff per-vnto & was so gretele delyticT with pe fayrnes per-of, at he 4
halsicTit and kissioTit with a grete dilectation). So at pe laste he
was fercF at pai at stude aboute hym) sulde thynke lang, and
he layd 1 it down) on) pe corprax, & he procedicT in pe wurdzs of
pe sacrament after pe form). And it turned? agayn) into pe sub- 8
stance of pe sacrament, and pan) with grete ioy he p^rformyd 1
& fulfyllid 1 furtfi his mes.
DCXCV.
Sacramentum honorauenmt apes.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme per was a womraan) pat had many 12
beis, & oft sithes pai dyed 1 opon) hur. So Iper was ane pat cownceld 1
hur at sho sulde gett pe sacrament and 1 lay in pe hyfe emangis
paim. So on) a day sho went vnto pe kurk and shrafe hur,
& fenyoT at sho wolde be howselcT, and so sho was. And onone 16
as sho was howseld 1 of pe prestis hand 1 , whils he turnyd? hyfn) vnto
pe altar, sho withdrew pe sacrament oute of hir mouthe & had
it hame & laid 1 it emang hur 1 beis. And onone pai knew per
Maker, & with Iper wark in pe hyfe pai made a little chapett & per- 20
in pai made ane altare, and abon) pis alta? pai layde pe sacrament,
and afterward 1 fro thens furtn pai encresid 1 gretelie. So on) a tyme
pis womman) oppyncT pe hyfe, and fande pe wallis, pe wyndows,
pe rufe & pe steple, pe duris & pe altar of pis chapeli, aft made be 24
beis as pai wurke. And sho went and shewid 1 it vnto pe preste &
vnto hyr neghburs, and pe preste sersyd what was perin, & fand pe
sacrament. And he & all his parisshyn) with greate ioy & mirthe 2
had it vnto pe kurk. And pe womman) grawnticP hur syn) & was 28
shrevyn) agayn), and reseyvicT pe same sacrament.
Sacramento possuut adaptari multa que dicimtur
supra, de sacerdote, eukaristia, communione, et
cibo spirituals. 32
1 MS. his. a MS. repeats, & ioy.
' 466 696. Julian the Apostate.
Sacra scriptura. Infra de sciencia et supra de
Andrea, i.
Sacrista ecc/esiam et res ecclesiasticas legitime de&et
4 custodire. Infra de silencio, iiij.
Sacriste absentis officium supplet beata virgo deuote.
Supra, de beata Maria, vij.
Salutacio Marie multipliciter valet. Supra de ave
8 Maria, annunciacione domim'ca, et Maria, ac
alijs locis diuersis.
Sancti aliquando accusant malos. Supra de epi-
scopo, ij, et de arcAidiaccmo, et de elemosina,, xv.
12 Sa^ctis non est obloquendttm. Supra de blas-
femia, iij.
Sanctis eciam bruta reuerenciam exhibent. Supra,
de obediencia.
16 Sancti se vindicare nolunt. Infra de vind^c^a, iij *.
DCXCVI.
Sancta vasa et vestes semper munde debent tractari.
We rede in ' Legend 1 Lombardica,' how Julianus Apostata on)
a tyme, at Antioche, gadurd samm halud vesseH & halud clothis,
20 and keste f>aim sanies & sett hym) down) vppofD Jaim and dispisicf
)?aim vfith grete reprofe. And onone in f>ase placis he was so
strekyn) als fer as f>ai tuchid hym), ])ak als lang as he liffid 1 after,
wormes & mawlds bred in his flessli & eate it away. And of ]>at
24 passion), ewhils he liffid 1 , he mot neur be delyverd 1 . So afterward 1
\er was ane J?at hight Julianus also, Ipai, was his stewerd 1 , and
be commandment of f>e emperour he tuke Ipies halod vessett
& pyssicTin )?aim & saycT; ;< Lo ! fies vessel! in Ipe whilk Ipe Son)
28 of Marie was sacrificed 1 , now I pis in J?aim 2 ." And with ]>ai
sodanlie his mouth e was turnyd 1 into his ars, & efter eucr whils
1 MS. iiij. 2 MSt
697' A Man does Penance for his Mother. 467
he lifficT, aft f e filthe and 1 f>e degestiofD of his bodie come out at his
mouthe, & noght at his nache.
Sariitas. Sanitatem recuperant aliqui miraculose.
Supra, Doimm'ci, iij, et infra de voto, ij.
Sapiens tempore op[p]ortuno de neccessarijs sibi
providet. Supra de providencia.
Sapientis est loco et tempore timere. Infra de
timore, i.
Sapiencie possimt adaptari multa que dicuntur supra
de cautela, de consilio, et de plumbus alijs in
diu^sis locis, et infra de studio.
DCXCVII.
Satisfaccio. Satisfacit viuus pro mortuo.
We rede in ' Legenda Lombardica,' how som) tyme Iper was
a womman) fat was a grete synner, to so mekuft at sho had done
homage vnto fe devuH. And when) tyme drew nere at sho sulde
dye, hur son) cowncelcFhur to be shrevyn). And sho ansswerd? hym) 16
& sayd? J>at shrufte mot not profett hur; not-wtt/i-stondyng he
laburcT hur so att sho granticT, & bad hym) feche J?e preste. Bod or
]?e preste come, ])er appericT vnto hur many fendis, J?urgti vgsomnes
& drede of J?e whilke sho dyed 1 . And when) hur son) come agayfi) 20
& fande sho was dead 1 , he made mekuft sorow, for he knew hur syn)
eure dele. And he went & shrafe hym) of }?at syn) at sho had
done, & did f>dr-fo? vij wynter penance. And fat done, his moder
append? vnto hym) & thankid 1 hym), & tolde hym) how fat furgh his 24
penance-doyng sho was delyverd 1 out of payn).
Satisfaciendwm est leso. Supra de agro, ij.
Satisfacit eciam vnus pro alio. S^ra de obligacione.
Scandalum est vitandum. Supra de abscondere. 28
468 698. e Cmtodiam Fias meas.' 699. An enchanted Stone.
DCXCVIII.
Sciencia sacre scripture opere debet impleri.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how when) f e abbott Pambo was
vnletterd 1 , he went vnto a man) fat was letterd 1 and prayed 1 hym) to
4 lern) hym) a salme. And when) he had lernyd hym) f e furste vers
of fis salme, 'Dixi custodiam vias meas,' he wolde not lern) fe
secund vers nor no mo? f erof, bod sayd ; * Satis est/ it was enogh.
" For," he said 1 , " and I may fulfyH fis, it sufficies me." So after-
8 warde he was axkict 1 of his maister whi he come not at hym) ans in
sex monethis, and he ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " I hafe not yit
fulfyllid fat wurde in dede." So long after he was axkict 1 if he had
fulfillicT it, and he ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; " I hafe lifficT fis
1 2 xliiij yeris, and yit vnnethis I can) fulfyH itt."
DCXCIX.
Sciencia eciam aliquando procuracione
demonis 1 acquiritur.
Cesarius tellis how som) tyme f er was a scoler of Paryssli, & he
1 6 had a duH witt and a forgettyft mynde, so f>at he cuthe nothyng
nowder lern) nor holde. And evur-ilk man) skornyd 1 hym) & callid 1
hym) idiott, and he?fo? he was passynglie confusid 1 , so J>at J?e devutt
apperid 1 vnto hym) and axkid 1 hym) if he wulde do hym) homage,
20 and he sulde hight hym) afi maner of conwyng. And Ipis scolar
wolde not, bod forsake hym). And J?afD Ipe devuH put a stane
in his hand 1 & sayde vnto hym) ; " Als lang as fou holdis J>is stane
in J?i hand 1 , f>ou sail know att maner of thyng." And with fat he
24 rase & went into J>e scule. And onone he put oute questions,
& concludid aft fat evur was in fe scule. And evur-ilk man)
had mervelt how fis idiott shulde hafe suche conwyng, and he
wolde tett f e cauce vnto no man). So not lang after, hyiri) happend
28 fait seke, and of att fis he shrafe hym), & he keste away fe stane
and f is dessayvable connyng to-gedur. And whefD he was dead 1
1 So Latin MSS. The English MS. has, mentis.
700. Dialectic dangerous to Souls. 469
and prestis and clerkis sang salmys aboute hym), devuls tuke
his saule, an[d on] fe to syde of a vayle aft of burntstone fai
playd 1 ])er\vith as wha played at f e fandyng of ]>Q hand-baft
our f is dale, and on) f e toder syde of f e valley oder fendis clekid" 4
it witA f er sharpe naylis ; & f is passicT aft maner of of 0r paynys.
Neu0r-fe-les at fe laste, our Lorde had bene mercy fuft of 1 hym)
becauce he was deseyvicT, and his saule was put vnto f e bodie. &
sodanlie he rase, & aft fat was aboute hym) fled. And he come 8
done of f e here and went & made hym) a monk in Ceustus ordur,
and Iper he turment hym) selfe with harde penance als lang as
he liffid 1 .
DCC.
Sciencia nigromancie 2 est mors amme. 12
Cesarius tellis of ij yong men) fat was at Tholence, & fr fai
studid 1 in nygramancye. So f e- tane of f aim happend? to faft seke,
bown) to dye, and f e toder prayed" hym) fat wit^-in xx dayes aft^r
his dissese he wold 1 apere vnto hym), .& latt hym) witt how it stude 16
\\ith hym). And he grawnticT, & he mot be suffred fwto, with
gude wift, and fan) he dyed 1 . And v?ith-m f e tearm) he append 1
vnto his felow, and he axkid 1 hym) of his estate. And he ansswercT
hym) agayn) & sayct 1 ; " Wo is me, for I am) [dampnyd]* for fe ao
conwyng of dialetykE fat I lernycT. And f arfo?," he said 1 , " I
counceft fe att fou lefe itt." And he agreicT & did? aftur his
cownceft, and lefte hitt & made hym) a monk in Ceustus ordur,
& f er he liffid? aft his lyffe. 24
DCCI.
Sciencia nigromantica penas inferni videre facit.
Cesarius tellis of one Lodowicus at was f e son) of Lowis, Lant-
grauius Thuringie 4 , and he covett greteli to know how it stude
with f e saule of his fadur. And he promytt a grete reward? vnto 28
1 After of, our, erased. 9 Latin, 'Venn/y, dampnatus sum.'
2 MS. nigramancie. * MS. latogmuii Thiringie.
I i
470 7 01 - Children to restore the Father's Thefts.
hym) fat cuthe teft hym) any thyng how it stude with his fadur at
was decesid 1 , & teft hym) gude tythandis of hym). So }>er was
a knyght at hard 1 tell here-off, and he had a brud^r fat was a
4 nygromansyer, and he tolde hym) here-of and bad hym) do his
labur herein. So he went vnto his crafte & callid 1 vp a devuft,
and garte hym) bero hym) vnto heft. & Iper he saw many vgsom)
turment and many dyvers kyndes of paynys. And Iper he saw
8 a fend 1 sytt apon) fe coueryng of f e pitt, and when) f e coueryng
was takyn) of f e pytt, onone a trumpe aft of fyre come oute of
f e pytt, and made such a noyce at ]>e clerk went at aft f is werld 1
had bene at an end 11 . And fan) he saw ascende oute of fe pytt
12 flawmes of fyre aft like burnston). And emang faim he saw com)
vp) f is Lowis Latograuius, & he put furtn his hand 1 vnto f e clerk
& sayd 1 ; " I am) her, f is wrichecTLowys, som) tyme lorde of f e cete.
And now fou seis wele myne astate. Bod & my childer wolde
1 6 restore agayiD suche possessions, whilk when) I liffid 1 I tuke fro
suche kurkis, J>ai myght do me grete remedie, and J>at J>ou saft teft
J?aim be suche takens." And fis done, he went into J>e pitt agayn).
And ]?e clerk was broght agayn) whik, neuer-}>e-les he was pale &
20 passancT seke, and he teld 1 f>e fadurs sayingzs & J>e tokyns vn-to his
childer. And f>ai tuke it to no fors, nor wolde nott restore f>e
possessions agayn). & so it is to suppose Iper fadur saule abydis
furgn Iper necligens in perpetuaft dampnacion).
24 Secwli philosophi. Infra de silencio.
Secretum debet celari. Supra de celact'(we.
Senex assuetus mails vix ilia dirm'ttit. Sup?^a de
Andrea.
DCCII.
2 8 Sepulture non debent indifferenter in eccle^ia fieri.
Saynt Gregur tellis how som tyme ]>er was a bisshop) fat
grawntid 1 a place of beriaft in f>e kurk vnto a riche man) fat hight
Valerius Patricius, fat was a synner of his bodie. And vppon)
32 fe same nyght Saynt Faustyn), in whase kurk f is was done,
1 MS. a nencT.
7O2, 703. Unworthy Bodies cast out of their Graves. 471
apperid 1 vnto J?e keper of J?e l kurk & said 1 vnto hym) ; " Go & say
vnto j?e bisshop) J>at he caste oute yone stynkancT flessh oute of my
kurS, or els he satt dye wit/i-in xxx** dayes." And he had grete
drede Iperoff for to do itt, & wolde not do it. Vppon) j?e xxx* 1 day 4
he went to bed 1 in wharte & heaft, & on) J?e morn) he was fon) dead 1
in his bed sodanlie. Also Valentines f>at wont in Melayn), when)
he was bend? in J?e kurk of Saynt Sixtus, aboute mydnyght in
lp e same kurk was hard 1 voyces and cryes, as Iper had bene men) 2 at 8
had bene drawn) oute \>er agayn) J?er wytt ; vnto Ipe whilk voycis f>e
kepers of fe kurk ran), and saw ij vglie 3 J>at band 1 }?is Valentyne
fete, and with a grete noyce ]mi drew hym) oute. And on) J>e morn)
f>ai soght for hym) & ]mi fand 1 his bodie wetA-oute Je kurk, casten) 12
in a fowle dyke, and his fete bathe bon) s&men as J?ai saw hym)
drawen) oute of his grafe.
Sepelkwtur aliqui a Chmfo. Supra de Martha et
Martino. 16
Sepultura in ecclesiara) no?i impedit q^in ibic?ein
sepulti puniantur. Supra de locutione 4 , iij.
Sepeliri debet in sterquilinio religiosus proprietarius.
Supra de proprietario, ij.
20
DCCIII.
Sepultura in ecclesiam quandoque parum prodest.
Saynt Gregur tellis how soni) tyme Iper was ane ytt man) berid 1 in
Saynt Laurence kurk at Eome. And for was hard 1 voyces com-
wand'oute of his grafe, sayand 1 ; " Ardeo ! ardeo ! I burn) ! I burn) ! " 24
And his wyfe, when) sho hard 1 tett of J?is, garte oppyn) his grafe.
& lukid 1 what was ferin ; & ]mi fand 1 f>e clothis at he was wappicT
in, bod his body was clene away.
1 After J>e, keper, erased. 3 Latin, duos deterrimos specie.
2 MS. a mea. 4 Reference from Latin MSS,
I i 2
472 74) 75- Usurers dishonoured after Death.
DCCIV.
Sepeliri non debent vsurarij in claustris
religiosornm.
We rede of ane archbysshop) * )?at hight Bysmytinus, at was
4 a maister of dyvynitie, and he tellis how on) a tyme when) f>er was
ane vsurar berid 1 in f>e cloystur of ane abbay, he went oute of his
grafe on) Ipe nyght & cryed & mayd 1 grete noyce, & threw of Ipe
thakk of \>er dortur, & fare fule with Ipe monkis & flayed 1 Jmiw
8 & did 1 mekuft skathe. & on) Ipe morn) his bodie was fon) wit/t-oute
J>e cetie, and it was broght agayn) & putt into Ipe grafe. Neucr-J>e-
les he did 1 oft sithis as he did befo?. So at Ipe laste, a holie man)
coniurid 1 hym), & bad hym) tett hym) why 2 ]?at he wulde not suifre
i a hym) nor f>e monkis to hafe no reste. And he ansswerd 1 agayn) &
saycP ; <c It is of me in despayr, ffor as with myne vsuris I grevud 1
God bothe day & nyght, right so I may hafe no reste nowder day
nor nyght. Bod ye may be in gude reste and ye wold 1 bere my
16 bodie oute of your closter." And so J>ai did 1 , and ]mi war nevur
after grevid 1 nor hard 1 ma? of hym).
DCCV.
Sepeliri non debet vsurarius nisi sub patibulo.
lacobus de Vetrtaco tellis how som tyme Iper was ane vsurar f>at
20 wolde neuer restore his vsurie agayn), }mff aH he war oft movicT
fyerio. So hym) happencf to fatt seke & bown) to dye, and callid 1 \>e
preste & askid 1 his sacramentis ; and ]>e preste said 1 he wulde gyff
hym) no sacrament bod if he restorid 1 agayn) his vsurie, and he
24 wulde nott So f>e preste went away from) hym) and his sekenes
incresid 1 on hym), and he was bown) to dy. & J?e preste come, and
)?ai at warr aboute prayed 1 hym) to commend his sawle vnto almyghtie
God, and he a[n]sswe[r]d agayn) & saycT, evyn) when) he was in
1 Arand. MS. archiepiscopus * why, omitted and added above
BisuntinuB. the line.
706. A Serpent outwitted by a Fox. 473
passyng ; " I commend his saule vnto att \> e devuls in Lett." And
when) he was dead 1 , his frendis prayed 1 fe preste at he mot be berid 1 in
som) noke or som) entre of f>e kurk-garth, becauce of Iper honestie ;
and J?e preste denyed 1 faim & wolde nott. And fis preste had ane 4
ass fat did nothyng on dayes bod carycFbukis & vestementis fro fe
prestis howse into the kurk, and fro thens home agayn). And sho
cuthe go no noder way bod vnto f>e kurk & fro f>e kurk. So J>is
mans frendis prayed 1 J?e preste at his bodie mot be laycT vppon) 8
f>e ass, and to what place somJ-evur at J?e ass bare hym), at Iper he
sulde be berid ; and f>e preste grawntidl & J>ai made a futt bargan),
trowyng at J?e ass wold 1 owder bere hym) vnto J>e kurk or els vnto
fe prestis chawmer, becauce sho cuthe none oder way. And when) 12
his bodye was layd 1 vppon) J?is ass, sho nowder declynyd vnto
f>e right hande nor J>e lefte hand, bod bare hym) evyn) st[r]eght
vnto J?e galows, & evyii) vndernethe J?e galows sho shuke hym)
down). And Iper he was berid 1 in sepultura patrum suorwm. 16
Sequela. Sequi plures non semper expedit. Supra
de societate, iij.
Sermo. Sermonem audire impedit demon. Supra
de auditu. ao
Sermoni possunt adaptari multa que dicuntur supra
de doctore, locucione, predicatore, et infra de
verbo.
DCCVI.
Serpens. Serpent! comparatur nequicia aliquomw. 34
Petrus Alphonsts * on) a tyme as he went be a wud-syde tellis
how J>at he fand 1 a serpent slayfi) with hurdmen), & bofD vnto a
stokk ; and he lowsid 1 hur becauce sho was som-what on lyfe,
& layd 1 hur ]>er sho mot fele warmenes of f>e son). And so when) 28
sho was a lityft warmycT, sho crope aboute hym), and at J>e laste sho
tanged 1 hym) hugelie. And fan) he said 1 vnto hur ; " What dois
1 MS. Petrus Alphens^.
474 77' Kint/s powerless against Death.
f ou ? f ou dose me ift for gude, and whi duse f ou so ? " And
fe serpent ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " I do not bod my kynd 1 ."
And with fat sho clappid 1 hur faste aboute his legg. And he wolcT
4 hafe hacT hur of & sho wold 1 nott. And so, be ]>er bother assent,
fai callicP vnto f aim a fox to gyff a iugemend 1 wheder sho sulde
lowse of his legg or nay. And fey told 1 hym) aft f e matir how
it happend! Than) fe fox sayd 1 ; " Infis cauce I can) gyff no dome
8 be heryng, bod if I se at myne ee how it was with you bothe
at your furste metyng." So f is serpend 1 lowsid 1 , & onone sho was
bon) vnto f e stokk agayn) as he fand 1 hur. And fan) f e fox gaff his
iugement & sayd 1 ; " f ou serpent ! & fou may now esskape,
a go fi wayes 1 And f ou man) ! " he sayd 1 , " I cownceH fe not labur
no mo^ to lowse hur."
DCCVIL
Seruicium. Seruire Deo est vtile.
"We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how som tyme J?er was
1 6 a kyng j?at had a baillay, & he servid 1 hym) alway trewlie. So on)
a tyme hym) happend 1 fatt seke, and ]?e kyng come & visit hym)
& offerd 1 hym) fat what f ing at he wold 1 aske, he sulde hafe it.
And he ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; " I wulde beseke you at ye wulde
20 delyver me of f is sekenes, for I am) gretlie turrnent f er-with"
And f e kyng ansswerd 1 hym) agayn) & sayd 1 fat he wold 1 do it with
gude wilt and he myght, bod he sayd 1 fat he myght nott. Than) f e
seke man) ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; " Sen) ye may not delyver me
2 4 of my sekenes, here I promytt to Hym) fat may delyver me, fat &
He witt delyver me f erof, ffrom hens furtt I shaft seryff Hym)
alone, & nevur no man)." And onone he coverd 1 & tuke hym) to f e
serves of almyghti God, & wold 1 nevur seruff man) after.
28 Seruilis titnor inicium est boni. Infra de timore
et voto.
Seueritas. Seuerus iudex. Supra de iudice, iij.
708. Julian the Apostate. 709. Monks' Silence. 475
DCCVIII.
Signura. Signis evidentib^5 aliqucmcfo impedit Deus
malos vt non compleant quod ceperunt.
"We rede how lulianus Apostata in dispite of cristen) men) garte
f e lewis repayre and 1 belde agayn) ane olde temple, & gaff f aim 4
grete gudis to f e bigyng f er-of. And when) fai had bygyd? vp>
a grete dele f m)ff with lyme and stone, sodanly Iper come a grete
wyncT & blew aft down), and efter fat Iper come ane erde-quake
& shuke down) f e reuersyon) ; & fan) Iper come a fyre evyn) oute of 8
f e grond 1 , & not alonelie burnycP itt, bod also aft faiw fat come
nere it. And fan), with-in a day or ij after, Iper append 1 in f e ayre
a syngne of f e cros. And sodanlie all f e lewis clothis wer fyllid 1
with blak crossis. 1 2
Signa plura et diuersorum signorwm narractones
inuenies in libello de mirabilibt^ rebus et eventi-
bus, quern deo auxiliante intendo compilare.
Signum crucis. Supra de cruce. I(5
DCCIX.
Silencium tenere est assu[e5c]endt^m.
We rede in ' Vitis Pafrwm ' how abbot Agothen) bare in his
mouthe iij yere a stone vn[to] he was lernyd 1 to be stytt and sylent.
Also f er was a noder bruder fat when) he entred into religion) 20
sayd 1 vnto hym) selfe; "Thow & ane ass be bothe as one; ffor
as ane as is betin & wylt not speke, and suffers wrang and ansswers
not, right so sail f ou bee ; ffor & f ou war putt fro f e burde, J>ou
sulde not ansswer." *4
DCCX.
Silencium aliqucmrfo aliquis impomt sibi in penam.
We rede in fe 'Life of Secundus Phi7oso/;^us/ how fat ofi)
a tyme when) he was a child 1 and went ynto f e skule, and hard 1 tett
fat evur-ilk wommanl was incontynent, when) he was perfite in 38
476 7 IG - Penitential Silence.
philosophye he went home in-to his awn) centre like as he had
bene a pylgrem), with a skrypp) & a staff. And his hare of his
head 1 & his bercT war growefD long. So he was hostioTin his moder
4 hows, and nowder sho nor none of J?e howsholcT kend 1 hym). And
he thoght he wolde prufe if it wer trew fat was sayd 1 of wommen),
and he hight one of ]>e maydens x nobles to make hym) to lye be his
moder. And sho grawntycT vnto hym) & his moder bothe. So
8 at evyn) he was broght in, and ]> ai went to bed samera. And sho
trowicT he sulde [hafe] * had at do wiih hur, and when) f>ai war in
bed 1 he halsid 1 hur in his armys as a chylde sulde do J>e moder,
& lay styft & his breste vnto hurs aft )?e nyght & slepid 1 . And
12 when) it was morn) he rase, and his moder saycf vnto hym);
" Wharto haste fou J>us attempicTme 1" And he ansswercT agayn)
& sayde ; " Nay, moder ! It is not wurthi to me to fyle J>at vesseft
at I come oute off, ffor I am) Secundus, J?i son)." And when) sho
1 6 hard" J>is, sho was so confusid 1 at sho mot not suffre it, bod fell
in a deade swownyng & spak neu^r \vur<T after. So f>is Secimdus,
when) he saw sho was dead 1 , he vnderstude Ipat his wurdw was
cauce ]?eroff, and he kepid 1 sylens & wolde not speke. So on)
20 a tyme after- ward?, hym) happen d 1 sodanlie to mete J?e emperour
and he hailsid 1 hym), & he wolcT not speke agayn). So )?e emperour
commawndicf becauce he wold 1 not speke, at his hede sulde be
smyten) of, and delyumT hym) vnto a manVwheller, and comwandid 1
24 hyni) to labur hym) be ]?e way to luke if he cuthe gar hym) speke.
And if he spak, he bad hym) smyte of his head 1 , & if he wolde not
speke, he bad 1 hym) latt hym) goo. And f>is mafD-wheller said 1 vnto
hym) as he went ; " O, J?ou Sectmdus ! "Whi wift f>ou dye ? Speke,
28 and Ipon mon) liff." So he sett noght be his lyfe, bod bade vppofD
his dead 1 and laycT hym) dowf\) & putt furth his nekk, redie to
be hedicT. And f>is done, f>e manwheller broght hym) agayn) vnto
}>G emprour, and tolde hym) how J>at, vnto dye J>erfo?, he wold 1
Z* nevur speke wurdl
Silencium quandoque venditur. Supra de aduocatis.
1 MS. he.
7H, JiZ. Of religious Silence. 477
DCCXI.
Silencium tenere debent religiosi.
Saynt lerom) tellis & says ; " I saw Saynt Theofi) sparrid 1 in
a celt, solitarie, as it was sayd 1 , xxx^ yere, and evur he kepicT
sylens." And of hym) writis Socrates & says ; " Theonas, f>e fadur 4
of iij ml monkys, at was moste connyng in le^res of grew & latyfi),
xxxti yeris spak nevur wurde, savyng in his prayers."
DCCXII.
Silencium strictissimum tenere debent religiosi.
We rede of Zenocrates Ipe philosophur, how on) a tyme as he satt 8
talkancT with oder folk, sodanlie he held 1 his tong & wold 1 not
ansswer f>aim. And when) f>ai axkid 1 hym) whi he wolde not speke *,
he ansswercf agayn) & sayd 1 ; "Som tyme me hase forthoght fat
I spak, bod neuer ]?at I held 1 my tong." 12
Also we rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how }>at one aide monk kepicT
a passand 1 stray te sylence. And on) a tyme when) \>er come vnto
hym) a man) of grete auctoritie, f>e hrethir prayed 1 hym) at he sulde
putt vnto hym) som glide thyng for edificacion) of his sawle. [<$ he 16
ansswerd again $ said] 2 , " And 1 he be not amendid 1 be my silence,
he may not be amendicTbe my wurcf."
Also Gmllelmus tellis how som tyme \>er was ane erle in
Normondie J?at was passand 1 denote vnto almijtty God 1 . And he 20
vsicT oft sithis to vissit a kurk of monkis. So on) a tyme he come
tymelie on) a nyght in a meke habett, and I can) not say be whatt
crafte, bod he gatt into fe kurk. And J>e sacristan), trowyng at he
had bone a thefe, bett hym) & putt hym) oute of Ipe kurk. And in 24
j?e mornyng, J>e erle come into f>e chapitur howse emang f>e monkis,
& comwendid 1 J>is sacristan) becauce he was so diligent in his ofies,
& at he sparid 1 hym) not when) he come at inordinatt tyme. And
fro thens furtfi J>is erle was so diligent in his offes & his prayers, 28
at \>er myght none grevans lett his silens.
1 MS. spele. 3 The Latin version has the usual preface : qtn ait.
478 7*3- Constantine and Silvester. 714. An Ape-simile.
DCCXIII. i
Siluestri corifessoris.
We rede in his Legent how Constantyne fe einpmmr was made
lepre, and f urgh cownceft of a bisshop) * "per was iij Ml childer
4 broght vnto Eome to be slayn), at he mot be bathed 1 in Iper warm)
blude & so be made hale. And when) he saw fe moders of f ies
childer, shewand 1 hym) \er brestis & pulland of \er hare, & wepand 1
befo? hym), he made sorow & saycP ; " How sulde I vse f is wykkicF
8 batn ? It is bettur to me to dye for f e heale of f ies innocents,
fan) for to requovir my life for Iper deade." And with fat he com-
mandid 1 f e childer agayn) to be delyverd 1 vnto ])er moders, and giff
f aim grete giftis also. And vppon) fat same nyght, Saynt Petur
1 2 append 1 vnto hym) and Saynt Paule, & sayd vnto hym) ; " Becauce
f ou vggid? to sla so mych innocent blude, ou^ Lord 1 lesu Cryste
sent vs to giff Ipe cowncett how Ipou sal be helid 1 . Thow sati catt
Siluester J>e bisshop) 2 vnto the, & here hym), and }>0u satt be curidl"
1 6 And he garte caH hym), & tolde hym) aft hys vision). And so
Siluester told 1 hym) at f> ase goddzs at he wurshuppicT was no goddis,
bod fe servandis of goddis, as Ipe son) & Ipe mone, et cetera. And
he shewid? hym) >er ymagis, at he mott verelie know what f>ai wer.
20 And jms he was enformyd 1 in Ipe faytft and 1 cristencT. And when) he
come oute of f>e watir of baptym), he was clene of his lepre. And
a grete shynyng was our hym), to so mekutt as he said 1 he saw
almighti GocT; & fan) he gaff mekuli privalege vnto Ipe kurE.
DCCXIV.
24 Simla. Simie peccafor assimilatur.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris,' how fe propurtie of \ e ape
is to hafe ij whelpis; & when) Ipe hunter commys & pursewis hur,
sho taki-s fat at sho luffis bettur in hur armys, & f e toder lepis vp
28 on) hur bakS. And when) fe hunter sewis hur sore, sho levis fat
at is in hur armys & lattis it faft, & f e toder clevis still by hur.
1 Latin, de consilio pontificis. 2 Latin, episcopus.
715- Simon Magus. 716. A disappointed Prior. 479
DCCXV.
Simon Magus.
Saynt Leo J?e pope tellis how on) a tyme as SymofD stude befo?
Nero, his shap) turnyd sodanlie, & now he semyd 1 one olde man) &
now a yong man). And herefor Nero trowid 1 J)at he had bene 4
J>e sofD of God! So on) a tyme J>is Symon) saycP vnto Nero;
" Becauce at f>ou shall v^relie know at I ain) Goddis son, command 1
my head 1 to be smytyn) of, & on) J?e iij day I sail rice fro deade vnto
life." And so it was. & when) f>e turmetur trowid 1 fat he had 8
smytyn) of his head 1 , he strake of the head of a weddur, & hid 1 it &
held 1 hym) away iij dayes at he was not sene. And }?e weddur
blude lay sty ft in a cake. And on) f>e iij day he present hym) vnto
Nero, & bad hym) gar gedur vp his blude, for he f>at was hedid 1 was 12
ressyn) fro dead 1 vnto lyfe agayn) as he made his promys. And
when) Nero saw hym) he had grete mervayle, and trowid 1 at he had
bene J>e verray son) of God 1 . So afterward 1 on) a tyme when) he was
wt'tA. Nero in a chawmer, a fend 1 in his lyknes spakk wit^-oute vnto 16
J>e peple. Bod when) Saynt Petur come, he vndid 1 all his crafte ;
and when) he was fleand 1 in }>e ayr, furgh his prayer he made hym)
to faH, & braR evure bone l of hym).
DCCXVI.
Simonia. Simoniace nullus debet elegi. 20
Cesarius tellis how on) a tyme when) J?ai sulde chese a new
abbott at f>e abbay of Saynt Denys in Fraunce, f>e priour of f>e
same monasterie come vnto Ipe kyng of France, & gaff hym) 1 librae,
& prayed hym) to vuchesafe favur his partie. And J?e kyng wold 1 24
beheste hyin) no thyng, bod tuke f>e money & made hym) in a hope,
& betuke f>is money vnto his chamberlayn). So Ipe selerer of J?e
place wyste not of J?is, nor J?e thresurar nowder, and ather of J?aiw
1 MS. evur ebone.
480 7 J 7- Undue Persuasion.
come vnto f>e kyng & broght hym) a grete som) of gold 1 & prayed?
hym) favur f>aim. & he tuke J>e mony evure dele *. And when) }>e
day come at {?e abbott sulde be chosyfi) on), and f>e kyng satt in j?e
4 chapytur-hows, and J>ies iij abade of J?e kynges reward; J?e kyng
was war of a gude innocent monke, syttancP in fe hyrn) of j?e
chapitre. And he callid 1 hym) vnto hym) and made hym) abbott.
And he excusicT hym) faste & wolde nott hafe bene, and alegid 1
8 many thyngzs. And emang opr fdngi's he alegid 1 at J>e abbay was
gretelie endettid 1 , & he was bod a pure man). And vfiih J>at f>e
kyng smylicT, and ansswerd 1 hym) & sayct 1 ; " I satt giff }>e onone
M t pond 1 , and if f>ou myster I satt len) fe als muche, and helpe )?e
12 & forther J?e in J>at I can). And fwfo? take it on hand 1 boldlie."
And so he did 1 , and f e kyng gaff hym) f>is gude at ]mi had broght
hym). And f>us J?ies symonyers war confusid 1 , & belife J?e abbay
was wele rewlid 1 and clere oute of dett.
DCCXVII.
1 6 Simonia committitur sine pecunia.
Cesarius tellis how on) a tyme a holie ancres saycT vnto ane
abbott of Ceustus ordur, when) he spirricT hur whedur it was
expedient vnto hym) to be abbott or nay, and sho said nay, it was
20 not expedient unto hym) to abyde abbott, if or he entricT ferinto be
symonye. And he ansswerd hur agayn) & saycT; " What says
Ipou ? Says )?0u at I have done symonye ? " And sho ansswerd 1
hym) agayn) & sayd 1 ; " When) f>e day of your eleccion) come, J?ou,
24 desyrand 1 J?e abbotshup), went not symeplie as J?ou was wunte
to do, bod feu said 1 vnto }?e symeple monkz's on) f>is maner
of wyse ; ' It is not ou? wurshup) to chese our abbott wit^-oute
our abbay/ becauce Ipou knew Iper was none in J>e abbay abytt to be
28 abbot bod Ipou. And J?us Ipou. begylid 1 f>aira & was made abbott."
And when) he hard 1 Jis, he grawnticT it & cuthe nott agayn)-say it.
& fan) he gaff vp) his abbotshup) & become a closter monke.
1 MS. evur edele.
7 1 8. The simple Monk and the Cattle. 481
Dccxvm.
Simplicitas aliquando prodest.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme ])er was a noble castellafD, and
he vsid 1 oft sithes to take catett & shepe of a c^rtayn) abbay of
Ceustus ordur fat was nere-hand 1 hym). And when) f e abbott 4
& dyvers of f>e monkis prayed 1 hym) to lefe, he wolde nott. So
on) a day he drafe away a grete drafe of )>er cateft, and j?e abbott
sent vnto hym) a monke Jrat was bod 1 a symple man), and com-
waundicT hym) f>at what at evur he mot gett agayn) of fis catett, 8
he sulde wet/i-owten) delay resayfe it. So aboute niete-tyme, fis
inonke come vnto j?e casteft, and did 1 his message. & fe knyght
ansswerd 1 hym) & sayd 1 ; " Sur, ye sail furste dyne, & fan) I satt gyff
you ane ansswer." And as fe monke sat at meate emang olper 12
men), he was servicP with flessh as olper was, and fat largelie. So
he vmthoght hym) of f e catett of Iper abbay, and he ete of f is flessh
a grete repaste ; and f>e knyght & his wyfe behelde hym) grathelie.
And when) jmi had dynyd 1 , J?is knyght callid? fe monke osyde, 16
& axkict 1 hyin) whi he ete flessti when) it was rewle of his ordur f>at
monk sulde [not] ete flessh ? And f>e monke futt mekelie
ansswerd hym) agayn) & said 1 ; " Sur, myne obedyence cawsicT me
to eat flessti, ffor myne abbot comwaundid 1 me j?at of our catett 20
at was tane away fro vs, I sulde resayfe agayn) what at I mot gett.
And I knew wele at f>e flessfi at was sett befo? me was of our
catett, and I trow fat I mon) nevur requover mare. And f><?rfo? in
etyng, I resayvid 1 als mekutt as I myght." And when) J>e knyght 24
hard 1 f is, he was somwhat compuncte with Ipe monkts meke ansswer,
and he callid 1 his men) & comwaundicT at lp e monke sulde be restoricf
of als many catett agayfD as evur he had tane fro f>aiw. And also
he beheste at fro thens furth he sulde not noy J>aim, bott rather 28
restore f aim. And fe catefi was delyverd 1 vnto f e monk, and
he went home with J>aim) & with his mesage to-gedur, and tellicT J>e
abbott & f>e covent att how he had done. And f>ai had grete
here-off, & thankid 1 God & was fuft fayn). 3 2
48.2 >] iq. The Montis Bacon-Flitches.
DCCXIX.
Simplex aliquando deridetur.
Cesarius tellis how fat som tyme in Golan) f er was a chanon) at
was so symple & so vnconwyng fat he cuthe nott teft no maner
4 of nowmer, nor teft whilk was od" whilk was evyn) *, bod at he walcF
aft way cownt ij thynges to-gedur. So on) a tyme hym) happencF
be made chanon) of f e kechyng, and he had Iper many bakon-flikkts
in f e balkis. So on) a tyme hym) happend? to teft faim, and he
8 cuthe no noderways teft, & he cuthe say none oder bod f us ; " Lo,
f er a baken)-flykk & his felagh, and Iper a noder bakonVflikk & his
felow V And so of aft f e toder. So on) a tyme one of hys meneya
witA-drew one of f ies bakon)-flykkis. So on) [a] tyme afterward]
12 fis chanon) come into fe kechyn) agayn), and tellict fies bakon)-
flykkis & fancT at f ai war od, & ane wantict! And he sayd vnto his
menya fer-of, and fai prayed hym) be in pease & go vnto his
chawmer and fai sulde fynd? it wele agayn) or fat he come ; and so
1 6 he did 1 . And whils he was away, his meneya withdrew a noder
bakon)-flyk, and so f er was evyn) behyncT as f er was befoi*. And
fan) fai callicT f er maister & bad hym) go luke if he had aft his
bakonVflikkis, and he come & telcT f aim agayn) as he was wunte to
20 doo, & fand fai wer evyn). And so he trowed? at he had getten)
his flykkw agayn), & in a grete myrthe he sayde vnto his meneya ;
"0, ye felows ! I mot hafe haldyn) my tong & loste my bakyfD-
flyE." And when) his servandis wolde eatt any gude meate, fai
24 wolde threpe vppon) hym) at he was seke ; and he wulde aske f airw-
whareby fai wyste, & fai wold 1 say, "Yis, Sur, for your haris
er passancP bolnyd?." & fan) he wold 1 trow he was seke, & lay tym)
down) on) his bedcT. And fan) fai wold? ordancT gude metis and
28 gyff hym) owder little or noght feroff, & eate vp) f e ioder
fer selfe.
Simplicitatem deus remunerat. Supra de con-
tricione.
1 Harl. MS. vt nichil numerare sciret nisi in quantuwi res essent pares.
2 MS. flelow.
72O. Strange Constitutions. 731. Bad Company. 483
Simplicitas aliqucmcfo ad virtutem pertinet. Supra,
de obediencia, xj.
Simulacio. Simulare stultuw tempore et loco ali-
quando expedit. Supra, de fatuitate. 4
Singularitas in obseruancijs est aliquando occasio
vane glorie. Supra de abstinencia, ij a .
DCCXX.
Sit ire non ha&ent aliqui ex complex ione.
Solinus tellis how \)er er som) fat er so grete of bonys fat 8
f ai neuer nowder er thrusti nor swetis ; and he sais he can)
consayve fat be many resons.
Sobrietas. Sobrius debet esse iudex. Supra de
abstinencia, vij. 12
DCCXXL
Societas malorttm fugienda est.
Petrus Alphowsws 1 tellis how on) a tyme ij clerkes went s&men
befo? a place \>er fa? was many drynkers, and }mi callid 1 faiw in.
And ]>e tone of faim went into Jmira, & Ipe toder wold 1 nott bod 16
went on) hys wais ; and it was fer witA-in nyght. So }?e wachis
of Je town) fande aft J?ies drynkers syttand B&men, & f e clerk with
J)aim, & becauce a man) of f>e town) was robbicT fat nyght, Jai tuke
fairn afi & fe clerk \viih faim, & hanged 1 f aim. And )?e clerk e at 20
bade with J>aim, or he was hanged 1 , sayd 1 on) fis man<?r of wyse ;
" Quisqm's inique gentis consorcio fruitur, procul dubio mortis
immerite penas lucratur. What som) evur he be at vsis ift company,
na dowte of he salt hafe ane ifi dead 1 ." 24
DCCXXII.
Socio fatuo vel malo non est adquiescendum.
AVe rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how oil) a tyme ij brethur
went samm be fe way, and )?e ton[e] was wyse & fe toder bod
1 MS. Alphunss.
484 722. A Fool's Counsel. 723. Richard of Friesland.
a fule. So f>ai come vnto a gate-shatylt Iper Iper was ij wa[yis], J?at
one a fayr way, & f>ot olper a fowle way, and J>e fule wolde not go
be \>e fayre way \ And J>e wise sayd 1 vnto hym) ; " f>is way is
4 bothe fayr & gude, & wuld 1 lede vs to a gude herbarie." And
J?e toder sayd 1 ; " Nay, fis way, fuff alt it be fowle & sharpe, yit
it w[ill] lede vs vnto a gude herberie ; and Jwfo? I cowncelt
Ipe latt vs go here-bye." So j?is fule wolde not trow bod 1 j?at at he
8 saw, & wold 1 algatis go }>e fayr way, and Ipe wise wold 1 not lefe hym)
bod felud 1 hym), f>uf alt it wer agayns his wilt. So as J>ai w[ent]
samm, the vis mett with f>aim, and f>ai garte put ]miw in prison).
And afterward 1 Ipe kyng garte bryng befo? hym) alt Ipai wer in
1 2 prison). So f>ies ij war broght befor J>e kyng and felt at stryfe
befo? hym), ffor fe wyse made playnt of Ipe fule, how J>at he wolde
not truste on) hym) of f>e way, and fe fule complenyd 1 of Ipe wyse
becauce he folowid 1 hym) & wiste he was bod a fule. And J?an) }>e
1 6 kyng gaf a sentence & bat at j?ai bothe sulde be hanged 1 , Ipe fule
becauce he wold 1 not trow f>e wyse, & J>e wise becauce he folowd 1 Je
fule.
Socij aliqucmcfo mutuo se decipiunt. Supra, de
20 decepcione, iiij.
Socius socium aliquando ad negandum deum inducit.
Supra, de negacione.
DCCXXIII.
Societatem plurium non expedit sequi.
24 We rede in * Legenda Longabordzca ' of one Richard 1 , J^at was
kyng of FreselancT, when) he sulde be crystencf in j?e yere of ou?
Lorde ccc, & he had putt \> e tone fute in to Ipe finite 2 , he helde Ipe
toder oute, & sayd 1 ; " Wha? er alt fe noble men) of my kyn) ? In
28 hett or in Paradice 1 " And one tellid 1 hym) at fai wer in belt.
And when) he hard 1 ]?at, he drew oute his fute of J>e funt 1 agayn) &
1 Harl. MS. Voluitfatuus per viam aspera, tatnew ad bonuw hospitium
delectabilem ire, sapiens autem dixit, ducit."
" Et si ilia via sit delectabilis, tame?i * MS. has another and here.
ducit ad maluw, alia, vero, lice^ sit
724. Solitude. 725. Flee Company. 485
saycT; " Sanctiws est plures quam pauciores sequi. It is more
halie to folow many fan) few." And f us he was cleseyvid? be
a fend 1 fat promysicT bym) to gyff hym) fat day thrid day ane
vnnumerable porcion) of gude. And on) f e thrid day he dyed 4
sodanlie, & was p^rpetuallie dampnycT for evur.
DCCXXIV.
Solitude. Solitudinem multi propter deum
appetunt.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how on a tyme a solitarie went into 8
wyldernes, & he was cled 1 alt in a lyn) sakfc alone. And when)
he had walkicT f erin iij dayes, he stude vp) apon) a grete stone, and
he was war vndernethe it of a man) fedancT hym) of grene herbis as
it had bene a beste. And he went down) privalie & gatt hyin) 12
& held? hyin), and fis olde man) was nakicT & myght not suffre
f e odur of a man), and gatt fro hyin) & ran) away als faste as
he myght. And f e toder ran after hym) & cryecT ; " Abyde, & lat
me speke with f>e ! " So he abade & spak witA hym) x , and when) 16
fai come nere sam^w, fe olde man) bade & askicT hym) whatt he
wolde. And he saycT; " Fadur, I pray fe, tett me a wurcT at
I may be savicT bye ! " And he ansswercT hyin) agayn) & saycT;
" Fie mans felowschupp) & be still, & f ou satt be safe." 20
Solitude quietem amme et consciencie facit. Supra
de quiete, i.
DCCXXV.
Solitudinem eligere inspiratur a deo.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' of one Arsenics, f>at was of moste 24
valow in f e emperours palas, and he besoght God in his prayers to
drys hym) into f>e way of hele. And a voyce come to hym) & sayd 1 ;
" Fie mans felowshup) & Ipou sail be safe." And so he did 1 , et c 9 .
1 MS. repeats, and he abayde.
K k
486 J2.6. The Demi against Solitude. 727. The Cuckoo Omen.
DCCXXVI.
Solitudinem relinquere suggerit [diabetics].
We rede in ' Vitis Patfmm) ' how "per was one j?at went into
wyldernes, and he besoght God to send 1 hym) a place Iper he wold 1 at
4 he ristid 1 and abade. And so Iper come ane agle, & he folud 1 hur,
as sho had bene ane aungelt, wha? Iper was a palm), & a welt at f>e
rate Iperoff. And when) he had 1 Iper many yeris liffid'in penance, &
had none oder mete bod of fe frute of J?e palm) & drynE of f>e welt,
8 lp e devutt had 1 envy at hym), & he come vnto hym) in lyknes of
a messanger. And when) he had* beholden) hym) grathelie, he sayd 1
vnto hym) ; " Is not f>is he fat I hafe soght 1 Yis, forsuthe it is he."
And so he come to hym) & sayd 1 ; " I hafe soght f>e many day,
1 2 & I cuthe not fyncT fe. Go we home, for J>i fadur is dead 1 & }> e
heritage is happycT vnto j?e ; and J>0r wytt many folke feght Tperfo?
bod if Ipou. com) tytter home, and if J?ou com) J>ai wutt sease. And
when) lp on hase it, J>ou may, and Ipou wilt, deale it for Goddis sake."
16 And he grawntid 1 vnto hym) & come home vnto his fadur howse,
and fancT hym) on) lyfe. And when) he saw J>at he was confusid in
hym) selfe, and abade Iper in grete trubble and besynes. And at J>e
laste he dyed & made a wrechid 1 end 1 .
20 Solitarius aliquando in peccatum labitur. Supra, de
presumpcione, j.
Solucio. Solui debet debitum e^ promissum. Sw^>ra
de promisso.
DCCXXVII.
2 4 Sortilegijs non est fides adhibenda.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how J?at a womman) f>at
vsyd sorcerie happend on) a tyme to fait seke and was bown)
to dye. And hur doghter cowncelcP hur to be schrevyn) & take hur
28 sacramentis, and sho wolde not. So hur neghburs come in &
cownceld 1 hur J>e same, and sho ansswerd 1 faim agayn) & said";
^728. A Woman punished for Sorcery. 487
{< I mofi) not dye f us sone." And fai sayd ; " Yis, ye er lyke
to dye." And sho sayd 1 ; " Nay ! I afn) certan) at I mon) liff yit
f is v yere." And fai axkid 1 hur how sho knew fat, and sho
ansswercT agayn) & said? fat on) f e furste day of Maij f e goke 4
ansswerd 1 hur & sayd 1 v tymys, " Cukkow ! " And be fat sho sayd
sho wiste wele fat sho sulde liff v yere. And fus onone after
in f is belefe, wit^-owten) any sacrament, sho dyed 1 , et c 5 .
Sortilegium quandoqwe fit de sacramentis. Supra 8
de sacramento, ij *.
DCCXXVIII.
Sortilegi puniuntur.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme fr was in Englond a womman 2
f at vsid 1 sorcerie. And on) a day as sho was bown) to eatt, sho 12
hard 1 a craw cry beside hur, and sodanlie fe knyfe fat was in hur
hande fell. & hereby sho demyd? at hur dead 1 drew nere, & so sho
fett seke, bown) to dye. And sho sent after a monk & a non) fat
was hur childer, and chargid f aim in hur blissyng fat onone as sho 16
war dead 1 f ai sulde sew hur in a harte-skyn), & fan) at f ai sulde
close hur in a tombe of stone, and at f ai sulde feste f e coveryng
fmm) stronglie bothe with lead & strong yrn), & at fai sulde close
f is stane & bynde it aboute -with iij strang chynys, and fan) at fai 20
sulde do mes & pray for hur aboute hur bodye. And if sho lay
so sekurlie iij dayes, fan) sho chargid 1 f aim to bery hur vpp[on]
f e iiij day in f e ertfi. And so aft f is was done, and ij furste
nyghtis, as clerkis was sayand 1 ]>er prayers aboute hur, ffendys 24
brak f e yatis of f e kurk, & come in vnto hur & brak ij of f e chynys
at was at ather end 1 ; and fe myddytt chyne abade styft hale. And
vppofi) f e iij nyght aboute cokkraw, f er come in suche a throng of
fendis, at fai at saw it semyct at f e temple turnycT vpsadown). 28
So f er come a fend 1 at was maste vgsom) of all, & hyer fan) any of
f e toder was, and he come vnto f is tombe and callicT hur be hur
i MS. j. 9 MS. womwand 1 .
K k 2
488 7^9- -d- Flglit w ^ 1 Fevers. 730. Venus and a Ring.
name & bad hur ryse. And sho ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayde sho mot
not for f e bondis at was bon) aboute f e tombe. And he bad lowse
f aim, and onone at his commandment f e chyne braste as it had
4 bene hardis, & f e cou^ryng of f e tombe flow off. And \>er he
tuke hur oppynlie befo? aft men) & bare hur oute of fe kurk.
And Iper befo? f e yatis ]>er was ordand? a blak hors, & fat ane vglie,
& here-vppon) was sho sett. & fan) onone sho & aft f is felowshup)
8 vanysshid away.
DCCXXIX.
Spectacula vana vitanda stwt.
Fulgencius tellis how fat Dyogenes, when) he wex olde, he was
fellie vexicT with f e fevurs. So on) a tyme he sett hym) down)
1 2 at a tre-rute in f e son) to comfurth hym), and when) he was gretelie
turment wiih fe sekenes, & saw other men) go vnto disport is
& laykys, he sayd vnto hym) selfe ; " O ! how fonde at men) ar now
on dayes! Lo! how fai faste ryn) to se wonders & men) feght, and
1 6 lukis not after me fat stryvis with so fett a sekenes as I do."
DCCXXX.
Sponsalia contrahuntur per anuli tradici'cwem.
Guillefams tellis how som tyme at Rome f er was a yong man)
\>at was new wed! So on) a tyme as he was playand 1 with his
20 felows, he put furth his hand 1 vnto f e ymage of Venus, fat * was
made of bras, and delyvercT hur his weddyng-ryng to kepe to f e
play war done. And when) f e play was done he come & axkicT his
ryng agayn), & he fand 1 it on) f e ymage fynger & f e fynger cruked?
2 4 into f e luff of hur hand. And he wraysticT at hur fynger and
he cuthe nott gett of f e ryng nor yit breke hur fynger, so he lete
it alone. And on) f e nyght after he come thedur wt't his servancT,
& he fand 1 hur fynger streght & f e ryng takyn) away. And he
28 turnyd 1 agayn) & fenyd 1 as hym) aylid 1 nott, & went to bed wiih his
wife ; and as he lay in his bed with his wyfe, he feld 1 a blak myrk
thyng welter betwix hym) & his wyfe, and he mot fele it wele bod
he myght noght se itt. And be f is obstacle he was lett fro halsyng
1 MS. bas.
73* Venus holds a young Man's Ring. 489
of his wyfe. And he harde a voyce say vnto hym) ; " Mecum
ccwcube : hafe at do with me, for J>is day Ipou. wed me ; ffor I am)
Venus at fou put J>e ryng ofi) f>e fynger of, and fat saft Ipou neuer
hafe agayiD." And so it was a long tyme, and evur when) he wold 1 4
hafe liggen) with his wyfe, he bothe felid 1 jns in his bed 1 & hard'fe
voyce feroff. So on) a tyme he tuke his lefe at his wife & his
howshold 1 , & wold 1 walk fer oute of contrey. So hym) happynd 1
mete with a nygromansyer pat hight Palumbus, and he tuke coun- 8
celt at hyinX & he wrote hym) a lettre and delyverd hym) it, and
bad hyin) bere it befo? hym) in his hand vnto he coin) att }>e nexte
gateshatyft ; and so he did 1 . And agayn) evyn) he come to a place
Iper iiij wayes met samen, & per he saw com) rydanct 1 & on) fute ia
a grete pepyft bothe men) and wommen), som) merie and som) hevye.
And emang oper he saw a wommafi) gay lie arayed like a common)
womman), and hur clothis war so thyfi) at he mot se aH ]?at evur sho
had 1 ; & at f e laste come J>e lord 1 of J?is company & lukid angrelie of 16
Ipis yong man) & axkid 1 hym) whatt he did ])er. And he, as it was
taght hym), wolde gyff no wurde to ansswe?, bod put furtli his
hand with j?e letter f>erin. And })is fend 1 knew fe seale of J>e
lettyr & durst not [scorn it] l , bod tuke it & red it, & onone he sent 20
a meneya vnto Venus & tuke J>is ryng fro hur ayayns hur wift.
And fro thens forward 1 J>is yong man) come home & }>is ryng with
hym), & neuer after he was lettid 1 to lyg with his wyfe nor nevur
hard 1 uoyce after. 24
Sompnus. Infra de vigilia.
Status religionis quo ad personas se hafrent, sicut
eximia et excelsa. Supra, de religione 2 .
Status religionis prefertur statui secidari. Supra a 8
de contemptu mundi.
Statutum. Statuta superior^m debent teueri. Su-
pra de lege, ij 3 .
1 Harl. MS. Demon, notuw sigil- existewcia et excessa et alibi,
luw no^ audews contempnere, legit 3 Exemplum Lex i is omitted by the
scripium. English translator, so the reference
3 Ai-und. MS. sicut existencia et should be to Lex, i.
excelsa et ah'ii. Harl. MS. Supra
490 73 * M. Stephen as Healer. 732. Lust of the Eyes.
DCCXXXI.
Stephani Prothomartiris. Stephamis infirmos
sanat.
Saynt AustyfD tellis how on) a tyme at Cesaria Capadocie ]>er
4 was a wurthi womman) pat liad x sonnys. So on a day sho
was gretelie vexicT ayayns paiw, and gaff f aim aft hur malysoiD.
And onone }?e vengeange of God 1 folowid 1 after, for sodanlie pai aft
were streken) with a palcie, & J>ai waxed 1 so pure at fai wavurd?
8 aboute here & Iper. And evur whar pai went, ilk man) beheld?
paira and wondred on) f>aim. And of pies x, ij come vnto Yponeus *,
and Iper befo? ane altar of Saynt Stephan J?ai war curidl
Stepham corpus coniunctum est corpori Sancti
12 Laurencij. Si^pra de Laurencio, j.
DCCXXXII.
Studium. Studere debent libenter ckrici.
Agellius. Democritus, philosophies, when) he was of a moste
happy & riche fortun), he went vnto Athenys & lefte ait to his
1 6 frendis, for to by wysdoin). And becauce in his mynd 1 he guide
desire none thyng at he saw, he garte putt oute his een) at he mott
hafe his inward wittw mo? whik. J?uf aH Tertullianws 2 tett at he
garte putte oute his ene becauce he mot not se no womman) with-
20 outen) perell of his chastitie, whilk fat is not contrarie to our
entent.
Studium circa celestia rapit hominem extra se.
Supra, Augustini, iij,
DCCXXXIII.
3 * Studendum est amore celestium.
Saynt Gregorie tellis & says ; " Anthonye fat dwelte with me
in a monastarie many yens, and euerilk day made his prayer
1 Latin MS. Yponam venientes. 3 MS. Tritullianws.
733- Saint Anthony. 734. Prayer for the Dead. 491
to God with gretancl teiis. So on) a tyme when) he bethoght hym)
of halie write, wiih a grete fervent desyre he soght not in f aim
wurdis of connyng, bod of compunccion) & of wepyng, fat his
mynde be that mot be stirricT to contemplacion) & religion) of holie 4
lyfe, and not for to thynk of warldlie thywgys."
Stulticia. Stulto socio uon est adquiescendum.
Supra, de societate, ij.
Stulticie coraieniur&t que supra, dicimtur de in- s
firmitate.
DCCXXXIV.
Suffragium. Suffragia facta, a bonis multum valent.
We rede in ' Legend 1 Lombardica/ som tyme a knyght fat was
dead 1 append? vnto a nodir knyght fat was olife, and sayd vnto is
hym) ; " Frend 1 , deme none ift of no man), and forgyff me if I hafe
synnycP oght agayns f e." And when) he axked? hym) of his asstate,
he ansswerd 1 agayn) & said 1 ; " I am) turment with dyvers paynys,
bod I pray f>e gar pray for me." So he axkicT hym) if he wold 1 at 16
suche a pr^ste & suche a preste l sulde pray for hym). He wold? not
ansswer agayn), in maner as he had refusict 1 faim, and he shuke
his head 1 . So he axkicT hym) if he wolde at suche ane hermett
prayed 1 for hym), and he said 1 ; " Ya, walde God at he wolde pray 30
for me." And he promysid? hym) at he sulde make hyfri) so to do.
And he tolde hym) agayn) fat he sulde liff to fat day ij yere &
fan) he sulde dye ; & f us he dispayred away. And f e knyght
amendid 1 his lyfe and at f e laste made a gude ende. 3 4
DCCXXXV.
Suffragia facta pro defunctis grata simt eis.
Cantor Parisiences tellis how on) a tyme as a man) went aboute
f e kurk-gartli say and alway his De Profundis for aft cristen) sawlis,
so on) a tyme f is mans enmys sewid" after hym) into f e same kurk- 2 g
1 Harl. MS. an a tali et tali sacerdote, &c.
735- The grateful Dead. 736. Prayer for the Lost.
gartli, & he fled? thedir. And onone aii J>e dead men) rase, and
ilkone of Ip&im a spade in his hand 1 , and manlelie })ai defendid 1 hym)
and made his enmys so ferde at f>ai fled ichone.
4 Suffragium misse spiritu&liter mortuis valet. Supra.
de sacerdote.
Suffragiuw orataonis eciam dampnato profuit. Su-
pra, de orata'one.
DCCXXXVI.
8 Suffragia non prosunt dampnatis secundum
legacionem.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme ]>er was a preste fat prayed
speciallie vriih grete devocion) in his mes & his other prayers
12 for a prince of Almany Jat was dead 1 . And Iper apperid 1 vnto hym)
a certayn) saynt & sayd 1 ; "Whi laburs J>ou so for a man) f>at
is dampned 1 ? It profettzs hyirD no thyng, for his saule is in J>e
depe pitt of heH." And Ipe preste ansswerd? agayn) & sayd 1 ; " Sur,
1 6 he hase done me mykytt gude." And ]?e saynt bad hym) sease
& pray no mo? for hym), for he was deade a yere or he was berid 1 ,
and a wykkid spirit instead of a sawle nurisshid 1 his body.
Suffragia cum elemosina valent. Supra, de ele-
20 mosma, x.
Suffragia obligates pro alijs redemunt. Supra, de
obligactone.
Suffragia penam debitam minuunt. Supra, de
24 apostatis.
DCCXXXVII.
Superbia. Superbus nee in vita nee in morte
parem vult ha6ere.
Commestor tellis how when) Alexander turnyd 1 agayn) into
38 Babylon) & his snster had poysond hym), he mot not speke,
& herefor he wrate his testament his awn) hand 1 . And he wold 1 not
737- Pride of Place, 738. in Humility. 739. Pride ended. 493
bewitt hys kyngdom) hale vnto no a man), fat none of f aim at
come after hym) sulde be lyke hym) in power, bed he made suc-
cessurs of his kyngdom) xij yong men) fat had bene in his felowshup?
fro barn) little. 4
DCCXXXVIII.
Superbus eciam per humilitatem gloriam appetit.
Valerius Publeus * tellis how som tyme \>er was a cowncelour of
Rome, and he luffid 1 the peple so speciallie, vnto so mekuft at he
was callicT to surname Plebicola. And he dwelte in f e market- 8
stede, & becauce his howse was hyer fan) neghburs, he garte take
f aim downe & make f aim) evyfi) with his neghburs 2 .
DCCXXXIX.
Superbia siliquando oritur ex bonis operibus.
Seuerus tellis how som) tyme \er was a saynt fat had a grete 12
virtue in castyng oute of ffendis, not alonelie when) he was present,
nor in his awn) wurd? alone, bod somtyme when) he was absent, and
somtyme f urgli f e hem) of his hare, and somtyme be his le^res-
sendyng. & he wulde heale many folk fat war seke, and herefo? 16
furgn aft f e wurld 1 Iper come vnto hyiTD mekuft peple. And as
it was saycT, he abstenyd? hyin) bothe fro meat & drynk. Neuer-
fe-les at fe laste he cachid 1 a pride here-of in his harte, to so
mekift fat his virtue faylid? in hyin), and when) he saw fat, he 20
repenticT hym) & besoght God at he mott be made lyke f aim at he
had curycT, & at f e fend 1 myght hafe power on) hym) v monethis,
And so it happend) & he was bon), & he did many wondres at aft f e
cowtrey spak of hym), how he was correcte with a fend 1 and 1 bon) in 24
bandys. And in f e v monetfi he was delyvurcT, not alonelie of f e
fend 1 , bod of aft of er vanyties fat had behapped hym).
Superbia opera de genere bonorwm destruit. Supra,
de peccato. 28
1 Arund. MS. Valerias Publi[c]w5, medio foro dirui fecit <\uia nimis
consul romanws, plebem adeo dilexit, excelse super ceteras apparebat, qaaw-
&c. tumcumque domi inferior ium gloria
2 Arundel MS. Idem edes suas in superior euasit.
494 74' Spiritual Pride. 741. False Suspicions.
Superbia quandoqtie insidiatitr bonis operibws ut
pereant, sed propter hoc non sunt omittenda.
Supra Barnardi, j.
4 Superbia n<m debet esse in corde religiosi. Supra
de religione.
Superbia in paupere est ei nociua. Supra, de
paupertate.
8 Superbus fetet coram deo et angelis. Supra, de
angelo.
Superbiam frequenter sequitw hunrilitas. Supra
de gloria, iij.
DCCXL.
I* Superbia virtutes adnichilat.
Cesarius tellis how som tytne "per was a man) fat was vexict 1 wiih
a spyritt, and his frendis bad hyni) vnto a mansyon) of Ceustus
ordur. And when) ]?e priour 1 come he spak vnto fe fend 1 at was in
16 hyni), & saycT; "pis monk commandis J>e to pas oute of Jis man),
and how dar ]?ou dwell in hym) in fis place ? " And }?e fende
ansswerd & saycT; " I am) not ferde for hym) ifor he is prowde,
& f>at makis me to hafe power on) hym)."
joSupe?^bia eciam 2 sec^larib^5 displicet. Supra, de
abbate, x.
Superbia frequenter manifestatur in ornamentis ex-
teriorib^s. Supra de angelo et de ornatu per
34 totum et de prodigalitate.
DCCXLI.
Suspicio diligenter examinata est falsa.
Saynt lerom tellis fat it is wreten) in }>e bukis of Ypocratis how
]>er was a man) fat f oght his wyfe sulde be punysshid 1 , & suspecte
1 Latin MSS. egressus prior cum " Si precepit tibi monachus iste ut
quodam monacho iuuene quew nou- exeas, quomorfo audibis m&nere ? "
e>-at uirginew corpore, ait demoni ; 3 MS. in.
742. The Dread of Women. 495
hur becauce slio bare a fayr barn) at was not like nowder \ e fadur
nor fe modir. So J?ai bathe agreid 1 at a leche sulde essone j?e
question). And a leche come, & he saycT 1 it was like J>e clothe at was
on) the bed when) it was getten), & fus J?e womman) was delyverd'4
from) hur suspeciofD.
Suspicione mouentur defacili viri ad vxores. Supra,
de p^lcritudine.
Suspicio tollitur vel confirmatur per probacionem. 8
Supra de Paulo 2 .
DCCXLII.
Tactus. Tangi debet mulier nee a sanis nee ab
infirmis.
Saynt Gregur tellis how som tyme Iper was a pr^ste, & ]>er 12
was giffen) hym) a kurk and he governycT it with mekuft drede,
whilk 3 J>at fro he had furste tane ordurs he luffid 1 passynglie
presbiteram suam, for in that centre evur-ilk a preste hath a wyfe,
bod he fled hur as he wold? hafe done pestelens, and wulde not suffre 16
hur com) nere hyin). And when) he had bene xl ti yere preste,
a grete ffevurs tuke hym) so fat he was bown) to dye & tuke
a passion) of dead 1 . And when) his wyfe saw that, sho made grete
sorow & went he had dyed. And sho lenyd 1 down) hur mowthe vnto 20
his at luke if any brethe war in hym), and when) he felicT hur
he spak vnto hur & sayd ; " Go away fro me, womman), ffor yit Iper
is a sparke of lyfe in me, & Iperfox remefe away f>e caif at it burn)
not!" 24
Tactus mulieris movet carnem viri. Supra Leonis
pape.
Taxillus. Taxillor^m ludus displicet deo. Supra
de ludo. 28
1 Latin MSS. Ne forte talis pictura MSS.
e#set in cubic?tlo. Qua inuewta, mu- 3 Latin MSS. qui ex tempore ordinis
Her a suspictone liberata. suscepti presbiteram suam ut sororew
3 Reference supplied from the Latin diligens, sed ut pestem fugiens, &c.
496 743- ^ little Damsel's Vision.
Taxillorwm ludus est aliquancfo causa blasfemandi
deum. Supra, de blasfemia.
DCCXLIII.
Te Deum devote cantantib^s deuotws ympims est.
4 Cesarius [tettis] how J>at in Essex 1 , in a monasterye of nonnys,
\>er was a litle damyseft, and on) a grete solempne nyght hur
maistres lete hur com) with hur to matyns. So J?e damyseft was
bod a wayke thyng, and hur maistres was ferd 1 at sho sulde take
8 colde, and sho commaundid 1 hur befo? Te Deum to go vnto f>e
dortur to hur bed agayn). And at hur commandment sho went
furth of f>e where, jmff ail it war \\ith itt wyH, and abade with-
oute J>e where & thoght to here Je residue of matyns. And when)
12 f>is song, Te Deum, was begon), sho saw hevyn) oppyn) & aft f>e
quere of )>e nonnys lifte vp into hevyn). And when) J>ai come
at )?is place, " Tibi onwes angeli," et c 9 , sho saw aft J?e ordurs
of angels, and evur-ilk angett bow down) his heacT& knele down) on)
16 his kne & holcTvp ]>er handys and wurshup God & syng with }?aim
att sang, " Sanctua, Sanctus, Sanctus" et c 9 . And f>e same did 1 fe
apostels at u Te gloriosus," and J>e prophettis at " Te prophetarwm,"
and fe martyrs at " Te martirum." And afterwerd 1 confessurs and
20 virgyns -& att olper did 1 f>e same. And when) J>ai sang J)e laste vers,
" In te, Domiue, speraui," fe quere of f>e susters descendid? agayn)
down) vnto f>e erth, and hevyn) sparryd agayfD after faim 2 .
DCCXLIV.
Tempestas. Tempestati &liquando admiscentur
24 demones.
Cesarius tellis how, in J?e bisshoppryke of TreuefD, on) a tyme as
a preste J?at hyght Henry satt in J>e tavern), Iper happend a storm)
& a tempeste in J?e ayre, & J?at a grete. And he & his clerk ran)
28 faste into f>e kurk at 3 rang ]>e 4 bellis, and when) f ai come at
1 Latin MSS. In Saxonia. & erased, and at adcted above.
A marginal note has, nota, de * MS. repeats, be.
Te Deum.
744- Demons in Storms. 745. Pots of Temptation. 497
J>e kurk-dure, a dynt of f e thondre smate faiw bathe down), so at
f e clerk lay vnder-nethe f e preste, & he was nothyng hurte, and alt
f e preste membrys war all to-swythyn), and aft f e tuder partie of
his bodie vntuchid?; and he was a ffornycatur. And his clothis 4
war so revyn) at neuer a pece of t hay me was hale vrith a noder,
outtake fat parte on) his lefte arme fat his manyple was wunte to
hyng on). And he had on) a payr of new buttows, and f ai wer al
to-revyn) as f ai had bene revyn) with fless-crokis, and f e solis war g
lyke as f ai had bene sodden) in hate watir. And Ipe clerk was
passand fercT& had grete wonder hereof, and he saw fendis feghtand
in Ipe kurk and ij shrynys fat war behyncT Ipe hie altar fell down) on)
the altar & brak. & fan) come Ipe saynttzs at Ipe relykkis of lay 1 2
{win, & wttAstude stronglie fe fendis, and fer was betwix fe
saynttis & faiw a grete batett. So at Ipe laste f e fendis war ouer-
comwen), & becauce fai mot not bere away vrith faira f e prestis
bodie, J?ai tuke a parte with faim of fe kurk-rufe. Also Ipe clerk 16
saw J>e preste bodie oft sithis born) vp to j?e steple topp) wtt/t
strenth of fendis ; bod thurgli helpe of Ipe sayntt/s it was ay broght
down) agayn).
DCCXLV.
Temptaclo. Temptaciones demonum mnt diuerse. 20
"We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how Macharius J>e abbott saw
on) a tyme Ipe devyll go in a mans lyknes. And he had on) a lyn)
garment all to-revyn) & full off holis, & it hang full of lityll pottis.
And f is abbot axked hym) whither he went, and he said? he went 24
to giff his brethir a drynk. So he axkicT hym) wliarto he bare
so many pottis, and he said 1 ; " I bere taste vnto our brether, so fat
if a pott please not to any of f aim I sail offer hym) a noder,
or a thrid, & so in ordur to som) please hym)." And when) he 28
come agayn), fis abbot axkicT hym) how he had done, and he
ansswerd & said ; " ])er was none at wulde consente vnto me bod
one/' So fis abbot rase & went vnto his brethir, & he fande onone
fis bruther at was tempid 1 , and with his exhortacion) onone he 32
cowverte hyin) agayfD vnto gude lyfe. So onone afterward 1 f is
498 74-6- Uses of Temptation. 747. TJie Devil as a Woman.
abbott mett ]>e devufl agayn) & axkict 1 hym) whither he went, and
he said 1 he went vnto his brethir. And when) he come agayn)
}?is abbot axkid 1 hym) how his brethur did 1 . And he saycT, ift ;
4 " for," he sayd 1 , " f>ai er aft halie men), & ane fat I had emang
faim, I hafe loste hym), for he is halier fan) f ai alt, and fat duse me
mekuft ifi." And when) f is aide abbott harde f is he held 1 vp his
handis and thankid 1 almightie God.
8 Temptat demon aliquos visibility. Supra, de
Antonio et de qwiete, iv l .
DCCXLVI.
Temptacio est magistra merit! .
We rede in ..' Vitis Vatrum ' how on) a tyme f e disciple of ane
12 aide monke was gretelie tempid 1 with fe spirit of fornicacion),
bod furgn f e grace of God, manlelie he witAstude it. And fis
monke, when he saw hym) so grete labur J>m>n), he sayd vnto hym) ;
" Son), and J>ou witt, I sail pray God to do J>is temptacion) away fro
16 the." And he ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd ; " Thuf ali I hafe a grete
labur in wttAstondyng ferof, yitt I fele frute fmn, ffor it cawsis
me to faste & for to wake and giff hede vnto my prayers. And
Jwfo? I pray Je pray Almyghtie God to gif me virtue to sustene
20 itt, and for to withstonde it manfullie."
DCCXLVII.
Temptat demon religiosos per formas mulierwm
ymaginatas 2 .
We rede in ' Vitis Patfram ' how som) [tyme] Iper was in a
24 monasterie a monk ]?at had a son). And he was so long nurisshicT
\er & come not oute, att he knew not whatkyn) thyng wommen)
was. So when) he was wexen) vnto mans state, }?e devuH apperid 1
vnto hym) in lyknes and clothyng of a womwan), and he tolde his
1 MS. iij. 2 MS. ymaginatinas.
748. The Flesh hard to conquer. 499
fadur whatt he had sene and axkicT hym) whatt it was, & he wolde
not tett hym). So on) a tyme he went with his fadur into Egypte,
and Iper he saw wonwaen). And f>an) he tolde his fadur at J?ai war
swilk at he saw in his abbay in wyldernes, and his fadur had 4
m^rveH here-of & trowid 1 at it was a disseyte of J?e devutt and said
vnto hym) ; u Son), thies er seculer monkes Jmt vsis a noder m&ner
of habett j^an) monkis or hermettis duse/' And onone j?ai went
home s&men agayfi), and he wolde nevur after latt hym) com) furth 8
agayn) oute of his abbay.
Temptatus heremita a demone interfecit pafrem
suum. Supra, de credere.
Temptatos adiuvat Marie salutacio. Supra, de 12
Maria, ix.
Temptat demon ieiunantes. Supra de abstinencia,
DCCXLYIII.
Temptans caro debet domari. X 6
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' how som tyme Iper was a yong man)
in ane abbay, and be no contenence nor none other gude werk
he mot not distroy J?e flawml of his flessh. So on) a tyme when) )?is
temptacion) was knowen) emangis his brethur, his abbott garte 20
kepe hym) strayte, and comwandid? a sharp) angry monke at he
sulde flite Viiih hym) & bete hym), and lat hym) compleyn) hym)
to whome he wolde. So on) a tyme }>e monkis compleynycT vnto J?e
abbott & said 1 fis yong monk had grete wrong. He began to wepe 24
and was destitute of att helpe ; and J?us he was done to aft a yere.
And when) J?e yere was done, he was axki<T if his itt thoghtis wer
gone, or if he felid 1 oght of f aim. And he ansswercT agayn) vnto
his abbott & saycT; "Fadur, how may I thynk of fornycacion) 28
when) I may skantlie liff for sorow J>at I suffer ? "
Temptacione carnis eciam sancti interdum vexantttr.
de carne, j,
500 749- We Trial f Chastity.
Temptatur caro per tactum mulieris. Supra, de
Leone papa.
Temptacio carnaKs a sanctis beneficia del tollit.
4 Supra, de predicatore, iij.
Temptacio carnalis accepta a sanctis demones letificat.
S^ra de cruce, ij.
Temptacio carnaKs eciam sanctos in peccaten pre-
8 cipitat. Supra de carne, ij.
Temptacio carnalis hominem iriducit ad ne^andwm
deum. Supra, de amore, ij.
Temptacio carnaHs eciam sanctos desperare facit.
12 Supra, de carne, iij.
Temptantur carne eciam senes. Supra de con-
fidencia.
Temptacio carnis reprimitur per fetorem mulieris.
1 6 Supra, de carne, vi T .
Temptacio carnis eciam oratiombus extinguitur.
Supra, de abbatissa, ij, et de Agnete et ali-
cpiando non iuuatur. Supra, de Maria, iij.
20 Temptantur aliqua^o aliqui re vili. Supra, de
, ix et x.
DCCXLIX.
Temptat virum mulier ultro se ingerens.
We rede in ' Historiis Barlaam * how Iper was a kyng fat Light
24 Abennyr, and he had a son) fat hight losaphatt, fat was chris^end.
And he, purposand to withdraw hyin) fro f e purpos of cristendom)
& chastite, he garte spar hyin) in a chamber be his one, and
he garte bryng in to hym) fayr yong womraen) and clenlie arayed ;
28 and fai sat by by in) & halsid'hyin) & shewhicThyin) fayr cowntenance
1 MS. iij.
75' ^ tempted Woman. 501
& laburcT hym) to luste & lykyng of his flessh. Nor he had no man)
fat he mott compleyn) hym) to noraske councett f <?r-of att, nor eate
with bod f ai, and f ai war att common) vnto hym). And f e devutt
had grete power in temppyng of hym), so fat he fett vnto luste and 4
lykyng of his bodye. Not-witAstondyng he vmthoght hym) of God
& began) to wepe, & knokkicT on his breste and besoght God_to helpe
hym). And f us he chasid 1 away att his itt thoghtw, and for att at
f ies womwen) cuthe do, his temptacion) sesid 1 so fat he fett not 8
to syn).
DCCL.
Temptacio carnis sensum aliquando alienat.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme f er was a wurthi wommen). So on)
a tyme as sho was be hur one in a castett fat sho dwelt in, sodanlie 12
scho was inflammyd 1 with f e fyre of luff at sho mot not suffre
it. So sho met with f e portar & sho prayed hym) to com) vp with
hur & ly by hur. And he as a gude man) ansswerd 1 hur & said 1 ;
"Madame, what is fat at ye say? Wha? is your witt? BehalcTi6
Almyghti God & thynk of your awn) wurshup)." And sho tuke no
hede to his saying, bod when) he had refusicf hur, as God wold 1 , sho
wente furtli of fe castett vnto a grete watir fat ran) vnder f e
castett, and f er sho sett hur vp to f e shulders in f e calde water, & 2 o
f er sho satt vnto att f is luste fat was in hur was slakid 1 . And fan)
sho come vp agayfi) & thankicTf e porter of his cowncett, and at he putt
hur away from) hym), & sayd 1 ; " And f ou had giffen) me ml marke
of gold 1 it culde nott hafe done me so mekutt gude as f i cowncett 24
did 1 ." And with f at sho went in agayn) vnwemmyd 1 .
DCCLI.
Temptacione carnis amota permittit deus
aliquos cadere in deteriorem l .
Cesarius tellis liow fat in Fraunce Iper was a religious maydefi) 28
fat was made an anncras. And be fe temptacion) of f e devutt &ho
was gretelie tempyd with luste of hur flessli, and sho prayed hertelie
1 MS. Temptacione carnis ammota permittit deus aliquar.c?o studere in
detmorem.
Ll
502 75 r - G raf fa* f Temptation. 752. Time lost in Speaking.
vnto almighti God at sho mot be delyvercTof Ipis temptacion). So
in hur prayers on) a tyme ane angeft append 1 vnto hur and axkid 1
hur if sho wolde be delyverd? fro Ipis temptacion), & sho said 1 ya, full
4 fayn). And he bad hur say with gude wift J?is vers ; " Confige
timore iuo carwes meas, et c 9 ," & sho sulde be delyvercT. And
so sho did 1 , and onone f>e temptacion) left hur. Bod onone after
sho felt into a more perilous temptacion) of God & of Ipe clmsten)
8 fayth. And sho prayed 1 God mo? specialli fan) sho did befo?
at sho mot be delyverd 1 of f>at temptacion). So on) a tyme fe
aungeft apperid 1 vnto hur agayn) & said 1 ; " Suster, how is it with
the ? " And sho ansswerd 1 agayn) & said ; " Nevur wars." Than)
12 fe angeft askid hur if sho trowicTat sho mott lyff withoute tempta-
cion). " It is necessarie," he said, " vnto fe to hafe f>e tone of }>ies
temptacions, and Iperfctf chese }>e whethur Ipou witt hafe." And
]?afD sho said 1 ; " I chese me vnto Ipe furste, ffor f>uf att it be vnclene,
1 6 yit it is kyndelie, and J?e toder comwys att of the devuft." And
)?us Ipe spirut of blasfeme lefte hur, and fe temptacion) of hur flessh
turnyd agayn) vnto hur.
Temptacioni carnis comieniunt^r multa que dicuntur
20 suprsi de luxuria.
DCCLII.
Tempus necligere est valde periciilosum.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how on) a tyme a holie
man), as he was in his prayers, he hard 1 a voyce crying duelfullie in
24 spiritt, & makyng mekuH sorow. And when) he axkid what it
was, it ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd it was dampned and it made
mykutt sorow for losyng of tyme, ffor in J?at mene while, it said 1 ,
it mot hafe done suche penance for Ipe truspas at it had done
28 at it mot hafe bene delyverd 1 fro payn).
Temperancia bona auget elemosinam. Supra, de
elemosina.
Theodori, qui et Theodore. Supra, de paciencia, iij.
32 Theodosij imperatoris. Infra de vanitate, j. .
753* Angels and Lemons in AntipJiony. 503
DCCLIII.
Testamentum vsurarij in morte i'actum valet.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme \>er was ane vsurar, & he was
a passand 1 riche man). So hym) happend 1 to faft seke, bowfD to dye.
So he sent after ane holie abbott, & confessicT hym) & forthoght his 4
syn), & made his testament in fis maner of wyse & sayd 1 ; "Sur,
and ye wift ansswe? for my saule, I wift giff vnto you aft fat evur
I hafe at do with, what at you plesis." And he grauntid? f 0rto &
garte hafe aft his gudis vnto his abbay, and also ]) e man) fat was 8
seke. And evyn) as f ai broght hym) into f e abbay he dyed? and fis
abbott restoricTaft his vsuries and gaff grete almos for hym), and fe
residue of his gudis he turnycT into fe vse of his abbay & his
brether. So as f e monkis war in Iper prayers abowte f e bodie of i a
fis man), f ai war war stondand 1 on) his lefte syde iiij vglie spyrittis,
and when) f ai saw f aim f ai wer so ferd 1 at f ai fled, aft bod one olde
holie monke. And onone he was war on) f e * right side of fis man),
standancT, iiij white aungels enence f e fendis. And onone one of 16
f>e fendis sayd 1 ; " Dixit iniustus ut delinquat in semetipso, now est
timor Dei suite oculos eius. And fis is fulfillicTin fis man)." Than)
a noder sayd ; " Quoniam. dolose egit vt inveniatur iniqwitas ems
ad odium." And than) fe iij sayd 1 ; " Verba [ores] eius iniquitas et 20
dolus, noluit iutelligere vt bene ageret." And fan) fe iiij said;
" Iniquitatem meditatus est in cnbili swo, &&titit [omni] uie now
bone, maliciam autem now odiuit." And fan) f ai sayd 1 aft to-gedur ;
" And God be rightwus & His wurdis trew f is man) is owrs, for in 34
aft f ies is he giltie." And fan) f e aungels ansswerd? agayn) &
sayd 1 ; " Now we saft say f e residue of f e psalmys at ye hafe
begon)." And ferfor fe furste angeft sayd 1 ; "Dtwmne, in celo
mism'confo'a tua, et veritas iua usque ad nubes." Than) fe secund 28
sayof ; " lustitia tua sicut monies Dei, \iudicia tua] abyssus mwlta."
And fan) f e iij said 1 ; " Hommes et iumenta saluabis, Domme,
quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam t/uam, Deus." And
fan) f e iiij spak & sayd?; " Filij autem hominum in tegmine alarwm 32
1 After J>e, left, erased.
L 1 2
504 754- ^ Usurer forgets his Soul.
tuarum superabunt" And fan) fai alt cryecT samew & saycT; " fis
man) is owrs, for he fled 1 vnto allmyghti God? and fedur salt he go ;
ffor he trustier to be vndernethe f e coveryng of His wengis," And
4 f us fe fendis was confusicT, and f us f e aungels had f is contryte
saule away witft f aim.
DCCLIV.
Testament um facientes frequenter parum legant pro
amma sua.
8 We rede in ' Libro de Dono Tiraoris ' of ane vsurar, whefD
he sulde make his testament befo? f e preste & many olper fat was
bye, and he bewytt mekuft vnto his frendis and nothyng ordand 1 for
his saule, f e preste spak vnto hyfn) & saycf ; " Sur, thynk of your
12 sawle." And he ansswerd 1 agayn) & saycT; " Sur, ye say wele, ffor
trewlie I had nerehancT forgettyn) itt bod now at ye thoght me on)."
Testatoris anima in purgatorio retinetur executoris
necligencia. Supra de executore et in diuersis
16 alijs locis.
DCCLV.
Testimomum. Testes diligenter sunt examinandi.
Cesarius telles how a kyng of Fraunce, fat hight Philipp) l , had
a baillay at Paryssh, & he covett gretelie his neghbur vyneyarcT to
20 by, & he wolde not seK hyfn) it. So his neghbur dyed, and Jns
baillay vmthoght hym) of a fals wyle, and he hyrid? ij felows
on) a nyght to go to J?is mans grafe & take hym) vp. And he & J?ai
went on) a nyght vnto his grafe & tuke hym) oute of |?e ertfi, and
24 putt in his hand a bagg futt of money, als muche as he had 1 profyrd?
hym) ferfoi? whills he liffed, & made hym) to take of a seke with his
awn) hand? in pr^sens of fies ij men), notwiUstondyng he was dead 1 ,
and he prayed 1 faira bere witnes hereof, and gaff faim a gude
28 reward 1 . So fai layde hym) in agayn) & fyllid f e grafe als wele as
1 MS, inserts, J>at, here.
755- The Bailiff and the Vineyard. 756. A Philosopher afraid. 505
it was before, and tuke f e money with faiw went \>er ways.
And on) fe morn) fis baillay entred into fis vyne-yarde & saicf it
was his, and f e wydow had mekuft m<srveft here-of [&] said? nay, it
was not soo. And he said 1 yis, he had boght it of hur husband 1 4
in his lyfe & payed 1 hym) in his hand 1 f tfrfor 1 , and fat he offred 1 hym)
for to prufe. So fis wedow saw sho cuthe not prevale ayeyns
hym), and went vnto fe kyng & made playnt on) hym). And
f e kyug comwaundid 1 f e cauce to be examyncF be men) of law, bod 8
f ai examynd? it not sufficientlie, to so muche f e sentans went with
fe baillay ayayns fe wedow. And fan) fis wedow made more
sorow fan) she * did 1 afo?, and sho come agayn) vnto f e kyng and
made a grete crying & a besekyng vnto hym) to helpe hur. So f e 1 2
kyng had compassion) on) hur & callicT f e wittnes befo? hym) selfe, &
sayd 1 fat he wold 1 examyn) f aim. So he callid 1 ]?at one oside into
a privay place and bad hym) say his pater noster, )?at he mott here
it ; and so he did 1 . And fan) he garte spar hym) in a chambre and 16
callid 1 fe toder, & said 1 vnto hym) sadlie in fis m&ner of wyse;
" Thi felow base telled me aft fe trewtli of fe vynegartn als trew as
]?e pater noster. And trewlie, & fou discord? fro hym), fou saft be
punysshid 1 J?erfo?, fat aft Fraunce saft witt." So fis man) was fercl? 20
& trowed 1 at f is felow had tellid 1 hym) aft as it was, and he feft
down) on) his kneis befo? fe kyng & sayd 1 ; " Lorde, hafe mercie on)
me, for we wer hyrid 1 for a certayn) money be f e baillay, & f us we
did 1 & f us," and telde hym) evurilk-dele as f ai had done. And 1 fe 24
kyng was gretelie grevid 1 at fis baillay & putt hym) oute of his
offes, and restorid 1 f e wedow of hur vyneyard? agayn). And he
garte berie f e baillay aft whik for disclanderyng of f is deade maii).
DCCLVI.
Timere loco et tempore^sapientis est. 28
Agellius 2 tellis how, on) a tyme, when) a wurthi philosophur was
sayland our a grete watyr with many other, & fe wawys wex
grete aboute f e shup), f is philosophur wex pale-hewicT for ferde.
So onone as aft men) wex stitt, \>er was a lichurus riche man) in fe 3 3
i MS. he. 3 MS. Agellus.
506 757' StoMMff Feat'. 758. Saints fear Judgement.
shuf, & he scornycT is philosophur and blamyd hym) for he was
ferd 1 , notwtt&stondyng he was ferde hym) selfe. And J>is philosophur
ansswerd 1 hym) agayn), & said 1 he was not fercT for his lichorus bodie
4 nor for his saule, bod for hym) selfe, & f>erfo? no merveft if he wexid 1
pale.
DCCLVII.
Timer! semper debet indicium vltimum.
We rede in ' Vitis Pateum ' how, on) a tyme, Iper was a monke J>at
8 axkid his abbott & prayed hym) teft hym) a wurde at he mot thynke
on). And he bad hym) go & vmthynk hyin) alway, " as a thefe duse
in preson) J>at evur spirris whar Ipe iustis is and when) J>e sessiofD
saft be, and evur is in sorow & mornyng for fercF of hangyng ; so
12 sulde f>ou & evur-ilk man) thynk how fou mofD com) befo? Ipe grete
iugement of Almyghtie God, and Iper gifF rekynyng of ali Ipi dedis.
And if f>ou thynk aft-way on) Jris maner of wyse, no dowte of J?ou
mon) be savidl"
DCCLVIII.
l6 Timent eciam perfect! indicium.
We rede in ' Vitis Patrum ' when abbot Agathon) was bown) to
dye, he lay iij dayes, & his een) oppyn), & stirricT nott and his
brethur callicT nevur so faste on) hym). So at f>e laste he movid 1 , &
20 f>ai spakk vnto hym) & said 1 ; " Abbay ! wha? erte j?ou ? " And he
ansswerd 1 agayn) & sayd 1 ; " In Ipe covent of aft men), and I mon) to
my iugemewt." And ]mi comfurthid 1 hym) & axkid 1 hyin) wharfo?
he was ferd 1 , and he ansswerd 1 ageyn) & sayd 1 ; " With aft Ipe strentTi
24 at I had I laburd 1 to kepe ))e commaundmentts of God, and I am)
bod a man) and yit I wate nevur fuff iny werkis hafe plesid 1 God or
nay, ffor ]?e iugement of Aln^ty God is oderwas J?an) is Ipe iuge-
ment of man). And J?erfo? I hafe none cfyer truste bod at I mon)
28 come to my iugement before fe hye seatt of Aftinyghtie God."
Timeie debet peccator v&iqMe quia deus vbiqwe videt.
de deo el abbate.
759* Fear of Purgatory. 760. A good Nan humble. 507
DCCLIX.
Timere debent viri boni purgatorium.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Tiraoris ' how on) a tyme a3 a
certayn) raeneya of religious men) spak samm of purgatorie & was
passand 1 fercT ferfo?, Iper was emangis faiw a lay man), & he sayd 1 ; 4
"It is a grete nwvett of you, sen ye er so gude men) & of so grete
penans, fat ye hafe so grete drede. Sekurlie and secular men) fat
duse so mekutt iff & duse so little penans f grfor knew it, f ai wulde
fatt in a dispayr." And fan) ane of f aim tolde hym) ane exsample 8
of a blyncTman), as is tellioTbefo? of fe blyncfmafi). Also we rede
of a preste fat was holdefi) a holie man), pat in his lyfe did grete
penance. And vnto one }?at axkicT hym) win he did 1 so, he ansswerd 1
& said 1 ]?us ; " And att fis town) were futt of fyre, me had levur be 1 2
Iper'm vnto J?e day of dome f>an) for to be in purgatorie or in heft
a day."
DCCLX.
Timere casum in peccatum omnes debent.
We rede in ' Libro de Dono Timoris ' how som tyme Iper was 1 6
a gude man) fat fett to syn), and a noder gude man) when) he harde
teH lp erofi had grete sorow Iperfoj? & sayd vnto hym) ; " Ille heri et
ego hodie." Et supra de carne teniptaciowe et in pluribtts alijs
locis diuersis. 20
Timore mu^dano debent aliqui amittere res tem-
porales. Supra* de contemptu muridi e^ de
diuicijs 6^ infra de vsurario a .
Timore humano timetur mors uel pena corporalis. 2 ^
Supra de martirio, de morte, de penitencia et
hie de timore.
Timore servili faciimt aliqui aliqua de genere
bonorwm. St^ra de coritricione. 28
1 MS. vsura.
508 j6i. Mary's Mercy. 762. Anyeti Song.
Timore special! timent sancti ne opera sua deo
placeant. Sitpra eodem, iij.
Titus. Sup?^a de prelate, vj, et de fame.
DCCLXI.
4 Thome Martiris Cantuariensis.
We rede in his ' Legent ' how ]>er was in his dioces a pmte fat
daylie sang mes of our Ladie, and he was accusid 1 vnto f e arch-
bisshop), Saynt Thomas, and he suspend hym) as ane ydiott &
8 a man fat cuthe no gude. So on) a tyme when) Saynt Thomas
sulde sew his hayre, & hid it vndernethe his bed to wache ane
howr fat he mot sew it in, our Ladie append 1 vnto fis preste
and bad hym) go vnto f e archbisshop), " fat sho, for whase luff
12 fou 1 was wunte say fi mes, hase sewid 1 his hayre fat lyes in
suche a place," & teld 1 hym) f er sho lefte itt, " and say fat sho
byddis hym) relese fe suspension) fat he hase putt ayenys the."
And he went & tolde hym), and when) he harde it & fand it
1 6 was as he sayd 1 , he 2 relesicT his suspension) & bad hym) say mes
styft of our Ladie, & bad him 3 kepe it pn'vay ewhils he lifficT
& discure hym) noght.
DCCLXII.
Thomam Martirem honorant angeli.
20 We rede in his ' Legend" fat when) he was slayn), fe f e covent of
Cantyrberie began) for hym) f e mes of Requiem, sodanlie a company
of aungels was fer, & with a hy voyce abown) all fe quere fai
began) to syng mes, & said 1 ; " Letabitur iustus in Domino." And
24 onone as fe monk?s hard 1 faim, fai felowid 1 and sang as fai did 1 fe
mes furtTi, as fai did 1 , of a martyr.
Thomam orans avis exaudita est. Supra de ave, ij.
Tonitruu?n. Supra de tempestate.
1 M.S. tms. 8 After \\e, had, erased. s MS. his.
763. A Man a/raid of losing Meekness. 509
Torneamentum vicit miles absens. Supra, de Maria.
Tribulacio. Tribulatos deus multiplicity consolatur.
Sup? 'a de infirmitate, de consolacicwe et in alijs
pluribus locis. 4
Tristicia nocet hommi. Supra, de desperacicme, j.
et de accidia, j.
Turba est fugienda. Supra de solitudme, j, ij et iij.
DCCLXIII.
Vanitas semper est fugienda. 8
We rede ex ' Dictis Patrum ' how som tyme Iper was a monk at
Constantynople, & dwelte f er in f>e tyme of Theodoce Ipe empmmr
in a lititt cett wetA-oute ]>e cetie. And f>e empmmr harde teK on)
hym) & went vnto hym) be his one at speke with hym) ; & when) he 1 2
come vnto hym) he knew not at it was J?e empmmr, & J>is monke
hastier hym) & put water in a vesseft, & tuke salte & a morceK
of brede & servicT hym) Iper-ofi & ]?ai ete to-gedur. And )?an)
he sayd 1 ; "I am Theodos f>e emp^rour, & of devocion) I come 16
hydur. Ye er blissid 1 J?at er so sekur & so fre of your necessities in
Jris werld 1 , & ye hafe a ristfutt & a quiett lyffe forby fat I hafe ;
ffor suthelie I was blissidlie borfD in my realm), and now I liff
Iper'm & I neuer eatt nor drynk wztA--outen) besynes." And with 20
J?at he tuke his lefe att hym) and went his ways. So when) he
was gone, the same nyght f>is monke compasid 1 in his myncT &
said 1 vnto hym) selfe ; " Not alonlie many of f>e peple, bod also
many of fe emperour pales, folowyng f>e exsample of }>e emperour, 24
witt now com) for to se me & do me wurshup) as J>e servancT of
God 1 . And herof I suppoce fai wuft not sease. And I am fercf
leste ]>G fend 1 vndergo me & make me gladlie to ressayfe ]mira, & at
my harte take a comfu[r]th be Iper lovyng & be Iper wurshup), 2 8
and be J>at at I sulde begyn) to lose fe vertue of my mekenes."
And when) he had fus consydurcT in hym) selfe, J?e same night
he went into wyldernes in Egypte, and dwelte Iper afi his lyfe-tyme
after with holie fadurs, oute of syght. 3 2
510 7^4- 4- plain Abbot. 765. Too many Counsellors.
DCCLXIV.
Vanitatem sancti per humilitatem fugnmt.
We rede also in ' Gestis Patrum ' how on) a tyme a iustice
of a lande come for to se ane abbott, and when) he hard* tell
4 at he come *, lie garte clothe hym) in sak-clothe and tuke in his
hand bread 1 & chese, & sett hym) in his ceft-dure. And when)
fe iustis saw hym) he dispysicT hym) and saycF; " Is not f is fe
man) at we hafe harcF so mekuK tell off ? " & vrith fat he went his
8 way & wolde byde no longer.
Vana gloria appetitw aliqucmdfo ex bonis operibus.
Supra, de elemosma et de abstinencia.
Vanitas punitur in purgatorio. Supra de ave, i.
12 Vaspasianus. Supra de prelate.
Vanitati possimt adaptor! midta que dicuntur
supra, de laude, gloria, et memoria.
DCCLXV.
Verbum. Verbo uon est semper adherendwm.
16 We rede how som tyme a man) had ane ass, & he rade hur,
& a little son) that he had folowicT hyrn) on fute. And \>er was
men) at mett J?aiw, emang J>e whilk som) said 1 ; " O, how fond?
fis aide carle is, J>at rydis hym) selfe & lattis hys son) ryn) in
20 J?e myre," & when) fai war passid 1 J?ai lepid 1 on) bothe. Than)
J?ai mett a noder meneyay, & ]?ai sayd 1 , " Forsuth, fies er bod 1 fulis,
for J?ai will sla J?is ass." And whefD ]?ai war passid 1 , he and his
son light & lete }?e ass go tome. So J?ai met a noder meneya,
24 & J>ai sayd ; " J>ies meneya er fonde, for J>ai go bothe on) Iper fete,
and J?at one of fairn mot ryde." fan) he sett his son) on) & went
on) his fete hym) [self]. And fan) fai mett a noder meneya fat
sayd 1 ; " Loo ! Yone fonde aide carle, he gois oil) his fete hym) selfe
J8 & lattys his son) ryde, fat mott bettyr go fan) he may." And fan)
1 MS. arfcfe, and, here.
766. A Man beguiled of his Lamb. 511
he & his soil) tuke vp f is ass & bare hur. & fan) \>er mett f aim
a noder meneya and f ai said 1 : " Lo, f ies fulies ! How f ai bere
Ipis ass fat sulde bere f aim ! " Than) he sett down) f e ass & sayd 1
vnto his son) ; " Loo ! son), here may f ou se how fat evur we doo, 4
alway men) wift fawte vs & speke of vs. And ferfoi 1 it is not
gretelie to charge of wurdis-spekyng and a man) do wele."
DCCLXVI.
Verba aliquaralo inducunt ad credendum quod
new est. 8
lacobus de Vetnaco tellis how som) tyme f er was a pure man)
fat bare vnto f e markett att sett a lambe. So f 0r was in f e
markett a iaper fat saw he was bod ane innocent, & he said? vnto
his felows ; " Doo as I satt tett you, & we sail hafe f is lambe from) 1 2
yone felow." And he made f aim stand? in dyvers placis in sonder
in f e same way, ilkone after olper. And as f is man) went by f aim
f e furst sayd? vnto Ipis man) ; " Man), witt f ou sett fat hunde ? "
And he ansswerd 1 agayn) & saycT; " Skorn) me nott, for it is no 16
hunde, it is a lambe." So he come vnto ]?e secund 1 , & he axkid 1
hym) hif he wold? sett hym) fat hund for a peny. And he was
wrothe Iper-with, & said 1 ; " Ye doo bod skorn) me." So he come
vnto the thrid 1 , and he saicT in fe same wise. So J?is man) had 20
grete mervett hereoff & waxed shamefutt. And fan) he come to \> e
iiij & }?e v, & J?ai spirrid? hym) in fe same wyse. So fis felow
began) to vmbethynk hym) what fis sulde mene, at so many men)
sulde spyr hym) of f is lambe if it war a dogg, & att acordid? in one 24
fat it sulde be a dogg & no lambe. So at f e laste he agreid? vnto
f er oppynyons & sayd 1 vnto hym) selfe ; " God knowis fat I trowid?
it had bene a lambe, bod becauce it is a dogg I witt bere it no
ferther." And with fat he keste it from) hym) & saioT he wulde 28
bere it no langer. And when) he had casten) it from) hym) he went
his way, and f is iaper & his felows tuke vp) f is lambe & ete itt.
Verba ociosa new sunt credenda. Supra de ocio, ij.
512 7^7- JoJin the Almoner.
Verum semper dicere non semper expedit. Supra,
de adulac^cwe, j.
Veritas non est celanda in necessitate. Supra, de
4 testimonio.
Veritati possunt adaptari multa que dicimtur
supra, de falsitate et mendacio.
DCCLXVII.
Vestes preciose ccwtempnende simt a scmctis.
8 We rede in ' Vita lohannis Elemosinarij ' how on) a tyme \er
was a riche man) fat saw hym), & he was bothe a bisshopp) &
a patriarke, at he was bod in a pure clothyng & a vile, of xxxvj <T
price he boght a garment and gaff it vnto f is patriarke. And f is
1 2 lohn), seyng f e devocion) of f is man), tuke it. Bod aft fat nyght he
lay wakand? & said 1 vnto hym) selfe ; " Who saft say fat meke lohn)
is cled 1 wit^ a garment of xxxvj <T price, and f>e brethur of Cryst er
slayn) for calde ? fou meke lohn) ! " he said 1 , " It satt not cover }?e
1 6 a noder nyght, ffor it is rightwus at f>e brethur of our Lord? be cled
Iperwith mo? fan) fou, vnhappy creatur ! " And on) J?e morn) he
sent it into fe town) for to sett, and he J>at gaff hym) it boght it, and
offerd 1 it vnto hym) agayn) & prayed? hym) were itt. And he tuke it
20 & evur sellid? it, & f e price ay fat he tuke f drfo? he gaff it wnto
pure folk. And evur f is man) boght it agayn) & gaff hym) itt. So
at fe laste f is holie man) thankycf hym) & sayde ; " We saft se who
saft defayle, I or fou." And fis man) was evur ryche enogti
24 als lang as he barkand? with f is holie man), & evur f is holie man)
gaf f e price \>ai he sent hym) f^rfo? vnto pure men.
Vestes preciose eleuant hommem in superbiam.
Supra, de augurio.
28 Via melior est tenenda. Supra de socio, ij.
Victoriam semper debent appetere pugnaiites.
Supra, de bello, ij.
768. A watching Saint. 769. Philip s Vengeance. 513
DCCLXVTII.
Vigilare debent in omtionibus religiosi.
We rede in Ipe ' Lyfe of Saynt Arsenius Y fat whefi) he saw
f>e son) ryse he wolde turn) his bak f>eron), & lifte vp handis & his
harte vnto hevyn) to Almyghty God, & say his prayers. & so 4
he wolde sytt aft day to Ipe son) shane on) his face agayn), and }>an)
he wulde turn) hym) & sitt in his prayers aft nyght. And agayns
morn), when) he wexid 1 werie & his natur wolde ruste, he wolde say
vnto slepe ; ' ' Com), servancl 1 , & serif me." And evyn) sittancF 8
he walde spar his een) & slepe a while, and onone he wulde wake
agayn) & go vnto his prayers.
Vigiliam quandoque inducit temptacio demonis per
sompni sttbtracc^onem. Supra, de abstinencia. 12
Vindicta. Vindicant se aliqui crudeliter 2 .
DCCLXIX.
Vindicans se ante mortem celeriter moritur 3 .
We rede in fe ' Storie of Alexander/ how ]?at when) Pausanias
had wowndid 1 Philip), Jmt was Alexander fadur, j?at hym) burde 16
nedis dye, Alexander gatt f>is Pawsanias & broght hym) vnto
Philip ; and he put a swerd? in his fadur right hand and helpycT
hym) -with his hand 1 & slew hym). And when) he dyed? J?is Philipp)
saycT; " Now Ipe end of my lyfe, nor my dead 1 , nor none olper thyng 20
may hevy me ewhuls I hafe slayfi) hym) f>at hase slayn) me. And,
Alexander, I hafe myncT of ow? god 1 , how he said 1 vnto J?i moder at
sho sulde bere J?e son) of vengeange." And wzt/i J>at he lenycT hyin)
down) and swelte. 2 4
1 MS. Arseme. English MS.
2 TAe ^aZe /rom Valerius to fol- 3 Heading supplied from Harl.
Zow t^is heading is missing in the MS. with celeriter for celerabiliws.
514 77- ^ subtle Revenge.
DCCLXX.
Vindicant se aliqui subtiliter.
Petrus Alphoims l tellis how som) tyme Iper was a kyng fat had
a wardrop[er] fat was maister-shaper of his clothyng ; and he
4 had many servandis vnder-nethe hym) of f e whilk ane was callicT
Nediu. And fai sewicF & war at burcfin a mans howse 2 fat hight
Eunuchus. So on) a day fai went to dyner, & f is Nediu was not
Iper, & fai ete hony & drank wyne, & had many olper gude metis
8 sent vnto f aiw fro f e kyng. And when) fai war att dyner & ete,
f is Eunuchus axkicT f aim whi fai abade not Nediu, and ]>er maister
ansswercT & said 1 at he wulde ete no hony and he war Iper. So at
fe laste fis Nediu come & fand 1 faira at dyiw, & saycT; "Whi
12 bade ye noght for me ? " And Eunuchus tolde hym) how fat his
maister sayd 1 he wolde eate no hony, & he held 1 his tong & sayd 1
noght. NotwttAstondyng he began) to vmthynk hym) how he mot
be vengidl So on) a tyme he sayde vnto fis Eunuchus, " Be war,
1 6 ye & your howsholcT, of my maister at he do you no harm), for som
tyme he wilt wax fond 1 & is evyn braynVwude." And f is Eunuchus
ansswercT hym) & said 1 ; "And I knew fe how? when) it happend?
hym) I sulde byncThym)." And fis Nediu sayd 1 ; "When) f>ou seis
20 hym) luke hedurward? & f edurwarcF & opon) J?e erde, & rap abowte
hym) with his handis and ryse oute of his seate & remow his stule,
fan) f ou sail vnderstancT fat he is wude." So within a while after
f is Nediu on) a tyme hicF his maister sheris, and he myssyd f aim &
24 began) to caste f e stra hedurwarcT & f edurward? & luke aboute
hym) & rap on) f e burd 1 with his nefe, & ryse & remofe f e stule at
he satt ofD. And when) Eunuchus saw f is, he callid 1 faste on) his
servandis & onone f ai tuke hym) & band 1 hym) faste. And evur he
28 cryed 1 ; " Whi do ye so ? What hafe I done ? " And evur fai band 1
hym) stray ter, and bete hym) to he was nerehand 1 dead 1 . So at f e
laste he come vnto hym) selfe & 3 fai lowsicT hym), and he axkid?
faiw whi fai did 1 so. And Eunuchus tolde hym) how fat Nediu
32 sayd 1 at he was wude. And fan) his maister sayd 1 vnto hym) ;
1 MS. Alphenst's, /or Alphonsus. 3 & emitted and added above the
2 Arund. MS, in domo eunuchi line,
regis.
77L MacJiarius penitent. 772. Julian the Aposta te. 515
" When) saw fou me be wude ? " And Nediu ansswercFhym) agayn)
& sayd 1 ; "f>ou was wude, maister, when) J>ou said 1 at fou saw
me nevur eat honye." And when) fai fat was abowte hym) harde
J?is, fai demycTat he had rightvvuslie vengict 1 hym), & so he satt with 4
his awn) skathe.
Vindicant se aliquomcfo creature ] irracionales. Supra
de bufone.
DCCLXXI.
Vindicare se nolunt sancti. 8
We rede in f e ' Legend of Saynt Macharie/ how on) a tyme as he
cut hys hand 1 with his knyfe, & it bled a grete dele becauce he brak
j?e knyfe, & when) he had done he reprovid 1 hym) selfe becauce he
did 1 wrong 2 , & went nakid 1 into wyldernes & was \>er vj monethis. 1 2
And fan) he come home aft tobittyn) and skrattycTwM thornys and
breers.
DCCLXXII.
Vindicat se deus aliquomcfo \er mortuos.
We rede in fe ' Historic of Saynt Easy it/ on) a tyme when) 16
lulianus Apostata wente to precede agayn) fe Persas, he bostid 1
Basitt )?at 3 as he come agaynward 1 to Capado[ce] he sulde destroy
afl Cesarie. And on) fe nyght folowyng, fis BasilTsaw in J?e kurk
of our Ladie a multitude of angels, and in myddest of faiw a 20
womman) standand 1 , and said 1 vnto Jmiwi abowte hur ; " Calt vnto
me M^rcurius J>at satt sla lulianws Apostata, Ipai blasfemys bothe
me and my Son)." And fis Mmnirms was a certayn) knyght f>at
fis same lulianus had slayn) for f>e faytli of Cryste, and was berid 1 24
in j?e same kurk. And onone J?is Mrcurius was redie in his
armur, and sho sent hym) into f>e batett. And onone fis Basytt
1 ir- omitted and added above the vindicasset iniuriaw, &c. Aruud.
line. MS. Dum sanc^us Machari* G&licem,
2 Harl. MS. Dum sawctws Macharius &c.
pulicewsepungentemmanu occidisset 3 Latin MSS. quod in reditu
et m?dtum sanguim's ex illo emanasset, Cesariam Capadocie destrueret.
reprehende?zs se ipswm qwod propnam
516 77 2 - The Galilean's Victory. 773. Virginity sacred.
went to Iper he was gravyn) & opyncT his grafe, & he fancT nowder
his bodie nor his armur fat was berid 1 with hym), & fan) he axkicT
f e keper of f e kur who bare away f is armur, and he sware
4 grete athis at it was Iper fat same nyght. So f is Basilius went
thens tyft on) f e morn), and fan) he come agayn) & fand bothe his
bodie and his armur, and his spere bludye to Ipe myddyste. And
fan) Iper come ane & saycT; " When) Julianas Apostata was arayed 1
8 in Ipe bate ft, Iper come ane vnknowyri) knyght armycT & a spere in
his hancT, apon) a hors, and he smate lp e hors with Ipe spurris and
with a bolde spyritt he rade at f is lulyan), & manlelie with his
spere he smate hym) thrugh; and when) he had done, sodanlie
12 he vanyssicT away. 3 ' And as we rede in ' Histon'a Tripartite,' fis
luliaiD, when) he was hurte, he fyllicT his hand with his awn) blude,
and keste it into Ipe ayre & saycT; " Yicisti, Galilee, vicisti ! "
And in fis wrichid 1 voyce he swelte, and aft his childur lefte hym)
1 6 Iper vnbericT; & Ipe Persis come & flew hym) and of his skyn) fai
made a fute-skyn) l to Ipe kyng of Persis 2 .
Vindicat eciam deus bonos in hac vita. Supra, de
obediencia, vij.
20 Yir. Viro ultro 3 se ingerit mulier. Supra, de
temptacione, v 4 .
Virum suum decipit vxor. Supra de muliere, ix.
DCCLXXIII.
Yirginitas eciam cum detrimento corporis aliquando
24 seruatur.
Saynt lerom) tellis how at a ffeste xxx* 1 archars come & slew
a man) fat hight Phidones, & when) fai had? done, f ai garte bryng
his doghters fat war maydens aforfD f aim at f ai mot nakyn) f aim,
28 & defowle f aim f er on) f e payment wha? fer fadur was slone.
1 Harl. MS. subtercmtoriuw ? multus.
2 MS. Kyng of Pars. Lat. MSS. * The MS. gives a wrong reference,
regi Persarum. here corrected by the Lat. MSS.
3 So Lat. MSS. English MS. has,
774, 775- Virginity sacred. 517
And pai fenycTpaim sorowfutt, & band J>aim samm & fell all samm
into a pytt & dro\vny<T f>aim, becauce with Iper dead 1 at j?ai mot
kepe Iper virginite.
DCCLXXIV.
Virgin itatem in filia amissam pater aliquando 4
crudeliter punit.
Valerius tellis how Virgillms slew his awn) doghter in f>e markett,
to J>e entent f?at hym) had lere be callicT fe slaer of a virgyn) fan)
pe fadur of a strompett. 8
DCCLXXV.
Virgines iuuat deus virginitatem suara custodire.
Saynt lerom) tellis how on) a tyme when) a virgyn) wolde not
sacryfice J?e ydolfis as pe paynom commauns did 1 hur, J?ai led hur
vnto Ipe bordett-howse, and \er come thedur a yong man) to hafe ia
defowlid 1 hur. And sodanlie Iper come a lyofD rynnand? }>urgn
J?e cetie vnto J>e bordett, & tuke pis yong man) & held? hym) and
lukicT on) Ipe virgyn) & did 1 hym) no skathe, bod lukicP what sho
wolde command 1 hym) to do. And he prayed IpQ virgyn) to command 1 16
Ip e lion) to lat hym) goo, and sho did gude for itt and commawndid 1
lp e lyon) to lat hym) go. And pus he was delyverd 1 , and pai fat
saw had grete mervayle peroff. And }>e lyon) went 9 his ways
& pai lete hur go. 20
Virtus animi eciam in mulieribws inuenit^r. Supra
de muliere, iij et xv.
Virtus viri. Supra, de muliere *, ij.
Virtuti possunt adaptari mwlta superposita in diuersis 24
locis.
Visio sive visus. Videt deus omnia et ubic\ue. Supra,
de deo et abbate, iij 2 .
1 So Harl. MS. Eng. MS. de viro. 2 MS. ij.
M m
518 77^ 777- Things not for Sight. 778. Holy Conversation.
DCCLXXVI.
Videre mulieres vel malos viros new multum
expedit.
Valerius tell is how Democritus put oute his awn) een) at he sulde
4 not se gucle to be ill, and Tertulianus x tellis J?at he made hym)
selfe blynd 1 , for he mot not se womwen) wzt^owten) cor&cupiscens.
Visus est cohibendus. Supra, de oculo, j, et de
aspect.
DCCLXXVII.
8 Videre malos new est dilectabile.
We rede in * Cronicles ' how on) a tyme as lulianus Apostata
made his sacraficeat Co[w]stantynople vnto fe ymage of Fortun), his
modir, the bisshop) of Calcidony, }?at was blyncT for age, come vnto
12 hym) & callid 1 hym) wrichict 1 Apostata. And he ansswercT hym)
agayn), & sayd 1 ; " Thi Galile may not luff >e." And he ansswefrjd 1
agayn) & saicf ; *' Therefor God tuke from) me my syght at I sulde
not se the at is witAowten) petie." And Inlianug ansswerd 1 hym)
1 6 nothyng agayn), bod went his ways home als faste as he myght.
Visiones multas ostendit de^s diuersis personis,
Supra, in pl^rib^5 locis.
DCCLXXVin.
Visitacio personamw religiosarwm aliquando profuit.
20 lacobus de Vetrzaco tellis how on) a tyme f>e chawntur of
Camatense*'? 2 as he was in traveft, went oute of his way to visett dame
Marie of Ogniez 3 . And ane of his felows said 1 vnto hym) ; " For
God, what seke ye Iper ? Witt ye go kepp butterfleis as barnys
24 duse ? " And he feynycF& went on). And as ]?ai walkid 1 to-gedur
1 MS. Terculianus. 2 Arund. MS. Cameracewsw = Cambray.
3 MS. Ognnez.
778. A Visit to Mary of Oignies. 779. Worldly Ties. 519
his felow waxid 1 werie in tarying for hym), and went vnto hym) &
comwawndid 1 hym) to haste hym). And when) he beheld 1 ]?is holie
maydyn), sodanlie he was changicf in his witt, and fell vnto suche
a wepyng fat a grete while lie mot not abstene hym) nor go furtn 4
of hur prdsens. And fan) J>e chawntur pwrseyvid 1 f is & was meri,
& saycT; " Go we ! Whar-to sulde we stand here at kepp buttyr-
fleis 1 " And he after grete sobbyng & teris vnnethis mot be had
away, and sayd? ; " I pray fe forgyff me, for I wate nevur what I 8
sayde. Bod now in f>is holie womman) I hafe pursey vid 1 be experyens
J>e vertue of God Almyghtie."
DCCLXXIX.
Visitacionem corporalem amicor^m new, nmltum
sancti approbant. I2
We rede of f e abbott Pastor, fat many yere dwelte in wyldernes
with his brether, & he wolde neur se his moder. So on) a tyme
sho come into f e kurk, & wolde hafe sene hym) & spokyn) with
hym) ; and he was war on) hur he gatt hym) into his celt & clappycT 16
to fe dure faste. And sho come & stude att J>e dure & wepud 1 , &
cryed? vppon) hym) & prayed hym) comfurth & speke wtt^ hur,
& sayd 1 sho wald 1 fayn) se hym). And he went vnto J?e dure & sayd 1
vnto hur ; " Whar-to standis Ipon cryancT Iper, fou olde wyfe ? " 20
And when) sho harde hym) speke, sho cryed 1 faster J?an) sho did
befo?, & sayd 1 ; " Son), I wold 1 se you, whi will ye not lat me
se you? Am) I not your moder )mt gaff you at suke of my breste ?
And now I am) olde & white-hand!" And he ansswerd 1 agayn) 24
& sayd 1 ; " In fis werloT Ipon may not se vs, bod f>ou saft se vs
in a noder werld!" And sho said 1 agayn) ; " Son), & I se you here,
I sail also se you tyr" And J?an) he sayd 1 ; " Bod if fou lyff in gude
lyfe as we do here, f>ou may happen) not see vs ]>er." And when) he 28
had 1 so sayd 1 sho went hur way, & was merie and sayd 1 ; " And
I may se you Iper, I rak neuer if I se you nevur here."
Visitat deus per tribulacicwes. Supra, de infirmitate,
iij, et in plmibus locis. 33
M m 2
520 7 8 - Self-will. 781. The Will for the Deed.
Visitat deus per coiisolacicwes. Supra, de con-
solacione et in pluiibus locis.
Visitatores conuentuum aliqucwcfo false informantur,
4 Supra, de inuidia.
Vnccio extrema non debefc pretermitti ante mortem.
Supra de furto.
DCCLXXX.
Volimtas propria deserenda est a religiosis.
8 We rede in ' Dictis PaJmm ' how on) a tyme ane olde monke
sayd 1 ; " Than) I do my selfe mekutt tribulacion), when) I doo myne
awn) wytt."
DCCLXXXI.
Volimtas pro facto reputatur quando non adest
13 facultas.
Cesarius tellis how som tyme ]>er was a monke of Saynt Barnardzs,
and he lefte his habett & went into Ipe werld 1 , and Iper he become
a preste of a kurk ; & he had a lemman) dwellano! 1 with hym), he
1 6 gatt hur childer b 
