alle was vayne They prickyd with neldys and scrapyd the solys of hys fete but no thyng myght be perceyuyd in hym of a lyuys manne saue a lityll rednes of chekys and a litil warmenes of body The colowre of hys face oftyn tymes was chaunged to ashis and ageyne meruaylously the colowre of hys face was reâ—… ynyd and welle shewyd Alsoo they made a grete horne to beblowyn there but no thyng hit botyd ¶ Howe he came ageyn to hym self on Èestur euyn abowte complen tyme Ca iiii tHenne on the morowe that ys estur euyn and the same owre that the couent came to gedyr to the collacion and to complenne the briys of hys ye lyddys beganne firste a lytil to moue and so they semyd as they hadde ben sode in boylyng watyr And atte laste there came don fro hys yes on hys chekys a yelowe humour of watyr in manere of terys Thanne they that were wyth hym seyng thys called anone for the brethe ren supposyng that he shuld haue sone passed fro thys world They sawe also a lytyl afore thys ty me hys lyppys a lytyl to moue with his chekys com pressyd as he had resceyued or swelowde suÌ„ swete thing fallyn in to hys mowth And after that a flowyng owte of terys as hyt is seyd here before Alsoo he was seyn often and many diuers tymys sykyng alow in his breste as a manne slepyng had wepte And anone after as hit semyd he reuoluyd certeyn wordys benethe in hys throte butte he myght not speke them owte saue onely in a voyce onethys audybille and noo thyng intelligibille Sothely thanne hys spyrite beganne a lytyll and a lytill to comme ageyne and these wordys and voyce he first sownyd that might be vndyrstond O sancta Maria O sancta Maria And agayne O my lady sancta Maria O my lady sancta Ma ria I shalle seye tho wordys as I herde theym noo thyng addyng therto O he seyde my lady Sancta Maria. These wordes often tymys he rehersed For what synne he seyde lese y soo grete ioye And agayne he seyde my Lady Sancta Maria. when shalle I recouere so grete ioye that y lese nowe These thynges and many other often tymes he rehersed yet as a man ware a slepe and hys yes euer closyd the whiche I wote not of what grete ioye he sorowde and wepte hym selfe departyd fro Sothely aftyrward sodenly lyke as a man had awaked fro a grete slepe he lyfte vppe hys hed fulbitterly beganne to wepe with reÌ„ nyng terys sorofully sobbyd as wepyng doth and ioynyng his handys fyngers to gedur reysid him self and sate vp Then he put downe his hed in his handys on his kneys And as he beganne afore ful lamen tably to wayle and sorowe so sesyd not long tyme aftyr Thanne one of his bretheren that was with hym askyd what causyd hym so sore to wepe and howe he felte hym selfe Than he restid a litil while at the laste softely seyde to hym wele wele and verely wele y was hedir to but now euyl and verely euyl y am and fele my selfe And ageyne more grettur he wepte and sorowd than he dyd be fore And by cause that hit ys ouer longe and also as iÌ„possible to remembre al thyng that he seyde thaÌ„ and how mekil he wepte we leue noweand purpo se to drawe shortly to gedir thoes thiÌ„gys whiche we herde hym telle of in gret ê¯tricion of herte and of mynde aftyrward that he was fully comme to hym selfe ageyne ¶ Howe he sought after his showis and how reuerently he worshipt the crosse lOthlâ—… amonge his lamentacions and sykynges that the had he asayde with gret strenght onys or twies or thries to opene his yes that were closid and atte last they opened Thanne he beganne with bothe his handys al abou te to secht aftyr his staffe that he lefte in the chirce And whanne hyt kowd not be fownde he seyd Sechith here owre staffe and take owr sâ—…ys by the piller and goe we ageyne in to the fermorye A fermorye among religious men is called a place or an howse ordende to kepe seke bretheren Thanne â—…hanne hit was seyde of some of his bretheren behoolde brother nowe and see yow in the fermorye set in your bedde and loe yowre staffe and showys byn here redy Thanne he seyd O howe came we hedyr and whanne were not we ryght nowe in the chirche to gedyr at matens Thanne his bretheren told hym that he had be there now ii dayes and to morowe wil be estur daye And whanne he herd this more grettyr he beganne to wepe and seydr O shuld we not bretheren haue worshypte on good freday owre lordys crosse And yet we haue not in comonne worshipte hit Thenne whenne he herd of his bretheren that owre lordys crosse was worshipte the day before and he might not be cause of sekenes he seyde to hem Aftyr that I came into the chirche y felte no disese But y praye yow that y may go to worshipe the crosse Thanne ther was brought to hym a crosse of seluyr the whiche reuerently he clyppyd to hym and with cossis and terys watryd the fete of the crosse and vnto the tedusnes of some stondyng by he thankyd owr lord and redemer and the fadyr and the holy gooste for innumerabulle benefetis of the why che he rehersyd mony synglerly For hym selfe and vnyuersally for al holy chirche and also for al degreys and condycyons of alle crystyn pepulle and more attente for hys enmyes yef any there ware or for the enmyes of hys frendys he made meruail prayers and obsecracyons And as y suppose xxx tymes or more he inclynde hys hede doone to the fete of the crosse with terys and sobbyng that often tymes his voyce sesid of prayng Thoes wordys the whiche he made in his supplicacions ware so redy prompte and also repletyd with grete reson hyenesse of witte that hit semyd rathir he redde hem thanne seyde hem Ho is swete seyng steryd mony than that herd hym to weping and deuocyon and euer while we remembre them causyn vs to haue a grete inwarde cumpunctyon and also loue deuocyon to our lord to our bretheren and to alle men And of the grete humylyte and goodnes of oure redemer he put betwene certen grete thingis at euery synguler shorte prayer ¶ Howe he told to one of his bretheren that he louyd famylyarly suche thingys as he had seyn vi tHe mene while as the tyme requyryd hit range to the collacyon and the bretheren the whiche had brought to him the crosse went thense And thenne he seyde Nowe y knowe veryly that this is the holy tyme of estur And for what cause he seyde so hit shal be declaryd aftyrward Trewely than bode with hym a certeyn brother that louyd him famyliarly in holy purpose of relygyon and mouyd hym sum what by a wyse and a meke instans Èet beyng holde in a certeyn stupour and
Treuly hit can not be seyde howe ioifully this synful woman toke tho wordys seyde to her in the whiche sche knewe an ende of her due penanse afterward myght fele the goodnes mercy of god So than thys vyctoryose dede done that glorius sight of vyrgy nys ascendyt vppe to heuyn ¶ How a goldsmyth was sauyd by sent Nycholas ¶ Ca xix here now folowyth also another like myracle of ful grete mercy pety of the excelleÌ„t might poure of the blessyd byshope sent nycholas Therfo re now y wille telle a nobyl dede werke late done iÌ„ a certen â—…uaÌ„t of his the whiche not loÌ„ge a go welle y knewe famylyarly louyd for some gode thingys that was seyne of him the whiche therfore the more gladlyur y wiltelle for this man that y now speke of the whiche by his occupacioÌ„ was a goldsmith told declaryd to me first the merite the name of my leder with whome y went hande in hande thaugh y beseyn here now suÌ„ what to breke out for the order of the narracion because y seyde before that ere y ma de any mencyon of the tormeÌ„tis peynys of any ê‘sons specially First y wulde shortly telle of the peynful placys that were schewyd to me But let that be takyn of tho ê‘sons the whiche afterward y wille opin ly declare to the ê“fet of hem that lyste to here or rede this reuelacion Therfor as y suppose Èe remeÌ„bre how a certeÌ„ ê‘soÌ„ a goldsmith a cytsoÌ„ of this place was hastly preuent of dethe sodenly dyed Of whom al so hyt was opynly noysyd that hyt so be fylle hym for ouer mekylle drynkyng wyne And therfore how myght a man sey to whome â—…hys man schulde be sortyd but amonge them that sent iohan the apos tylle specially spekyth yn hys pystylle Est peccatum ad mortem non pro illo dico vt oret quis That ys to sey Ther ys synne contynewde vn to dethe y sey no man pray for hym that contynewyth hys syn ne to hys dethe who so absolute may be seyde that coÌ„ tynewyth hys synne to hys dethe as he that contynewyth yn dedly synne and so lesyth lyfe and takyth dethe Sothly thys man bode not only yn the synne of dronkynnes to hys dethe but also he fylle yn to dethe doyng that same synne the whiche ys the seede cause of al euylle And as a certen wyse man seith dronkiÌ„nes excusith no vise Therfore thys maÌ„ whoys sine ê‘elle we speke of now that hyt schulde be feryd dredde yn hys wolde days was ouer ê“ne redy to droÌ„kenes for the last thre days that eâ—… he saw yn thys worlde he â—…tinewyde dayly almoste yn the sa me synne And yf y had know for certen a day befo re that he had dyed of seche a cause as hit ys aforesey de what schulde y thynke or fele of hym more worthior than not for to pray for him lefte my prayur before the ryghtwes iuge schulde be voide no thing helpyng hym Neuertheles y vsyd to pray for hym thawghe yt ware slowly not verely certifide of so soroful a fame and happe Sothely hyt was so by the prouision of god that thys goldesmyth was in the secunde place of peynys and also y sawe behylde hym by me whome anone y knewe grete ly meruelde seyng hym afore mony other that y be hylde in goode hope and lyghtly sofryng hys pey nys Trewly thanne my leder lokyd on me howe stid fastly y behylde hym and asnyd me and y knew hym And y seyde ful wele Than he seyde yow knowe hym speke to hym Sothly then this goldsmyth lohid on vs bothe and knowing vs wyth an enarrabulle gestur behauing of gladnes ioyde to my leder and with bothe his handys spred opyn ofte bowde done al hys body worshippyng gretiÌ„g hym with innumerable thankys for hys benefetys goodnes shewyd to hym And the mene whyle y salute hym he ioyfully salute me ageyne Than y enqueryd of hym how hit was that so sone he was paste the horable peynys the whiche y knewe by his sighte he had sofryd Then he answarde this ¶ Here thys monke knewe first that sente Nicholas was hys leder ¶ Ca xx my dere frynde he seyde al Èe to gedur in the worlde haue me as loste dampde not kno wyng the goodnes and mercy here of my 〈◊〉 sent lorde sente Nicholas the whiche had not soâ—… me an onhappy an on pfetable seruaunt of his to be dampde and loste euerlastyngly Than seyde y to hym Trewly as thou seyste alle we that ware thy frendys sorowde that thou didest so sodenly and thys lyfe or ellys he had flayne vs y sey y had so grete an enmy put into peynys that y sawe there to be torment long tyme a thousand tymes hit were possybylle 〈◊〉 wolde sofyr temporal dethe for hys delyuerans For alle thing ther ben so peynfull of sorowe and anguysshe byttyrnes wrechydnes that they excede mesure and mode let vs nowe that be it in this worlde alyue see considere by this how gre tely we ought to gene vs in chaystyng ouâ—…e wekyd condycyons to amende oure leuyng and also how mekyl we schulde labur to excercyse vs to kepe the coÌ„ maâ—…dementys of god and to do good werâ—… by the whyche and the mercy of god we may deser ue to be delyuerd afore of so grete euyllys And also that owre dere frrndys as fady and mode sys tyr and broder and othyr that were sum tyme othre louers ther sore ponysht for her offencys myght be delyuerd the soner fro thens by good dedys and werkys of mercy and pety deuowtly done of vs for ther redempcion and helpyng And afore Èere y ma ke any special mencion by wrytyng of the fore peynys and tormentys of sum persons that y fownde and knew ther and they also knew me y wyl schort ly wryte yu here the placys of peynys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as y went awwie wyth heuy compassion aftyr we were paste the fyrst peynful place region Sothiy to owre semyng the lengthe of thys fyrste place afo re seyde was on goyngable but we that ys to seye my leder and y went on the to syde ageynste hyt as we dyd othyr peynful coostys of tormentys but gretly abashyd ynwardly supposyng vetely that thow hadyste be dampde and by cause also thow hadyste no helpe ne remedy by fore they dethe of the holy sacramentys of the chyrche Sothly by cause y fynde the othyr wyse than we wende y am glade and fayne y wolde here how and yn what wyse thow deydyst so and scapydyste eternal damnapcioÌ„ ThaÌ„ne he seyde Gladly what sum euer thow desyre y wylle the telle ¶ How the same goldsmyth tolde the moÌ„ke yn pur gatory how he dyed sodenly and Èet was sauyd ¶ Capitulum xxi yâ—…knew wele how y dysposyd me yn my lenynge whan y was yn the worlde as
a certen byshoppe for to be browght vppe and therfore the chylde leuyd longe tyme yn grete dyscomforte and heuynes Also y saw and knew sum of her systers that were noonys of her monastery ther yn that place of purgatory yn lyght peynys ¶ Of a knyghte that sinnyd yn simony ¶ Ca xlvi aCerten knyght that was patron of a chyrche solde on a tyme a personage to a certen clerke for xxvij marke Sothely aftyrwarde he repeÌ„te hym of that dede and for the satysfaccion of so grete a synne he toke the crosse to go the holy londe and to vyset owre lordys scepulcur Èef he myghte and for hys offensys there to aske god forgeuenes and mer cy Trewly that tyme. the hethyn folke had put thens crystin pepul so occupied the holy londe Then were cristen pepul gedyrde of al coostys of the worl de to fyghte agenste hem and to dryue hem away and so thys knyghte yoynde hym selfe to goo amonge hem And aftyrwarde he was smytte wyth sekenes and endyd hys lyfe yn that yourney Soth ly y fownde thys knyghte there Èet yn mene peynys And he tolde me that for the synne of symony that he dyd â–ª as hyt ys a fore seyde he had sofryd ful greuys peynys and gret And more ouer he seyde yf y had not be preuent by the mercy of god to repente me ful sore afore my dethe for that synne of symony yn no wyse schulde haue scape eternal dampnacyon And the labur of the pylgrymmage that y to he for god tawarde the holy londe gretly esyd me of thoo peynys that were due for the same synne Also hit was grawntyd me by the goodnes of god that y schulde sende to her that was my wyfe by a feythful clerke warnyd yn hys slepe of me that sche schulde orden to be seyde for me v. tricennarâ—…s of messys wyth the offycys of placebo and dirige as the chirche had ordende for hem that byn dede and of seche prystys that were of honeste and chaste lyuyng of the whyche some y tolde by name Than sche made these messis wyth othyr thyngys a fore sey de to be trewly done for hym and aftyrwarde sche rewardyd hem as they were worthy by the whyche he seyde hys peynys were ful gretly abatyd For a bowte the begynnyng after my dethe oftyn tymes y was compellyd dayly to deuoure tho pensys hoote and brennyng that y had takyn of the pryste and person afore seyd And nowe by the mercy of god y am delyueryd fro that grete tormente and that was moste for the suffragiis the whiche was done for me And Èette y am constrayned ful sore to sofyr the scarpnes of colde by cause whenne y leuyd y had not compassyon on powre and nedeful people that were clothles and coolde And oftyn tymes whenne y gaue hem mete drynke y wuld be ryght we le warre by the vyce of hardnes to spen de no money apon hem Thanne seyde y to hym what and there were done Èet ageyne messys for you schuld ye not trowe ye resceyue perfetly reste Thanne he seyde â—…ys and there were done for me vii tricennariis with the officys longyng to hem this ys placebo and dirige y hope that anone as they were done for me y schuld be delyueryd fro peynys to euerlastyng reste Here nowe hyt ys to be vndyrstonde that thys same knyght after his deth as y knowe hyt nowe withoute any doute apperyd in a vysyon to the same clarke afore seyd and assygned hym v. ful chaste prystys and chosyn by name that schuld seye these messys and other thin gys lyke as hyt ys seyde aboue Hoys persons and namys and the placys of her dwellynges the why che dylygentely he expressyd were to hym selfe whi le he leuyd in hys bodye and to y clarke that he apperyd to and also to hys wyfe that dydde for hym vtwardly onknowen ¶ Of a certen yonge monke that somme tyme in hys dayes was sexten of the chirche ¶ Ca xlvij aCerten yÌ„onge man a monke that soÌ„me tyme y had seyne the whiche in many thyngys be hauyd hym relygyously and he was also sexten of the chyrche where he dwellyd Sothely there were in thys same chyrche iii. or iiii ymagys of our blessyd lady seynt marye hauyng in her lappys the ymage of oure sauyur ihesu cryste yn fourme of a ly tyl babe and they were sette at euery auter on right wele peynted and feyre arayed wyth golde and di uers other colours the whycde schâ—… wyd to the people that behylde hym grete deuocyon And before euery ymage hynge a lampe the whyche after the custome of that same chyrche were wonte to be lyghted at euery pryncypale feste thorowe alle the yere bothe by nyghte and by daye enduryng fro the firste ensonge vnto the second ensonge afore the forseyde ymages of owre blessyd lady seynte Ma rye And alsoo thylke lampys lyghtnyd alle the chyrche abowte Trewely hyt happonde apon a tyme in the forseyde Sextenys dayes that grete scars nesse of oyle was in that countreye that same tyme also there was no man that there had any oyle thanne to selle and seldyn hyt was that any stran ger at that sesyn putte forthe any suche chafer for to selle where fore the forseyde sexten by cause he wyste not where he myght gete oyle for necessary vsys the mene whyle he withdrew the lyghte fro the forseyde lampys as hym thowghte he myghte lefully doo how be hyt that he had some yn store but he drede leste hyt wolde not suffyce tyl he hade more so that on ascensyon day and wythssonday he put no lyght to hym the whiche yn these festis specialy were won te to brenne But he went not onponyshte Sothely the thyrde day yn whytsson weke when he was sey en yn al thyngys ryght hole and sownde sodenly he was smyte wyth a ful scharpe axces and so a vexid ther of that he was madde and owte of hys mynde and on the wysday the nexte weke aftir he dyde And on saterday by fore hys dethe when he was almos te at hys laste ende he saw yn auysyon the quene of heuyn owre blessyd lady sent mary stondyng on a grice of a certen wyndyng steyer yn the chyrche that was by on of the same ymagys of owre blessyd lady aforeseyde And when he saw her he cryde to her remembryng hys sekenes and perelle and seyde O holy and blessyd mary haue mercy on me Than sche and sâ—…erde hym scharply bothe yn worde and yn chere seying thys wyse Thow haste take fro me the worshyppe of my lyghte yn erthe and y schal ageyn take fro the the lyghte of thys present lyfe Sothely whenne he herde and vnderstode this thretyng he was sore aferd and abasshid and no mer uelle and caste hym selfe done at her fete with gre te wepyng and sorowyng and askyng foreuenes of hys trespas and ê“mysed amendement Theâ—…e oure blessyd lady hoys thretyng ys
he was cald for ageyne and whenne he was cumme he fownde me ded goÌ„ne Trewly ther ys no thyng of a thowsand peynys that y sofyr dayly so greuys to me as ys the vnhap py presentacion of my fowle and vnclene leuyng that y â—… yd in the world and now beyng here am compellyd to doo actually the same foule passyon And besyde the horrabulle gretnesse of peynys that y am in y am more confounded of schame whyle dat y am by the same synne made cursyd and abhomynable in the syght of al men Alas alas who euer wolde haue wende that the worschyppe and fauour the whiche y hadde amonge men sculde be turned to seche confusyon and despeâ—…ion as it is nowe wherfore ful gretely y am confowndyd and assha med for nowe to euery creature y appere foule and abhomynable the whiche before apperyd to euery man gloryous and honorabulle And thys he seyd with full sore and grete cryyng and wepyng And whyle y meruelde the wrechidnes and peynys of so grete a man sum tyme. y sawe howe he was ponysshte in innumerabulle wysys and by two tormentys he was brought as to nought and dyssoluyd by strenthe and here of fyre and so ma de lyquyd as ledys whenne hyt ys multe Sothely thanne y askyd sent Nycholas my leder yf this maÌ„ nys peynys myght be remedyde or helpe by any mene And thanne he seyde whanne the daye of dome ys cumme thenne 〈◊〉 crystys wille be fulfylle d He onely knowyth the hertys of alle men And then he wole doo to euery man ryghtfully Therfore I coude knowe no thyng for certen of this maÌ„nys de lyberacyon Therfore thoo thyngys the whiche we haue spokyn of here before may wele be consyderyd as the scripture seyth in thys wyse Non est ei bene qui assiduus est in malis elemosmam non danti that ys to saye hyt ys not wele with hym that ys be sye in euyll Nethir with hym that dothe non almys See nowe and consydre howe gretely they be holpe in placys of peynys by the doyng of almys dedys as oure lorde spekyth in the gospelle the whiche dyd hem in her lyfe Thys clerke in hys lyfe was wise and wyttye in hys owne conceyte and trusting to him selfe set ful lytyl to seche helpe of other by almis dede and good werkys for his synnys that hathe wrought nowe to hym damnacyon Loo so sone and sodenly he ys founde onwyse and madde Con ceyne nowe what ys here nowe seyde of thys clarke and a lytyl before what was seyde of a goldsmyth and opynly hyt confermethe the sentence of the scryp ture seyng in thys wyse Potenter potentes tormenta sustinebunt exiguo conceditur misericordia that ys to seye Myghty men myghtyly schalle sofyr tormentys and to a meke man ys graunted mer cye That goldsmyth and though he were a syner Èet was in hys owne syghte meke and lytyl the whi che nethir by hys connyng nerhyr of any othir ver tue presumyd but countyd hym selfe euermore on wyse and onstable by cause of hys synnys Therfo re by the mene of almys dedys and serues as he myght doo gate to hym the helpe and soffragys of hys grete and myghty aduocatour and patroÌ„ seynt Nycholas and so in tyme of nede he had â—…elpe and mercy as he desyred And also euyn contrarye wyse thys clarke of the excellente connyng ryches and worschippe that he hadde â—… cedyd forthe hys wekednesse And by cause he thoughte hym selfe excepte in this worlde fro the comon labur of men Lo in so cruell and byttur example he is not nowe ponysshte with othyr men Also y sawe there hys tonge hauyng forthe oute of his hede and be syly brennyng as hyt were abronde of fyre and that veryly he sofryd by cause that often tymes he perûted ryghtwesnes as a man myghty in wordys takyng Èeftys and mennys persons For he vsyd not only to iangyl idyle wordys but also froward ly in wordys contrarye to wrothe ouer mekyl he had excedyd Therfore no meruelle though he were po nyshte this wyse for suche excessys and fawtys whenne oure lorde spekyth in the gospelle of the ryche man the whiche for hys light speking and iangelyng at mete was sore ponyshte in hys tonge in a flame of fyre Sorthely after this came to me that worschyppefull pryste to home this clerke was confeste of hys smale synnys as hit ys rehersed before And amonge other thyngys the whyche this worschipful pryste herde of me y tolde howe this clarke afore seyde whenne he was confeste bade hym goo hys waye as for that tyme. and so anone dyde as hyt ys seyde before And when y had told him this he wepte ful bytturly and toke god to recorde that hit was very trouthe as y seyde and knewe wele that the forseyde clerke seyde so to hym Therfore on ly of that multytude of wrechys y knewe this clerke that this seyde to me sOthely thanne sone after that we were paste thys third place we came to a regyon where the soulys the whiche hadd done her purgacyon in purgatorye ioyfully restyd in the whyche place many y knewe wele and founde hem there in grete felycyte and conforte Trewely as touchyng the ioys of that place and the â—…ocundnes and gladnes of them that were there as oure lorde wylle Èeue vs grace we schall afterward schewe and declare but fyrst lete vs turne ageyne thys narracyon to thoes thynges the whyche we haue lefte oute of the peynys and merytys of some personys in especyalle the whyche y sawe and founde in tho placys of purga torye as hyt ys seyde before ¶ Of. ii personys that this monke sawe spake with in the first place of purgatorye and first with a prior ¶ Ca xxvii tHerfore a prior that was father of a relygy ous place the whiche y knewe full wele sum tyme dysceâ—…e and deyde this same yere And of hys maners and condycyons y knewe many thyngys the whiche y leue oute at this tyme by cause of schortenes Thys man and prior y sawe and knew amonge the firste that were in peynys of the fyrste place of purgatorye that we came to Trewly he was in ful grete and sore tormentys and sofryd ful greuys peynys sum tyme in fyre and sum tyme in stinkyng bathys of brimston pyche medild to gedyr hoys face and there was ouer wrechyd dedful And assone as he sawe me he began mekely to calle me and grete me whome with compassyon of herte y grete also and spake to hym many thyngys And y enquyryd of hym whethir he so freyd so grete peynys for the fawtys the whiche he dyd in youthe by cause perauenture he neglygently kepte hys ordre that he toke to hym in hys chyldho de And he seyde naye But neuertheles ful sore and byttyr peynys y sofre here not onely for myne owne synnys and excessys the whiche y dyd in myne own person howe be yt that y offendyth
ful wele iÌ„ good purpose labore acceptable to god he had ple syd oure lorde Sothely when he was bisshope of can turbery also specyaly ful excelleÌ„t in coÌ„ning ful lityl hede he tâ—…ke to his cure to the gostely helthe of the peple For he onwysyly ê“moted ful onworthy ê‘soÌ„s to beneficys of the chirche also he dredde was aschamyd to execute the lawe for displeasing the kiÌ„g by hoys fauor hit semyd he caÌ„ to that dignite Also he studyd thought by a colur of symulacyon odyr wise then he schulde to troble hem the whiche he â—…knew were agenste his ê“moting of the byshoprye dignite that he had In these thingys seche other he had gretly offendyd Also in this he was more to be blamid more offendyd that he hyd kepte close ful on ê“fetably the auctorite of relygyon wysdoÌ„ that he had fro hem of home he was ful excelleÌ„tly named to home he might ful gretly haue ê“fet ho suÌ„ euÌ„ so do they be ordende to ful grete peynis for they be a sâ—…launder to the chirche of god while they plucke not vppe distrey the wekyd leuing rotyd wysys the whiche be sowyn in the hertys â—…uÌ„sacron of the peple of god that they haue cure charge of ne thir be aboute by her office to edifie plaÌ„te iÌ„ her so gettys the nobulnes â—…dicions of vertu honeste no more than other that lacke bothe holynes gode vnderstanding Neâ—…theles our lorde sechyth aswel of hem that had no coÌ„ning in seche thigis as they shuld haue had for to be hedys of the peple as of other the whiche had coÌ„nyng vnderstoÌ„ding how be it that they had hit but barenly turmth hit to the more tormeÌ„ tyâ—… peynys of hem bothe Also for the opyn foule onchaste leuing of pristys clarkys bishoppis nowe a dayis ful gretly perishe be cause they correcte not so grete a synne the whiche is a ful grete iâ—…urye wroÌ„g to the heuynly sacramâ—…tys of holy chirche For iÌ„ thoo blessed sacramentys al the lyfe helpe of crysiyn peple is â—… teynyd the whiche as mekyl as is in hem be not aschamyd to defoule when they be right foule pollutyd Sothly of the negligens of denys of arche dekons of other officers mony thingis y saw the whiche y leue out to tel how by her â—…senting simu lacyon for taking Èeftys meÌ„nys psoÌ„s al the state of crystyndome almoste ys oâ—…coÌ„me subûtyd For this ys opynly shewyd in the werkys â—…dicions of hem that now leuyn Also the dissolucyon â—…loufulnes of seche â—…soÌ„s that shulde haue a zele a loue to the peple of god reqryth askyth etnal daÌ„pnacioÌ„ aswel to the clergy as to the laye folke most to he selfe to her auctors Trewly for these thigis many other inumerable in this wise the forseyde arche bishoppe la borde in gret peynys vnder greuys â—…playning Sothly he was wel holpen there by the gloryê° martir arche bishoppe of englonde sent thomas of caÌ„turbery home he had goten to him there a special patron helper be cause when he went to the holy londe a pâ—…grymage in his lyfe tyme he hordende there an hospitalle for pil grimys intytylde hit in the name of sente thomas to the gret sokyr ê¯forte of crystyn pylgryms Tre wely this dede y knew first in purgatory wheÌ„ y saw the forseyd bisshop iÌ„ sore peynys but Èesterday y enâ—… red therof yf hit were trew a certen ê‘son a religiê° maÌ„ told me how yt was ordende beguÌ„ue Forthyr more gretly hit pfet him the labur that he had when he went on pilgremage to Ierusalem where he made that place Also many prystys that by the grace of god lefte her vycyê° leuing of onchastyte iÌ„ very ê¯tricioÌ„ of herte with ê¯fession of mouth when they leuyd be cau se they had not do penaÌ„s sufficiently y saw heÌ„ tormeÌ„t iÌ„ inumerable peynys Trewly then y thoughte to my selfe that ful few prystys were ther foÌ„de of the gret noÌ„ bre that is of heÌ„ iÌ„ al the world that had deâ—…uyd peynis after her dethe for breking her chastyte to thys hit was so answard Therfor ful few ben here tormeÌ„t of the noÌ„bre of seche ê‘soÌ„s for onethe it is seldynÌ„e sey that a ny maÌ„ of heÌ„ were very peniteÌ„t ê¯trite while they le uyd for her synÌ„ys wherfore hit ys no doute but that the grete multytude of hem byn vtwardly daÌ„pde Sothly in al this visyon y saw no maÌ„ that vtwardly hadd loste hope of saluacioÌ„ nethir that was iÌ„ certeÌ„te of etnal daÌ„pnacioÌ„ Neûtheles some that were in greuys peynys had no knoulege when they shulde be sauyd that was most peynful to hem And some that were in peynys knew a certente of her delyuerans that was to heÌ„ a grete solace as hit ys here seyde aboue ¶ A certen descripcion of diuers kynd of synfull peple of her peynys ¶ Ca xxxvij h yt were to longe and oute of mesure yeffe y schulde reherse by name al tho ê‘sons the whi che y sawe knew there of all â—…dicions of all degreys of all orders Also Èef y schulde sey or be aboute to schew declare synglerly the peynys tormentys of euery syngler cryme like as hit was sche wde to me at that tyme hit wulde be ouer teduse and weriful to the redder therof For ther ys no synÌ„e wre tyn in holy scripture but ther ys ordende in tho placys certen peynis to al that be doers of hem Trefore y leue oute pas by menfleers auowtres fornicators lyers forswerers glotyners trayturs couety se folke proude pepul enuyê° pepul sclaunderers hate ful peple a thousand mo of this wyse to â—…ome all ys ordende ther synglerly ful grete peynes greuys And ho may tel of al these thingys when they that were good relygyê° men sofred ful sore and greuys peynys only by cause they delyted and toke a plesure of the feyernes of her handys and longe fingers Also weyfaring men that were slayne of theuys in her iornay y saw heÌ„ ponyshte for her synÌ„ys in an Èesy wise Theuys also of home hit is not to be lefte oute in no wise that were for her synÌ„ys ingit to haÌ„ uing iÌ„ this world were only ê¯feste so a priste orels opynly that moste helpith of her wykydnes euyl dedys in very trew ê¯tricioÌ„ of herte so anon toke her dethe paciently forgeuing with herte al her enemyes al maner wrongys trespassys done to hem alsoo her dethe in remyssyon of al her synnys y saw al seche with a special certen worschipfulnes pâ—… to ful softe esy peynys Also other that were ponyshte hangyd lyke wyfe for the ste other mysdedys wulde not o pynly ê¯fesse her synnys iÌ„ tyme of her dethe but hopiÌ„g by fraude disceyte of her
whan this was seyd to me bothe the slepe that y was in the ê‘son that spake to me went away Than sodenly y wakyd and stedfastly kepte in mynde this vysyon assone as y might y desired the same persons to pray for me not vttering to them the cause wherfore they shulde pray for me Than vi wekis passe iÌ„ the night that was nexte afore sherethursday as Èe can remeÌ„bre whan y had taken of yow and of youre felowe discyplynys in the chaptur how 's that ys to seye vi of yow vi of him for that day and v other for the sexte feriis of lente paste fro the whiche y was compellyd that tyme to absteyne by cause of sekenes so grete abundans of grace of terys swetenesse of herte y felte me repletyd there in the resceyuyng of tho discyplynys that y can not shewe it in telling by no wordys wherfore the nexte day af ter hit was to me ful swete often tymes to wepe And than the next nyght after grete sykynges beyng than the houre to ryse to matens y fylle in to a plesaunt slepe ¶ Howe he was waried in his slepe to worshipe the crosse of oure lord Ca x. sOthely than as y was a slepe y perceyued a voyce but y wist not fro whens hyr came seyng to me in this wyse Arise vppe goe iÌ„ to the chapell and to the awter that to dedifyed and halowd in the worschipe of seynte laurence of alle martyres And there behynd that awter yowe shalte fynde a crosse and an ymage of thy redemer affixed to the same crosse redemyng the world by hys deth And that same crosse meke ly and deuowtly go to and kys in remembraunce of thy sauyur and offir to hym with meke herte a sacrifice of prayers knowyng wele hit to be accept of god and to the an holsum deuocion in the whi che yow shalte ful abundantly delyte Than after this y wakyd and with the bretheren y came to the chirche to here matens And when the bretheren had beguÌ„ne matens y mette with a senyor that Èe knowe wele in the chirche porch was on of him that y to ke disciplinis in the night before Than whan y saw hym y made a signe to hym to discyplyne me in ly ke wyse ageyne as he dyd afore And so lightely we went bothe to gedyr into the chaptur howse and with one assent gladly we came ageyne And there also mette with vs another senyor in the same place where y mette the first to whome y made alsoo a signe for to haue a disciplyne And he beckid with his hand that y shulde tarye a lityl while Thanne lefte y my bretheren that y came with to chirche the whiche were sekelew sittyng a parte alone y wente forth to the awter that was notyd to me in my slepe And whenne y was nygh the awter y put of my showys and knelyd on my kneys apon the pament and ofte tymys inclyned my heed doon to the grownd And so went behynde the awter to seche the crosse that y herd of before Trewly y knew not afore in any wise by any mannys telling that any crosse was let doon there Neuertheles y found hit as hit was tolde me before And anon y was re soluyd al into terys of deuocyon lyyng ê“strate al my body ful denowtly y worshipte that holy crosse seyng many deuout prayers And than after y cam knelyng on my kneys to the same crosse and aftyr seyd lengur deuoute supplicacions thankynges to god kyssing oft tymes the fete of the crucyfyxe besily with the terys of my nyes watrid hem ¶ Howe he sawe the right side of the crucifixe bledyng don to him and the right fote also and of the. ii lightys that apperid there ¶ xi tHe mene while as y lift vppe my nyes that were sore of weping to the face of the cruci fyxe y felte some dropys fallyng don to me I putte ther to my fyngerys and y weâ—…e perceyued and knewe by the rednes that hit was blode Also y behylde the right syde of the ymage of oure lordis body and hit wellid oute of blode as a mannys flesh is wont to blede whenne hit is cuppid Trew ly the place that y sawe this in was derke for hyt was behynde the auter aboute mydnighte But I sawe there ii lyghtis shynyng at bothe the sydes of the crosse as hit had be ii tapers wele brenning I lokyd fro whens that light shulde cumme and y cowde see no place fro whens hit came Trewly than y toke in my hopynne hand y wote nere how mony dropis of that precious blode and there with diligently y anoyntid my nyes my neris and my nose thrillys And at the laste y put one drope of that blessyd blode in to my lippys and of the grete desyre and deuocyon of myne herte y sâ—… elowd hyt doone And whether y offendyd god in that poynt or no y wote nere The reÌ„ nand ther of y hild in my hand purposyng to haue kept hit Also y behilde sawe the right fote of the same crucifiye blode Sothely Èisterday whan y was restoryd to my selfe ageyne and founde no thing of that precious blode in my handys sore gretly y sorowde and eû shal for the losse of so grete and precious tresowre ¶ Howe he came in to the chaptur howse and toke discyplynys how he was there rauesht Ca xii fOrthermore to satisfye yow y shalle nowe telle of other thynges The. ii lyghtes that y sawe shynyng abowte the crucyfyxe a fore seyde sodenly paste thens to the sowthe parte of the awter Thanne y that was knelyng in the north side of the auter at the right side of the crucyfyxe seyng hit paste goÌ„ to the tother side folowde after hopyng that y shulde see there sum spiritualle thyng And whan y came thedir y herde the sowne of a voyce behynde me of the same old fadyr that y mette with last before in the chirch porch of whom y desyred to be discyplynede he bade me tary a litil while Than lefte y alle that y sawe there and y not howe nether in what wise anoon y came in to the chaptur howse And whan y had seyd my confiteor as the vse ys and he had prayde for me assoyled me with this beneson In nomine patris filii spiritus sancti amen he gaue me disciplynys vi tymes as he didde afore Often tymes y desired him that y might reherse my confessyon and to take dyscyplynys of hym for at euery stroke that he gaue me in the stydde of sorowe peyne they were turnid to me an inestymable incredibulle swetenes of ioyfull conforte But he wold geue me no more and so y rose vppe Sothely thanne he went in his albys and sate done in the abbotis sete that was there in the chaptur how 's And thanne y came lay prostate before hym
in many thingys but also for the wekydnes and mysgouernaunce of tho personys the whiche a lytyl before y had char ge and cure of For as touchyng myne own syn nys y wulde sofyr as y myght bere thoes peynys the whyche be dewe for hem For y vsyd to redeme and schast myne owne synnys by ofte confessyon and takyng discyplynys and besy prayers And al so by dyuers other weyes Sothely of these thingis ful sore greuyth me nowe the carnal affeccyon and loue that y hadde to my frendys as fadyr mother and other of my kynne of the whyche to sum of hem y gate benefycys of chyrchys whenne they we re ful onworthy to haue hem toothir y gaue right ondyscretely many Èeftys of the godys of the monasterye that y was prior of and they nowe ful lytyl remembre me or doo any thynge for me in my nede Trewlye the fauyr of pepulle the loue of worschippe that y had me prinspaly noythe And alas alas for sorowe for and god take not mer cy on me as y am nowe in peynys oute of mesure so schalle y be withoute ende The couetyse ambycy on that y hadde to kepe my worschippe and the fe re that y hadde to leue hit so blyndyd the syghte of my soule that y lowsyd the brydyl of correccyon to the willys of my sogettys sofryd hem to doo folowe her desyrys lustys as my yes had be closyd leste haply Èef y had correcte hem refraynde hem from her lyghtnes they wulle haue be to me as enemyes to labure and to haue me out of my wor schippe and prelacyon that y was in Forthermore they that were gode relygyous men and had zele and loue to kepe the ordyr y no thing helpyd or faueryd in conseruacyon of the relygyon but full inordenatly and contrary to vertue y wolde wyth other that loued hem not speke euyl of hem and de tracte hem and cherysshe other that were ful euyl di sposyd and brekerys of her holy ê“fessyon and order And alle this y dyd a part of myne owne light nes and a parte be cause y wolde defende my prelacyon And for hem to pleye lewde gamys to speke and clathyr tryfullys iapys and other lewdnesse and also to goo and wandyr amonge secler folkys in ydelnes hyt was leful to hem as hyt was to me Therfore some of hem by thys cruel lyghtnes of me and that they sawe in me presumyd and sayde to do many full cursyd thyngys wherfore here y am ponysshte withoute hoâ—…e howe be yt that y approuyd not her wykyd dedys NotwithstoÌ„ding y knewe hem and of a vayne drede made lyke as yf y had not knowe hyt wherfore many of hem bo de stylle in her fowle abusyons going fro euyll to wars And some of hem contynued in euyll vnto her dethe whyle y leuyd in the worlde and now they be euerlasting dampde Also some other of hem Èet hethir to leuyn contynualy wars and wars in grete synnys and dedly dedys wherfore to hem and to me as y am agaste succedyth inextynguyble fyre Also fro the howre that y paste fro my body y ame putte to onspekehabule tormentys the whiche were as me semyth nowe ful lyght in comparyson of the peynys that y nowe sofyr Sothely the firste daye after my dethe was to me more esâ—…er thanne alle the dayes that y hadde setthe And of alle the synnys fautes that nowe they done after my dethe of an euyl custome that they hadde before the whiche they be seyne to haue take by my neglygens my peynys therfore ben euermore encresyd And by cause that y knewe sum of hem that be ded and sum other the whiche Èette leuyn that haue flyd and falle besyde other synnys to that fowle and abhomynable syn ne that ought not to be named and therfore putte to hem no correccyon no thyng y drede so mekyll as the encresyng of my peynys so largely tyl y be coÌ„ pellyd to sofyr the foule and abhomynable stenche the whiche they sofre and haue nowe the whiche dyd the same fowle and abhomynable synne for y know wele that the greuys peyne of that same stenche ys more intollerable peynfull than any other peynys that synners sofryn And as ofte as they the whyche y lefte alyue dampnably offendyd anone the deuyls ranne to me with grete scornes and vpbray dys and euermore and more with newe peynys en cresyng my tormentys Also he tolde me what daye what place and what tyme after that he was paste oute of thys world and what person of hym hyt was and what synne he hadde done And he told my many thyngys that they dyde and seyde anone as they done any euyl the whiche y had sum tyme cu re of â–ª the mynystrys and wykyd angellys of the deuylle vpbraydyn me with the same and anon they encresyn my peynys Sothely ther was sum of the bre theren of that place the whiche this man aforeseyde was prior and father to that were accendyd by Èe le of rightwysnes and feruor of relygyon and dyd also grete labur and dylygens that alle inordinate fauors putte a syde the puryte and honeste of her or dre myght be kepte And this y knewe was trouthe wherfore y seyde to hym Howe than was hit noysyd fer and brode that many thyngys were wel re formyd and amendyd before your ende in the pla ce where ye were prior yf hit be nowe schewyd yow so mekyl euyl of hem that dwelle there Èette And thanne he seyde Trew hit ys as ye saye that mekyll thyng was correcte and amende more than yt was wonte to be before Neuertheles of her amendement haue y no frute ne mede but also my peyuys encresyng because y was ouer mekyl agenst her correccioÌ„s leste y schulde be correcte or tho thingys amendyd that be amendyd ful mekyl y lettyd Sothely y was asschamyd of her opyn correccyon but lesse y bashyd to here hem ouer all schamfully dyffamyd Trewly her condycyons were so froward obsty nate that vtwardly y hadde wende they had be incor rygyble what sum euer ys beleuyd to be done ther fore amendment but yf the meruaylous power myght of god helpe hyt wyl be broughte done ageyne to noughte Alas alas why dyd y beleue euÌ„ to seche consels Alas that euer y fauyrde and mag nyfyde feche persons by the whiche y dyd so offende the mageste of god so to let hem haue her wylle to doo what they wolde Sothely foure persons there byn tolde me her namys that y schuld seye to heÌ„ but yf they sone do to god euynworthy penaunce for her cursyd dedys consels by the whiche they haue loste hem selfe other also the whiche haue do ne after hem they schalle haue the indycyble euerla styng tormentys of helle And trewly yf they dyd penauns satisfaccion tyl domys daye they schulde thynke hit but lytyl in to
the recompensacyon expyacyon of the grete and longe schrewdenes and cursydnes by the whiche they haue broughte me to this peynys that y am in nowe and with her wyckydnes they haue al moste enfecte cuÌ„ brid alle the howse Sothely onethys or litil any tyme tho foure ê‘sons y wulde displese but y was inclynyd bowyd to let hem do what they wolde Also fewe ther ben of al the couent that for me for myn helping Fully haue done seyde the messys psalmys wyth other soffragys and prayers the whiche of dewtâ—… they schulde seye do for me according to oure relygyon And many of hem for whome y am now in sore pey nys haue done none of these thingys Èet for me ther fore what for sorowe and drede that y haue of the se present tormentys y am peynde on euery syde Se che thinhys sawe y aboute this prior this wyse he spake to me as hit ys aboue rehersyd ¶ Of an ancres that he sawe and knewe in the same place ¶ Ca xxviii yKnewe also a certen ancresse the whiche was of a gode and honeste conuersacyon whome gretely y louyd and y sawe her ther as sche had coÌ„me late fro the world + Trewly sche was stable and stedfaste in contynauns and feyre of beholdyng home the laborus weye that sche had gon a lytyl had weryde with the peynys of fyre that other were inuoluyd here and there sche was ofte tymes tochyd and sum what brente But she ful lytyl counted hyt hastyd her spedly gretly ê“fetiÌ„g on the iorney that goyth to paradyse this whan y sawe y take god to record y had wende hyt had be sum fantesy as hit had be a dreme for y beleuyd in no wise that sche was ded Than seyd y vnto my selfe Y trowe that the merytorye leuyng of this an cres seruaunte of cryste so ys schewde to me by ymagynacyon for trewly sche that ys Èette alyne in her bodye may not be here Sothely the thirde daye after that y was cum to my selfe ageyne a cer ten neybur of herns was here that y spake with prayde hym to grete her wele on my worde and al so that sche wylle whytsafe to pray for me Than he seyde Praye ye also for her our good frende for ye scalle vndyrstande that sche ys disceste and pasâ—…e to god Ueryly y merueylyd gretly at hys seying And than first y beleuyd that hyt was trewe that y sawe of her in the first place of purgatorye Forthermore this generall condicyon of alle folk that deyon y knowe there opynly that alle pepule the whiche be ordende to perceue reste and blysse before the daye of dome hadde euermore fro the first how re of her dethe her peynys lesse lesse But yf hyt were so that any of hem had lefte to other that leuyd after by euyl exampulle occasyon of synÌ„e the whiche ryghtwysly they myght wyte hit hem that dyd so before and whyle they dede no satisfaccioÌ„ to god for hit before her deth wherby seche occasy on of synning lefte to other schulde haue be forgenyn heÌ„ also they that greuysly offendyd by the whiche they deâ—… uyd euÌ„lasting dampnacion beguÌ„ne to goo fro ful bittyr peynys to wars so by succediÌ„g of her peynys dayly her tormetys besyly encresyn that eâ—…y day foloing is more greuossor to hem then was the daye before ¶ Of a certen bisshop that was there also ¶ xxix acerten bisshop y knew there in peynys the whi che onys y sawe he was bore iÌ„ thys ground of inglonde and had hys byshopriche be yonde see Trewely he deyed thys same yere abowte the feste of seynt Myghel the aâ—…changel For than y knewe opynly the daye of his passyng but nowe hit is fal lyn out of my mynde the whiche that tyme was occu pyed aboute many thingys that y sawe Sothely innumerabulle thyngys there were the whiche y dyd not wele note nether cowde we le kepe in my mynde all thyngys that y had notyd Trewely the same man the whiche tolde me of the passyng of the ancres as hyt ys seyde in the next chaptur before told me also of the passing of this bysshoppe but he knew not what tyme. Trewely anothyr yong man the whiche was cosyn and alye to the same bysshoppe and also in seruyce with hym whenne he leuyd cam home ageyn'to his countrey of inglonde brought certen worde to the todyr man that tolde me that the forseyde bysshoppe was dede Trewly y sawe this bys shoppe al moste contynualy brennyng in flamys of fyre moste be caeÌ„ of his vycyus leuing that he lenyd iÌ„ his youthe also he was tormeÌ„t in other innume rable wysys be cause y sawe sum specyal thinge aboute him y thought to remeÌ„bre specially to speke of him Sothely as he brende besyly in fyre he had euÌ„ more a ful honest clothe apon him there the whiche not only was hurte by the fyre but also yt was yldyn made by the fyre more feyrer semlyor than hit was afore Thanâ—…e sent Nycholas declared to me the reason of thys meruaylous thyng and seyde Thys preuylege he gate to hym whenne he leuyd by a good dede the whiche he vsyd to doo And this hit was Euermore he hadde compassion on powre pepulle that were nakyd and ful lyberally he vsyd to releue hem of that nede wherfore hys clothyng schalle neuer lacke feyernes tyl that he haue fulfylled his penauns and take of god the stole of euerlastyng ioye and blysse ¶ Of a certen woman the whyche was a pore maÌ„nys wyfe ¶ Ca xxx awoman also that was a poure mannys wyf dyde this laste yere with her husbond the whi che was wele condicionde and in mony thyngys ful wele dysposyd Sche was sum tyme ryght famylyarly belouyd of me home ful gladle y behylde there in lyghte peynys in comparyson of other swif tely goyng forthe to the grete mede and worschippe of heuynly ioyes Trewely in thys that sche vsyd in pacyently to stolde and vpbrayde hem that dyd her wronge and enmyte and in her herte hylde raucour and sowernes agenste hem sche gretely offendyd and therfore sche hadde sofryd peynys Neuertheles thys vyse was to her inuyncyble by cause of her inê‘feccyon and euer sche hatyd hyt and often tymes wepte that sche coude not ouercome hyt wherfore sche hadde the soner forgeuenes of that synne So thely sche was in her prayers ful deuoute and wele disposyd to almys dedys and hospytalte more then sche might wele do of her owne godys And before her dethe by loÌ„g sekenes that sche had sche was ê“uid and clensyd as gold ys in a fornes by the whyche al moste sche hadde caste fro her the scurfe and the hardenes of her synnys Forthirmore fulfeldyn hyt is in this dayes in the whyche al moste the condicioÌ„s of alle men gone oute of kynde for the pure and clere symplycyte and innocentnes of the very chirce
brought to nought whyle the multytude of carnal and worldly men encresyn aboue noumbre home the fewnes of spyrytuall men sofryn chesyng rather to dyssymylle and not to knowe her euyll and so to reste hem selfe thaÌ„ by her blamyng and resysting stere and moue agenste hem the wrathe and trowbullus hastynes of suche euyl dysâ—… syd persons And thaught they soo do Èette they can not be fewer fro the spyes and frau dys of hem And as sum tym ysmael that was bore carnaly pursewyd ysâ—…at that was bore spyrytua ly that ya to seye by a spyrytual promyse of almigh ty god lyke wyse hyt is now For carnal folke ben ful greuys to spyrytuall pepul be cause they can not peruerte hem to her frawardnes Also many ther byn that gretely hyt ys to sorowe the whyche in her leuyng begunne spyrytualy but by ê“cesse of tyme owther they be ouercumme by onstabulnes or els ben dysceyuyd by sempylnes and also they falle done fro her purpose and begynnyng vnto the myserabul and wrechyd corrupcyon and slow fulnes of this world entysyd and drawyn by the examplys councelys of euyll desposyd persons Trewly these grete hirtys of relygyous leuyng the whyche before in the tyme of faders ful nobly flowryd schone as an heuynly lyght ful gretely beholdyth the â—…re latys of holy chyrche in thys dayes that knowen thys and despysen hyt m so mekyl that they vndyr stonde not hem selfe that hyt ys so wyth hem They knewe veryly what thynge they be cum to but they what thinge they schulde haue cum to be cause that they be cum to the luste and plesure of thys world but they schulde haue cum to the folowing of crystys pouerte and to the karke and dilygente kepyng of her cure that ys the pepul of god coÌ„ mytted to hem And therfore that they seche and that they care For that they be cum to and that they ha ue The pepul of god they fede not but distroye hem perauenture that they haue turnyd fro ryhhtwysnes they fleyn spirytually and lesyn for her coÌ„ formyng to hem not shewyng hem selfe faders pa stors but woluys and theuys Trewely the ê“mo tyng of suche persons kyngys and bysshoppys and other grete men procuron and gete and her soget t ys ful mekyll loke ther aftur not beyng rectors and faders but peruersours and destroyers of her sow lys the whiche thynkyn that alle thynge that ys vnder hem that lykyth ys leuefulle why by the right wes iugemente of god byn remys trowbuld and chyrchys confowndyd and the state of erthely for he vtwardly subuertyd And for seche demenyng they be acursyd of god the whyche schulde be deuowt and meke intercessours to god bothe for hym that byn a lyue and for hym that byn dede by hoys me ritys and prayers specialy the welfare of al crystyn dome myght be preseruyd and encresyd and al euyl fer put awey fro the pepul of god And whyle sent Nycholas conplaynyd of seche thynghes and of many othyr yu thys wyse and remembryd also so me thyngys that were of grete coÌ„mendacyon and laude of certen persons the whyche yn her tyme sto de ful manly yn seche perels and strenthyd othyr so to doo y saw ful many on euery syde me the whyche y knew be fore sore holdyn yn ful greuys peynys and tormentys Trewly y lokyd most apon hem that y knew a lytyl be fore and louyd ryght spe cialy ¶ Of an abasse also ¶ Ca xliiij oF the whiche a certen worschipful abbas was ther that blessedly paste thys same Èere owte fro thys world tawarde the euerlastyng lyfe and ioys of heuyn Sothely sche tolde me many thyngys bothe of her state that sche was paste and of her state that sche was yn also sche seyde many thigys to me the whyche y schulde telle to her owne naturale sisters that were vnder de tytyl of vâ—…gynyte amonge othyr holy virgenis yn the same monasterye that sche was abbas of by some certen tokyns of the whyche some y wolde telle that schulde be to the herers of hem ful graciê° good but that sche bade me telle hyt to no nothyr â—…aue to hem that sche commawndyd me Sche seyde also that sche hathe resceuyd mekyl releuyng and helpe of her peynys by the deuowte prayers and psalmys of her systers the seruantis of god tho home be fore sche was a spiritual modere And sche coÌ„mawndyd me to thanke hem for mony good dedys the whyche they haue done for her and for the sofragys of messys and othyr holy prayers that they haue gotyn for her as they myghte of certen re ligious persons And more ouer they haue made ordende to be offerd to oure lord dayly withoute any cesyng for me messys and other deuoute prayers And therfore lete him knowe withouten doute that they schalle haue therfore ful grete mede and y also haue scapyd ful scarpe peynys And yf they perseuere as they haue begunne sone y hope to scape the renande of my peynys Sche tolde my also that gre tely hyt helped her that before she was made abbas sche schewyd and behauyd her selfe with grete coÌ„ passyon ful mekely to some of her systers that were sore vexed wyth grete sekenesse or temptacyon and ful ofte dyd alle maner of seruyce deuowtely that were right foule and absecte in the monasterye ¶ Of. ii yonge nonnys that were lepurs ¶ xlv tHere were sche seyde on a tyme in owre place it yonge vyrgyns the whiche were ful sore infecte with the grete plage of lepur And for asmoche that in many placys of her bodyes the fle sche was falle downe to the bonys and the skynne aboue oftyn tymes horrably blyster owte of bleynys And alle my systers of owre monasterye lothyd alle moste to see or vysyte hem or to teche heÌ„ but to me me thoughte and semyd full swete to haue and opteyne hem yn my lappe or holde hem in my harmys and forthermore alsoo to weâ—…e hem in bathys and also to wype her sores wyth my ste nys they ful wele gladly sofryd that plage of lepur and tankyde god of that chastemeÌ„t and dys sese And so dely tyd hem yn hyt as they had rescey uyd of hym graciê° Èyftys of diuers ornamentys And where alytyl whyle agon they were peyryd yn the worlde by a longe martyrdome now ful bles sydly they folowyn the heuenly lambe her spowse ihesu cryste wyhtowtyn any spotte wher sum euer he goo And for the pety and charyte that y had and sche wyd to hem yn her nede y haue euermore had yn al my peynys a swyfte refreschyng and releuyng of helpe Also many othyr thynges the same abbas tol de me amonge the whyche sche complaynyd that for on thyng that she dyd she had sofryd sore peynys and that was by cause neglygently sche lefte a cer ten chylde a yonge scoler that was destitute of al hys frendys and was comyttyd to her of
wonte to be of mercye mekely behylde hym and made a signe with her hand schewyng hym the grice that sche stode apon and seyde Sytte done here Thanne he begunne as hym thoughte to sytte done ful sore aferd at her fete whenne sche sodenly vanyshte awey And whenne he was cumme to hym selfe ageyne callyd for hys bretheren and tolde hym thys vysyon that he had seyne and prayde hem and also bade hem with grete instaunce and wothys that the nexte nyghte with the dayr folowyng the lampys afore seyd schuld be lyghtynde and brenne as the custome was before Also he made a vowe that and he myght haue hys helthe ageyne he wold contynally ke pe forthe and encrese the forseyde lampys to worschyppe and lawde of the gloryous vyrgyn moder of god oure blessyd Lady seynt marye But he cowde not calle ageyne the worde and sentence that sche seyde to hym And so he dyde the tewsday after trynyte sonday and as for the restoryng of the for seyde lampys some satysfaccyon he dydde for his of fense and trespas Trewly Èette hethir to was he holdyn in peynys and tormentys by cause often tymes he had offendyd in kepyng of hys relygyon and in seying of dyuyne seruyce And also he was lyght of behauyng and ondyscrete as in etyng drynkyng lawghyng spekyng â—… apyng and in many other mo ¶ Of a certen clerke that leuyd holyly ¶ Ca xlviij fOrthermore a certen clerke that paste onte of thys world in hys yowthe y sawe there iÌ„ the same place the whyche by the inspyracyon of the holy goste bothe in connyng of dyuynyte as in otherâ—…ly be rals faculteeâ—… passyd al moste alle other that were hys felawys Sothely he was there peynde iÌ„ a light and amene wyse gladly goyng forthe by the testy mony and witnes of a goode consciens that he had toward the ioys and reste of paradyse Trewely he was ful wele disâ—… osyd of maners and condicions and studeyng in scolys pure of chastyte and beny uolente in charyte with other Èeftys of grace by the whyche he plesyd oure lord ful wele Also he had gotyn to hym specyaly the loue of the moste gloryê° vyrgyne the modyr of god oure blessyd lady sent marye home he seruyd ful deuoutely in hys lyfeÌ„ and ful oftyn tymes wachyd longe in prayers before her auter with a ful meke spyryte and a coÌ„tryte her te and for her loue gaue to pore pepul mekyl almys wherfore withoutyn doute thya remaynyd to hym of the same blessyd lady in heuyn euerlastyng ioye and grete mede And for the houre of hys passyng oute of thys world he had resceyued mekyl refresshyng and by her contynual solace and helpe was mercyfully also in hys peynys sokyrde and coÌ„forted Sothely whenne he was schewyd to me he was sum what dyssesyd peynyd only by the intemperaÌ„s of the eyre as in coolde and in hete Then y enquyred and he had sofrid any other peynys afore And hyt was tolde me that he had sofryd other whyles amonge the peynfull hete of thirste and that was be cause whenne he abowndyd in temporal goodys he was more harder to the pore peplu than he schulde haue be or ryghte wolde And trewely he had gret compassyon of hem and mekyl he dyd in hys lyfe to helpe and releue hem But neuertheles oftyn ty mes he was wery of hem and specyaly after that he was waxin rycher in so mekyl that before when he was powrer and had not so mekyl he was more lyberale to powre folke than he was after whenne hys goodys were encresyd And therfore full sore hyt ys to drede howe streytely they shulde Èeue acoÌ„tys of her disâ—…nsacyon that haue resceyued benefytys ryches of the chyrche owre lord yhesus seyng thys wyse yn the gospel Cui plus commititur ab â—…o plus exigetur that ys to sey To home more ys coÌ„ mytid or be takyn of hym more shal be asuyd Now soth ly by cause whe haue here trewly wretyn yn wordes mony thynghes that we fownde saw yn placys of peynys let vs here ende owre narracion of hem And aftirward as god wyl geue vs grace we wyl asaye to telle and declare some thynghys that we saw of the conforte and gladnes of the blessyd sowlys the whyche restyd hem yoyfully yn the ful me ry and yocunde place of paradyse ¶ Also of paradyse and of the multitude of pepul that he sawe founde there ¶ Ca xlix nOwe of the solace and conforte of the blessed sowlys that byn scapyd her peynys anâ—… be at reste and of her euerlastyng ioys sum what y wille tel yow as y can and may For no man may sufficiently And whenne we were paste and goÌ„â—…e these thre placys of peynys as hyt ys aboue seyde had beholde the grete peynys and dyuers tormentys of synnarys we wente forthe farthir And as we wente farther there begunne to appere a lytyl a lytyl more and more a full feire lyghte vnto vs and with al brake oute a ful plesaunte swete fauyr And anone after we cam to a fylde the which was full of alle maner of feyre and plesaunte 〈◊〉 that gaue to vs an oncredyble inestymable conforte of ioye and plesure Sothely in thys fylde we sawe and founde infynyte thousandys of sowlys ful iocâ—…de and merye in a ful swete reste after her penauns and after her purgacyon Anâ—… hem that we founde firste in the begynuyng of that filde had apon hem white clothyng but hyt was not very bryght nethyr wele schynyng Notwithstondyng they had no spotte of blacknes or of any other oâ—…clennes on hem as hyt semyd saue thys as y seyd before they were not very brygâ—…t schynyng whyte Trewely amonge these many y knewe the whyche sum tyme y sawe and knewe ful wele whenne they leuyd in thys worldâ—… Of the whyche schortely sum what y wylle telle yow and of other y purpose to cesse ¶ Of a certen abbas the whyche he sawe and kne we there also ¶ Ca. l. hEre in thys place was a certen abbas that was of worschipful conuersacyon the why the y knewe whenne y was a chylde and sche dyed a xiiii yere agone Sothely sche had grete fer uour and zele to chastyte and to alle other honeste Also sche was wyse and warre and denowte in ke pyng her sisters to whome sche was commytted Thys abbas y sawe amonge them that were in the begyunyng of that ioyful place For sche was but as newe cum thedur fro her peynys and sche had â—…pon her clene clothyng but not verey whyte schynyng And sche semyd by her chere and dysposycyon as sche had be longe tyme sicke or dissesyde had cumme late fro bathys I passe by here to tel of summe lyghte thyngys for the whyche sche had sofryd ryghte scarpe peynys Sothelysche had not ouercumme in her leuyng the vyce and mocyon of vayne glorye amonge the merytys of vertu and commendacyon of flatryng and of other
wele acquentyd anon as y sawe hym deuoutely y grete hym and he grete me ageyne ful mekely tolde me many thyngys ¶ Of a certen yonge monke there of his ¶ Ca lii 〈◊〉 Othely thys worschipful fader and Prior schewyd to me ther also a certen adolescente a yonge man the whyche in hys chyldhode with gret feruent deuocyon entryd in to relygyon and was a monke in the same place and monasterye that thys worschypful fader aforeseyde was prior of there he lenyd a good whyle but no longe tyme. for he was prenent hastely and sone of dethe so blessyd ly he passyd out of this worlde Trewly y neuer saw hym in body Neûtheles often y haue harde the brethe ren of the same place tel of his pure innoceÌ„t leuiÌ„ g also of hys holy passing mony thingys Then seyd the forseyde prior to me of hym This ys my soÌ„ne he seyde of home often tymes thou haste herde he was my felowe when y leuyd in the worlde in holy leuiÌ„ g and denocyon he ys now also my felowe going to heuyn and schalle be an euyn heyre with me eterna ly in euerlasting ioye and blysse and the same yong monke also tolde opinly to hys brethirne before his dethe the howre of hys passyng And also heuynly melody was harde at hys passyng as many can telle that were ther in the monasterie the same tyme Treu ly the forseyde prior what for diuers negligencys of hys owne doyng and for othyr diuers fawtys of hys brethirne he had sofryd some lytyl peynys And the same yonge monke also as he had offen dyd yn ful smale and lytyl thyngys so he had fel te afore sum what of lytyl peynys not wythstondyng they were bothe equale yn wythnes and yn ioy Sothly the forseide prior as hyt semyd had a truste of a more greter rewarde for the more goode dedys and meritys of vertu the whyche he had by lengur leuyng deseruyd ¶ Also of a worschipful pryste ¶ Ca liij y Saw also yn thys same place a certen worschipful priste the whyche yn hes lyfe dydde mekyl good to the pepul by hys holy preching Treu ly he had grace of prechyng so ioynyd wich the zele of ryghtwesnes with good example of leuyng that he callid not only the pepul of hys owne paryshons fro wekyd leuyng dedly dedis but also he enformid tawghte inumerable pepul of other parishons ferre brode how they schulde seue her sennys fulfille owre lordis â—…mandmeÌ„tis how they schulde dayly encrese ê‘â—…et iÌ„ goode â—…tuê° leuyng so to 〈◊〉 to adew a â—…uement ende And sothly suÌ„me were so ferre fallyn yn to the deuyls bondys by her euyl wekyd leuyng whome he callyd ageyne by prayur and holy prechyng that visibly they myghte aftyrwarde vnderstonde and know how they had be takyn hem selfe to the deuyl and hys seruice the whiche he made of oure lordys infinite mercy by confession satisfaccion penanse doyng ryghte wele and par fet yn the feithe and yn good leuyng Neuertheles for what causys he had also sofryd before alytyl while diuers peynis y leue oute here by cause y haue seyde a fore many seche lyke thyngys And as we weÌ„te more ynward farthir yn to that ioyful place of paradyse we had euermore a clere lyghte and felte a swetur sauer and hem that we founde saw ther were more whyttur and gladder than were othyr that we saw before And wher to schulde y tarye here now to nowmbre tho persons and her merytys the whiche y saw ther. that y knew suÌ„me tyme before yn the worlde and hem also that y knew not before For al that were ther yn that place were orden de to be the cyâ—…sonnys of the hye and euerlastyng ie rusalem and al had paste the stryfe and batel of this worlde and were victurs of deuyls and so lyghtly they went thoro we al peynys as they were before les comyrd and holde by wrechyd leuyng and wordely vicys ¶ how owre lordys passion was representyde and shewed to the sowlys that were yn ê‘adise ¶ Ca â–ª liiij n owe sothely tho thyngys the whiche we sawe as we wente forthe farthir in to the same pla ce nethyr tonge may telle ne mannys mynde maye worthely consyder who ys he that may worthily tel in worde how in the myddys of tho blessyd and ho ly sowlys the holy crosse of crystys passyon was pre sented and schewed to hem of the whiche infyinte thousandys were there stondyng aboute hyt and as oure lorde had be present in hys body so they worschypâ—…e and halowed hys blessyd passyon Trewly there was seyne the meke redemer of maÌ„kynde oure swete lorde and sauyur ihesê° criste as he had be done fresche on the crosse For alle hys body was blake and blody of scurgys and betyng and cruelly dis figurde by fowle spyttyng crownyd with scarpe â—…hornys and smytte throw with grete naylys hys fyde was sore persyd with a spere fro his handys fete raÌ„ne out blode redde as purpul fro his holy syde cam downe blode water ful largely at this grete woÌ„dyrful spectacul stode his holy moder oure blessyd lady sent marye not now in â—…uynes and mornyng bat right gladsuÌ„ ioyng that was iÌ„ a ful feyre demenyng ther also stode with herre the swete dyscipiâ—… of criste seynt iohnÌ„e the blessyd euaÌ„geliste ho may now conceue in mynde how tâ—…o holy soulys raÌ„ne thedir on euery syde gladly lightly to see and beholde that blessyd sight O what deuocyon was there of heÌ„ that behilde that gloriê° vysyoÌ„ O what coÌ„curs was ther of worschiâ—…ing thanking our lorde ihesu criste how meruelê° was her ioyful gladnes Trew ly remembryng thesese thingys in my selfe y wote not whedir sorow or deuocyon or coÌ„passion or gratu lacyon drawyn nowe myne onhappy soule dyuers weyes For wondyr meruel of tho thingis makyn me alyenate fro my selfe sum what absent to my selfe who ys he that wolde not ful gretly sorow to see so feire so solemly a body to be caste vnder so grete iniuriis sore peynys who wolde not with al his harte haue â—…passion apon his mekenes so mouâ—…d vexyd with tormentys vpbraydys of seche we kyd folke what ioye ê¯forte may nowe here be thoughte that by his passion meke dethe helle ys foughtyn agenst the deuyl ys ou ercome bounde his power strenthe is destroyed man that was loste ys restoryd ageyne to grace takyn oute of the peynful prison of helle ioynyd blessydly to the holy angelys of heuyn ho wolde not meruel on the grete mercy goodnes of our sauyur cryste ihesu the whiche now beyng inmortalle wyl whytesaue that hys passyon and dethe the whyche he sofryd onys iÌ„ this worlde bodely for the redempcion of mankynde be re presentyd and schewde in a vysyon to the holy