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
after hys dethe to doo a lytyll thyng for hym and that sche wulde not do so moche for hym but excused her that for the on certente of vysyous sche dyfferde hyt leste that hyt sculd haue bene supposyd that sche hadde be dysceyued and begylde And thenne he answerde seyde Sende wythoutyn taryyng thedyr as y commaunde and telle and saye to hym howe of ten tymes for the same thyng y haue apperyd to the and alsoo seye apone these tokynys that the last tyme the whi che he sawe me y was in grete peyne And amonge othyr thyngys that he herde of me y told hym how mekyl the holy confessour seynt Nycholas hadde hol pe me Trewly he prayde me with grete instaunce that I schulde stere and alsoo moue bothe hys wyfe and hys sone and on hys behalfe comman de hem that the seruyce and worschyppe the whyche he was wonte to do in hys lyfe and they also by exam ple to sent Nycholas for no cause nethyr for any occasyon schulde be lefte but dayly more and more wyth amendement of her lyuyng dylygently schewe and do her deuocyons and seruys to hys patron aduocatour sent Nycholas Also this foreseyde maÌ„ and goldsmyth of whome y haue nowe told and spokyn as hyt ys seyde afore dyde aboute a xv monthys agone the whyche trewely by the merytys of the holy confessour sent Nycholas hys patrone yn a shorte tyme was spede oute of mekyl sorowe that onethe y myght see any that profette so mekyl there as he dede m so lytyl tyme. wherfore ful expedyente hyt ys to alle men whyle they leuyn in thys world deuoutely to serue the holy seyntys of god by the whyche they may haue m her grete nede the grace mercye of almyghty god as hyt ys schewyd and ê“uyd often tymes ¶ Of the thyrd place of the peynys and tormentys that ben in the purgatorye ¶ Ca xxiiij bUt nowe let vs schewe as we maye thoes thynges that remaynyn of the thyrde place the whyche we sawe and behylde For aboue alle thyng that may be conceyued of any maÌ„nys mynde hyt excedeth of cruelnes and dedly tormenting For veryly y knouleche as for the quaÌ„tyte of euyl that ys there no man may suffyse to expresse or telle the left peynys of that place The grete horrabulnes of that place so mekylle the seurer y myght see and beholde that y knewe hym to be wyth me and was also my gyde and leder at that same tyme the holy bysschoâ—… and confessour sente Nycholas whome y haue euer specyally worschipped and loued + Trewe ly the more famylyare that y hadde hym in worshyp the more surer was y made of hys felysschippe and companye to see and beholde the horrabulle peynys and tormentys the whiche nowe beyng absent caÌ„ not remembur withoute grete horrour and gastfulnesse of mynde but y was made of euery syde ful stabulle and sure for the felysshyppe and knowleche the whyche y hadde of my gyde and leder the holy confessour sent Nycholas Therfore leuyng the forseide secunde place that we were at as hit ys aboue rehersyd wecame to a ful gret fylde and as hyt semyd hyt was sette yn a lowe grownde sequestrate and departyd from al othir that no maner per sone myght dedyr come excepte tho that were there ponyschte or schuld be ponyschte Trewly the ouer ê‘t of that fylde was keneryde wyth a ful horrable clow de yn the whyche was myxte and medylde to gedir a fume of brymstone wyth amyste a gret steÌ„che and a flame black as pycche was medylde wyth hem the whyche brake owte on euery syde lyke hyllys so spredyd all abrode And the playnnes of that place was so repleiyd and fulfylde withe wor mys as flowrys be wonte to be strawyn with russhys And they were aboue alle estymacyon horrabulle wundyrfull and vnshappely the whyche wyth a gastfull opyn mouth brethyd oute cursyd fyre at her nosys And with an onspekable denowryng al to tore the wrechyd companyse of folke that ther were the whyche ryght nowe so wastyd and consumydde deuylys ranne ouer all lyke as madde men and were also full cruell and wodde apone tho wrechys Trewely thanne the deuylys ponyshte hem wyth fyry instrumentys synglerly by euery meÌ„ bre of her bodye and thanne afterward they rasyd and al to teryd their fleshe vtwardly vnto the bonys and thenne after thys whenne they hadde so done they caste them into the fyre and there they were made lyquyd as hyt were metalle and also toke hem oute ageyne as brennyng fyre Lytyl yt ys y take god to recorde and as no thyng what somme euer y be aboute to telle of the peynys and tormentys of that place For in a ful schorte space of tyme by alle maner dyuersytees of an hondyrdfolde peynys and tormentys or more y behylde and sawe howe theywere consumed and wasted to noughte and thenne anone restoryd ageyne And ageyne almoste they were with peynys broughte to nought and a none made hole ageyne the whiche in that same place the loste lyfe of hem was compellyd to sofre And of these alteracyons of tymes in the whyche by grete peynys and tormentys they were brought to nought anone restoryd ageyne ther was non ende no marke ne terme Also the hete and bren nyng of that fyre was so feruent and deuouring that what sum euer hyt brent hyt wulde be lyke as a thyng that ware al moste consumyd or wastyd And thenne the wormâ—…s that were there warded brokyn and made smalle vnto pecys and then they were gedyrd on grete hepys to gedyr and leyde vn ther the vnhappy synful wrechys that were there wherfore they so fulfylled alle thyng with so grete stenche that hyt excedyd alle the tormentys peynis before seyd And Èet remayneth one thyng the wy che they that were in that place were compellyd to sofre the whiche ys more hatfull peynful and scha meful than any thyng aboue seyde ¶ Of the vnclene and foule vyce and synne of sodemytys ¶ Ca xxv sOthely alle thoo that were there ponyssht peynde were in thys worlde whyle they leuyd doers of that foule synne the whiche oughte not be namyd not only of a crystyn man but also of none hethyn man Certen grete monstrus that ys to seye grete bestys onnaturally schapyne schewyd hem selfe in a fyrye lykenesse horrabulle and gastfulle to sight and oftyn tymes vyolently came a pone hem and also in a fowle damnable abusion compellyd hem to medylle with hem howe be hyt that they refusyd and wulde hyt not I abhorre and ame asschamed to speke of the fowlnesse and vnclenes of that same synne Thanne betwene her peynfull cursyd clepynges they roryd and Èellyd and cry ed owte and afterward they fylle done to gedyr lyke as yf they hadde ben gonne and ded and anone takyn vppe ageyne and so forth putte vnto newe peynys Trewely y remembryd not wele at that same tyme the seyyng of the holy
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
of god that any man leuyng in thys lyfe kepyth or rekeuerythe fully the equyte and puryte of the holy gospelle the whyche tyle a man fulfylle he may not dwelle in heuynly placys nethyr schalle reste in the mownte and hille of paradyse of ioye blysse wherfore what sum euer thynge of synne and vnclenesse contrarye to equite and ryghtwysnes cleuyth and restyth on the sowlys that passyn hens out of this world hit shal be purged in a nothir world so by her penauns the weye and pathe of a ioyful restyng shal be schewyd to hem that be purged and clensyd and so thenne in placys of reste the entriÌ„g of heuyn euÌ„lasting blisse ful largely shal be opynd to tho soulys for the ê‘fette desyre that they shal haue ther to se god Sothly this only must be takyn of tho synÌ„ys whiche by her light qÌ„lite or els by ê¯fessyon satisfaccion don for hem be graÌ„ted of god to be chaÌ„ gyd contyd amoÌ„g venyal synÌ„ys For as touching tho synÌ„ys that be dedly were not iÌ„ this worlde by the remedy of ê¯fession penaÌ„s made light venial hyt ys withoutyn doute that he shal so be pÌ„sentyd to his in gemeÌ„t in the world that is to cuÌ„ as he is fonde in hys leuyng when he passyth oute of this worlde ¶ what peynys relygyous men sofryd for certen fawtes ¶ Ca xxxi â—…Othely y sawe alle relygyous folke bothe of men and wemen howe they sofryd certeyne peynys as wele for lytyl offenses as for grete synÌ„ys and as hit were ê“pyr peynes for synguler synnys And full sore as hit semyd to me were the leste peynys that they sofryd for ryght lytyl offenses as for inmoderate lawghyng and ydyl wordys spekyng and that they sofryd her mynde neglygently ouyr mekyl to wandyr aboute in vayne thoughtys or els for lyght brekyng the rulys and fourme of her relygyon as in lyghte and nyce behauing of ge stur and in multyplyyng sygnys to mekyl and so for goyng and wandryng out of her cloyster and cellys on ê“fetabully and also for many other thyngys in lyke wyse For some y sawe ful myserabully wepyng rowlling hoote brennyng colys in theire mouthys for eting frutys herbys out of dewe pla cys and tyme not for any medsyn or nede but for luste appetyte And for imoderate lawghing they had betingys For ydyl speche strokys in her face for vayne thoughtys they sofryd greuys and vary ante trowbulnes of the eyre And they that offen dyth in dissolucyon of gestur behauyng were bon de with scharpe bondys and many with fyry boundys and for suê‘fluyte of signys by the whiche they hadde to gedyr lewde pleys ydyl gamys sum of hem had her flyngers fayne and some had hem by knâ—…ckyng sore broysyd They also that were oâ—…sta bule wandryng here and there were greuysly caste and throwe fro one place to anothir by the whiche her lymmys were sore hurte amonge hem selfe Also they that spake wordis of reboudye the whiche soun ned onclenesse or other wise agenst the honeste of relygyon were ponyssâ—…te there almoste as sore as for dedly synnys Alsoo wâ—…o sum euer brake any â—…owys made to god or to hys seyntys specyally in ty me of drede and perylle for her helpe and delyueraÌ„s And afterward suerte takyn of the same vowe sofryd inestymable tormentys ¶ Of a certen knyght that brake a vowe ¶ xxxii aMonge hem that brake her vowys y sawe a yong knyght brennyng in the myddys of fyre whome y knewe sumtyme ful wele And as y enquyred of him why he was putte in so grete peynes thys he tolde me My lyfe he seyd that y leuyd was but baren and vayne and also vycyous For y was insolent and nyse in pryde and elacyon and foule and vnclene by the vyce of lecherye not withstonding for thys y am nowe specyally ponysht by cause y caste aweye fro me the sygne of the holy crosse the whyche y hadde takyn apone me in a vowe that y made to goo to the holy lond howe be yt that y toke the crosse not for deuocyâ—…n but for vayne glo rye the whiche y loued to haue hadde of the lorde that y seruyd Trewely euery nyght y labur in going as mekyl as y maye to make an ende of that pilgre mage But what for febulnes of strenthe and coÌ„ traryusnes of the wedyr and also scharpnes of the waye y am lettyd gretly that onethe y may goo at on tyme a full lytyl dayes iourney Sothely whenne the mornyng begynnyth fâ—…eyn to me wykyd spirytys beyng wodde yn al cruelnes and drawyn me a geyne to the place of my peynys where euer more al the days tyme y am gretly peynde yn fyre Neuertheles wyth a certen amendement of lessur dyssese thawght hyt be lytâ—…l And ageyne when nyghte comythe y. am restoryd to the place where y lefte laste my iourney and so y go forthe on my pylgri mage and when the mornyng ys cuÌ„me y am drawyn ageyne and caste to peynys And al that ha ue vowyd to go to the holy londe and aftyr dâ—…d caste fro hem her crosse and whent not dedyr yn lyke wyse as y go they be compellyd todo her pylgrymage so yf they may haue the grace of god yn her laste ende to repente hem as y had to repente me for brekyng of my vowe than by the holsâ—…â—…me dy of ê¯fession thys synne that was dedly synne may be changyd to a venyal synne Other wyse al that breke that same vowe be put to eternalle dampna cion ¶ Also of another knyhâ—…t ¶ Ca xxxiii aNother knyght also the whiche welle dyde paste to god a x Èere a gon y sawe and knew there This â—…yght that tyme the whyche y sawe â—…ynr had ouercome alle his grete peynys that he had sofryd before And therfore y sey he dyd wele For by that space of penans he wente wele toward the ioys of paradyse Sothely he bare there on hys fyste a lytyâ—… byrdde lyke a sparhauke Also in hys lyfe aboue alle men that were of that countrey the whâ—…che he dwellyd in gaue gladly lyberally to all pore pepul that came to hym hospytalyte Trewely his wyfe dide afore him almoste a xxx wyntyr after hoys dethe he leuyd continent chaste + in a wydwardys lyfe redy and benyuolente to alle men whi lys he leuyd And gretely merueylde why he that was so honeste of leuyng and wele condycyonde in hys demening had not Èette perceiuyd fully reste ioye Than he seyde to me that hit was not too be mer ueylyde For why whenne he leuyd he mighte ofte offende in many wysys specialy by cause that iÌ„ hys youthe and childhode he was norishte broughte â—…pe delycately and what for felishyâ—…pe and hys yowthe was drawyn to many noysful thyngys of the whiche he kowde not fully be purgyd and made clene in worldly conuersacyon where he muste conforme hym to the maners and
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
¶ The prologe of this reuelacion The reuelacion that foloweth here in this boke tretyth how a certeyn deuowt person the wiche was a monke in the abbey of Euishamme was rapte in spirite by the wille of god and ladde by the haÌ„d of seint Nycholas the space of ii days and ii nyghtes to see and knowe the peynys of purgatorye and the iowys of paradyse and in what state the sowlis ware that ware in purgatorye and also in paradyse Sothly in bothe this placis he sawe knewe many persons bothe men women the whiche he knewe welle before when they lyuyd in thys world and spake with hem there mowthe to mowth in bothe the placys as he founde hem as hit folowth we le aftir in this boke This reuelacion was not shewed to hym only for hym butte also for the confort and ê“fetyng of all cristyn pepulle that none man shuld dowte or mystruste of anothir life and world the whiche euery man and woman moste go to lyke as they deserue here in this world by here lyuyng so there to be rewardyd And as for the trowthe of this reuelacyon no man nother woman ought to dowte in any wise For and a man we le rede and vndirstonde the begynnyng with the ending he shalle so largely see hit approuyd in grete myraclis by almyghty god shewyd vnto the same person that same tyme that alle resons and mocyons of infydelite the whiche risith ofteÌ„ tymes of maÌ„nis sensualite shalle vtwardly be excludyd and quenchid gretely shalle cause alle crysten pepulle that herith hit to drede god and loue hym and also to preyse hym in hys werkys For seche anothir reuela cion and so opyn y nowe was neuer shewid in this lond ne in no nothir that we rede of ¶ Here endyth this prologge ¶ Here begynne the chapitres of this reuelacyon ¶ Howe this monke fyl in to a sore and greuys sekenes and gaue hym to confession and prayur and compunccion of teeris Chapitur I ¶ Howe he laye also ê“strate in the chaptur howse as thaugh he had ben dedde iâ—… ¶ Howe the fegure of oure lordys crosse that he worshipte was fonde blody iii ¶ How he was coÌ„me ageyne to him selfe iiii ¶ Howe he sought aftyr hys staffe his shewys how deuoutly he worshipte the crosse v ¶ Howe he told to a brother that he louyd wele a part of seche thynges aâ—… he had seyne vi ¶ Howe he was desired of his bretheren to ete suÌ„ what aftyr so longe afaste vii ¶ Howe he told to ii of his confessours a part of thoes thinges that he had seyne viii ¶ what was his peticion specially and howe a cer teyn person aâ—…eryth to hym ix ¶ Howe he was wantyd in his slepe to worshiâ—…e the crosse of 〈◊〉 lorâ—… 〈◊〉 ¶ How the saâ—… 〈◊〉 bledd don to hym at thâ—… right syde and at the right foote and of thâ—… ii lyghtys xi ¶ Howe he came into the chaptur howse and â—…ke dyscyplynys and â—…we he was rapte xii ¶ Howe he felte hym selfe here rapte first xiii ¶ How he folowd hys leder sent Nicholas wâ—…n he was rapte xâ—…ii ¶ Howe sent Nycholas brought hym to the fyrste place of purgatorye â—…v ¶ Of the grete diuersite of peynys that he sawe xvi ¶ Of the secunde place of peynys iÌ„ purgatâ—…e xâ—…i ¶ Howe sent Margaret â—…lyuerde a sowle of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fulle woman froÌ„ the deuyllys xâ—…i ¶ Of a golâ—…ith that was saâ—… yd by seâ—…t 〈◊〉 las 〈◊〉 ¶ Howe this monke knewe theâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ent ny cholas was his leâ—…r xx ¶ Howe the same goldsmith told the monke in pur gatorie how he dyde sodenly was sauyd xxi ¶ Howe the goldsmith told the monke a remeâ—… agenste soden deth xxii ¶ Howe the sone of this goldsmith told the monke aftyr he was comme to hym selfe ageyne that his fadir had apperid iii to his modyr aftyr hys deth xxâ—…i ¶ Of the thirde place of peynys iÌ„ purgatorie xxiâ—…i ¶ Of the fowle vyce synne of 〈◊〉 xxâ—… ¶ Of a doctour a lawe that was a 〈◊〉 xxâ—…i ¶ Of thoes persons that this monke sawe spake within the first place of peynys and first with a prior xxvii ¶ Of an ancres that he sawe knewe in the same place xxviii ¶ Of a certen bisshoppe there also xxix ¶ Of a certen woman a pore maÌ„nys wyf xxx ¶ Of relygyous men what peynys they sofryd for dyuers certen fawtys xxxi ¶ Of a certen knight that brake a vowe xxxii ¶ Of a nothir knight xxxiii ¶ Of thoes persons that he sawe in the â—…i placys of peynys xxxiiij ¶ Of thre bysshoppis that were there xxxv ¶ Of an archbisshoppe of canturbery xxxvi ¶ A certen descripcion that the monke made of dyuers kyndys of synful peple of her peynys xxxvii ¶ Of poysynners that he sawe xxxviii ¶ Of vserers also xxxix ¶ Of fugytyuys of relygyon xl ¶ Of a certen kyng of Englonde xli ¶ Of a bsshoppe that was in peynys of purgatorye and Èette god shewed for hym myracles in thys world xlii ¶ Of a certen abbot xliii ¶ Of an abbasse also xliiii ¶ Of two nonnys that were lepâ—… xlv ¶ Of a knight that offendyd in symoâ—…ye xlvi ¶ Of a monke a sextêne xlvii ¶ Of a clerke that leuyd boly lyâ—… xlviii ¶ Of paradyse of the multitude of pepulle that he fownde there xlix ¶ Howe he sawe a certen abboth there l ¶ Of a certen Priour that lyuyd deuoutely and dyde holylye li ¶ Of a certen yong monke of hys lii ¶ Of a certen worshipful priste liii ¶ Howe owâ—…e lordys passion was representyd amonge the holy sowlys that ware in paradyse liiii ¶ Of the entryng at the gate of paradyse and of the ioy that apperyd wythinforthe lv ¶ Howe this monke came agayne throwe the gate of paradyse lvi ¶ Of the swete melodye of bellys that he herd iÌ„ pa radyse how he came to him selfe ageyne lvii ¶ Approfe how this reuelacyon is of god moste nedys be trewe for the grete myraclys that god she wyd on hym that same tyme lviii ¶ Expliciunt capitula ¶ Here begynnyth a meruaâ—…lous reuelacion that was shewyd of almyghty god by sent Nycholas to a monke of Eâ—…yshamme in the days of kynge Rychard the fyrst And the yere of our lord M Câ—… Lxxxxvi ¶ Ca primum Na Monasterye called Euyssham there was a cer ten yong man turnyd wyth feythfull deuocyon fro thys worldys vanyte to the lyfe of a Monke the whiche abowte the begynnyng of hys conuersion fyâ—…e in to a grete and a greâ—…ys sekenes and by the space of xv monthis was sore labouryd with grete febulnes and wekenes of body Also hys stoma ke abhortyde so gretly mete drynke that sum tyme by the space of ix days or more he myght resceyâ—…e noothyng but a lytyll wanne watyr And what sum eâ—…yr thyng of leche crafte or fesyke any maÌ„ne dedde â—…o
hym for hys conforte or hys amendyment noo thyng hym helpyd but al turnyd contrarye Therfore he lay â–ª seke in hys bedde gretly destitute of bodely strenght so that he myght not moue hym selfe fro one place to anothyr butte by helpe of seruauntes Alsoo in thre the laste monethys of hys sekenesse he was more sorer diseasyd and feblyd thanne euer he was before Neuerthelesse than com myng on the feste of estur sodenly he beganne sum what to amende in hys bodely myghtys with his staffe walkyd aboute the fermorye Sothly on thes euyn of sherethursoaye in the whiche nyght the office and â—…ernyce of our lorde thesu criste ys tradycyon passyon was solenly songe wyth grete deuocyon 〈◊〉 wente with his staffe to the chirche with his brethereÌ„ the whiche by cause of seknesse rested hâ—…m also with hym in the fermorye where the couent nyghâ—…y seruyce and landes offerd vppe to owre lord And there by the respecte of heuynly grace so grete compunccion and swetenesse he resceyued that hys holy deno cyon excedyd mesure wherefore he myght not con teyne hym fro wepyng and laudyng god fro myd nyghte tyl sex of the belle in the mornyng what for remembryng wyth worshippe and ioye the merceis of owre lord the whiche he hath doon for mankin de And alsoo remembryng wyth sore wepyng his offencys and synnys doon by fore tyme. and the hurte and the state of hys present imperfeccyon And abowte sex of the belle in the mornyng he made to be called to hym ii of hys bretheren one aftyr anothyr whyche hadd power to here confessyons and gyue to penytentys absolucyon and to them bothe made purely and holly as mekyll as he cowde his ê¯fession of al his sennys and of the leest offeÌ„ce of his religyon or of the coÌ„mawndementis of god and wyth grete ê¯tricioÌ„ of herte and effusion of â—…eris desired his absolucion and had hiâ—… Than on of hem askid hym why he sorowde and wepte so iÌ„mode rately for al thei had wente that he shulde fele hym selfe sone to passe owte of thys worlde Than he seide he felte hym selfe no thing so Sothly thaÌ„ he toolde to his brother that diligently enquyryde this of hym and seide Sir Èe â–ª shal vndirstonde and know that thys laste night whenne we were togedyr in chaptur howse y resceyuyd so grete swrtenesse of herte and gladnesse of sowle that onnethis y myghte hoolde or bere my selfe He askyd also and hyt we re by the relygion that the prioâ—…rs shuld gene that nyght to the bretheren dyscyplynys in hooly vesture and aâ—…bys And whenne he herd hym enquyre this he hadde wente that he had seyd hyt of grete febulnesse of his hedde or by alyenacion of hys mynde the whiche perauenture he hadde falle in by his infirmyte and inmoderâ—…e weping or fastyng howe be hit that he with hym â—… ad meruailoê° wisdaÌ„ and discrecion al the tyme of hys sekenesse wherfore he coÌ„ mendyd hym to our lord no thing els en quyring of hym so went his weye The seke brother spendyd al that daye in landyng and presyng god And the next night folowing after he hadâ—…e slepte a lityll while rose vp of his bed And when the chaptur was roÌ„ge as the tyme requyred to calle the conent to mateâ—…s he went than to cherche as he did the daye before Sothely how he behauyd hym thenÌ„e in the chirche and whan he went thens hit shalle be schewyd in his wordys foloyng ¶ Howe he laye ê“strate al his body in the chaptur howâ—… as he had be dedde Ca ii oN the morow nexte foloyng that ys good fredaye whenne the coâ—…ent rose to cum to chirche to seye prime as they ede afore the chaptur hous they sawe the same seke brother lye pâ—…o strate bare foote before the abbot is sete hâ—…is face was flate to the ground as thaugh he shuld by the ordyr aske mercy of euery presydent Than the bre theren seyng this meruelyd raÌ„ne thedir willing to take hym vp they founde hym as a man lyfeles without any mocyon of any membre of his body Trewly his yes ware falle doun depe into his hâ—… ed tho yes nose of him ware blody or as a manne had oâ—…yr leyde hem with mekyl bloode wherfore they seyde alle that he was dede His feete ware ful coolde but in the remuande of his body was found a lytyl warmenes No mouing of his pypys might be knowen long tyme And aâ—… the last onnethis bit was perseyuyd in him a litill thynne breth amonyng of his herte Thenne they weshid his hâ—…edde breste handys and feete with colde watyr And than first they sawe al hys body a lityl to tremyl quake but aâ—…oon he sesyd and was insensybulle So long tyme they musyd and dowtyd what they might do to hym whyle they sawe hym not verily dedde nothyr any thing amendyng At the last by conselle they had him to his bedde there to be kepte with grete attendans of kepers ¶ Of the blody figure of the crosse ¶ Ca iii tHe mene whyle the brehetren merueled wondred on suche a soden happe beyng of the seke brother more they woÌ„ drid howe hyt 〈◊〉 and in what wise without any helpe he â—…yght come thedir to that place whâ—…the 〈◊〉 was Sothely othir thynges that nowe foloâ—… the whicâ—… 〈◊〉 telle of wyth oâ—…e any compâ—…rsone ben more to be dred feiyâ—… and worshipte than any thing aboue seyd They hâ—…e 〈◊〉 aftyr and that not wyth owte grete meâ—…elle that the feguâ—…e of owre lordys body 〈◊〉 on a crosse whiche fygure and crosse Èerely is wonce ful deuowtly to be kyssydâ—… and worsâ—…ipte of the coâ—…ent in remembraÌ„â—…e of oâ—…e lordys passyon was founde fresh â—…ledyng and newe abowte the place of the gâ—…ete wounde in the right syde and alsoo at the right foote Trewly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the seâ—…tensse of the châ—…che 〈◊〉 let doâ—…e the same croâ—…e to the grownd 〈◊〉 so â—…yl good fâ—… daye they â—…de lefte hyt 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—… d the â—…alle And for a morâ—… wondyâ—… the staffe and shewâ—… of thâ—… same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ware fondyn by the sa me plaâ—… Soâ—… 〈◊〉 aâ—… the bretheren came to ge dyr into the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gretly aâ—…onyd â—…pon these thynges that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 takyn alle that were tâ—…e with grete â—…cion of herte â—…ke discyply â—…ys of â—…oddys 〈◊〉 â—…ate in the chirâ—… seyden wepyngly the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 for to ge te owre lordys mereâ—…e Trewely this 〈◊〉 brother atte the daye whiche was gode friday with the night folowiÌ„g and the nexte day aftyr alle moste tyl the sonne sette 〈◊〉 in one state Alsoo the 〈◊〉 with â—…trength of handys opynde hys mowth and 〈◊〉 in hyt â—…stys of dyuers spyâ—…ys and 〈◊〉 or hys releuyng but anone after he wente owte ageyne what somme euer was putte in to hys mowthe as thaugh hys throte hadde ben stopped Emplasters alsoo to his breste and armys they â—…on de but
alle was vayne They prickyd with neldys and scrapyd the solys of hys fete but no thyng myght be perceyuyd in hym of a lyuys manne saue a lityll rednes of chekys and a litil warmenes of body The colowre of hys face oftyn tymes was chaunged to ashis and ageyne meruaylously the colowre of hys face was 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
her what man heryng euer wolde beleue to any creature tellyng how tho wekyd spyrytys and tyrandys of the deuylle castyd that soule amonge hem as a tenyse balle wyth fyrye instrumentys now fro on to another But hoo may in any wyse telle or schewe to any man beleuyng howe her mawe and inwarde bowellys were smytte thorowe wyth the fyrye dartys of tho cruell tormentours And as god ys my wytnes y behylde and sawe her sofyrre so grete and horrabulle peynys and tormeÌ„tys verely as they leyde hem on her cruelly Nowther these thyngys ware vnto my syghte as naturaly a man seyth with bodely yes that ys to saye the vtwarde peynys that a man so fryth yn bodye but also what they felte ynwardly good or euylle and with what heuynesse or wyth what gladnes they were smytte wythinforthe in her sowllys alle was to me that tyme playne and opyn So therfore thys vnhappy sowle what for the presente sorowe or dolour that sche sofryd and hadde and the fere of euerlastyng dampuacyon was in grete anguys and sorowe of peynys and tormentys For there was no hope that confortyd her to scape desolate and destytute of alle helpe and socoure O byttyrnesse of alle bytternesse mooste byttyrste whome no truste or helpe releuyth or helpyth and des peracyon of the ende encresythe The daye before she lefte her mortalle body in the whyche sche leuyd strom petly and vycyusle and nowe sche ys â—… euerd wyth the vesture of schame and vellonye And wyth yn sche ys byttyn wyth the conscyens of schameful de dys done wyckydlye and wythoutforth sche ys mo nyd wyth mockyng and scornyng of deuelys henely Sothely sche felte thanne in her fulfylled the wordys of the holy man Ibo seying thys wyse of suche persons Ducunt in boâ—…s dies â—…os in punc to ad inferna descendunt That 〈◊〉 to seye they lede her days in goodys after their plesure in the â—…yn â—…eling of an ye they falle done to helle Therfore whâ—… le thys onhappy sowle by the vyctoryse pompys of her enmyes was goyng to be broughte into helle for the synne and onleful lustys of her body Loe sondenly anon came done an hye fro heuyn a gret lyght by the whyche bryghtnes and bemys the forseyde wykyd spiritys and minystrys of the deuyl ware dullyd and made onmyghty and fyl done to the gronde wyth the sowle that they had Sothly than yn the same lyght came done a multitude of virgenys schynyng yn clothys whyte as the snow and sette abowte wyth golde and precius stonys the grace and ioy that was yn the beholdyng of her facys and there y make no mension of for hyt was so gret and ynestymable that y can not remembre my selfe that saw hyt how y myght wordly speke of hyt Amonge the whyche on that was mooste feyryste we le y knew and seche was the blessyd vir gynne and martir sent margaret And anon as the forseid sowle saw her the whiche was more thralâ—… for her synnys than of the deuyllys beganne myse rably to crye and seyde O blessyd and precâ—… spow se of cryste haue mercy on me and helpe me that for myn nowne propyr synnys am yn desperacyon and ryghtfully put to peynys and tormente I knowlege and verely knowlege that yn al my lyfe y dyspysyd the coÌ„mawndementys of god and gaue my body to al onciene lenyng And nothyr god ne any of hys sentys of men or wemen that y louyd affectualy or dyd any worshippe to hem yn dede The only of the nowmbre of the holy sentis yn heuin euer more hertely y haue louyd euery saturday of myn own goodys afore thine anter y offerde vppe caÌ„delys And the custome of my fowle leuyng now late be yng hoolle of my mynde and body for thy loue and worshippe vtwardly y lefte I beleuyd also that by the remedy of ê¯fession al my synnys hade beweshte awey But alas for sorowe my confession was not sufficient to weshte and do awey so gret and so mony fowle synnys and olde by cause y lackyd befo re the feruor of contricion and dyd not for my syn nys euyuworthy penans Therfor my synnys cleuyn fast to me not Èet forgeuyn the whiche y slowthyd too wype awey by goo werkys Loe ther fo re my lady and my swetnes and coÌ„forte schalle my Èyftys of deuocyons peryshe the whyche y haue done feytfully to the and schalle y thys peryshe nowe also not only to my selfe but also to the to whome only y haue studyd besely and thowght not for to peryshe aud now y peryshe to my selfe and to al thyngys These thyngys and many othyr yn thys wyse sche seyde wyth sore and byttur wepyng and crying more thau a man may beleue For y take god to recorde and to my wytnes that y saw the terys breke owte of her yes as they hade be hayle stonys And thys whyle sche sorowde the glori virgyn and martyr sent magaret turnyd her to her felows virgyns that were there wyth her and seyde O sche seyde ye moste swete systers ye see now the perelle of thys wo man sum tyme my seruant and ye knew aâ—…o the yn portune malice of the deuyls the whyche pretendyn by mony weys of reson to haue her to hem And therfore let vs now do that thyng the whiche only ys lefte of remedy and helpe for her Pray we now to the euerlastyng iuge and meke redemer that he the whyche al thing may doo wille wythsaue as he kno wyth beste of hys goodnes and at owre desyre suÌ„ what to helpe thys wrechyd sowle sum tyme redemyd by hys preciâ—… blode fro the cruelle power and venuÌ„mys tethe of these wekyd spiritys And whan thys blessyd virgyn and martyr sent margaret had seide these wordys anone whytowtyn any taryng al thoo virgyns bowde downe to the grownd on herkneys and lyftyd vppe her handys prayng for that synful woman to her ynmortalle spowse owre bles syd lorde and sauyur â—…hesu cryst And anon as they had of god ther peticion grantyd they rose vppe to gedyr fro preyer Than anone thys blessyd virgen seynt margaret wyth stabylle contynawnse of face and sowle gastfulle and thretyng the wekyd spiritys came nere and made of her sleue a maner of a schorge lyfte hyt vppe as sche wolde haue smitte heÌ„ Then they anon as hyt had be flyes yn a whyrle wynde fleyd away hethur thedur leuyng alone her bownde sowle sodenly that yn the farthir syde apperyd a dyke ful of boylyng watyr vppe to the brymmys Therfore yn thys dyke y sawe her put yn And then seyde to her that blessyd mercyfulle helper sent margaret Here now thow muste fulfylle they penan se the whiche thow schuldyst haue done before yn they lyfe by my prayur thow schalt haue mekylle helpe releuyng of thy peynys aftyrwarde when thy synnys be fully purgyd clensyd by me thow schalt be admytted to reserue euÌ„lastyng ioye blisse
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
behauyng of hem that he dwellyd amonge Sothely he complaynde that the hauke the whiche he bare on hys fyste paynful ly â—…are his hande with her â—…ylle scharpe cleys This â—…edeusnes of peyne he sofryd as he seyde by cawse that in hankyng the whiche he vsyd alle the tyme of hys lyfe gretely delytyd to see the hankys whenne they flowe howe they toke other byrddys The whi che haukyng he lefte not in hys aage + nethyr there of had any compunccyon For he knewe not that seche a thing were any synne Many other thingis also y sawe and behylde in this firste place of purga torye e. as we le aboâ—…te hem that y knewe as aboute other bothe of men women of alle degreys ê“fessyons of the whiche eueryche on of hem were po nyshte in peynys innumerable ful scharpe and byt terly as y haue schortely aboue seyde vnder a certen generalyte wherfore these fewe thingys seyde now of many thingys be suffycyaunt here at this tyme ¶ Of tho persons that he sawe in the secund place of purgatorye ¶ Ca xxxiiij nOwe of tho thingys the whiche y sawe and notyd in the second place of purgatorye suÌ„ what y wylle schewe declare to yow Sothely iÌ„ this secund place y sawe and knewe many mo that we re sum tyme of myne aquentanse than y dyd in a ny other place sore wepyng and sorowyng iÌ„ her pey nys her synnys by the whiche they had brokyn owre lordys â—…maundmentys wherfore they were alyenate made ferre fro his famylyare knowlege ¶ Of. iii. bysshoâ—…pys that y fonde there ¶ Ca xxxv tHre bysshoâ—…pys that y knewe wele sum tyme I sawe thâ—…re straytely bownde wyth fyrye thaynyâ—… oftyn tymes turnyng and walowyng ful myserabully now yn gret fyre and now yn scharpe stormys of hayle and snow and whyrle wyndys and aftyrward yn a fowle stynkyng ponde of blacke watyr Trewly they were ponysht dyuersly not fer from othyr And on of hem was more byttly torment than tothyr were and that was by cause he vsyd yn hys lyfe to sytte amonge secler ingys yn place and tyme of pledyng and ther yn he toke a grete plesure and delyte and of tyn tymes he was to many that pledyd her causis of god coÌ„sciens a vyolent oppressuâ—… agenst ryghte wesenes and therfore he compleynyd whyt an o pyn mowthe that hys tonge contynually brende yn flamys of fyre And as he was now breÌ„nyng yn fyre and now wete And styftely froryn yn snow and froste now yn a stynkyng ponde and now fowle ouerkeuryde yn fenne and plutte hys tonge euermore conteynuyd yn brennyng fyre The tothyr of hem othyr whyles neglygently brake hys chastyte the whyche deâ—…e specialy yn a byshoppe was ouerfowle and abhomynable and therfore was he drownde oftyn tymes yn the fowle and stynking ponde that lythe betwene the gret hete and colde as hyt ys seyde be fore Sothly a fore hys dethe he lefte the honowre and dignyte of hys byshoprye and toke apon hym the meke habette of a monke the whyche gretly helpyd hym amonge othyr dedys of satysfaccion And al that so done grete good ê“fette ther of cuÌ„myth to hem For al they specialy be holpyn by the meritys prayers of the holy seyn t ys the whiche vsid afore the same habette also ben knowyn markid to rise vppe ageyne in the ordyr of hem the whiche when they leuyd here vtward ly lefte this worlde or els at her laste ende in ful deuocyon forsoke this world The thirde of these bysho pys gretly delyted iÌ„ worldly worschippe vayne glo rye For the whiche synne he was ofte tymys bore vp an hye in fuâ—…hye spyrytys of flamys of fyre by cause he fille fro the loue of god by seche synne vnto the coolde of worldly slowfulnes he was lette done brenning to the grenys coolde that was on the todyr syde of the fyre be cause of the comyn euyl peynys that thes thre ware in was for the neglygens of soulys the whiche they had cure of for the gret carke that they had of her riches despexion of pore pepul for flatering of princys imoderate carke of her kynÌ„efolke as y may shortly â—…clude many thi gys in fewe wordys euÌ„ych on of hem sought safter tho thingys that was to him selfe not tho thiÌ„gys that longyth to our lorde thesu criste And the genÌ„al euyll of these many other pÌ„latys that y sawe was the negligeÌ„s of hâ—…r office delectacion of worldly wor schippe dyssymulacyon of her charge iÌ„ alle these thingys ful heuely they sorowyd by cause they mysu syd her powre that they had vndyr god to the grete hurte of hem selfe to the ê‘dicion of her sogettys therfore the peynys of al seche prelatys were dayly encresyd more more as y haue tolde before of a cer ten prior that what suÌ„ euÌ„ her frendys that leuyd in the worlde dyd for heÌ„ as in messys almysdede seche other thingis by the whiche her peynys shold be lessyd dayly her greuys peynys were encresyd for the synful leuyng of hem the whiche they dedly fauerd and brought vp iÌ„ her vicys orels be cause they dyd not correcte hem in dewe forme as yt longeth to her offy ce wherfore al they that for seche causys sofrid peynys gretly douted of her saluacioÌ„ were almoste iÌ„ despacion Sothly ther is no thing so greuys to he that be in peynys as the oncertente of her pelyuerans also ther ys no thiÌ„g that so mekyl swagyth the peynys sorowys of other as dothe a very hope feythefull truste the wyiche they knewâ— haue by oure lordys mercye to be delyueryd they that were certeyn to haue an ende of her peynys were not bonde to the certente of dampnacioÌ„ that same certente was to hem a ful grete solace ê¯forte For as touching the euyl hurte of desê‘acion as mekyl as y can consider re membre me after tho thingys that y sawe there hyt greuyth disesyth tormentyth tho soulys that haue hit more than al other peynys done ¶ Of an archebysshoppe of canturbery ¶ Ca xxxvi y sawe also besyde these aboue seyde a certen ê‘soÌ„ that sumtyme was of grete name fame the whiche after the meke conuÌ„sacion of moÌ„kys relygy on that he leuyd in before in the whiche he had leuid ful deuoutely as in bodely penauns in holy medytaci on s many other vertues right excellently at the last he was ê“motyd made archebishope of canturbery primate of inglonde But alas for sorow for trewly the more therby he grewe in the sight of the pe pul so mekyl he had fal decresyd iÌ„ the sight of god the whiche behilde him inwardly the sander had en did his life Èef he had not be holpe by the mercy of god the merytys of his good leuyng afore by the whiche when he was in relygyon a monke
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
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