heuynes that she fyll in to suche sykenes that fro day to daye more more she waxed lene and vanysshed almost awaye and ryght feble Her husbonde sawe this and asked hyr the cause of her heuynesse and sekenesse And she answerd and sayde I was norysshed in myn faders hours and there was I neuer wonte to here suche wordes as I here now euery daye And so was I neuer taught of my fader and moder wherfor knowe it for sothe but this dishoneste of speche bee avoyded fro this hous wythin a shorte tyme ye shall see me deed whan her husbond herde this bothe he avoyded that vngoodly langage â–ª and the felawshyppe and therwyth he was edefyed moche more than euer he was before â–ª as well of the vertues lyuinge of the fader and moder as of her doughter that was his wyf And anone he forbode his felawes neuer more to speke suche maner wordes in her presens and nomore they dede and soo the softenes the honeste of Jacob his hous amendyd in moderaunce And the dyshoneste of Nycolas hous whiche hadde weddyd Jacob his doughter ¶ Ferthermore ye shall vnderstonde the Jacob vsed the crafte of makyng of colours wherwyth wollen and wolle clothes ben dyed This crafte vsed bothe he and his sonys In that contree they ben called dyers wherfore full wonderfully god ordeyned that a dyers doughter shol be made the spouse of the Emperour of heuen As ye shall see by goddes grace after in this boke Somme of this that I haue shewed in this chapytre was knowe to the more parte of the cyte And somÌ„e her confessour had of the sayd mayde katheryn and of her moder and of many relygyous persons and of seculers whiche were neybours and of kynrede to the same Jacob and to his wyf ¶ Of her byrthe and of the merueylous werkinge whiche our lord wrought and shewed in the chylhode of this holy vyrgyn and mayde CapituluÌ„ ij Whan this forsayd Lapa whiche was lyke a fructuous vyne by fulfyllyng the wyne of Jacob her husbonde in bryngyng forth full ofte bothe sones and doughters It befyll aboute the laste tyme of the berynge of chyldren by the ordynaunce and dy sposycyon of our lordis mercy that she conceyued brought forth two doughters freell and febyll by nature But moche more freell by of bodely strengthe as semed outward â–ª but strengthe and stabylnesse they hadde in the syght of god ¶ Whan Lapa the moder besely behelde theym she thought well that she suffysed nought to nourysshe them bothe forthe wyth her owne mylke wherfore by a good auysement she commytted that one to smother noryse And that other she wythhelde and kepte stylle to be norysshed forth wyth her owne mylke And soo it befyll by the ordynaunce of our lorde that she chosed that doughter to her owne kepyng â–ª whiche our lord of euerlastynge tyme hadde chose vnto his spouse Bothe they resceyued the grace of baptysme And all be it that they were of the nombre of goddes chose chyldren Yet the forsayd mayde was called katheryn and that other was called Johan This later suster whan she hadde receiued this grace of baptysme in the same grace she went forth to heuen For in short tyme after she passed out of this worlde Katheryne abode stylle sukkyng on her moders brestes by goddes ordynaunce she shold drawe to heuen a longe cheynâ— of soulis And for as moche as Lapa the moder consyderyd that katheryn abode that other was deed She nourysshed her more dyligently hopyng that she was chose to abyde and be goddes chyld And ofte sythes this moder lapa wolde saye to maister Reymond her confessour to this holy mayde that she louyd katheryn passyngly aboue alle the sones and doughters that euer she hadde She sayde vnto hym also that she conceyued soo ofte that she myght neuer nourysshe ony chylde of her wyth her owne mylke ¶ Katheryn she nourysshed forth in to the ende of the tyme that she neded to be vnder the nourysshe And in alle that tyme she conceyued not as it semed that oure lorde for that doughter hadde graunted her a tyme of reste of traueylyng of the byrthe of chyldren and in a token that she myght come to the ende of conceyuyng and byrthe in that doughter whiche sholde after ateyne and gete the ende of alle perfection ¶ But yet this moder Lapa after the nouryssyng of katheryn â–ª ones she conceyued and bare a doughter whiche was called Johan And there she made an ende of beryng of chyldren after that she hadde boâ—en xxv chyldren Whan this mayde was thus broughte forth and halowed to god And whan she hadde lefte the mylke and toke to ete brede whyle she wente aboute alone She began to be soo acceptable and soo byloued to all tho that sawe her and soo wyse and wonderfull wordes she spake that vnnethes her moder myght holde her in her owne hous Eche man aboute of her neybours and of her kynrede lad her home wyth theym and glad they were who myght haue her to here her wyse speche And that they myght haue felawshyp and the gladenesse of that yonge mayde Soo that of a maner gladdenesse and of a passyng solace they called her not by her owne ryght name katheryn but Eufrosyna and what meued them to calle her soo they wyst not theym self but she afterward somme tyme wolde saye and suppose that it was a mystery by cause she purposed to folowe saynt Eufrosyne in lyuyng Her confessour that wrote this legende supposed that the yonge mayde in her chyldis speche vsed somme maner of sownynge that nyghed or acorded to that nâ—me Eufrosyne And soo in maner as they wolde reherce her wordes they called her soo by that name Neuertheles what euer it was that appieryd she burgenyd out in her chilhode as a tree by ony suche shewyng what fruyt was brought forth Afterward in her olde age the wysdome and the prudence of her speche connyng and the swetenesse of her holy conuersacion myght not be rehersed wyth tongue lygthly wryte wyth penne by theym that knewe only the veryte of thys whiche hadde very experyence She hadde also an Inward werkynge whyche shewed well â–ª not only by her speche but by her coÌ„uersacion wher thorugh many mennys sowlis were drawe to god And hadde thorugh her grace grete lykyng and sauour in god in somoche that all heuynesses were excluded of all mennys hertes whiche were conuersaunt wyth her â–ª and not only that but all thinges that noyed the sowle was put awaye Also the remembraunce of eche noye or angwysshe was take awaye And of this folowed eche man soo grete reste and stabylnesse of sowle whiche they hadde byfore that euery man woundred of theym self and made Joye wyth a newe maner of gladdenesse and eche man in his owne sowle cryed and sayde Here it is good for vs to be â–ª Make we thre tabernacles for our dwellyng place And of this none wouÌ„der for douiles â–ª he was there
ofte tymes bycause of hys greate sotyll wytte he loued soo moche therto that he made party in the same Cyte and grete enstaunce bytwene neyghbore and nyghbore wherof came a grete enmyte preuy morderyng the whiche came by hym slyly and by his mayntynaunce At the last mene persons came bytwene for to make peas but he answerd euer soo wylyly that he rought neuer whether there were peas or none as it semed to theym that herd hym and alwaye he was glad to make vnpeas that he myght and to be avengyd after his desyre That herd this holy mayde katheryne she desyred to speke wyth him for to sece that euyll hatered but he fledde her assone as he knewe that she came to hym Ryght as the serpent wolde flee from hym that sholde charyne hym At the laste an holy man the whiche was called Fryer wyllyam of Englond a fryer austyn he spake soo to hym that he grauntâ— hym that he wolde gladly speke wyth that hooly mayde and here her But he sayd he wolde nothyng doo as she wolde counseylle hym Soo thenne he kepâ—… his promys and he went to the holy maydes hous the same tyme that mayster Reymound was there But that holy mayde was not therin by cause she was gone a lytyll byfore to procure the helthe of soules In the mene whyle that mayster Reymound was therin there came a messanger to hym sayd that Nannes was at the dore and wolde speke wyth katheryn wherof mayster Reymound was glad for he knewe well that the holy mayde had ofte tymes desyred that And wyth that he went and welcomed hym and tolde hym that she was out prayed hym that he wold not thynke loÌ„ge for she wolde come anone And thenne thei went to this holy maydes chapel whan they hadde sytte a whyle there he thought longe and sayd to mayster Reymond Thus I behete frere Wyllyam that I sholde come hyder here this holy lady Katheryne speke therfore syth she is out occupyed I may nought abyde here wherfore I pray you excuse me to hyr for I haue moche thyng to do mayster Reymond was heuy here wyth that she was so long for to occupye the tyme tyll she came he axed hym of the maner of pees the whiche he knewe To whome this Nannes answerd â–ª Syre I shall tell you the sothe for to thou that ben a prest a relygyous man and to this holy mayde of whome I here a grete name of holynesse I shall not lye but saye the sothe Therfore what that euer I saye to you I am not in wyll to do by your counseyll Sothe it is that I am he the whiche that letteth the pees by twene him him and that pees that pees And yet it semed by my dedys that it am not I that lette it by cause it is done by other but I maynteyn them pryuely ther to for yf I allone wold consente to haue pees al shold be well cessyd But I purpose in no wyse for to consente therto wherfore it nedeth not for to counseyll me preche me for I shall not consente in ony maner wyse Loo now I haue tolde you that I haue hydde from other tarye me no lenger and holde you apayed yet mayster Reymond prayed him to reherce it ageyne for to occupye the tyme and he wolde not at the last by the dysposycyon of god the holy mayde was come Inne Whan that Nannes sawe hyr he was ryght sory But mayster Reymond was gladde As soone as she sawe that erthely man she toke him wyth an heuenly charyte sat doun to gydres and axed him the cause of hys comyng Thenne he rehersed to hyr all that euer he sayd to mayster Reymond wyth the last negacyon This holy mayde beganne thenne to shewe him what peryll he stode Inne soo that she touched hym ouer all but as a deef serpent he stoppyd the erys of his herte that he wold not here hyr counseylles that consydered this holy mayde anone She sat styll torned Inward prayed our lord in hyr herte axed hys gracyous helpe Whan mayster Reymond aspyed how ghoostly she was occupyed for hym He occupyed hym wyth somme wordes hopyng in the mene whyle of som helpe of oure lorde by hir prayers wythin a whyle aft Nannes sayd to them bothe thus Loo I wyll not be so vnkynde but that I wyll do nye all that euer ye wyll byd me but somwhat I shall graunte and thenne wyll I goo fro you I haue made foure debatys whiche contynued yet Of that oo debate I wyll gyue you leue do wiâ—h all as ye will cesse it as ye wyll with that he roos vp wold haue go out and in the rysyng he sayd to him self thus O lord what comfort may this be that I fele now in my soule of that worde that I spak of pees and soone after he sayd more A a lord god what vertue strengthe may that be that holdeth me and drawed me now I may not go hens ne I may not denye no thynge O who is that that constreyneth me now O who is that that holdeth me now wyth this he wept sore sayd I am ouer come I may not wythstonde it Thenne he kneled doun on his knees to the holy mayde and sayd wyth wepyng chere Holy mayde I shall do what euer thou bydde me do Not onely of this mater but also of all other what that euer it be I knowe well now that the deuyll hath hadde me bounde in hys chayne hyder to but now I shall do what euer ye counseyl me to do counseyll my soule how it may be deliuerd out of the fendes poure I praye you Att these wordes the holy mayde torned to hym sayde I thanke god brother that thou hast perceyued what peryll thou stodest Inne of the mercy of our lord wherof I spake fyrst to the but thou â—ettysâ— lytell therby And thenne I spak to our lord he herde my prayers Therfore now good brother do penaunce for thy synnes by tymes leste a sodeyne trybulacyon fall vpon the Thenne anone wyth grete contrycion he was shryuen of mayster Rymond of all his synnes afterward by helpe of this holy mayde he made pees wyth all folk also wyth god by counseyll of mayster Reymond But wythin a fewe dayes after he was take by the Justyce of the Cyte put in a streyte pryson and it was a comyn saynge that he sholde be behedyd Thenne mayster Reymond herde that he came to this holy mayde wyth a sorowfull cheâ—e and sayd Loo moder all the whyle Nannes serued the fende he had no dysease but alwaye â—speryte And after tyme now he is torned to god all the world is ageynst hym where of I am a ferde by cause he is yette but a yong brauÌ„che lest he be all for broke by this tempest and so fall in despeyre I praye you therfore praye for hym to god that he whom ye haue delyuered from
thus to hym ¶ Fader vnderstondeth his for treuthe This pope Urbanis veray Crystys vycarye in erâ—he and for dâ—â—ence of this treuth preceth putteth you â—orth as ye wolde for the feyth of holy chyrche ¶ All be it that mayster Reymond vnderstode this well afore yet she made hym the strenger and more stedfast in his laboure for whan he was moost in dysâ—ase he had hyr wordes in mynde and so he tooke the holy obedyence vpon hym But a latell a fore that he went this holy mayde coÌ„myned wyth hym tolde hym foure houres or fyue to gâ—ds of the reuelacyons comfortes that oure lorde shewed to hyr but a lytell afore and whan she had do â–ª she sayde this wordes ¶ Fader now goth our lord spede you for I trowe we shal neuer in this lyf speke so moche to gyder as we haue do nowe And lyke as she sayd so it was For or thenne mayster Reymonde came ageyne she was passed out of this world furthermore by cause that she wolde fully take hyr leue of hym she went ê‘sonally to the same place there he shold take hys Galey ¶ And whan they began to rowe she kneiyd doune prayed and afterward blyssed the Galey wyth wepyng chere and sayd pryuely that other herde to mayster Reymond ¶ Thou lone shalt go saue for the crosse shall kepe the but thou shalt neuer see thy moder in this lyf ¶ And as she ê“phecyed soo it was for ther were many enemyes in the â—ee yet they went saue awaye from them and also in the mene tyme that he was oute this holy mayde passyd out of this worlde ¶ But fyrst or that I tell of hyr blyssed passyng out of this world I shall reherce to you the wytnes whiche were att hyr passyng and knewe of the myracles that our lord shewed here in hyr passyng ¶ The names of the wymmen that were most contynuell wyth hyr beÌ„thyâ—e ¶ Allexe of Sene syster of penauÌ„ce of Sâ—yÌ„t Domynyk the whiche was a ê‘fyte dyscyple of this holy maydes folowed hyr in all asâ—yte of penauÌ„ce as nygh as she coude so that this holy mayde or thennâ— he sholde passe tolde hyr alle hyr preuytees ordeyned hyr for to be a moder to other after hyr dyssece ¶ Thys same Allexe enfourmed mayster Reymonde whan he was come home and other of thys holy maydes passyng for she lyued not longe after ¶ The seconde wytnes was Francysca of Sene this Francysca had a deuoute soule to god to this holy mayde with an hertely loue wherfore whan hyr husbounde was dede she toke the abyte of penaunce was made syster of Saynte Domynyk ¶ Thys Francysca enfourmed mayster Raymonde whan he came home and many other folke of this maydes passyng and thenne she deyed soone after Allexe ¶ The thyrde wytnes was Lysa hyr cosyn the whiche I wyll notte commende all be it she was ryght trewe by cause she was this holy maydes brothers wyf where by shold beholde suspect in her wytnes amonge men ¶ further more there were many men in hir passyng the whiche beren trewe recorde othyr bussed ende ¶ But foure in specyall I thyÌ„ke to reherse here the whiche were ryght vertuous men ¶ The fyrst was called frere Sanctus the whiche was bothe holy indede in name This holy man forsoke all hys kynne and came to Cyte of ene Where he lyued vertuously xxx yere and more an ancheres lyfe ¶ And when he herde speke of this holy mayde he was styred to speke wyth hyr and so he dyd for to be enfourmed of hyr ¶ And at last he thout that it was better to walke oute of his cell for to wynne soules thenne for to be so enclosed And so he dyd by counseyll he went oute and folowed thys holy mayde and wan soules to Cryste but specyally he was presente wyth hyr at hyr passyng ¶ Thys holy man enfourmed mayster Raymonde also whan he came home of the passing of this holy mayd and soone after he dyed ¶ The seconde witnes of men was a yong man in age but he was olde in vertu the whiche was called Barductyne ¶ Thys yong man forsoke all hys kynne and folowed this holy mayde and was with hyr tyll that she passyd whome she loued yettenderly by cause he was a mayde that was no meruaylle for it is semely that oo mayde sholde loue another ¶ To whome this holy mayde sayd chargyd hym that he shold be gouerned by mayster Raymondis couÌ„seyll ¶ For this cause I trowe she did it in as moche as she knewe well of god that he sholde not long lyue after hyr soo that he dyde of tesyk but fyrste he contynued longe therynne and was amended by medycines but at the last he dyde theron And by cause that mayster Raymonde drede hym that the ayre of Rome sholâ—e enfecte hym he sente hym to Sene where he passyd out of this worlde and they bere wytnes that were at hys passynge that whan he sholde passe he loked vp into heuen and began to smyle soo wyth that smylyng he passyd So that after tyme he was passyd the tokens of gladnes appyred in hys face I trowe it was therfore by cause he sawe hyr whome he loued soo charytably come after hym ¶ This Barductyne also enfourmed mayster Raymonde whan he came home of thâ—s holy mayde passage ¶ The thryde wytnes of men was also a yong man the whiche was called Stephen that was one of this holy maydes wryters the why she wrote bothe hyr letters that she sente and also hyrbook that the holy ghost endyted by hyr The whiche yong man this holy mayde called to hyr whan she sholde passe and sayd thus Sone it is the wyll of god that thou be a monke of the Charterhous and therfore I charge the that thou so doo As she bad hym so he dyd and lyued euer afterward a ê‘fyt lyf for he had-no felawe of ê‘feccyon in that Relygyon and assone as he was professyd he was made Pryor of the same hous that he was shorne Inne ¶ And afterward he was made Pryour in another place of the same ordre at melayne visitour of the ordre This yong man Stephen wrote certeyn thynges that happed in the passyng of this holy mayde eÌ„tfourmed afterwarde mayster Raymonde of the same whan he came home The fourthe last wytnesse of men that were at the passyng of this holy mayde was one the whyche was called Raynerus the sone of a worthy man Landocte of Sene. Thys man after tyme that this holy mayde was paste was a deuoute recluse that euer afterward lyued a blyssed lyf he was also one of the wryters of hyr lettres of hyr book that the holy ghoost endyted by hyr He was the fyrst of men that forsoke hys kynne folowed this holy mayde by cause he knewe hyr vertuous lyuyng of longe tyme therfore mayster Reymond called hym to hym and made hym a specyall wytnes
shall neuer cesse vnto the tyme thou arte oute of thys â—yf Thys she sente by letter to mayster Reymond and soo she contynued in that payne from the sondaye of septuagesme vnto the last daye of Apryll saue one day the whiche day she passed out of this world In the whiche tyme a meruaylloê° thyng happed hyr as she sayd wrote to mayster Reymond Cuery daye it befyll hyr of custome that she hadde the passyon on the syde that is callyd â—lyca passio and other moo vnto none tyme wherfore ofte tymes she desyred heryng of hyr masse and therfore euery daye by the morowe or thenne that the payne came vpon hyr she wente to Saynt Peters chyrche thorugh oute alle the lenten And soo herde hyr masse and abode there tyll euensong and thenne came home ageyne and laye hyr doune in hyr bedde In the whiche bedde whos hadde seen hyr he wolde haue sworne that she myghte neuer remeue hyr thens Yet on the nextâ— moâ—we she wse vp and wente eftsonys fâ—â— a place that is called via pape in to Saynt Peters chirche soo fast that hyr Journey sholde haue made an hole man wery Thys she contynued all the lenten and wythin a fewe dayes after she laye styll in hyr beddâ— and myght not remeue hyr thens for feblenes And at last oure lorde called hyr and she passyd out of thys worlde ¶ In the same daye that is rehersed afore aboute none dayes that is the nyne and twenty daye of Apryll the whiche was vpon a sondaye The yere of our lord a thousand thre hondred and foure sâ—ore In the whyche daye the feste of Saynt Peter the martyr of the ordre of the frece prechours was and is solempnysed in holy chyrche ¶ Many notable thynges were wroughte thenne in hyr passyng the whyche I lefte of in this chapytre for they shall be declared openly ynough by the helpe of god in the next chapytre thus endeth this chapytre ¶ How this mayde desyred for to be vnbounde fro the body and be wyth Cryste and that is prouyd by a deuote prayer that she made and is putte in the ende of another book whiche she mayde and what is in that book generally and shortâ—ly is wryten in this book wyth the same oryson Capitulum â—ij WHanne the ende of the bodely lyf of this blyssed mayde Katheryn drewe faste vpon hyr oure lorde shewed a ioye to hyr in hyr passyng by dyuers tokens by the whiche ioyâ— and glorye he purposed to rewarde hys spouse after hyr labour and sykenes in heueâ— answeryng to the gyftes of grace that she receyued in erthe Among all other tokens by the whiche he shewed the perfeccyon of hyr â—owlâ— to all thoo that wolde consydere it was this That he quyâ— kened hyr desyrâ— euery daye more and more for to desyre to beâ—â— vnbounde from the body and be wyth Cryst And for this skylle it was that she myght clerely and openly beholde in blysse â–ª That tâ—â—uthe the whiche she sawe in this lyfe by a myrour of feyth The whiche desyre soo moche the more it encrecyth in hyâ— herte in as moche as the lyght aboue kynde shyned in hyr herde from heuen And therfore aboute a yere and a halfe afore or thenne she passyd out of this worlde Oure lorde shewed to hyr suche a cleâ—e knowyng of tâ—â—uthe that she was constreyned to shewe it openly oute by wrytyng That was the cause why she prayed wryters as it is rehersed afore that whan they sawe hyr in rauysshyng they sholde be â—â—dy to wryte that the whiche she sholde speke by the mouthe for that tyme and soo in a lytell tyme she compyled a book that conteyneth a maner of a dyaloge bytwene a soule axynge of oure lorde foure petycyons And oure lorde Ihesu Cryst answeryng to the same soule and enformyng it of many profytable trouthys In the last ende of whiche book two thynges ben sette that me semeth is nedefull for to reherse here as well for the grete profyte that rederys sholde fynde therin as for to declare this blyssed maydens desyre that she hadde soo perfytâ—ly in hyr soule ¶ Neuerthelesse by cause noo body sholde mysdeme me wenyng that I wolde translate it other wyse thenne she sayd in hyr owne language therfore I purpose to translate it none other wyse thenne she sayde it worde by worde Tho two thynges by these Fyrst the recapytulacyon of the same book I sette in the ende the whiche rehersed shortly all tho thynges that ben dyffusely sette in the book afore The seconde is a prayer the whiche this holy mayde made whanne she hadde endyd hyr book by the whyche prayer is openly shewed what desyre she haddâ— to be vnbounde and loosyd oute of hyr body and be wyth Cryst Afore the recapytulacyon thys holy mayde reherseth in the ende of the same â—oke that almyghty god the fader of oure lorde Ihesu Cryst spekyth to a soule atte â—â—e ende of the dyaloges after tyme he hadde long tyme spoke afore of obedyence of perfyte folke in this wyse ¶ Now my welbeloued and dere doughter I haue made a sythe to thy desyre â—ro the begynnyng to the laste ende the whiche I haue made spekyng of obedyence For yf thou haue good mynde in the begynnyng thou axest me wyth a grete desyre of herte as I made the to axe that I sholde encrece the fyre of my charyte in thy soule Thou axest also foure petycyons of the whyche one was for thy selfe To the whiche petycyon I made a sethe to the by Illumynyng the whiche the lyght of my trouthe and shewyng to the alle the maner by the whiche maner by medytacyon of the lyght of feyth wyth knowele chyng of thy self and of me thou comesâ—e to the knoweleche of the trouthe The secounde petycyon that thou axest that I sholde to mercy wyth the worlde The thrydde petycion was for my mystery all body that is of my spouse holy chirche prayng me that I sholde wythdrawe all derkenesse of perfeccyon from hyr that she suffreth And thou axest that I sholde punysshe the wyckydnes of them vpon the. Therfore it was that I declared to the that no paynes fynyte or gyuen in tyme fynyte of it selfe allone maye make satysfaccyon for trespas doone ageynste me the whiche am god infynyte but it maketh a seeth well yf it be oned wyth contrycion of herte and desyre of â—oule The maner how it maketh dewe satysfaccioÌ„ I declared to the yet euermore I answere to the that I wyll do mercy to the worlde shewyng to the that mercy is appropryd to me wherfore for the grete mercy and the vnestimable loue that I hadde to mankynde I sente myn only begoten sone for to declare more openly to the I lykenyd to a brydge that stretchyâ—â— atteyneth from heuen to erthe and that is from the hede the whiche is made in hym by dyuyne nature and mankinde Also for to make the more clere by the lyght of my trouthe I shewed the how
haue left hyr grete penaunce â–ª Thys was not done wythout wyll of the fende the whyche besyed hym in that he myght to wyth drawe suche a feruent sowle from the ghostly callynge of hyr heuenly spouse He taught thys synfull woÌ„man Lapa this maydens moder full pryuely his malycyous wylles Neuerthelesse bi cause ther may no counseyll preuayll ne haue the maystrye ageynst the couÌ„seyll of god Thys holy mayde that was armed wyth the armere of vyctorye bothe in hyr ryght syde and eke in hyr lefte syde torned alle the fende is trecherous wylles to grete profytâ— of hyr sowle Whan she came to the bathe she founde a newe maner bathyng in hyr sowle how that she shold tormente hyr body amonge the delycyous bathes She went to the condytâ— there the hote water cam Inne to the bathe there she satte all naked and suffred pacyently the hote water brenne hyr tender naked flesshe the whyche was more payne to hyr thenne whan she bete hyr wyth a cheyne Now shall I telle you how hyr confessour knewe it In a tyme hyr moder Lapa tâ—lde mayster Reymond afore hyr doughter how they went for to be bathed thenne thys mayde pryuely tolde hym how she was bathed and how wysely she asked leue of hir moder whan she was there that she myght be bathed by hyr self whan all folke were gone For she wyst well yf hyr moder had seen hyr she myght not do as she dyd And thenne hyr confessour axyd hyr how she myght suffre so grete he te wyth out peryll of deth Thys mayde answerd to hym sayd full symply that whan she satte in that bathe she thought besyly vpon the paynes of purgatorye of hell prayng to our lord whome she had so hyely offendyd that he wolde wouchesauf to torne mercyably tho peynes that she had deserued in to that temperall payne that she suffred gladly Of hys mercy she had so grete gladdenesse in hyr herte that all the peyne was ryght swete to hir therfore hyr body was no thynge hurte there by though she felt peyne Whan she had tolde thys tale hyr confessour wente home she ageyne to hir penauÌ„ce that she was wont to vse And whan hir mod that ê‘ceyued she had no more hope tho of hir chaungyng But yet she cessyd neuer wyth out grutchyng of the penaunce that she vsed Of the whyche grutchyng thys mayde hyr doughter lyghttâ—ly suffred hit ouer passe wyth a defeere hauyng myude rather of hir holy purpos excyted steryd hyr moder euery day that â—he â—hold go to the sustres of penauÌ„ce of saynt Domynyk for to praye thom that hyr doughter myght receyue them abyte of penaunce that she had so long tyme desyred The moder seyng that she myght haue no reste for hyr doughter she wente to the susters of penaunce prayed that hyr doughter myght receyue the abyte amonges them To whom they answerd sayd That it was not hyr custome to receyue maydens ne yonge wymmen to that abyte but onely wedowes of sadde age and of good name fame that wold fully gyue hem to goddes seruyse For syth it is so that susters of that abyte be not enclosed vp but eueryche of them lyued at home in hyr owne how 's hyt were full necessary that eche of them were of suche sadde age that they myght coude gouerne them self saddely The cause why these susters of penaunce answerd thus it shall be declared by the helpe of god openly I nough in the next chapytre that sueth Whan the moder had this answere she went home tolde hyr doughter the whiche answere was to the doughter full gladsome to the moder not full heuysom Neuerthelesse yet thys holy mayde mystrusted not for she wysâ— welle hyr purpose sholde be fulfylled that was behot hir of so gloryous a fader as Saynt Domynyk And therefore efâ—sones she prayed hyr mod that she sholde not cesse but go to thyse susters ageyn praye them wyth asmoche instaunce as she coude that she myght receyue that abyte The moder dyd so brought ageyn the same answer as she dyd fyrst Then ne sone after it happed that thys mayde fyll seek in body the whyche sekenesse comynly yong folk ben vexyd wyth or thaÌ„ne they come to a sadde age And yet pâ—raduenture that passynge heâ—â— that shâ— suffâ—ed in the hote bathe myght be cause there of al be it that it was the wyl of god that it shold be so All the skynne of hyr body was full of bladders byles that vnnethe she myght be knowe And there to also she had a strong feuer The moder seyng that hyr doughter was soo seek all though she loued hir sones doughter tenderly Yet thys doughter whom that she nourysshed wyth hyr owne mylke she loued more tenderly therefor she was the more sory of hyr dysease And she knewe no cause where of thys sekenesse cam For suche a sekenesse myght not come of abstynence but rather of supfluyte And also that same tyme it was comyn sekenesse to yong chyldren yong maydens And therefor she coude not deme where of the sekenesse came what ese remedye she myght do there to she dyd bothe in wordes of comfort also in dede syttyng alle waye by the beddes syde by hyr But the seker the doughter was in body the strenger she was in hyr holy desyre wayteng after leysyr to constreng hyr mod in manere for to pursewe to fulfyll hyr desyre wysely swetly she sayde to hyr moder Good dere moder yf ye wold I were hole ferdâ— well I praye you beth aboute that my desyre may be fulfylled for to receyue that abyte of penauÌ„ce Ellys I wote well that our lord saynt domynyk the whyche haue called me to there seruyce woll so ordeyne for me that ye sholde no longer haue me in thys lyf Whan the moder herde thys oftâ— many tymes rehersed to hyr she beynge a ferde lest she sholde haue deyde went to the same susters ageyn prayed them so entyerly of the abyte that they were ouercome wyth hyr prayers so grauÌ„ted hyr in thys wyse Yf youre doughter be noght ouer semely in body ouer fâ—yâ—â— in beaute we shall graunâ—â— your axyng receyue hyr And yf she be to fayre we drede vs of the peryll of slandre and of malycyouâ— lyuyng of men in thyse dayes And for thys cause we dare not consente to receyue hyr in noo wyse To whom the moder answerd sayde Cometh and see hyr eue ye the dome whee she be fayre or not There were sente two dyscrete matrons chosen amonge them wyth Lapa for to see thys mayde bothe of dysposycyon of hyr body also for to serche hyr desyre of soule When they come they founde thys mayde lyeng seek in a bedde therefor they myght not clerely knowe the dysposycyon of hyr body for sekenesse Neuerthelesse as by hyr wordes they knewe hyr feruent desyre of sowle
to the seruyce of god were gretly astoyned there by And also gladde seeng so yong a mayden passe in vertuous â—yuyng many olde matrons wherefor they took her leue ioyefully gretely edyfyed by hyr wordes tolde theyr felawys with a grete ioye what they harde sawe Whan thise susters herde thys by counseyll of the frerys they receyued hyr with oo wyl one assentâ— amoÌ„ges them sendyng worde to the moder that also sone as the mayden were hole she shold brynge hir to the frere prechours that she myght râ—ceyue the abyte of Saynt Domynyk the whyche she had so long desyred in presence of the brethern the sustâ—en of the same abyte as the custome is Whan the moder tolde these wordys to hyr dought she was gladde that she wepte for ioye thanked our lord saynt domynyk that hadde fulfylled hys promys and byhâ—st Thanne she began to preye to god that she myght be hole of hyr bodely Infyrmyâ—â— for to fulfylle hir holy purpose in receyuyng of the abyte lest she shold be lette delayed of hyr desyre for that bodely sekeâ—â—sse And there she was fyrst gladde of hir bodely sekenesse with meke suffrauÌ„ce Afterward she was as heuy therof besekyng our lord with besy prayers that he wold wouchelauf to delyuer hyr wyth out ony taryeng of that sekenesse the whiche letted the purpose of hyr desyre as she prayed our lord grauÌ„ted hir for wyth in fewe dayes afterward she was hole Our lord wold not alway of his goodnesse denye the axyng of suche that conferme them euer wyth all theyr besynesse to fulfylle hys wyll For what euer she axyd or desyred she referred it to him who me she loued wyth all the myghtes of hir sowle and to whoâ— seruyce she offred hyr self all hole body and sowle whome she was restoryd of bodely hele Alle be it the mod was aboute to tarye hyr of hyr purpose lenger tyme. She made suche InstauÌ„ce to hyr moder that the day and houre was assygned whan she sholde receyue hyr abyte the whyche abyte she receyued wyth a grete ghostly gladnesse whanne the moder and the doughter were come to gyder to the chyrche The frere that had the charge of the susters arayed that holy mayde wyth that maner of abyte in presence of them all of the colours of whyte and blak in token of Innocence and me kenesse the whyche abyte holy faders of Saynt Domynykes ordre ordeyned for to be hadde Soo that by the whytnes is vnderstonde Innocencye and by the blaknesse mekenes For as mayster Reymond hyr confessour recordeth and wryteth â–ª Ther was none abyte soo well accordyng to hyr conuersacyon of lyuyng bothe Inward and outward Thenne thys mayden wyth alle hyr myght â—â—o that tyme forthward mortyfyed hyr body in sleyng of the olde lust of synne wyth alle hys braunches of pryde in the wynnyng of the veray mekenesse the whyche mekenesse betokeneth the mantell of blacke that she hadde receyued Alsoo she besyed hyr wyth alle hyr myghtes for to kepe the Innocencye of virgynytee and maydenhode not onely of body but also of sowle to her endeles spouse Ihesu cryst the whyche is veray lyght for to receyue by hym fayrenesse of vertuous lyuyng the whyche fayrenesse is betokenyd by the whyte cote vnder the mantell Yf hyr abyte had be all black or alle whyte tho two thynges mekenesse and Innocencye myght not properly be vnderstonde therby And yf hyr abyte hadde ben graye russeth it myght represente mortyfycacyon But not properly puryte and clennesse of sowle Thys was the cause why the susters at the begynnyng denyed hyr thys abyte lest she hadde not be able to bere it in mekenesse and clennesse of herte dredyng of hyr yonge age Whanne that holy mayde hadde receyued that abyte hyt become hyr better than it dyd the matrons Therfor it had not be well do that it hadde be denyed hyr whyche abyte was ordeyned a fore of holy faders in token of Innocencye Syth it soo was that she passyd in clennes alle the chastyte of wedowhode Of one thynge hyr confessour Mayster Reymond recordeth and wryteth that that abyte hadde neuer hys full perfeccyon in the Cytee of Senee vnto the tyme that holy mayde hadde I take vpon hyr for to were hyt She was the fyrst mayde in that Cytee that took it vp on hyr the whyche many maydens afterward receyued also Soo it myght be songe of hyr that verse that Dauyd the prophete speketh of Adducentur regi virgines posteam That is to our lorde god endeles kyng many maydens shall be brought Inne after thys holy mayde Katheryne ¶ How thys mayden encreced it shall be declared afterward by the helpe of god But now I shall make an ende of thys chapytre and procede forthe how thys holy abyte beganne of thys holy Relygyous estate lest for defaute of knowyng there of the opynyon and the fame of thys holy maydens vertuous lyuynge myght be lessenyd therby in somme mennys hertys as for the matere the whyche is reherced in thys chapytre mayster Reymond recordeth and seyth that he hadde it by relacyon of hyr moder and of hyr self And as the abyte it nedeth no profe for it is knowen openly ynough ¶ Of the begynnyng and the foundamente of the Relygyous state of the susters of penaunce of Saynt Domynyk and where of came the manere of lyuyng of tho sustren Capitulum viij ALle tho that wyll rede thys presente chapytre folowynge they shall fynde wryten as it is recorded of many feythfull creatures in dyuerse partyes of ytalye many worthy actys and dedys of our holy fader Saynte Domynyk That gloryous worthy confessour of Cryste Tutor and defendour of the feyth of holy chyrche Saynte Domynyk also techer and enfourmer of the good state of perfyte lyuers ouercame myghtely bothe in Tholose and also in Lombardye What by hym selfe and by hys brethern many heretykes So that in the tyme of his canonizacion at Rome was prouyd openly a for ourâ— holy fader the pope that an hondred thousand heretykes and more were tourned by hys prechyng and shewyng of myracles in lumbardye alone ¶ Neuertheles that venemous doctryne of the heretykes hadde soo enfected the peple sowles that almoost all the possessyons of holy chyrche were in laymennes hondes kepyng it as here owne herytage And that caused Bysshoppeâ— to goo aboute and begge For they hadde none power neuer to wythstonde her hereâ—ye for the defaulte of temperall substaunce ne for to releue clerkys and poure folke after the dewe of her offyce This consydered our holy fader Saynt domynyke myght in none wyse suffre this myscheff in holy chyrche for the grete and entyrly loue that he hadde therto he chaas a worthy lyf of pouerte both for hym selfe and also for theim that shold be his folowers And thenne beganne to pursue forthe for the ryght of holy chyrche assosyengâ— to hym certâ—yn laye people that dâ—ed god and that he knew well and so coÌ„myned wyth
theym of the ordeynaunce of an holy lyuyng that sholde recouere againe the rychesses of holy chirche and defended it myghtely euer afterward faithfully agaynst heretikes by comyn assent suche a lyf was soo graunted and ordeyned ¶ For there that our holy fader Saynt Domynyke founde ony well wyllynge folke to suche a lyuyng Fyrst he enduced theym for to swere that they sholde kepe and obserue all the thynges that shold be reherced to theym to the vterest for to putte her goodes and her lyf therfore in Jeoperdye and leâ—te this holy lyuynge sholde bee lette by suche that weâ—â— wedded He made also wyues to swere that they sholde also not lette her husbondes to maynten in suche a poure lyuyng the ryght of holy chyrche but rather sholde helpe theym to her power in all that they might And to eyther partye this holy fader saynt domynyke he byhote theym sykerly yf they kepte this purpoos endeles lyf for her mede ¶ Tho men that toke this holy lyf vppon them were called fryers of Crysico knyghthode Neuertheles by cause tâ—ey sholde beknowen fro other by somme token and that they sholde haue somme maner of besynes aboue the vsage of other laye peple He gaue them the colour of his owne habyte that bothe men and wymmen of the same knyghthode of Ihesu cryst shold were whyte and blake Soo that eyther colour sholde apere outward in token of innocencye and mekenes Euermore he assigned theym to saye a certeyn nombre of Pater nosters Aue maria That they sholde be occupyed at euery houre of diuyne seruyce dayâ— by day â–ª whan this was do after tyme saynt domynyk passed out of this worlde to blysse of heuen by encresyng of myracles was canonyzed in the court of Rome The fâ—â—res susterâ— that fyrst were called of the knyghthode of Ihu cyrâ—â— to amoâ—â— synguler â–ª worshyp of the fouÌ„der of saynt domynyk chauÌ„ged her name by a coÌ„miÌ„ assâ—t were called fâ—â—ers susters of the penauÌ„ce of saynt domynyk the cause why them thought that her fyrst name sholde be chauÌ„ged was this they saw that bi the merytes myracles of saynt domynyk by the prechyng of the fryers their cursed heresye was cause wherfore theym thought that it was not moche nedefull to be occupyed in suche outward batayle of prechyng but rather wythinward batayle agaynst her gostely enmyes they chose therfore to be called fryers susters of penauÌ„ce At the last the noÌ„bre of fryer prechours encresyd so hugely amonge whom was one as a clere shynnyng sterre Saynt peter bothe martyr and mayde the whiche was martred of heretykes for the ryght of holy chyrche And destroyed more heretykes after his deth And soo thys company of wulues that were aboute to destroye goddes vnite of holy chyrche were vtterly avoyded and peas was yelden to all holy chyrche wherfore the cause of that name of knyghthede sesyd and channged in to a name of penaunce Neuerthelesse this maner of state of louyng descendeth and remayneth only to men a whyle And ther wyues ben left soole lyuyng by theym self a relygyous lyf neuer afterward desyryng for to bee wedded by cause of the relygyous that they kepte wyth her husbondes a fore But the state the whiche they began they kepte to her lyues ende ¶ This consyderyd and behelde other wydowes that purposed to kepe theym in wedowhode desiring to folowe susters of penaunce of Saynt domynyke For remedye of her synnes they prayed the fryer prechours that were in Italye to enforme them of the maner of lyuyng The whiche was ordeyned of Saynt Domynyke By cause the maner of lyuyng was not hard A blessyd fader of the same ordre the whiche was called Munyo wrote that maner of lyuyng and toke it to thyse wydowes the whiche manere of lyuyng in to this daye is callyd amonges theym a rule All be it thay it may not properly be callyd soo In as moche as encludeth not wythin it the thre pryncypall vowes that other relygyous folke haue And after tyme that this nombre of susters thus encresed in dyuerse partyes of Italye Our holy fader the pope in tho dayes the whiche was called honoryus perceyued that good lyuynge of thyse susters graunted theym by bulle that in tyme of Interdyction that they myght here her dyuyne seruyce amonges the fryer prechours And soo our holy fader the pope Johan the whiche came after hym he hadde made the constytucions of Clementynis agaynste the vyrgyns and by gardys He declared the bulle of the same decretall or constytucion that it sholde not be vnderstonde of the same susters of penaunce of Saynt domynyke For by that Decretall the astate is not repreued in ony wyse ¶ Loo maydens by this ye may vnder stonde why that state of liuing was fouÌ„de in wymmen only And why the susters answerd soo att the begynnynge to the moder of this holy mayde that were not wounte to receyue maydens to that state of lyuyng but oonly to wydowes approuyd in sadnes thyse thynges that ben wrytten in this chapytre for the more parte Mayster Reymound founde them wryten im dyuerse places of Italye But some maters he herde and vnderstode theym wyth inquysycion of many holy faythfull and olde fryers and susters of Saynt Domynyke And thus endeth this chapytre ¶ Of the wonderfull encrece and how she prouffyted in vertu and holy lyuyng And that she sholde bee byloued in all thynges whiche she rehersed to her confessour of grace done to here of our lorde Capl ix How this holy mayde in receyuinge of her habyte made none byhest to the thre pryncipalle avowes of relygyon by cause that the estat asked it nought As it is rehersed afore Yet neuerthelesse she purposed to kepefull stedfastly tho thre pryncypal avowes iÌ„ her self As for the vowe of chastyte there was none doughte of For she hadde made avowe of maydenhode afore in her tender age as touchyng for her obedyence She purposed oonly for to bee obedyent to that fryer that was mayster of the susters and to the pryoresse of the same susters But also to her confessour the whiche obedyence she kepte to her lyues ende ¶ For as she sayde by her lyue whan she sholde passe out of this worlde She hadde neuer mynde that she brake onis her obedyence Neuerthels by cause there were somme the whiche hadde enuye off her holynesse both bacbyters and lyers that sayde the contrarye ¶ I doo you to vnderstonde maydens that thowe this holy mayde hadde none other tourment whyle she was lyuynge in erthe but oonly vndyscrete byddyng and mysseyng of her souereyns she myght haue ben in maner a martyr by the grete pacience the whiche she suffred Her confessours vnderstood nonght ne gaue none credence many tymes to the excellent gyfte of grace that she receyued of god Ne gaue none reuerence to the werkys of our lorde that wrought in her merueylously And therforre they wold haue made her lyuyng after the commyn lyuyng
to the same lorde And ye consydre the coudycyons of this rynge ye shallâ—welle see that the tokene acordeth that that is betokeneth to She axed stedfaste feythe what is strenger than a dyamaunt stone it wythston dyth all maner hardenesse and it persyth the hardest thynge that is but that stone it self is broke onely with the blode of a goote Ryght soo a stronge feythfull herte wythstondeth and ouercometh wyth his strenthe alle maner of aduersyte But the mynde of crystys precious blood the whiche is called in holy wryte a goote the whiche precious blode he shadde vpon the crosse for mankynde that stroge herte is re lentyd and al to broste the four precious Margarete stonys in the rynge betokenyth noo thynge ellis but foure purytres clenes that whiche was in that holy mayde that is clennes of hyr entente clennes of hyr thouÈt clennes of hyr speche and clennes of hir workynge Alle thyse shall be declared by the grace of god more largely here aftyrwarde I supposo that thys dyspousacionÌ„ was no thynge ellys but a confirmaciouÌ„ of godis grace And the token of thys gracyous confyrmacionÌ„ was the rynge the whiche only apperid to her and to none other for this cause that she shold not fere ne drede to delyuer other owte of the wretched worlde by her prayers and by the helpe of that special grace that god hadde endowed her wyth One of the princypall causes after holy doctours why the almyghty god vouchesauf of his synguler preuylege to shewe to somÌ„e that they ben plesaunt to hym and in estate of grace is in this wycked world for worshyppe for his entent is to sende them For to fyght wyth this wycked world for worshyppe of this holy name and helthe off soules as he dyde to his Appostlis on wytsondaye the whiche token specyal tokenes of grace Ryght soo this hooly mayde aboue the condycion of alle other wymmen after tyme she was thus confermed iâ— grace she was sente openli for the wourshyppe of god to procure helthe of sowles as it shall bee declared by the helpe of god here afterward more openly And therfore I trowe it was that she toke of our lorde the token of confyrmacioÌ„ of grace that she sholde boldely and myghtely doo execucion of that that our lorde commaunded her Thus shall I make an ende of this chapytre and of the fyrst parte of the legende of this hooly mayde saynt katheryn of Scene to the worship of the holy trynyte and to helthe of sowles Regnaute semper in oiÌ„ê° scis domino nostro Ihesu cristo quiÌ„ cum patre almoque spuÌ„iscoÌ„ viuit et regnat deus Per oiÌ„a secula seculorum Amen ¶ Here begynneth the second partye in the whiche is shewed the conuersacion of this holy mayde with men And how the gyftes whiche she hadde receyued off oure lorde pryuyly enclosed wythin herself were openly shewed to the worlde And fyrst how oure lorde bad her that she sholde be conuersaunt amonges men Capitulum Prymum â—After tyme that this holy Mayde was despoused as it is rehersed afore our lorde began to drawe her litill and lytyll to the conuersacion of men And that was full mennerly and mesurably not for to wythdrawe vtterly fro her his dyuyne presence but rather as moche as longeth to the mesure of perfection for to encrese it as it shall be declared openly afterward And therfore in a tyme whan he appyred to her and hadde taughte her of the kyngdom of heuen and shewed her many mysteryes And also to seye the psalmes and the houres of dyuyne seruiÌ„ce as it is rehersed afore forthwith he bad her that she sholde go doune to mete with other of her moders housholde and afterward that she sholde come agayn to him Whan this holy mayde herde this she sobbyd and wepte fyll doune to his feete for sorowe and fayde to hym thyse wordes O swete Ihesu lorde why puttest thou me awaye fro the and yf I haue offendyd and displesyd the mayster Loo lord there is myn body at thyn feet punysshe it I shal gladly helpe therto suffre me not good lord to be punysshed wyth soâ— sharpe and soo hard a payne to be departed in ony maner of wise fro thin blissed presence what haue I to doo wyth that mete I haue mete that they knewe not of whether receyueth anone more lyf by bodely metes or by ghostely metes Lorde as thou knowest well I haue fledde the conuersacion off men that I myght the sonner fynde and now sythe I haue founde the by the mercy and graciously thou haste shewed the to me though I am vnworthy sholde I nowe than forsake this precious tresour And put me to the conuersacion of men eftsones and soo ben founde reprobable in the faythe A nay lord suffer not that be soo for thyne infynyte goodnes whaÌ„ she had thus longe wepte and weyled wyth swete sobbyng wordes oure lorde sayde to her suffre now dere doughter for it is full semely to the that thou shodeste fulfylle all maner of vertu that not only it be fruytfull to thyn self but also to other by myn specyall grace it is not myn entent for to dysceuere or departe the from me in ony maner of wyse But rather I shall haue the to me more strenger by medytacions of neyghbours charyte Knewest thou not well that in thise two thynges scondeth the perfection of myn commaundementys that is in loue off god and loue of thyn neyghbour I wil therfore that thou wyll fulfylle the verof thyse two preceptis that thou may go to heuen not wyth one wynge but wyth tweyne Haue doughter how of thin yonge age thou hast had hyther to a yele a loue of helthe of sowles by me it hathe be encresyd in so moche that in thyn yonge age thou purposed the to feyne the aman by cause thou myghtest the sonner be receyued amonge the order of the fryer prechours in straunge contrees that thou sholdest not be knowen soo for to prouffyte to the helthe of mennys soules for that synguler loue that thou haddest to myn seruaunt Domynyk thou desyrest wyth a grete honour his habyte that thou now hast receyued the whiche domynyk pryncypally for helthe of soules I ordeyned that order why merueylest thou wey lest thou soo yf I brynge the to that that thou hast soo longe desyred Wyth thyse wordes of our lord this holi maide was gretely comforted sayde vnto hym lyke as our gloryous lady gloryous vyrgyn marie sayde to gabriel suche wordes QnÌ„o fit istud A good lord in what wyse what maner may this be done Our lord sayde agayn as myn goodnes shal dyspose ordeyne ThenÌ„e she as a good dyscyple a trewe folower of her mayster Cryste Ihesu sayde lord thyn wyl be done in all thynges and not in me for I am derkenes and thou art lyght I am she that is nought and thou art he that is ought I am she that is vnwis and
whan he herde of the myraclis that was wrought by this hooly mayde and vyrgyn This Anthony was enfected soo that he myght not be cured wyth none natural medeâ—in he bethought hiÌ„ of this hooly maide virgin deuoutly he made a vowe to her he had not so sone made his a vowe that he ne felte his body and his lymÌ„es as stronge as euer they were Thenne he came to this holy mayde aud vyrgyn thanked our reuerend lord almighty god and her of his recoueryng ¶ Also ther was a deuoute matrone that was welknowe wyth this hooly mayde and virgyn whan she lyued in erthe for ofte tymes whan she came to her place she and many of her dysciples were herberowed wyth her the whiche matrone she called Paula In the same tyme whaÌ„ this holy mayde vyrgyne passyd out of this world This pauâ—a was seke and hadde lay seke iiij monethes afore vpon a sekenes that is called podagra and vppon another sekenes on her syde that is called Ilycapassio And by cause the remedyes of thoo two sykenesses ben contrary eche to other for the tone sekenesse requyred openenyng and the other closinge therfore this matrone was moche more vexed â–ª soo that other whyles she was nere deed â—han tâ—is matrone herde saie that this holy made virgyn was â—passyd She asked for charyte that she might hauâ— somÌ„e maner of clothe that her swete holi body was coueryd with or touched as she desyred soo she hadde that same nyght at euen she leyde that clothe vpon her as she laye in her bedde all nyghte On the morowe she roos vp all hole and walked on her fete as though she hadde neuer that sekenesse Suche myracâ—es many moo oure reuerend lord almyghty god wrought in that blessyd mayde and holy vyrgyn or than it was buryed Yet oure reuerend â—lorde almyghtyâ— god cecyd not for to worke helthe to seke folke For in werkyng it rather encresyd than dymynused ¶ There was a womaÌ„ that was callyd â—one whiche had a lytyll chylde that myght not stonde ryght vp on his fetene goo This â—one herde how our reuerende lorde almyghty god wrought many fayr my raâ—â—ys by this holy mayde and vyrgyne gloryous saint katheryne she made auowe to our reuerend lord almyghty god to here for the â—elthe of her chylde After tyme she hadde made her a vowe she toke hyr chylde with her and came to the graue where the hooly mayde vyrgyn was buryed And she layde hyr chylde vpon the graue And anone the chylde began to stonde ryght vp and go as though he hadde had neuer sekenesse in his legges ¶ Also there was a man of Tose that was also callyd Johan the whiche had an horryble sekenes in hys eyen so the wormes bredde in his eye this â—ohn made a vowe deuoutly to oure reueâ—â—nde lord almyghty god to this holy mayde vyrgyn gloryous saint Katheryne off Sene anone he was delyuerd of hys sekenes whâ—n he was so delyueryd he came to the sepulcre of that blessid mayde virgin setâ—â— vp a tokeÌ„ of waxe as the maner is in sygne tokeÌ„ of delyuâ—raâ—ce than he tolde to all folke that wolde hâ—re it the merueyle of our reuerend lord almyghty god shewed by this hooly mayde virgyn Also there was a woman pylgryme of duchelond whos name was not wryton bicause it was foryete of neglygence the whiche pylgryme had desuche a sekenesse in both her eyen that she had almost lost her syghte Thâ— pylgrym made a vowe deuoutly to oure reuerende lord almyghty god to this holy mayde and vyrgyn gloryous saynt Katheryn of sene And wythin a lytyll tyme after she had clere â— yght hyr sekenesse was gon whan she was to hyr sepulcre for to thanke our reuerende lord almyghty god and hyr She sawe as clerly as eueâ— she dyde ¶ Also there was a lady of Rome that was called Maryâ— the whiche the whiche hadde in her hede a greuous sekenes that notwithstondyng many sondry medecyns the whiche she vsed she myght neuer be holpe therby but lost her eyen Wherfore for sorowe and shame that she hadde therof she wold neuer passe her hous after ne appere in the syght of men This lady herde speke of the gteate myraclis that our reuerend lord almighty god wrought by that holy mayde and vyrgyn gloryous saynt katherin she made auowe to our reuerend lord almyghty god and to her deuoutly After tyme her vowe was made the next nyght sueing this holy mayde and vyrgyn apperyd to the seruaunt of this lady in her slepe and bad her sey to her lady that she sholde doo nomore medecyns to her sight but euery daye in the morowe she shold goo to chirche here the seruyce of our reuerend lorde almyghty god and theÌ„ne she shall be hole Whan this seruaunt had tolde her lady thus she dede soo and at the laste by lytil lytyll she began to see wyth that blynde eye and was fully restoryd to helthe Loo dere susters by this myracle ye may consydere that this holy mayde and vyrgyn folowed the dedes of our lord almyghty god swete Ihesu Cryst For whan oure reuerend lorde almyghty god swete Jhesu Cryste was sought whiles he was in erthe here for the helthe of body Hym thought it was not ynow for hym to he le only the body but yf he helyd the soule Whan he sayde to one that came to hym for to be helyd in body thus Fili remittuntur tibi peccata That is to saye thyn synnes be forgyuen Ryght soo this holy mayde virgyn there she was asked of helthe She gaue also helthe of soule in that she badde her here her dyuyne seruyce The whiche is helthe and comforte to thesoule ¶ Also there was a yonge man the whiche was called James the sone of a Romane that was called Peers the whiche was in a tyme so seke in body that none leche myght hele hym But alegates he drewe faste to deth Thenne was there a deuote woman that was called Ceccola The whiche woman sawe this yong maÌ„ in poynt of deth and made avowe for hi to this holy mayde and vyrgyn gloryoê° saynt katheryn She hadde not soo soone made her vowe but that the yonge man began to recouere and was fully delyuered from his sekenes ¶ Also there was a woman callyd gallya that was sore seke and myght not be helped by none lechecrafte So that lechee sayde by cours of naturall kynde that she sholde be dede wythin a short tyme thenne this woman Gallya thought vppon saynt gloryous katheryne of Seene and recommended her lyff to her She had not so soone do soo but that she felte comforte and amendement And so lytyll and lytyll she was restoryd to helthe ¶ Also there was a deuoute lady that was called dame Jone the whiche knewe well this holy mayde virgyn gloryous saint katheryn whyles she lyued And she counseyled seke folke whan she spake wyth them to
goddis chirche in heuen And in this chapytre is a recapytulacion of all the holy fyll of this gloryous saint and virgyn afore sayde for werynesse of reders Also yf eche maÌ„ may not haue all the hole holy lyf of this gloryous saint and virgyne afore sayde Thenne maye he haue the substauÌ„ce of it here compendyously rehersyd Capitulum vltimum THe holy doctour saynt Gregorye seyth in hys dyalogus that the vertue of pacyence is more commendable thenne shewyng of myracles This is the cause why our moder holy chyrche whaÌ„ she wodel Canonyze ony saynte fyrste she enquyreth of the vertue of pacyence Thenne of the shewyng of myracles that is for two skylles One is for many euyll lyuers haue do wond thynges shall do that semeth myracles all though they be none as Symon magus dyd Antecryst shall do in hys tyme. Another is by cause som ther hath ben that haue done shewed myracle by â—tue of our lord Ihesu the whiche haue be dampned afterward as Judas all tho thou our lord speketh of in the gospell where he sayth that som shall stande on the lyfte syde on the day of the generall dome saye to hym in excusyng of them self Lord haue we not in thy name shewed do wonderfull myracles To whome our lord shall answere ageyne say Go ye from me werkers of wickydnes by thyse two skylles ye may vnderstonde the holy chyrche in erthe may not only be certyfyed by myracles whether the ê‘sone be holy or not by whom they be shewed all be it that they shewe presumpcyon of holynesse And namely tho myracles that ben shewed after the deth of a ê‘sone for they were no sayntes at whos graues myracles ben shewed Yet were possyble that our mercyable lord sholde haue them excused yelde them after theyr meke beleue the whiche beleuen that they be sayntes Not for them that ben there beryed but for the glorye the ioye of hys owne name lest they the whiche beleue in hym be defrawded from theyr desyre wherfore our mod holy chyrche in erthe that is gouerned by the holy ghost desyryng for to be certefyed of tho merites of holy sayntes as moche as it is possyble in this lyf enquyreth specyally of theyr vertuous lyuyng of tho thynges that they wrought whyles they lyued in erthe Soo our lord Ihesu hyr spouse taught hyr to do whan he sayd Ex fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos That is of hyr werkys ye shall knowe them for it folowed aftward in the same place where that clause is wryten afore that a good tree may not bryng forthe euyll fruyte What ben thyse fruytes Trewely no thyng ellys but werkys of loue charyte bothe of god and of our neyghbours But by cause of these werkys of charyte ryght as they be plesaunt to our lord ryght so they ben dysplesaunt to the fende So that he is about in all that he can may for to lette the dedes of charyte bothe by hym self also by the worlde that is by worldly lyuers Wherfore it is full necessarye to holy lyuers to haue pacyence ê‘ceuerauÌ„ce yf they wyll be rewarded for theyr mede in blysse by the whiche pacyence they may conserue them kepe them in good loue of god and of theyr good neyghbours notwythstoÌ„dyng all maner ê‘secucyons Therfore it was that Saynt Powle assygned the fyrst condycyon of charyte pacyence whan he sayd Caritas paciens est That is charyte is pacyence Loo maydens this is the cause why oure moder holy chyrche in erthe requyreth more after the pacyence of a saynte yf he sholde be Canonyzed thenne after the myracles for among all â—tuous werkys yet pacyens is the grettest wytnesse of holynesse And this is sayd maydens be cause that ye shold not be in doubte of this holy maydens holynes for she had that vertue of pacyence full blyssedly As I shall tell you by the helpe of god of your good prayers rehersyng all hir dedes of pacyence by recapytulacyon of this hole legende namely for wery reders that thynken an houre in deuoute redyng is lenger than a daye and yf they were occupyed in tales tryfles thenne them semeth the long day â—hort thenne an houre Vnderstonde well maydens that this holy mayde Katherin ê‘ceyued that the vertue of pacyence myÈt not haue his gracious werkyng in a soule but fyrst vnlefull thynges were remeuyd awaye from it namely suche vnlefull thyngys that ben eâ—â—ytable to the lustes of the flesshe wherfore or thenne she came to the age of exê‘yence of flesshly lustes She â—emeuyd awaye myghtly all suche as suche thynges that sholde styre hyr whâ—n she came to age And yet she dyd not this wythout Inspyracion notable vision of our lord by the whiche InspiracoÌ„n whan she was â—j yere of age she saw our lord arayde as a bisshop sytting in a ryâ—t fayre chambre ouer the chirche of the fâ—ere pâ—echours Wyth whome she sawe aâ—so saynt Johan Euangelyst whyles she behelde our lord he lokyd vpon hyr full benyngly mekely and blyssed hir After this holy vysyon hyr soule was fulfylled wyth ê‘â—yâ—e loue that she putte awaye all chyldren condycyons gaue hyr selfe anone to prayer to penaunce and therin she encrecyd ê‘fytly that in the nexte yere after whan she was of vij yere of age she made a vowe of madenhode afore an ymage of our lady not sodeâ—â—ly but wyth grete delyberacyon afore as it is openly declared in the seconde the thrydde chapytre of the fyrst ê‘tye Furthermore by cause that this holy mayde wyst well that abstynence was necessary for to kepe the purpose of maydenhode Therfore she gaue hir to grete abstynence in hyr yong age ê‘fourmed it meruayllously For as it is reherâ—â—d in the thrydde chapytre of the fyrst ê‘â—ye in the vj chapytre of the same partye more largely the began preuely to leue flesshe And thenne as she encrecyd in age lytel lytell she lefte all maner etynge of flesshe therto she dranke no wyne but whan it was medled wyth watâ—r so that it had all most lost hys â—ast hys colour of wyne And whan she was xv yere of age she lefte bothe wyne flesshe all maner of metes out take brede rawe herbes Also whan she was xx yere of age she lefte brede took hir onely to dyetyng of rawe herbys soo contynued in that maner of lyuyng vnto the tyme our lord gaue hir a newe maner of gracious lyuyng whan she lyued without ony maner of mete that was whan she was xxv or xxvj yere of age as it is openly declared in the vj chapytre of the fyrst partye where is rehersed the cause the maner why wherfore she came to suche estate And where also is answered suffycyentely to them that grutched to that maner of lyuyng Whan this holy mayde hadde thus fully oâ—come the styryng of synnes that she came to the ê‘fyte vertue of
And yet not wythstondyng suche good occupacions She accused her self soo sharpely in confession and soo wyttyngly put her selfe in trespaas and offenses that yf hee cōfessour hadde not knowe her conuersacyon He myght haue supposed that she hadde trespased where she trespased not but rather deseruyd mede Loo ye maydens that heren and reden this boke alle this processe is for no thynge ellys I sayde but by that ye perceyuen this lytyll defaute In the whyche this holy mayde yelde her self soo mekely gylty Ye maye vnderstonde therby what per feccyon sheweth therafter by the gracyous yefte of our lorde the whiche her confessour reherseth in this wyse Bonauentura ryght as she was besy afore for to araye this holy mayde as the worlde asketh Ryght soo eftsones she besyed her for to enduce her in suche araye by her counseyll to the same apparaylle She myght in noo wyse inclyne the may dens herte nother generall nother specy all that she sholde shewe her bodely presence wylfully to the syghte of man to that entent oonly that she sholde be desyred the soner to be wedded all though her feruour of prayer and of swetenesse off medytaciō was slaked and wythdrewē from her for a tyme Att the laste oure lorde wolde not lenger suffre that hys spouse the whiche had soo specyally chosen sholde be withdrawe and taryed from hys speciall seruyce he wythdrewe from her in this wyse In a tyme whan the same Bonauentura the suster of the holy mayde sholde brynge forthe a chylde she was yet yonge y nough of age for to bere chyldren Take hede maydens therfore and see by thys How oure lorde is displesed wyth theym that ben aboute for to lette and wythdrawe theym that wolde serue hym specially in maydenhode and chastyte of lyuynge Thys Bonauentura as it is rehersyd after was alwaye full honeste in her maner of lyuyng bothe in worde and dede But by cause that she besyed her to drawe her suster to wordly thynges the whiche desyred to serue our lorde specyally She was smyten of hym and punysshed wyth a full sharpe deth Neuerthelesse our lord yet wrought full mercyably wyth hyr for as it was shewed afterward by reuelacyon to thys holy mayde she was in purgatory and suffred many greuous paynes And by the prayers of hir she was delyuered of payne and restored to blysse as she shewed afterward preuely to hyr confessour ¶ Whanne hyr suster Bonauenture was passyd out of thys worlde thanne thys blessyd mayde Katheryn clerely perceyued the vanyte of thys worlde and be ganne more feruentely and more gredylye trewely for to be torned to the louely ghostly clyppyng of hyr endeles spouse Jhesu cryste claymyng and accusynge hyr self gylty wyth Marye magdalene fallyng doune full streyte to the fete of oure lorde plenteuously shedyng out terys axynge Inwardly hys mercy praynge and thynkyng vncessably for hyr synnes that she myght deserue to hyr wyth Marye magdalene the wordes of confort of our lorde as he sayde to Marye thus ¶ Remittūtur tibi peccata tua ¶ That is to saye doughter thy synnes by foryeue the. And so she beganne to haue a synguler affeccyon to Mary magdalene For thanne in that tyme she enforsed hyrself wyth alle hyr myghtys to conferme hyr to Marye magdalene to haue the more grace in forgyuenes of hyr synnes Therfore afterward by encrece of deuocyon thys folow therof that our lord god the spouse of holy sowles and hys blessyd moder our lady Saynt Marye gaue Mary magdalene to thys blyssyd mayde in to a maystresse and to a moder as it shall be declared more openly wyth Inne forth by the helpe of Jhesu ¶ After thys the fende enemye to alle mankynde sorowyng that thus his pray was wythdrawe and delyuerd alle hole from hys power the whyche be lytell and lytell enforced to drawe it to hym And also consyderynge that thys holy mayde encreced more and more to renne quyckely to the tabernacle of mercy of hyr spouse Jhesu He thought felly and wylely to lette hyr of hyr ghostly purpose by the meyne of hyr faders howsholde besyeng hym by aduercytees and persecucyons to drawe hyr holy to the worlde that she sholde not be occupyed in suche ghostly excercyse puttyng in to the the mynde of hir fader and moder and also hyr brethern that in alle wyse she sholde be wedded That they myght so by hyr mene purchace somme manere of kynrede aboute thys besynesse the fende enduced hem so hyely that in asmoche as one of hyr doughters was passyd out of thys world they sholde be aboute to recouer the harme of hyr that was dede by hyr that was a lyue So ferforth that they were aboute to seke an husbonde for thys holy mayde ¶ Whan thys mayde perceyued and consydered the wyles of hyr ghostly enemye by Inspyracyon of our lord Jhesu A none myghtely and besyly she contynued in prayer and medytacyon and excercyses of penaunce to haue grace to flee the conuersacyon of men and soo shewed by open tokenys to hyr frendes that in noo wyse she was in purpose to be wedded to no dedely ne corruptyble spouse Syth it so is and was that she had taken so gracyously to hyr spouse in hir yonge tender age the vndedely kyng of endeles blysse Whanne the fader and moder kynne perceyued veryly that thys holy may de shewed perseueraūtly bothe by tokens and by worde that she wylled neuer to be wedded to none erthely man they thought to bowe hyr herte by a nother mene for to consente to theyr purpose They callyd to them a frende of therys a frere prechour the whyche they loued specyally and prayed hym entyrly that he wolde goo and counseyll that holy mayde that she sholde consente to there wylle To whome the frere answerde and sayde he wolde do that he myght But whan he came to thys mayde by communycacyon he founde hyr so stedfast in the purpose of maydenhode that by conscience he was so enduced to gyue hyr holsum counseylle and sayde Syth it is so that thou arte dysposed to serue our lorde god in maydenhede ageynst whyche purpose thy frendes ben aboute to lette the. Shewe the stedfastnesse of thyn holy purpose and cutte a waye alle thyn here of thy hede peraduenture they wold cesse of there pursuyte As soone as thys blessyd mayde herdethys hys counseyll she wrought there after as though she hadde I herde it of god And took a peyre of sherys anone and cutte awaye hir herys in the whiche she supposed she had synned greuously and that that she hated so moche she cutte it awaye ryght gladly fast by the he de And whanne she had I do she couerd hyr hede wyth a Coyf and so wente forthe alle ageynst the comyn custome of other maydens of the worlde wyth a kerchyf on hyr hede after the doctryne of saynt Powle And whan hyr moder Lapa aspyed thys that hyr doughter Katheryn vsed thus to couer hyr hede customably She asked hyr why she
dyd so to who me thys mayden gaf none clere answer by cause she wolde nethyr lye ne telle the trouthe Wyth that the moder wente to thys maydens hede and took of hyr kerchyfe wyth hyr owne hondys And so ê‘ceyued that hyr here was cut awaey ThaÌ„ne was the moder sorowfull in hyr herte bycause hyr fayre here was cutte awaye waylynge and cryenge in thys wyse Aa doughter what haste thou doo Anone the mayde keuered hyr hede efte sones and wente a syde To the crye of her moder came bothe the fader and the chyldren meruayllyng what it myght be Whanne they knewe the cauâ—â— of hyr cryeng they were hugely ameuyd ageynste this maide of the whiche trouble was begonne the secounde bataylle ageynst this mayde more sharper than theÌ„ne was the fyrst But yet to thys mayden our lord gaff the vyctorye that thoo thynges whyche semed lettyng to hyr holy purpose was to hyr grete helpe meruayllously for to knytte hyr to our lord more myghtely Therefore they pursued hyr openly rebukyng hyr and thretyng hyr in worde and dede sayeng thus Thou wretched creature trowest thou for to escape thus that thou shalt not fulfyll our wylle because that thou hast cutte awaye thyn here hyt shall growe ageyn wyll thou nyll thou and though thyn herte sholde to breste yet shalt thou haue an husbonde And thou shalt neuer haue reste vnto the tyme that thou haste consented to our wylle And wyth that they made an ordynaunce that Katheryne shold nomore haue no pryue chambre by hir self to dwelle Inne but that sholde openly be occupyed in the comyn seruyce of the how 's So that the place and tyme of prayeng and vnyeng and knyttyng to Jhesu hir spoufe sholde vtterly be wyth drawe from hir And also that she shold see hyr self so moche the more in despyte that she was made a comyn seruaunte After thys ordynaunce thys holy mayde was putte to alle manere fylthe besynesse and the fowle of the kechyn Suffryng euery day repreues and euery day also wronges and rebukyng and dyspytable wordes were multeplyed ageynst hyr that moste of alle ouercomen wymmenys hertys For as hyt was supposed hyr fader and hyr moder and brethern hadden fonde a yong man of whos kynrede they weren gretely well apayde And therefor they steryd and Inpugnyd hyr the more sharpely that she myght the sonner be bowed to theyr consent But where that oure ghostly enemye the fende by whos wyckednes tretcherous werkes all thyse thynges were wrought doune wende for to wyth drawe thys mayde from hyr clene purpose There by the helpe of god she was made moost strengest for she was in noo wyse meuyd ne stered of alle that was doone to hyr But she made hyr a pryue chaumbre by helpe of the holy ghoost in hyr owne sowle fro the whyche pryue chaumbre she made an ordynaunce in hyr self neuer for to go out for no manere of besynesse And so it was done in dede that she the whyche fyrste hadde an outward chaumbre assygned to hyr somtyme stood wyth out and somtyme wente oute But afterwarde whan she had made hyr selue in hyr sowle a pryue chaumbre that myght not be take from hyr of no creature in erthe she went neuer out Thes ben tho heuenly vyctoryes that may not be taken awaye fro crystis specyall in erthe ouercomynge wyth out ony doubte alle stylly enemyes As holy wrytte seyth Regnum dei infra nos est That is to saye the kyngdome of heuen is wythin vs. And also the prophete Dauyd seyth That all the ioye of our lordes doughter is wythin forthe Wythin vs wyth out ony doubte there is a clere vnderstondyng a frâ— wylle and a retentyf mynde Wythin vs also is the gracyous Infusyon of the holy ghoost the whiche maketh perfyte these ghoostly myghtys rehersed afore and ouercometh and throweth vnder foot alle outward aduersytres Wythin vs yf we ben trewe vylners of vertue dwelleth that ghest the whyche sayde and seyth Confidite ego vici mundum That is trusteth feythfully that ye shall ouercome your enemyes for I haue ouercome the worlde that grete enemye In this blessyd lord thys holy mayde Katheryn trustyd so hyghely that she made hir wyth Inne hyr self a chambre by hys helpe for whos loue she charged not for to lese the chambre made of mannes handes wythout forth ¶ But now one thynge shall I saye that mayster Reymond the confes sour of thys holy mayde beryth recorde of that whan that he sholde walke outward by cause other whyle of grete outward besynesse and occupacyon that nedys must be done Thys holy mayde oftymes warned hym and sayde that he shold make wythin hys sowle a pryuee celle of whyche pryue cell he sholde neuer goo out And alle be it that he vnderstonde hyr not but so ouerly so lyghtely Yet neuerthelesse afterwarde whan he consydered more wyttely hyr wordes The wordes that Saynt Johan sayde in the Gospell felle in hys mynde where it is rehersed of crystys dyscyples in thys wyse Hoe autem non cognouerunt discipuli eius primum Sed quando glorificatus est ihesus tune recordatisunt That is crystys dyscyples knewe not alle thynge of hym as touchyng hys passyon fyrst but onely But after tyme whan he was reysen fro deth to lyue and gloryfyed thanne they knewe more openly and clerely And soo in the same manere wyse bothe to mayster Reymond hyr confes sour to tho other that were conuersaunt wyth hyr it happyd meruayllously that they perceyued more openly and clerely bothe her dedys and hyr wordes afterwarde than whenne they were wyth hyr presently ¶ Yette shall I telle you of another holy conseyt and a blessyd ymagynacyon of thys holy mayde that the holy ghoost taught hyr by the whyche she ouercome alle wronges and despytes as she tolde pryuely to hyr confessour axyng of hym mekely how she myght be perfytly gladde amonge soo many despytes And thanne she brake out and sayde that she hadde suche an ymagynacyon in hyr self that hyr fader represented our lorde Ihesu Cryste oure sauyour and hyr moder oure blessyd lady Saynt Marye And hyr brethern and other many of the housholde betokeneth the holy appostles of oure lorde and other dyscyples of hys And for thys blessyd ymagynacyon she serued hem alle the more gladdely soo that they were alle a meruaylled therof And by thys blessyd ymagynacyon she wan another grete profyte and as oftr as she serued and made mynystracy on euer she hadde in mynde hyr hyr spouse Ihesu Cryste Whome hyr thought she serued And soo she beyng in bodely kechyn was alle waye wyth that holy place that is callyd Sancta sanctorum And as ofte as she serued atte mete soo ofte she fedde hyr sowle wyth the presence of oure sauyour A hyghe and rychesse of endeles counseyll by how many dyuers and meruayllous wayes delyuerest them that trusten in the from alle maner dyseses and bryngest them in to the hauen of
endeles reste delyueryng them bothe from the pytte and the swolowe Whan alle thys was done thys holy mayde consyderynge euyr more in hyr sowle the mede the rewarde I ordeyned for hyr of the holy ghoost suffred gladly and nought paynfully alle the wronges that was putte to hyr And also she encreced contynually the cours of hyr labour the more that she myght haue a full ioye in hyr sowle And by cause that it was not suffred to hyr to haue a chambre by hyr self but for to haue hyr chambre openly as other hadde ¶ Therefore by an holy aâ—uysement she chose the chambre of Stephen hyr brother that hadde nether wyf ne chyldren Where by dayes tyme whanne he was absente she myght be allone And nyghtes tyme whan he slepte she prayed after hyr desyre soo that nyght and daye she soughte to see the face of hyr spouse Ihesu Cryste knockyng at the dore of hys ghoosâ—ly tabernacle wyth out cessyng She prayed our lord vncessably that he wolde wouche sauf to be the keper of hyr virgynytee sayeng and syngyng in in sowle wyth Saynt Cecylye thys holy verse of Dauyd the prophete Fiat cor meum domine et corpus meum immaculatum That is lorde Ihesu I praye that myn herte and my body be kepte clene vnderfowled to the and soo in scylence and in hope she was made stronge in our lord ryght meruayllously For the more torment and persecucyon she hadde wyth out forth the more she was fulfylled wyth ghoostly ioyes wythin forth soo ferforth that hyr brethern perceyueng hir stedfastnesse sayden betwyne them seluen thus we be ouer come Hyr fader that was most Innocente of alle consyderyng pryuely hyr dedes perceyued that she was ladde euery daye more and more by the holy ghoost and nought by the lyghtnes of yonthe Alle thyse that ben rehersed in thys chapytre hyr confessour mayster Reymond had it by reuelacyon of Lapa thys maydens moder and of lyxa her brother wyf and of other also that were in hyr faders how 's But as for other thynges that other folke myght not knowe he knewe by tellyng of thys holy mayde in confessyon ¶ Of the vyctorye whyche she hadde of them that desesed hyr And that was by a culuer whiche hyr fader sawe and by a vysyon of Sâ—ynt Domynyk Ca v IN the mene whyle that thys holy mayde was putte in suche reproue and shame it happyd vp on a daye that she entred in to the chambre of hyr yonge brother Stephen And prayed deuoutly leuyng the dore vnshett for it was forboden to hyr by hyr fader moder that she sholde not shette the dore Casuelly thenne it happened that the fader entred in to the chambre sekynge a certeyne thynge of hys sones that he had nede to And as he loked aboute he sawe hys doughter more goddes doughter thanne hys prayng in a corner and knelyng and a lytell whyte culuer restynge vp on hyr hede the whyche culuer fledde out of the chambre wyndowe whan the fader was entred in to the chaÌ„bre as him thought Anone the fader axed the doughter what culuer that myght be that fledde so out of the chambre to whom the doughter answerd and sayde that neuer she sawe culuer ne other byrde in the chambre Thenne hadde the fader grete meruaylle and kepte all thyse wordes pryuely in hys herte Fro that tyme forwarde there beganne gracyously to encrece in that holy maydens sowle an holy desyre whyche neuerthelesse was begonne as it is reherced a fore in hyr chyldehode and now afterward it was renewyd for tuycyon and dysease of kepyng of hyr maydenhode or virgynytee and that desyre was no thynge ellys but for to receyue the habyte of the ordre of frere prechours the whyche ordre Saynt Domynyk was bothe foundour and fader There she prayed bothe daye and nyght to our lord that he wouchesauf to fulfyll hyr desyre And therto she had a grete deuocyon to Saynt Domynyk as it is rehersed a fore to a worthy and a fruytfull louer of sowles Almyghty god therefor sawe how wysely and how myghtely hys doughter as a yong knyght faught in batayll and wyth what feruour of deuocyon she besyed hyr to plese hym wyth alle hyr desyre he wolde in no wyse dysceyue hyr ne defraude hyr of hyr holy purpose But for the more sekernesse he comforted hyr wyth suche a vysyon ¶ This holy mayde on a tyme had a vysyon in hir slepe that she sawe many holy faders many dyuers fouÌ„dours of the ordre of the frere prechours amonges whom she saw saynt Dominyk that she knewe wel I now holdyng in hys honde a fayre whyte lylye the whyche lylye semyng to hir was all a fyre as the busshe that Moyses saw yet was not brennyd Whan this holy faders al in general eche in a speciall gaf hir couÌ„seyll for hir more mede that she shold chese oo Relygion of their ordynauÌ„ce in the whiche relygion she myght yelde due seruyce to god She torned hir self hole to saynt dominik so saw in spyryt how that the holy fader saynt dominyk came to hir brought in his honde an habyte of sustris the whyche susters ben called sustres of penaunce of saynt Domynyk Of the whiche susters ther was ne yet is no lytell noÌ„bre in the cyte of Senee And whan thys holy fader saynt domynyk cam to this mayde he coÌ„forted hir with suche wordes sayde Dought be of good coÌ„fort drede no manere of peryll for ryght as thou hast desyred this habyte she thought she receyued it and thankyd almyghty god and his worthy confessour Saynt Domynyke not wyth a lytyll gladnesse but wyth ioyefull teres that soo perfyghtely hadde coÌ„forted her And soo wyth wepyng she awoke was restoryd to her bodely wyttes ¶ And whan she was awaked she caught comforte and bodely strength of this vysyon and toke soo grete a boldenes of the truste that she hadde in our lorde that the same daye she called her fader and moder and bretheren togyders and sayde to theym boldely in this wyse Somtyme ye sayde vnto me and tretyd me longe tyme therof that I sholde bee wedded to a corruptyble and to a dedely man though I hadde abhomynacion of suche weddyng in myn herte as ye myght clerly perceyue by many dyuerse tokenes if ye hadde I wolde yet for the reuerence that I sholde shewe to my fader and moder by the bydyng of god vnto this tyme I excused me neuer clerly to you but now by cause I may noo lenger be styl I shall declare to you openly myn herte and purpoos The whiche purpoos it is not conceyued of newe but of chyldhode vnto this tyme â–ª therfore I wyl ye knowe it that in myn chyldhode I made avowe of virgynyte and serue oure lorde sauyour of alle the worlde and his blessyd moder gloryous vyrgyn marie our gloryous lady not chyldely but wyth a saâ— and a longe avysement And for a grete
cause I made avowe also that I shold neuer take husbond but hym alone Therfore now syth I am come by the sufferaunce of oure lord to a more perfyght age and knowleche and vnderston dyng wytte wete ye ryght well this is the same purpoos whiche is soo myghty and stroonge in myn sowle that it were more possyble hard flynt stones rather to be made nesshed than myn herte shold be wythdrawe fro this holy pnrpos and therfore the more ye laboure aboute thys thynge the more tyme ye lese Wherfore I counseyll you that ye leue of alle maner suche tretyng of weddynge as touchyng myn persone For therin shall I neuer fulfylle your wyll by cause that I sholde rather be obedyent to god than to man therfore yf ye wylle haue me suche one in your hous that I now serue god in this purpoos and for to be a commyn seruaunt to serue you all I am redy in all that I can or may to doo you seruyce gladly And yf ye wylle receyue me but for this cause that ye wylle putt me out of your hous I doo you well to wete that in noo wyse myn herte may be wythdrawe fro this holy purpos ¶ I haue an husbond and a spouse cryste Jhesu soo rychely and soo myghtely that wyll not suffre me in noo wyse to lacke no thyng But he wyll mynystre to me all that me nedeth Whan she hadde sayde alle thyse wordes alle that herde her speke fyll in wepyng and by cause of her plentnously syghynge and sobbynge they myght for that time gyue none answer They consyderid to the holy purpos of thys holy mayde the whyche they myght not wyth saye ne wythstonde they behylde also how styll the mayden had I kepte her how clene how pure vnto that tyme how bodely she declared her consciens by wordes of grete prudence also ouer more they sawe openli that she was rather diposed for to forsake her faders hous than for to breke her holy purpoos and soo they hadde nomore truste of her weddyng wherfore it lyked theym better for to wepe than for to gyue her answer Wythin a lytyll whyle after whan they hadde cesyd all her wepynge the fader that loued her soo tenderly had dredde of god and dred god soo hyghely hadde mynde of the coluer that he sawe and of many good dedes of the whiche she vsed The whiche dedes he gretely merueylyng gaue her suche an answere and sayde Dere doughter god forbede it that we sholde ony thynge wylle or desyre agaynste the wyll of god For the whiche wyll and fro the whiche wyll we knowe well thys holy purpoos cometh fro Therefore it is soo that we ben taught by longe experyence And now openly we see that thou art not steryd herto by the lyghtenesse of chyldhode but by feruent charyte of god Make thy vowe therfore frely and doo as the lyketh and as the holy ghoost techeth the ¶ And fro this tyme forward we shall neuer lette the from thyn holy purpoosne thyne ghostely excercise but only praye for vs besely that we maye bee made worthy to the promys and the byheste of thyn ghoostely spouse whom thou haste chose by his specyall grace in thyn tender age ¶ Thenne he tourned hym to hys wyf and to his chyldren and sayde none of you from this tyme forward be to my ne dere donghter greuous None be soo hardy from this tyme forward to let her in ony wyse to suffer her to serue her spouse freely and she to praye for vs be sely We myght neuer haue founde a better husbond to her thenne he is the whiche vochesauf to be so nere of our kynde for to wedde our doughter and haue her to wyf Therfore we haue none cause to pfayne vs sythe it soo is that we haue receyued now for a dedely man ▪ vndedely god and man to be her spouse ¶ Whan the fader hadde sayde thyse wordes wyth wepynge and wyth weylyng bothe of theym selfe and also of other that herde theym and hym speke and namely of the moder that louyd this mayde in maner flesshely then̄e this holy maide Katheryn ioyefully thanked oure lorde that brought her to this vyctorye and also her fader and moder wyth alle maner of lowenes dysposyng her self to vse profytably the lycence that was graūted to her And this is the ende of this chapytre ¶ But now I wylle ye knowen that redyn or heren this booke that Mayster Reymound confessour to this holy mayde knewe neuer by reuelacion of the fader that sawe the coluer the whiche restyd on this blessyd maydens hede for the fader was deed or thā Mayster Reymoūd knewe this blessyd mayde But he knewe it by reuelaciō of Cosyns that dwellyd in the faders hous the whiche cosins recorded and bare wytnes that the fader sawe suche a culuer wyth her ofte tymes And therfore he hadde her in greate reuerence and he wold in noo wyse that she hadde be lettyd or troublyd ¶ Of the vysyon that she sawe of saynt Domynyk bothe mayster Reymound her confessour afore hym knewe it by tellyng of this holy mayde And whan mayster Reymound examyned her of the wordes that she sayde laste to her fader moder and brederen and how she byhad her in her pesecucions she tolde hym alle by ordre mekely as it was ¶ Of the hardenesse of her bodely penaūce of afflyction what persecucion she fuffred therfore of her moder Capitulū vj WHan this deuoute mayde hadde receyued so large a lycence that was graunted her of longe tyme desyred afore She beganne ryght quyckely for to dyspose merueylously alle her lyf to the seruyse of god ¶ Att the begynnyng she asked to haue a lytyll chambre to her self and so had de it wherin she purposed to tourmente her body wyth penaunce as in a wyldernesse that she myght haue the more fredome of sowle for to serue our lord How moche and how harde penaunce she vsed in tourmentyng of her body And how grete loue she hadde in seyng of hyr spouse in that lytyll chambre there maye noo tongue suffre to telle Neuertheles I haue rehersed som what in generall of her grete penaunce And now I purpose to telle you maydens in speciall vnder fewe wordes the hardnesse of her penaunce soo that ye of the grete vertuous herbes of her holy lyuyng maye taste somwhat of the fruyte that growen aboute the herber bothe of the fyrst and of the laste And for the condycions and the kyndis of the fruyt it shall be declared by the helpe of god afterward And the cause why that in this place is rehersyd som̄e what of her fruyte full vertuous lyuing is for nothynge ellys But for the maydens sholde be the more able and redyer to ghostely excercyse In this lytyll chābre that was graunted her ofte tymes she consydered swetely the ghostely werkis of our old faders of Egypte And in ghostely werkys was to her soo moche the more merueylous and that
angmented so myghtly in the brest of this holy mayde that not onely it was shewed to seek bodyes as it is reherced afore but also it was shewed in voydyng of wycked spyrytes as it shall be declared in this chapytre by the helpe of god Ther was in the Cyte of Sene a man the whiche was called mychael that vsed the craft of wrytyng whan he was passed in yeres of age by consent of hys wyf he was in purpose to leue the worlde serue our lord more specyally thenne he was wonte And also for to make two doughters of hys mynchyns in a monasterye in the same Cyte of Sene endowed in worshyp of saynt Johan the Enange lyst so hys lyst was fulfylled And at the last by a pryue dome of god one of his doughts the whiche was made a myn then that was called Laurencyana of vill yere of age or there aboute was vexed with a fende so that all the monasterye was vnquyeted by hyr vexacyon And at the last by comyn assent they sent after hyr fader delyuered ageyne hys doughter for they wold nomore haue hyr in the monasterye as long as she was so vexed Whan she was take out of the monasterye the fende spak wythin hir by the childys mouth many wondre thynges all in latyn wordes so many herde questyōs ther to pupplysshed many pryue synnes in sclaunder of many folke by the whiche it myght well be vnderstond that he was no good spyryte Of this vexacyon hyr fader moder and other of hir frendes were ryght sory wente aboute to dyuerse relyques of sentes for to seke helpe grace that her doughter myght be delyuerd of that spiryte And specyally they trusted gretely in the relyques of saynt Ambrose the whiche was a frere prechour to whome our lord graunted a synguler gyfte to put awaye wycked spyrytes soo that hys cope yf it had be layde vpon ony creature that had be vexed wyth a wicked spiryte it sholde be auoyded where fore the same chylde was brought to the frere prechours leyde vpon a tombe of saint ambrose hys clothes were leyde to the childe and the fader the mod prayed in the mene whyl the helpe ef god of the sente that the chylde myght be socourre But yet for that tyme were they not herde Not for no synne that euer they dyd But I trowe be cause that the syguler remedyes was reserued to this holy mayde Thenne was it counseylled to the fad mod for to presente hyr doughter to Pratheryne the holy mayde they sent to the holy mayde prayenge hyr that she wolde helpe they re doughter And she sent ageyn answer sayd that often tymes defayled departed a sonder and my soule was vtterly delyuered out of the body Neuerthelesse it was but a lytell tyme that was my sorowe Then ne eftesones mayster Reymond axed hir how long tyme hyr sowle was out of the body She sayd as they that kepte hyr were aboute to haue beryed hyr foure houres or thēne she reuyued ageyn Yet he axed hyr what she sawe for that tyme why came the soule ageyne to the body she answerd thus Fader that tyme my sowle sawe vnderstode ioye of blessyd sowles and peynes of synners And as myn mynde wold suffre me wordes wolde suffyce to expresse them I shall tell you My sowle sawe the diuyne essen cyall beyng of god and that is the cause why I am soo lothe vnpacyent to lyue in this worlde and had not be the loue of hym the loue of crysten people for whiche my sowle was restoryd to the body ageyne I sholde had defaylled dyed for sorowe The hyghest comfort that I haue is whan I suffre ony dysease for that I haue the perfyte vysyon of god therfore trybulacyons ben not heuysom to me but comfortable as ye may knowe other that ben conuersaunt wyth me I sawe also the peynes of dampned sowles and peynes of sowles that ben in purgatory the whiche I can not expresse perfytely wyth no maner of wordes For yf wretched synners sawe the leste peyne that is there they had leuer chese bodely deth an hondred tymes yf it were possyble thēne for to suffre o daye the leste peyne that is there But specially I sawe hem ponysshed syngulerly that had synned in matrymony the whiche hadde not kepte hem to gyder honestly as they sholde do but folowed the dylectacions of theyr lustys Of this mayster Reymond hir confessour axed hyr why that synne in specyall was more greuously punysshed thenne o ther synnes syth it so is that it is not the most greuous synne She sayd for this skylle For they had not soo grete conscyence of that synne ne so grete contrycyon as they had of other synnes but rather they offended in that synne thenne in ony other That synne the whiche a synner chargeth not for to remoue by penaūce is a grete synne be it neuer soo lytell Thenne this holy mayde proceded forthe in hyr mater sayd thus also Fader whāne I had seen all thyse ioyes and thes peynes wenyng my self that I hadde fully be delyuered out of this body Oure lorde sayde to me seest thou not doughter what ioye they lacke and what peyne they haue that offenden me Torne ageyn therfore to thy body tell to the peple theyr errour and theyr peryll And wyth that worde I was astonyed for to torne ageyne to the body and sore aferde Thenne our ford sayd to me it is profyte to mennys soules that thou torne ageyne and thou shalte not lyue the lyfe that thou hast lyued a fore ne kepe the so lytarie allone in chambre but thou shalte goo a brode to wynne sowles I shall euer be wyth the and goo wyth the bothe goyng and comyng Thou shalte bere the worshyp of my name and of ghoostly doctryne afore grete and smale laye people and clerkys and a fore Relygyous folk also I shall gyue the bothe mouth and wytte for to speke that none may wythstande the. I shall also bryng the afore bysshoppys and curates of sowles for to confounde there pryde Whyles our lorde spak thyse wordes sodeynly my soule was restored ageyne to my body And whanne I perceyued that I hadde grete sowwe that I wepte thre dayes ende of this chapite It nedeth not for to reherce the wytnesses of euery acte that was done in this chapytre for it is made mencion of forthwyth at euery acte ī the same chapytre ¶ Of myracles whiche our lord wrought by this holy mayde in breed wyne herbes ▪ and other thinges that had none lyff Capitulum xj BY cause at the begynnyng whā Adam was made our lord ordeyned a rewle to all tho that obeye◠to hym perfyghtly that all thynges sholde obeye to them Therfor maydens in this nexte chapytre I shall telle you how to this holy mayde obeyden alle creatures by cause she obeyed perfyghtly to god In the tyme
that this holy mayde lyued in the Cyte of Seene it befyll that there was a wedowe a yonge woman called alixe the whiche wyth a greate fauoure drewe to this holy mayde soo that she thought she hadde soo grete affectyon â—o her â–ª that as her semed she myght not liue without her And therfore she toke the habite of the susters of penaunce and for soke her owne hous And hyred her an how 's by syde the hooly maydes how 's that she myght the more ofte bee conuersaunt wyth her Whan she hadde do thus the hooly mayde was ofte tymes in her hous wyth her and fledde for a tyme her faders hous It happed afterward in the same yere that in the Cyte of Sene there was a grete sharsyte of breed corn soo the stynkyng whete was drawen out of the erthe and out of dyches the whiche was bought of Cytezynes of the same Cyte as that tyme for good where by cause there myght none other begoten for none pryce Of the whiche stynkyng whete Alyxe the sorsayde wedowe must nedes be ye or ellys she shold be wythout brâ—d Neuâ—rtheles in as moche as it was nyghe the tyme of herwest her olde whete was fayled and brought to the marcat Alixe wyst therof that newe whete was comen she purpose to cast awaye the olde sâ—ynkyng whete and beye newe but bycause the hole Mayde was in her hous she wolde nothyng doo wythout counseyll of her wherfore she opened her purpos to her semyng thus moder sythe our lord heth do mercy wyth vs in syndyng of newe whete I am in wyll to throwe myn olde sâ—inkyng whete â–ª To whom this holy mayde answerd thus yf ye wyll not ete of that olde corn gyue it ellys to poure folke that hauen none â–ª Alixe sayd than that she sholde haue greate conscitence for to gyue the poure folke soo stynkyng whete she hadde leuer for to gyue theim of the beste whete Thenne this holy mayde badde her ordeyne water and bryng to her that stinkyng whete that she purposed to caste awaye for she sayde that she wolde make brede therof for poure folke as she sayde soo it was Fyrst she made her dowe after she molded loues of that lytyll quaÌ„tyte of whete And it encresyd soo plentuously in the moldyng that both Alyxe and her seruaunt weren gretely astonyed that sagen suche multyplycacioÌ„ of loues For as theym thought soo many loues myght not be made of suche foure lytyll quantyte of whete as thys hooly mayde made and sette forthe for to be bake and also there was none stynche of tho loues as it was of the other that were made of the same whete afore whan thei were bake they were sette fourth on the table for to be eten in the etyng there was fouÌ„de none bitternes no stynche but as thei saide that eten therof they eten neuer betyr brede This Alexe sent foâ— her confessonr he came wyth certain of his bretheren for to see â–ª that myracle and lyke as it was sayd to hym in quantyte encresyng and in qualyte ryght well amendyd To thyse two myâ—acles the thyrde was addyd to and that was this the breed was largely gyuen to poure folke and to other that wolde ete therof and yet was it neuer the lasse in nombre but alwaye was it fouÌ„de ynow in the breed hutche were not this trewely thre fayr myracles for fyrste she put awaye the stynche of that corn and afterward encresyd the loues in the muldyng and at the laste she multyplyed the loues in etyng of the breed in soo moche that they myght vnnethe be distribued bi many wekes togyders neended soo that xx yere after or moo there were somme that kepte of that breed for a relyke ¶ Thenne mayster Reymound her confessour asked her how the myracle was done She answerd and sayde that she hadde soo grete zele or loue to pour folke lest they shold spylle for defaulte and soo tender loue to our lord lest his gyfte sholde be dyspysed that she went wyth a grete feruour for to make breed of that stynkyng whete ¶ And thenne our blessyd gloryous lady gloryous virgyn Mary wyth a multytude of angelis stood by her and helpe her to molde by vertu of her holy gloryous hondes she trowed that the loues encresed for tho loues that oure gloryous Lady gloryous vyrgyn Mary molded she delyuerd to this holy mayde And she to Alixe and to her seruaunt for to be put in to the ouen what meruayle is it maidens though tho loues were swete sythe the hooly gloryous hondes of oure blessyd gloryous lady gloryons virgin Mary molded theym consydereth therforre good maydens and taketh good heede of what meryte this holy mayde was to whom vouchesaf our blessyd glorious lady gloryous vyrgyn mary stonde by her and helpe her in that myracle for to make vs vnderstonde that ryght as bodely lyuelode encresed in that hooly maydens hondes Ryght soo ghostely liuelode sholde encrese by her blessyd exortacion ¶ Now sythe I haue begonne of breed multyplyed by myracle therfore I shall contynue forth in suche in suche in suche a lyke myracle was done in the laste ende of her lyff whan she lyued here in erthe Of the whiche myracle were wytnesses lysa her cosyn and a suster of penaunce the whiche was called Johan for bothe they were wyth her whan she was sente after by our holy fader pope vrbane the vj to the courte of Rome And whan she was come to the Cyte she râ—sted there wyth a certayn nombre of her ghoostely chyldren that she hadde noryssched in vertu the whiche folowed her fro the partyes of Tuskan in maner agaynst this hooly maydes wyll somÌ„e for prechyng of ghostely grace of our holy fader and somme for pylgrymage and visitacions of saintes the whiche desyred to go specyally in this holy Maydes companye by cause they myght be fedde wyth the swetnesse of her blessyd conuersacion ¶ Thenne this holy mayde hadde made an ordynaunce amonges them that they sholde not haue aboute them neyther golde ne syluer But oonly they sholde lyue of poure almesse And that they sholde be herbourd in an hospytall ¶ And also the wymmen eueryche off theym a weke sholde mynysâ—re lyflod suche as they hadde receyued of almesse to allâ— her felawes that other myghten bee occupyed in the mene whyle in prayers and in holy contemplacyons and aboute theyr pylgrymages wherfore they were come to the Cyte Whan this ordynaunce was made soone after it happed that this Johan the whiche is reherced afore mynystred to other as for hyr weke In whos weke it befyll casuelly that she lacked brede whan hyr felawes sholde go to mete and thenne badde this holy mayde here afore that whan she lackyd brede she shold warne hir ouer euen that she myght goo make somme ordynaunce But Johan had forgete that whan hyr felawes were come to mete Johan wolde haue sette brede afore them and she founde nomore but a cantell that wolde