pleasyd to hym to shewe hym in thys manere and euer after bothe euenyng and mornyng he vsed contynuelly to blesse hym wyth that holy prayer to hys lyues ende and dyd moche penaunce euer after for goddes sake and whan he had contynued at scole a longe tyme at parys he came home went to oxenford to scole and alweye in thys tyme he was chaste in his lyuyng and a clene vyrgyn in wylle and deed and neuer consented to the synne of the flesshe And on a day he made his prayers deuoutely before an ymage of our lady and he put a rynge vpon hyr fyngre and promysed to hir feythfully neuer to haue other wyf but onely hir duryng his lyf and humbly grette our lady wyth thyse foure wordes Aue maria gracia plena whyche wordes were wryton on the sayd rynge and his hoost had a doughter that laboured gretely to make Saynt edmond to synne wyth hyr flesshely and longe tyme he put hyr of and she laboured soo sore that at the laste he graunted hyr to come to his bedde and thenne she was right glad and she espyed hir tyme and came to hys chambre anone made hir redy to come to hys bedde and she stood naked tofore hym and thenne he toke a sharpe rodde and bete the mayde that the blood ranne doun on euery syde of hyr body and sayd to hir thus thou shalte lerne to lese thy sowle for the foule lustes of thy flesshe and soo wyth betyng he put aweye alle hir fowle luste and euer after she lyued a clene vyrgyne vnto hyr lyues ende And sone after the good moder sente for edmonde and hyr other chyldren For she knewe that she shold shortely passe out of this world and charged edmond to see that his brother and susters shold be wel guyded and after she gaue to them her blessyng and departed out of thys world and is buryed at abendon in saynt nycholas chyrche in a tombe of marble before the rode where is writon here lyeth mabely floure of wydowes and after saynt edmond dyd doo make a chapel at gatesby in which bothe his susters were buryed one of them was pryoresse of the place or she deyed and was an holy woman for whome god shewyd many myracles and saynt edmond dwellyd longe after at oxenford lyuyng an holy lyf weryd a sherte of heyre ful of harde knottes and a breche of the same and the knottes stacke in the flesshe that it made hys body to blede and he bonde the sherte to his body wyth a corde soo strayte that vnnethe he myght bowe his body and on a tyme whan hys sherte of heyre was right foule he toke it to his seruaunte for to brenne in the fyre but the fyre myght not perysshe ne hurte hit Thenne his seruaunte toke it out of the fyre bonde a stone therto threwe it in to a ponde and tolde his mayster that he had brenâ—e hyt Saint edmond his felawes on a day as they came fro lewkenor to abendon sawe in a valeye many blacke fowles lyke crowes or rauens emonge whom was one whiche was al to rente and torne wyth the other blacke byrdes threwe hym fro one to another that it was a pytous syght to see and they that accompanyed saynt edmond were almoste fro theym self for fere of the syght but thenne saynt edmond comforted them sayd to theym what it mente he sayd that thy se been wicked fendes of helle that bere wyth them a mannys sowle which deyed right now at chalfgraue whiche sowle is dampned for his wycked lyuyng thenne he his felawes wente to chalfegraue and fonde alle thynge as he had sayd Saynt edmond was acustomed to saye euery day vnto our lady saynt Iohan theuangelyste the prayer o intemerata and on a day for certeyn besynesse that he had he forgate hit and sayd it not Wherfore saynt Iohan apperyd to hym in a gastful manere blamyng hym gretely for that he had not sayd it after that he sayd it euery day vnto his lyues ende and after this as he satte in a nyght in his studye labouryng in dyuers of the seuen scyences the spirite of his moder apperyd to hym in a vysyon charged hym to leue to studye in partyculer sciences but that he shold fro than forthon laboure in dyuynyte onelye for that was the wylle of god hath sente to the worde by me And thys sayd she vanysshed aweye euer after he laboured in dyuynyte so that he proffyted therin merueyllously so that men wonderd of his connyng And whan he radde in scoles dyuynyte his scolers and herars prouffyted more in one day thenne they dyd of other mennys techyng an hole weke And many of hys scolers by his techyng ensauÌ„ple of lyuyng forsoke the world became relygyous men and on a day he came to the scole for to dyspute of the blessyd trynyte and was there or ony of his scolers came and fyl in slombryng syttyng in his chayer a whyte dowue brought hym the body of our lord put it in to his mowthe and the dowue assendyd vp in to heuen ageyn and euer after sayd Edmond thoughte that the swete sauour of our lordes flesshe was in hys mowthe by whiche he knewe grete pryuytees of our lord in heuen For he passyd alle the doctours in oxenford in connyng For he spake more lyke an aungel than a man and in alle hys lessons he remembred euer our lordes passyon and in a nyght as he studyed longe in his bookes sodeynly he fyl a slepe and forgate to blesse hym to thynke on the passyon of our lord and anone the deuyl laye so heuy on hym that he myght not blesse hym wyth neyther hande and wyst not what to do but thorugh the grace of god he remembrid his blessyd passyon thenne the fende had nomore power but fyl doun from hym anone saynt edmond thenne charged the fende by the vertu of our lordes passyon to telle to hym how he shold beste deffende hym that he shold haue no power ouer hym and thenne the fende answerd â— sayd that the remembraunce of the passyon of our lord Ihesu cryste for whan ony man remembryth the passyon of Ihesu cryste I haue no power ouer them and euer after saynt edmond had ful grete deuocyon to the passyon of our lord IhÌ„u cryste and was contynuelly in holy prayers and medytacions for al the delytes of the world was but heuynes to hym he was a man of grete almesse and ofte prechyd edefyed the peple and al the peple had grete deuocion to here hym In that tyme the pope sente out a croysye ageynst the turkes mescreauntes in to englond and thys holy man edmond was chosen to publysshe it thorugh the royame and he styred moche people to receyue the croysye and to goo to the holy londe to fyght ageynst the enemyes of god and as a yonge man came wyth other for
thus ther beÌ„ iij dayes euery day hath his nyght goyng byfore after bede the ordre of the dayes was chauÌ„ged the cours ordeyned for byfore the dayes wente byfore the nyghtes folowed after the tyme of the passyoÌ„ that ordre was chauÌ„ged for the nyghtes gooÌ„ byfore this is by mysterie For maÌ„ first ouerthrewe in the day fyll in to the nyght of synne And by the passyon resurrection of IhÌ„u cryst he caÌ„ agayn fro the nyght of synne vnto the day of grace As touchyng the secoÌ„d coÌ„sideracion it ought to be knowen that it is accordyng to reson that anoÌ„ after his deth he ouht not to aryse but ought to abyde vnto the third day that for v· reasoÌ„s the first for the signyfycacion to that that the lyght of his deth shold cure our double deth therfore .j. day hool ij nyghtes he laye in the sepulcre that by the day we vnderstande the light of his deth by the ij nyghtes our double deth and this reason assigneth the glose vpon saynt luc luce vicesimo vpon this text Oportebat xpristum pati cetera The second for certayn probacion For right so as in the mouth of tweyne or of thre is the wytnes establysshyd right so in thre dayes is proued all dede and fayt veritable And to th ende to preue that his deth was veritable he wold lye therin thre dayes The thirde for to shewe his puissaunce ¶ For yf he had arysen anon it shold seme that he had not suche myght for to gyue his lyf as he had to reyse hym And this reason toucheth thappostle ad Corintheos xv· Therfore is ther first made mencioÌ„ of his deth lyke as his deth was veryly shewed so his very resurrection is shewed and declared ¶ Fourthly for to figure the restauracion ¶ And this reason assigneth Petrus rauenensis Iesu cryst wold be thre dayes in his sepulcre in fygure in benefete doyng that is to wete to restore them that ben falle to repayre them that ben in therthe And to redeme them that were in helle The fyfthe for the representyng of treble estate of ryghtful men And this reason assigneth seynt gregorye vpon ezechiel sayeng The sixth day of the weke Ihesus suffred deth The saterday he laye in the sepulcre The sondaye he aroos The present lyf is yet to vs the sixth day For in anguisshes and sorowes we ben tormented The saterday also is that we rest vs in our sepulcre For after the deth we shal fynde the rest for our soule The sonday is the eyght day that day we shal be free of the deth and of all sorowe in body and in sowle in glorye Thenne the sixth day is to vs sorowe the seuenth reste and the eyghte glorye As to the thirde coÌ„sideracioÌ„ how he aroos it appiereth veryly that he aroos myghtyly For by his propre myght he aroos Iohannis nono Potestatem habeo cÌ„ I haue said I haue power to delyuer my soule and I haue power to resume it agayn that is to saye to deye whan I will â— And to ryse agayn whan I will Secondly he aroos Ioyously For he toke awaye all myserye all infirmyte and all seruitud wherof he saith in the goospell of IohÌ„n Iohannis xxvj he said whan I shal aryse agayn I shal auaunce me and goo to fore you in to galylee where ye shall see me free and delyuerd Galylee is as moche to saye as transmygracion that is to saye deyyng Ihesu cryst thenne whan he aroos wente to for vs For he wente fro myserye to glorye and fro corrupcion to incorrupcion wherof saynt lyon the pope saith After the passion of Ihesu Cryst the bondes of deth broken he was transported from Infirmyte to vertu fro mortalite to perpetuite and fro vylonnye to glorye â— Thirdly he roos prouffytably for he caryed wyth hym his proye wherof saith Ieremye the iiij chapiter Ascendit leo de cubili cÌ„ The lyon is resen out of his bedde Ihesus ascended on hye vpon the crosse And the robbour of the peple enhaunsed hym self Ihesu Cryst robbed helle wherin was thumayne lygnage As he had said Cum exaltatus fuero cÌ„ Whan I shal ascende on hye I shall drawe to me alle myne of whom helle hath holden and kept the soules whiche were enclosed in derknes and the bodyes in sepulture Fourthly he aroos merueylously For he aroos without openyng of the sepulcre whiche abode fast closed For lyke as he yssued out of his moders bely And to his disciples the dores closed and shytte so he yssued out of his sepulcre wherof is red in scolastica historia of a monke of saynt laurence without the walles in the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M. jCxj whiche meruaylled of a gyrdle with whiche he was gyrt that with out vndoyng or openyng it was cast to for hym wherof whan he sawe it he erueylled m and he herd a voys in thayer sayeng Thus may Ihesu cryst yssue out of his sepulcre the sepulcre all cloos Fyftly he aroos trewly For he aroos in his propre body And by sixe maners he shewed that he was veryly rysen First by the Angele whyche lyed not Secondly by many and oftymes appyeryng Thirdly by etyng openly and by no art fantastyke Fourthly by palpacioÌ„ of his very body Fyftly by osteÌ„cion of his wouÌ„des by whiche he shewde that it was the propre body in whiche he had veryly suffred deth Syxthly by his presence in comyng in to the hows the gates shytte whan he entâ—ed sodanly and Invisibly by whyche he shewde that his body was gloryfyed Seuenthly he aroos Inmortally For he shal neuer after deye IohÌ„is vj xpuÌ„s resurgens cÌ„ And seynt denys in an epistle that he made to demophilum saith that IhuÌ„ cryst after his assencoÌ„n sayd to an holy man named Carpo I am alle redy yet to suffre for to saue man by which it semeth that yf it were nede that yet he were redy to suffre deth as it is conteyned in the same epistle This holy man Carpo tolde to seynt denys that a paynem peruerted a Crysten man and brought hym out of the faith And this Carpo toke suche angre therfore in hys herte that he was seke and this Carpo was of so grete holynes that as ofte as he song masse an heuenly vision appered to hym But whan he shold praye for the conuersion of them bothe dayly he prayd god that both tweyn myght be brent in a fyre ¶ And on a tyme abought mydnyght he made this prayer vnto god And sodanly the hous in whiche he was in was deuided in two partyes And a right grete fornaysse appiered there And he loked vp and behelde the heuen and saw it open IhuÌ„ Cryst whiche was enuyronned wyth a grete multitude of angellis and beside the fournays thise two men were tremblyng for grete drede that they had the whiche men were byten of serpentes that yssued out of the fournays whiche drew
myghty kynge wold gyue me to a prynce by maryage wherto I answere that I haue horrour of alle beddes of maryage and I haue gyuen my vyrgynyte to Ihesu cryste for euer ¶ And therfor I may not consente to carnal copulacion And in th ende he constrayned me so moche that I muste coÌ„sente to hys wyll or suffre dyuerse tormentes so that I am fled secretly away and had leuer be in exyle than to breke and corrupte my fayth to my spouse And by cause I here the preysyng of your right holy lyf I am fledde vnto you to your garde in hope that I may fynde with you place of reste where as I may be secrete in contemplacion and eschewe the euyl peryllys of thys present lyf and flee the dyuerse trybulacions of the world Of whyche thyng the bysshop meruayllyd hym gretly as wel for the grete noblesse of her lignage as for the beaulte of her body for the brennyng of the grete loue of god And of the honeste fayr spekyng of thys woman so that the bysshop answered to her with a meke playsaunt voys doughter be sure doubte nothyng For he for whos loue thou hast despysed thy self and thyse thynges shal gyue to the grete thynge In thys tyme present is lityl glorye or Ioye but it shal be in tyme to come And I whiche am sergeant of the same offâ—e me to the and my goodes And châ—se the an hows where it shal plese the And I wyl that thou dyne with me thys day And she answered and said fader requyre me of no suche thynge For by auenture somÌ„e euyl suspectyon myght come therof And also the resplendour of your good renomee myght be therby empayred to whom the bysshop answerd we shal be many to gydre and I shal not be with you allone And therfore ther may be no suspection of euyll Thenne they cam to the table and were sette that one ayenst that other And the other folke here and ther and the bysshop entendeth moche to her and behelde her alleway in the vysage and he merualled of her grete beaute And thus as he fyxed hys eyen on her hys corage was hurte And thauncyent enemye whan he sawe the herte of hym hurte with a greuous dart And this deuyl apperceyuyd it and began tencrece her beaute more and more in so moche that the bysshop was thenne redy for to requyre her to synne whaÌ„ he myght Thenne a pylgryme cam and began to smyte strongly at the yate oc dore and they wold not opene it thenne he cryde and knocked more strongly And the bysshop axed of the woman yf she wold that the pylgrym shold entre And she said men shold axe first of hym a question greuous ynowh and yf he coude answere therto he shold be receyuyd and yf he coude not he shold abyde wythout and not come in as he that were not worthy but vnwetyng And alle agreed to her sentence and enquyred whiche of them were suffysaunt for to put the questyon And whan none was founde suffysauÌ„t the bysshop said none of vs is so suffyssaunt as ye dame For ye passe vs alle in fayr spekyng and shyne in wysdom more than we alle propose ye the question Thenne she said demande ye of hym whyche is the grettest meruaylle that euer god made in lityl space And thenne one wente and demanded the pylgrym The pylgrym answerd to the messager that it was the dyuersyte and thexcellence of the faces of men For emonge also many men as haue ben sith the begynnyng of the world vnto th ende ij men myght not be founden of whom theyr faces were lyke and semblable in alle thynges And whan thanswer was herde alle they meruaylled and said that thys was a veray and ryght good answere of the question Thenne the woman sayde late the seconde question be proposed to hym whiche shal be more greuous to answere to for to preue the better the wysedoÌ„ of hym which was thys Whether the erthe is hyer than alle the heuen And whan it was demanded of hym the pylgrym answerd In the heuen Imperyal where the body of Ihesu cryst is whyche is the fourme of our flesshe he is more hye than all the heuen Of thys answere they meruaylled all whaÌ„ the messager reported it and praysed meruayllously hys wysedom ¶ Consequently she said the thyrde questyon whiche was more derke and greuous tassoylle for to preue the thyrde tyme hys wysedom and that thenne he be worthy to be receyuyd at bysshops table demande axe of hym how moche space is fro the abysme vnto the same heuen Thenne the messager demanded of the pylgrym And he answerd hym goo to hym that sente the to me and axe of hym this thynge For he knoweth better than I and can better answere to it For he hath mesured thys espace whan he fyl fro heuene in to the abysme And I neuer mesured it Thys is nothyng a woman but it is a deuyl whyche hath taken the forme of a woman And whan the messager herd this he was sore aferd and told to fore them all this that he had herde And whan the bysshop herde this and all other they were sore aferd And anon forthwith the deuyl vanysshyd away to fore her eyen And after the bysshop cam agayn to hym self and repreuyd hym self bytterly wepyng repentyng and requyryng pardon of hys synne And sente a messager for to fetche and brynge in the pylgryme but he fonde hym neuer after Thenne the bysshop assemblyd the peple and told to them the maner of this thynge And prayd them that they all wold be in orysons and prayers in suche wyse that our lord wold shewe to somme persone who this pylgryme was whyche had delyueryd hym fro so grete peryl And thenne it was shewde that nyght to the bysshop that it was saynt Andrewe whyche had put hym in thabyte of a pylgrym for the delyuerance of hym Thenne began the bysshop more and more to haue deuocion and remembrauÌ„ce to seynt Andrewe than he had to for ¶ The prouoste of a Cyte had taken away a felde fro the chyrche of saynt Andrewe And by the prayer of the bysshop he was fallen in to a stronge feuer And thenne he prayd the bysshop that he wold praye for hym And he wold yelde agayn the felde And whan the bysshop had prayd for hym and had hys helthe he toke the felde agayn Thenne the bysshop put hym self to prayer orysons and brake all the lampes of the chyrche and said Ther shal none of them be lighted tyl that our lord hath vengyd hym on hys enemye and that the chyrche haue recouerd that whyche she hath loste And thenne the prouoste was strongly turmentid with feures and sente to the bysshop by messagers that he shold praye for hym And he wold yelde agayn hys felde and another semblable Thenne the bysshop answerd I haue here to fore prayd for hym and god herd
toun but the preest cam to hym bad hym to byleue in god and baptysed hym euyr as longe as he lyued after he had alleway in hys mouth Ihesu cryst receyue my spyrite and yet he wist not the tho wordes were the wordes that seynt stephn last spack And also he reherceth another myracle in the same place that a lady callyd patrone had ben seek moche greuously had souht many remedies for to be helâ—d of her maladye but she felt none hele but in th ende she had counseyl of a Iewe whyche gaaf to her a rynge wyth a stone And that she shold bynde this rynge wyth alaas to her baar flesshe and by the vertue of the stone she shold be hool And whan she sawe that this helped her not she wente to the chyrche of the prothomartir And praid the blessyd saynt steuen for her helthe and anon without brekyng of the laas or of the rynge the rynge fyl doun to the grouÌ„d And she felt her self anone all hool ¶ Item the same recounteth another myracle not lesse merueyllous that in Cesaree of Capadoce was a lady moche noble of whom the husbond was deed but she had x chyldren vij sones and iij doughtres And on a tyme whan they had angred theyr moder she cursed them And the dyuyne vengeaunce ensyewed sodaynly the malediction of the moder so that all the chyldren were smeton of one semblable and horryble sekenes on all her membres For whyche thyng they myght not dwelle in the contre for shame and for the sorowe that they had and began to goo folyly thurgh the world And in what someuer contre they wente euerich man behelde them And it happed that two of them that is to wyte a brother and a suster cam to ypotence And the brother was named poul and the suster pauladye And there they fonde Austyn the bysshop and told to hym and recounted what was happed Thenne they hauÌ„ted the chyrche of saynt stephen by the space of xv dayes and it was to fore ester and they prayed strongly the saynt for their helthe and on ester day whan the peple was present poul entred sodaynly within the chauncell and put hym to prayer by grete deuouocion and with grete reuerence to fore the aulter and as they that were there abode vpon th ende of the thyng he aroos vp appertly all hole of hys tremblyng Thenne seynt Austyn toke hym and shewd hym to the peple sayd that on the morn he wold telle them the caas And as he spack to the peple the suster was there tremblyng on all her membres and she aroos vp entred in to the chauncell of saynt stephen and anon she slepte And after aroos sodeynly all hole and was shewd to the peple as was don to fore of her brother And thenne graces and thankynges were gyuen to saynt stephen for the helthe of them bothe whan Orosius cam fro Iherusalem he brought to saynt austyn of the relyques of seynt stephâ—n of whom many myracles were shewd and doon It is to wyte that the blessyd saynt stephen suffred not deth on the daye of hys feste but it was on the daye that hys Inuencion is on in the moneth of august And yf it be demaunded why the fest is chauÌ„ged it shal be said whan hys Inuencion shal be said And thys may suffyse you for thys present For the chyrche wylle also ordeyne the festes whyche folowen the natyuyte of Ihesu cryst for two causes The first is to Ihesu cryste whyche is heed and spowse to th ende that thaccompanyes be Ioyned to hym For Ihesu cryste spowse of the chyrche in thys world adioyneth to hym thre companyes of whyche companyes is sayd in the cantycles my whyte soule and rody chosen of thousandes The whyte is as to saynt Iohan theuaÌ„gelyste a precious confessour And the rody or reed is as to saynt stephen the first martir And chosen of thousandes is to the vyrgynal companye of thynnocentes ¶ The seconde reson is that the chyrche assembleth also to gydre the maners of the martirs the somÌ„e by wyl and by werke the seconde by wyll and not by dede the thirde by dede and not by wyll The first was the blessyd stephen ¶ The seconde was in saynt IohÌ„n theuangelyst ¶ The thyrde was in sayntes and gloryous Innocentis whyche for god suffred passyon Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Stephen And next foloweth of saynt Iohan theuangeliste IOhan is expowned the grace of god or he in whom grace is or to whome it is gyueÌ„ of our lord And therfore ben vnderstonen iiij preuyleges that ben in the blessid saynt IohÌ„n The first was the noble loue of Ihesu cryst For he loued hym more than the other shewde to hym of gretter loue and therof he is said the grace of god also as gracious god and to hym he was more gracious than to pieter for he louyd hym moche but he is loue of corage and of signe and thys that is of signes is double that one is for to shewe famylyarite and that other is in geuyng benefices As to the first he loued that one and thother egally as to the seconde he loued more IohÌ„n and as to the thirde he loued more peter The seconde was virgynyte whaÌ„ he was chosen virgyne of god and therfore it is said in what is that grace For grace of vyrgynyte is in a virgyne ¶ And whan he wold marye he was called of god The thyrde is the reuelacion of the secretes of our lord therfore it is sayd to whom grace is gyuen For to hym was gyuen to knowe many secretes profound as of the dyuynyte of the sone of god and of th eÌ„de of the world The fourth is the recomendacion of the moder of god whyche gyft of grace was gyuen of our lord For thys gyft was gyuen to hym whan the moder was gyuen to hym in to kepyng And Mylete bysshop of lyege wrote hys lyf the whiche ysoâ—ore abredgyd and sette it in to the book of the natyuytâ—es of the lyf and the deth of holy faders SAynt Iohan thappostle and euangelist was sone of Zebedee whyche had maryed the thirde suster of our lady to wyf and that was brother to saynt Iames of galice Thys said IohÌ„n signefyeth as moche as the grace of god And wel myght he haue suche a name For he had of our lord iiij graces aboue the other appostles The first is that he was biloued of our lord The seconde was that our lord kepte to hym hys vyrgynyte lyke as saynt Ierome saith For he was at hys weddyng and he abode a clene virgyne The thyrde is that our lord made hym to haue moche grete reuelacion and knowleche of hys dyuynyte and of the fynysshyng of the world lyke as it appireth in the begynnyg of his euaÌ„gelyes and in thapocalypse The fourth grace is that our lord commysed to hym in especial the kepyng of hys swete moder He was after thasceÌ„cion of our lord in Iherusalem wyth
and consecrate on that one side of Ephesee And fro mydnyght forth he ceassed not to preche to the people that they shold establysshe them and be stedfast in the crysten faith and obeyssaunt to the comandemens of god And after thys he said the masse and howselyd and comuned the peple and after that the messe was fynysshed he bad and dyde do make a pytte or a sepulture to fore the aulter And after that he had taken hys leue and comanded the peple to god he descended doun in to the pytte or sepulture And helde vp hys handes to heuen and said Swete lord Ihesu cryste I yelde me vnto thy desyre and thanke the that thou hast vouchedsauf to calle me to the yf it plaise the receyue me for to be with my brethern with whom thou hast somoned me Opene to me the yate of the lyf permanable And lede me to the feest of thy wel and best dressed metes thou art Cryst the sone of the lyuyng god whyche by the comandemÌ„t that of fader hast saued the world To the I rendre and yelde grace and thankynges world wythouten ende thou knowest wel that I haue desired the with al my herte After that he had made hys prayer moche amerously and pyteously anon cam vpon hym grete clerenes and light And so grete brightnes that none myght see hym And whan thys lyght and bryghtnes was goon and departed ther was nothyng founde in the pytte or graue but manna whiche cam spryngyng from vnder vpward lyke as fonde in a fontayn or spryngynge welle where moche peple haue ben delyuerd of many diseases sekenesses by the merytes prayers of thys gloryous saynt SomÌ„e saye and afferme that he deyed without payne of deth And that he was in that clerenes born in to heuen body and sowle wherof god knoweth the certaynte And we that ben yet here bynethe in this myserye ought to pray deuoutly to hym that he wold impetre and gete to vs the grace of our lord whiche is blessyd in secula seculorum Amen Ther was a kyng an holy Confessour and virgyne named seynt Edward whiche had a specyal deuocion vnto saynt IohÌ„n euangelist and it happed that thys holy kyng was atte halowyng of a chyrche dedycate in thonour of god and of this holy appostle and it was that saynt IohÌ„n in lyknes of a pylgryme cam to thys kynge and demaunded hys almesse in the name of saynt IohÌ„n And the kyng not hauyng his amoner by hym ne his chamberlayn of whom he myght haue somwhat to gyue hym but toke hys rynge whyche he bare on hys fyngre and gaf it to the pylgryme ¶ After thys many dayes it happened ij pylgryms of englond for to be in the holy londe And saynt IohÌ„n appiered to them And bad them to bere thys Rynge to theyr kynge and to grete hym wel in hys name And to telle hym that he gaf it to saynt IohÌ„n in lykenes of a pylgryme and that he shold make hym redy to departe out of thys world For he shold not longe abyde here but come in to euerlastyng blysse And so vanysshed fro them And anone as he was goon they had grete lust to slepe and leyd them doun and slepte and thys was in the holy land and whan they awoke they loked aboute them and knewe not where they were And they sawe flockes of sheep and shepherdes kepyng them to whom they wente to knowe the waye and to demaunde where that they were and whan they axed them they spack englyssh and said that they were in englond in kente on beram downe And thenne they thanked god and and saynt JohÌ„n for theyr good speed and cam to this holy kynge saynt Edward on Cristemas day and delyuered to hym the rynge and dyde their erand wherof the kynge was abasshyd and thanked god and the holy saynt that he had warnyng for to departe and on the vygyle of thepyphanye next after he deyde and departed holyly out of thys world And is buryed in thabbiye of westmestre by london where as is yet in to thys day the same rynge Ysidore in the book of the lyf and deth of holy sayntes and fadres sayth thys Saynt JohÌ„n theuaÌ„gelist transformed and torned roddes of trees in to fyn gold the stones and grauel of the see in to precious geÌ„mes and owches the smale broken pyeces of gemmes he reformed vnto their first nature he reysed a wydowe fro deth And brought agayn the sowle of a yong man in to hys body he dranke venym without hurte or peryll And them that had ben deed by the same he recouerid in to the state of lyf Here endeth the lyf of saynt Iohan theuangelist Here foloweth Thystorye of Thynnocentes THe Innocentis callyd Innocentis for iij reasons First by cause reason of lyf and by reason of payne and by reason of Innocence By reason of lyf they be sayd Innocentis by cause they had an Innocent lyf They greued no body neyther god by inobedyence ne their neyghbours by vntrouthe ne by conceyuyng of ony synne And therfor it is said in the psaulter Thynnocentes and rightwys haue Ioyned them to me Thynnoâ—â—ntis by theyr lyf rightwys in the faith by raison of payne For they suffred deth Innocently and wrongly wherof Dauid saith they haue shed the blood of Innocentes by reason of Innocencye that they had by cause that In thys martirdom they were haptysed and made clene of thorigynal synne of whiche Innocence is said in the psaulter kepe thou Innocencye of baptesme And see equyte of good werkes HOly chyrche maketh feste of the Innocentis whyche were put to deth by cause of our lord Ihesu cryst For herode Ascalomer for to fynde and pute to deth our lord which was born in bethleem he dyde doo slee alle the chyldren in bethleem and ther aboute fro the age of two yere and vnder vnto one day vnto the somÌ„e of an CxliiijM chyldren For to vnderstonde whyche herode it was that so cruelly dyde do put so many chyldren to deth It is to wyte that ther were thre herodes and all thre were cruel tyrauÌ„tes And were in their tyme of grete fame and moche renoÌ„med for their grete malyce The first was herode Ascolamer he regned in Iherusalem whan our lord was born The seconde was herodes Antipas to whom pylate sente IhÌ„u cryst in the tyme of hys pâ—ssiâ—n And he dyde do smyte of saynt JohÌ„n baptystes heed The thyrde was herodes agrippa whyche dyde do smyte of saynt Iames heed said in galyce sette saynt peter in pryson But now late vs come to thys fyrst herode that dyde do slee the Innocente chyldren hys fader was named Antipater as hystorye scolâ—styke sayth and was kynge of 〈◊〉 and paynem he toke a wif whiche was Niece to the kynge of arabe on whom he had iij sones a doughter of whome that one was named herode Ascalomer Thys herode seruyd so wel to Iulyen theÌ„perour of Rome that he gaf to
place all stylle And walke not ne roylle not aboute in the contree doo thyse thre thynges And thou shalt be sauf ¶ An abbote cam to saynt Anthonye for to be couÌ„seylled of hym what he myht doo for to be saued Saynt Anthonye answerd to hym haue none affyance in the good that thou hast don ne that thou hast kepte thy bely and thy tongue wel sobrely And repente the not of penaunce that thou hast doon I saye For lyke as fysshes that haue ben longe in the water whan they come in to drye londe they muste dye In lyke wyse the monkes that go on out ot theyr cloystre or selles yf they conuerse longe wyth seculâ—ers they muste nedes lese theyr holynesse and leue theyr good lyf It behoueth the monkes that they be solytarye and that they haue thre bataylles that is of heeryng of spekyng and of seeyng And yf he haue but one of thyse bataylles that is of the herte yet he hath ouermoche SomÌ„e heremytes caÌ„ to saynt Anthonye for to vysite hym and their abbot was wyth them Thenne sayd saynt Anthony to the heremytes ye haue a good wyse man with you And after he said to the abbot thou hast founden good brethern TheÌ„ne answerd thabbot Truly I haue good brethern but ther is none dore on their hows eche body may entre that wylle and goo in to the stable and vnbynde the asse of within And thys said he by cause that the brethern had ouer moche their mowthes open to speke For anon as they haue thought on a thyng it come to the mowthe Thenne saynt Anthony said ye ought to knowe that ther be thre bodely menynges that one is of nature another of ouermoche plente of metes and the thyrde of the deuyll Ther was an hermyte that had renouÌ„ced the world and not perfighly For he had somwhat propre to hym self whom saynt Anthonye sente to the market to bye flesshe And as he was comyng and brought the flesshe the dogges assaylled hym and alle to taâ—â— hym and toke the flesshe from hym And whan he cam to saynt Anthonye he told hym what was happed to hym And thenne said saynt Anthonye to hym thus as the houndes haue doo to the so doon the deuyllis to monkes that kepe money and haue somÌ„e propre to theym self On a tyme as saynt anthony was in wyldernes in hys prayer and was wery he said to our lord lord I haue grete desyre to be saued but my thoughtes lette me Thenne appiered an angele to hym and said doo as I doo and thou shalt be sauf And he wente oute and sawe hym one whyle laboure and another whyle praye do thus and thou shalt be saued On a tyme whan the brethern hermytes were assembled to fore saynt Anthonye they demaunded of hym of the state of sowles whan they be departed fro the body And the next nyght after a voys callyd saynt Anthonye And said aryse and goo out and see vp on hye whan saynt Anthonye byheld vpward on hye he sawe one longe and terryble whos heed touched the clowdes whyche kept peple hauyng wynges that wold haue â—ledde to heuen ¶ And thys grete man reteyned and caught somÌ„e and other he myght not reteyne ne lette for they flewhe forth vp Thenne he herde a noyse fulle of Ioye another ful of sorowe And he vnderstode that thys was the deuyll that reteyned somÌ„e sowles that wente not to heuen And the other he myght not holde ne reteyne wherfore he made sorowe and for the other he made Ioye And so he herde the sorowe and Ioye medled to gydre It happed on a tyme that saynt anthony laboured with hys brethern the hermytes And he sawe a vision moche sorowfull And therfor he kneled doun on his knees and prayd our lord that he wold empesshe the grete sorowe that was to come Thenne the other hermytes demauÌ„ded what thyng it was And he said that it was a grete sorowe For I haue seen grete plente of bestes whyche enuyronned me whyche fered alle the contre And I wote wel that thys is to saye that ther shal come a grete trouble of men lyke vnto beestes that shall defoule the sacramentes of holy chyrche Thenne cam a voys from heuen to seynt Anthony that saide that grete abhomynacion shal come to myn aulter And anon after the heresie of Arryens begaÌ„ And moche troubled holy chyrche and dyde many euyllis They bete monkes and other all naked to fore the peple and slewe crysten men lyke sheep vpoÌ„ the aultres and in especial one balachyn dyde grete persecucion to whom saynt Anthony wrote a lettre whyche said I see the yre and male talente of our lord comyng vpon the yf thou suffre not the crysten lyue in peas Thenne I comande the that thou doo to them nomore vylonnye or thou shalt haue a meschaunce hastely The vnhappy man receyued thyes lettres and began to mocque saynt Anthonye and spytte on hyt and bete wel hym that brought the lettre And sente agayn to saynt Anthonye thyse wordes yf thou hast so grete charge of thy monckes come to me and I shal gyue to the my disciplyne But it happed that the xv day after he mounted vpon an hors ouer debonayr And neuertheles whan the horse felte hym vpon hym he bote hym on the legges and thyes that he deyde on the thyrd daye It happed an other tyme that the hermytes were comen to saynt Anthonye and demaunded of hym a collacion Thenne sayd saynt Anthonye doo ye thys that is wreton in the gospel yf one gyue to the a stroke on that one cheke shewe hym that other And they answere we may not doo so Thenne said he suffre ye it ones debonayrly they answerd we may not Thenne said saynt Anthony to hys seruaunt gyue them to drynke good wyn For thyse monckes ben ouer delycious Fayr brethern put your self to prayer For ye haue moche grete nede Atte laste saynt Anthonye assembled the heremytes And gaf to them the peas and deyde and departred out of thys world holyly whan he was of the age of an honderd and v yere praye we to hym that he praye for vs Here endeth the lyf of saynt Anthonye Of saynt Fabian and thynterpretacion of hys name first FAbian is as moche to saye as makyng soueuerayn beatitude or blessidnes that is to wyte in getyng in thre maner wises or maners First by right and reson of adopcion of byeng in achate and by vyctorye Of saynt Fabian the martir SAynt Fabian was a cytezeyn bourgeys of Rome And it happed whan the pope was deed that the people assembled for to chese another pope And saynt fabian cam to the election for to knowe who shold be electe and chosen to that dygnyte And anone a whyte douue descended from heuen rested vpoÌ„ his hede And whâ—n the peple sawe that they merueylled moche And all they by comyn accorde chees hym for to be pope Thys holy man fabian after whan he was
herd all this he was despayred as he that was taken in blynde loue and was ouer fore tormented in so moche that he laye doun seke in hys bedde for the grete sorowe that he had Thenne cam the fysiciens anon knewe hys maladye and sayd to hys fadre that he languysshid of carnal loue that he had to somÌ„e woman Thenne the fader enquyred and knewe that it was thys woman And dyde doo speke to seynt agnes for hys sone and said to her how hys sone languysshid for her loue seynt agnes answerd that in no wise she wold breke the faith of her first husbond vpon that the prouost demaÌ„ded who was her first husbond of whom she so moche auaunted and in hys power so moche trusted Thenne one of her seruauntes said that she was crysten and that she was so enchaunted that she said Ihesu cryste was her espowse And whan the prouoste herde that she was crysten the prouost was moche glad by cause to haue power on her For thenne the crysten peple were in the wylle of the lord yf they wold not renye theyr god and theyr byleue all theyr goodes shold be forfayted wherfore theÌ„ne the prouoste made saynt agnes to come in Iustice And he examyned her swetely and after cruelly by menaces Saynt agnes wel comforted sayd to hym doo what thou wylt For my purpoos shalt thou neuer chaunge whan she sawe hym nowe flateryng and now terrybly angry she scorned hym And the prouost said to her beyng all Angry One of two thyngis thou shalt chese eyther doo sacrefyse to our goddes wyth the vyrgyns of the goddes vesta or goo to the bordell to be abandonned to alle that thyder come to the grete shame and blame of alle thy lygnage Saynt Agnes answerd yf thou knewest who is my god thou woldest not saye to me suche wordes but for as moche as I know the vertue of my god I sette nothyng by thy menaces For I haue his angele which is kepar of my body Thenne the Iuge all araged made to take of her clothys and all nakyd to be ledde to the bordell And thus saynt agnes that refused to doo sacrefyse to thydollys was delyueryd nakyd to goo to the bordell but anon as she was vnclothed god gaf to her suche grace that the heeris of her heed bycam so longe that they couerd all her body to her feet so that her body was not seen And whan saynt agnes entred in to the bordell anon she fonde thangele of god redy for to defende her and enuyronned saynt agnes with a bryght clernes in suche wise that noman myht see her ne come to her There made she of the bordel her oratorye And in makyng her prayers to god she sawe to fore her a whyte vesture And anon therwith she clad her and saide I thanke the Ihesu cryst whyche accomptest me wyth thy virgyns and hast sente me thys vesture Alle they that entred made honour and reuerence to the grete clerenes that they sawe a boute saynt Agnes And cam oute more deuoute and more clene than they entred Atte laste cam the sone of the prouoste with a grete coÌ„panye for taccomplysshe his foule desires and lustes And whan he sawe hys felaws come out and yssue all abasshyd he mocqued them and callyd them cowardis And thenne he all araged entryd for taccomplyssh hys euyl wyll and whaÌ„ he cam to the clerenes he auaunced hym for to take the virgyne And anon the deuyl toke hym by the throte and strangled hym that he fyl doun deed And whan the prouoste herde thyse tidynges of his sone he ranne wepyng to the bordel and began cryeng to saye to saynt agnes O thou cruel woman why hast thou shewde thyn enchantemÌ„t on my sone and demaunded of her how hys sone was deed and by what cause To whom saynt agnes answerd he toke hym in to hys power to whom he had abaundonned hys wylle why ben not all they deed said he that entred here to fore hym For hys felawes sawe the myracle of the grete clernes and were aferd and wente theyr waye vnhurte For they dyde honour to my god whyche hath clad me wyth thyse vestement and hath kept my body but your vylaynous sone assone as he entred in to thys hows began to braye and crye and whan he wold haue leyde honde vpon me anon the deuyl slewe hym as thou seest yf thou maye reyse hym said he It may wel appere that thou hast not put hym to deth And saynt agnes answerd how wel that thy creance is not worthy to impetre ne gete that of our lord neuertheles by cause it is tyme that the vertue of god be shewed Goo ye all oute that I may make my prayer to god And whan she was in her prayers thangele cam and reysed hym to lyf And anon he wente out and bygan to crye wyth an hye voys that the god of crysten men was very god in heuen and in erthe and in the See And that thydolles were vayne that they worshypped whyche myght not helpe them self ne none other Thenne the bysshops of thydolles made a grete discorde emonge the peple so that alle they cryed Take away this sorceresse and witche that torned mennes myndes and alyeneth theyr wyttes whaÌ„ the prouoste sawe thyse merueylles he wold gladly haue delyuerd saynt agnes by cause she had reysed hys sone but he doubted to be banysshyd And sette in hys place a lyeutenauÌ„t named aspasius for to satisfye the peple and by cause he coude not delyuere her he departed soroufully Thys aspâ—sius dyde do make a grete fyre emong alle the peple and dyde do caste saynt Agnes therin Anon as thys was doon the flamme departed in to two partyes brente them that made the discordes she abode alle hole wythout felyng the fyre The peple wente that she had don all by enchauntement Thenne made saynt agnes her oryson to god thankyng hym that she was escaped fro the paryll to lese her virgynyte and also fro the brennyng of the flamme And whan she had made her oryson the fyre loste all hys hete and quenchyd it aspasius for the doubtance of the peple comanded to put a swerd in her body And so she was martred Anon cam the crysten men and the parentis of saynt Agnes and buryed her body but the hethen defended it and caste so stones at them that vnnethe they escaped She suffred martirdom in the tyme of constantyn the grete whyche began to regne the yere of our lord CCCix Emong them that buryed her body ther was one Emerenciana whyche had be felaw to saynt Agnes how be it she was not yet cristened but an holy virgyne she cam also to the sepulces of saynt agnes whyche constaÌ„tly repreued the gentyles and of theÌ„ she was stoned to deth and slayn Anon thenne cam a erthe quaue lightnyng and thondre that many of the paynems perisshed so that forâ—hon the
maystres of that science Now it happed on a day that as hys maistre was oute he began allone to rede thynuocacions And a grete multitude of feendis cam aboute hym and made hym aferd and he made the signe of the crosse and anon they vanysshed away And whaÌ„ his maistre was retorned he told hym what was happend to hym but his maistre said to hym that alleway he had hated fered that signe whan theÌ„ne he was emperour he remeÌ„brid the rof by cause he wold vse the craft of deuyll ouerall where he fonde the signes of the crosse he destroyed theÌ„ persecuted crysten men by cause that he knewe well that otherwyse the feendes wold not doo for hym Now it happed that he descended in to a regyon that is called perside And fro thens he sente in to thoccident a deuyl for to haue answere of that he sayd to hym And this deuyl wente abode x dayes in one place wythout meuyng by cause ther was a monke contynuelly in prayer nyght day And whan he myght not doo he retorned Thenne Iulien demanded hym where he had ben so longe he answerd I haue ben in a place where I fonde a monke nyght daye prayeng And I supposed to haue troubled hym that he shold nomore pray And all this whyle I coude neuer torne hym fro his prayer And thus I am retorned wythout doyng ony thyng Thenne Iulien thapostata had grete Indignacion sayd whan he cam thider he wold auenge hym of the monke And whan he wente in to perse the deuylles promysed hym that he shold haue victorye of a cyte The maister of enchantemens whyche deuyned by the deuyl for hym said to a crysten man what dooth the smythis sone he said that he made a sepulture for Iulyen his maistre and as it is redde in thistorye of saynt basille he cam in cesarâ—e of capadoce And saynt basille cam ayenst hym presented thre louys to hym whyche he sente to hym And Iulien had grete Indygnacion of this yefte And for the breed he sent to saynt basille heye sayeng Thou hast sente to me mete for dombe beestis therfor take this that I sende to the Saynt basille said we haue sente to the suche as we ete thou sendest to vs of that thou nourisshest thy beestis with Of whiche answere Iulien was wroth said whan I shal haue don in perse I shal destroye this cyte in suche wyse that it shal be better ordeyned for to ere and sowe than peple to dwelle in and the nyght syewyng saynt basille sawe in a vision in the chyrche of our lady that a grete multitude of angellis and in the myddle of them a woman beyng in a trone whyche said to them Calle to me mercurye whom Iulien thappostata hath slayn whyche blasplemeth me and my sone Mercurye was a knyght that for the fayth of god had be slayn of Iulyen and was buryed in the same chyrche Thenne anone Mercurye with alle his Armes that were kept was present And at the comandement of the lady he wente to bataylle Seynt basylle awoke all affrayed And wente to the tombe where the knyght was buryed in And opened the sepulcre but he fonde neyther body ne Armes Thenne he comanded of the kepar who had take away the body And he sware that in the euen to fore it was there Saynt basylle after on the morn retorned and fonde the body the armures and the spere all blody And anone cam one fro the bataylle whyche sayd that Iulyen thapostata and Emperour was in the bataylle And thyder cam a knyght vnknowen all armed wyth hys spere whych hardyly smote hys hors wyth hys spores and cam to Iulyen themperour and brandysshyd his swerd and smote hym thurgh the body and sodenly he departed and was neuer after seen to gydres And yel whan he shold dye he toke hys hand ful of blood and caste it in to the ayer sayeng ¶ Thou hast vaynquysshed man of Galile thou hast ouercomen And in cryeng thus myserably he espyred and deyed in grete payne and was left wythout sepulture of all hys men And he was flayn of the perses And of hys skynne was made to the kyng of perses a vndercoueryng And thus he deyed cursedly Thus enden the lyues of foure holy sayntes euerich named Iulien And of one that was a fals Apostata Here foloweth the lyf of saynt Ignacien bysshop And fyrst thynterpretacion of hys name IGnacien is said as one suffryng fyre and brennyg For he was embraced and alle esprysed of the deuyne and brennyng loue of god ¶ Of saynt Ignacien Saynt IgnacieÌ„ was disciple of saynt Iohan Euangelist And was bysshop of Anthioche And after that as somÌ„e saie he sente a lettre vnto our lady or an epistle in this wise vnto marye the virgyne that bare IhÌ„u cryst in her body I humble Ignacien her seruauÌ„t sende gretyng I that am yet a nouyse In the fayth dysciple to Ihesu cryst to IohÌ„n thy dere frende desyre to haue of the somÌ„e comforte and consolacion of som good enseygnemÌ„t and techyng For of Ihesus thy sone I haue herde saye many merueylles of whiche I am enioyed to here only of the which hast ben alleway in his companye thou knowest wel the secret desires of hym thou hast be playnly enformed And they that be yet yong in the fayth with me truste moche to be endoctryned of the enformed in their creaunce and byleue lady god salewe the And to this lettre answerd the gloryous virgyne marye in this manere Ignace good disciple of Iesus his especyal frende the humble handmayd of IhÌ„u cryst sendeth to the gretyng I doo the to wete that all that IohÌ„n hath sayd to the of Ihesu cryst And all that thou hast lerned of hym is trewe doctryne thyng certayne Goo alleway in good creaÌ„ce byleue kepe fermly the promesse of thy crystyn fayth and doo thy werkes acordyng to the same I shal come wyth IohÌ„n for to visite the other cristen meÌ„ with the hold the alleway well in the fayth in good werkes And late no persecucioÌ„ ne aduersite that thou shal suffre moeue the fro thy fayth ne fro thy creaunce but haue solaas affyaunce in IhÌ„u crist thy sauyour This was thanswere of his lettre Saynt Ignacien was a man right wel lerned And the thyrde bysshop after saynt peter thappostle of the chirche of Anthyoche And moche desired to be a martir for the faith of Ihesu crist It happed that Traian whych was emperour of Rome passyd by Anthioche To whom Ignace shewed to hym blamed of thys that he persecuted crysten men wherfor themperour dyde hym to be taken and put in yrons And in that wyse by x knyghtes to be ladde to Rome There he was presented to fore themperour and alle the senatours of Rome And was constrayned by promesses by menaces And by tormentis many grete and horryble for to adoure
shold deye corporally he shold see Ihesu cryste comen in to therthe the whyche byrthe he knewe longe byfore to be shewed by the prophetes ¶ And whan he sawe Ihesu cryst brought in to the temple anone he knewe hym by the holy ghoost to be very god and very man And toke hym bytwene hys Armes and sayd fayr lord god late thy sergeant and seruaunt from hensforth be in peas ¶ And suffre that after thys reuelacion shewed to me I may departe and deye for to be delyuerd fro the euyllis of thys world ¶ For myn eyen corporell and spyrytuell hath seen thy blessyd sone Ihesu cryste whyche shal saue the creatures humayne fro theyr synnes the whyche thou hast made redy and ordeyned to fore the face of alle creatures humayne for to be lyght to alle peple by hys doctryne tenlumyne and take away derknesses that is to saye of theyr ydolatrye After thys that ysaye the prophete hath prophecied of hym Populus genaū qui ambulabat in tenebris cetera the peple of gētilis or paynems which walkyd in derknessis to worshyppe ydollis and deuyllys for very god saw a grete light whan they yssued fro their synnes by the doctryne of Ih̄u crist whiche cam also to the glorye of the Iewes For they receyued hys syght bodyly lyke as was promysed them by the wytnesse of the prophetes by which they myght gloryfye them of this that theyr ryghtful kynge was born emōg them and conuersed bodyly in theyr contrey ¶ And saynt Symeon said Nunc dimittis seruum tuun domine c̄ Syre lete thy seruant in pees after thy word For myn eyen haue seen thy helthe whyche thou hast made redy to fore the face of all peples that is light to the reuelacion of paynems and to the glorye of thy peple of Israhel Ihesu cryst is called pees helth light and Ioye Peas by cause that he is our moyen and our aduocate Helthe For he is our redemer Lyght for he is our enformer And glorye for he is our gouernour ¶ Thys feste is called candelmas And is made in remembraunce of thoffryng that our lady offryd in the temple as sayd is And euerych beryth thys day a candel of waxe brennyng whyche representeth our lord Ihesu cryst lyke as the candel brennyng hath thre thyngis in it that is to wyte the waxe the weyke and the fyre Ryght so be thre thyngis in Ih̄u cryst that is the body the sowle and the godhede ¶ For the waxe whyche is made of the bee purely wthout companye and myxtionn of of one bee with another signefyeth the body of our lord Ihesu cryst And the fyre of the candele signefyeth the dyuynyte of Ihesu cryst whiche enlumyneth alle creatures And therfor yf we wyll appiere in thys feste to fore the face of god pure and clene and acceptable we ought to haue in vs thre thyngis whyche be signefied by the candell brennyng that is good deedis trewe fayth wyth good werkis And lyke as the candell without brennyng is deed Ryght so fayth is deed without werkis as saynt Iame saiths For to byleue in god without obeyeng hys comādementis prouffyteth nothyng And therfor sayth saynt gregorye The good werke ought to shewe withoutforth that thyntencion abyde good withinforth the herte wythout sechyng within ony vayne glorye to be alowed and praysed And by the fyre is vnderstonden charyte Of whyche god sayth I am comen to put fyre in therthe and whom I wylle I wylle brenne Thys feste is called the puryficacion of our lady not for that she had nede ne ought make her purificacion For she was pure and clene wythout hauyng of ony tatche of dedely synne ne venyal lyke as she that had without companye of ony man by the vertue of the holy ghoost conceyued the sone of god and was delyueryd with out leesyng of her virgynyte So she cam wyth her blessid sone atte fourty daye after hys natyuyte for tobeye the comandement of the lawe after the manere of other wymen whyche had nede of purificacion And also for to shewe to vs thexample of humylite he is very humble that is worthy to be praysed for hys vertues Thys gloryous lady is quene of heuene and lady of angellis neuerthebes she is pure and humble emonge the wymen lyke as a poure woman wythout makyng ony semblant of her grete humylyte ne of the hye mageste of her sone wherof saynt bernard sayth in thys maner O who may make vs to vnderstonde gloryous lady the thought of thyn herte that thou haddest emonge the seruyses that thou madest to thy blessyd sone in gyuyng hym souke in leyeng doun and reysyng whan thou sawest a lytyl chyld of the born on that one parte of that other syde thou knowest hym to be god almyghty And nowe thou byleuest and seest hym create that had created alle the world Now thou seest hym feble as a chyld whyche is alle myghty and alle puyssaunt Now thou fedest hym that alle the world fedeth And now thou seest hym not spekyng that made man and speche O who shold conne shewe here vpon the secretes of thyn herte how sauoured thy corage whan thou heldest thy chyld bytwene thyn armes whom thou louedest as thy lord And kyssed hym as thy sone who shold not merueylle of thys myracle whan a virgyne and a a clene Mayde hath enfaunted and chylded her maker and lord of all the world To hym lete vs adresse our thoughtes and enbrace we this child of one very byleue whome we ought to loue by cause he hath humbled hym self for vs And to doubte hym by cause he is our Iuge and our lord to whos comandementes we owe tobeye yf we wyll be saued ¶ We rede an example of a noble lady whiche had grete deuocion in the blessid virgyne marye and she had a chappell in whyche she dyde doo saye masse of our lord dayly by her chapelayn It happed that the day of the purificacion of our lady her chappelayn was oute so that thys lady myght that day haue no masse And she durst not goo to another chyrche by cause she had gyuen her mantel vnto a poure man for the loue of our lady she was moche sorowfull by cause she myght here no masse And for to make here deuocions she wente in to the chapelle and to fore th aulter she knelyd doun for to make her prayers to our lady And anon she fyl a slepe in whyche she had a vision And her semed that she was in a chyrche and sawe come in to the chyrche a grete companye of vyrgyns to fore whome she sawe come a right noble virgyne crowned right preciously And whan they were all sette eche in ordre cam a companye of yong men whyche satte doun eche after other in ordre lyke the other After entred one that bare a burthen of candellis And departed them to them aboue first and so to eche of them by ordre he gaf one And atte laste cam
paynes to which saynt Agathe answerd frely My courage my thought ben so fermly founded vpon the ferme stone of Ihesu cryst that for no payne it may not be chaunged your wordes ben but wynde your promesses ben but Rayne And your menaces ben as ryuers that passe And how wel that all thyse thyges hurtle atte foundement of my courage yet for that it shal not moeue In this maner answerd she and alleway wepte in makyng her prayers and moche grete desyre had she to come to Ihesu cryst by martirdom and by tormentis whan affrodysse sawe wel that in no wyse she wold be moâ—uyd she wente to the prouost quyncianus and said to hym Sonner shold the stones wexe softe torne yron to soft leed than torne the corage of thys mayde or to take fro her the crysten fayth I and my doughtâ—es haue done none other thyng nyght ne day one after another but to laboure how we myght torne her herte to your consentyng I haue promysed her in your name your precious aournementes clothes of gold howses londes townes seruantes and grete maynees And all thys she despyseth and reputeth them at no valew whan quyncian herd thys anone he made her to come to fore hym in Iugement And demaunded her of her lygnage And atte laste he wold constrayne her to make sacrefyse vnto thydolles And saynt Agathe answerd that they were no goddes but were deuylles that were in thydollys made of marble and of wood and ouergylte Qunncianus said chese one of two or doo sacrefyse to our goddes or thou shall suffre payne and tormentes Saynt Aghate sayd thou sayst that they be goddes by cause thy wyf was such one as was venus thy goddesse and thou thy self as Jupyter whyche was an homycide and euyll Quyncyanus sayd it appyereth wel that thou wylt suffre tormentes in that thou sayst to me vylonnye Saynt Agathe sayd I meruaylle moche that one so wyse a man is suche a fole becomen that thou sayst of them to be thy goddes whos lyf thou ne thy wyf wylle folowe yf they be good I wold that thy lyf were lyke vnto theyres And yf thou refusest theyr lyf thenne art thou of one accorde wyth me Saye theÌ„ne that they be euyll and so foule and forsake their lyuyng and be not of suche lyf as thy goddes were Quyncianus said what goost thou thus vaynly spekyng make sacrefyse vnto the goddes or yf thou doo not I shal make the to deye by dyuerse tormentis Saynt Aghate abode ferme and stable in the fayth Theenne quyncianus dyde doo put her in a derke pryson And she wente also gladly and with as good wyll as she had ben prayd to goon to a weddyng On the morn quyncianus made her to be brought to fore hym in Iugement And said to her Agathe how art thou aduysed for thy helth She answerd cryst is myn helthe Quyncianus said renye cryst thy god by whyche thou mayst escape thy tormentis Saynt Agathe answerd Nay but renye thou thyn ydolles whyche ben of stones and of wood And adoure thy maker that made heuene and erthe And yf thou doo not thou shalt be tormented in the perpetuell fyre in helle Thenne in grete yre quyncianus dyde her to be draweÌ„ and stratched on a tree and tormented and sayd to her Refuse thy vayne opnyon that thou hast and thou shalt be easâ—ed of thy payne and she answerd I haue as grete dilection in thyse paynes as he that sawe come to hym that thyng whyche he most coueyteth to see or as he that had founde grete tresour And lyke as the whete may not be put in the garner vnto the tyme that the chaff be beten of in lyke wyse my-sowle may not entre in to the Royame of heuene but yf thou wel tormente my body by thy mynystres Thenne quyncianus dyde her to be tormentid in her brestes and pappes and comanded that her brestis and mamellis shold be draweÌ„ cutte of whan the mynystres had accomplysshid his comandement Thenne saynt Agathe said Ouer felon and cruelle tyraunt hast thou noo shame to cutte of that in a woman wyche thou dydest souke in thy moder and wherof thou were nourisshyd But I haue my pappes hole in my soule of whych I nourisshe all my wyttes the whyche I haue ordeyned to serue our lord Ihesu cryste syth the begynnyng of my youghte After quyncyanus dyde doo put her in pryson and comanded that none shold entre for to hele her ne none shold gyue to her mete ne drynke and whan she was fast closed in the pryson ther cam an auncyent noble man and to fore hym a chyld beryng a lyght dyuerse oynementis in hys hand Thys noble maÌ„ sayd that he was a surgien and in confortyng her sayd how wel that the tyraunt hath tormented the bodyly neuertheles thou hast more tormeÌ„ted hym in hys herte by thy answeres I was there whaÌ„ he made thy pappes to be cutte of And sawe how I myght well hele them Thenne said she I knewe neuer of medecyne corporall And it were shame to me to take it now That whyche I haue auowed and kept to my lord sith myn Infancye yet I shal kepe it yf it plese hym Thauncyent noble man answerd I am also crysteÌ„ and a good maystre and leche be not a shamed She answerd wherof shold I be ashamed thou art Auncyent of grete age And how wel that I be a yong mayde Neuertheles my body is deffeted by the tormentes that the woundes suffre nothyng to entre in to my thought wherof I shold be ashamed not for that I thanke the fayr fader that thou art so dylygent to hele me but knowe that my body shal receyue no medecyne of noman And thys noble man saide wherfore suffrest thou not me that I maye hele and guarysshe the She said by cause I haue Ihesu crist my sauyour whyche wyth a word heleth all And yf he wyll he may hele me And the good man smylynge sayde And he hath sente me hyther for to hele the I am hys Appostle And know veryly that thou art hole in the name of hym And anon thappostle vanysshed awaye Thenne she fyll doun in prayers and sayd Lord IhÌ„u cryst I yelde to the thaÌ„kyngis that thou hast remembryd me and hast sente thyn appostle saynt peter to me whyche hath comforted me and heled my woundes And after thoryson made she sawe that her pappes were agayn restored to her and all her woundes heled And all that nyght was the pryson fulfyllyd wyth grete clerenes and lyght so that the kepers fledde for the grete drede that they had and lefte the pryson all open Thenne said to her the other prysoners that were in the pryson that she shold goo theyr waye And she sayd that shal neuer happen that the kepars of the prison shal suffre ony harme for me ne that I shal lose my crowne I shal abyde in the fayth of Ihesu cryst my lord whyche hath
comforted and heled me After foure dayes quyncianus made her to be brought to fore hym in Iugement and sayd to her that she shold doo sacrefise to thydollis She answerd thyse wordes ben vayn and thy comandemeÌ„tis euyl they make the ayer to stynke he is moche meschaunt that byleueth in a stone and wythout entendement And leueth our lord the very god that hath heled me and hath restored to me agayn my pappes Quincianus demanded her who is he that hath heled the She saide Ihesu crist Quincianus said namest thou yet IhÌ„u cryst She answerd I shal haue in my herte Ihesu cryst as longe as I shal lyue Quincianus said yet shalt thou see yf he may helpe and hele the And thenne he made her all naked to be rolled vpon brennyng brondes And anon the grounde where the holy vyrgyne was rolled on began to tremble lyke an erthe quaue and a parte of the walle fyl doun vpon syluayn counseyllour of quyncianus and vpon fastion hys frende by whos counseyll she had be so tormented And thenne all the cyte of Cathanence was abasshyd And the peple cam rennyng vnto the hows of Quincianus sayeng in a grete bruyt that the cyte was in a grete paryll for the tormentis that he dyde to saynte Aghate Quincianus redoubted the bruyte of the peple And went â–ª out by hynde comanded that she shold be remysed in pryson whan she cam in to the pryson she Ioyned her handes holdyng them vp to heuenward and sayd in prayeng ¶ Lord god Ihesu cryst whyche hast created me of nought And sith my yougth hast kept me hast suffred me to lyue wel in my yougth which hast taken fro myn herte the loue of the world and hast made me to ouercome the tormentis and hast lente me pacience emong the paynes I pray the that thou take my speryte For it is tyme that thou make me to departe fro thys world and to come to thy mercy Thys â—ryson and prayer made she an hye to fore many persones and anon after she gaaf vp the ghoost and rendred her sowle The yere of our lord ijC and liij in the tyme of decius themperour of Rome After thys the crysten peple toke the body for to burye it worshipfully And whylis they arayed it wyth oynementis for tenbawme the corps Anone cam a yong man clad in silke and wel an hondred that folowed hym richely clothed which were neuer to fore seen in the cyte ne neuer after also thys yong man whoÌ„ folowed the fayr companye sette hym on that one side of the tombe in whiche the body shold be put And whan the body was enbamed wythin the tombe thys yong man sette atte hede of the body a shorte table of marble stone in whyche was wryton thys scripture Mentem sanctam spontaneam honorem deo patrie liberacionem whyche is as moche to saye The holy saynt Aghate had alleway holy thought and pure And gaf honoure to god wyth a free wyll in all her werkis And pourchaced by her prayers peas and delyuerauÌ„ce to all the contreye After that the table conteynyng thys scripture was sette at her hede the yong man and all his companye departed fro the tombe beyng closed wythout appyeryng ony more afterward wherfore it is supposed that thys yong man was her good angele Thys was publysshyd ouerall wherof the Iewes and sarasyns began to synge and worshyppe the sepulcre of the tombe of saynt aghate Quincianus the prouost deyde of an euyl deth in the waye as he wente for to seche the goodes and Rychesses of saynt Agathe and also for to haue taken her parents And neuer after coude be knowen wher hys body be cam And for to preue that she had prayd for the sauacion of the câ—ntrey Atte the begynnyng of feuerer the yere after her martirdom ther aroos a grete fyre and cam fro the montayne toward the cyte of Cathanence and brente the erthe and stones it was so feruent Thenne ranne the paynems to the sepulcre of saynt agathe and toke the cloth that laye vpon her tombe and helde it abrode ayenst the fyre And anon on the ix day after whyche was the day of her feste ceassed the fyre as sone as it cam to the cloth that they brought from her tombe shewyng that our lord kepte the cyte from the sayd fyre by the merytes of saynt agathe To whome praye we that she by her prayers may gete and Impetre grace of our lord to be kept from all parillis of fyre in thys world And whan we shal departe hens teschewe the perpetuell fyre and to come to the glorye Ioye in heuene amen Here endeth the lyf and passyon of saynt Agathe Of saynt Amande and fyrst thynterpretacion of hys name AMande is as moche to saye as amyalle For he had in hym thre thynges that make a man amyable The first is to be courtoys and gracious in companye As salamon sayth in his prouerbes the xix chapitre Vir amabilis ad societatem The second is to be honest in conuersacion as it is sayd of hester hester secundo Quod omnibus oculis amabilis videlatur The thyrde is to be vertuons in fayth of prowesse as it is sayd in the book of paralipomenon the second chapytre Saul Ionathas amabiles et decori Of the lyf of saynt amande SAynt amand was born of noble fader and moder On a tyme he entred in to a monastery And as he walked and wente in the chyrch he fonde a grete serpente whom by the vertue of hys prayer and wyth the signe of the crosse he made hym to yssue out And to entree in to the grete pytte out of whyche he neuer yssued after And after saynt amande cam to the sepulcre of saynt martyn and there abode xv yere where he lyued wyth barle brede and water and ware alleway the hayer After that he wente to rome And wente in to the chyrche of saynt peter and abode there by nyght the kepar of the chyrche put hym out right rudely And saynt peter appyered to hym as he laye and slepte to fore the chyrche dore And sente hym in legacion in to fraunce where he fonde the kyng dagobert the whyche he repreued strongly of hys synnes The kynge was angry and put hym out of hys Royame After whan the kynge had no sone he made hys prayer to god that he myght haue one And god sente hym one And whan he was born he thought moche sorowed who shold baptise hym And it cam vnto his mynde that he wold that saynt Amande shold baptyse hym Saynt amaÌ„de was sought and brought to the kyng and assone as he was come the kynge fyl doun to hys feet and prayd hym that he wold pardone hym of that he had trespaced to hym And that he wold baptyse hys sone And saynt amande graunted benyngly to the kyng his request the first peticion but not the second request for he dredde that he wold haue desired
that he had ben a paynem And he torned to the chyrche of saynt peter wayllyng for thorrour of the mescreaunce of traian Thenne answerd a voys fro god sayeng I haue now herd thy prayer and haue spared traian fro the payne perpetuell By thys thus as som̄e saye the payne perpetuel due to traian as a mescreaunt was somdele take away but for al that was not he quyte fro the pryson of helle For the sowle may wel be in helle and fele ther no payne by the mercy of god And after it is sayd that the angele in hys answere sayd more to thus by cause thou hast prayd for a payneme god graunteth the to chese of ij thynges that one which thou wylt Or thou shalt be ij dayes in purgatorye in payne or ellis all the dayes of thy lyf thou shalt languysshe in sekenesse Thenne answerd saynt gregory that he had leuer to haue sekenesse all his lyf in this world than to fele by ij dayes the paynes of purgatorye And euer after he had contynuelly the feures or axces or the goute in hys feet And herof hym self maketh mencion in one hys epystle and sayth I am so moche tormented of the gowte in my feet and of other sekenesses that my lif is to me a grete payne euery day me semeth that I ought to deye And alleway I abyde the deth Som̄e tyme my payne is lityl somtyme right grete but it is not so lityl that it departeth fro me ne so grete that it bryngeth me to deth And thus it is that I that am alleway redy to deye am withdrawen fro deth It happed that a wydowe that was wonte euery sonday to brynge hoostes to synge masse wyth shold on a tyme be houselyd cōmuned And whan saynt gregory shold gyue to her the holy sacrament in sayeng Corpus dominj nostrj c̄ that is to saye the body of our lord Ih̄u cryst kepe the in to euerlastyng lyf Anone thys woman began to smyle to fore saynt gregorye And anon he wythdrewe hys honde and remysed the sacrament vpon th aulter And he demaunded her to fore the peple why she smyled And she sayd by cause that the brede that I haue made with my propre handes thou namest it the body of our lord Ihesu cryst Anone saynt gregory put hym self to prayer wyth the peple For to praye to god that herupō he wold shewe hys grace for to conferme our byleue And whan they were rysen fro prayer saynt gregorye sawe the holy sacrament in figure of a pyece of fhessh as grete as the lytil fynger of an honde And anone after by the prayers of saynt gregorye the flesshe of the sacrament torned in to semblaūce of breed as it had be to fore And therwyth he comuned and howseled the woman whiche after was more relygyous and the peple more ferme in the fayth Saynt gregorye made and ordeyned the songe of thoffyce of holy chirche and establysshed at Rome two scoles of songe that one beside the chyrche of saynt peter And that other by the chyrche of saynt Ioh̄n latian where the place is yet where he laye and taughte the scoliers and the rodde wyth whiche he menaced them And the anthyphoner on whyche he lerned them is yet there he put to the canon of the masse thse wordes Diesque nostros in tua pace disponamus atque ab eterna dampnacione nos eripias et in electorum tuorum iubeas grege numerari Atte laste whan saynt gregory had ben pope xiij yere vj monethis and x dayes he beyng ful of good werkes departed out of thys world in the yere of our lord vjCvj yere in the tyme whan foca was Emperour of rome Lete vs thēne praye to saynt gregory that he gete vs grace that we may amende so our self here in thys lif that we may come vnto euerlastyng lyf in heuen Amen Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Gregorye Here begynneth of saynt longius the lyf LOngius whyche was a puyssaūt knyght was wyth other knyghtes by the comandement of pylate on the side of the crosse of our lord and percyd the side of our lord wyth a spere And whan he sawe the myracles how the sonne lost his light and grete erthequauyng of therthe was whan our lord suffred deth and passion in the tre of the crosse Thenne byleued he in Ihesu cryst Som̄e saye that whan he smote our lord wyth the spere in the syde the precious blood aualed by the shafte of the spere vpon hys hondes And of auenture wyth hys hondes he touched hys eyen And anon he that had be to fore blynde sawe anon clerly wherfor he refused all cheualrye and abode wyth thappostles of whom he was taught and crystened and after he abandonned to lede an holy lyf in doyng almesses and in kepyng the lyf of a mōke aboute xxxviij yere in cesaree and in Capadoce And by hys wordes and hys example many men conuerted he to the fayth of cryste And whan thys cam to the knowleche of octouian the prouoste he toke hym and wold haue constrayned hym to do sacrefise to thydollis And saynt longius said Ther may noman serue two lordes whyche ben contrary to other Thyn ydollis ben lordes of thy malices corruptours of all good werkis and enemyes to chastyte humylite and to bounte And frendes to all ordure of luxurye of gloutonnye of ydelnesse of pryde and of Auaryce And my lord is lord of sobrenesse that bryngeth the peple to the euerlastyng lyf Thenne sayd the prouoste it is nought that thou saist Make sacrefice to thydollis And thy god shal forgyue the by cause of the comandement that is made to the longius said yf thou wylt becomē cristen god shal pardonne the thy trespaces Thenne the prouost was angry and made the teeth of saynt longius to be drawen out of hys mouth and dyde do cutte hys mouth open And yet for alle that longius lost not hys speche but toke an axe that he there fonde hewe and brake therwith thydollis and said now may we see yf they be very goddes or not And anon the deuyllis yssued out and entred in to the body of the prouoste amd hys felaws And they brayed lyke beestes and fyll doun to the feet of saynt longius and sayd we knowe wel that thou art seruaunt vnto the souerayn god And saynt longius demaunded of the deuylles why they dwellyd in thyse ydollis and they answerd we haue foūden place in thyse ydolles for vs For ouerall where Ihesu crist is not named ne hys signe is not shewd there dwelle we gladly and by cause whan thyse paynems come to thyse ydolles for to adoure and make sacrefise in the name of vs thenne we come and dwelle in thyes ydolles wherfor we pray the man of god that thou sende vs not in in thabysme of helle And saynt longius said to the peple that there were what saye ye wyll ye haue thyse deuylles for
your goddes and worshyppe them Or haue ye leuer that I hunte them out of thys world in the name of Ihesu cryst And the peple sayd wyth an hye voys Moche grete is the god of crysten peple holy man we praye the that thou suffre not the deuylles to dwelle in thys cyte Thenne comanded saynt longius to the deuyllis that they shold yssue out of thys peple in suche wyse that the peple had grete Ioye and byleued in our lord A lytyl tyme after the euyl prouost made saynt longius come to fore hym and sayd to hym that all the peple were departed by hys enchauÌ„tement had refused thydollis yf the kynge knewe it he shold destroye vs and the cyte also Afrodisius answerd how wilt thou yet tormÌ„â— thys good man whyche hath saued vs and hath don so moche good to the cyte And the prouost said he hath deceyued vs by enchantrye Afrodisius said hys god is grete and hath none euyll in hym Thenne dyde the prouost cutte out the tongue of afrodisius wherfore saynt longius sighed vnto god And anone the prouoste becam blynde and loste all hys membres whan afrodifius sawe that he said lord god thou art Iuste And thy Iugement is verytable And the prouost said to afrodisius Fayr brother praye to saynt longius that he pray for me For I haue don yll to hym And Afrodisius said haue not I wel told it to the do nomore so to longius Seest not thou me speke wythout tongue And the prouoste sayde I haue not only lâ—st myn eyen but also my herte and my body is in grete payne And saynt longius said yf thou wylt be hool and guarysshed put me appertly to deth And I shal pray for the to our lord after that I shal be deed that he hele that And anon thenne the prouost dyde do smyte of hys heed And after he cam and fyll on the body of saynt longius and sayd all in wepyng Syre I haue synned I knowleche and confesse my fylthe And anon cam agayn his sight and he receyued helthe of hys body And buryed honourably the body of saynt longius And the prouoste byleuyd in Ihesu cryst And abode in the company of crysten men and thanked god and deyde in good astate All thys happed in Cesaree of Capadoce to the honour of our lord god to whom be gyuen laude and glorye in secula seculorum Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Longius Here begynneth the lif of saynt Maure THe yere that saynt benet deied he sente seynt Maure foure felaws wyth hym in to fraunce that is to wete fuscinien symplicien Antoninien and constantinen atte prayer of varricam the bysshop of maulx for to founde an abbaye which the said bisshop wold make of hys owen good And gaf to saynt maure a book in whyche he had wreton the rule of hys hande And as they passed the montaynes of mongus sourgus one of theyr seruantes fyll fro hys hors vpon a grete stone and hys lyft fote was all to frusshed but assone as saynt maure had blessyd it and made hys oryson he was guarisshed and al hool After thys he cam in to the chyrche of saynt mauryce And ther was at entre a blynde man beggyng that had seten there xj yere and was named lieuyn whyche for the longe vsage that he had ben there he knew all thoffice of the chirche by heryng that he had lerned ther by wythout more he coniured saynt maure by the vertue of the martirs that he wold helpe hym And anone he was guarisshid and had agayn hys sight by hys prayer And thenne saynt maure comaÌ„ded hym that he shold serue alle hys lyf in the chyrche as he had don On a nyght thys holy man and hys felawe herberowed in the hows of a wydowe whiche was named themere the whyche had a sone that was so seke that eche man sayd that he was deed And thys holy man heled hym And whan he was hool he said to saynt maure thou art he that by thy merytes and by thy teeres hast delyuerd me fro the Iugement where I was in condempned to the fyre of helle Thus as they helde theyr waye on the good fryday in thabbaye of whyche seynt Romayn was abbot And saynt maure sayd to saynt Romayn Seynt benet shal departe out of thys world to morowe On the morn after the hour of tierce as saynt maure was in hys prayers he sawe the waye by whyche saynt benet mounted in to heuen and he was aourned wyth palles and grete foyson of clerenes and thys vision sawe two other monkes Also whan saynt maure hys felowe cam to orlyance they herd saye that the bisshop varicam of maulx was deed And he that was in his place wold not receyue them Thenne saynt maure and hys felawe wente in to a place that is callyd restis And there founded â—e fyrst an hows for to adoure god there in thonour of saynt martyn and comaâ—ded that he shold be buryed therin A clerke that was there named langyso fyl doun of an hie steyer vpon an hepe of stones and was all to frusshed but saynt maure heled hym anon And after flocus whyche was one of the grettest frendes of the kynge had hym in so grete reuerence that he durst not approuche but yf he bad hym Thre werkmen that wrought in that hows bygan to saye shrewdly of saynt maure and saye that he coueyted ouer moche vayne glorye but anon they be cam so madde that that one of hym lost forthwyth hys lyf And the other ij to tare them self wyth theyr teeth the holy man anon put hys hande in theyr mouthes and made the feende to goo out benethe And after he reysed the thyrde to lyf whyche had be deed and comanded hym yf he wold lyue that he shold nomore entre in to that hows And thys comaÌ„ded he for theschewe the fauour of the world Theodebers kyng of frannce cam for to visite hym and prayd to saynt maure and the brethern that they wold pray for hym And he gaf to them of that hows the fee Ryall of that buscage and alle the rentes therto belongyng and the townes On the morn saynt maure wente to see the yeft that the kyng had gyuen And there he heled one hauyng the paleseye whyche had be vij yere seke The second yere that thys hows was founded cam many noble men of the contre whyche demanded that theyr chyldren myght be clothed and receyued in to the religion And ther cam so many that the xxvj yere of the fondacion of thabbaye there were an hondred fourty brethern saynt maure comandeth that they shold abyde in that nombre wythout more or lasse and not tencreace ne mynuysshe that nombre After thys â—lotaire the kynge cam in to thys abbeye And gaf therto the chyef of blason and the toun longchamp therwith And after thys tyme saynt maure wold nomore yssue out of thabbeye but he wente and abode in a
and durst nomore come drawe hym awaye And fro than forthon he abode in prayer contynued therin Of the xij abbeyes that saynt benet had founded thre of them stoode on hye Roches so that they myght haue no water but by grete labour Thenne cam the monkes to hym prayd hym that he wold sette thyse abbeyes in somÌ„e other place by cause they had grete defaute of water Thenne wente saynt benet aboute the montayne made hys orysons prayers moche deuoutly and whan he had longe prayd he sawe thre stones in a place for a signe And on the morn whan the monkes cam for to praye he said to them goo ye to suche a place where ye shal fynde thre stones and there dygge a lityl ye shal fynde water Our lord can wel prouyde for you water And they wente and fonde the montaygne all swetyng where as the thre stones were And there they digged anon they fonde water so grete habundaunce that it suffysed to them and ran doun fro the toppe of the hille vnto bynethe in to the valeye It happed on a tyme that a man hewe buysshes thornes aboute the monasterye And hys axe or instrument of yron that he hewe sprang out of the helue fyll in to a depe water thenne the man cryed and sorowed for hys tool and saynt benet sawe that he was ouer anguysshid therfore toke the helue threwe it after in to the pytte And anon the yron cam vp bygaÌ„ to sâ—ymÌ„e tyl that it entred in to the helue In thabbaye of saynt benet was a chyld named placidus whyche wente to the Ryuer for to drawe water And hys foot slode so that he fyl in to the Ryuer whyche was moche deep and anon the Ryuer bare hym forth more than a bowe shote And whan saynt benet whyche was in hys studye knew it he called to saynt maure and sayd that ther was a chyld whyche was a monke that was aboute to be drowned and bad hym go to helpe hym And anon saynt maure ranne vpon the water lyke as it had ben on drye ground and hys feet drye ¶ And toke vp the chyld by the heer And drewe hym to londe And after whan he cam to saynt benet he sayd that it was not by hys meryte but by the vertue of hys obedyence Ther was a preest named florentyn whyche had enuye on saynt benet and he sente to hym a loof of bred enuenymed After whan saynt benet had thys loof he knewe by the Inspiracion that it was enuenymed he gaf it to a rauen that was wonte to take hys fedyng of saynt benettes hand And comaunded hym to bere it vnto suche a place that nomaÌ„ shold fynde it Thenne the rauen made semblaunt for tobeye to the comandement of saynt benet but he durste not touche it for the venym and fledde aboute it howlyng and cryeng Saynt benet sayd to hym take thys brede hardyly and bere it away Atte laste the rauen bare it awaye in to suche a place that ther was neuer herd tydynges therof after And cam agayn the thyrde day after and toke hys refection of saynt benettes hand as he was wonte to doo to fore whan thys preest Florentyn sawe that he coude not slee saynt benet he enforced hym to slee spyrytuelly the sowles of hys dyscyples he toke seuen maydens all naked sente them in to the gardyn to daunse to carolle for to meue the monkes to temptacion whan saynt benet sawe the malyce of florentyn he had fere of hys dyscyples and sente hem out of that place whan florentyn sawe that saynt benet and hys monkes wente out he demened grete Ioye and made grete feste And anoÌ„ the soler fyl vpon hym and slewe hym sodenly whan saynt maure sawe that florentyn was deed he ranne after saynt benet and called hym sayeng come agayn for florentyn that hath don so moche harme to you is deed whan saynt benet herde thys he was sory for the perryllous deth of florentyn by cause saynt maure was glad for the deth of hys enemye as hym semed he enioyned hym penaunce therfor After thys he wente to mount Cassyn where he had another grete aduesarye For in the place where that appolyn was adoured he made an oratorye of saynt Iohan baptyst and conuerted alle the contre aboute to the crysten fayth wherof the deuyl was so tormented that he appyered to saynt benet alle blacke and ranne vpon hym wyth open mouth and throte And had hys eyen alle enflammed And sayd to hym Benet Benet And saynt Benet answerd not the deuyl sayd Cursid and not blessyd why haue I so moche persecucion ¶ Hyt happed on a tyme that as the monkes shold lyft a stone for a werke of an edefyce they myght not meue it thenne ther assembled a grete multitude of peple and yet they alle myght not lyfte it But anone as saynt Benet had blessyd it they lift it a non Thenne apparceyued they that the deuyl was vpon it and caused it to be so heuy And whan they had a lytyl made the walle hye the deuyll appyerid to saynt Benet and bad hym goo see them that edeffyed thenne saynt Benet sente to hys monkes comanded that they shold kepe them wel For the deuyll wente to destroye them but er the messager cam to them the deuyl had throwen doun a parte of the wall and had therwith slayn a yong monke Thenne they brought the monke alle to brused in a sack to saynt Benet And anon saynt benet made vpon hym the signe of the crosse and blessyd hym and reysed hym to lyf and sente hym to the werke agayn A laye man of honest lyf had acustome ones in the yere to come to saynt benet all fastyng on a tyme as he cam ther was one that bare mete accompayned wyth hym And desired that he wold ete with hym but he refused it After he prayd hym the second tyme and yet he refused it and sayd he wold ete no mete tyl he cam to saynt benet At the third tyme he fonde a fayr fontayne and a moche delytable place And began sore to desire hym to ete wyth hym And atte laste he consented and ete And whan he cam to saynt benet he said to hym where hast thou eten which answerd I haue eten a lytyl O fayr brother the deuyl hath deceyued the but he coude not deceyue the fyrst ne the second tyme but the thyrd tyme he hath surmounted the thenne the good man kneled doun to the feet of saynt benet and confessyd hym of hys trespaas Attila the kyng of gothes wold ones preue yf saynt benet had the sperite of prophecye and sente to hym hys seruaunt and dyde do araye hym with precious robes and delyuerd to hym a grete companye as he had ben the kyng hym self whan saynt benet sawe hym come he sayd to hym fayr sone doo of that thou werest it is not thyn
the erthe threwe hym and wold not receyue hym and prayd that he wold blesse hym Thenne toke he the blessyd sacrament and made it to be leyde on the breste of the corps And whan they had doon so they buried hym and therthe drewe hym nomore out but receyued the body helde it ¶ Ther was a monke that coude not abide in the monastery prayd so moche to saynt benet that he lete hym goo was all angry and anon as he was out of thabbaye he fonde a dragon with open mouth And whan he sawe hym he had fere that he wold haue deuoured hym cried lowde Come hether and helpe me come hether For this dragon wil deuoure me theÌ„ne the monkes ranne but they sawe no dragon and brought agayn the monk treÌ„blyng syghyng thenne the monke promysed that he neuer wold departe fro thabbaye ¶ In a tyme ther was in that centre a grete famyne and all that euer saynt benet myght gete haue he gaue it to the poure peple in so moche that he had nomore in the abbaye but a lytyl oyle and he comanded yet to the celerer to gyue it to a poure man the celerer vnderstode hym wel but he gaf it not by cause ther was nomore in the couent And whan saynt benet knewe it he toke the vessel and cast it out of the wyndow was of glasse it felle on a stone brake not thenne he repreued the celerer of inobedience of a lityl hope that he had in god after he wente vnto hys prayers And anon a grete empty tonne that was there was full of oylle in so moche that it ranne ouer ¶ It happed an other day that saynt benet wente to visite hys suster named scolastica And as they satte atte table She prayd her brother that he wold abyde there al that nyght but he in no wyse wold graunte her and sayd he myght not lye out of hys cloyster ¶ And whan she sawe that he wold not graunte to her to abyde she enclyned her heed and made her prayers to our lord ¶ And anon it began to thoÌ„dre to lyghtne the ayer to wexe derke whyche to fore was fayr clere and a grete rayn fyl doun so that for nothyng he myght departe And lyke as she wepte wyth her eyen right so forthwyth the rayne and storme cam and thenne she lyft vp her heed TheÌ„ne saynt benet said to his suster almyghty god forgyue you that ye haue don For ye haue letted me that I may not departe hens And she said Fayr brother god is more curtoys than ye be For ye wold not accepte my prayer but god hath herd me now goo yf ye may And thenne saynt benet abode there all the nyght spekyng of god bytwene hym and hys suster wythout slepyng tyl they were bothe eased On the morn saynt benet wente to hys abbaye And on the thyrde day after he lyft vp hys eyen to heuen and sawe the sowle of hys suster mounte vp in to heuen in the lyknes of a douue And anon he dyde the body of her to be brought to hys abbaye and dyde it to be buryed in hys tombe whyche he had do made for hym self On a nyght as saynt benet was in hys pyayer at a wyndowe he sawe the sowle of saynt germayn bysshop of capes mounte in to heuen And lyke as a light sodayne that enlumyneth all the derknesses of the world so the light of that sowle gaf a grete light And after he knewe that the sowle of saynt germayn passed that same hour After thys whan tyme cam that saynt benet hym self shold deê‘te out of this world he shewd it to hys monkes sixe dayes to fore and dyde do make hys pytte and after that a feuer toke hym strongly whyche helde hym euery day and atte the sixthe day he dyde hym self to be born to the chyrche And there receyued the body of our lord Ihesu cryst And after emong the handes of hys dyscyples hys owen handes lyftyng vp to heuen in makyng hys oryson he rendryd hys sowle vnto hys creatour The same hour was a reuelacion shewd to two monkes For they sawe a way to heuen all couerd with palles man tellis of gold alle ful of torches brennyng whyche enlumyned alle the heuen whyche cam fro the celle of saynt benet vnto heuen And ther was a maÌ„ in a fayr habyte to whome thyse monkes demaunded what way that was And he answerd that it was the way by whyche saynt benet mounted vp to heuen ¶ Thenne the body of saynt benet was buryed in the oratorye that he had made of saynt Iohan where as was wonte to be the aulter of appollyn the xere of our lord vC and xviij To whom late vs praye deuoutly that he praye to our lord for vs that we may haue grace after thys lyf to come to euerlastyng blysse in heuen Amen Thus endeth the lyf of saynt benet Abbote Here next foloweth the lyf of saynt Cuthberd of durham Saynt cuthberd was born in englond And whan he was viij yere old our lord shewd for hym a fayr myracle for to drawe hym to his loue For on a tyme as he pleyed atte the balle wyth other chyldren Sodenly ther stode emonge them a fayr yong child of the age of iij yere which was the fayrest creature that euer they behelde And anon he sayd to cuthberd good broder vse no suche vayne plaies ne sette not thy herte on them But for all that cuthberd toke none heed to his wordes And thenne thys chyld fyll doun and made grete heuynes wepte sore and wronge hys hondes And thenne Cuthberd and the other chyldren lefte theyr playe and comforted hym and demaunded of hym why he made suche sorow Thenne the chyld sayd to Cuthbert all myn heuynesse is only for the by cause thou vsist suche vayne playes for our lord hath chosen the to be an heed of holy chyrche And thenne sodenly he vanysshyd away And thenne he knewe veryly that it was an Angele sente fro our lord to hym And fro thenne forthon he lefte all suche vayne playes neuer vsed them more and began to lyue holyly And thenne he desired of hys fader that he myght be sette to scole and anon he drewe hym to parfyght lyuyng for he was euer in his prayers nyght and daye And most desired of our lord to doo that which myght plese hym and eschewe that shold dysplese hym and he lyued so vertuosly and holyly that all the peple had Ioye of hym and within a whyle after Aydanus the bisshop deyde And as cuthberd kept shepe in the felde he lokyd vp ward and sawe angellis bare the sowle of Aydanus the bysshop to heuen with grete melodye And after that saynt cuthberd wold nomore kepe sheep but weÌ„te anon to thabbaye of geruâ—us And there he was a monke of whome all the coueÌ„te were right glad and thanked our lord that had sente hym
supposed that he shold not gete hit specially by cause the eyre was so clere and no clowde was seen and the crysten men doubted that theyr feythe myght there by come to confusyon but the bysshop the heretyke wold not bynde hym therto Saynt peter had good feythe and truste in god and made his prayer openlye that he wold conueye ouer them a clowde and he made the sygne of the crosse and anone the cloude came and ouâ—rspred them lyke a pauyllyon that there were assembled abode as longe as the sermon endured it scratched no ferther but there There was a lame man whiche had ben so lame v yere myght not goo but was drawen in a whelebarow brought to saynt peter at melane and as saynt peter had blessyd hym wyth the sygne of the crosse and ne he was hoole and aroos yet other myracles god shewed for hym by his lyf It happed that the sone of a gentyl man had suche an horryble dysâ—ase in his throte that he myght nether speke ne drawe his breeth but saynt Peter made on hym the sygne of the crosse layed his cope on the place where the sore was anone he was alle hole The same gentylman had afterward a greuous maladye and supposyd to haue deyed made to brynge to hym the sayd cope whiche wyth grete deuocion leyed hit on his breste anone he caste out a worme with two heedes whiche was roughe and after he was broughte in good helthe and anone al hoole It happed that a yonge man was dombe myght not speke a worde wherfore he came to saynt peter and he put his fyngre in his mowthe and his speche ceme to hym ageyn Now it happed that tyme that an heresye began moche in lombardye that there were moche peple that were fallen in thys errour the 〈◊〉 sente dyuerse Inâ—uysitours thyder of thordre of the frere prechours and bycause that at melane there were many in nombre of grete power engyne he sente thyder saynt peter as a man wyse constaunt and relygyous whiche doubted no thynge and by his vertu he repreuyd them and by his wytte he vnderstood theyr malyce whan he had enterprised thoffice of Inquysicyon thenne began be as a lyon to seche the heretykes ouer alle lefte them not in pees but in al places tyme al the maners that he myghte he ouercame confounded them whan the heretikes sawe that they myght not withstonde the holy ghoost that spake in hym they begaÌ„ to trete how they myght brynge hym to deth thenne it happed on a tyme as he wente fro câ—mes to melane for to seke the heretykes he sayd openly in a predycacion that the money Was delyuerd for to slee hym whaÌ„ he approched nyghe the cite a man of theretykes whiche was hyred therto ranne vpon hym and smote hym with his fauchon in the heed and gafe and made to hym many cruel woundes he that murmured not ne grutched not suffred pacyently the cruelte of the tyrauntes and abandonned or gafe hym self ouer to suffre the marterdom And sayd his credo and in manustuas commendyng his spyrite vnto the handes of our lord And soo the tyraunt lefte hym in the place for deed And thus tolde the tyraunte that slewe hym And frere Domynyke whyche was his felawe was sleyne wyth hym And after whan the tyraunte sawe that he remeuyd yet his lyppes the cursed and cruel tyraunte came ageyn and smote hym wyth hys knyf to the herte and anone his spyryte mounted in to heuen Thenne was hit wel knowen that he was a veray prophete For the prophecye of his dethe that he had pronounced was accomplysshed After he had the crowne of virgynyte For as his confessours wytnesse that in alle his lyf he had neuer doon dedely synne After he had the crowne of a doctour bycause he had ben a god fast ferme prechour and doctour of holy chyrche after he had the crowne of marterdom as it apperid whan he was slayne The renome herof came in to the cyte of melan and the freres the clergye and the peple came with procession with soo grete companye of people that the prees was so grete that they myght not entre in to the towne and therfore they lefte the body in thabley of Saynt symplycien and there it abode all that nyght and so he sayd the day tofore to his felawe the passyon of saynt Peter ensyewed moche lyke the passyon of our lord in many maners For lyke as our lord suffred for the trouthe of the feythe that he prechyd Soo saynt peter suffred for the trouthe of the feyth that he deffended and lyke as cryste suffred of the Iewes So saynt peter suffred of the peple of his owne contre and of the heretykes Cryste suffred in the tyme of ester so dyd saynt Peter Ihesu cryst was solde for xxx pens saynt Peter was solde for xl pounde Ihesu cryste shewed his dethe to his dysciples and saynt peter shewed it in playne predycacion Ihesu cryst sayd at his dethe lord god in to thy hondes I commende my spyrite right so saynt Peter dyd say the same There was a nonne of almayne of the abbey of combat which had a greuous gowte in her knee whiche had holden hir a yere longe more and there was no mayster ne physicyen that myghte make hir hole She had grete deuotion to saynt Peter but she myght not goo thyder by cause of hir obedyence and by cause hyr maladye was so greuous Thenne demaunded she how many dayes iourneye was fro thens to melane and she founde that there were xiiij iourneyes Thenne purposed she to make thyse iourneyes by her herte and good thoughtes she sayd for euery iourneye a hondred pater nosters and alwey as she wente forthe by hyr mynde in hir iourneyes she felte hyr self more eased and whan she come to the laste iourneye in her mynde She fonde hir self al guarisshed Thenne she sayd that day al the sawter And after retorned al the iourneyes lyke as she had gone by her thoughtes in her herte and after that day she felte neuer the gowte There was a man that had a vylanous malady bynethe in suche wyse that he voyded blood vj dayes contynuelly he cryed to saynt peter deuoutely as he had endyd his prayer he felte hym self al hoole and after he fyl a sleep he sawe in his slepe a frere prechour which had a face grete browne hym semed that he had ben felawe to saynt peter And verayly he was of the same fourme This frere gaue to hym a boxe of oynemente sayd to hym haue good hope in saynt Peter whiche late hath shedde his blood for the feyth for he hath helyd the of the blood that ranne fro the And whan he awoke he purposed to vysyte the sepulcre of Saynt Peter There was a countesse of the castel cassyn whiche had special deuocyon to saynt Peter
rendryng hir sowle vnto our lord Thenne flaccus seyng hym self dyspoynted and mocked torned hym self vnto feliculam felow of saynt pernelle and said that she shold wed hym or offre vnto thydollys whyche bothe two she refused thenne the prefecte sette hir in pryson and there kepte hir seuen dayes seuen nyghtes wythout mete drynke and after he dyd do hange hir body on a gybet and there slewe hir and threwe hir body in to a foule pryuy whiche holy nychodemus took vp and buryed wherfore nychodemous was called of flaccus and by cause he wold not sacrefyse to thydolles he was beten wyth plomettes and his body cast in to tybre â—ut it was taken vp of Iustyne his clerke and honorably buryed Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Pernelle Here foloweth the lyf of saynt dunston SAynt duston was borne in Englond and our lord shewed myracles for hym or he was borne It was so that on a candelmas day as alle the peple were in the chyrche wyth tapres in theyr hondes Sodeynly alle the lyghtes in the chyrche were quenchyd at ones Sauf onely the tapre whyche Saynt Dunstons moder bare for that brennyd stylle fayre wherof alle the peple merueyled gretely how be it hyr tapre was out but by the power of our Lord it lighted ageyn by hit self And brennyd ful bryght so that alle the other came and lighted theyr tapres at the tapre of Sayâ—â— Dunstons moder wherefor alle the â—â—ople gaue lawde and thankynges vnto our lord god for thys grete myracle And thenne there was an holy man that sayd that the chylde that she theÌ„â—e bare shold gyue lyght to al englond by hys holy lyuyng Thys holy chylde dunston was borne in the yere of our lord ix hondred and xxv that tyme regnyng in this londe kyng Athelston And saynt dunstons fader hyght herston and his moder hyght quyndrede and they sette theyr sone dunston to scole in the abbay of glastynburye Where as after he was abbot for hys holy lyuyng and within shorte tyme after he wente to his vncle ethelwold that thenne was bysshop of caunterburye to whome he was welcome was glad of his conuersacion of holy lyuyng and thenne he brought hym to kyng athelston the which maad ful moche of hym also for his good lyuyng theÌ„ne he was made abbot of glastenburye by consente of the kyng and hys brother edmond in that place ruled ful wel religyously the monkes his brethern drewe them to holy lyuyng by good ensaumple gyuyng Saynt dâ—â—ston saynt ethelwold were bothe made preestys in one day and he was holy in contemplacion and whan so was that saynt dunston was wery of prayer thenne vsed he to werke in goldsmythes werke with his owne hondes for to eschewe ydlenes and he gaue alwey almesse to poure peple for the loue of god and on a tyme as he sat at his werke his herte was on Ihesu cryste his mowthe ocupyed wyth holy prayers and his hondes besy on his werke but the deuyl whiche euer had grete enuye at hym came to hym in an euen tyde in the liknes of a woman as he was besy to make a chalys And with smylyng sayd that she had grete thynges to telle hym thenne he bad hir say what she wold thenne she began to telle hym many nyce trysyllys and no maner vertu therin and thenne he supposed that she was a wycked spyryte and anone caught hir by the nose witâ— a payre of tonges of yron brennyng 〈◊〉 and thenne the deuyl began to rore crye fast drewe aweye but saynt dunston helde faste tyl it was ferre within the nyght thenne lete hir goo the fende departid wyth an horryble noyse and crye and sayd that al the peple myÈt here alas what shame hath this carle doon to me how may I best quyte hym ageyn but neuer after the deuyl had never luste to tempte hym in that crafte in shorte tyme after deyed kyng ethelston and edmond his brother regned kynge after hym to whome saynt dunston was chyef of counceyl for he gaue to hym right good counceyl to his lyues ende and thenne deyed edmund the kynge And after hym regned his sone edwyn and sone after saynt dunston he fyll at stryf for his synful lyuyng For saynt dunston rebuked the kyng sharpely therfore but there was none amendemeÌ„t but alwey werse and werse wherfore saynt dunston was right sory and dyd alle that payne he myght to brynge the kyng to amendemente but it wold not be but the kyng wythin a whyle after exyled saynt dunston out of this londe and thenne he sayled ouer the see and came to the abbey of saynt amand in fraunce and there he dwellyd longe tyme in ful holy lyf tyl kyng edwyn was deed and after hym regned edgar kynge a ful holy man and thenne he herde of the holynesse of saynt dunston and sente for hym to be of his counceyl receyued hym with grete reuerence and maad hym ageyn abbot of glastynburye sone after the bisshop of worâ—â—â—re deyed And thenne saynt dunstâ—â— was made bysshop there by the wâ—lle of kyng edgar and within a 〈◊〉 whyle after the see of london 〈◊〉 as voyde to whyche kyng edgar pâ—â—moted saynt dunston also and so he 〈◊〉 bothe bisshopriches in his honde â—hat is to wyte bothe the bisshoprichâ— of worcestre the bysshopryche of â—â—â—don and after thys deyed the archâ—â—ysshop of caunterburye and theÌ„ne â—â—ng edgar made saynt dunston archebâ—sshop of caunterburye which he guydâ—â— wel holyly to the plesure of god so that in that tyme of kyng edgar and dunston archebysshop was ioâ—e and myrthe thou â— the royame of eâ—glond and euery man preysed greâ—â—ly saynt dunston for his holâ— lyf good rule and guydyng in dyâ—â—rs places where as he vysyted 〈◊〉 curates that were not good ne propyce for the wele of the sowles that they had â—â—re of hâ— wold dyscharge them put them out of their benefices set in suche as wold entende and were â—â—od men as ye shal fynde more playnly matere in the lyf of saynt Oswoâ— And on a tyme as he satte ot a prynces table he lokyd vp and sawe hys fader and moder aboue in heuen And thenne he thanked our lord god of hys grete mercy and goodnes that hit plesyd hym to shewe hym that syght and another tyme as he laye in his bedde he sawe the bryghtnes of heuen and herde aungels syngyng kyryeleyson after the note of kyrye rex splendens whiche was to hym a ful grete comforte ¶ And another tyme he was in his medytacyons he had hangyng on the walle in his chambre an harpe on whiche otherwhyle he wold harpe anthemes of our lady and of other sayntes and holy ympnes and it was so that the harpe sowned ful me bodyously wythout touchyng of ony honde that he coude see this antheme was Gaudent in celis anime
Albone And saynt Amphiabel ¶ Here foloweth the natyuyte of Saynt Iohan Baptiste SAynt Iohan baptiste is named in many maners he was named a prophete frende of the spouse lanterne an aungel voys helyas baptist of the saueour messager of the Iuge and foregoar of the kynge by prophete is signefyed prerogatyf of knowleche in the frende of the spouse noblesse of loue In the lanterne brennyng noblesse of holynes in an aungel prerogatyf of vyrgynyte In voys noblesse of mekenes in helye noblesse of brennyng loue In baptiste prerogatyf of meruayllous honour In messager prero gatyf of prechyng and in forgoyng prerogatyf of preparacyon or makyng redy Alle thyse vertuous thynges were in hym ¶ Of saynt Iohan Baptist THe Natyuyte of saynt Iohan baptyste was auÌ„cient shewed by the archaungel gabryel in this manere It is said in thystorye scolastyke that dauyd the kyng wyllyng to encrece make more the seruyse of god Instytued xxiiij bysshoppes or hyghe preestys of whome one was ouerest grettest was named prynce af the preestys and he ordeyned that eche preest shold serue a weke abias was one and had the viij weke of whos kynrede Zacharyas was descendyd fader of Saynt Iohan baptyste This Zacharye had to wyf one of the doughters of the kynrede of aaron whos name was elysabeth doughter of esmeria whyche was suster of saynt anne moder of our lady Thenne thys Elysabeth and our lady were cosyns germayns doughters of two susters Thyse two Zacharye his wyf elizabeth were Iust tofore our lord lyuyng in al the Iustyficacions holdyng al the coÌ„mauÌ„dementes of the lawe without murmure ne compleynt preysyng thankyng our lord god They had no chyldren for the holy woman was bareyn They had grete desyre to haue a sone that myght be byshop of the lawe by successyon of lygnage after Zacharye And herof had they in theyr yongthe prayed moche to our lord but whan it plesyd not vnto our lord they toke it a worthe and thanked god of alle They seruyd the more deuoutely our lord god For they had no charge but onelye to serue and entende vnto hym Many there be that withdrawe them fro the seruyce and loue of our lord for the loue of theyr chyldren They were bothe olde he and his wyf Elysabeth It happed at a solempnyte that the Iewes had after august that the bysshop dyd holy sacrefise in doyng the offyce that apperteyned to hym to his weke he wente for to encence and entryd in to the temple and the peple abode wythout makyng their prayers and awaytyng the comyng ageyn to them of the holy bysshop Thus as he was allone and encencyd the aulter The aungel gabryel apperyd to hym stondyng on the ryght syde of the aulter and whan the holy bysshop sawe hym he was abasshyd and had grete drede The aungel sayd to hym be no thynge aferde Zacharye thy prayers ben herde And hast fouÌ„den grace tofore our lord Elysabeth thy wyf shal conceyue and bere a sone whome thou shalt calle Iohan of whome thou shalt haue grete gladnes And moche people shall make grete feste and ioye of his natyuyte For he shal be grete and of grete meryte tofore our lord He shal not drynke wyne ne syther ne thynge wherof he myght be dronken and in his moders wombe he shal be sayntefyed and fulfylled wyth the holy ghoost he shall conuerte many of the sones of Israhel that is to say of the Iewes to our lord And shal goo tofore hym in the spirite and vertue of helye the prophete for to conuerte fader and sones olde and myscreauntes to the sens of rightwysnesse and to the seruyce of god Whan the aungel had thus sayd to Zacharye he answerd how may I byleue and knowe that this is trouth that thou sayest I am now aâ—olde auncyen and my wyf olde bareyn The aungel answerd and sayd I am gabryel the aungel and seruaunt tofore god whiche in his name am sent to speke to the and to shewe to the thyse thynges aforsayd and by cause thou hast not byleuyd me thou shalte lâ—se thy speche and shalt not speke tyl the day that this whiche I haue sayd shal be accomplisshed eche thyng in his tyme The peple were abydyng awaytyng whan Zacharye the bysshop shold come out and meruayled where he taryed so longe he came out of the temple but he myght not speke but the holy man made to them signes by whyche they thought wel that he had seen somme vysyon of our lord but more knewe they not he abode in the temple alle that weke and after went home to hys hows his wyf conceyued and waxe grete and whan she perceyued it she was shamefaste and kepte hyr in hyr hows wel fyue monethys In the syxthe monethe the same aungel Gabrye was sente from our lord vnto the blessyd vyrgyn marye newly espowsed to Ioseph which shewed the concepcion of Ihesu criste sone of god our lord and the aungel tolde to hyr that she shold conceyue of the holy ghooste wythout knowleche of man for our lord may do al that it pleaseth hym lyke as it apperyth sayd he of Elysabeth thy cosyn the whiche she beyng olde of age and bareyn by nature of hir body hath conceyued by the plesure of our lord and hath now borne abowte vj monethes whan our lady herde that saynt elizabeth hir cosyn was grete she wente to vysyte and accompanye her in the montayns where she dwellyd ryght ferre harde and euyll waye Whan she came thyder she salewyd hyr moche courtoyslye Our lady was thenne grete wyth the blessyd sone of god our lord Ihesu cryste whome she had conceyued whan she sayd to the aungel Ecce ancilla dâ—miny And thenne she was replenysshed wyth the deyte and humanyte of our lord Ihesu Cryste Thenne whan the salutacyon yssued out of the body of our lady the gretyng entryd in to the eerys of the body of Saynt Elyzabeth and in to hir chylde that she had wythin hyr whyche chylde was enoynte of the blessyd holy ghoost and by the presence of our lord sayntefyed in the wombe of hys moder and replenysshed wyth grace wherof he remeuyd hym for ioye in his moders wombe in makyng to our lord reuerence suche as he myght make not of hym self but by the grace that he had receyued of the holy ghoost Of whiche by the merytes and grace doon to the blessyd chylde saynt Elysabeth was replenysshed And anone prophecyed in sayeng and cryeng within hygh voys Thou arte blessyd emonge and aboue alle wymmen and blessyd be the fruyte of thy wombe From whens cometh to me suche grace so grete that the moder of my lord cometh to vysyte me I knowe wel that thou hast conceyued the sone of god For as sone as thy salutacyon entrid in to myn eerys the chylde that is in my bely made ioye and feste remeuyd thou arte wel blessyd and happy that thou hast gyuen feythe and byleuyd
sorouful for god shal be alweye wyth the lyke as he hath promysed to vs sayeng loo I am alwey and shal be wyth you vnto the consummacion of the world Thus my swete broder he commaunded vs after hys resurrexyon sayeng Goo ye vnto thorugh the vnyuersal world preche the gospel to alle creatures that who shal byleue and shal be baptysed he shal be saued and they that wyl not so do shal be dampned whiche thynges my blessyd broder behoueth vs to kepe and put in effecte to the ende that we forgete not the commaundementes of god anone after thyse blessyd wordes saynt marcial toke leue of saynt peter and broughte with hym the two dysciples aforsayd that is to wete alphynyen and austrudynyen and departed lyke as god had commaunded to saynt peter Thus thenne as they wente and that they were wery and sore traueylled by the waye which was longe and greuous saynt austrudynyen departed out of thys world deyed whan saynt marcial sawe that he was deed he retorned in grete haste to rome and tolde to saynt peter that whiche was byfalle in theyr weye Whan Saynt Peter had herde hym he sayd retorne as hastely as thou mayst and take my burdon in thy honde and thou shalt come where thou hast lefte thy broder touche his body with thys burdon and anone he shal aryse and goo in thy companye as he dyd tofore Whan saynt marcial came ageyn to the corps he touched it wyth the burdon lyke as saynt Peter bad hym And anone he was reysed fro deth to lyf After whan saynt marcial had iourneyed longe by dyuers contreyes in longe prechyng and sowyng the word of god they came in to guyan vnto a castel callyd tulle and there were receyued of a ryche and a myghty man named arnold whiche had a doughter that dayly was tormentyd wyth the enemye Thus as saynt marcyall entryd in to the hows The fende began to crye sayeng I knowe wel now that I must yssue out of the body of thys mayde For the aungels of paradyse that been with the marcyal tormente me right greuously but I praye the by the name of hym that was crucâ—fyed whome thou prechest of that thou sende me not in to thabisme of helle Thenne saynt marcyal sayd to hym I coniure the in the name of Ihesu cryste that was crucefyed for us that thou yssue out of the body of this mayde neuer retorne ageyn but that thou goo vnto a place deserte where byrde ne fowle ne persone dwellyth with this commaundemente the mayde caste out the enemye and she fyl doun as deed Thenne saynt marcyal toke hyr by the hande and reysed hir vp and delyuerd hyr to hyr fader hool and saufe Holynes benygnyte with al humylite shoon in saynt marcial and was alweye in prayers Another myracle also our lord shewed by the prayere of saynt marcial in the same place The prynce of the sayd castel whiche was called nerua and was cosyn to the emperour nero had a doughter whiche was suffocate and murdred by the fende and was dede Thenne the fader and moder of the chylde that were moche sorouful and heuy wyth a grete parte of the people brought the body of the chylde tofore saynt marcial tenderly wepyng and sayeng to hym O man of god helpe vs at thys tyme thou seest how it is wyth vs whan saynt marcyal sawe the lamentacyon and the sorowe that they maad he had pyte on them and sayd wyth an hygh 〈◊〉 I praye you al as wel crysten as paynyms that ye wyl deuoutelye praye god almyghty that by his benygne grace hit please hym to gyue ageyn the lyf to thys chylde The two dysciples of saynt marcial and a fewe of cristen people that were there put theym to prayers and syth saynt marcial hymself made his prayer sayeng Syre I pray the in the name of thy blessyd dere sone and of thy good frende sanyt peter by thordenaunce and commandement of whom I am comen hyther That it please the to reyse thys chyld here to th ende that whan he shal be reysed many may beleue in thyn holy precious name Thenne saynt marcial trustyng in the helpe of god toke the chyld by the hande sayeng to hym In the name of our lord Ihesu cryste That of the Iewes for vs was crucyfyed and the thyrd day rose fro deth to lyf aryse vp and stand right on thy feet Anone the chyld aroos rizt vpon his feet and syth kneled doun to the feet of the holy man sayeng to hym O man of god I requyre the to baptyse me to th ende that I may be saued and marke me wyth the sygne of the holy crosse for other wyse may non be sawed but yf he be baptised anon saynt macial baptysed hym And with hym in the same place were wel crstyned also as wel men as wymen thre thousand and vjC And after this saynt marcyal wente and destroyed the ydolles and brought them to nought For thens wente saynt marcial and his two disciples departed and cam to lymoges where they were benyngly receyued of a matrone that was named susanne In whos presence saynt marcial heled one that was frenatyke whan the good woman susanne sawe the myracle that soo was made in her presence anone she and her meyne were baptysed After this saynt marcyal wente in to the temple where the prestes of the ydoles were The whiche bete hym greuously and syth put hym in pryson On the morn as he made his prayer ther descended a light so grete vpon him that men myght not beholde hym The chaynes of yron to breste and the dores of the pryson opend the kepers and they that were there requyred to be baptysed and the prestes that had so beten hym were smeton to deth by thondre and lyghtnyng Thenne the other that were there cam to saint marcyal in to the pryson and prayd hym that he wolde reyse them that so were smeton to deth by the thondre promisyng to hym that yf he so dyde they al wold be baptysed Thenne our lord by hys prayer reysed them ageyn fro deth to lyf Thenne that same tyme were torned to crysten faith baptysed xijMl creatures as men and wymen ¶ And after thys on a tyme deyde the holy woman susanne and tofore her deth she recomanded to saynt marcyal her doughter that was callyd valeriene whiche had promysed and auowed to our lord chastite as longe as she lyued after whan the holy mayde knewe that ther shold come to lymoges a lord named steuyn whiche was lorde of al the prouynce fro the ryuer of rosne vnto the see She was sore aferd leste he wold do to her ony gryef or noyance ayenst her auowe And gaf away al her richesses to poure folk for the loue of god whan the said steuen was come to limoges he made to do come tofore hym the holy mayde to th ende to haue his wylle of her but whan she
departed she satte on hir knets and was al the nyght in orysons and in teerys in requyryng helpe of god to perfourme this werke and on the morne erlye alle mate and trauaylled of wakyng she wente to genese a good preest and prayed hym that he wold do his payne and laboure that the chyrche myght be edefyed and tolde hym tydynges of the lyme whan genese herde thys he was alle ameruaylled and fyl doun to hyr feet and promysed to hyr that nyght and day he wold doo hys laboure to accomplysshe hyr commaundemente By the helpe of god and of saynt Geneuefe and of the people of parys the sayd chirche was begonne in the honoure of the blessyd marters Saynt denys Saynt Rustyque and saynt Eleuthere which now is callyd saynt denys de lestree There ben yet the holy bodyes where our lord sheweth fayr myracles For as the werkemen entendyd to make the edefyce eche after hys crafte It happed that theyr drynke fayled and was doon And genese the preest sayd to geneuefe whiche knewe not herof that she shold talke with the werkemen so longe that he myght goo to parys fetche drynke whan she herde thys she demaunded for the vessel that they had empted and it was brought to hyr she maad them to departe fro hyr Thenne she knelyd doun on hyr knees prayed god wyth warme teerys to helpe hyr and whan she felte that our lord had herde hyr prayer She aroos vp and maad the sygne of the crosse vpon the said vessel and a meruayllous thynge happed For the vessel was ful the werkmen dranke her bely ful and as ofte as they wolde vnto the tyme that the chirche was parâ—ytely made wherof they thanked our lord The holy vyrgyne had deuocyon to wake the nyght that our lord rose fro deth to lyf after the custome and statutes of auncient faders It happed on a tyme that she put her on the waye tofore day to goo to the sayd chyrche of saynt denye and made to bere a candyl brennyng tofore hyr The nyght was derke the wynde grete and it rayned faste whyche quenched the lyght of the candel The maydens that were in hyr companye were sore troubled She asked after the candell and assone as she had hit in hyr hande hit was lyghted by goddes wylle ageyn and so she bare it brennyng vnto the chyrche Another tyme whan she had endyd hir prayer a candel that she helde light in hyr hande by the grace of god Semblably in hyr celle on a tyme was a candel lyght in hir hande wythout ony fyre of thys world of whiche candel many seek folke by their feyth and reuerence haue ben helyd That tapre is kepte yet at nostre dame de parys A woman whyche by the temptacyon of the deuyl whyche to his power alwey deâ—eyueth the good stale aweye hir shoes but assone as she was at home she loste hyr syght whan she sawe that our lord had auengyd the wronge that she had doon to the vyrgyne She dyd hyr to be ledde to hyr wyth the thefte when she came tofore the holy vyrgyn she fyl doun to hyr feet and requyred hyr of foryeuenes and restoryng of hyr syght Geneuefe that was right debonair toke hyr vp fro the grounde and in smylyng gaue to hyr the syght ageyn of hyr eyen The holy vyrgyn on a tyme wente to laon and the peple of the towne wente out ageynste hyr Emonge whome were the fader and moder of a mayde that had ben ix yere so paralatyke that none myght shewe the ioynture of hyr membrys They besought and reâ—uyred saynt geneuefe that she wold vysyte the seek mayde She wente and sawe hir and sythe made hir prayer as she was acustomed and after handled the membrys of the mayde and commaunded hyr to doo on hir clothes and hosen and shoes Incontynente she aroos in good helthe in suche wyse that she wente vnto the chyrche wyth the peple The folke that sawe thys blessyd our lord that had gyuen suche grace to hys damoysel geneuefe and whan she retorned they conueyed hyr syngyng with grete ioye The kyng of fraunce chyldryke how be it he was a paynym hâ—lde hir in grete reuerence soo dyd also the barons of fraunce for the fayr myracles that she dyd in the name of our lord Ihesu cryste wherof it happed on a tyme that the sayd kynge helde certeyn prysonners Iuged to dethe but by cause geneuefe shold not demaunde them he yssued out of paris and made to shytte the yates after hym the holy virgyn knewe hit anone and wente hastely after hym for to helpe to delyuer theym As sone as she came to the yates they openyd without keye seyng al the peple which thought it a grete wonder She pursewed the kynge and obteyned grace for the prysonners In the partyes of the oryent beyâ—nde Antyoche was a good man named Symeon whiche had despysed this world and was of meruaylus holy lyf whiche demaunded of saynt geneuefe of the marchauntes that wente in to tho patryes And by them he salewyd hyr moche honourably And recommaunded hym vnto hyr prayers hit was a grete meruayle that the holy man which had neuer seen ne herde speke of hir dyd do grete hyr by hir name verayly the frendes of god that knowe his wylle do therafter haue tydynges that one fro that other by admynystracion of the holy ghoost they shal neuer be seperate ne departed as Saynt ambrose beyng at melan knewe of the deth of saynt martyn at tours At meaux was a noble damoysel which was a med by hir propre name celyne which whan she had herde of the grace that god had gyuen to saynt genouefe she requyred hir to chaunge hir habyte a yonge man had fyauÌ„ced trouthed hir which had grete Indygnacion whaÌ„ he herde of those tydynges and came to meaux in a grete Ire where the ij vyrgyns dwellyd whan they knewe of his comyng they fledde vnto the chirche there happed a fayr myracle For as they came to the chirche dore whyche was locked fast shette the dore that was soo locked opened by his gree by hym self thus saynt geneuefe delyuerd saynt celyne fro peryl fro the contagyon of the world the which ê‘seuerid in abstynence in chastyte to hyr ende In this tyme the said celyne offred to saynt geneuefe one hir chamberer whiche had leyen seek ij yere myght not goo the holy vyrgyne handled hyr membrys with hir worthy handes anone she was hool in good poynte Ther were brought to hir xij men that were wood byset with deuyls vnto parys which were ouer harde bystad tormented of thenemye the virgyn had grete pyte went to prayer orisons in requyryng our lord with salte teris that by his grace goodnes he wold delyuer them of this pestylence as she perseuerid in hir prayers they were hanged in the ayer in suche manere as they touched no thynge she aroos fro hir prayer said
that she had brought she departed them and gaue for the loue of god to somme poure wulle and to other hool loues of breed and somtyme she so hasted for pyte that she toke the loues hote out of the ouen secretely and gaue it to the poure The wymmen meruayled why she toke theyr loues but they spake ne sayd no thynge And they moche doubted that they shold not fynde theyr counte ne tale But notwythstondyng that she had so taken by the grace of god they fonde al theyr loues and lacked none by the merytes of the holy saynt hyr hope was no thynge in worldly thynges but in heuenly for she byleuyd in the holy scrypture that saith who so yeueth to the poure leneth for a uayle The rewarde whiche they receyue that gyue to poure peple the holy ghoost had she wyd to hyr longe tofore and therfore she cessyd not to wepe to adoure and to doo werkys of pyte For she knewe wel that she was none other in thys world but a pylgryme passyng There was at meaux a bourgeys that by the space of foure yere he myght not here ne goo he dyd hym be broughte to the holy vyrgyn whiche dwellyd at parys requyred hir that she wolde restore to hym hys helthe and heryng she touched his eerys blessyd hym and anone he was hole and wente herde as he dyd before thankyng our lord On a tyme the holy vyrgyne wente to orlyaunce a woman named fraterne was in grete sorowe for hyr doughter that laye deyeng anone as she wyste the comyng of the holy virgyne she wente to hir to saynt aiguen where she fonde hyr in prayer fraterne fyl doun to hir feet sayeng Dame geneuefe gyue me ageyn clode my doughter Whan geneuefe sawe the good feythe of hyr she sayd dyscomforte the no thynge thy doughter is in helthe the which by the meruayllous puyssaunce of god at the worde of the holy vyrgyne was brought fro the wycket of dethe and came al hool ageynst hir moder and mette wyth hir at the portal of the hows The people thankyd our lord for thys fayre myracle In the sayd cyte there was o seruauÌ„t culpable ageynst his mayster the holy mayde prayed hys mayster that he wold foryeue hym hys trespaas The mayster as felonous and proude daygned not to doo hit at hyr requeste Thenne sayd the holy vyrgyne though ye despyse me our lord wyl not haue me in despyte assone as he was at home he was taken with an hote feare ague whiche vexyd hym in suche wyse that he myÈt not slepe of al the nyght On the morne he came to the holy vyrgyne rennyng wyth open mowth lyke a bere of almayn the tonge hangyng out and fomyng lyke a boor requyryng pardon whiche wold gyue no pardon The saynt had pyte on hym and blessyd hym and the fyeure lefte hym thus made she the mayster hool and the seruaunte excused fro orlyounce the holy woman wente to tours by the water of loyre where she suffryd many perylles whan she areyued at tours grete foyson of demonyaks cam ageynst hir out of the chirche of saynt martyn and the spyrytes cryed by the mowthes of them that were madde vexyd which were brente by the merytes of saint martyn and saint geneuefe and the perylles that the vyrgyn had in the water of loyre they had doon hit by enuye The holy vyrgyn wente vnto the chyrche of saynt martyn where as she helyd mony demonyaks by prayers and by the sygne of the crosse and the demonyaks sayd at the houre of the tormente that the fyngres of the saynt brente aboute them as tapres en flamed wyth fyre of heuen herof herde thre men which kepte their wyues mad they wente to the chyrche and prayed hyr that she wold vysyte theyr wyues The blossyd vyrgyne whyche was debonayr wente and vysyted them and delyuerd them fro thenemye by vnctyon of holy oyle and by prayer Anone after it happed as she was in orysons in a corner in the chyrche of saynt martyn that one of the syngars was soo sore vexyd wyth the enemye that he ete his membris whyche wente out of the chauncel and came strayte to the holy vyrgyn the blessyd virgyn coÌ„mauÌ„ded the spiryte to yssue out he answerd yf he yssued he wold yssue by the eye She commaunded that he shold no lengyr abyde ne dwelle there and thenne he yssued out anone wold he nolde he by the flux of the wombe and lefte foule enseygnes and tokenes and the seek maÌ„ was at hool in good mynde wherof he thanked our lord They of tours honourid moche thys blessyd vyrgyne how wel hyt was ageynst her wylle On a tyme as â—e was at hyr dore she saw a mayde passe by beryng a buyret of oyle she callyd hyr and askyd what she bare She answerd and sayd oyle which she had boughte the holy mayde whyche sawe the enemye sytâ—e on the mowthe of the buyrette blewe on hit the buyrette brake she blessyd the oyle and bad the mayde bere it forth saufly the peple that sawe this had grete meruaylle that thenemye coude not hyde hym but that she perceyued hym and thankyd our lord There was broughte to hyr a chylde by his frendes whyche was dombe blynde and lame the blessyd vyrgyn enoynted hym wyth the holy oyle and the same oure he saw clerely spake and wente and receyued helthe entyerly In the terroyr of meaux the holy mayde dyd do laboure a felde â—â—at she had and a storme tempeste trouâ—â—ed wynde and rayn aroos which 〈◊〉 moche the werkemen She 〈…〉 stretchyng on the erthe in orison 〈◊〉 prayer and our lord shewyd 〈◊〉 a fayr myracle for the rayne fyl 〈◊〉 al the corne in the feldes theraboute and in hyr felde fyl not one drope Another tyme as she was on the sayn there was a grete tempeste and she besoughte god of helpe and anone it cessid in suche wyse that they that were presente sawe wel that our lord at hyr requeste and for hir loue made wynde raâ—ne to cesse alle seek men that she enoynted wyth holy oyle deuoutelye were helyd and made hool hit happed so that on a tyme whan she wold haue enoynted a demonyak she fonde no oyle in hir ampolle whe 〈…〉 was so sory that she wyste not what to doo For there was no bysshop presente for to blesse hâ—t She laye douâ— in orysons and prayer besechyng god that he wold delyuer the man from the enemye Our lord shewyd there two fayre vertues for assone as she aroos hir ample was ful of oyle beyng in hir handes of whiche she enoynted the madde man and anone was delyuerd of the wycked spyrite whyche ample with the oyle sawe the same man that wrote hir lyf xviij yere after hyr decesse Many other myracles without nombre shewyd our lord for the loue of the holy and blessyd saynt saynt Geneuefe the whiche lyued in this world ful of vertues and myracles more than foure score
yere and departyd out of this world and deyed worthely the thyrd day of Ianyuer And was buryed in the mounte of parys called mounte par louer and now is callyd the mounte of saynt geneuefe in the chyrche of saynt Peter and Poule the whiche as sayd is at the begynnyng the kyng bowys somtyme named cloius dyd doo make by thenhortemente of this holy virgyn for the loue of whom he gaue grace to many prysonners al hyr departyng and after there were many fayr myracles whyche by neglygence by enuye and not retchyng were not wryton as he confessyd that put hir lyf in latyn exepte two whyche he sette in th ende of his book as here foloweth Vnto the sepulcre of the holy vyrgyn was broughte a yonge man that was soo seek of the stone that his frendys had no hope of lyf In grete wepyng and sorowe they brought hym thyder requyryng ayde of the holy vyrgyn Anone after theyr prayer the stone yssued and was forthwith alle hool as he had neuer been seek Another man came thyder that gladly wrought on the sonday Wherfore our lord punysshed hym for his handes were so bynommen and lame that he myght not werke on other dayes He repentyd hym and confessid his synne and came to the tombe of the said virgyne and there honoured and prayed deuoutelye and on the morne he retorned alle hool praysyng and thankyng our lord that by the worthy merites prayers of the holy virgyne graunte gyue vs pardon grace ioye ê‘durable After the dethe of the blessyd virgyne saynt geneuefe was assigned a lampe at hir sepulcre in whiche the oyle fourded and sprange lyke water in a welle or fontayn Thre fayre thynges shewyd our lord by this lampe for the fyre and lyght brennyd contynuelly The oyle lassed not ne mynysshed the seek peple were heled there Thus wrought our lord by the merites of the blessyd vyrgyne corporally Whiche moche more habundantly wyrcheth by hir merytes to the sowles spirituelly Many moo myracles hath our lord shewyd at her sepulcre whyche ben not here wryton for hit shold be â—uer longe to remembre them al and yet dayly ben shewyd wherfore in euery necessyte and nede lete vs calle on thys glorious saynt the blessyd geneuefe that she be medyatryce vnto god for vs wretchid synnars that we may so lyue and amende vs in this present lyf that we may come whan we shall departe hens by hir merites vnto the lyf perdurable in heuen amen ¶ Thus endeth The lyf of saynt Geneuefe Here foloweth the lyf of saynt Maturyne SAint maturyn was borne of the dyosyse of sens and his fader was callyd maryn which by the commauÌ„dement of the emperour maxymyen persecuted moche strongely crysten men but his sone maturyne fro the tyme of his Infancye priuyly in his herte and in wyll was dysciple of Ihesu criste was moche sorowful of the predycacion of his fader moder for as moche as they were paynyms myscreauntes wherfore he prayed many tyme our lord IhÌ„u cryste that by his benygne grace he wold conuerte them So it happed on a nyght as he slepte a wys said to hym maturyn thy petycion is herde and graunted who anone aroos gaue and rendryd grete thankynges to our lord The moder of saynt maturyne beyng enspyred with the holy ghoost came to hym and sayd O my sone what rewarde what meryte shal we haue yf we byleue in Ihesu cryste as by many tymes thou hast desyred vs thenne saynt maturyne sayd to hir Moder I lete you wyte that after the general resurrexion body sowle shal haue ioye wythout ende and that so moche that herte humayn may not thynke ne tonge speke ne pronounce anone thenne the moder of saint maturyn wente to hir husbond his fader for to telle to hym what hyr sone had sayd To whome the fader sayd thus I haue thys nyght seen in a vysyon that our sone maturyne was entryd in to a shepcote and that there was delyuerd to hym a grete multytude of shep and theÌ„ne they bothe two receyued the holy sacramente of baptesme of an holy bysshop named polycarpe whiche ordeyned and made saynt maturyn preest whan he was but xx yere olde After that that saynt mauryce and his felowes were marterd and that the peple of the romayns had suffryd many dyuerce trybulacions The emperour maxymyen had a doughter whiche had a wycked spyryte in hir body whiche tormentyd hyr moche and persecuted for whome hyr fader the emperour dyd do make many craftes of enchauÌ„tementes for to guarisshe and hele but hit auayled no thynge Thenne the fende that was wythin hyr cryed and sayd by the mowthe of the mayde O emperour it auayleth the nothynge that thou doest For I wyl not departe from hens tyl thou hast brouÈt hyther out of fraunce maturyn the seâ—uaunte of god whiche by his prayers shal gete helthe to thy doughter and vnto the peple and anone themperour wyth a grete multitude of peple wente to seche hym and broughte hym to rome vpon thys condycion that they shold swere promyse that yf it happed wat he deyed by the waye they shold brynge or sende hym to the place to be buryed where as they had taken hym and whan they came nyghe to rome the peple came ageynst hym and receyued hym moche reuerently And anone as he was comen to rome he helyd and delyuerd the doughter of themperour fro the handes of the fende Semblably all the other seek men that were presentyd to hym he helyd them Neuertheles it happed so that the day of the kalendys of nouembre he rendrid and gaue vp his sowle to god moche holyly Thenne took they the precious body and enoynted it wyth noble oynementes and beryed it wyth moche reuerence and whan they had leyed it in the erthe on the morne they came vnto the sepulture and fonde the holy body aboue the erthe nyghe vnto the same sepulture and thenne were they alle abasshed and wyste not what to do how be it whan one of the knyghtes that had broughte hym out of ffraunce had remembryd of the ê“messe that they had made anone he sayd to the peple the cause wherfore it was And anone after by the commaundemente of the Emperour the knyghtes brought the body ageyn moche solempnely in to his contreye in a place where our lord by the merytes of the holy body hath shewyd many myracles and vertues Of whyche by the blessyd prayers hys Intercessyons we may haue parte Amen Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Maturyne ¶ Here foloweth of Saynt Uictor marter SAint Uictor the gloryous knyght marter in the tyme of anthonyn and aurelyen emperours was presented as a crysten man vnto a duc called Sebasten whyche wold haue made saynt victor do sacrefyse to thydolles to whom saynt vyctor answerd that he was a trewe knyght to Ihesu cryste that he wold not do sacrefise whan the duc vnderstode that he commaunded that his
lord opened the eyen of them that were there and wepte so that they saw the angelys wyth crownes of roses of lylyes standyng by peter that was on the crosse with the angelys And thenne Peter receyued a boke of oure lord wherin he lerned the wordes that he sayd Thenne as egesippus saith Peter sayd thus lord I haue desired moche to folowe the but to be crucyfyed vpryght I haue not vsurped Thou art allwey ryghtfull hye and souerayne we ben sones of the first man whiche haue the hede enclined to therth of whoÌ„ the falle signefyeth the forme of the generacoÌ„n humayne Also we be borne that we ben seen enclyned to therthe by effecte And the condicion is chauÌ„ged For the world weneth that suche thyng is good whiche ys euyll badde lord thou art alle thyng to me nothyng is to me but thou only I yelde to the thankynges wyth all the spyrite of whiche I lyue by whiche I vnderstande And by Whom I calle the And whan seint Peter sawe that the good crystyn men sawe his glorye In yeldyng than kynges to god and coÌ„mendyng good peple to hym he rendred vp his spirite Thenne marcel and apuleus his broder that wer his dissciples toke of the body fro the crosse whan he was dede and enoynted hit wyth moche precyous oynement and buryed hym honourably Ysodore sayth in the boke of the natiuyte deth of seyntes thus Peter after that he had gouerned Antioche he fouÌ„ded a chirche vnder claudyus themperour he went to Rome ayensâ—e symon magus there he prechyd the gospell xxv yere and helde the bisshopriche xxxvi yere after the passyon of oure lord he was crucifyed by nero torned the hede dounward for he wold be so crucyfyed hec ysodorus That same daye peter and poul appered to seynt dyonyse as he saith in his forsayd epistle in thyse wordes vnderstond the myracle see the prodyge my broder thymothe of the day of the martirdom of them for I was redy in the tyme of departyng of theym After their deth I sawe them to geder hond in hond entryng the yates of the cyte clad with clothes of light and arayed wyth crownes of clernes light hec dionisius Nero was not vnpunyssyd for their deth and other grete synnes tyrannyes that he commysed for he slewe hym self with his owen hond whiche tirannyes wer ouer long to telle but shortky I shall reherce here somme he slewe his master seneca by cause he was aferd of hym whan he went to scole Also Nero slewe hys moder and slitte hyr bely for to see the place where he lay in The phisiciens maysters blamed hym and sayd the sone shold not slee his moder that had borne hym with sorow and payne then sayde he make ye me with child after to be deliuerd that I may knowe what payne my moder suffred whiche by craft thei gaf to hym a yong frosshe to drynke and grewe in his bely then he said but if ye make me to be deliuerd I shal slee you alle so they gaf hym suche a drynke that he had a vomyte cast out the frosshe And bare hym on honde that bycause that he abode not his tyme it was misshapen whiche yet he made to be kepte Then for his plesyr he set Rome a fyre whiche brennyd vij dayes and vij nyghtes and was in an hye toure enioyed hym to see so grete a flame of fyre song merylye he slewe the senatours of Rome to see what sorowe and lamentacyon theyre wyues wold make he wedded a man for his wif he fisshed wyth nettes of gold threde And the garment that he had worn one day he wold neuer were it ne see it after Thenne the Romaynes seyng his wodnes assayled hym and pursewed hym vnto without the cyte And whan he sawe he myght not escape them he toke a stake sharped hit with his tethe therwith stak hym self through the body so slewe hym self In an other place it is redde that he was deuoured of wolues then the romayns retorned and fonde the frosshe threwe it out of the cite and there brent hit In the tyme of seint Cornelys the pope grekes stale awaye the bodyes of the appostles peter poul but the deuyls that wer in the ydoles were constreyned by the deuyne vertue of god cryed and sayde ye men of rome socour hastely your goddes whiche ben stolen fro you for whiche thyng the good crysten peple vnderstode that they were the bodyes of peter and poul And the paynems had supposed that it had ben theyr goddes thenne assembled grete nombre of cristen men and of paynems also And pursewed so long the grekes that they doubted to haue be slayn threwe the bodyes in a pitte at catacumbas but afterward they wer drawen out by crysten men Seynt gregorye sayth that the grete force of thondre lightnyng that cam fro heuen made them so affrayed that they departed eche fro other and so lefte the bodyes of thappostles at catacombes in a pitte But they doubted whiche bones wer peters and whiche poules wherfor the good cristen men put them to prayers fastynges and it was answered them from heuen that the grete bones longed to the prechour the lass to the fisshar so were departed the bones wer put in the chyrche of hym that it was dedicate of other saye that siluester the pope wold halow the chirches and toke all the bones togyder and departed them by weyghte grete and smale and put that one half in one chirche and that other half in that other And seint gregore recouÌ„teth in his dyalogue that in the chirche of seint peter wher his bones resteÌ„ was a man of grete holynes of mekenes named gencyen And there came a mayde into the chirche whiche was crepel and drewe hir body legges after hir with hir handes And whan she had long requyred prayed sent peter for helth he appered to hir in a vision and sayd to hyr Go to gencyen my seruaunt and he shall restore thy helth Then began she to crepe here and there through the chirche and enquired who was gencyn and sodenly it happed that he cam to hyr that hym sought she sayde to hym the holy appostle seynt Peter sent me to the that thou sholdest make me hole and delyuer me fro my disease and he answerd yf thou be sent to me fro hym Aryse thou anon and goo on thy feet And he toke her by the hand and anon she was alle hole in suche wyse as she felt nothyng of her grief nor maladye And thenne she thanked god and seynt peter and in the same boke seynt gregore sayth whaÌ„ that an holy preest was com to th ende of his lyf he began to crye in grete gladnes ye be welcom my lordes ye be welcome that ye vouchesauf to come to so lytyl poure a seruaunt and he sayd I shal come
of kenulf the kyng And that tyme thys holy Seynt Swythyne serued oure lady so deuoutly that alle peole that knewe hym had grete Ioye of his holynesse And elmeston that was in that tyme bysshop of wynchester made hym preest And theÌ„ne he lyued a strayter lyuyng than he dyd byfore And he become thenne so holy in lyuyng that kyng Egbert made hym his chaunceler and chyef of hys counseyll and sette ethulf hys sone and his heyer vnder his rule and guydyng And prayd hym to take hede to hym that he myght be broughte vp vertuously And within short tyme after the kyng deyed And thenne his sone ethulf was made kyng after hym And he guyded this lond ful wel wysely that it encreased gretly in good lyuyng thrugh the counseyl of Seynt Swythyne ¶ And whan Elmeston the bysshop of wynchester was dede Swythyne was made bysshop there after hym wherof the people were ful glad by his holy lyuyng he caused the peple to lyue vertuously And to paye truly theyr tythes to god and holy chyrche ¶ And yf ony chyrche fyl doun or was in decay seint Swythyne wold anon amend it at his owne cost ¶ Or yf ony chyrche were not halowed he wold goo thyder a fote and halowe it For he louyd no pryde ne to ryde on gay hors ne to be praysed ne flatred of the peple whyche in thyse dayes suche thynges be vsyd ouer moche god ceasse it Seynt Swythyne guyded ful wel hys bysshopryche And dyd moche good to the toun of wynchester in hys tyme He dyd do make wythout the west gate of the toun a fayr brydge of stone at hys proper cost And on a tyme ther cam a woman ouer the bridge wyth her lappe ful of egges And a rechelles felaw stroglyd and wrestlyd wyth her And brake alle her egges And it happed that this holy bisshop cam that waye the same tyme And bad the woman lete hym see her egges And anon he lyfte vp his honde and blessed the egges And they wer made hole and sounde euerichon by the merytes of thys holy bysshop And beyng thenne glad thanked god and this holy man for the myracle that was don to her and sone after deyde kyng ethulf And hys sone Egbert reyned after hym And after hym was athelbert kyng And in the thyrd yere of his regne deyde thys blessyd bisshop seynt Swythyne And whan he shold deye he charged hys men to bury hym in the chircheyerde For the people shold not worship hym after hys deth ¶ For he louyd no pompe by his lyf Ne none wold haue after hys deth ¶ He passyd to our lord the yere of grace viij hondred and vj And he laye in the chyrche or he was translated an hondred and ix yere And odde dayees But in the tyme of holy kyng Edgar hys body was translated and putte in a shrine in thabbay of wynchester by seynt dunstone and Ethelwold And the same yere was seynt Edward kyng and martyr shryned at shaftesbury Thyse two bysshops dunston and Ethelwold were warned by our lord to see that thyse two holy seyntes Swythyne and Edward shold be worshypfully shryned ¶ And so they were wythin short tyme after And an holy man warned Ethelwold whyles he lay seke to helpe that thyse two holy bodyes myght be shryned ¶ And thenne he shold be parfyghtly hool And so endure to his lyues ende And the token is that ye shalle fynd on Seynt Swythynes graue Two rynges of yron nayled fast theron ¶ And assone as he sette honde on the rynges they come of of the stone and no token was seen in the stone where they wer fastned in and whan they had taken vp the stone fro the graue they sette the rynges to the stone agayn And anon they fastned to it by them self And thenne thys holy bysshop gaf lawde and praysyng to our lord for thys myracle And atte openyng of the graue of seynt Swythyne suche a swete odour and sauour yssued out the kyng edgar and alle the multitude of peple were fulfilled with heuenly swetenes ¶ And a blynd man receyued there hys syght agayn And many men heled of dyuers sekenes maladyes by the merites of this holy Seynt Seynt Swythyne to whom â—ate vs preye that he be our aduocat to the good lord for vs cÌ„ Here endeth the lyf of Seynt Swithyne Here foloweth the translacion of Seynt Thomas of caunterbury THe Translacion of the gloryous martir Seynt thomas of Caunterbury we shal shortly reherce â—â—to the laude and praysyng of almyghty god Thenne in the fifty yere after his passyon whiche was the yere of Iubylee that is of remyssyon For of auncyent tyme the fyfty yere was called the yere of the Iubylee of pardon and remyssyon and is yet vsed emonge relygyous men For whan a relygyous man hath contynued in his cedre l yere thenne he shal be admytted to make his Iubylee and that made he is pardonned and hath remyssyon of many obseruauÌ„ces that to fore he was bouden vnto Thenne in this yere of Iubylee fro his passyon was the solemnyte of hys translacion accomplysshed In the tyme of honoryus the third pope of that name The whiche graunted yerly remyssyons and Indulgencies so grete and large that to fore in no tyme of mynde hath be seen ony popes to haue graunted and yeuen lyke Thenne late vs calle to mynde that on a tewysday his translacion was accomplisshed On the tewysday happed to hym many thynges On a tewysday he was born On a tewysday he was exyled On a tewsday our lord appered to hym at pounteney in frauÌ„ce seyeng thomas my chirche shal be glorifyed in thy blood On a tewsday he retorned fro his exyle And on a tewsday he suffred martirdom Thenne how hys holy translacion was fulfilled now ye shal here The reuerend fader in god Stephen Archebisshop of caunterburye Rychard bisshop of salisbury Waltere the pryour of the same wyth the couent wyth spyrytual songe and deuoute ympnes whan it was nyght went to the sepulcre of this holy martir And alle that nyght and day of his translacoÌ„n they perseuered in prayers and fastynges And after mydnyght iiij prestes electe therto chosen approchyng to his body toke vp the holy hede with grete deuocion reuerence And vnto them alle offrid it for to kysse it Thenne tharchebyssop and al the other made grete honour to it toke al the relyques of the precious body And leyed them in a cheste and shette it fast with yron lockes And sette it in a place for to be kepte vnto the day that the translacoÌ„n shold be solempnysed ¶ The day thenne of thys holy translacoÌ„n beyng comyn There were present a grete Innumerable multitude of peple as wel of riche as of poure there was pandulphus a legate of our holy fader the pope and two archebysshopis of fraunce of Reynes and arensis wyth many other bysshoppis and abbottes And also kyng harry the thyrd wyth
suffrest the pour peple of our lord to deye for hungre for colde And she doubted and was aferd to shewe thys vysion to her lord And thenne the seconde nyght she appered to her agayn and seyd in lyke wyse and adiousted therto menaces yf she warned not her husbond for to comforte the poure and nedy And yet she said nothyng therof to her husbond And theÌ„ne she appered to her the third nyght whan it was derke and to her husbond also with a frownyng angri visage lyke fire lyke as al the hous had brennyd And sayd thou tyraunt membre of thy fader the deuyl with that serpent thy wyf that wil not saye to the my wordes thou restest now enemy of the crosse whiche hast filled thy bely by glotonye wyth dyuers maner of metes and suffrest to perisshe for hungre the holy Seyntes of our lord Lyest thou not in a paleys wrapped with clothes of sylke And thou seest hem wythout herberough descomforted And goost forth and takest no regarde to them Thou shalt not escape so ne departe wythout punysshement thou tyraunt and felon bycause thou hast so long taryed And whan marie magdalene had sayd thus she departed awaye Thenne the lady awoke and sighed And the husbond syghed strongly also for the same cause and trembled And thenne she sayde sir hast thou seen the sweuen that I haue seen I haue seen sayd he that I am gretly amerueylled of And am sore afferde what we shalle doo And hys wyf sayde It is more prouffytable for vs to obey her Thenne to renne in to the yre of her god whom she prechyth For whyche cause they receyued them in to theyer hous and mynystred to them alle that was necessarie and nedeful to them Thenne as Marie magdelene prechyd on a tyme The sayde prynce sayd to her wenest thou that thou mayst defende the lawe that thou prechest And she answerd Certaynly I am redy to defende it as she that is confermed euery day by myracles and by the predycacion of our mayster seynt peter whiche now sitteth in the see at rome To whom thenne the prynce sayde I and my wyf ben redy to obey the in alle thynges yf thou mayst gete of thy god whom thou prechest that we myght haue a chylde And thenne marie magdalene sayde that it shold not be left therfor And thenne prayed vnto our lord that he wold vouchesauf of his grace to yeue to them a sone And our lord herd her prayers And the lady conceyued Thenne her husbond wold goo to seynt peter for to wyte yf it were trewe that marie magdalene had prechyd of Ihesu cryste Thenne hys wyf sayde to hym What wyll ye doo sir wene ye to goo wyth out me nay whan thou shalt departe I shalle departe with the and whan thou shalt retorne agayn I shal retorne and whan thou shal reste and tary I shal rest tary To whom her husbond answerd and sayde dame it shal not be soo For thou art grete and the perylles of the see ben wythout nombre thou myghtest lyghtely perysshe thou shalt abyde at home take hede to our posessyons And this lady for no thyng wold not chauÌ„ge her put poos But fyl doun on her knees at hys feet sore wepyng requyryng hym to take her wyth hym And so atte laste he consented and graunted her request thenne marie magdalene sette the signe of the crosse on theyr sholdres to th ende that the fende shold not enpesshe ne lette them in thayer Iourney Thenne charged they a shyppe habundantly of alle that was necessarye to them And left alle theyr thynges in the kepyng of marie magdalene And went forth on theyr pilgrymage And whan they had made theyr cours and sayled a day and a nyght ther arros a grete tempest and orage And the wynde encresed and grewe ouer hidouse in suchâ— wise that this lady which was grete and nygh the tyme of her chyldyng began to wex feble had grete anguysshes for the grete wawes and troublyng of the see and sone after bygan to traueyle and was delyuerd of a fair sone by accasyon of the storme and tempest And in her chyldyng deyed and whan the chyld was born he cryed for to haue comforte of the tetes of his moder and made a pyteous noyse Alas what sâ—rowe was thys to the fader to haue a sone born whiche was cause of the deth of his moder And he myght not lyue for ther was none to norisshe hym Alas what shal thys pylgrym doo that sceth his wyf dede and hys sone cryeng after the brest of his moder And the pylgrym wept strongly and sayd Alas caytyf alas what shal I doo I desired to haue asone and I haue lost both the moder and the sone and the maroÌ„ners thenne said this dede body must be cast in to the see or ellis we al shal perysshe for as long as she shal abyde with vs thys tempest shal not cesse And whan they had taken the body for to caste it in to the see the husbond sayde abyde suffre a litil and yf he wil not spare to me my wyf yet atte lest spare the lityl chylde that cryeth I praye you to tary a whyle for to knowe yf the moder be a swowne of the payne and that she myght reuyue and whiles he thus spacke to them the shypmen espyed a montayn not fer fro the shyppe And thenne they said that it was best to set the shippe toward the lond and to burye it there and so to saue it fro deuouryng of the fysshes of the see and the good man dyd so moche with the maronners what for prayers and for money that they brought the body to the montayn and whan they shold haue dygged for to make a pytte to lay the body in they fond it so hard a Roche that they myght not entre for hardnes of the stone they left the body theer lyeng couerd it with a mantel and the fader leyde his lityl sone atte brest of the deed moder sayd wepyng O marie magdalene why camest thou to marsele to my grete losse euyl aduenture why haue I at thyn InstauÌ„ce entreprysed this Iourney hast thou requyred of god that my wyf shold conceyue and shold deye at the chyldyng of her sone for now it behoueth that the childe that she hath conceyued and born perysshe bycause it hath no norice Thys haue I had by thy prayer and to the I commaunde them to whom I haue commendyd alle my goodes And also I commende to thy god yf he be myghty that he remembre the soule of the moder That he by thy prayer haue pyte on the chyld that he perysshe not Thenne couerd he the body alle about wyth the mantel and the chyld also And thenne retorned to the shyppe And helde forth hys Iourney And whan he cam to Seint peter seynt peter cam ayenst hym And whan he sawe the signe of the crosse vpon hys sholdre He
demaunded hym what he was and wherfor he cam and he told to hym alle by ordre To whom peter sayde pees be to the thou art wel com and hast byleued good counseyle And be thou not heuy Yf thy wyf slepe And the lytil chyld rest with her For our lord is almyghty for to gyue to whom he wyl and to take awaye that he hath gyuen and to restablisshe and gyue agayn that he hath taken And to torne all heuynes and wepyng in to Ioye ¶ Thenne Peter ladde hym in to Iherusalem and shewed to hym alle the places where IhÌ„u cryst prechyd and dyd myracles and the place where he suffred deth And where he ascended in to heuen And when he was wel enformed of Seynt Peter in the fayth And that two yere were passyd syth he departed fro marselle He toke hys shyppe fort retorne agayn in to hys contraye and as they sayled by the see they cam by the ordynaunce of god by the roche where the body of hys wyf was lefte and his sone Thenne by prayers and yeftes he dyd so moche that they aryued theron And the lytil chyld whom marie magdelene had kepte went ofte sythes to the see syde and like smale chyldren toke smale stones and threwe them in to the see And whan they cam they sawe the lytil chyld playeng wyth stones on the see side as he was wont to doo and thenne they merueyled moche what he was And whan the child sawe them whiche neuer had seen peple tofore was aferde and ranne secretly to hys moders breste and hyde hym vnder the mantel And thenne the fader of the chyld went for to see more appertly And toke of the mantel And fond the chyld whyche was right feyr sukyng his moders breste Thenne he toke the chyld in his armes and sayd O blessyd marie magdalene I were wâ—l happy and blessyd yf my wyf were now alyue and myght lyue and come agayn with me in to my contreye I knowe verily and byleue wythout doubte that thou that hast gyuen to me my sone and hast fedde kepte hym ij yere in thys roche ¶ Mayst wel restablisshe his moder to her first helthe And with thyse wordes the woman respired and toke lyf and sayd lyke as she had ben awaked out of her slepe O blessyd marie magdalene thou art of grete merite and gloriouse For in the paynes of my delyueraunce thou were my mydwyf And in al my necessytes thou hast accomplysshid to me the seruyce of a chaumberer And whan her husbond herd that thyng he admerueylled moche and sayde lyuyst thou my right dere and best beloued wyf To whom she seyd ye certaynly I lyue and am now fyrst come fro the pylgrimage fro whens thou art come And alle in lyke wyse as seynt peter ladde the in Iherusalem And shewed to the alle the places where our lord suffred deth was luryed And ascended to heuen And many other places I was wyth you wyth marye magdalene whiche ladde and accompanyed me And shewed to me al the places whiche I wel remember and haue in in mynde And there recounted to hym alle the places and the myracles that her husbond had seen And neuer fayled of one article ne went out of the waye fro the sooth And thenne the good pylgryme receyued his wyf and his chyld And went to shyppe And sone after they cam to the porte of marselle And they fond the blessyd marie magdalene prechyng with her desciples And thenne they knelyd doun to her feet And recounted to her alle that had happened to them And receyued baptisme of Seynt maxymyn And thenne they destroyed al the temples of thydolles in the cyte of marseâ—le And made chirches of IhÌ„u cryst And with one accord they chaas the blessyd Seynt lazare for to be bysshop of that cite And afterward they cam to the cyte of Ays And by grete myracles and prechyng they brought the peple there to the fayth of Ihesu cryst and there seynt maxymyn was ordeyned to be bysshop In this mene whyle the blessyd marie magdalene desyrous of souerayn contemplacion sought a ryght sharp deserte and toke a place whiche was ordeyned by thangele of god and abode there by the space of xxx yere without knowleche of ony body In whiche place she had no comfort of rennyng water ne solace of trees ne of herbes And that was bycause our redemer dyd do shewe it openly That he had ordeyned for her refection celestial and no bodily metes And euery day at euery hour canonycal she was lift vp in thayer of thangellis And herd the gloryous song of the heuenly companyes with her bodily â—eres Of whiche she was fedde and fylled with right swete metes and thenne was brought agayn by thangellis vnto her propre place in suche wyse as she had no nede of corporal norisshyng It happed that a preest whiche desired to lede a solytarye lyf toke a Celle for hym selfe a twelue forlonge fro the place of marie Magdalene On a daye our lord opened the eyen of that preest and sawe with his bodyly eyen in what maner the Angelles descended in to the place where the blessyd magdalene dwellyd and how they left her in to thayer and after by the space of an hour brought her agayn with dyuyne praysynges to the same place and thenne the preest desired gretly to knowe the trouthe of this merueyllous vision and made his prayers to almyghty god and went with grete deuocion vnto the place and whan he approched nygh to it to a stones cast His thyes began to swelle and wex feble and his entrayles began within hym to lacke breth and syghe for fere and assone as he retorned he had hys thyes al hool redy for to goo And whan he enforced hym to goo to the place al his body was in langour myght not meue and thenne he vnderstode that it was a secrete celestial place where no man humayn myght come thenne he called the name of IhÌ„u and sayd I coniure the by our lord that yf thou be a man or other creature resonable that dwellist in this caue that thou answere me and telle me the trouth of the And whan he had sayd this thre tymes the blessyd marie magdalene ansuerd Come more nere and thou shalt knowe that thou desirest theÌ„ne he cam tremblyng vnto the halt waye and she sayde to hym Remembrest thou not of the gospel of marie magdalene the renommed synful woman whiche wesshe the feet of our sauyour with her teeris and dryed them wyth the heer of her hede deserued to haue foryeuenes of her synnes the preeste sayd to her I remembre it wel that is more than xxx yere that holy chirche bileueth and confessith that it was don thenne she said I am she that by the space of xxx yere haue ben her without wittyng of ony persone and like as it was suffred to the yesterday to see me In lyke wise I am euery
day lyft vp by the handes of thangellys in to thayer and haue deserued to here with my bodely eeris the ryght swete song of the companye celestyal And bycause it is shewed to me of our lord that I shalle departe out of thys world Goo to Maxymyne and say to hym that the next day after the resurrection of our lord in the same tyme that he is acustomed to arise goo to matyns that he allone entre in to his oratorye and that by the mynysterye and seruyce of Angellys he shal fynd me there And the preest herd the boys of her lyke as it had be the boys of an angelle but he sawe nothyng and thenne anon he went to seynt maxymyn and told to hym alle by ordre Thenne saynt maxymyn was replenysshed of grete Ioye And thankyd gretly our lord And on the sayde day and hour as is aforesayd he entrid in to his oratorye And sawe the blessyd marie magdalene staÌ„dyng in the quyre or chore yet emong thangellys that brought her and was lyfte vp fro therthe the space of ij or iij cubyttis And prayeng to our lord she held vp her handes and whan Seynt maxymyn sawe her he was aferd to approche to her And she retorned to hym and sayd come hyther myn own fader and flee not thy doughter And whan he approched cam to her as it is redde in the bokes of the said seint maxymyn For the customable vision that she had of angellis euery day the chyere and visage of her shone as cleer as it had ben the rayes of the sonne And thenne alle the clerkes and the prestes a fore sayde were called And marie magdalene receyued the body and blood of our lord of the handes of the bysshop wyth grete habundaunce of tâ—eres and after she stratched her body tofore the aulter And her ryght blessyd soule departed fro the body and went to our lord and after it was departed ther yssued out of the body an odour so swete smellyng that it remayned there by the space of senen dayees to al them that entrid in ¶ And the blessyd maxymyn enoynted the body of her with dyuers precious oynementis and buryed it honourably And after commauÌ„ded that his body shold be buryed by heers after hys deth Egesippus wyth other bokes of Iosephus accorden ynough wyth the sayd storye ¶ And Iosephus sayth in hys tratye that the blessyd man magdalene After the ascencion of our lord for the brennyng loue that she had to Ihesu Cryste ¶ And for the grief and descomfort that she hadde for the absence of her mayster our lord she wold neuer see man but after whan she cam in to the countray of Ays She went in to deserte and dwellyd there xxx yere wythout knouyng of any man or woman And he sayth that euery day atte vij houres canonyques she was lyft in to thayer of the angellys But he sayth that whan the preest cam to her He fond her enclosed in her celle And she requyred of hym a vestement And he delyuerd to her one whiche she clothed and couered her wyth And she went wyth hym to the chirche and receyued the commynyon and thenne made her prayers with Ioyned handes and rested in pees In the tyme of charles the grete in the yere of our lord vijClxxj Gerard duc of burgoyne myght haue no child by his wyf wherfor he gaf largely almesse to the pour peple founded many chirches and many monasteries whan he had made thabbay of uisiliacense he thabbot of the monasteri sent a monke wyth a good resonable felawshyp vnto ays for to bryng thyder yf they mygt of the reliques of saint marie magdalene whan the monke cam to the sayd cite he fond it all destroyed of paynems Thenne by auenture he fond the sepulcre for the writyng vpon the sepulcre of marble shewed wel that the blessyd lady marie magdalene rested and lay there and thistory of her was merueyllously entayled coruen in the sepulcre and thenne this monke opened it by nyght and toke the relyques and bare them in to his lodgyng and that same nyght marie magdalene apperyd to that monke sayeng doubte the nothyng make an ende of thy werke thenne he retorned homward vntil he cam half a myle fro the monastery But he myght in no wyse remeue the relyques fro thens til that thabbot monkes cam wyth prosessyon and receyued them honestly And sone after the duc had a chyld by hys wyf Ther was a knyght whiche had a custome euery yere to goo a pylgrymage vnto the body of seint marie magdalene whyche knyght was slayne in batayle And as his frendes wepte for hym lyeng on the byere they sayd wyth swete and deuout quarelles why she suffred her deuoute seruaunte to dye wythout confessyon and penaunce Thenne sodenly he that was deed aroos Alle they beyng sore abasshed And made one to calle a preest to hym and confessyd hym wyth grete deuocion And receyued the blessyd sacrament And thenne rested in peas There was a shyppe charged wyth men and women that was perisshed and alle to brake And there was among them a woman wyth chylde whyche sawe her self in peryl to be drouned And cryed fast on marye magdalene for socour and helpe makyng her auowe that yf she myght be saued by her merytes and escape that perylle yf she hadde a sone she shold gyue hym to her monasterye And anon as she had so auowed A woman of honourable habyte and beaute apperyd to her and toke her by the chynne and brought her to the ryuage alle sauf And the other perysshed and were drowned And after she was delyuerd and had a sone and accomplisshed her auowe lyke as she had promysed Some say that marie magdalene was wedded to Seynt IohÌ„n theuangefist whan crist called hym fro the weddyng and whan he was called fro her she had therof IndignacoÌ„n that her husbond was taken fro her went gaf her self to alle delyte but by cause it was not couenable that the callyng of seynt IohÌ„n shold be occasion of her dampnacoÌ„n therfor our lord conuerted her mercifully to penaunce and bycause he had taken fro her souerayn delyte of the flesshe he replenyshed her with souerayn delyte spirituel to fore al other that is the loue of god it is sayd that he ennoblesshed seynt IohÌ„n to fore al other with the swetnes of his famyliarite by cause he had takeÌ„ hym fro the delyte aforsayd there was a man whiche was blynde on both his eyen dyd hym to be ledde to the monastery of the blessid marie magdalene for to visite her body his leder sayd to hym that he sawe the chyrche And theÌ„ne the blynd man â—scried and said with an hye voys O blessyd marye magdalene helpe me that I may deserue ones to see thy chyrche And anon hys eyen were opened and sawe clerly all thynges aboute hym There was another man that wrote hys synnes in
a cedule and leyde it vnder the couerture of the aulter of marie magdalene mekely prayeng her that she shold gete for hym pardonne foryeuenes and a whyle after he toke the cedule agayn and fond alle his synnes effaced and stryken out Another man was holden in pryson for dette of money in yrons And he called vnto his helpe ofte tymes marye magdalene ¶ And on a nyght a fayre woman apperid to hym and brake all his yrons and opened the dore and commaunded hym to go his way and whan he sawe hym self loos he fledde away anon ¶ There was a clerke of fflaundres named Stephen rysen and mounted in so grete and desordonnate felonnye that he haunted alle maner synnes ¶ And suche thyng as aperteyned to hys helth he wold not here Neuertheles he had grete deuocion in the blessyd marye magdalene and fasted her vygyle And honoured her feste And on a tyme as he viseted her tombe He was not alle aslepe nor wel awaked whan Marie magdalene apperyd to hym lyke a moche fayr woman susteyned wyth two angellys one on the ryght syde and a nother on the lyft syde And sayde to hym lokyng on hym despytously Stephen why reputest thou the dedes of my merytes to be vnworthy wher fore mayst not thou atte instaunce of my merytes and prayers be meued to pennaunce For sythe the tyme that thou begannest to haue deuocyon in me I haue alwaye prayed god for the fermly Aryse vp therfore and repent the And I shalle not leue the tyl thou be reconcyled to god And thenne forthwyth he felt so grete grace shedde in hym That he forsoke and renounced the world and entrid in to relygyon And was after of ryght parfyght lyf And atte deth of hym marye Magdalene stondyng besyde the biere wyth angellys whyche bare the soule vp to heuen wyth heuenly song in lykenes of a whyte douue Thenne late vs praye to thys blessyd marye Magdalene that she gete vs grace to don penaunce here for our synnes that after thys lyf we may come to her in euer lastyng blysse in heuen Amen Thus endeth the lyf of Seint marie Magdalene Here foloweth the lyf of seint Appollynare And first the Interpretacion of his name Appollynare is saide of pollens that is shynyng and Ares that is vertue That is to saye shynyng in vertues Or it is sayde of appollo whyche is as moche to saye as merueyllous and naris that is dyscressyon as who sayth he was a man of merueyllous descrecion or he is sayd of A that is wythout and polluo and ares that is to saye vertuous with out pollucion of vices ¶ Of Seynt Appollynare APpollynare was dysciple of seynt Peter thappostle and of hym be was sent to rauenne from rome and there he heled the wyf of the tribune and Iuge of the toun and baptysed her with her husbond and housholde whiche thyng was told shewed to the prouost and anon he dyd do areste apppllynare and ledde hym to the temple of Iubyter for to doo sacrefyse to hym and he sayd to the prestes of thydollys that the gold and siluer that was sette abouteethydollys had ben better to haue be gyuen to pour men than to be yeuen to deuyls And thenne he was a non taken beten sore with staues that he was left half deed but he was taken vp of his dyscyples and brought in to the hous of a wydowe And there was kepte refresshed vij monethes fro thens he cam to the cyte of clacense And there he heled a noble man which was dombe And as he entred in to an hows ther was a mayde whiche had an vnclene spyrite wythin her whyche cryeng sayde goo from hens thou seruaunt of god or I shalle make the to be bounden hondes and feet and to be drawen out of the cite whom anon appollynar rebuked and constrayned the spyrite to goo out and departe fro the mayde Thenne whan he had thus called the name of our lord vpon the dombe man and had so cured hym And delyuerd the mayde of the wycked spyrite moo than vC men byleued in our lord Ihesu cryst The paynems thenne bete hym wyth staues and for bad hym that he shold not nempne the name of Ihesu cryst he thenne lyeng on therthe cryed and sayeng that Ihesus was very god Thenne they made hym to stande bare foot vpon brennyng coles And yet alway he preched constantly the lawe of Crist and thenne they seeng that he wold not cesse droof hym out of the cite That tyme rufus patricius duc of the cite of raueÌ„nâ— had a doughter seek and did do calle appollynare to hele her and assone as appollynare entrid in to the hous his doughter deyde to whom rufus seyde wold god thou haddest not entred in to my hous for the grete goddes ben wroth therfor and wold not hele my doughter what mayst thou do to her to whom Appollynare sayd be thou not aferd but promyse to me that yf the mayde arise thou shalt not forâ—ede her to folowe her maker whiche whan he had promysed he made his prayer anon the mayde aroos and knowleched the name of cryst and was baptysed wyth her moder and a grete multitude of peple and she abode a virgyne and whan Cezar herde herof he wrote to the prouost of the pretoyre that he shold make oppollynare to doo sacrefyse or to put hym in exyle The prouost thenne seyng that he wold doo no sacrefyse commaunded that he shold be beten wyth staues and to be tormented on the galowes where as he allway most constantly preched the name of our lord Thenne he commauÌ„ded to cast hote scaldyng water in his fresshe woundes And he sore bounden wyth grete weyghte of yron shold haue be sent in to exyle That seyng the crysten and so grete felenye don to hym were moeuyd in theyr corage Ranne vpon the paynems and of them slewe more than two hondred And whan the prouost sawe that he hid hym self And commaunded appollynare in to a strayte and hard pryson And after bond hym sore wyth cheynes and sette hym in a shyppe wyth thre clerkes folowyng hym and so sent hym forthe in exyle where only he wyth two clerkes and two knyghtes escaped the peryl of the tempest And tho knyghtes he baptysed After thys he retorned agayne to rauenne And was taken of the Paynems And ladde to the temple of Iubyter Whos symulacre whan he sawe he cursed it And sodenly it fyl doun And whan the bysshoppes sawe that they presented hym to Thauro the Iuge whos sone whyche was blynd Seynt Appollynare made to see And whan the Iuge sawe that He byleued on hym And made hym to dwelle four yere wyth hym in hys hows After thys whan the bysshops had accused hym to vaspasian Vaspasian commaunded who someuer dyd ony wrong to the goddes He shold doo satisfaction Or to be pryued frothe cyte It is not ryghtful sayd he that we shold auenge the goddes But they them self
assayled the marters of god and therfor thou art yeuen in to the possessyon of the fende and thenne anon lucrete tremblid and fered And was forthwith rauysshed of the deuyll and was so tormented by iij houres of the deuyl that he deyed at that same dyner whan they that were there sawe that they were conuertid to the fayth and recompted to al men how the passyon of seint beatrice was aduengyd at the same dyner And they suffred deth aboute the yere of our lord CClxxxvij Thus enden the liues of the Seintes Simplicien Faustin and Beatrice And here foloweth the lyf of Saynt Martha SEynt Martha hostesse of our lord Ihesu cryste was born of a ryalle kynrede Her fader was named Syro And her moder euchalia The fader of her was duc of Sirie and marytyme And martha wyth her suster posseded by the herytage of theyr moder thre places that was the castel magdalene and bethanye and a parte of Iherusalem It is nowher redde that martha had euer ony husbond ne felawsshyp of man But she as a noble hostesse mynystred and serued our lord and wold also that her suster shold serue hym and helpe her ffor she thought that alle the world was not suffycyent to serue suche a ghâ—ste After thascencyon of our lord whan the dyscyples were departed she wyth her brother lazare and her suster Marie Also Seynt maxymyne Whiche baptised them and to whom they were commysed of the holy ghoost And many other were put in to a shyppe wythout sayle ores or rother gouernayle of the paynems whyche by the conduyte of our lord they cam alle to marcelle and after cam to the territorye of Aquense or ays And there conuerted the peple to the fayth Martha was ryght facounde of speche and curtoys and gracious to the sight of the peple There was that tyme vpon the Ryuer of rone in a certayn wode bytwene ari late and auynyon a grete dragon half leste and half fysshe gretter than an oxe lenger than an hors hayng tethe sharpe as a swerde and horned on eyther syde hede lyke a lyon tayle lyke a serpent and defended hym wyth two Wynges on eyther syde and coude not be beten wyth cast of stones ne wyth other armour And was as strong as xij lyons or beres whiche dragon lay hydyng and lurkyng in the ryuer and perysshed them that passyd by drowned shippes he cam thyder by see fro galyce and was engendryd of leuiathan whyche is a serpent of the water and is moche woode And of a beest callyd bonacho that is engendryd in galyce And whan he is pursiewed he cast out of his bely behynd hys order the space of an aker bond on them that folowe hym it is bryght as glasse And what it toucheth it brenneth as fyre To Whom martha at the prayer of the peple cam in to the wode And fond hym etyng a man And she cast on hym holy water shewed to hym the crosse whiche anon was ouercomen and stondyng stil as a sheep she bonde hym wyth her owen gyrdle and thenne Was sleyn with speres and glayues of the peple the dragon was called of them that dwellyd in the contre tharasconus wherof in remembraunce of hym that place is called tharasconus whiche tofore was called verlue and the blacke lake by cause there ben wodes shadowous and black and there the blessyd martha by lycence of maxymyne her mayster and of her suster duellyd and abode in the same place after dayly ocupyed in prayers and in fastynges and there after assembled and were gadred to gydre a grete couente of susters and bilded a fayr chirche at thonour of the blessyd marie virgyne where she ledde an harde a sharpe lyf she eschewed flesshe and alle fatte mete egges chese and wyne she ete but ones a day An hondred tymes a day and an hondred tymes a nyght she kneled doun and bowed her knees On a tyme at Auynyon whan she preched bytwene the toun and the Ryuer of roon ther was a yong man on that other syde of the ryuer desyryng to here her wordes and had no bote to passe ouer he began to swymme naked but he was sodenly taken by the strengthe of the water And anon suffocate and drowned whos body vnnethe was founden the nexte day And whan it was taken vp it was presented at the feet of martha for to be reysed to lyf She thenne in maner of a crosse fyll doun to the grouÌ„de and prayed in thys maner O adonay lord IhÌ„u crist whiche reysedest somtyme my wel byloued brother beholde my most dere gheste to the faythe of them that stonde here and reyse thys chylde And she toke hym by the honde and forthwith he aroos lyuyng and receyued the holy bapteme Eusebyus tellith in the v boke of thistorye ecclesiast that a woman named emorissa After that she was heled of our lord she made in her courte an ymage lyke vnto Ihesu cryst with cloth and hâ—me lyke as she sawe hym whan she was heled And worshipped hym moche deuoutly The herbes that grewe vnder thymage to fore that she had touched the hemme were of no vertue but after that she had touched it they were of so moche vertue that many seek peple by them were heled That woman emorissa whom our lord heled ambrose saith that it was martha Seint Iherome sayth and it is had in historia tripertita that Iulianus apostata toke away that ymage that Emorissa made and sette his owne there whyche with the stroke of thondre was al to broken Our lord cam to her a yere tofore her deth and shewd to her that she shold departe out of this worlde and al that yere she was seke and laboured in the febrys viij dayes tofore her deth she herde the heuenly felawships of angellis beryng her susters soule in to heuen and anon dyde do come all the couent of brethern of susters and sayd to them my frendes and moste swete felawes I pray you to reioyse and enioye with me For I see the felawship of angellys bere the soule of my suster marie vnto heuen O most fayr and swete suster thou lyuest now with thy mayster and my ghest in the blessid sete in heuen and theÌ„ne anon Martha sayde to them that were present that her deth was nyghe And had to lyght the tapers aboute her And that they shold wake vnto her deth And aboute mydnyght to fore the day of her deth they that shold watche were heuy of slepe slepte and there cam a grete wynde and extyncte â—nd dyd out the lightes She thenne seyng a grete tourhe of wycked spirites began to praye and sayed My fader hely my dere gheste thise deâ—cyuers ben gadred for to deuour me bryngyng wreton alle the euyl dedes that euer I dyde O blessyd hely be not for withdrawen fro me but entende in to myn helpe and fâ—rthwith she sawe her suster comyng to her holdyng a
the ordre of the prechours myght be confermed to hym to hys successours And the pope wold not lyghtely accorde to this thyng And thenne it happed on a nyght that the pope sawe in a vision that the chirche of latronense Was sodenly menaced for to falle and ouerthrowe and as he behelde it alle aferd he sawe on that other syde seint domynyk rennyng ayenst it susteyned and bare it vp and kepte it 〈◊〉 fallyng and thenne awoke the pope and vnderstode the vision and receyued Ioyously the peticōn of the man of god And badde that he and his brethern shold seche somme Rewle approued he wold conferme it at his wyll and thenne seynt domynyk cam to hys brethern and shewed to them What the pope had sayd and they Were of nombre aboute xvj or xvij freres whiche anon called counseyl of the holy ghoost and chosen the rule of seynt Austyn prechour and holy doctour and wold of one wyl be in dede and name prechours establisshed therwith somme customes more strayter in their lyuyng whiche they toke aboue and promysed to kepe them truly In this tyme Innocent the pope deyed and honorius was made pope and souerayn bisshop of the chirche and he gate of the same honorius the confirmacion of his ordre in the yere of our lord a MCCxvj And on a tyme as he prayed at rome in the chirche of seynt peter for thencreacyng of his ordre he sawe comyng to hym the glorious prynces of thappostles Peter and poule And hym semed that Peter gaf to hym the staffe first And seynt poul delyuerd to hym the book they sayd to hym goo and preche For thou art chosen of god to doo that occupacion and mynysterye and in a litil moment hym semed that he sawe hys sones sprad thrugh out the world two and ij prechyng to the peple the worde of god For whiche cause he cam agayn to tholouse and departed hys brethern somme to paris somme in to spayne And other to boloyne and he retorned agayn to Rome There was a monke byfore thestablysshement of this 〈◊〉 whiche was rauysshed in spirite and sawe the blessed virgyne our lady Seint marie knelyng with her handes ioyned prayeng her sonne for the humayn lygnage and he ofte Withstode her requeste and atte last he sayd to her that so besily requyred hym moder what may I doo more for them I haue sent to them patriarkes and prophetis and litil haue they amended them after I cam to them my self and after that I haue sent to them appostles And they haue sleyn them I sent to them also martirs confessours and doctours And they accorded not to them ne to theyr doctryne but by cause it apperteyneth not to me to wythsay thy request I shalle gyue to them my prechours by whom they may be enlumyned and made clene or ellys I shal come ayenst them my self yf they wyl not amende them And another sawe that same tyme whan the xij abbottes of the ordre of Cystews were sent to tholous ayenst the heretikes For Whan the sone had ansuerd to his moder as is aboue said The moder sayd to hym Fayr sone thou oughtest not to doo to them after theyr malyce but after thy mercy To whom the sone vaynquysshed by her prayers sayd I shalle yet doo to them mercy at thy requeste For I shal sende to them my prechours that shal warne and enforme them And yf thēne they not correcte them I shalle spare them no more A Frere menour that longe tyme had be felow with seint fraunsoys recounted to many of the freres of the ordre of the prechours that whan seint domynyke was at rome for the confirmacōn of his ordre of the pope he sawe on a nyght Ih̄u crist in thayer holdyng thre speres in his hande and brandysshed them ayenst the world and his moder ran hastely ayenst hym and demaunded hym what he wold doo And he sayd to her alle the world is ful of vyces of pryde of luxurye and of Auarice and therfor I wil destroye them wyth thyse thre speres Thenne the blessyd virgyne fyll doun at hys feet and sayde Dere sone haue pyte And tarye thy Iustyce by thy mercy Ihesu cryste sayd to her seest thou not how many wronges and Iniuryes they do to me and she answerd Sone attempre thy wrath and tarie a lityll I haue a trewe seruaunt and a noble fighter ayenst the vyces whyche shalle renne oueral vaynquysshe the worlde and subdue them vnder thy seygnorye And I shal gyue to hym a nother seruaunte in to hys helpe that shal fight as he doth and our lord her sone saide I am appeased and receyue thy prayer but I wold see whom thou wilt sende in so grete an offyce And thenne she presented to hym seynt domynyk And Ih̄u cryste sayde truly thys is a good and a noble fyghter and shalle doo dilygently that thou hast sayd And thenne she shewed to hym and offryd to hym seint ffraunsoys and he preysed hym as he dyd the first And Seynt Domynyk consydered dylygently hys felawe in that vysyon For he had neuer seen hym byfore and he fond hym on the morne in the chyrche and knewe hym by that he had seen hym in the vysyon wythout other shewer began to kysse hym and sayd thou art my felawe thou shalt renne wyth me we shalle be to gydre and none aduersarye shal surmounte vs And thenne he recounted to hym alle by ordre the sayd vysion and fro then forthon they Were one herte and one soule in our lord And commaunded that this loue shold be kepte to them that shold come after them perdurably And whan on a tyme Seynt domynyk had receyued a nouyse in to thordre Some that had ben his felawes peruerted hym in suche wyse that he wold retorne to the world And demaunded after his gowne and whan seint domynyk herd that he went to prayer and as the yong man had despoyled hym of his relygyous clothyng and they had don on hym his sherte he began to crye wyth an hye voys and saye I chauffe I brenne certaynly I am alle brente doo of doo of this cursed sherte whiche brenneth al my body And myght not endure in no wise til he was despoyled of this sherte and clothed agayn wyth his relygyous clothes and brought agayn in to the cloystre of the religious And whan seynt domynyk was at boleyne what tyme the freres were goon to slepe A frere conuerse began to be tormented of the deuyl and whan ffrere Reyner of losanne knewe it he sayde it to seynt domynyk And seynt domynyk commaunded that he shold be brought in to the chyrche tofore the aulter of our lady x ffreres myght vnnethe bryng hym And thenne said Seynt domynyk I coniure the wicked spyryte that thou telle to me wherfore thou vexyst thus the creature of god And wherfor and how thou entredest here And he answerd I vexe hym
a pylgryms staf in his right honde and soo departed and after many desertâ— places he cam to Rome but to fore he cam in to a towne called in latyn Aqua pendens where as was a comyn and hard pestylence whiche whan Rocke knewe of many by the wey he desytously wente vnto the hospytal of that towne called water hangyng and gate with grete prayers and labour of one Vyncente whiche had the rule of thospytal that he myght there day and nyght serue the seke peple Vyncent was aferd and dredde leste Rocke whiche was a yong flouryng man shold be smeton with the pestylence but after that he cam them that were seke he blessid in the name of Cryste And as sone as he had touched the seke men they were al hoole And they sayd and confessed as sone as this holy man Rocke was comen in all they that were vexed and seke And the fyre of pestylence had infected he extynetyd it and delyuerd alle the hospital of that sekenes And after he wente thorugh the Towne And eche hows that was vexyd with pestylence he entryd and with the signe of the Crossâ— and mynde of the passion of Ihesu crist he delyuerd them alle fro the pestylence For whome someuer Rocke touched anone the pestylence leste hym And whan the town of water fallynge was delyuerd fro the contagyon of the pestylence rocke went to the Cyte of Cenes whiche is a grete cyte of ytalye whiche no lasse pestylence vexed And he it in a shorte place delyuerd it fro the pestylence And fro thens he cam to come whiche was thenne so full of pestylence that vnnethe in alle the Towne coude not be founden one hows wyd therof In tho dayes ther was at Rome a cardynal of the tytle of Anglerye which is a prouynce of lombardye and the blessid Rocke cam in to this cardynals place And as he stode to fore hym a lytel sodenly a merueylous comforte and hope entrid in to the courage of the cardynal he vnderstode the yonge man saynt Rock to be right dere wyth god For his chere his maners and his attemperaunce shewed it wherfore he commended hym to Rocke that he shold delyuer hym fro the pestylence conserue hym And thenne Rocke dyd sygne in the cardynals forhede and made with his fyngre a crosse And anone an apparaunt signe and a veray crosse was seen impressid in his forhede And soo the cardynal was preserued fro the pestylence Neuertheles for the nouelte of the thyng he prayd saynt Rocke that the token of the crosse shold be take awey lest therby he shold be to the peple a newe spectacle Thenne Rocke exhorted the cardynal that he shall bere the signe of the crosse of oure redemer in memorye of his passion in his forhede perpetuelly and worshipe it reuerently by whiche sygne he was delyuerd fro the hard pestylence The cardynal thenne brought seynt Rocke to the pope whiche anone sawe that is godly a bryght raye and heueÌ„ly shynyng oute of the forheede of Rocke And after whan his dyuyne vertue was knowen to the pope Rock opteyned of hym full remission of synne Thenne the cardynal bygan tenquyre of Rock of his lygnage and of his Countre but rock affectyng no mortal glorye hyd his lignage and receyued ageyne of the pope his blessynge and departed fro hym And abode at Rome with the same cardynall thre yere contynuelly and laboured in vysytyng and helpyng the poure peple and them that were seke of the pestylence And after thre yere the cardynall beyng old deyd And Rock for soke Rome and cam to the Towne of Armyne a noble Cyte of Ytalye Whiche also he delyuerd fro the sayd pestylence And whan that Towne was delyuerd he wente to the Cyte of Manasem in lombardye whiche was also sore oppressid with seke men of the pestylence whome with all his hert he serued dylygently And by the helpe of god made that town quyte of the pestylence And fro thens wente to placence For he vnderstode that ther was grete pestileÌ„ce ¶ Rocke was euer of grete studye how he myght in the name of Ihesu of his passion delyuer mortal men fro the hurte of pestylence And so an hole yere he vysyted the howses of poure men and they that hadde moost nede to them he dyd moost help And was alwey in tho spytal And whan he had ben long in tho spytall of placence and had heled almoost alle the seke men ther in Aboute mydnyght he herd in his slepe an Angel thus sayeng O Rocke moost deuoute to cryste awake know thou that thou art smeton with the pestylence studye now how thou mayst be cured And anone he felt hym sore taken with the pestylence vnder his bothe armes And he therof gaf thankynges to our lord And he was so sore vexid with the payne that they that were in thospytall were depryued of their slepe and rest of the nyÈt Wherfor saynt rok aroos fro his bedde and wente to the vtterist place of thospytalle and laye doune there abydyng the lyght of the day And whan it was day the people goyng by sawe hym accused the mayster of thospytal of offence that he suffred the pylgrym to lye withoute thospital but he purged hym of that defaut sayeng that the pylgrym was smyten with the pestylence as ye see And vnwetyng to vs he wente oute Thenne the Cytezeyns incontynent put out saynt Rocke fro the Cyte and subarbes lest by hym the Cyte myght be the more enfected Thâ—nne saynt Rocke sore oppressid with feruent payne of the pesstylence suffred pacyently hym self to be eiecte oute of placence And weâ—te in to a certeyne woode a deserte valeye not fer fro placence alweye blyssyng god And there â—s he myght he made hym a lodge of bowes and leues alwey gyuyng thankyng to oure lord sayeng O Ihesu my sauyour I thank the that thou puttest me to afflyction lyke to thyne other seruauntes by this odyous ardour of pestylence and most meke lorde I byseche the to this deserte place gyue the refrygery and comfort of thy grace and his prayer fynysshed anon ther cam a clowde fro heuen by the lodge that saynt Rocke hâ—d made with bowes where as sprange a fayre and a bryght welle whiche is there yet vnto this day whos water saynt Rock draÌ„k beyng sore a thurst and therof had grete refresshyng of the grete hete that he suffred of the pestylence feuer There was nygh vnto that woode a lytell vyllage in whiche somme noble men dwellyd among whome ther was one wel byloued to god named gotard whiche had grete husbondry and had a grete famylye and hâ—usholde Thys Gotard helde many houndes for huntyng among whome hâ— had one moch famylyer whiche boldly wold take brede for the lorde And whanne Rocke lacked brede that hound by the ruâ—ueaunce of god brought fro the lordes lorde brede vnto Rocke whiche thyng whan gotard had aduertysed ofte that he bare soo awey the brede but he wyst not to whome
thou wel now arte thow wel herd of the peple and arte reputed wyse of them alle And the hooly man felyng hym to be put in this temptacion rested taryed a whyle and thought whether he myght saye more or make an ende â–ª And anone he was comforted by dy uyne ayde answerd softely to hym that temptyd hym I neyther beganne by the ne I shalle not ende by the And soo perfourmed surely all his Sermon ¶ A Monke that hadde be a Rybaude in the world and a player tempted by a wycked spyryte wolde retourne ageyne to the world ¶ And as saynt Bernard reteyned hym he demaunded hym wherof he sholde lyue And he answerd to hym that he couthe well playe at the dyse and shold well lyue ther by ¶ And saynt Bernard sayd to hym Yf I delyuer to the ony good wylt thou come ageyne euery yere that I maye parte halfe gayn with the ¶ And he hadde grete Ioye therof And promysed hym so to doo ¶ And thenne saynt Bernard sayd that there shold be delyuerd to hym twenty shyllynges And he went with al And this hooly man dyde this for to drawe hym ageyne to the relygyon as he dyde after And he went forth and loste alle And cam ageyne al confused to fore the yate ¶ And whan saynt Bernard knewe hym there he wente to hym ioyously and opened his lappe for to parte the gayne And he sayd fader I haue won ne nothyng but haue lost your catayll receyue me yf it plese yow to be your cataylle And saynt Bernard answerde to hym swetely yf it be so it is better that I receyue the than lese bothe that one and that other On a tyme saynt Bernard roode vpon an hors by the waye and mette a vylayn by the way whiche sayd to hym that he had not his herte ferme and stable in prayeng And the vylayn or vp londyssh man had grete despyte therof and sayd that he had his herte ferme and stable in alle his prayers And saynt Bernard whiche wold vaynquysshe hym and shewe his folye sayde to hym departe a lytell fro me and begynne thy pater noster in the best entente thou canst And yf thou canst fynysshe it withoute thynkyng on ony other thynge withoute doubte I shalle gyue to the the hors that I am on And thou shalt prom yse to me by thy fayth that yf thou thynke on ony other thyng thou shalt not hyde it fro me And the man was gladde and reputed the hors his and graunted it hym and wente a parte and began his pater noster And he had not said the half whan he remembryd yf he sholde haue the sadle with all And ther with he retourned to saynt Bernard and sayd that he had thought in prayeng and after that he had no more wylle to auaunce hym There was a Monke of his named broder Robert nyghe to hym self as to the world had he deceuoed in his childehode by thentysement of somme persones And was sente to thabbey of cluny thonourable maÌ„ lefte hym a whyle there And he wold calle hym ageyne by lettres And as he endyted the lettre by clere day and another Monke wrote hit A rayne cam sodenly vâ—on them And he that wrote wolde haue hyd the parchemyn fro the rayne And saynt Bernard said this werke is the werke of god wryte on harâ—yly and doubte the no thynge And thenne he wrote the letter in the myeÌ„des of the rayne withoute beynge wete And yet hit rayned all aboute them For the vertue of charyte tooke aweythe moysture of the rayne fro them A grete multitude of flyes had taken a chirche that he had do make soo that they dyde moche harme to alle them that cam thyder And he sayd I curse and excomyne them ¶ And on the morne they were founden al dede He was on a tyme sente fro the Pope to Melane for to recouncyle the Chyrche And whanne he hadde done and was retorned A man of Melan brought to hym his wyf whiche was demonyake And anone the deuyllâ— beganne to myssaye hym thorugh the mouthe of the wretchyd woman and sayd thou etar of porrette wene thou to take me out of myn hows nay thou shalt not And the hooly man saynt Bernard sente hym to saynt Syre in his Chirche And the sayd saynt Syre gaf the honoure to his hoste And heled her not And thus was she brought ageyne to saynt Bernard And thenne the deuyll beganne to crye and saye neyther Syre ne Bernard shalle putte me oute And saynt Bernard sayde Syre ne Bernard shalle not putte the oute but oure lord shalle put the oute And assone as he made his prayer the wycked spyryte sayde Ha A how gladly wolde I yssue from hennes For I am here tormented greuously But I maye not For the grete lord wylle it not And the hooly man sayd who is that Lord And he sayd Ihesus of Nazareth And saynt Bernard sayd sawest thou hym euer And he answerd ye Bernard sayd where sawest thow hym And he sayd in his glorye And saynt Bernard asked hym and were thou in glorye And he sayd ye How wentest thou fro thens he said with lucifer many of vs fil all these he sayd by the mouth of the woman that euery man herde Thenne sayd to hym the holy maÌ„ woldest not thou go ayene in to that glorye And he sayd mowyng merueylously it is to lade TheÌ„ne the hooly man prayde and the wicked spyryte yssued oute of that woman but whan the man of god was departed thens the wycked spyryte entrid ageyne And her husbond cam after the hooly man and told hym what was happed and he made to bynde a wrytyng aboute her necke conteynyng these wordes I commaunde the in the name of our lord Ihesu cryst that thou be not so hardy to touche more this woman and he durst neuer after touche her Ther was a pyteous woman in Guyan whiche was vexyd with a deuyll that duellyd in her vexyd her merueilously six yere duryng in vsyng her his lechery And the hooly man saynt Bernard cam in to tho partyes And the deuylle menacyd her yf she wente to hym that it shold not proufyte her And yf she wente he that was her loue shold be to her a cruel persecutour but she wente surely to the hooly man And told to hym weppyng strongly what she suffred And he sayd take this staf whiche is myn and leye it in thy bedde And yf he may doo ony thyng late hym doo it and she dyde so and leyd it in her bedde And he cam anon but he durst not go to his werk acustomed ne presumed to approche her bedde but he thretened her ryght egrely that whan he was gone he wold auenge hym right cruelly on her And whan she had sayd this to Bernard he assembled the peuple that eueryche shold holde a candel brennynge in his hande and cam to this deuyl and with all them that were there he cursyd hym and excomyned
blessyd Euse be the pope and dwellyd there fyue yere And heled two lame men and two blynde men And thenne the Angel appered to her in her slepe and sayd to her what is this that thow dost that hast lefte thy Rychesses and lyuest here in delyces Aryse and dyne And after goo in to the cyte of Trecane that thow maist fynde there thy brother And thenne she sayd to her chambryere It behoueth vs no lenger to abyte here And she sayd lady whyder wylle ye goâ— Alle the peple here loue yow well And wylle ye go dye in a place where as the peple knowe yow not And she sayd god shalle purueye for vs And thenne she tooke a loof of barly breed and wente vnto the Cyte of Rauenne and entryd in to the hows of a ryche man whos doughter was bewayled as deed And she requyred the mayde of the hows that she myght be lodged there And she sayd how mayst thou be lodged here whan the doughter of hâ—rin is deed and alle be sorowfull And she sayd to her For me she shalle not deye and thenne she entrid in and took the haÌ„d of the mayde and reysed her vp al hole And the moder wold haue reteyned her there but she in no wyse wold agre therto but departed And the doughter lyued and aroos on the morne And whanne Sauyne with her chambryere arryued a myle nyghe vnto trecane she sayd to her Chambryere that she wold there reste a lytel And there cam a noble man fro the Cite named Lyceryen and demaunded them sayeng Of whens be ye To whome Sauyne seyde I am of this Cyte And he sayd Why lyest thow when thy speche sheweth the to be a pylgrym And she sayd Verayly I am a pylgrym and feche Sauyen my broder whome I haue long loste And he sayd to her that man for whome thou demaundest was but late slayne for the name of Ihesu Cryste and is buryed in suche a place And thenne she put hyr in prayeng and sayd lord which hast alwey kept me in chastyte suffre me thenne nomore to trauayle by these hard and wery Iourneyes ne my body to be remâ—ued oute of this place And lord I recommaunde to the my chambryere whiche hath suffred soo moche payne for me and for my broder whome I may not here see I byseche the to make me worthy to se hym in thy regne And whanne she had fynysshed her prayer she passed oute of this world and wente to oure lord whanne her chambryere sawe that her maystresse was deed she beganne to wepe by cause she had nothyng necessary to bury her with The sayd man thenne sente a cryat thorugh the Cyte that all grete and smale shold come see the strauÌ„ge woman that was there deed And incontynent alle the peple ranne and she was buryed honourably And this same day is the feste of saynt Sauyne that was wyf of saynt Valentyn knyght whiche was byheded vnder Adryan themperour by cause he wold not sacryfyse to thydollys Thus enden the liues of saint Samen martir and of Sainne his sustir Here foloweth the lif of seine Lowe And first of thinterpretacion of his name EOwe or Lupe is somme sekenes in the legge whiche behoueth a medycyne For hit is a maladye that regneth and vseth the flesshe And also hit is sayd a maner of fysshe that is on the water and on the londe And it may not drowne by no force of water And thus maye be expowned saynt Lowe For he vsed and strayned his propre flesshe by penaunce For he was lyke the lupe of the water and of the erth For he duellyd in the waters of dâ—lyâ—es of rychesses and of temptacions and myght not drowne among these waters in no wyse ¶ Of saynt Lupe or Lowe SAynt Lupe or Lowe was borne at OrleauÌ„ce And was of the ryal lygnage And by the resplendysshour of his grete and many myracles and vertues He was made Archebisshop of Sense And gaf alle that he hadde to poure peple And on a day whanne all was gyuen It happed that he hadde boden many men to dyne with hym And thenne his mynystres sayd that there was not wyn half ynough for the dyner And he answerd to them he that fedeth the byrdes of heuen shall performe hisâ— haryte of wyne And anone after come a messager to the yate that sayd to them that there were a reyued to fore the yate an honderd Mâ—es of wyne On a tyme they of the Courte sayd euylle of hym by cause that he had with hym a vyrgyn of oure lord whiche was doughter of his predecessour And as they sayd he loued â—eramour and spake moche despytously and ouer dysatemperately And whanne he herd these thynges he tooke the vyrgyne and kyssed her to fore alle the detractours and euylle sayers and sayde that no straunge ne euyll wordes ennoye ne hurte no man whanne his owne conscyence defoylleth hym not And by cause he knewe well that she loued well Ihesu Cryste and purely therfor this hooly man louyd her with a ryght pure thought On a tyme whanne the kyng Clotayre was kyng of Fraunce and entred in to Burgoyne he sente his styward ageynst them of sens for to assyege the Cyte ¶ Thenne Lupe entred in to the chirche and beganne to rynge the clock And whanne thenemyes herd it they had so grete drede that they supposed neuer to haue escaped fro thennes but that they shold haue deyde alle but yf they fledde and at the laste the stywarde of Burgoyne was taken â— And whanne he was taken ther was another styward sente in to Burgoyne cam to Sens And by cause saynt lupe had gyuen to hym no gyftes he had grete despyte And diffamed hym to the kyng so that the kynge sente hym in to exyle And there he shone by myracles and vertues And in the mene whyle they of Sens slewe a Bisshop whiche had taken the place of saynt lupe ¶ And after they impetred of the kyng that saynt Lupe retorned fro exyle And whanne the kyng sawe that he was wrongly doo to he was chauÌ„ged by the grace of god that he knelyd to fore the saynt and requyred pardon And restablysshed hym ageyne in his chirche and gaf to hym many fayr yeftes On a tyme as he cam to parys a grete coÌ„panye of prysoners cam ageynste hym theyr bondes broken And alle the dores of the pryson open On a sonday as he songe masse A precious stone fylle doune fro heuen in to his chalyce the whiche he gaf to the kynge whiche he helde for a noble relyque On a tyme the kyng Clotayre herd saye that the Clockes of saynt Steuâ—n of Sens had a merueylous swetenes in theyr sowne And sente for them and tooke them fro thens and dyde doo brynge them to Parys by cause he wold here the sown of them but it displeased moche to saynt Lupe And as sone as they were oute of the Cyte they lost
age as he was to haue so tendre a mayde And where other brought forth their roddes he hydde his And whanne no thyng appered accordyng to the voys of god the Bisshop ordeyned for to aske couÌ„seylle ageyne of our lord And be answerd that he only that shold espouse the vyrgyne had not brought forthe his rodde And thenne Ioseph by the comaundement of the bisshop broughte forth his rodde And anone it flouryd and a douue descended from heuen ther vpon soo that it was clerely thaduys of euery man that he shold haue the vyrgyne And thenne he espoused the vyrgyne Marye and retourned in to his Cyte of Bethlehem for to ordeyne his meyne and his hows and for to fetche suche thynges as were necessary And the vyrgyne Marye retourned vnto the hows of her fader with seuen vyrgyns her felawes of her age whiche hadde sene the demonstraunce of the myracle And in tho dayes the Aungell of our lord appyered to the Vyrgyn prayeng and shewed to 〈◊〉 how the sone of god sholde be borne of her And the daye of the Natyuyte was not knowen in long tyme of good crysten men as mayster Iohan â—eleth sayth that it happed that a man of good contemplacion euery yere in the â—â—yâ—hydus of September was in prayer And he herde a companye of Angels that made grete solempnyte And theÌ„ne he requyred deuoutely that he myÈt haue knowlege wherfor euery yere only on that day he herd suche solempnyte and not on other dayes And thenne he had a dyuyne answere that on that day the blessyd Vyrgyne Marye was borne in to this world And that he shold do it to be knowen to the men of hooly chirche soo that they shold be concordable to the heuenly Courte in halowynge this solempnyte And whan he had told this to the souerayne Bisshop the 〈◊〉 and to other and had ben in fastynges in prayers and sought in scryptures and wytnessys of old wrytynges they establisshyd this daye of the natyuyte of the gloryous vyrgyne to be halowed generally of alle Crysten men but the Vtas somtyme was not halowed ne kepte But Innocent the fourthe of the nacion of geue ordeyned and Instytued the sayd Vtas to be obserued And the cause was this After the deth of pope gregorye anone the Cytezeyns of Rome enclosed all the cardynallys in the conclaue by cause they shold purueye liÈtely for the chirche but they myght not acorde in many dayes but suffred of the Romayns moche sorowe Thenne auowed they to the quene of heuen that yf they myght goo quyte fro thennes they shold establysshe to halowe the octaues of the Natyuyte whiche they had long neclygently lefte And they thenne by one acord chees Celestyn and were delyuerd and accomplysshed thenne theyr auowe by Innocent For Celestyn lyued but a lytel tyme And therfor it myght not be accomplysshed by hym And hit is to wyte that the chirche haloweth thre Natyuytees the Natyuyte of our lord the Natyuyte of the blessyd Vyrgyne Marye and the natyuyte of saynt Iohan Baptist And these thre signefye thre natyuytees spyrytuel For we be borne ageyne with saynt Iohan Baptyst in the water of baptym and with Marye in penaunce and with our lord Ihesu Cryste in glorye And hit behoueth that the natyuyte of bapteme goote fore contrycion and that of ioye also For the two by reason haue vygylles but by cause that penaunâ—e is aâ—ouÌ„ted for Vygyle therfor that of our ledy behoueth no vygyle but they haue alle vtas For alle haste them vnto the viij resurection Ther was a knyghte moche noble and deuoute vnto our lady whiche wente to a tornoyeng And he fonde a monasterye in his waye whiche was of the vyrgyne Marye entryd in to it for to here masse and there were masses one after another And for thonour of our lady he wâ—lâ— leue none but that he herd them alle And whanne he yssued oute of the monastery he hasted hym appertely And they thaâ— retorned fro the tornaye mette hym And sayd to hym that he had ryden ryght nobly And they that hated hym affermed the same And all they to gydre cryed that he had ryght nobly tournoyed And somme wente to hym and sayd that he had taken them Thenne he that was wyse auysed hym that the curtois vyrgyne and quene hadde so curtoysly honoured hym and recounted al that was happende And thenne retorned he to the monasterye and euer after abode in the seruyâ—e of our lord the sone of the blessyd vyrgyne Theâ— was a Bisshop which had the blessid Vyrgyn Marye in souerayn honour and deuocion And there he sawe the vyrgyne of al virgyns which cam to mete hym and beganne to lede hym by souerayne honour to the chirch that he wente to and two maydens of the companâ— wente to fore syngyng And sayeng these verses Cantemus socie domino cantemus honorem Dulcis amor cristi personet ore pio That is to saye Synge we felawes to our lord synge we honour Synge we with a vois debonayre that swete loue whiche ought to plese hym and that other companye of vyrgynes songe and rehersed ageyne the same Thenne the twoo fyrst syngers began to synge this that foloweth Primus ad yma ruit magna de luce superbus Sic homo cum timuit primus ad yma ruit that is to saye the fyrst pryde fill lowe fro grete lyght So the first maÌ„ for his etyng of thapple fylle lowe also And so brought they to the chirche with procession the said Bisshop And the two to fore beganne all way and the other folowed Ther was a wydowe whos husbond was deed and had a sone whome she bouyd tendyrly And that sone was taken with enemyes and put in pryson fast bounden And whan she herde therof she wepte withoute comforte and prayd vnto oure blessyd lady with ryght deuoute prayers that she wolde delyuer her sone and at the laste she sawe that her prayers auayled her not and entryd thenne in to the chirch where as thymage of oure lady was coruen and stode to fore thymage and aresoned hit in this maner sayeng O blessyd virgyn I haue prayd ofte the for my sone that thow sholdest delyuer hym And thou hast not helped me his wretchyd moder And I pray also thy sone to helpe me and yet I fele no fruyte And therfor lyke as my sone is taken fro me so shalle I take awey thyn and sette hym in pryson in hostage for myn and in this sayenge she approched ner and tooke awey fro thymage the childe that she helde in her lappe And wrapped hit in clene clothes and shett it in her chyste and locked it fast rizt dylygently and was ryght Ioyeful that she had so good hostage for her sone and kepte it moche dylygently And the nyght folowyng the blessyd vyrgyne marye cam to the sone of the same wydowe and opened to hym the dore of the pryson and commaunded hym to goo thens and sayd to hym
was gretely troublyd how she myght do to make eugenne to haue to do with her thenne she fayned her to be seke sent for this broder eugenne to come haue pyte on her whan she was come she tolde to her in what manere she was taken in his loue how she brenned in desyryng hym praid her that she wolde lye by her haue to do carnally embraced her kyssed her exhorted her for to do synne eugenne had grete horrour abhomynacion of her said thou art by ryght called me lancye for hit is an euyl name fulfilled of trayson thou art said black derke douÈter of derkenes frende of the deuyll lyÈt of pollucion nourisshyng of lechery anguisshâ—us douÈter of sempyternal deth when she sawe her deceyued of that she coueited she doubted that eugenne shold discouere her felonnye began fyrst to crye that eugenne wold â—â—er haue enforced her thenne she wente to the prouost phelyp complayned sayeng that a yong man a fals cristen was come to me by cause of me dycyne took me wold haue enforced me by strengthe for to haue synned with hym yf I had not be holpen delyuerd by a chamberere which was in my chaÌ„bre when the prouost herd this he was gretely meuid sent for a multitude of peple made eugene to be brought with the other seruauÌ„tes of Ihesu crist bouÌ„den in yron establisshed a day whan they al shold be delyuerd to beestes for to be deuoured thenne were they called to fore the prouost whiche said to eugene say to me thou ryÈt cursyd wretche yf your god hath taughte yow to do suche werkes as for to corrumpe defowle the wymmen forcibly ayenst theyr wylle thenne Eugenne whiche had the hede enclyned by cause she wold not be knowen sayd that our lorde taught and enseygned chastyte entyerly and promysed to them that kepte hit the lyf perdurable And we maye wel shewe that Melancye is fals and lyeth But hit is better to vs to suffre than she sholde be vaynquysshed and pugnysshed And that the fruyt of our pacyence perysshe not but notwithstondyng lete her chaÌ„berere be brought forth here She is the wytnes of oure felonye so that the lesynges of her may be repreuyd And whan she was come she beynge lerned of her lady opposed ageynst eugeÌ„ne sayd that he wold haue taken her by force And also alle the other of the meyne corrupte by the lady wytnessyd that it was soo And EugeÌ„ne sayd the tyme is passed of scylence and the tyme to speke is now I wylle no lenger suffre that this shameles creature put more blame gyltles on the seruaunt of Ihesu cryste ne that she gloryfye not in her malyce ne in her falsete And by cause that trouthe surmounteth her lesynge and that wysedome surmounteth her malyce I shal shewe the trouthe for none auauntage but for the glorye of our lord And thenne she tooke her cote and rente it vnto her gyrdel aboue and sayd that she was a woman as it apperyd And also sayd to the prouost thou art my fader and Claudyenne is my moder And the tweyne that sytte wyth the Auyce and Serge ben my bretheren And I am Eugenne thy doughter And these tweyne ben Prothus and Iacyncte And whanne the fader herde that he knewe well his doughter And thenne he and her moder embraced her and wepte tendyrly for ioye And thenne they clothed Eugenne with clothes of gold and enhaunced her on hyhe And after this cam a fyre from heuen and brente Melancye alle her meyne Thenne Eugenne conuertid to the faythe her fader moder bretheren and alle the meyne therfore lefte the fader the prouostye And was ordeyned Bisshop of the Crysten peple And as he was in prayer and oryson he was slayne of the myscreauÌ„tes and paynyms Thenne Claudyenne with her sones and Eugenne retorned to Rome and there couertid moche peuple vnto the faythe of Ihesu Cryst Thenne by the commaundemente of the emperour ther was a grete stone bounden to the neck of Eugenne and was throwen in to tyber but the stone brake and she wente withoute harme vppon the water Thenne she was throwen in to a brennynge fornays but the fornays was quenchyd by myracle and bycam cold And thenne she was putte in to a derke pryson but a grete shynynge lyght made it all clere and lyghte And whanne she hadde ben there ten dayes withoute mete our lord Ihesu Cryste apperyd to her and brought to her a ryght whyte loof and sayd to her take this mete of my hande I am thy sauyour whome thou hast loued wyth alle thy thought And on that day that I descended in to therthe I shal receyue the Thenne on the daye of the Natyuyte of oure lord the tormentour was sente to her and he smote of her hede And after that she appered to her moder and sayd to her that she shold folowe her on the sonday after And whanne the sonday cam claudyenne put her self to prayer gaf her spyryte to god thenne Prothus Iacyncte were drawen to the temple for to do sacryfyse they by their prayers al to brake thidolle whan they wold in no wyse do sacryfyse they accoÌ„plysshed their martirdom in suffrynge their hedes to be smytoÌ„ of suffred deth vnder Valeryen galyen about the yere of our lord ijC lvij by whos merytes late vs praye almyghty god to haue mercy on vs brynge vs to his blysse Amen Thus enden the lyues of Prothe and Iacincte Here foloweth the Exaltacion of the holy Crosse TExaltacion of the holy Crosse is sayd by cause that on this daye the hooly crosse faythe were gretely enhauÌ„ced And it is to be vnderstonden that to fore the passion of our lord Ihesu crystel the tree of the crosse was a tree of fylthe For the crosses were made of vyle trees of trees without fruyte For all that was planted on the Mount of caluarye bare no fruyte It was a fowle place for hit was the place of the torment of theuys it was derke for it was in a derke place and without ony beaute It was the tree of deth for men were put there to dethe It was also the tree of stenche for it was planted amonge the caroynes after the passion the Crosse was moche enhaunced For the vylte was transported in to preciousyte Of the whiche the blessyd saynt Andrewe sayth O precious holy Crosse god saue the his bareynes was torned in to fruyte as it is sayd in the Cantyques I shall ascende vp in to palme tree et cetera His ignobylyte or vnworthynes was tourned in to sublymyte and heyght The Crosse that was tormente of theuys is now born in the fronte of themperours his derkenes is torned in to lyght and clerenesse wherof Crysostom sayth the Crosse and the wouÌ„des shall be more shynyng than
dethe And anone the felons cam vppon them and slewe forthwith saynt Lambert whome they fond in oryson and prayer And whanne they were gone somme of his men that escaped bare the body to the cathedralle chirche secretely by water in a bote And buryed hit with grete heuynesse of them of the Cyte in the yere of oure lord four honderd and ten Thus endeth the lyf of saint Lambert Here begynneth the lyf of saint Mathewe And firste of the Interpretacion of his name MAthewe was named by tweyn names that was Mathewe and Leuy Mathewe is expowned an hasty yefte or a gyuer of counceylle Or it is sayd Mathewe of magnus and theos that is god as it were a greete god or of manus that is an honde theos that is god as it were the hond of god he was a yefte of hastynes by hasty conuersion a yeuer of counceylle by holsome predicacion grete to God by perfection of lyf And the honde of god by wrytynge of the gospelle of god Leuy is interpred assumpte or applyed or putte to or sette he was assumpte and taken awey fro gaderyng of tolles he was applyed to the nombre of thappostles he was putte to the company of theuangelystes and set to the Cathaloge of martirs ¶ Of saint Mathewe MAthewe thappostel prechynge in Ethyope in the cyte that is sayd Vadaber Fonde there two enchaunteurs named Zawes and Arphaxat whiche enchaunted the men by theyr Arte soo that whome that they wold shold seme that they were pryued of the helthe and office of theyr members whiche were soo eleuate in pryde that they made them to be honoured as goddes Thenne Mathewe thappostle entrid in to that Cyte and was lodged with the ennuche of candace the quene whom phelyx baptysed Thenne he discouerd the faytes and dedes of thenchaunteurs in this manerâ— that alle that they dyd to men in to hurte that torned mathewe in to helthe Thenne this euâ—uche demaunded of saynt Mathewe how he and vnderstode soo many tonges and thenne Mathewe told hym how the holy ghoost descended and had gyuen to thappostles alle scyence of tongues That lyke as they had emprysed by theyr pryde to make the Toure vnto heuen whiche cessed by confusyon of tongues that were chaunged alle in lyke wyse the appostles made a toure of scyences of tongues and nothynge of stones but of vertues by the which all that byleue shalle mounte vp in to heuen Thenne cam before them a man that sayd that thenchauntours were comen with two dragons whiche caste fyre sulpher by theyr mouthes and nosethrellys and slewe alle the men Thenne the Appostle garnysshed hym with the signe of the Crosse and went out surely to them And anone as these dragons sawe hym anone they cam and slept at his feet Thenne sayd Mathewe to thenchauntours where is your crafte awake ye them if ye maye And yf I wold praye oure lord that whiche ye wold haue commysed in me I shold soone execute on yow And whanne the peuple were assembled he commaunded the dragons that they shold departe withoute hurtynge of ony And they wente anone And thappostle there made a grete sermon of the glorye of paradys terrestre sayeng that it apperyd aboue all the Montayns and was nyghe vnto heuen And that there were neyther thornes ne roches And that the lylyes and Roses flourysshed alwey and waxyd neuer olde but the peple were there alweye yonge And the sowne of angels souned there alweye and the byrdes cam anone as they were callyd And sayd that oute of this paradys was a man caste but he was called to the paradys of heuen by the natyuyte of our lord And as he sayd these wordes to the peuple anone a grete noyse aroos and a grete wepynge was made for the sone of the kynge whiche was deed and whanne these enchaunteurs myght not reyse hym they made the kyng byleue that he was rauysshed in to the company of the goddes And that he shold make to hym a Temple and an ymage And thenne the forsayd Ennuche kepar of the quene of Candace Made thenchaunteurs to be kept and sente for thappostle And whanne the Appostle was comen he made his prayer and reysed the kynges sone anone And thenne the kynge whiche was named Egyppe sente for alle the men in his prouynces sayenge to them Come and see ye god in the lykenes of a man And thenne the peple cam wyth crownes of gold and dyuerse manere of sacryfyses and wold haue sacryfyed to hym And thenne saynt Mathewe behelde them and sayd what do ye men I am not god but I am seruaunt of oure lord And by the commaundemeÌ„t of hym they made a grete chirche of the gold and syluer that they had brouÈt whiche in thyrtty dayes space was edyfyed and achyeued in whiche Chirche the Appostle sat thre and thyrtty yere And conuertyd al Ethyope to the faythe of Cryste And thenne the kynge Egesyppe wyth his wyf and his douÈter and all the peple were baptysed And thenne thappostle haâ—owed to god Ephygene the kynges doughter and made her maystresse and gouernesse of moo than two honderd Vyrgyns And after this Hyrtake succeded to the kynge and coueyted the sayd vyrgyne Ephygene and promysed to the Appostle half his Royamme if he wolde make her consente to be his wyf and thappostle sayd to hym that after the customme of his predecessour he shold come on the sonday to the chirche And Ephygene beynge present with the other virgyns he shold here what he sholde say of the goodnes and laufull maryage And thenne departed with grete ioye and supposed that he wold haue styred Ephygene to his maryage And whanne the vyrgynes and alle the peple were assembled he spack long of good and lawful matrymonye was moche alowed of the kynge whiche supposed that he had sayd for to haue ioyned the vyrgyne to hym for to consente the maryage Thenne scylence was made he made rehersaylle of his sermone sayenge that maryage is good yf it be truly hold by good alyauÌ„ce but ye that â—en here knowe ye well that yf ony seruaunt wolde take the wyf of a kynge wedded he shold not only renne to the offence of the kynge but aboue that he shold deserue dethe and not for to wedde her but for that he in so takyng the spouse of his lord shold corrumpe the maryage ioyned And thus the kynge that knewe that Ephygene is made the spouse of the kynge perdurable and is sacred with the hooly veyle how mayst thow take the wyf of a more puyssaunt kynge couple her to the by maryage And whanne the kynge herde this he began tenrage and departed al wode frantyke And thappostle withoute drede constant confermed alle the other to pacyence And Ephygene lyenge before hym for drede he blessyd and alle the other vyrgyns also And after the solempnytees of the masse the kyng sente a tormentour whiche slewe mathewe with a
the eyght ydus of Iuy let The fourth apparicion is that whiche is in the Ierarchye of the same angels For the fyrst apparicion is sayd Epyphanye that is thapparicion of seuereynes The second s sayd yperphanye that is the mene apparicion And that other is sayd ypophanye that is the moost lowe apparicion And Gerarchye is sayd of gerar that is hooly of Archos that is a prynce And see gerarchye is to saye an holy pryncipate euery gerarchye conteyneth thre ordres of aungels For the souerayn gerarchye after thassygnacion of saynt denys conteyneth Cherubyn Seraphyn and the thrones The myddle conteyneth the domynacions the vertues and the potestates the last conteyneth the pryncipates angels and Archaungels And thordynaunce and disposicion of them may be sene by semblable and like in erthely pryncipates For of the mynystres that ben aboute a kyng som werke inmedyatly aboute the persone of the kyng as cubyculers Counseyllours and thassystentes and they a be lyke vnto the ordre of the fyrst Ierarchye Somme ther ben that haue the rewle of the Royamme somme in one prouynce and somme in another as ben lyeutenauntes Capytaynes of Chyualrye and Iuges And they be lyke vnto the second Ierarchye And other ben assigned to particuler offyces in the dyuerse partyes of the Royamme as Mayres Shereues baylles and suche other lasse offyces And these ben lyke to thordres of the 〈◊〉 Gerarchye the thre ordres of the fyrst Gerarchye ben taken in as moche as they assiste god and ben conuertid to hym And therto ben thre thynges necessarye that is to wete souerayne loue And that is as touchyng the ordre of Seraphyn whiche ben sayd fyry parfyght knowlege that is touchyng cherubyn which is as moche to say as plenytude of scyence and perpetuel fruycion or vsaūce As touchynge the thrones whiche ben sayd syttynge For god sytteth and resteth in them The thre ordres of the myddel Gerarchye ben taken and hadde in as moche as they domyne and gouerne thunyuersyte of peple in comyn This seygnorye and this gouernynge is in thre thynges the fyrste in seygnorye and commaundynge and that apperteyneth to thordre of domynacion whiche seygnoryeth aboue other that ben lower and adresse them in alle the mynystres dyuyne and commaundeth to them alle thynge And that sayth Zacharye in the fyfthe chapytre that one Aungel sayth to another Renne and speke to the child Secondly in doynge And this apperteyneth to thordre of vertues To whome no thyng ne is impossyble to execute whiche that is commaunded to them for to them is gyuen power to doo alle thynges dyffycyle whiche ben perteynynge to dyuyne mysterye And therfore it is attrybued to them to doo myracles Thydrly in constraynynge for to constrayne the Impedymentes destourbles And this apperteyneth to thordre of the potestates And thys is sygnyfyed in Thobye where Raphael bonde the deuyll in the ouerest deserte The thre ordres of the last Gerarchye ben taken after that they haue gouernement and lymyted Some of them seygnorye and gouerne in one prouynce And that ben they of thordre of the pryncipates lyke as the prynce of perses seygnoryeth vpon the persiās lyke as it is redde in danyel in the tenthe Chapytre And somme ben deputed to the gouernaunce of a multitude of a cyte And theybe sayd archāgels and the other bencommysed to the gouernance of one persone and they ben sayd Angels and ben sayd to shewe the small thynges and lytel by cause that their seruyse and mynysterye is lymyted vnto one man Archaungels ben sayd more and gretter For the weele of a multytude is better and more worthy than the wele of one man In thassignacion of thordres of the fyrste Gerarchye Gregory accordeth with Dyonyse and Bernard also whiche is taken aboute theyr fruycion whiche is in brennynge loue as touchynge to seraphyn In profounde cognycion as to Cherubyn and in perpetuell retencion as touchynge the thrones but they discordre in thassignacion of the myddle and last two ordres that is pryncipates and vertues Gregory and Bernard haue another consideracion that is to wete that the myddell Gerarchye is in his seygnorye or prelacye and the last is taken in his pyte or mynystracion the prelacye in angels is treble for Angels domyne ouer spirites angelyk And they ben sayd domynacions And they domyne also ouer good werkes And they ben sayd pryncipates And they domyne ouer deuils and they be said potestates and the ordre and the degrees of theire dignyte apperith in these thynges The mynysterye of them is threfold Somme standeth in werkyng somme in techyng in techyng somme more and som lasse The first apperteineth to vertues the second to archaungels and the third to angels The fifthe apparicion is hit whiche is redde in thistorye tripertite Ther is a place besyde Constantinople where as somtyme the goddesse vesta was worshipped but now there is bylded a chirche in thonour of saynt Mychel and is named Mychels place For a man that was named Aquylyne was taken with a ryght grete feuer meuyd of rede colere And the phisiciens gaf to hym soo brennyng in a agne a drynke whiche anone he vomyted oute at his mouthe and what he ete or dranke alweye he vomyted casted oute soo that he was nyghe dede And dyd hym to be borne to that place And supposed wel ther to be soone deed or heled And thenne saynt Mychel apperyd to hym and sayd to hym that he shold make a confection of hony and wyn and peper And what someuer he ete he shold wete therin And so shold he haue playne helthe whiche thynge he dyd and anone he was delyuerd from his maladye how wel that after the Iugement of the Phisicyens that drynke or medycyne was contrary to them that ben Coleric This is had in thystorye trypertite Secondly this solempnyte of saynt Mychel is sayd vyctorye And the victory of saynt Mychell is manyfold And also of other Aungels the first is that saynt mychael gaf to them of Syponte in this maner After a certayne tyme that the place was founde they of Naples were yet paynyms And ordeyned theyr hoost for to fyght ageynst them of Syponte and of Bonyuent And by the counseylle of the Bisshop the Crysten men tooke triews for thre dayes that they myght faste tho thre dayes and requyre theyr patron saynt Mychaell vnto theyr ayde helpe In the thyrd nyght the hooly saynt Mychael appyeryd to the sayd Bisshop and sayd that theyr prayers were herd and promysed them to haue vyctorye And commaunded them to renne on their enemyes atte fourthe hour of the day withoute more taryeng And whan they ronne ageynst them the Montayne of gorgan began strongly to tremble and a grete tempest arose soo that lyghtnyng fleyghe aboute And a derke clowde couerd the Montayne soo that sixe honderd of theyr aduersaryes deyde of the fyry arowes whiche cam fro the ayer And alle the resydue of them that were not
dede hou he and Ebronyen shold fynysshe theyr lyues ¶ Of saint Logyer LOgyer whan he shone and resplendyd in al vertu he deserued to be Bisshop of Aduense Clotayre was deed he was moche greued for the cure and charge of the Royamme And by the wylle of god and couÌ„seyll of the princes he crowned Childryck yet yonge to be kynge But Ebronyen wold haue made Theoderyck broder of Childryck kyng not for the prouffyte of the Royamme but by cause he was put oute of his power and was hated of alle the peple And doubted the Ire of the kynge and of the prynces And therfore he requyred of the kynge lycence for to entre in to Relygyon And the kynge graunted it to hym Thenne the kynge dyd hold his broder the oderich in garde that he shold machyne nothynge ageynste the Royamme And by the holynes and prouydence of the good Bisshop Logyer alle the peple were in ioye and in pees And soone after the kynge beynge enpayred by euylle counceylle was meuyd in wrath ageynst this hooly Bisshop seruaunt of god And sought menes ententyfly how he myght couenably putt hym to deth But Logyer suffred all goodly and reputed his enemyes lyke as his frendes and dyde so moche toward the kynge that on eester day he shold synge masse in the cyte wherof he was a bisshop And that day it was told to hym that the kynge shold performe that nyght all that he had treted for his deth but he ne doubted nothynge but dyned that day with the kyng at his owne table And thenne he fledde his persecutour in suche maner that he wente to the monasterye of Lucon ther seruynge oure lord in whiche Ebronyen ther was hyd in thabyte of a 〈◊〉 And also seruyd hym in grete charyte And a whyle after the kynge deyde And Theoderyche was enhaunced in to the regne For which thyng the blessyd saynt Logyer meued by the wepynges and teeres of the people and constrayned by the commaundemente of his abbot retourned vnto his see in his Cyte But Ebronyen anon renouÌ„ced his relygyon And was ordeyned steward of the kynge And how be it that he was euylle to fore yet he was worse after And studyed how he myght brynge Logyer to deth And sente knyghtes for to take hym And whan the blessyd Logyer knewe it he wold haue escaped fro theyr woodenes and malyce And as he yssued out of thâ— Towne in thabyte of a Bisshop He was taken of the knyghtes whiche anone put oute his eyen And thenne two yere after saynt Logyer with guâ—ryn his broder whom Ebronyen hadde exyled were brought vnto the palays of the kynge And as Ebronyen mocqued the bisshop they answerd wysely and peasybly Not wythstondynge that wycked man Ebronyen sente guâ—ryn for to be stoned to deth with stones And made the Bisshop to be ladde all the nyght bare foote vppon sharp stones on whiche the water ranne faste And whanne he herd that he preysed god in his tormentes he made to cutte oute the tonge of his heede and after to kepe in pryson for to make hym suffre newe tormentes But for all that he lost neuer his speche but entended to preche and to exhortacion as wel as he myght And sayd to fore how he Ebronyen shold deye and whan Thenne a grete lyghte in maner of a crowne enuyronned his heede whiche moche peple sawe And somme demauÌ„ded hym what thynge hit was And he kneled doune and made his prayers yeldynge graces to god And admonested alle them that were there that they shold chaunge theyr lyf in to a better And whanne Ebronyen herd that he had grete enuye at hym And sente four men for to smyte of his hede And whanne they ledde hym forthe he sayd to them It is no nede to yow to laboure ony more but fulfylle ye here the desyre of hym that sente yow And thenne thre of them had so grete pyte of hym that they kneled doune and requyred pardon And the fourth smote of his hede whiche anone was rauysshed of the deuylle and throwen in the fyre ended his lyf myserably Thenne two yere after Ebronyen herd that god shewed many myracles for his blessyd saynt and the renomme of it shone ouer all and was tormentid with cursyd enuye and sente thyder a knyght to wete the trouthe and to retorne and telle to hym And whan the knyght cam thyder he prowdly smote the tombe with his foote and sayd an euylle dethe mote he haue that sayth byleueth that this dede body maye doo myracles And anone he was rauysshed of the deuylle and deyde sodenly And the saynt was the more worshyped by his deth And whanne Ebronyen herd this he was thenne more tormentid wyth malyce of enuye and enforced to quenche the fame of the holy saynt but after the sayenge to fore of the saynt he felonnously slewe hym self with a swerd And this holy bisshop saynt Logyer suffred deth aboute the yere of our lord vjC lxxx in the tyme of Constantyn the fourthe ¶ Thus endeth the lyf of saint Logier Here foloweth the lyf of saint Fraunceis first begynner of the Freres mynours And first of his name FRaunceis was first named Iohan but after his name was chaunged and was called Fraunceys The cause of chaungynge of his name was manyfold Fyrst for the reason of his merueylous chaungynge For it is knowen that he receyued of God by myracle the frensshe tongue And it is sayd in his legende that whanne he was replenysshed of the grace of god and of thardoure of the hooly ghooste he pronounced oute brennynge wordes in Frensshe Secondly by the reason to publysshe his offyce wherof is sayd in his legende that the dyuyne prouyden gaf to hym that name by cause of hym synguler And is acustomed name thoppynyon of this mysterye was knowen thorugh oute alle the world Thyrdly by reason of his offyce in effect wheruppon was gyuen to vnderstonde that by hym and by his sones he shold make many seruauntes of the deuylle and bonde to synne free Fourthly by reason of grete courage and magnanymyte of herte For frensshe men ben sayd of fyersnes For in them is naturell fyersnes and grete câ—rage of herte Fyftly by reason of the vertuosyte in spekynge For his word keruyd awaye the vyces lyke an axe Sixtely by reason that he chaced awey comnnely the deuyls Seuenthly by reason of honeste in his conuersacyon of perfection of werke And it is said that somme signes that were brought to Rome to fore the Consuls whiche were in terrour of the peple and in worship were callyd Franciscas ¶ Of saint Fraunceis FRaunceis seruaunt frende of Almyghty god was borne in the Cyte of Assyse and was maade a Marchaunt vnto the xxv yere of his age and wasted his tyme by lyuyng vaynly whome our lord corrected by the scorge of sekenes and sodenly chauÌ„ged hym in to another man soo that he beganne to shyne by the spyryte of prophecye
For on a tyme he wyth other men of peruse was taken prysoner And were put in a cruell pryson where all the other waylled and sorowed And he only was gladde and enioyed And whanne they had repreuyd hym therof he answerd knowe ye sayd he that I am ioyeful For I shall be worshipped as a saynt thorugh oute alle the world On a tyme he wente to Rome by cause of deuocion And he tooke of alle his clothes and cladde hym with the clothes of a beggar and satt amonge the poure men to fore the chirche of saint Peter And as one of them begged with hem coueytously And moche oftener wold haue done but the shame of knowen peple letted hym The old enemy the deuylle enforced hym to lette hym of his hooly purpos And shewed to hym a woman monstruous and horrybly diffygured croke bak and lame whiche was in that Cyte And he sayd to hym that he left not that he had enterprysed he wold make hym semblable and lyke vnto her But he was comforted of our lord whiche herd a voys sayenge to hym Fraunceys take these bytter thynges for the swete and despyse thy self yf thow desyre to knowe me On a tyme he mette a lepre whome naturelly men abhorre but he remembryd hym of the word that was sayd of god and ranne to hym and kyssed hym And anon the lazare vanysshed away wherfor he wente to thabytacion of the lazars And kyssed deuoutely theyr handes and gaf to them moneye And lete hem haue no nede of suche as he myÈte doo ¶ On a tyme he entryd in to the Chirche of saynt Damyan for to make his prayers And thymage of Ihesu Cryst spak vnto hym and sayd FrauÌ„ceis goo and repayre my hows which is alle destroyed as thou seest And from that houre the sowle of hym lyquefyed And the passion of Ihesu Cryst was merueylously infyxed in his herte And thenne he dyde grete payne and was besy in repayryng the chirche And sold alle that he hadde and gaf the money therof to a preeste And he durst not receyue hit for fere of his parentes and kynne Thenne he castynge it awey to fore the preeste as dust settynge not therby wherfore he was taken of his fader and bounden and restored to hym his money And resygned also his clothes and soo naked he fled to our lord clad hym with hayre And thenne the blessyd Fraunceys wente vnto a symple man whome he took in stede of his fader and prayd hym that lyke as his fader doublyd on hym his curses that in contrarye he shold blesse hym his owne broder germayn sawe hym in a wynter tyme haue on hym but fowle and fewe clothes and that he tremblid for cold and was entendynge to his prayers sayd to his felawe Goo to Fraunceys and saye to hym that he selle to the a penyworthe of his swote And whanne he herd it he answerd with a glad chere I wylle selle hit vnto my lord god On a day he herd in the chirche that whiche oure lord sayd to his discyples whanne he sente them to preche And anone he adressyd hym with alle his myght to doo and kepe all tho thynges he dyd of his hosyn shone fro his feet and clad hym with a fowle cote and tooke a corde for his gyrdle He wente on a tyme in a snowe by a woode and was taken by theues and they demaunded hym what he was And he sayd that he was the messager of god And anone they toke hym and caste hym in the snowe sayenge to hym lye thou there vilayn messager of god Many noble and vnnoble clerkes and laye men hadde despysed the world and begonne to folowe hym And the hooly fader enseygned and taught them the perfection of the gospel whiche was for to be in pouerte and that they shold go by the wey of symplenesse he wrote thenne a rule after the gospel to hym self and his bretheren had and to be had whiche pope Innocent confermed And fro than forthon he beganne to sprede more ardauntly the sedes of the word of god and wente aboute cytees castels by a feruent and merueylous desyre There was a Frere whiche semed outward of merueylous holynes and kepte scylence soo straytly that he wold not be shryuen by wordes but by sygnes and euery man preysed hym as a saynt this hooly man Fraunceis cam thyder and sayde leue ye bretheren to preyse hym for I shall not yet preyse hym leste it be by fayntyse of the deuylle late hym be warned to be shryuen twyes in the weke by worde and spekynge And yf he doo it not this is but temptacion of the deuylle and fraudelous deceyte and thenne the freres warned hym so to doo and he put his fyngre to his mouthe and shoke his heede and shewed that in no wyse he wold confesse hym And anone after he retourned ageyne to worldly lyf as an hound to his vomyte And wente oute of his ordre and fynysshed his lyf in synful actes and werkes On a tyme saynt Fraunceis was wery of goyng and rood vppon an asse And his felawe one Leonard of Assyse was also wery of goynge and saynt FrauÌ„ceis biganne to thynke thus and saye in hym self his kynne my kynne were not lyke And incontynent he alyghte doune and sayd to the Frere It apperteyneth not to me to ryde and the to goo afoote For thow art more noble than I am And the Frere was abasshed and kneled doune and requyred pardon On a tyme as he passed by a place a noble lady ranne soo hastely ageynste hym that she myght not speke for werynes And he axed of her what she wold and she saide praye for me fader For I maye not performe the purpoos of helthe whiche I haue bigonne for my husbond whiche letteth me doth to me many aduersytees in the seruyce of god and he said to her goo thy waye doughter For thow shalt haue anone comfort of hym And saye to thyn husbond in goddes name and myn that now is the tyme of helthe And herafter shall be tyme of equyte and righte And when she hadde said so to her husbond the man was sodenly chaunged and auowed to god contynence and chastyte On a tyme a poure labourer was almost lost in a woode for thurst And this hooly saint impetred a fontayne by his preyers He said on a tyme to a Frere that was famylyer with hym this secrete whiche was shewed to hym by the hooly ghoost Ther is a seruaunt of God lyuynge in the worlde on this daye For whoos sake as long as he shal lyue our lord shall suffre no famyne among the peple but withoute doubte it is said that when he was deede alle that condicion was chaunged to the contrarye For after his blessid deth he apperyd to the same frere and said to hym loo now is the famyne comen whiche as longe as I lyued vppon erthe our lord wold not suffre to come On an eester daye the
Freres grekes that were in desert hadde leyd their table more curyously than in an other tyme And had made redy the glasses and sette them on the lorde And when saynt Fraunceis sawe that he anone withdrewe hym sat on his hede the hat of a poure maÌ„ whiche was there and bare his staf in his honde and wente oute and abode at the gate And when the freâ—s ete at dyner he cryed at the dore that they sholde gyue for the loue of god an almesse to a poure seke man Thenne the poure man was callid in And entrid and satte doune allone vppon the erth and set his dysshe in the dust whiche whanne the Freres sawe they were abasshed and were sore agast And he sayd to them I see the table arayed and aourned And I knowe well that it is not for poure men that seke their mete fro dore to dore he loued pouerte in hym self and in all other soo that he called alwey pouerte his lady But whanne he sawe one more poure than hym self he had therof enuye and doubted to be ouercome of hym On a day he sawe a poure woman he shewed her to his felawe and sayde the pouertâ— of this woman doth to vs shame and repreueth strongly oure pouerte For for my Rychesses I haue chosen my lady pouerte And she shyneth more in this woman than in me whanne on a tyme a poure man passid to fore hym and the hooly man was meuyd with inward compassion his felawe sayd to hym though this man be poure parauenter ther is not a rycher of his wylle in alle the prouynce Thenne saynt Fraunceis sayd to hym Anone despoylle the of thy cote and gyue it to the poure man and knowleche thy self culpable and knele doun to his feet To whome anone he obeyed and dyd so On a tyme thre wymmen lyke of vysage all thynges of habite entrid met hym salewed in this manere Welcome my lady pouerte and anone they vanysshed awey and were nomore sene On a tyme as he cam to the cyte of Arete and a mortall bataylle was meuyd in the Cyte This holy man sawe vpon the burgh on the ground the deuyls makyng ioye and were glad Thenne he called his felawe named Syluestre and sayde to hym go to the yate of the Cyte And commaunde to these deuyls in goddes name that is almyghty that they go oute of the Cyte· Thenne he wente hastely and ceyed strongly Al ye deuyls departe from hens in the name of god and by the commaundemeÌ„t of Fraunceis onâ—e fader And they wente awey And thenne the Cytezeyns anone bycam to accorde The forsayd Syluester whanne he was yett a seculer preest he sawe in his slepe a golden Crosse yssue oute of the mouth of saynt Fraunceis of the whiche the ouer ende touched heuen and the armes of the Crosse stratched fro that one to that other parte of the world Thenne this preest hadde conpunction and left the world and folowed perfightely this hooly man saynt Fraunceis and on a tyme as this holy man was in prayer the deuyll callid hym thryes by his owne name and whanne the holy man had answerd hym he said none in this world is soo grete a synnar but yf he conuerte hym our lord wold pardone hym But who that sleeth hym self by hard penaunce shall neuer fynde mercy And anone this hooly man knewe by the reuelacion the fallace and deceyte of the fende how he wold haue withdrawen hym for to doo well and whanne the deuyll saw that he myght not preuayle ayenst hym He tempted hym by greuous temptacion of the flesshe and whan this holy seruaunt of god felte that he despoyllid of his clothes and bete hym self right hard with an hard corde sayeng Thus broder Asse it behoueth the to remayne and to be beten and whan the temptacion departed not he wente oute and plonged hym self in the snowe al naked and made seuen grete balles of snowe and purposed to haue taken them in to his body and sayd this grettest is thy wyf and of these foure two ben thy doughters â— and two thy sones and the other tweyne that one thy chaÌ„berer and that othir thy varlet or yemaÌ„ haste the and clothe them For they al deye for cold and yf thy besynes that thow hast aboute them greue the sore Thenne serue our lord parfightely and anon the deuyll departed from them al confused and saynt Fraunceis retournyd ageyne in to his celle gloryfyeng god And as he dwellyd on a tyme with Leon the cardynal of saynt Crosse in a nyght the deuils cam to hym and bete hym right greuously Thenne he callyd his felawe and said to hym these ben deuyls Iaylers of our lord whome he sendeth to punysshe the excesses but I can remembre me of none offencis that I haue done but by the mercy of god I haue wasshed them awey by satisfaction But parauenture he hath sente me them by cause he wylle not suffre me to falle by cause I dwelle in the Courtes of greete lordes whiche thynge perauentur engendreth not good syspection to my right poure bretheren whiche suppose I habounde in delyces And erly in the mornynge he aroos and departed thens On a tyme as he was in his prayers he sawe vpoon the couerynge of the hows assembles and companyes of deuyls whiche ranne hyder and thyder with grete noyse And he wente oute and signed hym with the signe of the Crosse and sayd I saye to yow in the name of almyghty god that ye deuylles do to my body all that is suffrid to yow to doo And I shall suffre hit pacyently For I haue no gretter enmye than my body and ye shal auenge me of myn aduersarye whyles ye take on hit vengeaunce by my lyf thenne they vanysshed awey al confused There was a Frere whiche was felaw of saynt Fraunceis was on a tyme rauysshed and sawe in spyryte the gloryous place in heuen wherin he sawe amonge other seetes a ryght noble seete shynynge of more noble glorye than the other And as he merueyled for whome this noble syege or sete was kepte he herd that it was sayd that this sete longed somtyme to one of the prynces that fylle And is nowe made redy to the meke and humble Fraunceys And when saynt Fraunceys yssued fro his prayers that frere demauÌ„ded hym Fader what wenest thou of thy self And he sayd I wene that I am grettest of alle synners And anone the spyryte cam in to the herte of the frere and sayd beholde what was the vysion that thow sawest Fro humylyte shal lyfte vp the mooste meke man vnto the sete lost by pryde This hooly man saynt Fraunceis sawe in a vysion aboue hym Seraphyn crucyfyed the whicehe emprynted in hym the signes of his crucyfyenge that hym semed that he was crycyfyed and that in his handes his feet and in his syde hym semed were the signe of the wouÌ„des of the crucyfyeng but he dyde hyde these tokenes
victorye In the monastery of westmynstre ther was a fayr yong man whiche was blynde whome the Monkes had ordeyned to rynge the bellys And he had a customme dayly to vysyte the Tombe of saynt Edward with certayne prayers And on a tyme as he prayd there he fylle a slepe And he herd a vois that had hym go and rynge to the last houre And whanne he awoke he sawe saynt Edward goynge to fore hym lyke a kynge with a Crowne on his hede and had a merueylous lyght aboute hym And he behelde hym tyl he cam to the hye aulter And thenne he sawe hym nomore ne the lyght but he had his syght euer after tylle hys lyues ende And thenne he told vnto the mōkes how he was helyd and hadde his syght ageyne by this myracle Of the deposicion of saynt Wulstan And how he was restored ageyne Whan William Conquerour had goten al Englond and had it vnder his power thēne he beganne to medle with the Chirche And by thaduys of Lanfrank the holy Bisshop Saynt wulstan was chalenged that he was not able of lettrue ne of connyng for to occupye the Royamme and offyce of a Bisshop and was callyd to fore Lanfranke and wylled hym to resigne by the consente of the kynge to the sayd Lanfranke Archebisshop that a man of gretter connyng myght occupye the dignyte To whome Wulstan seyde Forsothe fader I knowe well that I am not worthy to haue this dignyte ne am not suffycyent to occupye so grete a charge For I knewe well myne vnconnynge at suche tyme whan I was elect therto but I was compellyd by our holy fader the pope and by good kyng Edward And fith hit plesyth the counceylle that I shalle resigne I shalle gladly resygne but not to yow but to hym that compellyd me to take hit thenne he departed incontynentfro thrachebisshop Lanfrank wente strayte te the tombe of saynt Edward with his cros in his honde And he sayd to saynt Edward as he hadde thenne ben a lyue O thow holy and blessyd kyng thow knowest well that I tooke this charge on me ageyne my wylle but by constraynt of the pope and the I obeyed to take hit and it now so is that we haue a newe kynge newe lawes and yeueth newe sentences in repreuyng the of thyn errour for soo moche as thou yauyst it to me symple and vnconnyng man And me for the presumpcion that I wolde consente to take it That tyme thow myghtest well haue ben begyled For thou were a frayel mā but now thou arte ioyned to god where as thou maiste not be deceyued thou gauest to me the charge And to the I here resigne it ageyne And with that he fixed his staf in to the hard stone of his tombe seyenge take this and yeue it to whome it plesith the And the hard stone that lay vpon his Tombe resoluyd by myracle and receyued his Croo◠or pastoral staf and helde it so fast that it myght not be taken out by mannes honde And anone he dyde of thabyte of a bisshop and dyd on a Cool and stode amonge the Monkes in suche degree as he dyde to fore er he was Bisshop And when word cam and was reported to them that had consentyd to his resignacion they merueyled gretely and were all abasshed And some of them wente to the Tombe and wolde haue pullyd oute the staf but they couthe not moeue hit And when tharchebisshop Lanfrank herd therof He commaunded to Gudulf bisshop of rouchestre to go and fetche to hym the pastoralle staf but when he cam he set honde on it and pullid at hit but the stone helde hit so fast that he myghte not moeue hit wherfore he was sore abasshed and cam to Lanfranke and tolde to hym of this myracle Thenne the kyng and Lanfrank were abasshyd And cam bothe in their persones to see this thynge And ther maad their prayers And after with grete reuerence Lanfryke assayed and sette honde on the staf for to haue pullyd it oute but it wold not mene Thenne the kyng and the Archebisshop were sore aferd and repentid them And sente for to seche wulstan whome they fonde among the monkes And brought hym tofore the kyng and tharchebisshop who anone knelyd doune and axid foryeuenes And Wulstan mekely kneled doune And praid them not so to do to hym humbly mekely pardoned them and praid tharchebisshop humbly to blesse hym thenne Lanfrank went to this holy man wulstan sayde Broder thy ryghtful symplycyte hath ben but lytell set by emong vs but our lord hath made thy ryghtwysnes to shyne lyke as a day sterre but broder we haue tre spaced erryd in Iugyng the good to be euyll the euyl good but our lord god hath areysed the spyryte of saynt Edward whiche hath made voyde alle our sentences thy symplenes is allowed to fore god wherfor come hyder to thy kyng ouris saynt Edward receyue ageyne thy staf whiche he hath denyed to vs for we suppose he wyll delyuer it to yow thenne wulstan the seruaunt of god mekely obeyed with grete reuerence vnto tharchebisshop went vnto the Tombe where as the staf stode fast fixed in the stone knelyng doun sayeng O blessyd saynt of god I here mekely submytte me to thy sentence to whom somtyme thou gauyst chargist me vnworthy with this staf yf hit soo plese the that thyn old sentence abyde thenne restore to me ageyne this pastoral staf yf it plese to the to chaunge it so shewe to vs to whom thou wylt shal take it this seid he sette his honde humbly with grete reuerence on the staf anon the hard stone resoluyd lete the staf to go oute as hit had ben softe erthe or claye whan they that stode about hym sawe this grete myracle they wept for ioye in gyuynge out largely teeres axyd hym foryeuenes gyuyng laude and praysyng vnto almyghty god to this holy kynge saynt Edward And euer after kynge William hadde grete deuocion to vysyte the tombe of his Cosyn saynt Edward And dyd grete coste toward the makyng of his shryne How his holy body was found incorrupt many yeres after After this myracle was shewed ther was moche talkyng of his holynes And the deuocion of the peple encreaced dayly more and more so that there were many dyuerse worshipful persones that desyred to see this hooly body For some saide that it lay incorrupte some sayde nay in this meke stryf they gate lycence of thabbot gilbert to see it whan the day was sette that this holy body shold be shewed ther cam thyder many worshipful men wymmen of Religyon among whome cam Gūdulf bisshop of Rouchestre And this was sixe and thyrtty yere after his beryenge that they opened his tombe And whan the stone was remeuyd they felte a merueylous swete sauoure that alle the chirche was replete therof as though an odour
aromatike had flowed oute of the Tombe And they fonde the palle that lay next hys body as hoole and as fayre as it was whan he was buryed And whan the palle was take of they drewe forthe his armes they moeued his fyngers and his toes and they were bowyng and hoole as they hadde be newely buryed And in his flesshe was fouÌ„den no corrupcion but it was faire fressh of colour pure and bryghter than glas whytter than snowe And it semed a body gloryfyed And they fered to discouere his vysage but gundulph whiche was hardyer than another with deuocion vnbonde his hede And the first that appyeryd was the fayre hoor here of his hede thenne he thought to take some therof for a relyque with reuerence drede plucked ther at but he coude none haue out for they were as fast as they were when he was a lyue TheÌ„ne said thabbot ffader suffre hym to lye in reste ateÌ„tpte not to mynuysshe that that our lord hath so long prescruyd kept hole Thenne the palle in whiche the holy body was wrappid was taken awey and another of the same valure was fette the holy body leid therin couerd ageyne his tombe with ful grete reuerence abydyng the grete resurection How vengeaunce was shâ—wed to a damoiselle that blasphemyd saynt Edward In the Cyte of london there was a noble woman whiche was ryÈt connyng in sylke werke whiche was desyred tembrawdre certayne garmentes to the countesse of gloucettre whiche thenne was yong lusty fresshe and newely wedded wold haue them made in short space And when the festful day of saynt Edward approchyd this noble woman was sore troublid in her mynde for she dradde thyndignacion of the grete lady yf her garmentes were not redy at tyme sette And also she dradde to werke on the day of saynt Edward for it was bothe synful perillous Thenne she sayd to a yong damoiselle that was felawe with her wrought in the same werke what thynke ye best now either to displese this lady or els this good saynt Edward and she answerd is this not that Edward whom the chorles of the countrey worshipe as he were a god she saide yet more what haue I to do with hym I wyl no more worshipe hym than yf he were a chorle theÌ„ne this noble woman was sore abasshyd and moeuyd with her that said suche wordes of blasphemy to this holy saynt And she all to bete her forto be in pees she of frowardnes blasphemyd hym more more thenne sodenly she was smeton wyth a palsey so that her mouthe was drawen to her ere also she had lost her speche foomyd atte mouth lyke a bore gruÌ„ted her teeth to gydre merueylously was sore punysshed in all her membris whan this noble woman sawe thie she was ful heuy that she had beten her by cause almyÈty god had so punysshed her wepte ful bytterly whan hit was knowen in the cyte her neyÈbours cam some for to comforte her some to wondre vpon her so lyeng theÌ„ne ther cam a worshipful man to visyte her counceiled that she shold be caryed by water vnto the shryne of saint edward to pray to god ther that by the merytes of the hooly saynt Edward he wold shewe some myracle for her and whan she was so brought thyder moch peple praid for her but they had not their entent anon but abode in her prayers tyl mydnyght that matyns began and thenne they praid the Monkes to praye for her And whan they hadde done matyns they come to the shryne also praid for this damoiselle whiche lay there in full grete payne torment whan the holy monkes had praide for her a good whyle thenne this damoyselle arose vp al hole demanded why they wepte and made so moche sorowe And whan they sawe hir mouth in his ryght place al hir membrys restored ageyne they were full of ioye yaf laude thankynges vnto almyghty god to his holy kyng Confessoure saint Edward How a Monk was heled of a feuer quartane In thabbay of westmynstre ther was a vertuous monke and connyng named Gylberd whiche was sore vexyd with a feuer quartane fro the moneth of Iuyl to Crystemas consumed lyke a drye ymage wherfor he praide god to relece his payne or take hym oute of thys world And on Cristemasse nyghte he toke herte to hym and wente to matyns with his bretheren And whan he herd the gospell how a lytell chyld was borne and yeuen to vs fro the fader of heuen whos moder was a pure vyrgyne he hadde so grete deuocion that his mynde was rauysshed with so grete ioye that he felte no dysease two dayes after And after tho two dayes the feuer cam ageyne and vexyd hym contynuelly vnto the fest of saint Edward whiche is alwey in the vygyle of the pyphanye that daye in the hyhe masse tyme he cam to the tombe of saint Edward fyll doun plat in grete deuocion wepyng sayd thus O thow my lord and my kynge how long wilt thou forgete me how long shall I suffre this payne how long shalt thou torne thy face fro me where ben alle the grete myracles that our faders haue told to vs done in theire dayes thou hast holpen many straungers but me that am in thyne owne chirche thow forgetest And closest to me the yate of thy pyte wold god that I myÈt deye I am norisshed in payne may not deye my lyf is sorowe to me but it can haue none ende I desyre deth can not haue it what shal I stryue with the but I beseche the good kyng laudable prynce swete patrone moeue thy bowellis of mercy on me yf it plese the yeue me helthe or els late me deye anon amoÌ„ge these wordes the teres brake oute of his eyen and sobbynges fro his herte that he coude not speke with hys mouthe but with his affection And whan masse was done he aroose vp fro prayer alle hoole and felte alle his membrys merueylously refresshyd with a newe strengthe And entryd in and axyd after mete and drynke anon he felte hym self that he had receyued ageyne his strengthe And euer after he was moeued with grete deuocion vnto the glorious saynt Edward by whoos merytees he was delyuerd fro his sekenes and dysease And in lyke wyse a knyght named Geryn was heled that same day a yere after of the feuer quartane whiche cam that same day vnto the shryne herde the same Monke that had soo be heled whiche thenne was pryour make a sermon in whiche he told of the myracle how he was hoole And after the Sermon this knyght thought he wold not ceesse but deuoutely pray this holy saynt tyll he were hole and abode there prayenge alle that daye and nyghte folowyng tyl the Monkes cam to matyns whome he praid to
praye for hym And whanne they had prayd a good whyle he felte hym self made parfyghtly hole And thenne he with alle the peple gaf thankynges to our lord almyghty god and saynt Edward for his delyueraunce Also a nonne of berkynge that had ben seke twelue monethes and nyghe consumed awey had a vision on a nyght by whiche she vnderstode that she shold go to saint Edword be hoole And she makynge her prayers to saint Edward and at suche tyme as her sekenes cam she entryd in to her oratory And said the seuen psalmes and letanye whan she dyd so twyes al her payne was gone was made parfiÈtely hole thanked almyghty god whiche by the merytes of saynt Edward had heled her soone after cam to westmynstre in pylgremage And there dide shewe this myracle told how she was made hole Also ther was a MoÌ„k of Westmynstre which was acustomed to saye euery day v psalmes in the worship of god saint Edward whiche Monke was greued with thre manere sekenesses For he had on his arme a congellacion of blood in manere of a postomme he hadde also in his breste a straytnes that vnnethe he myght drawe his brest Also he had in his foote a merueylous swellyng and a grete that he myght not goo but with grete payne And whanne the yerely feest was halowed he sawe his bretheren go to the chirche at mydnyght for to rynge the bellys And he was ryghte sory that he myght not doo the same Notwithstondyng he payned hym self and wente thyder said the seuen psalmes and whan he had done sawe his bretheren rynge meryly he sayd in his prayer to saynt Edward O thow my good kynge I beseche the to praye for me that I may haue strengthe to doo as I see my bretheren do For I commytte me fully to thy myght And I byleue veryly that thou wylt suffre me no lenger in this grete dysease And whan he had made an ende of his prayers he arose vp and went to the bellys for to rynge them And anone the postomme of his arme brake And whan the fowle mater was oute he felte hym self hole of that dysease Thenne his moost payne was in his breste and he wente ageyne to praye and to yeue thankynges to god and to saynt Edward of the delyueraunce of his postomme And there he prayd full deuoutely that he myght be delyuerd of the dysease of his breste whan he aroos fro prayer he felt his herte made all hole fro the sekenes that he had in his brest Thenne he felt no dysease but on his foote whan he come amonge his bretheren in the fraitour he told them hou he was delyuerd fro tweyne of his sekenesses when they sawe hym they meruayled gretely and besought almyghty god saynt Edward that he myght be delyuerd of that disese in his foote And at nyght whan he went to his bed he put hym self holy in the merites of saynt Edward And when he arose he felte no payne but put doune his hond to his fote to fele how it was he felte that the swellyng was gone he lepe out of his bedde told to his bretheren with ful grete ioye how he was made parfightly hole as euer he was Thenne they al were ful glad went with hym to the chirche to yeue thankynges praisynges to almyÈty god to his holy confessour saint Edward for these myracles for his delyuerauÌ„ce fro the ij sekenesses wherfor god be praised in his seruaÌ„t without end ameÌ„ Thus endeth the lyf of saint Edward kyng and Confessour ¶ Here foloweth of saint Luke Theuangelist And first of his name LUke is as moche to saye as arysynge or enhauncynge hym self Or Luke is sayd of lyght he was reysyng hym self fro the loue of the world and enhauncyng in to the loue of god And he was also lyght of the world for he enlumyned the vnyuersal world by holy predicacion And herof sayth saynt Maâ—hewe Mathei quinto ye ben the lyght of the world the lyght of the world is the sonne And that lyzt hath heyght in his sete or syege And herof sayth Ecclesiastes the xxvj Chapytre the sonne rysynge in the world is in the ryght hyhe thynges of god he hath delyte in beholdyng And as it is sayd Ecclesiastes vndecimo The lyght of the sonne is swete And hit is delytable to the eyen to see the sonne He hath swyftnes in his moeuyng as it is sayd in the second book of Esdre the fourthe chapytre The erthe is grete and the heuen is hyhe And the cours of the sonne is swyft and hath prouffyte in effect For after the philosophre man engendâ—th man and the sonne And thus Luke had hyhenes by the loue of thynges celestyalle delectable by swete conuersacion Swyftnes by feruent predicacion And vtylyte and prouffyte by consceypcion wrytynge of his doctryne ¶ Of saynt Luke euangelyst LUke was of the nacion of Syrye And Anthyochyen by arte of medycyne And after somme he was one of lxxij disciples of our lord Seynt Iheromme sayth that he was discyple of thappostles and not of our lord And the glose vpon the xxv chapytre of the booke of Exodi sygnefyeth that he ioyned not to oure lorde whan he prechyd but he cam to the faith after his resurection But it is more to be holden that he was none of the lxxij disciples though somme holde oppynyon that he was one But he was of ryght grete perfection of lyf moche well ordeyned as toward god And as touchynge his neyghbour as touchynge hym self and as towchynge his offyce in signe of these foure maners of ordenaunces he was descryued to haue four faces that is to wete the face of a man the face of a lyon the face of an oxe and the face of an egle eche of these bestes had foure faces foure wynghes as it is sayd in Ezechyell the fyrst chapytre And by cause it may the better be sene late vs ymagyne some beest that hath his hede four square in euery square a face so that the face of a man be to fore and on the ryght syde the face of the lyon on the lyft syde the face of the oxe behynde the face of thaygle by cause that the face of thaygle appyerid aboue thother for the lengthe of the necke therfor hit is sayd that this face was aboue and eche of these foure had foure pennes For whanne euery beest was quadrate as we may ymagyne In a quadrate ben foure corners and euery corner was a penne By these foure beestes after that sayntes sayen ben signefyed the foure euangelystes Of whome eche of them had foure faces in wrytyng that is to wete of humanite of the passion of the resurection and of the dyuynyte how be it these thynges ben syngulerly to synguler For after saynt Iheromme Mathewe is signyfyed in the man For he was syngulerly meued to speke of thumanyte
messager of oure lord Ihesu Cryste whiche hadde promysed to sende hym one And Abagar sawe in the vysage of thadee a merueylous godly bryghtnes And whan he hadde sene it he was all abasshed and aferd and worshipped our lord sayeng Veryly thow arte the disciple of Ihesu Cryst sone of god whiche sente to me word that he wold sende to me somme one of his disciples that shold hele me and gyue to me lyf To whom Thaddee sayde yf thou byleuest in the sone of god thow shalt haue alle the desyres of thyn herte And Abagar sayde I byleue on hym veryly And tho Iewes that slewe hym I shold gladly slee them yf hit were possible to me had power how be it that thauctoryte letteth hit And as it is redde in some places and bookes that Abagar was lepre And thaddee took the epystle of oure sauyour and rubbed and froted ther with the visage of Abagar And anone he receyued full helthe Iudas prechyd first in Mesopptamye in ponto And Symon prechyd in Egypte And fro thens cam they in to Perse And fonde there two Enchaunteurs Zaroes and Arphaxat whome saynt Mathewe had dryuen oute of Ethyope And fonde also there waradach a duke of the kynges of Babyloyne whiche shold go in bataill ayenst them of ynde And coude haue none answer of his goddes And thenne they wente to a Temple nyghe to the Cyte And there they had answere that by cause that thappostles that were comen they myght not answere Thenne the duk dyde enquyre for them and fonde them And demaunded them wherfor they were comen And what they were whiche answerd yf thow demaunde of oure lygnage we ben Hebrewes and yf thow demaunde of oure condycyon we ben seruauntes of Ihesu Crist and yf thow demaunde wherfor we ben comen we ben for your helthe To whom the duk answerd when I shal retorne Ioyously fro the betayll I shall here yow To whome thappostles sayde It is more couenable to the to knowe hym now by whome thou mayst ouercome and appese them that ben rebell to the And the duk answerd I see yow more myghty than oure goddes I praye yow to saye to vs to fore th ende of the bataylle And thappostles sayden by cause that thow knowest thy goddes to be lyers we commaunde them that they gyue answer to that thow demaundest by cause that whanne they haue we shall preue that they haue lyed thenne thydolles sayde that the batayll sholde be grete And that moche peple sholde be ouerthrowen on bothe sydes And thenne the Apposâ—les beganne to lawhe And the duk sayd to them I am aferd and ye lawhe And thappostles sayden doubte ye no thyng For pees shall be made amoÌ„g yow to morne at the hour of tierce the messagyers of the medes shalle come and shall submytte them to thy puyssance with pees And thenne the Bisshops of thydollys maade a grete laughter and sayd to the duk These men here wold assure the here to th ende that thow sholdest by leue folysshly And that thou sholdest be bitaken of thyn aduersaryes And thappostles sayde we saye not Abyde a moueth but one day only And thow shalt be vaynquysshour al in pees Thenne the duk maade to be kepte that one and that other that they that sayde the trouthe shold be honoured and the lyars punysshed Thenne on the morn lyke as thappostles had sayd it happed And thenne the duke wold haue brente the Bisshops of thydolles but the Appostles lettyd hym that he shold not slee them For they were not come for to slee but for to quyken the dede And thenne the duk moche merueylled that they wold not that they shold be slayn ne receyue none of their goodes And brought them to the kyng saide These ben goddes hyd in fourme of men And whanne he had told all to hym in the presence of his enchaunteurs Thenchaunteurs beynge moeued of enuy sayde that they were malycious and wycked men purposed somme malyce ageynst the royamme subtylly Thenne the duke said to them Now yf ye dare assaye ye and dispute with them And thenchaunteurs sayde yf thou wylt thou shalle see that they shall not mowe speke we beynge present Make men to come hyder that ben eloquent and can well speke And yf they dare speke to fore vs despyse ye vs And saye we ben fooles And theÌ„ne were brought to fore them many aduocates And anone they were made doâ—be to fore the enchaunteurs so that by sygnes they myghte not shewe that they myghte not speke ¶ Thenne sayd thenchaunteurs to the kyng to th ende that thou knowe that we be goddes we shalle suffre them to speke but they shall not mowe go And thenne we shall gyue to them theyr goynge And shall take awey theyr sighte And yet shall theire eyen be open And whan they had done al these thynges the duke brought the Aduocates al confused vnto thappostles And whanne thaduocates sawe thappostles so euyll clothed they had of them grete despyte in their courage· To whowhome Symon sayde Oftymes it happeth that amonge Coffrys of gold wrought with precious stones ben ryÈt vyle thynges enclosed And within Coffres of tree ben leyd gold rynges and precious stones Promyse ye that ye wylle forsake the ydolles and wyll worshype one only god Inuysyble we shall make the signe of the Crosse in your forhedes And ye shall thenne mowe confounde these enchaunteurs And whanne these Aduocates hadde renounced thydolles and were marked in the forhedes with the signe of the Crosse they entryd ageyne to the kynge to fore the enchaunteurs Thenne myght they not be ouercomen of the enchaunteurs but confounded them openly bifore the kynge and alle the peple ThenchauÌ„teurs were thenne angry And made to come a grete multitude of Serpentes Thenne thappostles cam anone by the commaundement of the kynge and fylled theyr mauntellyâ— with the serpentes and threwe them ageynst thenchaunteurs sayeng Moeue ye not in the name of oure lord Ihesu Crist but be ye to torne and byten so that ye crye and braye in shewyng what sorow and payne ye suffre And thenne whan the serpente bote and ete the flesshe of thenchaunteurs they cryed and houled lyke wulues And the kyng and the other prayd thappostles that they wold suffre them to deye with the Serpentes And thappostles answerde that they were sente for to brynge men fro dethe to lyf and not fro lyf to deth Thenne made they their prayers and commaunded the serpentes that they shold take fro them ageyne the venym that they had shedde And retorne ageyne to the places that they cam fro And thenchaunteurs felte greter payne whanne they drewe out theyre venym ageyne than they dyd the fyrst tyme whan they bote them And thappostles sayde to them ye shall fele thys payne thre dayes And at the third day ye shall be hool so that ye departe fro your malyce And whan they hadde ben
masses contynuelly to gyder in thyrtty dayes And the bisshop emprysed to saye them And whanne he had sayd half of them he made hym redy to contynue forth and say the other And the deuylle maade a discencion in the Cyte that the peple of the Cyte fought eche ageynst other And thenne the Bisshop was callyd for tappese this discord And dyde of his vestymentes And lefte to saye the masse And on the morne he began all newe ageyne And whanne he had said the two partes hym semed that a grete hoost hadde besyeged the Cyte so that he was constrayned by drede and lefte to saye the offyce of the masse And after yet he beganne ageyne the seruyse And whanne he had al accomplysshed excepte the last masse which he wold haue begonnen alle the towne and the bisshops hows was taken by fyre And whanne his seruauntes cam to hym and bad hym leue his masse he sayd though alle the Cyte shold be brent I shall not leue to saye the masse And whanne the masse was done the yce was molten And the fyre that they hadde supposed to haue sene was but a fantosme and dyd none harme Thyrdly for oure Infyrmyte that is that we knowe what grete payn is made redy to synnres after this mortalle lyf Also dyuerse places be deputed to dyuerse sowles for our Instruction as it happed at Marys There was a maister whiche was chauÌ„celer at parys named Sylo whiche had a scoler seke And he prayd hym that after his deth he shold come ageyne to hym and saye to hym of his estate And he promysed hym so to do and after deyde And a whyle after he appyered to hym clad in a Cope wreton fulle of argumentis fallacions and sophymmes was of parchemyn And within forth all fulle of flambe of fyre And the chaunceler demaunded hym what he was And he told to hym I am suche one that am comen ageyne to the And the chauÌ„celer demaunded hym of his estate And he sayd this Cope weyeth on me more than a mylne stone or a toure And it is gyuen me for to bere for the glory that I had in my Sophyms and Sophystycall argumentes that is to saye deceyuable and fallacions The skynnes ben lyghte but the flamme of fyre within forth tormenteth and al to brenneth me And whanne the maystre Iuged the payne to be lyght the dede scoler said to hym that he shold put forthe his honde and fele the lyÈtnes of his payne and he put forth his hand And that other lete falle a drope of his swete on hit And the drope percyd thorugh his hand sonner than an arowe coude be shoten thorugh wherby he felte a merueylous tormente And the dede man sayde I am all in suche payne And thenne the chaunceler was all aferd of the cruel and terryble payne that he hadde felte concluded to forsake the world and entryd in to relygyon with grete deuocion Fourthly for the synne that hath be coÌ„mysed in the place As saynt Augustyn saith SoÌ„tyme sowles be punysshed in the places where they haue synned as appiereth by an ensample that saint gregory reciteth in the fourthe book of his dyalogue and saith that ther was a preest whiche vsyd gladly a bayne whan he cam in to the bayne he fonde a man whome he knewe alwey redy for to serue hym And it happed on a day that for his dylygent seruyse and his reward the preest gaf to hym an hooly loof And he wepyng answerd Fader wherfor gyuest thow me this thynge I may not ete it for it is holy I was somtyme lord of this place but after my dethe I was deputed for to serue here for my synnes but I pray the that thou wylt offre this brede vnto almyÈty god for my synnes And knowe thou for certayne that thy prayer shalle be herd And whan thenne thou shalte come to wasshe the thou shalt not fynde me And thenne this preest offryd alle a weke entiere sacryfyse to god for hym And when he cam ageyne he fonde hym not Fyftly dyuerse places ar deputed to dyuerse sowles for the prayers of somme saynt as it is redde of saynt patryke that he Impetred a place of purgatory in Irelond for somme Of whiche thystory is wreton to fore in his lyf And as to the thyrdde that is suffrages thre thynges ought to be consydered Fyrste the suffrages that ben done Secondly of them for whom they be done Thirdly of them by whom they be done Aboute the suffrages that ben done It is to be noted that there ben done four maner of suffrages whiche prouffite vnto them that ben deed that is to wete prayers of good Frendes gyuynge of almesses Syngynge of masses and obseruacion of fastynges As touchyng to that that the prayers of frendes prouffite to them It appiereth by ensample of paschasyen of whome gregory telleth in the fourth booke of his dyalogues and saith that there was a man of grete holynesse vertu And two were chosen for to haue ben popes but neuertheles at the laste the Chirche accorded vnto one of them And this paschasyen alwey by errour suffred that other And abode in thys errour vnto the dethe And whanne he was dede the byere was couerd with a clothe named dalmatyke one that was vexyd with a deuyll was brought thyder and touchyd the clothe and anon he was made hole And a long tyme after as saynt Germayn bisshop of capuenne wente to wesshe hym in a bayne for his helthe he fonde paschasyen deken there and seruyd whan he sawe hym he was aferd and enquyred dylygently what thynge so grete and so holy a man made there And he sayd to hym that he was there for none other cause but for that he helde and susteyned more than ryght requyred in the cause afore said and saide I requyre the that thou praye oure lord for me And knowe that thow shalt be herd For when thou shalt come ageyne thou shalt not fynde me here And thenne the Bisshop praid for hym and when he cam ageyne he fonde hym not And Pieter Abbot of Cluny saith that ther was a preest that song euery day masse of Requiem for all Crysten soules And herof he was accused to the bisshop and was suspended therfore of his offyce And as the Bisshop went on a daye of grete solempnyte in the Chirche yerd all the dede bodyes aroos vp ageynst hym sayeng this Bisshop gyueth to vs no masse And yet he hath taken awey our preest fro vs Now he shalle be certeyne but yf he amende he shalle deye And thenne the Bisshop assoylled the preest and sange hym self gladly for them that were passid oute of this world And so it appierith that the prayers of lyuyng peple ben prouffitable to them that ben departed by this that the Chauntour of parys reherceth Ther was a man that alweye as he passed thorugh the Chirche yerd he sayd De profundis for alle Crysten sowles And on a tyme
ther cam a yoÌ„ge man for to defowle her who was named Cradok the sone of a kyng named Alane whiche yonge man brenned in the concupiscence of her by thentycynge of the fende whiche had enuy at thys holy vyrgyne wâ—â—efryde And she demaunded the cauâ—e of his comynge And whan she vnderstode his corrupte entent she excused her and put hym of alle that she myghte And he alweye abydynge in his fowle purpos wold in no wyse be answerd thenne she consyderynge his fowle desyre and feryng lest he wold oppresse her fayned her as she wold haue consented and said she wold go in to her chambre for to araye her self for to plese him the better And whan he had agreed to her she closed fast the chambre dore and fledde pryuely by another dore toward the chirche And whanne this yonge man had espyed her he folowed her with his swerd drawen lyke a wood man And whanne he had ouertaken her he sayd to her these wordes Somtyme I louyd the and desyred to haue the to my wyf But one thyng telle now to me shortly either cousente to me taccomplysshe my plaisir or els I shalle slee the with this swerd Thenne this blessyd vyrgyne wenefryde thoughte fermely that she wold not forsake the sone of the euerlastyng kyng for to please the sone of a temporall kyng And sayd to hym in this manere I wyll in no wyse consente to thy foule and corrupte desyre For I am ioyned to my spouse Ihesu Cryst whiche preserueth and kepeth my vyrgynyte And truste thow veryâ—y that I wyll not forsake hym for alle thy menaces and thretenynges And whanne she had said thus this cursyd Tyraunt ful of malyce smote of her hede And in the same place where as the hede fyll to the ground ther sprange vp a fayr welle gyuyng oute haboundauntly fayr clere water where oure lord God yet dayly sheweth many myracles And many seke peple hauyng dyuerse dyseases haue there ben cured and heled by the merites of this blessid virgyne saynt wenefryde And in the sayd welle appiere yet stones bespryncte and specled as it were with blood whiche can not be had awey by no meane And the mosse that groweth on these stones is of a merueylous swete odour And that endureth vnto thys day And whanne the fader and moder knewe of theyr doughter they made grete lamentacion for her deth by cause they had no moo children but her only And whan this holy man Beuno vnderstode the deth of wenefryde and sawe the heuynes of her fader and moder he comforted them goodly And brought them to the place where as she lay dede And there he made a sermon to the peple declarynge her vyrgynyte And how she had auowed to be a relygyous woman And after took vp the hede in his handes and sette to the place where it was cutte of And desyred all the peple that there were present to knele doune And pray deuoutely vnto Almyghty god that it myght plese hym to reyse her ageyne vnto lyf And not only for the comforte of fader and moder but for to accomplysshe the vowe of Relygyon And when they aroos fro prayer this holy vyrgyne arose with them also made by myracle alyue ageyne by the power of almyghty god wherfor all the peple gaf lawde and praysyng vnto his holy name for this grete myracle And euer as long as she lyued after ther appiered aboute her neck a redenes round aboute lyke to a rede threde of sylke in signe and token of her martirdome And this yonge man that had thus slayne her had wyped kis swerd on the grasse and stode stylle ther beside And had no power to remeue aweye ne to repente hym of that cursyd dede And thenne this holy man Beuno repreuyd hym not only of thomycyde but also by cause he reuerenced not the sonday and dradde not the grete power of god ther shewed vpon this holy virgyne and said to hym why hast thow no contricion for thy mysdede but sithe thow repentest not I byseche almyghty god to rewarde the after thy deseruynge And thenne he fylle doune dede to the ground and his body was al black and sodenly borne awey with fendes Thenne after this holy mayde Wenefryde was veyled and consecrate in to Relygyon by the handes of this holy man Beuno And he commaunded her tabyde in the same chirche that he had do make there by the space of seuen yere And there tassemble to her virgyns of honest and hooly conuersacion whome she shold enforme in the lawes of god And after the seuen yere to go to somme holy place of relygyon And there tabyde the resydue of her lâ—f And whan this holy man shold departe fro her and go in to Irlond she folowed hym tyll she cam to the forsaid welle where they stode talkynge a long whyle of heuenly thynges And whanne they shold departe this holy man sayde It is the wylle of our lord that thou sende to me euery yere somme token whiche thou shalt put in to the streme of this welle and fro hens it shalle by the streme be brought in to the see and so by the purueauÌ„ce of god it shalle be brought ouer the see the space of fyfty myle to the place where I shalle dwelle And after they were departed she wyth her vyrgyns made a Chesyble of sylke werke and the next yere folowynge she wrappyd hit in a whyte mantel And leyd it vpon the streme of the said welle and fro thens hit was brought vnto this hooly man Beuno thorugh the wawes of the see by the purueaunce of god After thys the blessyd vyrgyne Wenefryde encreaced fro day to day in grete vertue and goodnes and specially in holy contemplacion with her sustres meuyng them in to grete deuocion and loue of almyÈty god And whanne she hadde abyden there seuen yere she departed thens and wente to the monasterye callyd Wytheryachus in whiche were bothe men and wymmen of vertuous and holy conuersacion And whanne she had confessid and told her lyf vnto the holy Abbot Elerius he receyued her honourably and brought her to his moder Theonye a blessyd woman whiche hadde the rule and charge of alle the susters of that place And whan Theonye was dececed oute of this world this holy Abbot Elerius delyuerd to this holy vyrgyne Wenefryde the charge of the susters but she reffused it as longe as she myght but by constreynte she took the charge and lyuyd afterward a vertuous lyf and more strayter and harder than she dyd to fore in gyuyng good ensample to all her susters And whanne she had contynued there in the seruyse of god eyght yere she yelded vp her spyryte to her maker To whome late vs praye to be a specialle intercessour for vs AMEN Thus endeth the lyf of wenefryde vyrgyne and martir Here foloweth the lyf of saint Leonard And first of his name LEonard is as moche to saye as the odour of the peple And it is sayd
of leos that is peple and of nardus that is an herbe swete smellynge For by the odour of good fame he drewe the peple to hym by thodour of good renommee Or Leonard may be said as gaderynge hyhe thynges Or hit is said of lyon the lyon hath in hym self four thynges The fyrst is force or strengthe And as Isydre sayth hit is in the brest and in the hede And so the blessyd saynt Leonard had strengthe in his brest by the refraynyng of euyl thoughtes in the heede by contemplacion of souerayne thynges Secondly the lyon hath subtilyte in two thyngis For he hath his eyen open whanne he slepeth And diffaceth his traces when he fleeth And thus Leonard waked by labour of good werke and in wakynge he slepeth by rest of contemplacion And diffaceth in hym self the trace of alle worldly affection Thyrdly the lyon hath myght in his voys For by his voys he reyseth the thirdde daye his whelpe that is dede borne And maketh alle other beestes by hym to be in pees and reste And in lyke wyse Leonard reysed many that were dede in synne and many that lyued bestyally he fixed them in good werkes and prouffitable Fourthly the lyon hath drede in his herte after that ysydore sayth He doubteth two thynges that is the noyse of wheles of chariottes or cartes fyre brennyng In lyke wyse Leonard doubted and in doubtyng he eschewed all the noyse of the world And therfor he fledde in to the deserte And he eschewed the fyre of couetyse and therfor he reffused the tresours that were of fryd to hym ¶ Of saynt Leonard AT is said that leonard was aboute the yere of oure lord vC And he was baptysed in the holy fount of saynt Remyge Archebisshop of Raynes And was Instructe of hym and enduced in holy disciplynes of helthe And the parentes and kynnesmen of saynt Leonard were chyef and hyest in the palays of the kynge of Fraunce This Leonard gate so moche grace of the kynge that alle the prysonners that he vysyted were anone delyuerd And whanne the renommee of his holynes grewe and encreaced the kyng constrayned hym for to dwelle with hym long tyme tyll that he hadde tyme couenable and gaf to hym a Bisshopryche And he reffused it and left al desyrynge to be in deserte And wente to Orleaunce prechynge there with his broder Lieffart And there lyued a lytel whyle in a Couente And thenne Lyeffart had desyre to dwelle allone in a deserte vpon the Ryuer of Loyre And Leonard was warned by tholy ghoost to preche in guyan And thenne they kyssyd to gyder and departed Thenne Leonard prechyd there and dyd many myracles and dwellyd in a forest nyghe to the Cyte of Lymoges In whiche forest the kyng had do made an halle or a lodge whiche was ordeyned for hym whan he shold go hunte And hit happed on a daye that the kyng wente for to hunte in that forest And the quene whiche was gone thyder with hym for her recreacion whiche thenne was grete with child beganne to trauayll of child And the trauayll endured longe and was in poynt to perysshe so that the kynge and al the meyny wepte for the peryl of the quene And thenne Leonard passyd thorugh the forest and herd the vois of them that wepte and was moeued with pyte and wente thyder And the kyng called hym And demaunded hym what he was and he sayd that he was a disciple of saynt Remyge And thenne the kynge had good hope by cause he hadde ben enformed of a good maistre And brought hym to the quene prayd hym that he wold praye for her and for the fruyt that she bare that she myght gete of god double ioye And anone as he hadde made his prayer he gate of god that he requyred Thenne the kynge offryd to hym moche gold and syluer but he reffused al and desyred hym to gyue hit to poure men sayd I haue no nede of no suche thynges It suffyseth me to despyse the Rychesses of the world and to serue god in this wode and that is that I desyre And thenne the kynge wold haue gyuen to hym alle the wode I wylle not haue all but as moche as I maye go aboute with myn asse in a nyght I desyre whiche the kyng gladly graunted to hym And there was made a monastery In whiche he lyued longe in abstynence and two monkes with hym And theire water was a myle fro them wherfore he dyde do make a pytte alle drye the whiche he fylled with water by his prayers And called that place noble by cause he hadde receyued it of a noble kynge And he shone there by soo grete myracles that who that was in pryson and called his name in ayde anon his bondes feters were broken and wente awey withoute ony gaynsayeng frely And cam presentyng to hym their chaines or yrons And many of them that were soo delyuerd dwellyd stylle wyth hym and seruyd there our lord And there were seuen of his noble lygnage whiche folde awey alle their goodes duelleden wyth hym And he delyuerd to eche of them a parte of that woode And by his holy ensample he drewe many to hym And at the laste thys holy man beynge endowed with many vertues the eyghte ydus of Nouembre departed oute of this world slept in oure lord wherafterward for the many myracles that god shewed there it was shewed to the clerkes of the Chirche that by cause that place was ouer lytil for the grete multitude of peple that cam thyder that they shold do make in another place another Chirche And bere therin the body of saynt Leonard honourably And thenne the Clerkes and the peuple weâ—â— alle thre dayes in fastynges and in prayers ¶ And on the third day they sawe alle the countreye couerd with snowe sauf only the place wherin saynt Leonard wold reste whiche was alle voyde And thyder was the body transported And the Chirche made And the grete multitude of yrons of dyuerse maners witnesse well how many myracles oure lord hath shewed for hym And specially to prysoners of whome the feters and yrons hange to fore his tombe The vycounte of lymoges had do make a grete chayne for to fere with alle the malefactours and commaunded that it shold be fastned vnto a tronke in his Toure And who someuer was bounden with this chayne to that tronke ther as it was sette he myght see no lyght And hit was a place ryght derke And who soo deyde there deyde not of one dethe only but more than of a thousand tormentes And it happed that one of the seruauÌ„tes of Seynt Leonard was bounden with this Chayne withoute deseruyng Soo that almost he gaf ouer his spyrit And thenne as he myght in his courage he auowed to Seynt Leonard And prayd hym that sythe he delyuerd other that he wold haue pyte on his seruaunt ¶ And anone saynte Leonard appierid to hym in a whyte
vesture and saide Fere the no thynge For thou shalte not deye Aryse vp And bere thou this chayne wyth the to my Chirche folowe me for I goo to fore ¶ Thenne he aroos and toke the chayne and folowed saynt Leonard whiche wente to fore hym tylle he cam to the chirche And anone as he was to fore the yates saynt Leonard lefte hym there and he thenne entrid in to the chirche and recounted to all the peple what saynt Leonard had done And be henge that grete chayne â—o fore his Tombe ¶ There was a certayne man whiche duellyd in the place of saynt Leonard And was moche faythful and deuoute to Seynt Leonard And hit happed that this goode man was taken of a Tyraunt whiche beganne to thynke in hym self that Seynte Leonard vnbyndeth and loseth alle them that ben bounden in yrons And the myghte of yron hath no more myghte ageynste hym than waxe hath ageynste the Fyre Yf I sette this manne in yrons Leonard shalle anone delyuere hym And yf I maye kepe hym I shalle make hym paye for his raunsonne a thowsand shyllynges I wote well what I shalle doo I shalle goo make a ryght grete and depe pytte vnder the erthe in my Toure And I shalle caste hym theryn bounden with many bondes And after I shalle doo make a cheste of Tree vpon the mouthe of the pytte And shalle make my Knyghtes to lye therynne al armed And how be hit that yf Leonard breke the yrons yet shalle he not entre in to hit vnder the erthe And whanne he had made al thys that he thought This man whiche was enclosed therin cryed oft to saynt Leonard so that on a nyght saynt Leonard cam and tourned the chyst wherin the knyghtes laye armed and closed them therin lyke as dede men ben in a tombe And after entryd in to the fosse or pitte with grete lyght And toke the hand of his trewe seruaunt and sayd to hym Slepest thou or wakest loo here is Leonard whome thou so moche desyrest And he sow merueylyng sayd lord helpe me Anone his chaynes were broken and tooke hym in his armes and bare hym oute of the toure And thenne spak to hym as a frende doth to a frende and sette hym at home in his hows There was a pylgrym whiche retorned fro the vysytynge of saynt Leonard and was taken in Almayne and put in a pytte or fosse and fast closed therin And this pylgrym prayd strongly saynt leonard and also them that tooke hym that they wold for the loue of saint leonard lete hym go for he had neuer trespaced to them And they answerd but yf he wold paye moche money he shold not departe And he sayd be it bytwene yow and saynt Leonard to whome I remytte the mater And the nyght folowynge saynt Leonard appired to the lord of the castell and commaunded hym that he shold delyuere his pylgrym And on the morn he supposed he hadde dremed and wold not delyuere hym The next nyghte he appiered to hym ageyne and commaunded hym to late hym goo but yet he wold not obeye The thyrd nyght saynt Leonard took this pylgrym and brought hym oute of the castel And anone the toure and half the castell fylle and oppressyd many of them that were therm And the prynce only was le te to his confusion a lyue and hadde his thyes broken etcetera There was a knyghte in pryson in Brytayne whiche ofte called on saynt Leonard whiche anone appiered to hym in the syght of al men and knowynge hym And they beyng sore abasshed entryd in to the prison and brake his bondes and putte them in the mannes hand brought hym forth before them alle beynge sore aferd There was another Leonard whiche was of the same profession of one vertu of whome the body resteth at Corbigny And whanne this Leonard was prelate in a monastery he was of so grete humylite that he was sene to be lowest of all And moche peple cam to hym so fast and so many that they that were enuyous sayd to the kyng Clotayre that yf he took not good hede to the Royamme of Fraunce he shold suffre damage and that grete by Leonard whiche gadred to hym moche peple vnder the shadowe of Relygyon And thenne this cruel kyng commaunded that he shold be chaced awey but the knyghtes that come for to chace hym were so coÌ„uertid by his wordes that they were conpuncte and promysed to be his disciples And thenne the kynge repentid hym and requyred pardon of hym And putte them from hym that had soo myssayd of hym and fro their goodes and honours And louyd moche saynt Leonard soo that vnnethe the kynge wold not restablysshe them ageyne to their estate at the prayers of the holy saynt And this holy saynt Impetred and hadde graunte of god that who someuer were holden in pryson and prayd in his name that he shold anone be delyuerd And on a daye as he was in his prayers a ryght grete serpente stretched hym fro the foote of saynt Leonard a longe vpward vnto his brest And he neuer therfor left his oryson And whanne he had accomplysshâ—d his orysons he sayd to the Serpent I know Wel that sythe the begynnynge of thy creacion thow tormentest men as moche as thou maist but thy myght is gyuen to me now do to me now that whiche I haue deseruyd And whanne he had sayd thus the Serpente sprange oute of his hode And fylle doune deed at his feet After this on a tyme when he had appeased two Bisshops that had ben in discord he sayd that he sholde on the morne fynysshe his lyf And so he dyde And that was aboute the yere of oure lord vC lxx Here foloweth the lyf of saint Leonard ¶ Here foloweth of the foure crowned martirs THe four crowned martirs were Seuerus Seuerianus Capoforus and Victorinus whiche by the commaundement of Dyoclesian were beten with plommettis of lede vnto the deth The names of whom coude not be founden but after long tyme they were shewed by dyuyne reuelacion hit was was establysshed that theire memorye shold be worshipped vnder the names of fyue other martirs that is to wete Claudyen Castor Symphorian Nychostrate and Symplycyen whiche were martred two yere after the foure crouned martirs And these martirs knewe all the craft of sculpture or of keruyng dyoclesian wolde haue constrayned them to kerue an ydolle but they wold not entaylle ne kerue hit ne consente to do sacrefyse to thydolles And thenne by the commaundement of Dyoclesian they were put in to tonnes of leed all lyuynge and cast in to the see about the yere of our lord two honderd foure score and seuen And Melchyades th◠〈◊〉 ordeyned these foure sayntes to 〈◊〉 and to be callyd foure crowned martirs bifore that their names were founden And though their names were afterward founden and knowen yet for thusage they ben alwey called the foure crowned marthes Thus endeth of the four crowned marters
of a pastour And thenne yet for to purge hym he bare in his lappe or his vestymente coles al brennynge vnto the Tombe of saynte Martyn And his vestymente neuer brenned ne had none harme And thenne he sayd lyke as my vestymente is vnhurte not brente of these coles but is hole not corrupte of the fyre in lyke wyse is my body clene of touchynge of ony woman And yet the peple byleued hym not but bete hym and dyd to hym many Iniuryes And put hym oute of the bisshopryche by cause the word of saynt Martyn shold be accomplysshed And thenne saynt Bryce wente hys way wepynge and cam to the 〈◊〉 and abode there seuen yere ¶ And purged hym of that he had trespaced to saynt Martyn And the peple made a newe Bisshop named Iustynyen And sente hym to Rome for to deffende the cause ageynst Bryce And he wente thyderward he deyde in the Cyte of Vercellence Thenne the peple made one Armenon Bisshop in his stede And in the seuenthe yere retorned with auctoryte of the 〈◊〉 took his lodgynge syxe myle withoute the cyte And that same nyght Armenon the Bisshop deyde And Bryce knewe hit by dyuyne teuelacion and sayd to his peple that they shold aryse and haste them for to goo and burye the Bisshop of Tours whiche was dede And as Bryce entryd at one yate the dede Bisshop was brought in at another yate And whan he was buryed saynt Bryce took his see or syege And was Bisshop after that seuen yere and ledde an holy and laudable lyf And in the seuen and fourthyeste yere of his Bisshopryche he passyd vnto oure lord to whome be gyuen lawde and glorye Amen ¶ Thus endeth the lyf of saint Bryce ¶ Here begynnneth the lyf of the holy vyrgyne saint Clare THere was a merueyllous holy woman in the Cyte of Assyse which was named Clare Fyrst ye shalle vnderstande that her natyuyte was moche worthy and noble It is redde that as touchynge the world she was of ryght noble lygnage and as touchynge the spyryte to the regard of the state of vertues and noble maners toward god she was of ryght noble reputacion Thenne for to shewe that after her natyuyte she was a deuoute espouse of god she is worthy to be of grete recommendacion It is redde that whan hyr moder was ensaynted or grete with chyld of her on a tyme as she was before the crucifixe wepynge and prayenge that of his grace he wold graunte to hir the delyuerauÌ„ce of her fruit with ioye and gladnesse she herd a vois sodenly sayenge to her woman haue thou no doubte For withoute peryll thou shalt be delyuerd of a doughter whiche shall by her doctryne enlumyne alle the World And therfor as sone as she was borne she dyde do name her at the fonte Clare Secondly is founden in her lyf knowen grete plente of vertues It is redde that this holy vyrgyne after the tyme of her enfancye was so composed in alle good maners in porte in mayntene and in contynuaunce that alle other myght take of her fayr and good ensample for to mayntene and gouerne them And in especial she had so grete pyte of the poure peple that oftymes she spared her owne mouthe and sente by secrete messagers suche as she shold her self haue be susteyned by Also in makynge deuoute prayer she had so grete playsyre that oftymes it semed to her beynge in orysons that her spyryte was refresshed with the swetenes of heuen She was in her arraye lyke other but by penaunce she chastysed her body For hoâ—well that for thonnour of her frendes she was nobly apparaylled yet neuertheles she ware alwey the hayre on her bare body And from her enfancy her herte had determyned that for to deye she wold neuer haue other espouse than Ihesu Cryst And many other plente of vertues shone in her that whiche were ouer longe to recounte Thyrdely how saynt Fraunceis shewed to her the wey of trouth It is redde that as sone as saynt Clare herd the Renomme of saynt Fraunsois hit was spradde ouer alle the world as hit were a newe man sent in to the world shewynge how we ought to folowe the newe wey of Ihesu crist She neuer myghte haue rest in her herte tylle she was comen to hym And that to hym she had opened her herte Thenne after she had swetely vnderstonden hym and hadde receyued of hym many an holy swete and angelyke word Seynt Fraunceis exhorted her aboue alle other thyng to flee the world bothe with herte and her body And to this he enioyned her that on palmesonday she shold halowe the feste with the other peuple but the nyght folowynge in remembraunce of the passion of Ihesu cryst she shold torne her ioye in to wepynge and afflictions For in suche wise to wepe the passion of Ihesu crist finably she myghte come to heuen as virgyne and espouse of god well eurous and happy Fourthly how she had no quyetnes in her hert tylle she had accomplysshed her thought and purpos It is redde that saynt Clare thus enformed of saynt Fraunceis couthe haue no rest in her herte tylle that the nyght assigned and the houre she yssued out of the cyte of Assyse in which she duellyd and cam to the Chirche of oure lady of porciuncula And there the freres receyued her whiche awoke in the sayd chirche and abode for her to fore the aulter of the blessyd vyrgyne Marye And there her here was cut of And after they ladde her in to an Abbay of nonnes And there lefte her Fyftly how her frendes despysed thys werke ordeyned by oure lord It is redde whanne this lady was thus ordeyned she laboured and dyd so moche that she drewe her suster named Agnes in to her company wherfor as wel for that one as for that other the carnalle frendes of saynt Clare had her in indignacion oute of mesure wherfor saynt Fraunceys translated them in to the chirche of saynt Damyan whiche chirche by the commaundement of the crucyfixe he hadde repayred And there this lady beganne the Relygyon that was called of poure susters And there she was enclosed in a lytell celle whiche saynt Fraunceis hadde ediffyed Sixtely how she hadde humylyte in her herte It is redde that saynt Clare gloryfyed her self soueraynly in humylyte lyke as the wyse man sayth Of so moche that a creature is promoted Of so moche ought he be the more humble Therfor after that she had assembled a grete couente of hooly vyrgyns vnnethe and with grete payne yf it had not be for thobedyence of saynt Fraunceis she hadde neuer receyued the soueraynte of them And after that she had receyued the domynacion ouer them and gouernaunce she was to fore alle other redy to serue them that were seke as she had ben an handmayde or seruaunt And was so humble that she wold wasshe the feet of her handmaydens and seruauntes whanne they
cam from without fro their werke and dreyde them and kissed them Seuenthly how Saynte clare kepte pouerte It is redde that for to kepe and to folowe pouerte after the gospell of Ihesu crist saynt Clare put therto all her entente wherfor syth the begynnyng of her holy lyf al that euer that come to her of fader moder she solde and gaf it for goddes sake in so moche that for her ne for her susters she hadde but symple fedynge and clothynge ne wold haue none other And notwithstondynge that she was assoylled of the pope of the vowe of pouerte And thervpon had receyued lettres of the pope moche sodenly wepyng she wrote ageyne sayenge I wylle well be assoylled of my synnes but the vowe of pouerte I shalle kepe vnto the deth The eyght How in necessite Ihesu criste vysyted her It is redde that on a tyme at the hour of dyner in the college of saynte Clare was but one loof of brede nether myÈt no more be had thenne saint Clare tooke this loof of the hand of the dispenser and made thenne her prayer And after of that loof made as many loues and partyes as there were susters And as soone as eueryche had receyued her parte how well hit was but lytel the dyuyne grace multyplyed it so moche that eueryche lefte somme and hadde ynough Item semblably it is redde that god dyde for her whanne in her college the pottes were faylled Nynthly how in straytnes saynt Clare was rulyd This holy lady was contente with one poure cote lyned with a mantelet She vsed neuer pendauntes ne furres of skynnes but dispendyd all her tyme in kepynge her body in seruage of the spyryte And here with thryes in the weke she fasted in this manere that she neuer tasted thynge that was soden Item euery yere she fasted two lentens to brede and water only sauf the sonday she tooke a lytell wyn And shortely she lyued so straytly that she becam so feble that saynt FrauÌ„ceis commaunded her by vertu of obedyence that she shold faylle no daye but that she shold take for her refection an vnce and an half of brede She was neuer withoute heyr nexte her flesshe And for a pelowe she tooke a block or a grete stone She laye alwey on the bare ground Or for to take the better her reste she laye otherwhyle vp on the cuttynge of vynes vnto the tyme that saynt Fraunceis had commauÌ„ded her by cause hit was ouer fowle that she shold vse to lye on a sack ful of strawe Tenthly how she hath despised thynyquyte of the fende our enemy It is redde that in especyall she hadde a custome that from mydday she was in prayers and remembrynge the passion and suffraunce of Ihesu Cryste two houres durynge And after the eueutyde she was alwey a long whyle in orysons And it is redde that oftymes the fende apperyd to her by nyght sayenge yf soo be that ye absteyne yow not fro wakyng and wepyng ye shall for certayne be blynde And she ansuerde he shalle not be blynde that shall see oure lord in his glory And whanne the fende herd this answere anone he departed alle confused ne durste neuer after tempte her ne lette her of her prayers Enleuenthly god of his grace had perced her herte It is redde that saynt Clare for to dispende amerously the tyme that god hadde lente her In especyalle she was determyned that fro the houre of mydday vnto euensong tyme she wold dispende al that tyme in thynkynge and bywepynge the passion of Ihesu Cryst and saye prayers and orysons acordynge therto After vnto the fyue woundes of the precious body of Ihesu Cryste as smeton and persed to the herte with the darte of the loue diuyne It is redde that fro the tyme on a sherthursdaye the houre of the maundye vnto ester euen the satyrday she was remembrynge and thynkyng on the suffraunce of oure lord Ihesus so brennyngly that she was rauysshed as all dronken in the loue of god that she knewe not what was sayd ne done aboute her but as vnmeuable or as all insensible in stondynge she held her eyen fixed in one place Twelftly how in her dysease and payne she was of god comforted It is sayd that she was by the space of eyght and twenty dayes in contynuelle langoure and sekenes Neuertheles was neuer sene in her signe of vnpacyence but alwey swete wordes amyable in preysyng thankyng god of all and in especiall hit is redde that in the sekenes in whiche he passyd toward th ende of her lyf she was seuenten dayes without mete or drynke And neuertheles she was so swetely vysited of god that it semed vnto alle them that sawe her that she hadde no payne ne dysease but yet more euery creature that come to her was comforted in god And in especial it is redde that whanne the houre of deth approched she whiche long tyme had lost her speche· beganne to speke and saye goo oute surely thow hast a good saufconduyte And whanne one of her sustrrs beynge there present herde that she demaunded her to whom she spack And she answerd to my sowle whome I see abasshid to deporte fro my body for he oughte not for to doubte For I see the holy vyrgyne Marye whiche abydeth for me And this sayd Our blessyd lady entrid in to the chambre where saynt Clare laye And she was crowned with a crowne ryght clere shynyng that thobscurite of the nyÈt was chaunged in to clerenes of mydday And she brought with her a ryght grete multitude of other vyrgyns alle nobly crowned amonge whome there was one that bare a ryche mantelle To whome she sayd gyue hyder the maÌ„tell And whanne she hadde swetely embracyd her she cladde her with the mantell And at that same tyme was wepynge aboute her the college of susters And in especiall Agnes the suster of saynt Clare makynge grete mone and sorowe Thenne saynte Clare sayd swetely My susters discomforte yow not For ye shall haue vnto god of me a good and a trewe Aduocate And thou Agnes shalle soone after folowe me in to glorye Now is it well reason and ryght that we saye and shewe of the grete meruaylles that god shewed for saynt Clare by hyr holy prayers For she was verytable trewe and worthy of alle honoure That grete tempest that was in the tyme of Frederyck themperour wherof hooly Chirche had soo moche to suffre that in dyuerse partyes of the world was moche warre so that by the commaundement of themperour were bataylles establysshed of knyghtes And with that soo many Archers of Sarasyns as they hadde be hylles of flyes for to destroye the peple Chastellis Cytees The Sarasyns ranne as woodmen tylle they cam to the yates of Assyse And the felon sarasyns that ben full of alle cruelte and falshede And seke nothynge but for to flee and destroye Crysten mennes blood And they cam vnto the Cloystre of the poure ladyes of
wise that for al the force and power that they couthe 〈◊〉 they myght not bere her ouer a lytelle broke And the men that were in the feldes and ryuer cam for to helpe them but they myghte nuer remeue her fro the erthe And thenne one of them said in mockyng It is no wonder though she be heuy For she hath eten moche lede Thenne the lord mouualt her vncle lyft vp his arme for to bete her cruelly but an ache and payne took hym sodenly and tormentid hym a long tyme ryght cruelly After that this sayd Agnes hadde suffred this long wrastlyng of her kynnesmen and Frendes cam saynt Clare and prayd them for goddes sake they shold leue this bataylle with her suster and go their waye take hede of them self And she receyued the cure and charge of Agnes her suster whiche laye theron the ground in grete dysease And fynally her kynnesmen departed in grete anguysshe an and sorowe of herte ¶ And thenne anone after she aroos vp moche gladly And had moche grete ioye of that fyrst bataylle that she had suffred for the loue of Ihesu Cryst And fro this tyme forward she ordeyned her self to serue god perdurably And saynt Fraunceis cutte of her heres with his owne handes and enduced and taught her to serue god and so dyd saynt Clare her suster And by cause we may not shortely acompte with fewe wordes the grete perfection of the lyf of Agnes therfore we shalle entende vnto the lyf of saynte Clare the vyrgyne Was hit not grete meruaylle of the orysons and prayers of saynt Clare whiche were so strong and so moche auaylleth ageynst the malyce of the peple whan they fledde and were puissaunt to brenne the deuyls It happed on a tyme that a moche deuoute woman of the bisshopryche of Pyse cam to one of the ladyes for to yelde thankynges to god and saynt Clare whiche had delyuerd her fro thandes of v deuyls For they fledde and waylled that the orysons of saynt Clare brente them alle And therfore they myghte no lenger dwelle in that place The pope gregory had moche grete fayth grete deuocion in the prayers of that hooly vyrgyne And not withoute cause For he had preued and felte certayne vertue therof whiche had holpen many and dyuerce that had necessyte and nede And whanne he was Bisshop of hostence and after whanne he was pope he sente his lettres to her by whiche he requyred her to pray for hym And anone he felte hym eased and alleged by her prayers Thenne certaynly yf he whiche was vycayre of Ihesu Cryst by his humylyte as we may see had so grete deuocion to saynt Clare of whome he requyred her ayde and recommaunded hym to the vertue of her orysons well ought we thenne tensiewe with all our power the deuocion of suche a man For he knewe wel how moche loue is myghty and how the pure vyrgyns haue delyuerd entree in to the dore of the herte of oure lord And yf oure swete lord gyue hym self to them that loue hym fermely who maye he denye them for whome they requyre hym deuoutely Alwey sene that they requyre hym that is nede and behoeffull The holy werk sheweth well the grete faythe and the grete deuocion that she had in the hooly sacrament of the aulter For in that grete maladye whiche had so vexed her that she lay in her bedde she aroos and did her to be borne from one place to another did spynne a fyn smale clothe of whiche she made mo than fyfty corporas sente them in fayr towellis of sylke in to dyuerce chirches in dyuerse places of Assyse Whan she shold receyue the body of oure lord it was meruaylle to see the teres that she Wepte of whiche she was all wete And she had soo grete fere whan she approchyd nyghe vnto her saueour that she ne doubted hym no lasse whiche is in semblaunce very god in the forme of breed the sacramēt than hym that gouerneth heuen and erthe whiche is al one Thus as she hadde alwey souuenaunce and mynde of Ihesu Cryst in her maladye so god comforted her and vysited her in her Infyrmyte and languore In the houre of the natyuyte of Ihesu crist at cristemas whan the angels the world made feest songen enioyed of litil Ihesus that was born al the poure ladyes wēt to matyns in to their monastery left allone their poure moder sore greued in her maladye Thenne she began to thynke on litil Ihesus was sorouful that she myght not be at the seruyse preyse our lord And sayd in syghynge Fayr lord god I wake here allone And anone she beganne to here the Freres that songen and saynt Fraunceis and herd well the Iubylacion the psalmodye and the grete melodye of the songe how be it her bed was not so nygh that the voys of a man ne of a woman myght not be herde ne vnderstonde yf god dyd hit not by his curtosye or yf god had not gyuen to her aboue al nature of man force and power to here hit but this passyd all For she was worthy to see in her oratorye the ioye of oure lord On the mornynge whanne the ladyes her doghters cam to her she sayd to them Blessyd be oure lord Ihesu Cryste For whanne ye lefte me he lefte me not truly And I saye to yow that I haue herd this nyghte alle the seruyse and solempnyte that hath be done in the chirche by saynt Fraunceis thorugh the grace of Ihesu crist Atte paynes of her deth oure lord comforted her alwey For she drewe oute of the hooly woundes of Ihesu criste a bytternesse of whiche her herte her wil And her thought were full of anguysshes merueyllously bytter And often as she hadde be dronken of the sorowe and teeres that she wepte for the loue of Ihesu Cryste For oftymes the loue of god whiche she hadde emprynted in her herte within forthe she made to appere by signes outeward She enfourmed and taughte the nouyces and admonested them that they haue in theyr mynde the sorowe and payne of the dethe of Ihesu crist And that she said with her mouthe she dyd it in her herte and gaf ensample Whanne she was secretely all one to fore she myght saye ony thynge she was al bedewed with teres She was most deuoute and had more feruour of deuocion bytwene vndern and none than ony other tyme by cause she wold that in the houre that Ihesu crist was crucyfyed in the aulter of the crosse that her herte shold be sacrefyed to god our lord On a tyme hit happed at the houre of none that she prayd to god in her celle And the deuylle gaf to her suche a stroke vnder the ere that her eyen and her vysage were al couerd with blood She hadde lerned an oryson of the fyue woundes of Ihesu cryst whiche she ofte recorded and remembred by cause her herte and thought were nourysshed therin and myght
seuen estates that were in hyr she was in the estate of vyrgynyte in estate of maryage In estate of wydow hede In estate of action In estate of contemplacion In estate of relygyon and she is now in estate glorious And thyse seuen estates ben appertelye conteyned in hir legende Soo that it may be sayd of hir lyke as it is said of nabugodonosor that is to wete vij tymes ben chaunged in hir and also she is sayd the fyllyng of my god for god hath fylled and replenysshed hyr wyth the resplendour of trouthe of swete sauour and of the vygour of the trynyte wherof saynt austyn sayth she woke in the pardurabylite of god she shone in the veryte of god And she enioyed in the bounte of god ¶ Of saint elysabeth ELisabeth was doughter of the noble kynge of hungarye was of noble lignage but she was more noble by hir feyth relygyon than by hir right noble lignag she was right noble by ensaumple shshone by myracle she was fayre by grace of holynes for thauctor of nature enchaunced hir in a manere aboue nature whan this holy mayde was nourisshed in delyces royal she renounced al chyldysshenes and sette hâ—r self al in the seruyce of god thenne it apperith clerely as hir tender Infancye enforced in symplesse began to vse good customes fro than forthon and to despyse the playes of the world and of vanytees and flee the prosperytees of the world alwey to prouffyte in the honour of god for whan she was yet but fyue yere olde she abode soo ententyfly in the chirche for to praye that hir felawes or hir chamberers myght vnnethe brynge hir thens and whan she mette ony of hir chamberers or felawes she wold folowe them toward the chapel as it were for to playe for to haue cause to entre in to the chyrche whan she was entred anone she knelyd doun and laye doun to the erthe how be it that she knewe not yet ony letters she opened ofte the psaulter tofore hir in the chirche for to fayn that she redde by cause she shold not be lette that she shold be seen ocupyed and whan she was with other maydens for to playe she consyderyd wel the maner of the game for to gyue alwey honour to god vnder occasyon in playe of rynges other games she set al hir hope in god of al that she wanne had of ony parte proffite whan she was a yonge mayde she gafe the x to poure maydens ledde them oftyme with hir for to say pater noster or for to salewe our lady lyke as she grewe in age by tyme so grewe she by deuocion for she chaas the blessyd vyrgyn marye to be hir lady hir aduocate saynt Iohan the euangelist to be wardeyn of hir virgynyte on a tyme ther were soâ—ules layee on the aulter in euery cedule was wryton the name of apostle and eche of the other maydens took at alle aduenture suche a cedule as happyd to hyr And she made hyr oryson and thryse she toke the same that she desyred in whiche was wryton the name of Saynt Peter To whome she had soo grete deuocyon that she neuer warned thynge to them that demaunded hyt in hys name And by cause that the good aduentures of the world shold not preyse hir ouer moche She withdrewe euery day somme thynge of hir prosperytees And whan she toke in ony game ony plesure anone she lefte it and sayd she wold playe nomore but she wold say I leue you the remenaunt for goddes sake She wente not gladly to karollys but wythdrewe other maydens fro them She doubted alweye to were ioly clothynge but she vsyd alweye to haue them honeste She had ordeyned to say euery day certeyn nombre of orysons and prayers and yf she were ocupyed in ony manere that she myght not performe them but that she was constrayned of hyr chamberers to goo to hir bedde she wold there say them wakyng Thys holy vyrgyn honoured alle the solempne festys of the yere wyth soo grete reuerence that she wold not suffre his sleuys to be laced tyl the solempnyte of the masse was accomplysshed and she herde the offyce of the masse wyth so grete reuerence that whan the gospel was redde or that the sacramente was lyfte vp she wold take of the broches of golde and the aournementes of hyr heed as sercles or chappelettes and leye them doun And whan she kepte in Innocence the degree of vyrgynyte she was constreyned to entre in to the degree of maryage For hyr fader constrayned hir therto by cause she shold brynge forth fruyte And how be it that she wold not haue been maryed yet she durst not gaynsay the commaundemeÌ„t of hyr fader Thenne she auowed in the handes of mayster conrade which was a good man and hyr confessour and promysed that yf hir husbond deyed and she ouer lyued hym that she wold kepe perpetuel contynence Thenne was she maryed to the londgraue of thurynge lyke as the deuyne pourueaunce had ordeyned by cause she shold brynge moche people to the loue of our lord and teche the aide people and how be hit she chaunged hyr estate yet she chaunged not hyr wylle in hyr thoughte and she was of grete humylite and of grete deuocion to god and was toward hir self of grete abstynence and of grete mercy She was of so right ardaunte desyre of prayer that she ofte wente sonner to the chyrche thenne hir meyne to the ende that by hyr prayers secrete she myght Impetre and gete grace of god She aroos ofte by nyght for to make hir prayers and hyr husbond wold praye hir that she wold lye and reste hir a lytel She had ordeyned that one of hir wymmen which was more famylyer with hir thenne another that yf peraduenture she were ouertaken wyth slepe that she shold take hir by the fote for to awake hyr and on a tyme she supposed to haue taken hyr lady by the fote and toke hyr husbondes fote whyche sodeynlye awoke and wold knowe wherfore she dyd soo and thenne she told to hym alle the caas and whan he knewe it he lete it passe and suffred it pesybly And by cause she wold rendre good sacrefyse to god of hir prayers she wette ofte hyr body with habundaunce of teris and lete them flowe out of hyr eyen gladly wythout chaungyng of semblaunte soo that often she wepte wyth grete sorowe and she yet enioyed in god She was of so grete humylyte that for the loue of god she layed in hir lappe a man horrible seek Whyche had his vysage stynkyng like carayn and she share of the ordure fylthe of his heed and wysshe hit wherof hir chamberers bothed loughe hir to scorne and she wold in rogacion tyme folowe the procession barefote and wythout lynnen smocke and at the prechynge she wold sytte emonge the poure peple she wold not araye hir wyth precyous
for to departe fro hit and he sayd to me yf thou wylt be with me I shal be wyth the and I answerd lyke as ye herde Hyr prayer was of so grete ardeur that she drewe other to good lyuyng On a tyme she sawe a yonge man and she called hym to hyr and sayd to hym thou lyuest dissolutely and thou oughtest to serue god wylt thou that I praye for the I wyl wel and requyre it of you desyrously and thenne she prayed for hym and the yonge man also prayed for hym self and anone the yonge man began to crye seece ye lady and leue of but she prayed alweye more ententyfly and he began to crye ceace lady ceace for I begyn to fayle and am alle brente and he was esprysed wyth so grete hete that he swette and fledde as he had been from hym self So that many ranne whiche despoyled hym for his grete hete and they hem self myght vunethe suffre the hete of hym and whan she had accomplysshed hir prayer the yonge man lefte his hete and came ageyn to hym self and by the grace that was gyuen to hym he entryd in to the ordre of the frere menoures and whan he had taken habyte of relygyon she prayed for hym so affectuously that by the feruent prayers made hym that so brennyd to be colde and lefte his dyssolute lyf and toke vpon hym a ghoostly spyritual lyf and thenne thys blessyd elysabeth receyued thabyte of relygyon and put hyr self dylygently to the werkys of mercy for she receyued for hir dowayr two hondred marke wherof she gaue a parte to poure peple and of that other parte she made an hospytal and therfore she was called a wasteresse and sole whyche alle she suffred ioyously and whan she had made this hospytal she became hyr self as an humble chamberer in the seruyce of the poure peple and she bare her so humbly in that seruyce that by nyght she bare the seek men betwene hyr armes for to lete them doo theyr necessytees and broughte theym ageyn made clene theyr clothes and shetes that were foule She broughte the meselles a bedde and wysshe theyr soores and wyped them and dyd alle that longed to an hospytaller And whan she had no poure men she wold spynne wulle whiche was sente to hyr from an abbey and suche as she gate therof she gaue to the poure peple and whan she had be in moche pouerte she receyued fyue hondred marke of hir dowayr whiche she gaue vnto the poure moche ordynately and thenne she made an ordenaunce that who someuer remeuyd his place in preiudyce of another whan she gaue hyr almesse shold haue hys heerys cut of or shoren Thenne came a mayde named Radegounde whyche shone by the beaulte of hyr heerys and passyd by not for to haue almesse but for to vysyte hyr suster whyche was seek And she commaunded anone that hir heer shold be cut of and she wepte and ageyn sayd it And there was a man whiche sayd that she was Innocente Thenne saynt elysabeth sayd thenne at the leste said she she shal swere that she shal nomore by cause of hir here goo to daūces ne karollys ne haunte suche vanytees And saynt elysabeth demaunded of hir yf euer she was dysposyd or were in purpoos to vse the weye of helthe she answerd that yf she had not had that fayre heer she had longe sythe taken thabyte of relygyon and she sayd I had leuer that thou sholdest lese thyn heer than my sone were made emperour and thenne anone the mayde toke habyte of relygyon with saynt elysabeth and fynysshed hyr lyf lawdably whan the tyme approched that god had ordeyned that she whyche had despysed the reygne mortal shold haue the reygne of aungellys She laye seek of the feuers and torned hyr to the walle and they that were there herde hyr put out a swete melodye and whan one of the chamberers had enquyred of hir what it was she answerd and sayd a byrde came betwene me the walle and sange so swetely that it prouoked me to synge wyth hyt She was alweye in hir maladye glad and iocounde and ne cessyd of prayer The laste day tofore hir departyng she sayd to hyr chamberers what wyl ye doo yf the deuyl come to you and after a lytel whyle she cryed wyth an hygh voys fle fle fle lyke as she had chaced aweye the deuyl and after she sayd the mydnyght approcheth in whiche Ihesu cryste was borne It is now tyme that god calle hys frendes to his heuenly weddynges and thus the yere of our lord a thousand two hondred and xxvj she gafe vp hir spyrite and slepte in our lord and though the body laye foure dayes vnburyed yet came there no stynche fro hit but a swete odour aromatyke came whyche refresshed alle them that were there Thenne there was herde and seen a multytude of byrdes soo many that there hath not be seen lyke tofore ouer the chyrche and beganne a songe of ryght grete melodye lyke as it had been the obsequyes of hyr and theyr songe was Regnum mundi whiche is songe in the preysyng of virgyns There was a grete crye of pour pe ple for hyr and moche deuocyon of pe ople so that somme toke an heer of hyr heed and somme a parte of hyr clothes whiche they kepte for grete relyques and thenne hyr body was put in a monumente whyche after was founden to redounde in oyle and many fayr myracles were shewyd at hyr tombe after hyr dethe It was wel shewyd in the deyeng of saynt elisabeth of what holynes she was as wel in the modulacion of the byrde as in the expulcyon of the deuyl That byrde that was bytwene hir and the walle and prouokyd hyr to synge is supposed to be hir good aungel whiche was deputed to hyr and broughte hir tydynges that she shold goo to the euerlastyng ioye and in lyke wyse is shewed to cursyd men otherwhyle theyr euerlastyng dampnacyon In the partyes of saxone there was a monke that hyghte hemer whyche was falle in soo grete a sekenes that he cryed and wold suffre no creature to haue reste aboute hym in the hows On a nyghte apperyd to hym an honourable lady clad in whyt whyche aduysed hym that he shold auowe hym to saynt elysabeth yf he wold haue his helthe and the nexte nyght she appyeryd to hym in lyke wyse And thenne by the counceyl of his abbot he maad the auowe The thyrd nyght she apperyd to hym ageyn and made the sygne of the crosse vpon hym and he thenne receyued anone ful helthe and was parfytely hool And whan the abbot and the pryour came to hym they were gretely admeruaylled and doubted moche the accomplysshemente of the auowe and the pryour sayd that oftymes vnder the lykenes of good cometh Illusyon of the fende and counceylled hym to be confessyd of hys auowe And the nyght folowyng the same persone apperyd vnto hym and sayd Thou shalte
persone of symon and shold reuoke the wordes that he had sayd and yf he sayd that he was symon that was not as towchyng the trouthe But vnto the apparence and lykenesse Thenne fastynyen sayd I am Symon as who sayth I am lyke vnto Symon and was supposed to be symon of the peple Thenne thys olde man faustynyen wente in to antyoche and assemblyd she peple and sayd I Symon shewe to you and confesse that I haue deceyued you of all that I haue sayd of Peter thappostle for he is no traytre ne enchauntour but is sente for the helthe of the world wherfore yf euer I herafter shal say ony thynge ageynst hym that ye take me as a trayter wycked and put me aweye fro you for I do now penauÌ„ce for that I knowleche me to haue said falsely and euyl of hym I warne you therfore that ye byleue in hym that ye ne your cite perysshe not and whan he had sayd thys that peter had commaunded hym and had styred the peple in to the loue of peter saynt peter came to hym and made his prayer and after toke aweye fro hym the lykenes of symon and be came in his naturell lykenesse Thenne al the peple of antyoche receyued debonayrlye saynt Peter and with grete honour enhaunced hym and sette hym in a chayer as a bysshop And whan symon magus herde thys he came and gadred the people to gyder and sayd I meruayle whan I haue enseygned and taugkte you the commaundementes of helthe and haue warned you that ye shold kepe you fro the trayter Peter and ye haue not onely herde hym but ye haue enhaunced hym and haue sette hym in the chayer of a bysshop Thenne al the people aroos in a grete furye ageynst hym and sayden Thou arte no thynge but a monstre thou saydest that other day that thou repentedest of that thou haddest sayd ageynste saynt Peter and now thou woldest ouerthrowe vs and thy selfe And al attones they roos ageynst hym and caste hym out of the towne alle thyse thynges saynt clemente telleth of hym self in his book and hath sette in it thys hystorye After thys whan saynt peter came to rome sawe that his passyon approched he ordeyned clemente to be bysshop after hym And whan saynt peter prynce of thappostles was dede Clemente whyche was a man pourueyed and tâ—ke hede of the tyme to come so that leest by his ensaumple euery bysshop wold chese a successour after hym in the chyrche of our lord and so possede the see of god by herytage he gaue it ouer to lyue and afterward to clete and after theym clemente was chosen and compellyd to take it vpon hym wherin he shone by vertuous lyuyng good maners that he pleasyd wel vnto the Iewes crysten men and paynyms He had the poure peple wryton by name of eueryche relygyon for to gyue to theym theyr necessyte he louyd moche poure peple and them that he sayntefyed by baptesme he suffryd them not to begge comynly and whan he had sacred a damoysel wyth a veylle whyche was a vyrgyne and nece of domycien the emperour and had conuerted to the feyth Theodore wyf of sysynne frende of the emperour and she had promysed to be in purpose of chastyte Sysynne had doubte of his wyf and entred after hir in to the chirche preuyly for to knowe what she vsed to doo there and whan saynt clemente had sayd the orryson and the people had answerd amen Sysynne was made deef and blynde and he sayd to his seruauntes brynge me hens and lede me out and they ledde hym rounde aboute the chirche and coude not come to the dores ne gates and whan theodore sawe theym erryng soo she wente to the fyrst dore wenyng that hir husbond had knowen hir and after she axed of the seruauntes what they dyd And they sayd to hir our mayster wold here see that was not leeful and therfore he is maad bothe blynde and deef And thenne sle gafe hir self to prayer and prayed god that hyr husbonde myght goo out fro thens and after hir prayers she sayd to the seruauntes goo ye hens and brynge my lord home to his hows they went broughte hym thyder and theodore wente vnto saynt clemente and tolde to hym what was happenyd and thenne thys holy man came to hym and fonde hys eyen open but he saw not ne herde no thynge Thenne saynt clemente prayed for hym and anone he receyued his syght and his heeryng and whan he sawe clemente stondyng by his wyf he was wode and supposed that he had been Illuded by arte magyke commaunded his seruauntes to holde faste Clemente he hath made me blynde by arte magyke for to come to my wyf and commaunded to his mynystres that they shold bynde clemente so drawe hym and they bonde the pylors and stones wenyng to sysynne that they had bounden saynt clemente and hys werkys and drawen them forth Thenne clemente sayd to sysynne by cause thou worshyppest stones for goddes and trees therfore hast thou deseruyd to drawe stones and trees he whyche supposed hym to be bounden verayly sayd I shal doo slee the and thenne clemente departed he prayed theodore that she shold not cesse to pray tyl that our lord had vysyted hyr husbond Thenne saynt peter apperyd to theodore prayeng ande sayd to hyr Thy husbond shal be saued by the for to accomplysshe that that poule my broder sayth The man myscreaunte shal be saued by his trewe wyf And this sayeng he vanysshed aweye and anone sysynne callyd his wyf to hym and prayed hir to praye for hym and that she shold calle to hym saynt clemente and whan he was comen he was Instructe in the feythe and was baptysed wyth thre hondred and xiij of his mayne and many noble men and frendes of themperour byleueden in our lord by thys sysynne Thenne the erle of the sacrefyses gaue moche money and moeuyd grete treson and dyscorde ageynst saynt clemente Thenne mamertyn prouoste of the cyte of rome myght not suffre this dyscorde but made saynt clemente to be brought tofore hym and as he repreuyd and assayed to drawe hym to his lawe clemente sayd to hym I wold wel rather that thou woldest come to reason For yf many dogges haue barked ageynst vs and haue byten vs yet they may not take fro vs but that we be men resonable and they ben houndes dysresonable This dyscencyon whiche is moeuyd it shewyth that it hath no certeyn ne trouthe and thenne mamertyn wrote vnto traian emperour of clemente and he had answer that he shold doo sacrefyse or to be exyled in to the deserte that was beyonde the cyte ouer the see Thenne the prouoste sayd to hym wepyng thy god whome thou worshyppest purely he helpe the Thenne the prouoste delyuerd to hym a shyppe and alle thynge necessarye to hym and many clerkes and laye peple folowed hym in exyle the prouoste fonde in that yle
hyr and she sayd to hyr ne doubte the noo thynge well belouyd of god For this day thou shalt haue the royame perdurable For thys transytorye royame and an Inmortal spouse for a mortal And she was constaunte and ferme in the feythe and bad the tormentours deo as was to them commaunded And thenne the sergeauntes broughte hir out of the cyte and araced of hyr pappes with tonges of yron after smote of hir heed whos body porphyrye toke aweye buryed it the nexte day folowyng was demaunded where the holy body of the quene was and the emperour bad that many sholde be put to tormente for to knowe where the body was Porphyrye came thenne tofore them al and escryed sayeng I am he that buryed the body of the ancylle and seruaunte of Ihesu crist and haue receyued the feythe of god thenne maxence began to rore and braye as a madde man and cryed sayeng O wretchyd and caytyf loo porpherye whiche was the onely kepar of my sowle and comforte of al myn euylles is deceyued whiche thynge â—e tolde to his knyghtes to whome they sayd we also ben cristen and been redy for to suffre deth for Ihesu cryst thenne the emperour dronken in wodenes commaunded that al shold be byheded and that their bodyes shold be caste to dogges and thenne called he katheryne said to hir how be it that thou hast made the quene for to deye by thyn arte magyke yf thou repente the thou shalt be fyrst and chyef in my paleys For thou shalt this day do sacrefyse or thou shalt lese thyn heed she said to hym do al that thou hast thought I am redy to suffre al and thenne he gafe sentence ageynst hyr commaunded to smyte of hyr heed and whan she was brought to the place ordeyned therto she lyfte vp hir eyen to heuen prayeng said o Ihesu criste hope helpe of them that byleue in the o beaute glorye of virgyns good kyng I beseche and praye the that who someuer shal remembre my passyon be it at his deth or in ony other necessyte calle me that he may haue by thy mercy th effecte of his requeste prayer thenne came a voys to hir sayeng come vnto me my fayr loue and my spouse loo beholde the yate of heuen is opene to the and also to them that shal halowe thy passâ—on I promyse the comforte of heuen of that they requyre and whan she was byheded there yssued out of hir body mylke in steed of blood aungellys toke the body bare it vnto the mouÌ„te of Synay more thenne twenty iourneyes fro thens and buryed it there honourably contynuelly oyle rennyth out of hir boones whiche heleth al maladyes sekenesses she suffred deth vnder maxence the tyraunte about the yere of our lord thre hondred how maxence was punysshed for thys felonye for other it is conteyned in thystorye of thynuencyon of the holy crosse but for as moche as it was not knowen longe after where this holy body was becomen there was grete sorowe lamentacion emonge cristen men sayeng alas the moste clere lyghte of our feyth of wysdom the temple of the holy ghoost is goon from vs and besought god deuoutely that it myght plese hym to shewe to them this holy relyque which after came to knowleche in thys manere In the deserte a boute the mounte of Synay there were many cristen heremytes whyche were enflamed with grete deuocyon toward thys holy vyrgyne Saynt katheryne Wherfore by comyn assente they ordeyned a chapel In whyche thys holy vyrgyne shold be specyally remembryd whiche chapell was by the mounte of Synay not ferre from the hylle faste by the place where as our lord apperyd in the busshe to moyses In whyche place the holy heremytes lyueden in grete abstynence and deuocyon a gloryous lyf To whome on a tyme the aungell of god apperyd and sayd God hath be holden your affectuel deuocyon fro heuen Therfore he hath graunted to you this grace that by you shal be founden 〈◊〉 knowen the holy body of the gloryous virgyne Saynt katheryne to his souerayn honoure and glorye and therfore aryse ye vp and folowe me and though it soo be that ye see me not yet the shadowe of the palme that I bere in myn honde shal neuer departe fro your syght And thenne these Heremytes wente forth and folowed the aungel tyl they came to the place where vnnethe ony creature myght entre for straytenes of the waye and sharpenesse of the rockes and whan they came to the toppe of the hylle they sawe not thaungel but they sawe euydently the shadowe of the palme that it semed al the place had be shadowed by the leuys of the palme by whiche they came vnto the place where the body had layen a hondred and thyrty yere in a stone and hir flesshe was dryed vp for lengthe of tyme but the bones were so compacte and pure that they semed to be kepte by the cure of aungellys Thenne they toke vp with grete ioye and reuerence thys holy body and bare it doun in to the chapel whyche they had made and this was doon by grete myracle for the place where as she laye in was so stepe thycke streyte and soo daungerous that it semed to mannes reson Impossyble to come ther to and these holy men after they had broughte this body wyth solempnytee ordeyned the feste of thynuencion of this holy body shold be solempnysed whiche is yet there kepte and is about the tyme of thynuencyon of the holy crosse whiche place is gretely honoured and our lord shewith there many myracles and out of the bones floweth out oyle largelye by whiche many maladyes been guarisshed and it is sayd that tofore the body was founden that a monke wente to the mounte of synay and dwellyd there by the space of seuen yere moche deuoutelye in the seruyce of saynt katheryne and on a tyme as he prayed with grete deuocyon that he myght haue somme thynge of hir body Sodeynlye there came a ioynte of one of hir fyngres of hir honde whyche yefte he toke ioyefully of our lord It is reddâ— that there was a man moche deuoute to saynt katheryne and ofte called on hir to his ayde and by lengthe of tyme he fyl in foule thoughte loste the deuocion that he had to the saynt and cessyd to praye to hir and as he was on a tyme in prayer he sawe a grete multytude of vyrgyns passyng by hym emonge whome there was one more replendysshaunte thenne the other and whan she approched hym she couerd hir vysage and passed to fore hym hir face couerd and he meruaylled moche of the beaute of hyr demaunded what she was and one of the virgyns sayd that it was katheryne whome thou were wonte for to knowe and by cause thou knowest ne remembryst hir not she passed tofore the thith face couerd without knowleche It is to be
but with a precious oynemente of â—awme and whan the paynyms sawe thys greteâ— myracle many of theym were thereby conuerted to the feythe of Ihesu cryste and the tyraunte sayd that she dyd al this by enchauntemente and dyd do put hir in a depe pryson ix dayes longe wythout mete or drynke but she was that whyle fedde by aungellys food of our lord so that at the ende of ix dayes she was noo thynge appayred Thenne the Iuge sente for hir supposyng that she had ben nyghe deed and feble but whan she came she was fayrer and bryghter to loke on thenne euer she was before wherof all the peple meruaylled gretely Thenne the Iuge said to hir but yf thou wylt worshyppe and do sacrefyse to thydolles thou shalt not escape the tormente of the gylette Thenne she answeryd to the Iuge I worshyp almyghty god that made al thynges and despyse thy goddes that ben fendes and thenne she fyl doun plaâ—te to the erthe and lyfte vp hir eyen to almyghty god besechyng hym that he wold shewe hys power before the peple that he was onely almyghty god and none other Thenne fabrycius the Iuge lette sette vp a pyler on hyghe and theron he sette his god an ydolle and anone there came a multitude of aungels fro heuen and caste doun this ydolle and al to brake it and anone the people herde a grete noyse of fendes cryeng in thayer sayeng O do rathe why doest thou destroye vs and tormentest vs so sore and for this grete myracle many thousandes of paynyms were torned to the feythe of Ihesu cryste and were baptysed and after receyued the crowne of marterdom for the knowlechynge of the name of Ihesu cryste Thenne the Iuge commaunded that thys holy vyrgyne shold be hanged on the gybette hir feet vpward and the heed dounwarde and thenne hir body was al to rente with hookes of yron and beten with roddes and scourges and brente hir brestys wyth hote fyry brondes and as halse deed she was sette ageyn in to pryson after whan she was broughte ageyn she was al hole and stronge without ony dysease or hurte wherof the Iuge had grete meruaylle and sayd to hir O fayre mayde forsake thy god and byleue on our goddes for thou mayst see how mercyful they be vnto the and preserue the therfore haue pyte on thy tender body for thou hast be tormeÌ„ted ynough and thenne the prouoste sente for hyr two susters whiche were named crystyne and calestyne whiche for fere of dethe forsoke the feythe of Ihesu cryste and wente to saynt dorathe counceylled hir to obeye to the prouostes desyre and forsake hir feythe But this holy vyrgyne rebuked hir susters and after enformed them by so fayre and swete langage that she withdrewe them fro theyr blynde errour and establysshed them in the feythe of cryste in suche wyse that whan they were comen to the Iuge they sayd they were crysten and byleuyd on Ihesu Cryste whan fabrycyus herde that he was madde for angre and commaunded that the tormentour shold bynde theyr handes and bynde them bothe to gyde backe to backe and caste them in the fyre so bounden and brente them And thenne he sayd to the vyrgyne do raihe how longe wylte thou trowble vs wyth thy wytchecrafte or do sacrefyse to our goddes or ellys anone thy hede shal be smyton of theÌ„ne said the holy vyrgyne with a glad semblaunâ—e do to me what tormente thou wylte for I am al redy to suffre it for the loue of my spouse Ihesu cryste In whos gardyn ful of delyces I haue gadred roses spyces and apples and whan the tyraunte herde that he trembled for angre And commaunded that hir fayre vysage shold be beten with stones so that there shold appere no beaute in hir vysage but al dysfygured so to be put in pryson tyl the nexte day and on the nexte day she came forthe also hole and sounde as though she had suffred noo dysease and was more fayrer for to loke on thenne euer she was tofore by the grace of hir blessyd spouse Ihesu cryste For whos loue she toke on hyr these grete and sharpe tormentes thenne this cursed Iuge commauÌ„ded to smyte of hir heed and as she was ladde to the place assygned where hit shold be doon a scrybe of the royame named theophylus sayd to hir in scorne I praye the to sende me somme of thy roses and appelis that thou hast gaderyd in the gardyne of thy spouse that thou praysest so moche and she graunted to hym his desyre and thys was in the colde wynter tyme whan there was bothe froste snowe and whan she came to the place where she shold be byheded she knelyd doun on hir knees made hir prayers to our lord Ihesu cryst besechyng hym that â—l they that worshyp hir passyon that they myght be kepte stedfast in the feythe and to take theyr trybulacyon pacyently and specyally to be delyuerd fro al shame grete pouerte and fals dysclaunder and at theyr laste ende to haue veray contrycyon confessyon and remyssyon of al their synnes also wymmen with chylde that calle to hir for helpe to haue good delyueraunce the chyldren to be crystened the moders to be purefyed also she prayed to god that where hir lyf were wryton or redde in ony hows that it shold be kepte fro al perylle of lightenynge thonder fro al perylles of fyre fro perylles of theuys fro sodeyn deth and to receyue the sacramentes of holy chirche at their laste ende for theyr most souerayn deffence ageynst their ghoostly enemye the fende and whan she had ended hir prayer there was a voys herde fro heuen that said come to me my dere spouse trewe vyrgyn for al thy bone is grauÌ„ted to the that thou hast prayed fore also whom thou prayest fore shall be saued whan thou hast receyued the crowne of marterdom thou shalt come to the blysse of heuen wythoute ende for thy laboure this holy virgyn bowed doun hir heed and the cruel tyraunte smote it of but a lytel before this apperyd before hir a fayr chylde barefote clothed in purple with cryspe heerys whos garmente was set ful of brighte sterres beryng in his honde a litel baskette shynyng as golde wyth roses apples To whome the vyrgyn sayd I praye the bere this baskette to theophyilus the scrybe thus she suffred dethe and passed to our lord ful of vertues the vj day of feuerer the yere of our lord CClxxxviij by fabricius prouoste vnder dyoclesyan maxymyan emperours of rome as thys said theophylus stode in the paleys of themperour this chylde came to hym presented to hym the baskette sayeng Thyse ben the roses apples that my suster do rathe hath sente to the fro paradys the gardyn of hir spouse and thenne this chylde vanysshed aweye Thenne he consyderyng the meruayllous werke of god in this holy vyrgyne said anone with a
hys secretes whan ye come ageyn in to the see and our lord wyl that ye lade your shyppe wyth the fruyte of thys londe and hye you hens for ye may no lenger abyde here but thou shalte sayle ageyn in to thyn owne contree and sone after thou comest home thou shalt deye and thys water that thou seest here departeth the world a sondre for on that other syde of thys water may no man come that is in thys lyf and the fruyte that ye see here is alle waye thus rype euery tyme of the yere and alwey it is here lyght as ye now see and he that kepeth our lordes hestys at al tymes shal see thys londe or he passe out of thys world And thenne saynt brandon and his monkes toke of that fruyte as moche as they wolde and also toke with them grete plente of precyous stones and thenne toke theyr loue and wente to shyppe wepyng sore by cause they myght no lenger abyde there and thenne they toke theyr shyppe and came home in to yrelonde in saufete whome theyr brethern receyued wyth grece ioye gyuyng thankynges to our lord whiche had kepte them al that seuen yere fro many a peryl and brouÈt them home in saufete To whome be yeuen honour glorye world without ende amen And sone after this holy man Saynt brandon wexe feble and seek and had but lytel ioye of thys world But euer after his ioye mynde was in the ioyes of heuen and in shorte tyme after he beyng ful of vertues departed out of thys lyf to euerlastyng lyf And was worshypfully buryed in a fayr abbey whiche he hym self founded Where our lord shewyth for thys holy saynt many fayr myracles Wherfore lete vs deuoutely praye to thys holy saynt that he praye for vs to our lord that he haue mercy on vs to whome be gyuen lawde honour and empyre world withouten ende amen Thus endeth the lyf of saynt Brandon And here foloweth the lyf of saint erkenwolde bysshop SAynt erkenwolde was borne of noble lygnage Hys fader was named offa and was kyng of eest englond and he had also a suster named alburgh whiche Erkenwolde and alburgh were of right parfyte lyf and how be it that theyr fader was a paynym yet were thyse two chyldren crysten whan erkenwolde was in parfyte age he wente in to relygyon and was made first abbot of chirchesey where he lyued an holy lyf and after he was made bysshop of london his suster alburgh was his trewe folower in good werkys and was a woman of relygyon and for hir holy lyf she was made abbesse of berkynge Thys holy man by the Informacion of saynt Austyn mellyte was enformed in the feythe in suche wyse that he vtterly forsoke the world ordeyned and buylded ij monasteryes one for hym selfe at chyrcheseye another for hys suster at barkyng whiche after hir baptesme was named ethelburga and saynt erkenwolde counceylled his suster to flee worldely vanytees and so he dyd hym self and gaue hym in to deuyne contemplacyon gaue gladly suche goodes as he had besyde them that he spente in the fondacyon and buyldyng of the sayd monasteryes to poure peple and he chaunged his erthely herytage his worldly dygnyte and hys grete patrymonye in to the herytage and lyuelode of holy chirche for to haue hys herytage in heuen and he dyd al thyse expencis or he was called to be bysshop of london and the holy theodore archebysshop of caunterburye dyd do consecrate hym bysshop of london and hys suster was sette in berkyng with other vyrgynes for to be alweye ocupyd in the seruyce of our lord and it happed on a tyme as thartyfycers that bylded the monasterye at berkynge were ouer seen in takyng the mesure of a pryncipal beme for it was to shorte wolde not accorde to the place that it was ordeyned for wherfore they made moche sorowe Thenne this holy man saynt erkenwolde and his suster seyng thys mysfortune toke the same beme bytwene theyr hondes and drewe it out in suche wyse that it had suffycyente lengthe and accorded vnto the propre place that it was ordeyned to whiche myracle was anone knowen openlye to the people and at that tyme were noo nonnes in englonde wherfore saint erkenwolde sente ouer see for a deuoute relygyous woman named hyldelyth to whome he bytoke his suster for to be enformed in the relygyon as wel in connyng as in good maners and vertuous doctryne in which she prouffyted in suche wyse that she passed all hir felawes in connyng sone after she was made abbesse and chyef of al the monasterye and it happed sone after that the bysshop of london deyed whos name was cedda by consente of the kynge and alle the people thys holy man of god erkenwolde was bysshop of london and what someuer he taughte in worde he fulfylled it in dede for he was parfyte in wysedom softe and dyscrete in worde bysy in prayer chaast of body hooly yeuen to goddes lore and was planted in the rote of charyte and afterward whan he had suffred moche trybulacion wyth many ghoostly bataylles he began to waxe ryght seek and thenne he commaunded to make redy his chare that he myght goo and preche in the cytee the Worde of god wherfore it was kepte in custome longe tyme after of his dyscyples and many other to touche hym and kysse hym and what someuer sekenesse that they had they were anone delyuerd therof and were made parfytelye hool In a day of somer as thys blessyd saynt saynt erkenwolde rode in hys chare for to preche the word of god It fortuned that the one whele of the chare fyl of fro the axtre and that notwythstondyng the chare went forth right wythout fallyng whyche was ageyn nature and reson and a fayre myracle for god guyded the chare it was meruaylle to alle them that sawe it ¶ O mercyable god and meruayllous aboue al thyng to whom alle brute beestys be made meke and wylde thynges been obedyente thou vouchesauf to calle to thy mercy thy blessyd seruaunte to make hym partable of thy excellente ioye thou yeue vs grace by his prayer which knewe by reuelacyon that his sowle shold be losed from the body by temporall dethe to be preserued fro al manere euyl and euerlastyng dethe whan thys blessyd saynt erkenwolde as god wold came to berkyng he fyl in to a grete sekenesse in whiche he ended his temporalle lyf for soo moche as he knewe it before he sente for his seruauntes and suche as were drawyng to hym yaue to them holsom and swete lessons and blessyd them with grete deuocyon emonge them he yelded vp hys spyrite to almyghty god in whos passyng was felte a merueyllous swete odour as the hous had be ful of swete bawme And whan the hyghe channons of Saynt Powles at london herde thys and the monkys of chyrcheseye also anone they came to this holy body for to
arsenye alle the dayes of hys lyf whan he satte at the werke of his handes he had a lynnen clothe in his bosom for to drye wyth the teerys that ranne faste from hys eyen and alle the nyght he wold not slepe and in the mornynge whan he muste slepe for werynesse of nature He wold saye to slepe come wycked seruaunte and thenne wolde take a lytel slepe syttyng and wold aryse anone and sayd It suffyseth to a monke yf he slepe an houre yf he be a fyghter ageynst vyces Whan the fader of saynt arsenye whiche was a grete senatour and a right noble man shold fynysshe hys lyf he lefte to arsenyen by hys testamente moche herytage and one magystryen broughte vnto hym the sayd testament and whan he had receyued it he wold haue broken it Thenne magystryen fyl doun at his feet prayeng hym that he wold not doo soo for his hede theÌ„ne shold he lese for it shold he smyton of To whome arsenyen sayd I was dede tofore hym he therfore that is but now dede how may he make me his heyre and sente ageyn the testamente and wolde noo thynge haue On a tyme there was a voys came to hym and sayd come and I shalle shewe to the the werkys of the men And ladde hym in to a certeyn place and shewyd to hym a man of ethyope that is a blacke man that hewe wode and made a grete fardel so grete that he myght not bere hit and alweye be hewe and put to the fardel and thus he dyd longe and after he shewed to hym a man that drewe water oute of a lake and caste it in to a cesterne perced by whiche the water ranne ageyn in to the lake and he wold fylle the cesterne and myght not And after he shewyd to hym a temple and a man on hors backe which bare a longe tree thwarte and wold entre in to the temple and be myght not by cause the tree laye thwarte Thenne he expawned hym thys thynge and sayd he that bereth the tree is lyke the burthen of Iustyce wyth pryde and wyl not meke hym therfore he abydeth wythoute the royame of heuen And he that heweth the wood is a man that is in synne And putteth none aweye by penaunce but putteth alweye wyckednesse to wyckednesse And he that draweth the water is a man that doeth good werkys here in thys presente worlde but by cause that his euyl werkis ben medlyd with them he loseth hys good werkys whan the euensonge tyme of the satyrday came on the sonday he lefte al his werkys behynde hym and helde vp his handes to heuen tyl the sonne aroos in the mornyng of the sonday tofore his face so abode alle the nyght in prayers and in orisons and hec in vitis patrum Thus endeth of Saint Arsenyen ¶ Here foloweth of the abbotte Agathon AGathon the abbotte bare iij yere a stone in his mowthe tyl that he had lernyd to kepe scylence there was another which entrid in to the congregacion that sayd within hym self thou an asse been of one kynde for lyke as an asse is beten speketh not suffreth wronge without answeryng right so doest thou another broder was put fro the table he answerd nothynge afterwarde he was axyd he said I haue put in my herte that I am lyke to an hounde for whan he is chastysed he goeth hys waye out it was demauÌ„ded of agathon what vertue was more than laboure he answerd I trowe ther be no laboure so grete as to praye to god for the fende laboureth alweye to breke his prayer in other laboures a man hath somme reste he that prayeth hath all weye nede of grete stryf a brother demaunded of agathon how he ought to dwelle with his brethern to whome he said like as the first day take on the no truste but suffraunce for suffraunce is not worse than truste for suffraunce is moder of al passyons theÌ„ne kepe the fro yre for yf the yrons reysed dede men it shold not plese god ne none other for his yre there was abrother that was angry said to hym self yf I were allone I shold not be so sone angry On a tyme as he fylled a potte with water he poured it out ageyn he fylled it the second tyme poured it out alweye thenne he was so moeuyd for angre that he brake the potte thenne he aduysed hym self knewe that he was deceyued of the deuyl of wrath of yre said I am allone yet I am ouercome by wrath therfore I shal retorne to my congregacion for oueral is labour oueral is pacyence nede of the helpe of god two other brethern were contrarye whiche had longe conuersed to gyder myght not be meued to wrath on a tyme that one sad to that other lete vs make contencions to gyder lyke as men of â—he world do that other sayd I wote not how contencyon is made and that other said I shal laye this sacke in the myddel bytwene vs I shal say it is myn thou shalte say it is not soo but it is myn thus shal the stryf be made thenne that one layed the sacke so said it is myn that other sayd nay but it is myn and that other said thenne thyn be it take it and goo thy waye thus they departed and coude not stryue to gyder Thabbot agathon was wyse to vnderstonde not slowe to laboure scarce in mete and clothyng and sayd he had neuer slepte at hys wylle hauyng in my herte ony sorowe ageynst ony other or ony other ageynst me whan agathon shold deye he helde hym thre dayes without moeuyng holdyng alweye his eyen open to heuen And whan hys brethern rored or styred hym He sayd I am tofore the Iugemente of god And they sayd why doubtest thou And he sayd I haue laboured wyth alle the vertue that I myghte to kepe the commaundementes of god But I am a man and I wote not yf my werkys shalle please our Lord And they sayd â—uâ—stest not thou in thy werkys which thou hast doon for god and he sayd I shal not presume tyl I come tofore hym For the Iugementes of god ben other than the Iugementes of men And whan they wolde yet haue axyd hym somme thynge he said shewe to me charyte and speke nomore to me for I am ocupyed and whan he had said this he yelded vp his spirite with ioye and they sawe our lord and his aungellys receyuyng his spirite and salewyng lyke as a man saleweth his frendes alle thys is wryton in vitis patrum Thus endeth of the holy abbot Agathon ¶ Here foloweth of Balaam the Hermyte BAlaam of whome saynt Iohan damascene made the hystorye with grete dyligence In whome deuyne grace so wroughte that he conuerte to the feythe saynt Iosaphat thenne as al ynde was ful of crysten peple
ye ought to wyte that fro the place where the holy man had caste the sayd rynge in to the water vnto the place where the said fysshe was presented to hym was four and twenty myle by water And whan the holy man aduysed hym and that wel he knewe for certeyn the sayd rynge he thanked god of hit that he gaue to hym knowlege of the remyssyon of his synnes From thens forthou euer fro better vnto better deuoutelye and by holy perseueraunce he entendyd to serue our Lord and yet as now is the sayd rynge wythin the paleys of mets men may be meruaylled and meruayllyng to magnefye and preyse god How in this present lyf they may not lyue wythout perylles but he is borne in a good houre that acquyreth graces of god and that maketh Iustyce on hys owne flesshe as longe as he is lyuyng in hit I say thys by cause of thys holy man that was at so good an hour borne that so moche of graces he gate and acquyred toward our lord That he was certefyed and ensured of the remyssyon and pardon of al his synnes as tofore ye herde saye Soone whan he was possessyng hys bysshoyryche he dyd dystrybue and departed to the poure so moche and soo largely of his owne goodes that the poure folke came thyder fro ferre countrees and cytees for to be counceyled and helped by almesse He was also besely tendyng to alle good werkys and in specyal to receyue relygyous folkes monkes and poure pylgrymmes He hâ—m selfe wesshed theyr feet he clothed them of newe to them gaue syluer ynough to passe on theyr weye assone as other of newe came he was as redy for to helpe them as he tofore was for the honour and reuerence of god In watchyng in fastynge in deuoute prayers and in orysons he employed euer the tyme none myght not duely reherce ne telle the grete abstynences that he made For whan he had fasted the space of thre dayes he was contente to haue a lytel breed maad of barleye and a lytel water and euer moost secretelye that he coude he ware vnder his clothes the hayre in so moche that by force of abstynence he right gretelye had maad lene hys flesshe On a tyme duryng the thre dayes whiche he fasted he dyd do make a processyon wherat many creatures were whyche moche deuoutelye prayed and soo as the processyon was in doyng there was a woman tourmented sore vexyd by the deuyl that began to crye lowde and hye whan the holy man sawe thys woman he made the sygne of the crosse euer hir and sone after she was delyuerd fro the enemye that so tourmented hir In the tyme of dagoberte kynge of fraunce so as he was wythin his palays a leper came there that beganne to crye after the holy man and demaunded mete and clothyng Sone commaunded the holy man that he shold be ledde home and soo as he mynystred and toolâ— to hym that was nedeful necessarye to hym he dyd demaunde of hym yf he were baptysed for he was of barbarye Thenne answerd the leper to the holy man allas syr nay For I that am a poure creature haue not founde none that hath gyuen to me the precyous gyfte of baptesme and anone the holy man baptysed hym Incontynente after that hys sekenesse lefte hym and departed fro hys body and soo he that before had be a synner and sore seek by the meryte of the holy man was lefte and made hole bothe of body and of fowle On another tyme a man named noddo whyche was dronke full of wyne beganne to mocque and dyspreysed the holy man sayeng that he was not the man of god but that he was ful lusty and redy to al delyces wherfore it happed that so as he hys sone wente to bedde sodaynlye by the wylle of god theyr clothynge were all aboute on a fyre and beganne to brenne Thenne they cryed and called for water but the water dyd nought to hyt so that the fyre took on theyr shertes toward the genytoryes from them they myght not haue of their clothes and Whan they sawe that noo remedye they myght put to it they yede oute of theyr chambre and began to laye them self as swynes doun in to the ordure or fylthe and in to fowle and stynkyng waters but alle thys auayled them nought For fro more in to more theyr genytoryes dyd brenne And so as I beleue at that same houre was verefyed that that our lord sayd by the mowthe of dauyd the prophete sayeng Detrahentem secreto proximo suâ— huuc persequebar That is to say in englysshe thoo that secretelye blamen despreysen theyr neyghbours them I shal persecute that same noddo deyed in thys estate and knowleched his synne and so dyd his sone by the sayd sentence ¶ So as the holy man was perseueryng in vertues for to kepe and eschewe the vaynglorye of thys World he departed fro the cyte and wente vnto a place not ferre fro hit where he dyd do make a litel hows and made hym self to be closed and shytte therin and there he was contynuelly in prayers and orysons lyftyng his handes toward heuen It happed by aduenture that the fyre took the hows of the kynge and soo moche it grewe that the howses there aboute beganne to brenne fast Sodaynlye the peple were moeuyd whan they saw that al the cite was esprysed on a fyre and flamme and they yede forth wyth to the celle of the sayd holy man where he was deuoutelye in his orisons prayers thus as he was acustomed to be Anone one that was called Romancyus toke hym by the hande sayd ryse thou fro hens man of god to the ende that thys fyre consume ne dommage the not wyth the cytee Thenne the holy man answerd I wyl not departe but lede me nygh the fyre and yf god wyl that I shal be brente I am in his handes here as I am Thenne they of the cyte cam with hym hande in hande vnto the fyre after commaunded that eche one of theym shold falle in prayers whan thâ— holy man had made his prayers they rose vp alle and thenne he lyfte vp his handes and made the signe of the crosse thenne anone the fyre ouenchyd and made after noo manere of dommage and after that houre one of his brethern sawe in a vysyon toward heuen the sygne of the veray crosse in a manere as flamme and at thother syde he herde a voys that sayd seest thou thys crosse by that hath the bysshop arnolde delyuerd the cytee fro fyre thys nyght ¶ After thys Saynt arnolde relynquysshed and lefte the world al entyerly and wente in to a deserte emonge the wylde beestys where he maad a lytel hows wyth somme monkes that were dwellyng there where he helde hym euer in holy medytacion and deuyne praysynges and whan ony poure peple came there he frendely receyued and seruyd theym theyr hoosen he dyd pulle of
aungels in paradyse that bare the arche of the testamente of god and thenne he sayd to alle the people I see heuen opene and the aungelles beryng the arche of god and yet I see our lord Ihesu cryste syttyng on his trybunal and whan the peple had herde hym they al togyder bothe more and lesse beganne of one voys of one herte and of one mowthe to preyse to glorefye and to magnefye the name of our lord and fro that tyme forth on they honoured more the holy man thenne they had doon before The holy man thenne commaunded that a crosse shold be made of Wode dressed and sette in the same place where he sawe the forsayd vysyon On another tyme as he prechyd nyghe to a chyrche called carnyfrâ—t before a crosse made of stone where as moche peple was assemblyd to here his predycacion the whiche crosse had be somtyme made in the honour and reuerence of our lord Ihesu cryste and of the gloryous archaungel Saynt Mycâ—â—l on whiche crosse somtyme he descendyd fro the sholdres of the sayd archebysshop It happed that a yonge mayde deed Was broughte thyder for to be buryed the whyche by his prayer at the requeste of the people was reysed to lyf Of thystorye of thys gloryous saynt I ne may fynde more of it but we al shal praye to hym that toward our lord he wyl be our good Intercessour and frende AMEN Thus endeth the lyf of Saint Turyen ¶ And here foloweth the lyf of Saynt Fyacre SAint Fâ—acre â—the gloryous hermyte made many vertuous dedes in the terrytorye or countreye of meaulx in the proteccion of saynt pharon that tyme bysshop of the cyte of meaulx many myracles nedeful and necessarye as thenne He made in thys world as the legende of the lessons of his faytes shewen clerely ynough and to the ende that this presente narracion that maketh of hyt mencyon be not to moche prolonged and that the lyf of saynt Fyacre and of saynt pharon assemblyd to gyder may appere to them that shal rede hit It is good as to me semeth that at thys begynnyng I make mencion of the excellence of saynt fyacre how for the loue of our lord he lefte his contree bothe fader and moder and alle hys goodes and came in to the partyes of fraunce On that tyme that the gloryous saynt pharon lefte and relynquysshed the worldly knyghthode and that he was ordeyned and made bysshop of meaulx the same monke named fyacre of the nacyon of scottes beyng in his contreye and meued by deuocyon to serue our lord more streytelye departed with suche felawshyp as fortune gafe to hym and came vnto meaulx in fraunce where he prayed the holy bysshop there that he myghte dwelle vnder his proteccion whan Pharon had herde his demaunde ryght gladly he accorded to it and as a pyteous pastour graunted that Fyacre shold dwelle wyth hym after hys owne plesure as longe as he wolde whan the hermyte fyacre had Impetred his petycyon or demaunde he yede and caste his syght lowe toward the erthe and onely with al hys herte thouÈte and wythout spekyng made his prayer to god that of hys grace he woâ—â— haue pyte on hym and so feruentelye he besought and prayed that hys face rendryd grete droppys of water and was ouer rede and sore chauffed And whan the blessyd saynt pharon sawe hym in suche estate he beganne to be meruaylled and wende that he was agreuyd of somme thynge anone he callyd to hym one of his seruauntes and sayd to hym goo to yonder man and make hym come secretelye to speke wyth me The messager dyd as to hym was commaunded and ledde saynt fyacre vnto the bysshop whan he was before his presence the holy man pharon ful of vertuous thoughtes to th ende that better he myght declare his entencion sayd to fyacre in thys manere My brother I requyre the that thou wylte put fro the thys sorowe and heuynesse whyche is in thyn herte to th ende that thou mayst better receyue my wordes Thenne sayd saynt fyacre to hym Fayr fader reuerende yf thou wylte haue pyte and compassyon on me thou shalte mowe make me to cesse thys heuynesse at thy commaundemente But to the ende that thou mayst the better vnderstonde myn answer procede forth on thy demaunde Thenne the right reuerende bysshop pharon beholdyng on phyacre sayd to hym Fyrst my ryght dere brother I requyre of the to telle me in what londe thou were borne and the cause why thou departedest fro the contreye also where thou arte bounde for to gâ—o and what thy name is Ferthermore yf thou haue nede of counceyl of wordes or of other thynge that I may do I calle god to my recorde that ryght gladly I shal endeuoyre me to suâ—â—yl it Saynt fyacre thenne knelynge rendred to hym thankes and mercyes and after sayd to hym my fader and my moder engendred or begate me in an yle of scotlande named Hyrlande and for as moche that I desyre to lede my lyf solytaryly I haue relynqued and lefte my londe and my parentes and I do seke a place for to lede my lyf hermytyke and solytarylye and by my ryght name I am called fyacre and therfore mekelye I beseche thyn hyghe and Ineffable paternyte that yf there be in somme parte of thy bysshopryche a lytel place wythin a wode where I myght vsen and employe my lyf in prayers and in orysons that thou wylt not differre to me the grauÌ„te of it Whan saynt pharon herde thys he was therof ioyeful and glad and sayd to saynt fyacre I haue a Wode ferre ynough fro hens whiche is with in our owne herytage and is called by the folke of the contreye brodyle the whiche wode as I suppose is couenable for to lede lyf solytarye and yf it be so that thy desyre is to see it lete vs two goo thyder to gyder for to beholde and see the place ¶ Thenne answerde saynt fyacre Soo as thy paternyte commaundeth I desyre that it be doon anone Thenne the pyteous and holy bysshop as sone as he myght ledde fyacre vnto the ryght desyred place and whan they were come thyder Saynt pharon sayd to saynt fyacre My brother thys place is belongyng to me by myn owne herytage comyng fro myn auncestrye and yf it seme to the good and plesaunte for to dwelle and abyde in as moche of hit behoueth to the deuoutelye and With good herte I presente it to the and ful gladly I gyue it to the for to do Wythal thy good plesure and whan thus he had graunted and sayd fyacre fyl to his feet and for grete ioye wepyng rendred to hym graces and thankynges sayeng O right blessyd fader the same place onelye of syght pleseth me and delyteth ryght gretelye for it is an holy place and ferre fro abydyng of ony folke after these wordes they took theyr refeccion or food of nourriture dyuyne and sone after retourned to gyder vnto the
cyte of meaulx on the morne nexte saynt fyacre toke his leue of saynt pharon whiche gafe to hym hys blessyng and whan saynt fyacre had receyued it he departed and wente to the place beforesayd where he founded a chyrche in thonour and reuerence of our blessyd lady and beyonde it a lytel weye thens he bylded a lytel hows wherin he dwellyd there herberowed he the poure that passed fore by whan thenne he had doon and accomplysshed al that to hym semed necessarye for the tyme thys veray frende of god fyacre contynuelly wythout cesse laboured and watched in to the seruyce of our lord Ihesu cryste and euer in good vertues fro better to better multeplyed and moche vyctoryously ageynste hys aduersarye thenemye resysted and ageynste his flesshe and that that he had ryght hertelye to the poure gafe and dystrybued yf somme were that tyme that had loste theyr strengthe or that were dombe deef countrefeyted blyndâ— or vexyd wyth the enemye or of what someuer sekenesse that it had be they al came or made them to be borne vnto thys holy man and anone after that he had layed his hande on them by the grace of our lord and by his prayers they retorned homewarde as hole as euer they were and in suche wyse flouryd thodour of the renomee of the myracles that our lord shewyd by hym thorugh al the bysshopryche of meoulx that they beganne al to haue gâ—ete hope in his suffrages and prayers Emonge al other thynges it happed that an holy man named chyllenus borne in scotlonde that was come fro rome as a pylgryme was arryued wythin the terrytorye or countreye of meaulx whan he herde speke of the good renomee of the holy man fyacre he anone wente toward hym saynt fyacre moche benygnelye receyued hym and whan he vnderstood that they were bothe of one londe and by affynyte of blood nyghe parentes Instauntelye prayed hym that he wold abyde wyth hym certeyn dayes whiche chyllenus accorded to it as they were togyder and that they had reherced the extraccion of theyr parentes and spake of the swete sentences of the holy scryptures wherwyth they nourisshed and fedde them selfe by the grete ioye that they toke whan they spake of hit They recommaunded eche other to our lord and toke leue to departe one fro other And for certeyn the renomee of hym grewe so moche and flewe soo ferre that from ferre countreyes moche people came dayly to hym for to recouer theyr helthe in so moche that the holy man saw that of nedes he must make his habytacyon or howsyng more spacious gretter than hit was thouÈt to hym good and necessarye to make a grete gardyn wherin he shold haue all manere of herbes good for to make potage with for to fede the poure whan they shold retorne toward hym so he dyd how be it that saynt Pharon before that tyme gafe to hym leue to take as moche of his wode as to hym neded neuerthelesse he durst not take on hym the hardynesse for to make his hows gretter ne more than it was tofore tyl he had spoke ageyn with saint pharon for to demaunde leue of hym to throwe doun the trees other thynges growyng aboute his hows to whome the venerable curtoys bysshop gafe of his wode as moche as he myght pyke delue throwe doun with hys owne handes to do with al as of hys owne lyuelode saynt fyacre thenne enclyned his heed rendred thankes to saynt pharon toke his leue of hym retorned in to his hermytage whan he had made his prayer he drewe his staffe ouer therthe now may ye vnderstonde thynge moche meruayllous of grete myracle for by the wylle of our lord where someuer the holy hermyte fyacre drewe his staffe the trees fyl doun bothe on one syde on other rounde aboute where he drewe his staff was a dyche sodaynlye made and in the mene Whyle that he drewe so his staffe there cam a WomaÌ„ which meruaylled moche how therthe claue dyched by hit self onelye by the couchyng of the holy maÌ„nes staffe with grete haste she ranne toward meaux denouÌ„ced this thynge to the bysshop pharon testefyeng and ensuryng that the holy man fiacre was ful of wicked euyl arte and not seruauÌ„te of the souerayn god whan she thus had sayed retorned forthwyth toward the holy man wyth an euyll presumpcion yede said many Iniuryes vylonyes to fyacre contumeleyng blasphemyng hym coÌ„mauÌ„ded hym by the bysshop that he shold cesse of his werke that he were not so hardy to be ony more aboute it and that for the same cause the bisshop shold come there whan the holy man sawe that he was thus accused to the bisshop by a woman he cessyd his werke that he had begon made nomore yf it satte on a stone moche thoughtful wroth wherfore yf our lord had before shewyd grete myracles by hym yet gretter and more meruayllous myracle was made for hym for the stone wheron he sat by the wylle of god wexyd became softe as a pylowe to the ende that hit shold be more able easy for hym to syt on it was caued somwhat as a pyt there as he sat on for testyfycacion preef of this myracle the said stone is as yet kepte within his chirche many seek folke haue been are dayly helyd there of dyuers sekenesses onely to touche to haue touched the sayd stone The bysshop thenne by the prouocacion of the said womans wordes towarâ— the holy man fyacre whan he sawâ— the meruaylles that god shewyd by hym as wel of the trees that by them self were throwen doun to the erthe of eyther parte also how therthe onelye by frayeng of his staffe was dyched aboute as of the stone that was thus caued and made softe lyke a pylowe he knewe wel that he was a man of grete meryte toward our lord and fro than forthon he loued the hermyte saynt fyacre more thenne before and honoured hym moche the dyches before sayd ben yet as now shewed to them that goo to vysyte his chirche Whan thenne fyacre as is aboue sayd satte on the stone ful sory and wrothe that the woman had so accused blasphemyd hym to the bysshop also for thyniuryes vylonyes that she had sayd to hym he made his prayer to our lord that no woman shold neuer entre in to his chyrche wythoute she be punysshed by somme manere of sekenesse Wherof it happed on a tyme that a woman of moche noble and ryche estate desyryd to knowe what therof shold befalle yf a woman had entryd in to hys chyrche The which women toke hir mayden or seruaunte shoued hir sodaynly wyth in the chapel And anone seeyng alle they that were there the sayd woman loste one of hyr eyen the mayde Innocente as to the dede came out ageyn with
a foot of lengthe after the prayer of the carpenters doon vnto the Saynt was the sayd poste fouÌ„de longe ynough and couenable to the forsayd werke ¶ In tyme of a grete Inundacion or flowyng whiche couerd the wayes places the sygne of the crosse maad wyth the sayd holy mannes honde on the water â—essyd and ebbyd aweye The hood whiche he gafe to a poure maÌ„ as aboue is sayd and wente bareâ—â—ed homewarde god that had hym selfe in fourme or lyknesse of a poure man receyued the sayd hood as it may be byleuyd sente to hym ageyn the sayd hood wherof was grete and meruayllous myracle On a tyme whan he had gyuen alle his breed to poure folkes loues of breed were broughte to hym ynough to suffyse hym the poure peple in his felawshyp wyth alle by a woman vnknowen the whyche after hir presente delyuerd vanysshed aweye and neuer was seen after On another tyme as he had receyued a poure man apperyng ryght fowle dysfourmed ouer foule in clothynge and had made hym to ete sette hande at his owne dysshe wyth hym thys poure man departyng and sayeng god be wyth you and at your helpe hys gowne that before was wonder fowle as it is sayd became soo whyte and of so grete resplendour and shynyng and his face so fayre apperyd and so bryght that al the hows was replenysshed and fylled wyth grete lyghte The archebysshop af narbonne was vexyd wyth a stronge axes and by the feblenesse of his nature was reputed and holden as for dede of alle theym whyche aboute hym were For his eyen were shytte in manere of a deed man at thynuocacion or callyng to Saynt yues maad for the salue of the sayd archebysshop by hys parentes and frendes wyth wepynges vowes and deuocyons was the forsayd archebysshop thorugh the merytes of the saynt restored vnto lyf â— syght and good helthe by the grace and vertue of hym of whom is writen that he â—enlumyneth the exen gyueth lyf helthe and blessyng lyght sapyence the whyche god creatour enlumynatour and sauyour be thanked preysed and worshypped by all the syecle and syecles amen Thus endeth the lyf of saint yues Here foloweth the lyf of saint Morante THe kyng theodorik commaunded to Saynt morant of dowey whyche was in parys sone of aldebaulte a noble ffrenssheman and of saynt Rotrud of marchyennes the whiche had thre doughters vyrgynes and sayntes that is to wete clotende eusebe and ellysente Saynt rotrâ—d dwellyd at marchyennes in a nonnerye wyth clotente and elyssente hyr doughters by the ordenaunce of saynt amand and with many other and there she passyd fro thys world and eusebe hir other doughter dwellyd in an abbay of nonnes in haynegowe wyth the graunte moder of saynt aldebaulte hir fader the whyche was called gertrude and the abbey nyuelle of the yefte and foundacyon of saint amand and in the same contreye were many abbayes of monkes wherof as coâ—â— to our purpoos Saynt morante 〈◊〉 rotrud his moder dyd bylde 〈◊〉 an abbey on theyr owne grouÌ„de 〈◊〉 monkes therin and gafe to them rentes and possessyons for to lyue on and called the place bruell The kyng theodoryk that wel wyste of it commaunded to saynt morante that he shold make saynt amer to be ledde as prysonner fro peronne vnto the sayd newe abbay and to do hym to be kepte that he shold not scare fro thens and goo somwhere in other place Saynt morante came to peronne and fro thens brought with hym Saynt amer thorugh cambray and saint amer whyles that they made the dyner redy there he wente to our lady of cambray and made there his prayers knelyng he toke of bothe his gloues and hys habyte and caste them nyghe to a glasse wyndowe but the rayes or bemys of the sonne susteyned them fro the grouÌ„de as they had hanged vpon a staffe And the holy man whiche euer loked humbly dounward perceyued it not Saynt morant folowed hym sone after to the chirche and whan he came there and sawe the myracle he was al abasshed and prayed hym of mercy of that he had broughte hym thyder like as a prysonner and besought hym that fro thens forthon he wold become his fader in god and that to his commaundementes he wolde obeye Saynt amer thenne whiche retched not for that lyfte hym self vp and reuestyd on hym his habyte and gloues and thanked moche saynt morant and sayd to hym that he shold obeye the kynge for therto he was holden and that as for hym he shold obeye to our lord and shold bere in al pacyence his aduersytres that gladly he wolde goo wyth hym there as he was ordeyned for to goo saynt morante thenne ledde saint amer at bruel in haynegow where many holy mynsters or abbayes were separed and gouernyd by the dyscyples of Saynt amande whyche were alle sayntes There was Saynt amer lyke as he were in paradys terrestre al the contree there aboute resplendysshed with sayntes bothe men wymmen in grete penaunces seruauntes and frendys of god euerychone forced hym self to passe his felawe in wele wythout euyl and wicked enuye and wyth grete charyte one gafe ensaumple to another for to do wel whan saynt morante saynt Rotrud his moder knewe and ynough wyste the deuocion humylite pacyence and doctryne of saynt amer they prayed hym that he wold empryse or vndertake the cure or gouernemente of the abbey of bruel whiche they had fouÌ„ded on theyr patrymonye they gafe theyr owne self theyr abbay and al theyr good to hym and saynt amer receyued them mekelye and dwellyd there togyder pesablye Alle the other holy men there desyred moche to here his doctryne saynt amer enorted and taughte so moche Saynt morante that he made hym clerke and ordeyned hym vnto deaken maad hym abbotte of his owne hows founded in the honour of god our lord of saynt Peter Saynt Amer dyd do make a chambre ioynyng to the chirche for his oratorye wherin he restyd hym wyth our lord not slepyng but watchyng fastyng contynuelly prayeng There made the holy man hys holy penytence as longe as he lyued And whan our lord wold calle hym vnto his companye he receyued hys ryghtes and toke leue of saynt morante and of the other freres and soo deyed there and was buryed within the chyrche of saynt Peter of doway and rendred and yaue his sowle to our lord aboute the yere of grace seuen hondred ¶ I haue sayd before that whiche I now say the lyf of sayntes were nyghe loste and alle theyr legendes by the normans whiche wasted and spylte the londe wyth ij hondred and two and fyfâ—y shyppes of men of armes whiche aryued and came in that same londe and walked thorugh fraunce vnto Romanye gooyng and comyng by the space of fourty yere and beganne aboute the yere viij hondred and one and fyfty yf one scaped there were â—weyne loste and yet oner alle other dyuers werrys were that
of crysten men of which many one was dysmembryd and eten wyth beestys stanke ouer moche the whiche he gadred and assemblid wyth his owne handes With thayde and helpe of his which vnnethe myght endure ne suffre the stenche of them humbly and deuoutelye betook them to the buryeng of holy chyrche and after this vnderstondyng the sekenesse of the quene his moder by the counceyl of his barons assented to retourne in to fraunce and as he was vpon the see on the thyrd nyght after nygh the rysyng of aurora the shyppe where the kynge was in hurted and smote twyes ageynst the roche so strongelye that the maronners and other there wende that the shyppe shold haue broken and be plonged in the see And thenne the preestys clerkys and the other folke there abasshed wyth so grete hurtyng of the sayd shyppe founde the holy kyng deuoutelye prayeng before the body of our lord wherfore they fermelye beleuyd that god almyghty by the merytes and prayers of thys holy kynge had saued them from the forsayd perylle of dethe Thenne the sayd saynt so retourned into fraunce was receyued of alle there wyth grete ioye and the more ardant lye or brennynglye prouffytyng from vertue in to vertue became to al maner perfeccion of lyf and how be it that myseracion and pyte was growyng in hym from hys yongthe Neuerthelesse he shewed thenne more euydentelye his charytable dedes on the poure folke socouryng them prouffytably soo as he myght at theyr nede He began thenne to bylde and founde hospytalles or howses for poure people to lye in edefyed mynstres of relygyon and gaue yerely to other poure suffretours in dyuers places in the royame moche money pecunyes or syluer He founded many couentes of thordre of freres prechours to many other poure relygyous bylded chyrches cloysters dortoyrs and other edefyces couenables gafe for god largelye almoses to the blynde begynes doughters of god and releuyd the mynstre of many a poure nonnerye He enryched many a chirche founded by hym wyth grete reuenues rentes in whiche he many tymes excercyted thoffice of charite and of meruayllous humylyte humbly deuontelye seruyng the poure with his owne handes by grete myserycorde whan he came in parys or in other cytees vysyted the hospytalles and other smalle howses where poure peple laye in wythout abhomynacion of dyfformyte ne of ordure or fylthe of somme pacyente or seek admynystred many tymes knelyng gyuyng mete to the poure wyth hys owne handes In the abbay of royalmonte whyche he founded and dowed with grete reuenewe rentes is shewyd notoryly that suche and semblable almoses he made there many tymes and yet gretter meruaylle a monke of the sayd abbay a leper an abhomynable and as thenne proued bothe of nose and eyen by corupcyon of the sayd seeknesse the blessyd saynt lowys admynystred humbly puttyng knelyng with his owne handes bothe mete and drynke wythin the mowthe of the sayd leper wythoute ony abhomynacion The abbotte there presente wyche vnnethe myght see that wepte and syghed pyteously and how be it that to al Indygente he openyd the bosom of myserycorde Neuerthelesse to them that watched in deuyne seruyces and that prayed for sowles he maad gretter almoses and ofter And by the grete almose that he dalte euery yere to the couentes in parys bothe of the freres predycatours and mynours sayd somtyme to his famylyers O god how this almose is wel sette or bestowed on so moche and so grete nombre of freres affluyng comyng to parys oute fro alle londes for to lerne the deuyne scryptures and to th ende they myght shewe and vtter them thorugh al the world to the cure and saluacyon of sowles Other almoses that he dyd thorugh the yere no tunge shold suffyse for to reherce it He worshypped the holy relyques wyth moche grete deuocyon and assyduelly grewe the cultyuyng of god and thonour of the sayntes He bylded in parys a fayr chapel within the paleys ryalle in which he purposed and put ryght dylygently the holy crowne of thorne of our lord wyth a grete parte of the holy crosse Also the yron or heed of the spere wherwyth the syde of our lord was openyd wyth many other relyques whiche he receyued of the emperour of constantynoble He wold speke to no body whyle that he was at chyrche heryng the deuyne seruyce wythoute it were for grete nede or grete vtylyte of the comyn wele And thenne wyth shorte and substauncyous wordes vtteryd that he wold say to th ende that hys deuocyon shold not be letted He myght not here ne forbere the reproches or blasphemyes doon to the crysten feythe but he ennamoured of the loue of god as phynees punysshed them right greuously wherof it hefyl that a cytezeyn of parys who lothely sweryng had blasphemxed Ihesu Cryste ageynst the acte or statute ryal whiche saynt lowys by the counceyl of the prelates and prynces had ordeyned and made for the swerars and blasphematours at the commaundement of the sayd saynt he was marked or tokened at the lyppes of hym with an hote and brennyng yron in sygne of punycyon of his synne and terrour and dredefulnesse to alle other And how for cause of that he heryng somme say cast in on hym many cursynges sayd I wold fayne susteyn on my lyppes suche laydure or shame as longe as I shal lyue soo that alle the euyl vyce of sweryng were lefte and caste out from alle our royame He had the sygnacle or fygure of the holy crosse in soo right grete reuerence that he eschewed to trede on hit and requyred of many relygyous that wythin theyr chyrcheyerde and tombes they ne shold fro thens forthon pourtraye nor pycte the forme or fygure of the crosse and that the crosses so portrayed and fygured they shold make to be â—laned O how grete reuerence he 〈◊〉 He also wente euery yere on the good fryday to the chappel within the paleys ryal for to worshyp there the holy crosse knelyng bothe feet and heed bare O dylygente dyscutyng of causes and maters he rendred or yelded Iuste Iugemente O veray dyâ—â—ccyon or loue he doubtyng that the stryf aâ—â—ions and pletynges of the poure shold come onely to the presence and knowlege of hys counceyllours he wente presyded emonge them at the leste twyes in a weke for to here the playntes whiche lightely he made to be dyscuted and sone after Iustelye Iuged He stablysshed also for to haue aweye the brennyng couetyse of the vserers that no Iustycer shold compelle ne constrayne them that were bouÌ„den to the Iewes or to other publyke vsurers by letters ne by none other manere to paye or yelde to them theyr vsure or growyng in the ende after the cours or rennyng of many yerys vnderstondyng and by trewe reporte knowyng the desolacyon perplexyte and the perylles of the holy londe as another machabeus wyth hys sones not wyllyng that the crysten folke holy persones shold susteyn
ne bere ony lenger euyl or payne enspyred wyth the holy ghoost passed saylled ageyn ouer the hyghe see vnto the holy lande accompanyed wyth the nobles and moche comynaltee of his royame and whan the shyppes were redy for to saylle saynt lowys beholdyng his thre sones specyally dressyng hys wordes toward theldest said sone consyder thou must how as now I am ferforth in age and that ones I haue passed ouer the see also how the quene thy moder is of grete age procedyng nygh hir laste dayes how now blessyd be god we possessen pesably our royame without ony werre in delyces rechesses and honoures as moche as plesyth to vs or apperteyneth loke thenne that for the loue of Ihesu cryste and his chirche I ne spare myn olde age and haue no pyte of thy dyscomforted wooful moder but I leue bothe delyces honoures expose myn owne selfe to perylle for Ihesu cryste whiche thynges I wyl thou here and knowe to th ende that whan thou comest to the successyon of the royalme thou doo so The shyppes thenne redy saylled on the see so longe that the hoost areyued at the hauen of cartage in auffryke where by force of armes the crysten men took the castel and enioyed the londe there aboute and betwyxte thunes and cartage they dressyd theyr tentes for to dwelle there a lytel tyme and in this meane whyle saynt lowys after so many vertuous werkys after soo many paynes and labours which he had suffred for the feythe of Ihesu cryste god that wold benewrely consume his lyf for to yelde to hym fruyte gloryous for his laboures and benefaytes sente to hym an axes contynuel and thenne the holy enseygnementes or techynges whiche before he had writen in frensshe exposed dylygently to phelyp his eldest sone and commaunded that soon they shold be accomplysshed and thenne he beyng of thought syght and heeryng hoole sayeng his seuen psalmes and callyng alle the sayntes deuoutelye took all the sacramentes of the chyrche and at the last he comyng to the last houre stratchyng his armes in manere of a crosse and profferyng the laste wordes I commende my sowle in to thyn handes deyed and passyd vnto our lord the yere a thousand ij hondred lxx The corps of the glorious saint lowes was transported vnto the sepulcres of his faders and predecessours at saynt denys in frauÌ„ce there to be buryed In whiche place also in dyuers other thys gloryous saynt resplendyssheth of many myracles On that day that saynt lowes was buryed a Woman of the dyocyse of Sees recouerd hir syght whiche she had loste sawe noo thynge by the merytes and prayers of the sayd debonayr and medeful kyng Not longe after a yonge chylde of burgoyne bothe dombe and deef of kynde comyng wyth other to the sepulture or graue of the saynt besechyng hym of helpe knelyng as he sawe that the other dyd and after a lytel whyle that he thus knelyd were his eerys openyd and herde and hys tonge redressyd and spake wel In the same yere a woman blynde was ledde to the sayd sepulture and by the merytes of the saynt recoueryd hyr syghte Also that same yere ij men and fyue Wymmen besechyng saynt loyes of helpe recouerd the vse of gooyng whiche they had loste by dyuers sekenesse and langours In the yere that saynt loyes was put or wryten in the cathologe of the holy confessours many myracles worthy to be prrysed befyl in dyuers partyes of the world at thynuoâ—acyon of hym by his merytes and by hys prayers Another tyme at Eureux a chylde fyl vnder the whele of a water mylle grete multytude of people came thyder and supposyng to haue kepte hym fro drownyng Inuoked god our lady and his sayntes to helpe the sayd chylde but our lord wyllyng hys saynt to be enhaunced emonge so grete multitude of peple was there herde a voys sayeng that the sayd chylde named Iohan shold be vowed vnto Saynt Lowys He thenne taken oute of the water waâ— by his moder borne to the graue of the saynt and after hyr prayer doon to saynt Lowys hyr sone beganne to syghe and was reysed on lyue It befyl the same tyme in the dyocyse of beauuays that ten men were broken wythin a quarrye there as they dyd fetche out grete stones for to byâ—â—e wythal For on them fyl a grete quantytâ—e of erthe in soo moche that they were couerd wyth hit A clerke thenne that passyd there foreby heâ—â—e theyr syghyng and hauyng pyte on theym that were nyghe deed knelyd doun to the erthe and remembryng the newe canonyzacion of the blessyd saint lowys fore wepyng made for the forsayd men his prayer to hym and after hys prayer was doon he sawe folke comyng that waye he called them and forthwyth deluyd wyth suche staues as they had so moche that by the merytes of the Saynt to whome they trusted moche they had oute of the quarrye the forsayd ten men the whyche were founde vnhurted and as hoole as euer they were before how be it that in certeyn they were deed It happed on another tyme that a grete walle fyl on a chylde which was reputed as deed by al the folke hys moder vowed hym to the sayd Saynt maad the stones that couerd hym to be had awaye and founde hyr chylde lawghyng and hole of alle hys membrys A woman agreuyd wyth a sekenesse whiche men calle the fyre of saynt anthony came to poyssy there as saynt lowys was borne and before the founte wherin the sayd Saynt was baptysed she knelyd and sore wepyng made hir prayer there to god to the saynt by the merytes of whome hir body was clene delyuerd fro the forsayd sekenesse Item two dayes after thys a worshypful man whyche of longe tyme had be oppressyd and beten with sekenesse of feet that he coude not goo ne stande wythoute he had two â—â—â—ches or staues vnder hys armes came vnto the sayd founte maad there his prayer leefte his staues there â— hoâ—â— he retourned as hole as euer he Was And yet sythe were there are as now doon many other thorugh the prayers and merytes of saynt loyes at the glorye preysyng of our redemptour ¶ Thus endeth the lyf of saint lowes kyng of fraunce ¶ And here foloweth the lyf of Saint lowes bisshop of marsaylle SAint Lowes of marseylle was borne of ryal lygnage and had to hys fader charles kyng of cecylle and to moder marie quene of cecyle and louyng humylite he refused and forsoke the hyghnesse of regalyte and hys noble lygnage and how be it that al the worthy faytes of his holy lyf with fewe wordes may not al be recouÌ„ted Neuerthelesse somme we shal reherce to the prouffyte and techyng of them that shal rede or here them This glorious saynt thenne as testefyed it is of many dygne of feythe or worthy to be byleuyd beyng of yonge age was with hys brethern holden kepte vnder the cure religyous dyligence of his mayster
thabbay of nonnes at mouÌ„s whiche she had founded and wrote and prayed to hir moder that she myght haue audegonde hir suster wyth hir for hir dysporte comforte and companye in veray loue and charytee audegonde the holy virgyne was sente thyder and was taughte and endoctryned by hir suster in the manere holdyng of relygyon Fewe dayes after hir moder yet supposyng to haue maryed hir wente there where bothe hyr doughters were and to Audegonde gaue a pyete of lynnen clothe suche as prynces weren and commaunded to hyr that therwyth she shold make shertes shetys and kerchyers for hyr paramours The good virgyn wenyng that hir moder had mente hyr spouse Ihesu cryste took the sayd clothe and therof she made crysmes whyche are put on newe borne chyldrens heedes whan they be borne to the fontes there to be baptysed to whome the preest sayth take thou thys whyte clothynge whiche thou shalte bere tofore the syege trybunal of our lord wherfore the sayd holy vyrgyne to the ende that the shyrtes of hir owne shapyng and making shold be borne to hir spouse Ihesu cryste she made crysmes with hir moders clothe and whan she had made them moche fayre and ryche as for kynges sones she wyth a mery countenaunce gaue them to hir moder sayeng that she had doon it in the beste wyse that she coude whan hir moder sawe the crysmes and hir lynnen cloth thus employed she was moche wroth and euyl apayed and fette a rodde for to bete hir doughter wythal But the blessyd saynt fledde vnto the foreste of mauâ—euge that was there nyghe there she made hyr penytence wyth the comforte and helpe of our lord It is sayd that he whyche by thassente and graunte of hir moder shold haue had hir to his wyf came in to the said foreste for to haue rauysshed hir by force but he coude neuer fynde ne see hyr alle wente he nyghe hyr There she abode vnto the tyme that hyr moder was dede and after she wente to moune where she was sacred vnto a nonne by the handes of Saynt obyer of saynt amande and anone after she bylded founded hyr abbay of mauleuge There was once brouhte to thys holy vyrgyne a grete fysshe whiche she put in to a fountayn for to be kepte there It happed as suche grete fysshes ben acustomed to doo that he lepte so hyghe fro the water that he fyl on the grounde and coude not retourne in to the fontayn On hym cam a grete rauen whiche wold haue ete of hit but there came a lambe that kepte the fysshe fro harme and foughte ageynst the rauen so longe that the ladyes nonnes of the place perceyued the bataylle Somme of them cam to the fontayn toke the fysshe brought it wyth them the said lambe euer folowed them vnto tyme the fysshe was before the presence of saint audegoÌ„de neuer wold departe tyl the holy vyrgyn said to hym ye haue do right wel goo to your herde ageyn On a nyÈt as saint audegonde with hir suster togyder spekyng secretely of their spouse our Lord Ihesu Cryste theyr candyl fyl fro the candel stycke and was put out Saynt audegonde took it and as god wold it lyghted by it self ageyn Item as on a tyme they two wente to gyder toward the chirche of saynt Peter aboute the houre of sexte the yates that as thenne were shytte sodaynlye openyd before them at the Instaunce of theyr orysons and prayers Item ones as she had thyrste was water broughte to hyr whyche was tourned in to wyne by the grace of hym that in galylee dyd tourne the water in to wyne Saynt Wandrud sawe in a vysyon fyue dayes before the dethe of the holy audegonde hyr suster the blessyd vyrgyn marye bothe saynt Peter and saynt powle prynces of the appostles accompanyed wyth many sayntes and a grete legyon of aungellys whyche ledde hyr suster audegonde in to paradyse She therfore came to the place where hyr suster laye seek and was presâ—nte whan she rendred hyr sowle to hir spouse our lord Ihesu cryste to whome we shal praye that thorugh the merytes of the blessyd vyrgyne audegonde of whyche the myracles bothe in hyr lyf and after hyr dethe been wythoute nombre we may come there as she is in glorye without ende Amen ¶ Thus endeth the lyf of saint audegonde virgyne And here foloweth the lyf of saint Aulbyne bysshop SAynt aulbyne was borne of noble lygnage in the partyrs of ytalyâ— In his chydehode he loued and seruyd god ententyfly and wyth so grete wylle that he lefte bothe his fader and his moder his parentys and frendes lande and alle worldely rychesse and became a monke in an abbay callyd in latyn Tincillacense monasterium where he nedyd shewe of his noblesse but onelye the good condycyons He was humble and seruysable vnto alle and was euer in contynuel prayers and replenysshed wyth alle vertues redy and apparaylled to flee and eschewe alle vyces Whan saynt aulbyne came to the eage of thyrty yere he was maad abbotte of the sayd abbay whyche he gouerned bothe temporelle and spryrituel by the space of fyue twenty yere so that our lord was at al tymes wel and deuotelye seruyd and al goodes temporalle dayly grewen there The bisshop of angers deyed that tyme and thenne thys holy saynt aulbyne by the grace and wylle of our Lord and by the comune and concordable assente of alle the chappytre was promoted to the dygnyte of bisshop there where as he was afterwarde knowen so parfyte and so charytable that doubtelesse his promocyon Was cause of the saluacyon of many sowles A Woman there was in the cytee of angyers whyche had hir handes as lame and counterfeyted for cause of a sekenesse that men calle the gowte wherwyth she was sore vexyd she made hyr prayer and demaunded helpe of the saynt and soone she was holpen and releuyd from that sekenesse onelye by that he handelyd thre tymes hyr handes on a tyme as saint aulbyn went thorugh a dowue within his dyocyse he sawe the fader moder wepyng ouer theyr chylde dede toke on them pyte made his prayer vnto our lord sodaynlye their chylde was reysed to lyf Item a blynde man demauÌ„ded helpe of saint aulbyn the holy bisshop made the signe of the crosse ouer â—ym anon he was enlumyned ageyn Item as saynt aulbyn dyd passe on a tyme before the pryson hows at angers the prysonners cryed besought hym for helpe the holy bysshop hauyng on them grete compassyon yede vnto the baylye prayed hym for theym but nought auayled there his prayer wherfore he wente to his chyrche and soone after his prayer made to god knelyng before the hygh aulter a grete parte of the pryson walle fylle doun and soo scapyd euery prysonner there A woman vexyd wyth a wycked spiryte was broughte before thys holy bysshop and assone as the enemye perceyued the holy man he put hym selfe in to the
sayntes were buryed in vlster in the cyte of Dunence as it were in a caue wyth thre chambres her bodyes were founden atte first comyng of kyng Iohan kyng harry the secondes sone in to yrelond vpon whos tombes thyse verses folowyng were wryton Hic iacent in duno qui tumilo tumilantur in vno Brigida Patricius atque columba pius Whyche is for to say in englysshe In duno thyse thre been buryed alle in one sepulture Bryde Patryke and Columba the mylde Men say that this holy bysshop Saynt Patryke dyd thre grete thynges One is that he droof with his staffe alle the venemous bestys out of yrelond The second that he had graunte of our lord god that none yrysshe man shal abyde the comyng of antecryst The iij wonder is redde of hys purgatorye whyche is more referred to the lasse saynt Patryk thabbot And this holy abbot by cause he founde the people of that londe rebelle he went out of yrlond came in to englond to the abbey of glastenberye where he deyed on a saynt bartylmewes day He flouryd about the yere of our lord viijCL the holy bysshoy deyed the yere of our lord foure hondred iiij score x in the hondred and xxij yere of his age to whome praye we that he praye for vs ¶ Thus endeth the lyf of Seynt patryke ¶ Of saynt benet thabbot And first the interpretacion of hys name BEnet is sayd by cause he blessyd moche peple or ellys bycause he had many benedyccions in this lyf Or for as moche as he deseruyd for to haue blessynges or benediccions perpetuel And the holy doctour Saynt gregory wrote his lyf ¶ Of saynt benet thabbot TAynt benet was borne of the prouynce of Nurcia And was sente to Rome for to studye but in hys Infancye he lefte the scoles and wente in to a deserte and his nouryce whych tenderly loued hym weÌ„t alweye wyth hym tyl they came to a place named offyde And there she borowed a vessel for to pourge or wyne we whete but the vessel fyl to therthe by neclygence and was broken in two peces And whan saynt Benet sawe his nouryce wepe he had grete pyte made his prayers to almyghty god after made hit also hole as it had been tofore Thenne they of the contre tooke hit and henge hit on the fronte of the chyrche in wytnesse of one soo fayre a myracle Thenne lefte saynt benet hys nourice and fledde secretely and came in to an hermytage where he was neuer knowen of no man but of a monke named romayn whiche mynystred to hym mete for to ete And bycause that there was no waye fro the monasterye of romayn vnto the pytte where Saynt Benet was he knytte the loof in a corde so lete hit doun to hym And bycause he shold here whaÌ„ romayn shold lete doun the breed he bonde a belle on the corde and by the sowne therof he receyued his breed But the deuyl hauyng enuye of the charitee of that one and of the refeccion of that other cast a stone and brake the belle but neuerthelesse Romayn lefte not to mynystre hym It happed that there was a preest on an estern day that had arayed his dyner for hym self and our lord appered to hym and sayd thou ordeynest for thy self delycious metes and my seruaunt deyeth for hunger in suche a pytte and named hym the place Thenne the preest aroos and bare his mete wyth hym sought soo longe that he fonde Saynt benet in grete payne whan he had founden hym he sayd to hym Aryse and take thy mete and refeccion For it is ester day He answerd I knowe wel that hit is the feste of paske bycause that I see the The preest sayd to hym Certeynly thys day is the day of ester and saynt benet wyst hyt not by cause he had dwellyd there so longe and so ferre fro people Thenne sayd they graces and made the benedyccion and toke theyr refeccyon It happed after thys that a blacke byrde that is called a merle came on a tyme to saynt benet and peckyd with his bylle at his vysage And greuyd and noyed hym so moche that he coude haue no reste for it and coude not put it from hym but assone as he had made the signe of the crosse anone the birde vanysshyd away And after that cam to hym a grete temptacioÌ„ of the flessh by the whyche the deuyl tempted hym in shewyng hym a womaÌ„ and brente sore and was enflamed in hys corage but anon he cam agayn to hym self and after he despoylled hym self all naked and wente emong thornes and walowed emong the nettels so that his body was torn and payned by whyche he heled the woundes of his herte Thenne after that tyme he felte nomore temptacion of hys flessh ¶ It happed that thabbot of a monastery was deed And for the good renomâ—e of thys holy man saynt benet All the monkes of thabbaye gaf theyr voys and electe saynt benet for theyr abbot But he accorded not therto ne agreed to them For he said that hys condicions and maners were not acordyng to theyres Notwythstondyng he was vaynquysshyd and so Instauntly requyred that atte laste he consented But whan he sawe they lyuyd not ne were not ruled acordyng to theyr religion and rewle he repreued and correctyd them vigorously And whan they sawe that they myght not doo their wylles vnder hym They gaf hym venym medlyd wyth wyn for to drynke but saynt benet made the signe of the crosse ouer it and blessyd it and anon the vessell brake in pieces whyche was of glasse whan saynt benet theÌ„ne knesoe that in that vesselle was mortal drynke whyche myght not abyde ne suffre the signe of the crosse he roos vp and sayd god haue mercy on you fair brethern I sayde to you wel atte begynnyng that my condicions and maners apparteyne not to youres Fro hensforth gete to you another fader For I may no lenger dwelle here Thenne wente he agayn to deserte where god shewed for hym many signes myracles and founded there two abbeyes Now it happed that in one of thyes two abbeyes was a monke that myght not endure longe in prayers And whan the other of hys felawys were in prayer he wold goo out of the chyrche Thenne thabbot of that abbaye shewd thys to saynt benet And anone he wente for to see yf it were trewe And whan he cam he sawe that the deuyl in lyknes of a lytyl blaâ—k chyâ—d drewe hym out of the chyrche by hys cowle Thenne sayd saynt benet to the abbot and to saynt maure See ye not hym that draweth hym out they sayd naye thenne sayd late vs praye to god that we may see hym whan they had made theyr prayers saynt maure sawe hym but the abbot myght not see hym The next day saynt benet toke a rodde and bete the monke And thenne he abode in prayer lyke as the deuyl had be beten
that they shold goo to saynt denys the wode men answerd that they myght not but she vnbonde them the virgyn which was for them in grete sorowe commaūded them that they shold goo thenne anone they suffred them to be ledde secretely theyr handes bounde behynde their backes she wente after them whan she was in the chirche of saynt denys she stratched hir self on the grounde in orisons in wepynges Thus as she perseueryd in prayers and wepynges the wode men cryed with an hygh voys that they approched whome the vyrgyn callyd in to their helpe none ought to doubte that the enemye that sawe that he must nedys yssue goo out signefyed by the mowthe of the demonyaks that the appostles marters other sayntes that the holy virgyn callyd came vnto hyr helpe by the yefte of god which is redy to do the wylle of them that drede hym calle hym in trouthe whan the holy vyrgyn herde this that they said She aroos vp and blessyd eche after other with the sygne of the crosse anone they were delyuerd of the enemyes They that were presente felte soo grete stenche that they doubted no thynge but tho sowles were delyuerd fro the vexacion of the deuyl blessyd our lord for this myracle There was at bourges a damoysel which herde speke of the grete renomee of this holy saynt came to parys for to speke to hir she had ben sacred but after the consecracion she had loste hir vyrgynyte the holy genouefe demaunded of hir yf she was a vyrgyn nonne or wyf or a wydowe She answerd that she was a vyrgyn sacred Geneuefe sayd nay tellyng to hir the place tyme of hir defloracion the man that had done the feyte Whan she sawe that it was for nought that she sayd she was a vyrgyne her conscience remorsed hir and fyl doun to hir feet in requyryng pardon In semblable wyse the holy genouefe dyscouerd to many the secretes of theyr consciences whiche ben not here wryton by cause it were ouer noyous longe to wryte A woman whome the holy vyrgyn had helyd had a chylde of the age of foure yere whiche fyl in a pyt he was therin the space of thre houres the moder came and drewe it out and bare it al deed vnto the saynt in rendyng hyr heyre and betyng hir breste and pappes and wepyng bytterly and layed the chylde dede at hyr feet The holy vyrgyn couerd hit with hyr mantel and after she fyl doun in hyr prayers and wepte and anone after whan she cesyd of hyr wepyng our lord shewyd a fayre myracle for the chylde that was deed reuyued the whiche was baptysed at ester after was named celonyer by cause she was reysed in the celle of saynt Genouefe There came fro meaux a man to thys holy vyrgyne whyche had hys hande dryed vnto the wreste and she handled his ioyntes and fyngres and maad theron the sygne of the crosse and anone the hande became alle hool Geneuefe that knewe wel that our lord Ihesu cryste was baptysed the day of epyphanye and after wente in to deserte in gyuyng enseygnement to them that ben regenerate in the sacramente of baptesme to faste wake and adoure besely and to accomplysshe by werke the grace that they haue taken in the baptesme by the ensaumple of swete Ihesu cryste Thenne entryd the holy vyrgyn in to hyr celle the sonday tofore the sayd feste and abode there as recluse vnto the thursday absolute in wakyng in prayers in fastynges and orysons Thyder came a woman to see hir more for curyosyte than for good feythe And therfore god punysshed hyr Far assone as she approched the dore of the celle she loste hyr syght and became blynde But the holy mayde by hir debonayrte by hir prayer gate hir syght ageyn and by the sygne of the holy crosse whan she yssued out of hyr celle in the ende of lente ¶ In the tyme that the cyte of parys was assyegyd by the terme of ten yere lyke as thauncyent hystoryes reherce that there folowed so grete famyne and hungre that many deyed for hungre The holy vyrgyne that pyte constrayned hir wente to the sayne for to goo fetche at name somme vytaylles whan she came vnto a place of sayne where as of custome shyppes were wonte to perysshe She made the shyppe to be drawen to the ryuage and commaunded to cutte doun a tree that was in the water and she sette hyr to prayer Thenne as the shyppes shold haue smyton vpon the tree hit fyl doun And two wylde heedys graye and horryble yssued therout which stanke so sore that the peple there were enuenymed by the space of two houres and neuer after perysshed shyp there thāke be to god and to hys holy saynt Vnto arcy the castel wente thys holy vyrgyne and there came ageyn hyr a grete lord whiche requyred hir that she wold vysyte his wyf whyche had had longe tyme the palseye The holy vyrgyn wente and uysyted hyr which had ben longe seek wyth prayers and orysons and after blessyd hyr wyth the sygne of the crosse commaunded hyr that she shold aryse She thenne that had ben four yere seek myght not helpe hyr self aroos seyng alle the people whyche thanked our lord Fro arcy she wente to troyes in champayn the peple came to mete with hir and offred to hir grete multitude of seek people wythout nombre She blessyd them and sygned them wyth the sygne of the crosse Incontynente they were helyd in the syght of al the people whiche meruayled moche and rendryd thankynges to our lord There was brought to hyr a man whiche by the pugnycion of god was made blynde by cause he wrought on the sonday and a blynde mayde also the holy vyrgyne blessyd them in the name of the fader and sone and of the holy ghoost and anone theyr syght was restored to them There was a subdeken presente and sawe thys he wente and fette a chylde whyche had ben seke x yere of the febres right sore the holy vyrgyn dyd do brynge holy water and blessyd it and gaue hym drynke and that doon by the grace of god the chylde was in good helthe In this tyme many toke of the cuttynges of hir vesture by deuocyon wherof many seek were helyd and many vexyd by spyrytes were delyuerd remysed in to theyr good mynde Fro arcy retorned the holy vyrgyne to parys wyth xj shyppes charged wyth vytayl wynde tempeste orage assayled them soo strongely that they wende to haue perysshed without remedye the holy vyrgyn lyfte vp hyr handes to heuen requyryng helpe of our lord and anone the tempeste cessed Thēne bessus a preest that was present and sawe it whiche tofore had tremblid for fere began to synge for ioye cantemus domino gloriose Al that there were thanked our lord that had saued them by the prayer of the damoysel geneuefe whan the goodes came to parys
he was bysette with his enemyes so that for socour he leep in to the chircheyerd And they folowed for to haue slayn hym And anone all the dede bodyes arose and eche helde suche a Instrument in his hand that they defended hym that prayde for them And chaced aweye his enemyes puttynge them in grete fere And the Second manere of suffrages is for to gyue almesses and that helpeth them that ben in purgatory as it appiereth in the book of Machabeis where hit is redde that Iudas the most strong man made a collacion and sente to Ierusalem xij thousand drammes of syluer there to be offryd for the synnes of dede men remembrynge ryghtfully and relygyously of the resurection And how moche to gyue almesse auayleth for them that ben departed it appyereth by ensample that saynt gregorye putteth in his fourthe booke of dyalogues There was a knyght that lay dede and his spyryte taken fro hym And a whyle after the sowle retorned to the body ageyne And what he had sene done he told and said ther was a brydge And vnder that brydge was a flood fowle horryble and full of stenche and on that other syde of the brydge was a medowe swete odoraunt and aourned full of all maner floures And there on that syde of the brydge were peples assembled cladde al in whyte that were fylled with the swete odoure of the floures And the brydge was suche that yf ony of the mynystres wold passe ouer the brydge he shold slyde and falle in to that stynkyng Ryuer And the ryghtwys peple passid ouer lyghtly and surely in to that delectable place And this knyght sawe ther a man named Pieter whiche laye bounden and grete weyght of yron vpon hym whiche whan he axyd why he lay soo there It was said to hym of another he suffreth by cause yf ony man were delyuerd to hym to do vengeaunce He desyred it more to do it by cruelte than by obedyence Also he said he sawe there a pylgrym that whan he cam to the brydge he passid ouer with grete lyghtnes and shortely by cause he hadde wel lyued here and purely in the world and withoute synne And he sawe there another named Stephen whiche whanne he wold haue passid his fote slode that he fylle half ouer the bridge And thenne ther cam somme horryble black men And dyd all that they myght to drawe hym doune by the legges And thenne cam other ryght fair Creatures and whyte and took hym by the armes and drewe hym vp And as this stryf endured this knyght that saw these thynges retorned to his body and knewe not whiche of them vaynquysshed But this way we vnderstonde that the wycked dedes that he had done strofe ageynst the werkes of almesses For by them that drewe hym by the armes vpward hit appierid that he louyd almesses And by the other that he had not parfightely lyuyd ageynste the synnes of the flesshe The thyrdde maner of suffrages is the oblacion and offryng of the holy sacrament of the aulter whiche prouffiteth moche to them that ben departed as it appiereth by many ensamples lyke as saynt gregory recounteth in the fourthe book of his dyalogue that one of his monkes named Iustus whan he cam to his last ende he shewed that he had hydde thre pens of gold And therof sorowed sore And anone after he deyde And thenne saynt gregory comaunded his bretheren that they shold burye his body in a donghylle And the thre pieces of gold with hym sayenge thy money be to the in perdycion Neuertheles seynt Gregory commaunded one of his bretheren to saye for him euery day masse thyrtty dayes longe And so he dyde And whan he hadde accomplysshed his terme the monke that was dede appierid on the thyrttyest day to one whiche demaunded how it was with hym And he ansuerde to hym I haue ben euylle at ease vnto this day but I am now wel I haue this day receyued commynyon this sacrifice of th aulter prouffiteth not only to them that ben dede but also to them that ben lyuyng in this world It happed there was a man whiche was with other labourid in a roche for to dygge for syluer sodenly the roche fyll on them slewe them al sauf this one man which was sauyd in a creuyce of the roche but for al that he myÈt not yssue ne go out his wyf supposed that he had ben dede did do synge euery day a masse for hym bare euery day to thoffryng a loof a pot of wyne a candel the deuyll which had enuye herat appierid thre dayes contynuel to this womaÌ„ in forme of a maÌ„ demaÌ„ded her whyder she weÌ„t when she had said to hym he sayd to her thow gost in vayn for the masse is done And thus she lefte the masse thre dayes that she dyde not synge for hym And after this another man dygged in the same Roche for syluer And herde vnder this the voys of this man whiche sayd to hym smyte softe and spare thyn honde For I haue a grete stone hangynge ouer my hede And he was aferd and called mo men to hym for to here this voys and began to digge ageyne And thenne they herd semblably that voys And thenne they wente more ner And sayd who arte thou And he sayd I pray yow to spare your smytyng For a grete stone hangeth ouer my hede and thenne they wente· and digged on that one syde til that they cam to hym and drewe hym oute al hole And they enquyred of hym In what maner he had so long lyned there And he sayd that euery day was brought to hym a loof a pot wyn and a candell sauf these thre dayes And whanne his wyf herd that she had grete ioye And knewe well that he had be susteyned of her offryng and that the deuyll had deceyued her that she had do synge no masse tho thre dayes And as Peter thabbot of Cluny wytnessyth and sayth that in the toun of ferare in the dyocise of granepolytane that a maronner was fallen in to the see by a tempest and anone a preest sange masse for hym And at the laste he cam oute of the see al sauf And whan he was demaunded how he escaped he said that whan he was in the See and almost dede ther cam to hym a man whiche gaf to hym brede And whanne he had eten he was well comforted and recouerd his strengthe and was taken vp of a ship that passed by And that was founden that hit was the same tyme that the preest offrid to god the blessyd sacrament for hym And the fourthe maner of suffrages that prouffiteth to them that ben dede is fastyng Seynt Gregorye in spekyng of thys matere and of thre other wytnessyth it and saith the sowles of them that ben departed ben assoilled in foure maners by thoblacion of preestes by the prayers of sayntes by the almesse of frendes and by the fastynges
of theyr kynnesmen that the penaunce done for them by their Frendes is vaillable to them hit is shewed by a solempne Doctour whiche reherceth that there was a woman whiche hadde her husbond dede And she was in grete despair for pouerte And the deuyll appierid to her and sayd that he wold make her ryche yf she wold do as he wold saye to her And she promysed to do hit And he enioyned her that the men of the chirche that she shold receyue in to her hous that she shold make them doo fornycacion Secondly that she sholde take in to her hows by daye tyme poure men And in the nyght dryue them oute voide and hauynge no thyng Thirdly that she shold in the Chirche lette prayers by her Ianglyng And that she shold not confesse her of none of alle these thynges And at the laste as she approched toward her deth her sone warned her to be confessid And she discouered to hym what she had promysed And saide that she myght not be shryuen And that her confession shold auaylle her no thyng But her sone hasted her and saide he wold do penaunce for her she repentid her and sente for to fetche the preest But to fore er the preest cam the deuyls ronnen to her and she deyde by thoorryblenes of hem Thenne the sone confessid the synne of the moder And dyd for her seuen yere penaunce And that accomplysshed he sawe hys moder And she thanked hym of her delyueraunce And in lyke wyse auaille the Indulgences of the chirche It happed that a legate of the pope praid a noble knyght that he wold make warre in the seruyse of the chirche and ryde to Albigoiâ— And he wold therfore gyue pardon to his fader whiche was deed And the knyght â—ode forth and abode there an hole lente And that done his fader appiered to hym more clere than the day and thanked hym of his delyueraunce And as to the third that is to say for whom the suffrages ben don ther ben iiij thynges to be considere Fyrst who ben they to whome it may prouffyte Secondly Wherfor hit ought to prouffyte them Thyrdly hit muste be knowen yf hit prouffyte to alle egally Fourthly how they may knowe the suffrages that ben done for them As to the fyrst who ben they to whome the suffrages may prouffite It is to be knowen as saynt Austyn sayth that alle they that departe out of this world or they ben right good or ryght euylle or bytwene both Thenne the suffrages that ben done for the good ben for to yelde thankynges for them And they that ben done for the euyl ben somme comforte to them that lyue And they that ben done for them that ben myddle and bytwene bothe they ben clensynges to them And they that ben ryght good ben they that anone flee to heuen And ben quyte of the fyre of purgatory and of helle also And there ben thre manere of this peple that ben children baptysed Martirs and parfyght men These ben they that parfyghtely mayntenyd the loue of god the loue of his neyghbour and good werkes And thoughte neuer to plese the world but to god only And yf they had done ony venyal synne Hit was anone putte awey by the loue of charyte lyke as a drope of water in a fornays And therfor they bere no thyng with them that oughte to be brent And who that prayeth for ony of these thre maner peuple or doth ony suffrages for them he doth to them wrong For saynt Augustyn sayth he doth wrong that prayeth for a martir But yf one praye for one that is rizt good of whome he doubteth that he be in heuen thenne of his orysons ben yeuen thankynges And they come to the prouffite of hym that prayeth lyke as Dauyd sayth My prayer shal be tornyd in to my bosome And to these maners of peple is the heuen anon open whan they departe ne they fele no fyre of purgatory And this is signyfyed to vs by the thre to whome the heuen was opened It was fyrst opened to Ihesu Cryst whan he was baptysed prayeng by whiche is signefyed that the heuen is open to them that ben baptitised be they yong or aged yf they deye anone they flee in to heuen For baptysme is clensyng of all orygenall synne and mortalle by the vertu of the passion of Ihesu Cryst Secondly hit was opened to saynt Stephen whan he was stoned wherof it is said in thactes of thappostles I see the Heuens open And in this is sygnefyed that hit is open to alle martirs And they flee anone to heuen as soone as they departe Thyrdly hit was opened to saint Iohan theuaÌ„gelist whiche was ryght parfyght wherof is sayd in thapocalipse I behelde and loo the dore was open in heuen by whiche it appiereth that it is opened to parfyght men that haue alle accomplysshed their penaunce And haue in them no venyal synnes or yf ony happen to be commysed anone it is consumed extyncte by the ardour of charyte And thus heuen is open to these thre maner of peple whiche entre lyghtly in for to regne perpetuelly The ryght euyll and wycked men ben they that anon ben plunged in to the fyre of helle For whome yf their dampnacion be knowen there ought no suffrages be done for them after that saint Augustyn sayth yf I knewe my fader to he in helle I wold no more praye for hym than for the deuyll but yf ony suffrages were done for a dampned man Of whome were doubte that he so were neuertheles they shold not prouffite hxm to his delyueraunce ne that is to say fro the paynes ne do the mytygacion of them ne lassyng of it ne shortynge of tyme For as Iob sayth In helle is no redempcion They that ben myddle good ben they that haue with them some thyng to be brent and purged that is to say wode heye and stupple or els they that ben surprysed with dethe before they myght haue accomplysshed their penace in their lyf Ner they be not so good but that they nede haue suffrages of their frendes ne they be not so euylle but that suffrages myght prouffyte ease them And the suffrages that ben done for them ben clensynges for them And these ben they to whom suffrages only may prouffyte And in doynge suche maner suffrages the chirche is acustomed to obserue thre maner dayes that is the seuenth day the thyrttyest day And thannyuersarye And the reson of these thre dayes is assigned in the book of offyce The seuenth daye is kepte and obseruyd that the soules shold come to the sabate of euerlastynge reste or by cause that all the synnes that they haue commysed in their lyf be foryeuen whiche they haue done by seuen dayes or that all the synnes that they haue commysed in theyr bodye whiche is made of four complexions and in their sowle â—in whiche ben thre poures may be forgyuen The trentalle