Sone of the fader withouten spotte al clene That doest away the worldes synne and tene Haue mercy on vs of thyn hygh goodnesse Syth thou thy self in parfyte holynesse Allone thou art sothely holy and no moo And lord allone ouer al thynge And worthyest and hyghest eke also O crist Ihesu of heuen and erthe kynge With the holy ghoost in glorye reynyng Ay with the fader by eternyte Thre knyt in one thrugh parfyte vnyte How the shepherdys founden cryst wyth our lady capitulo xliiij aNd whaÌ„ the aungels with this heueÌ„ly soÌ„ge The byrth of crist had magnefyed With parfyte gladnesse that was hem amonge To heuen anone ageyn they haue hem hyed And the hiâ—rdys by one accorde alyed Ben hastely vnto bethlem gone Where they founden when they came anone Marie and Ioseph and the chylde also Leyd in a stable accordyng euery dele As the aungel had sayd hem vnto And of the sight they lyked wonder wele And in hâ—m self gan knowe and fele That al was soth that they sayd afore Of the aungel how a chylde was bore In to this world mankynde for to saue After the recorde of olde prophecye Wherof they ganne so grete a ioye haue That al attones they gan magnefye God aboue deuoutly and to glorefye Retornyng hem deuoyde of euery smerte And marie choos within hir herte Conseruyd al that she dyd see Worde and dede and euery maner thynge That befylle in this natyuyte Ful secretly theron ymagenynge And prudently hir self gouernynge Kepte hir sone with al her besy cure Whiche on this day as sayth bonauenture Lyke a spouse from his chambre is goon His chosen chyldre thrugh his benygnyte In his chirche to ioye hem of syon By parfyte pees sothfast vnyte And he this day hath shewyd the beaute Of his face of excellente fayrnesse In whos honour this day of hygh gladnesse Was made the ympne the gospel sayth also Our alther myrthe and ioye to encrees Gloria in excelcis deo And in erthe this day a parfyt pees To man was shewyd withouten ony lees And as saith powle goddis benygnyte This day apperid in our humanyte How god wold not be borne but of a mayde moder and wyf capitulo xlv aNd ouer this as he eke telle can God was this day in symylitude In erthe honoured in liknesse of man And he this day his godhede dyd enclude In our manhode and shortely to conclude This day also yf I shal not feyne Befyl also other thynges tweyne The wonderfullest and most meruaylous That euer yet were seen tofore Wherof no wyght by kynde is capyous First how god to saue that was forlore Lowly in erthe list to be bore And how a mayde in hir virgynyte Myght also chylde and a moder be The whiche thynges passen and transende Reson of man by kyndes liknesse But fayth aboue must al comprehende And hit enbrace by parfyt stablenesse And make his grounde vpon the wytnesse Of propheâ—es whiche in her prophecye So longe aforne gan to speke and crye After the comyng of thys myghty kynge Our olde woo and trouble to enchace To whom dauyd sayd in his writyng O bâ—â—sful lord shewe to vs thy face And we in sothe onely thorugh thy grace Shullen saued be from al myschyef drede And also now in our grete nede Sende to vs thy comfortable light Vs to enlumyne liggyng in derknesse Eke ysaye with al his Inward sight Vp to heuen gan his loke to dresse And said lord of thy grete goodnesse Out of desert from the hard stone Vnto the doughter dwellyng in syone Send doun thy lambe fulfilled wyth mekenesse Tâ—at lordshyp hath and domynacion Of al the erthe our dole to redresse And wold god for our sauacion This myghty lord for to come a doun The hygh heuenes wold brekâ— on tweyne Vs to releue of that we so compleyne And dauyd spake eke this lord vnto In the sawter our sorowes for to fyne And sayd lord in relees of our woo In hygh heuyns thy mercy make enclyne And doun dyscende lat thy grace shyne Vpon vs wretchis in the vale of sorow And lord do dawe thy holy glad morowe Quod salamon and shewe to vs thy light Of thy mercy rewe on our distresse And with thy vertues that be so moche of myght That no man may counte theym ne expresse Fulfylle syon with hygh gladnesse Thy peples hertes make to renewe That thy prophetes may be founde trewe For out of the shal procede anone The myghty kyng and lord of Israel And now this day is coruen out of stone Without hondes of that holy helle Of whiche somtyme the prophete danyelle In his book wrote so longe aforne To signefye that there shold be borne At Iherusalem where as a myghty kynge Shal come in haste his peple to vysite And he shal brynge pees in his comynge Of whom the power shal not be a lyte For hit shal laste as hym lyst to wryte From see to see and al the erthe sprede Thorugh out the world in lengthe and brede And baruk commaunded to Iherusalem To be holde in al his beste entente Toward the brightnesse of the sonne beme And wysely loke in to the orient To see the gladnesse that this day is sent Doun to the erthe now that criyst is bore Of whos comyng so many a day afore Spake ysaye sayd in wordes playne The hygh heuens doo your grace adewe And sayd also the skyes shold rayne Vpon erthe her moysture for to shewe And bad the grounde eke in wordes fewe For to opyn and thus this heuenly shoure For to brynge our alther sauyour And Ieromye spake eke of this day And said on heyght god shold make sede A grayne of dauyd fayrer than floure in maye Whiche in fresshnes shal euer sprynge sprede And conserue Iuda out of drede And eke Israel kepe in sykernesse And he shal make dome and rightwysnesse Vpon the erthe of hygh and lowe degree And rightwysnes men shal his name calle Whan he cometh to sitte in the see Of kyng dauyd in his ryall stalle And he also tofore the prestys alle Bothe of Iuda and leuy shal deuyse With newe encence to do sacrefyse To god aboue for the grete offence Of the peple and ignoraunce With his offeryng make recompence Or that the swerde be whette of vengeaunce Euen lyke as made is remembraunce In malachye in the same wyse This sonne of lyf shal sprynge and aryse To al the that hym loue and drede And ben expectant with al humylite On his comyng to suche he shal out shede His light of grace at his natyuyte Wherfore be glad lyke as hit may be Thou bethleme y callyd effrata Though thou be lytyl namyd in Iuda For â—ut of the shal procede anone The myghty kyng and lord of Israel And now this day is coruen out of stone Withouten â—â—ndes of that holy helle Of the 〈◊〉 somtyme the prophete danyelle In his â—â—ke wrote so longe aforne â—o sigâ—efye
to the whiche Ioseph gan hym dresse With marie to reste there al nyght And as she entrid a newe sodeyn light All the place enlumyned enuyron That shone as bright as ony somers day So that this â—â—tyl humble mancion Was fressh and light as phebus is in may Whic◠〈◊〉 to weye and encrece ay 〈…〉 was there al be that it was nyght And 〈◊〉 anone the sothfast sonne of light Of al our ioye cast hym to aryse And shedde his light to glade al mankynde For toward mydnyght shortly to deuyse Whan al was husshte holy writte makith mynde As sothely as he dyd hym wynde In the sydys of this holy mayde So esely this newe sonne abrayde Whan he was borne in to this mortal lyf Vpon the erthe to shede his brightnesse Withouten helpe of ony mydwyf Or of his moder trauayle or sekenesse For she that first conceyuyd in clennesse It sat right wel that she shold also Withouten trauayle or ony maner woo For to goo quyte at hir delyueraunce And specially haue a prerogatyf In hir chyldyng to fele no penaunce Sithen she was mayde moder and wyf Chosen of god for to stynte our stryf Of al wymmen by her self allone Wherfore hit sat not hir to crye and grone Lyke to other women that be Inly syke In the tyme of theyr trauelynge Wherfore sithen she was to none other lyke No payne felte she the houre of hir chyldyng And as I fynde at hir delyueryng Ther was no wyght but her self allone For thylke tyme Ioseph was out gone How Ioseph went to seche a mydwyf to our lady capitulo xxxvij iN ful grete haste to enquere and seke SoÌ„me mydwyf to helpe in this nede And in this while with her eyen meke She chylded hath this floure of maydenhede And home ageyn as Ioseph gan hym spede And to the place the mydwyues brought Euen at the dore abasshyd in her thought Stoden stylle astoned of that light And the brightnesse that shone in the place Ageyn kynde that tyme of the nyght That they ne myght susteyne in her face And no wonder for the sonne of grace Within whiche cast his light to ferre Of whom the mone and eche other sterre Receyuen her light eueriche in her spere Al by that he lay here in erthe lowe In a stable with his sacrid chere Sool with his moder that no man dyd knowe Of whom hir â—ook she mekely gan to throwe Godely beholdyng his fayr yonge face And knelyng doun began to enbrace His tender lymmes in her armes tweyne And wrawyd hym in clothes tenderlye And took hym vp sothely gan hym leyne In her lawe and ful humbly She behelde his fetures by and by So fayr shapen in party and in alle And with her mylke very celestyal And heuenly sycour of hir pappys smale His 〈◊〉 lymmes she spredde in euery coste The whyt bawme to make hit auale Fet from the conduyte of the holy ghoost Vpon the thynge that she louyd moste And gaue hym sowke of the pyment sote That spronge grewe out of the holy rote Of maydenhede from the chaste vyne Of al clennes was I tryed oute Wherwith she made her yonge chylde to dyne Whom heuen erthe must obeye and lowte All be that he with bestys hym aboute Laye humbly as ye haue herde deuyse And after this his moder dyd aryse And lift hym vp sothely in to the stalle Where the asse and the oxe stode And on hir knees she gan anone to falle And worshipped hym this beste of al good That yeuyâ—h to aungels and to man food And than this mayde with debonayr chere With face erecte and hondys eke in fere A deuout prayer that our lady maad whan cryste was born capitulo xxxviij tO god aboue began thus for to praye O lord qd she with al my ful myght To whom eche thynge Iustely must obeye To the I than as it is skylle and right That thou so godely list to haue a sight To my mekenes though I vnworthy be And not dysdayne of thy benygnyte To graunte onely of thy hygh goodnesse Me to encrece in to suche excellence To be a mayden and moder in clennesse To bere thy sone and thy sapyence That neuer twynneth out of thy presence But in heuen abydeth ay with the And in erthe mekely now with me Lyeth in a stable of chere most debonayr Tofore my face my ioye and my comforte Whiche with the lokyng of his eyen fayre Is hole my gladnes and fully my disporte Sothfast plesaunce and my cheef resorte My dere soÌ„ne and my lord also To whom with herte and alle that I can doo I thanke the lord that liggist me beforne That thou list chese to haue affeccion Of me so mekely in erthe to be borne And fro thy fader to discende adoun Onely for helpe and sauacioun Of mankynde frely of thy wylle My blessyd chylde that so good stylle Liggest now here mekely by sufferaunce Amyd the bestys so fayr Vpon to see And hast no wighte to thyn attendaunce Lyke thyn astate awaytyng vpon the Saue that thou hast so godely chosen me Of thy grace vpon the to abyde I to serue and thou to be my guyde As it is right Ioseph with vs tweyne To take his parte what fortune so betyde Lyke as thou list of grace to ordeyne And than anone right in the self tyde Ioseph cam ynne stode hir besyde And sodeynly whan he the chylde doth see Ful humbly knelyng on his kne How the mydwyf durst not entre wyth Ioseph in to the how 's for a grete light apperyd wythin capitulo xxxix WOrshypped hym with al his herte myght With al his wylle al his ful thought And tellyd marye for fere of the light The mydwyues that he had brought Astoned were that they durst nought Entre ynne but kepte hem aferre For cause onely that a newe sterre Ascended was vpon that mancion That spredde his light his bemys shene From este to weste thorow out the regyon That al they that dyd it sene Gan fast muse what it myght mene And in her hertes gretely for to charge That a sterre so bright so fayr and large Of newe dyd appere in that reem That neuer none suche was sene tofore Of whiche sterre prophetes in Iherusaleem That tyme were astonyd wonder sore Sayden playnly withouten ony more That this sterre dyd signefye Thylke sterre whiche in his prophecye How balam prophecyed the sterre that shewid Crystys byrthe capitulo xl bAlam the sone of beor as I fynde CoÌ„mendith so in al his best wyse Whan he sayd sothely of the kynde Of worthy Iacob a sterre shold aryse And eke also as he doth deuyse Ful opynly the byble can you telle How that a yerd out of Israhel Shal sprynge also to smyte and oppresse The felle dukes of moab with her myght And he shal waste in warre sothfastnesse The chyldren of sothe and of kynde right With the shynyng of his bemys bright Conquere also to
Sothfast seleer of his sustenaunce The tonne of lyf that euer dyd endure Ay lyke fresshe vnto his plesaunce With sacrid lycour of holy habundaunce That none but he may touche ne appronhe For hit for hym was onely set a broche For in that lycour is ful remedye Holy refuyte and playne medecyne Ageyn the venym brought in by enuye Thorugh false engyne malyce serpentyne Whan the snake made adam to dyne Of the appyl that was intoxicate Falsely with god to make hym at debate But now the mylke of thy pappys tweyne Benygne lady is to vs triaâ—le Within thy breste spryngeth from a veyne Ayenst the deth to be to vs obstacle O how it is a passyng hygh myracle Thorow goddes myght by nought ellys Out of a breste to see two smale wellys Of a mayde spryngyng as a ryuere To yeue hym drynke that is kyng of alle O goodely lady o heuenly botelâ—re Whan we in myschyef to the clepe calle Somme drope of grace let vpon vs falle And to that celer make a redy weye Where thou of mercy allone berist the keyâ— And of grace let be no scarsete Good lady that art of grace welle For now this day in erthe is borne of the The sothfast god of heuen erthe and helle Whiche is come doun with vs for to dwelle And hath of the our mortall kynde y take Of al our woo an ende for to make Somtyme fro heuen fyâ— doun the manne To refresshe the hungry in her nede And that befyl in deserte right thanne Whan moyses the peple dyd lede But now this day in erthe man to fede An humble mayde to al that ben trewe In this desert hath brought manna newe Whiche to aungel is the food of lyf To man repaste of ioye and of gladnesse Chyef recomforte and restoratyf To al feble oppressyd with sekenesse O good lady o myrrour of mekenesse Benygne floure of womanhede the welle In this deserte where as now we dwelle Send vs thy manna of souerayn hertes he le To our comforte and consolacion And let vs grace in thy mercy fele For our refuyte and refeccion And in this vale of confusion Let the grace fro the skyes rayne The manna of lyf that we may attayne For thou allone arâ— comforte synguler To al tho that no refuyte conne This day also of mercy the ryuere Fro whiche al grace is to mankynde ronne The sterre also that hath brought forth the sonne The sone of lyf in erthe for to wone O mayde o moder o doughter of thy sonne Whiche none in soth sithe the world began Was bothe two but thy self allone For who is he that remembre can First or last late or ellys soone So bright a sonne spryng of so fayr a mone Saue this day the sonne of lyf most shene From the aroos thou a mayde clene Without eclipsyng or lesyng of thy light For thou a moder and mayde bothe two In vâ—â—tuâ—ayâ—e like shene and bright O fayr â—oose o roose of Ierico That hast this day god and man also In bethelem borne ageyn the greye morowe The nyght to voyde of al our olde sorowe Of liknessis of our lady in commendacion of hir capitulo lix nOw fayr â—edre cyâ—resse of syon Spryngyng light of nazareth Chosen chambre of wyse salamon Floure of the felde swettest on holte heth Of whom al vertu saueth men fro deth Of syloe the water eke depurid Wherby the lepre of Naman was recuryd Laude and glorye of Iherusalem Thow namyd arte and of Israel gladnesse Holsom cestern this day of bethlehem The thrist of dauyd to sâ—aunche and distresse Of paradyse the welle in sothfastnesse Foyson that floweth in to sondry royames The soyle to adewe with his swete stremes The lond also of promyssyon That mylke and hony bothe in fere shedyth The soyle and grounde of our sauacion With his herbys that fosterith vs and fedeth Now blessyd mayde whos mercy euer nedeth Also that lyuen in thy seruyse This hygh feste so for vs deuyse That in honoure of thy sone dere We may of herte rede synge and praye And let the stremys of thyn eyen clere Thy seruauntes o lady myn conueye To contynue fully vntyl we deye The to serue with hertely loue and drede As moste is plesyng to thy womanhede And this feste of festys pryncipalle Callyd the feste of the natyuyte Make loue pees to reygne oueralle And hertis ioye wyth parfyt vnyte Voyde al dyscorde let no rancour be In hertes closed by malice or enmyte But of thy grace so gouerne vs and gye This hygh feste in whiche thy sone was borne Now this mydwynter nyght with ful affeccion Whyle phebus shyneth in the caprycorne We may the serue with al deuocion And lady myn in conclusion Now this monthe that callyd is decembre Vpon thy seruauntes faythfully remembre How cryst was circumcisyd capitulo lx wHan Ianus bifrons in colde Ianuarie With frosty berde entryd in the yere And phebus chare neyeth to aquarie His watery bemys tofore feuerere Whan that his light was pale nothyng clere And from hym late was passyd lucyne The same nyght as I sawe her shyne A ourned newe with bemes glad and merye On the heuen and cast his stremys doun I gan remembre of the hygh ferye That callyd is the circumcision How hit befyl than by reuolucion By iuste acountyng in the calendere The first day of the newe yere And thought I wold in my book procede Of this feste somwhat for to wryte And to the gospel first I gan take hede Of this day how luke list to endyte Though he therof speke but a lyte And was ful brief and compendyous Yet of this day hygh and glorious He writeth playnly sayth how that anone After the day of the natyuyte When eyght dayes passed were and gone The chylde was brought with al humylite To the temple lowly for to be As the lawe of the Iewys hath deuysed The eyght day to be circumcisâ—â—n And he therto mekely dyd obeye And with a knyf made ful sharpe of stone His moder lokyng with a pyteouâ— eye The chylde was corue therwythal anone That al abowt the reed blood gan gone Without abode as sayth bonauenture And for the payne he dyd endure And for sharpenes of the sodayn smerte The chylde gan wepe that pyte was to heâ—â— Wherfore his moder of veray tendyr herte Out brast on teris myght hir self not stere That al bydewyd were hir eyen clere Whan she sawe hym that she louyd so So yonge so fayre to wepe so for woo But he anone in al his passyon For al that he was so yonge of age In manere he had a compassyon To see his moder to wepe in her rage And put his hande vnto hir vysage On mouthe and eyen passyngly benygne And as he coude goodely made a signe Withouten speche to stynte her wepyng That came to hir of moderly pyte And she ful wel conceyuyth his menyng From poynte to
an ende I make Besechyng al to haue pyte routh That therof shal haue ony Inspeccion Yf oughte be lefte of necligens and slouthe Or sayd to moche of presumpsion I put hit mekely to hiâ— correccion And axe mercy of my trespace There as I erre put me in her grace And thorow hir benygne supportacion So as I can forth I wyl procede With al myn herte hoole entencion Prayeng that mayde of so goodlyhede Croppe rote to helpe in this nede Whom I now leue in nazareth soiorne And to my mater I wyl agayn retorne How mercy and pees rightwysnes and trouthe disputeden for the redempcion of mankynde capitulo vndecimo wHo that is bounde and fetterid in prison Thynketh longe after delyueraunce And he that felith payne and passyon Desireth sore after allegeaunce And who that is in sorow and penaunce Lytyl wondre of hertely heuynesse Though he coueyte relees of his distresse And who that lyueth in langour in woo For in exyle and prescripcion And is withsette with many a cruel foo And can no geyne to his sauacion To escape deth without grete raunson Ful longe he thynketh of ful lityl space While he in bondes abydeth after grace And yet to recorde of olde felicite In sothfastnes encresith more his payne Than al the constraynte of his aduersite And causith hym more to syghe playne For ioye passyd can hertys more constrayne Her welthe afore to bewepe and wayle Than al the torment that hem doth assayle O who coude euer sith the world bygan Of more ioye or of gladnoe telle Than somtyme coude the worthy kynde of man That shapen was in paradyse to dwelle Tyl he alas was banysshed in to helle Fer in exyle from his possessioun And there to abyde stockid in pryson And he hath lost his riches and honour His myrthe hys ioye his olde welfare His force his myght and hooly his socour And was of vertu nakyd made and bare And laye ful seke languysshyng in care So fer proscripte out of his contre That by the lawe there may no recouer be Who 's necke oppressid with so stronge a câ—ene Laye plunged doun wythout remedye That whan mercy wold haue ben amene Rightwysnes gan hit anone denye And whan that pees for recouer gan to crye Came trouth forth with a sterne face And sayd playnly that he gete no grace For pees and mercy to gyder assemblid were Ful longe agone to trete of this matere And rightwysnes with hem was eke there And trouth also with a deynous chere And whan they were al foure in fere As ye haue herde and gan to entrete Than first of al cruelly to threte Trouth began almost in a rage Of cruel Ire and of malencolye And said shortly that man for his outrage Of veray right must nedes deye And thus began the contrauersye Betwene the susteryn trouth alwey in one Sayd playnly that recouer was there none For I quod trouth at his creacion Tolde hym the parel afore his offence But he me put out of his â—â—ndon And yaue to me no maner audyence And I quod right al my dyligence Wold hym haue rewlyd but he took none hede Wherfore of me he gete none helpe at nede And whan he gaf credence to the snake He made his quarel euyn ayenst right And agayn trouth he falsely gan to take Whan he hir clene put out of his sight And agayn pees began a quarell to sight Whan he from hym mercy sette aferre And so he sette hym self al out of herre Therfore quod right pletith for hym nomore But let hym haue as he hath deseruyd Ye do grete wronge yf ye wyl hym restore That hath his heste to you not conseruyd A yis quod mercy nature hath reseruyd To pees my suster ylaynly and to me On wretches euer for to haue pyte And offendyth hath of ignoraunce More than of malice ywys qd mercy tho Yet for al that he must haue his penaunce Quod right anone like as he hath doo And thynke quod pees that toward Ierico He was disposid amonge his cruel foon For lacke of helpe whan he left hym allone That was qd trouth for he was recheles To goo the waye y taught hym of reson Quod mercy than the mortal foo of pees The olde serpent rote of al tresoun Of false enuye and Indygnacion Lay a wayte to brynge hym in a trayne Whan he to hym falsely dyd fayne That yf he ete of the forboden tree The fayr faite in paradyse present He shold lyke vnto god be Of good and euyl to haue entendement And for my suster trouth was absent And ye your self also rightwysnes He was betrayed sleightly by falsenes Wherfore quod mercy I purpose vttertye Hym to releue yf I can or maye And I quod pees wyl helpe faythfullye The grete yre and rancour to allaye Of Iugement to put it in delaye And here vpon to fynde ful refuge I wyl procede afore the hye Iuge How mercy and pees brought in this plee before the hygh Iuge capitulo xij aNd right forthwith before the kyng of glorye Mercy and pees the cause brought anone And in the hygh heuenly consistorye Pees said thus amonge hem euerichone O blessyd lord that art bothe thre and one So plese hit the benygnely to here What I wyl say and my suster dere Remembre lord amonge thy werkis alle How thou madest mercy soueraygne That whan that euer vnto the she calle Thou maist not of right hir prayer disdaigne And specially whan that we bothe twayne To thyn hyghnes for ony thynge requyre Thou mude of grace fulfille our prayere Is not thy mercy grete aboue the heuen Thyn owne doughter cheef of thyn alye And hath her place aboue the sterris seuen With the ordris of euery Ierarchye Whom day by day thou canst so magnefye Amonge thy werkis to make hir emperesse To helpe wretchis whan they ben in distresse Thy mercy eke abydith euer with the Lyke thy gretnesse thy magnyficence And who that doeth mercy and pytre Doth sacrefise hygh in thy presence And is not mercy of more excellence Lyke as the sauter wel reherce can Vpon the erthe than the lyf of man Thy self also as it is playnly couthe Auysedly who so takith hede therto Sayest opynly with thyn owen mouthe That to a thousand thou canst thy mercy doo And holy dauyd recordith eke also With his harpe aboue al thynge That he thy mercyes eternally shal synge And how myght eke ony creature Vpon erthe in ony maner kynde Without mercy ony whyle endure For al were goon yf mercy were behynde Wherfore lord on mercy haue thy mynde The wooful caytyf to take vnto thy grace That hath so long â—e seuerid fro thy face And though that I be humble meke free Forsothe lord of duete and of right Yet euer in one my dwellyng is wyth the For selde or neuer I parte out of thy sight Peas is my name that power hath myght Thorow my kunnyng
not be borne of a mayde capitulo xx o Blynde man thorow thyn Inyquyte Why hast thou lost thy reson and thy sight That thou of malyce list not for to see How cryst Ihesu thorow his grete myght To his dyscyples helde the waye right Thorow the yatis y shytte by grete deffence Without brekyng or ony vyolence Who myght he not of his magnyficence Within a mayde make his mancion And she yet stood in hygh excellence Of maydenhede from al corrupcion Ye ben to blynde in your discressyon That list not to see also how he roos From deth to lyf in his sepulture cloos And here withal thou mayst also aduerte How he ful graciously of his myghty grace Made peter out of pryson to sterte And where hym lyst frely for to pace And yet the dores were shytte of the place What wonder than though god by myracle Within a mayde made his habytacle And beyng cloos and parfytly shytte With al the bondes of clene virgynyte For sothfastly hir clennesse was not lette Vpon no syde ne yet hir chastyte But encresyd and fauour for to see That goddes sone list to light adoun Within thys mayde to make his mancion Eke hildefons tellyth of a tree In stede of faite heriâ—h byrdys smale From yere to yere by kynde as men may see Without medlyng of female or of male This verily is soth playnly and no tale ThaÌ„ wondre not though crist were borne bitwene The chaste sydes of a mayden clene Eke certeyn byrdes called vultures Without medlyng conceyuyn by nature As bookes sayn withouten ony lees And of her lyf an hundred yere endure Than the lord of euery creature That causeth al no wonder though I say Though that he were conceyuyd of a maye And plunyus in bookes naturalle Wryte of a roche grete and large also That wyl remoue with a fynger smalle But yf a man do al his myght therto It wyl not stere neyther to ne fro Right so this mayde that is of vertu moste With a fynger of the holy ghooste And with a touche of his myghty grace Conseruyd hath stedfast god and man That neuer myght remoue from hir face Of thylke auowe that she first began To be a mayde as forforth as she can In herte wylle as ony roche stable That from his grounde is not remouable This clerke also this wyse plunius Seyth in tauriche there is an erthe founde That of nature is so vertuous That wyl cure euery maner wounde Right so marie was the erthe founde That god out choos by eleccion To bere the frute of our redempcion That shold be helthe and also medecyne To al our woundes whan they ake or smerte And our greuys our hurtis fyne From deth to make vs to asterte With holsom bawme percyng to the herte Our festerid soris that they shul ake nomore Ne that she ne were we were al forbore And ferthermore this auctour can eke telle Within his book who so loketh a right To Iubyter sacryd is a welle That whan it hath queynte his brondes bright That ofte agayn hit yeueth them a newe light Who list assaye soth as he shal fynde What wonder than though the god of kynde Amyd this welle from fylthe of synne colde Ful of vertu with fayr stremys clere His lodgyng took his myghty holde And thorow his grace sette hit newe afyre With the holy ghoost that withouten were Though she were colde from al flesshlyhede She brent in loue hotter than the glede And in falisco as hym list to wryte Is a welle that causeth eke of newe Whan the oxen drynke to be whyte And sodaynly to chaunge her hewe What meruayle than though the welle trewe The welle of helthe and of lyf eterne The lord of al so as I can disserne Thise stremys shedde in to this mayde free To make hir whightest as in holynesse That bothe shold mayde and moder be And euer in one kepe hir clennesse Withouten chaunge so that hir whitnesse Ne fadeth neuer in beaute ne in colour Of maydenhede to bere bothe leef and floure And who that wold dispute in this matere I holde hym madde or ellis out of mynde For yf he haue his eyen hoole and clere He shal now see preef ynough by kynde For he that made bothe leef and rynde And with a worde thise waste wordes wylde Myght make a mayde for to goo with chylde And 〈◊〉 that made the hygh cristal heuen The firmament also euery spere The goldyn axtree the sterris seuen Cithera so lusty for to appere And rede marce with his sterne chere Myght he not eke onely for our sake Within a mayde of man the kynde take And he that causeth fowles in the ayre In her kynde to waxe and multeplye And fysshe eke with fynnes siâ—â—d fayre In depe wawes to gouerne hem and gye And doth one lyue another dye And geuyth bestys her fode vpon the grounde And in his kynde doth hem to abounde Sithen he is lorde and causeth al thynge To haue beyng yf I shal not fayne And is the prynce and the worthy kyng That al enbracith in his myghty chayne Why myght he not by power souerayne At his free choys that al may saue and lose To his moder a clene mayde chese Who causeth the frute out of the hard tree By vertu onely that spryngeth from the rote To growe wexe â—â—ke as men may see With leuys grene newe blosmes soote Is it not that lord that for al our bote Wold of a mayde as I reherce can Mekely be borne without touche of man For he that doth the tender braunches sprynge And fressh floures in the grete mede That weren in wynter dede eke droppyng Of bawme voyde of lustyhede Myght be not make his grayne to growe sede Within her brest that was bothe mayde wyf Wherof is made the sothfast breed of lyf And he that grauyd of his grete myght Without poyntel in the harde stone And the tablâ—s with lettres clere and bright His ten preceptes byldynges eurichone The same lord of his power allone Hath made this mayde here in erthe bowe A chylde conceyue and no man to knowe And he that made the busshe to appere Al on flame with feâ—ly sparcles shene And whan moyses gan to approche nere And yet no harme cam to the bowes grene The same lord hath conseruyd clene His habytacle his herber swete In this mayde from al flesshly hete And he that made the yerde of moyses Of a serpent to take the liknesse In the halle amonge al the prees Where pharao the peple dyd oppresse And in deserte the byble beriâ—h wytnesse The ryuer made to renne out of the stone The thrist to staunche of the peple anone And ouer this for to verefye His grete myght sampson the stronge man As Iudicum doth playnly specefye Dranke the water that from the chanel ran And he that made the flodys of Iurdan To torn agayne for loue
his subieccion Withouten obstacle and haue poscessyon Of ydume for his heritage With many another riche regyon And of Seyr the riche baronage Shal to hym lowte for his renoun So that this sterre in conclusion Whiche in bethleme brightest of sterris alle The whiche aboue the lytyl oxys stalle So shene shone at the natyuyte Of the chylde as ye haue herde me telle Betokeneth playnly as ye shul after here That the lord of heuen erthe and helle Wâ—iche may of moab the tyrannye felle Was there by look helde his hostage Iâ— a staâ—le narow as ony cage 〈◊〉 bestis though he were lord of alle 〈…〉 world may at his wylle gouerne Whicâ—e in his honde hangith as a balle In 〈…〉 his mâ—ght is so eterne And 〈…〉 thâ—ng marye gan concerne Within her self sâ—ker and ful â—â—oos And after that she mekely vp roos How our lady receyuyd the mydwyues capitulo xlj aNd to the dore wonder womanly She went a paas and whan she dyd see The mydwyues ful benygnely She brought hem in with al humylite Shephora and also Salomee And hem welcometh in ful lowe manere And whan that they thise signes sawe in fere Of the sterris and the bestys knele Toward the chylde to do hym reuerence And gan also by other tokens fele Of maydenhode that there was none offence And that she stood hole in that excellence Of parfyt clennesse and virgynyte And moder to be and floure in chastyte Withouten wemme on ony party founde Of al the preues that they make coude And whan they sawe her pappis so habounde With heuenly mylke sent from aboue the cloude Shephora gan theÌ„ne to crye ful lowde That a mayde hath a chylde borne The whiche thynge was not seen beforne In al this world who so list to take hede For it in soth the right of al nature Passith playnly also doth excede The wytte of man I do you wel assure But I see wel thrugh the myghty cure Of goddys honde this thynge is brought aboute Wherof platly I am no thynge in doubte But assentyd with herte and hole credence Hauyng theron none ambyguyte And theÌ„ne anone for the grete offence And for wantriste of her felow salome Opynly that al men myght see Wexe in that arme dede and colde as stone With whiche she was hardy for to gone How the honde of Salome wexyd drye capitulo xlij tHe childe to touche of presumpsion And his moder without reuerence Deuoyde of drede or of deuocion Or ony faithful humble aduertence Don as hir ought of his magnyficence Wherfore anone for hir hygh trespace Al opynly in the same place She punysshid was that al myght hit see And gan for sorow wepe and complayne And sayd lord haue pyte vpon me And of mercy rewe vpon my payne And of myn offence that thou not dysdayne Ne to thyn hyghnes hit be no displesaunce That I a wretche blynde of ignoraunce Offendyd gretely hath in thy sight Of moche vnkunnyng and Indiscressyon And sodeynly in al theyr syght Euen amyddes of that mancion An aungel bright sent from heuen doun Dyd appere byddyng hir anone With deuoute herte that she shold goon Ful humbly in her beste entente Vnto the chylde for to haue socoure And touche the hemme of his vestemente Reuerently and with grete honour For he in soth is the sauyour Of al the world and of al mankynde And power hath playnly to vnbynde Al tho that playnen and ben in distresse Whan they to hym mekely wyl calle And salome deuoutly gan hir dresse Toward the childe on her knees falle And said o lord that power hast of alle Let thy mercy on me sprede For to socour me in this grete nede Me wretchyd wyght punysshed rightfuâ—â—â— And lost for euer saue onely thy grace For in soth saue onely thy mercy I haue lost myn arme allas for my trespace And with that word as she dyd enbrace To touche the cloth that he laye in bounde Without more this salome hath founde Remedye and was made hole agayn Sodenly or she coude it spye And vp she rose and may no lenger fayn But in the strete opynly gan crye How the lord that al this world may gye Descendyd is and bycome man And whiles that she thus in the strete ran Tellyng the byrthe of the sterre also And of hir arme and of hir sodeyn cure The peple gan faste to drawe to To herken more of this aduenture For in her speche soÌ„me gan hem assure And that her wordes myght be credyble And specially for to them vysyle The sterre shone euer aboue the hous Ay lyke fyx wythout mocion So bright so longe so glad so ioyous That al that had Inspeccion In herte parfyte and trewe entencion â—hat they weren reioysid and made light And al this thynge felle vpon the nyght On a sonday myn auctour wyl not lye As ye may fynde yf ye list to rede The viij kalendis for sothe of Ianuarye Whan marye example of maydenhede Was of age who so wyl take hede Sixtene yere thys floure of nazareth At the vysion of saynt Elizabeth Playnly recordeth loke and ye may see And in this nyght of moste worthynesse Of crystys byrthe and natyuyte As the gospel saith and berith wytnesse Whan the shepherdes with grete besynesse Kepte her watche the longe wynters nyght Vpon her shepe an aungel with grete light How the aungels apperid to the shepherdis and tolde the birthe of cryst capitulo xliij aMyd the felde to hem dyd appere And gaue hem comfort in her grete drede And bad hem be light and glad of chere For I ad he shewe to you in dede A ioye that doth euery ioye excede That fynally shal of al dysease To al folke comforte be and ease And be to hem refuyte and socoure In al myscheues and aduersite For now this day mankyndes sauyour In bethleme of dauyd his cyte Is borne in soth lyke as ye may see Goth and beholdeth how that it is falle And ye shullen fynde in an oxes stalle How that he lyeth in clothis narow wounde This yonge faunte with chere ful benygne The whiche thyng when that ye haue founde That al is soth let be to you a signe And sodenly with lawde pryse condygne With the aungel the hole chyualrye Of al heuen by one armonye For ioye herof gan to say and synge Glorye and honour in the heuenly see Be vn to god eternally durynge And in erthe pees and reste be To al tho men that of one vnyte This hygh feste honoure and magnefye And we echone of one melodye O myghty lord we prayse and blesse the And worshyp eke with humble reuerence And glorefye thyn hygh mageste And thankyng gyue to thy magnyficence For thy glorye and thyn excellence O thou lord god o kyng celestyal O god the fader most myghty founde at alle And god the sone his chylde aboue eterne Crist Ihesu borne of this heuenly quene O god also the chosen lambe so derne
And fro the bondes of her dwellyng place Of veray force dryue hem and enchace And of his byrthe longe or that it felle In a vysyon wonderful of sight Spake the prophete callyd danyâ—lle And sayd hym thought he sawe vpon a nyght Lyke to beholde as he 〈◊〉 right A sone of man comyng with a 〈◊〉 To whom power honour and regally There geuen was perpetuelly to abyde And his kyngdom by eternyte Shal stonde hole and not deuyde Whiche shal not passe neyther corupte be Who 's comyng eke whan he dyd see The holy prophete olde ezechyel Sayth thus the byble can you telle I shal ordeyne prudently prouyde An herdeman my slepe to kepe sure To wake the flockes euery tyde To kepe hem wysely in to her pasture And forthermore he doth vs eke assure The holy prophete forthe in his wrytyng Sothely affermyng that there shal be a kyng Of al folkes whos empyre shal be one And no lenger deuyded in to tweyne Whiche in ydolis made of stocke and stone Ne shal nomore be pollute to ordeyne False offerynges to god that they seyne And the prophete that callyd is adgee Ful opynly who so lyst to see Wryteth of his byrthe in a lytyl stounde Euen lyke as he was enspyrid That he shal moue heuen see and grounde And he that is of al most desyrid Shal come in haste lyke a kyng a tyrid For ioye of the whiche holy zacarye To crystys spouse this doth specefye 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 thou doughter of syon And synge thou doughter of Iherusaleme Beholde 〈◊〉 kyng shal come right anone That shal be 〈…〉 in bethleme And his power shal fro 〈◊〉 to royame The bondes 〈◊〉 of his ryaâ—te As ferre in soth as ony flood or ony see Holden her course as they wyth wawes wynde Out of her moder the grete occian Of whos comyng malachye maketh mynde Within his book the byble telle can How the name of hym bothe god and man Shal stretche his stremys withouten wene Fro thylke place where the sonne shene Reysith his light whan hit begynneth dawe At the vpryste in the mornynge Vnto the west where he goeth vnder wawe Tyl efte ageyn his chariete he brynge In to the este that doth the larke synge For ioye onely that his bemys ryse And of his comyng doth eke amos deuyse And sayth he shal newely by myracle Restore ageyn and eke reedefye Vpon that day the myghty tabernacle Of kyng dauyd with al the regallye And of this chylde wryteth also ysayâ— Whan he is borne that in his presence Kynges for drede shullen kepe salence A questyon assoyled whiche is worthyest of kyng wyne or woman capitulo lvij A questyon assoyled whiche is worthyest of kyng wyne or woman capitulo lvij aNd as in erthe is made a questyon Of thynges thre whiche was worthyest Kyng wyne or woman in comparison Eche y praysid holden as for best And al this stryf as darius gan lest Zorobabel withouten ony slouthe Aboue echone had preferrid trouthe And whyle they were atrauerse of thise thre Eueriche holdyng his opynyon Zorobabel of ryght and equyte To woman yaue his commendacion Makyng forthwith of trouthe mencion Onely in signe as he can deuyse Fro woman first trouthe must aryse Whiche is the bonde knotte pryncipalle Of al vertu hit may not be denyed And therwithal so excellent ryalle With god hym self that is next alyed And for hit is so moche magnefyed Thorow the world of pryce and worthy fame God chese hym self of that to bere the name And with his mowth hym self so list hym calle As the gospel makyth mencion And by recorde of prophetâ—s alle God descendyng to one conclusion This day in erthe for our sauacion Of a woman in maydenhede flouryng To mankynde trouth dyd spryng And fro heuen rightwysnes behelde How trouthe mercy in a mayde mette And thus is trouth spronge out of a felde Where the holy ghoost the rayne of grace sette To make the graffe that he fro Iuda fette To fructefye and a pure virgyne That shal be tytle of the same lyne The crowne of Iuda to hym accepte anone And vnderfonge hit as a champyon Whiche was byrafte so many a day a gone From sedechye aweye in babylon Whan that was made a transmygracion By the tyraunt nabugodonosore Who 's cruelte last shal nomore How our lady ought worthely to be recommendyd and worshypped for the byrthe of cryst capitulo lviij nOw he is borne that is rightful eyre That shal make better than neomyâ— His peple of Iuda for to haue repeyre Ierusaleme ageyn to reedefye Though herode that falsely doth ocupye As a foreyn thrugh his cruel myght By tyrannye and no tytle of right Of whom the kyngdom shal not longe endure The reygne vsurpyng by extorcion For the lord of euery creature This day hath take his Iust pocessyon In bethlehem within a smale dongeon He his moder as who sayth but allone To wayte on hym other fewe or none A lady myn how god hath made the riche Thy self allone al richesse to possede For in this world none is the lyche Of plente ryal fro the londe of mede Where the hylles of golde ben as I rede May no tresoure in his menes reyse Ageyn thy tresure for to counterpeyse For certes lady thou allone hast alle That within heuen aungels desyre The Iewel riche the tresour celestyalle Of heuen kyng of erthe lord and syre And hym that hath al the hole empyre Of londe see the monarchye Thow hast hooly lady myn to gye And as austyn the holy doctour writeth In a sermon of the natyuyte We may to the say right as he byddeth With deuout herte knelyng on our kne O blessyd lady floure of virgynyte We prayen echone o welle of our welfare Lyke a moder not thy mylke to spare Yeue hym plente that is so plenteous Of fulsomnesse aungels to fede And yeue hym sowke the pyment gracious Of thy pappes let thy condyte shede The swete mylke al about in brede Moderly it makyng to auale On his fayr tendyr lymmes smale Glad mayst thou be that sauf list to vouche With his softe rounde lyppes lyte To haue plosaunce thy brestis for to towche Onely to sowke thy blessyd pappys whyte And that hym list so godely to delyte For his playe to haue so moche blisse Euer amonge thy holy mouthe to kysse And sodeynly with childely chere Iocounde Than anone thy whyt necke to enbrace With his softe tendyr armys rounde And than attones falle on thy face And of his eyen fulfilled of al grace A goodely loke to the ward enclyne And so forth his chekys leye to thyn And with his fyngrys mowth eyen touche His smalle pawmys on thy chekis leyne His yonge face betwene thy pappys couche And holde hym stylle with al his besy peyne And grype hem fast with his hondes tweyne For therin was his heuenly repaste Thy yonge sone whan he lyst breke his faste There was his fode and his norisshyng pure
to stryue For hym ageyn to paye shyllynges fyue Lyke as the custome of the lawe was She mekely made his redempcion And symeon beholdyng al this caas Ful stylly in his Inspeccion For loue brennyng by affeccion Of veray herte sodaynly abrayed Holdyng the chylde euen thus he seyd How where and whan symeon made Nunc dimittis seruum tuum dneÌ„ secundum verbum tuum in pace capitulo lxxix o Blisful lord of thy hygh grace Yf that thou list now thou mayst me lete Out of this lyf in rest and pees to pace And suffre me to dye in quyete For now to me deth is wonder swete Now haue I seen thy helthe and thy socour And of mankynde lord and sauyoure Whiche thou hast dyght afore the faces alle Of eche peple to make hem glad and light To late thy grace so to erthe falle Thorow al the world to shewe his bemys bright That may be callyd for comforte of his light Vnto al the gentilys the reuelacion The glorye also and the sauacion Of Israel thy peple in specialle To voyde hem out of al derknesse And marie ful mekely listenyth alle And gan merueyle with grete aduysidnesse Of the wordes that he gan expresse And Ioseph eke gan to wonder also And symeon hem blessyng bothe two Spake to marye and sayd in audyence Beholde and see in thyn Inspeccion How he is put in ruyne and offence Of many one here in his regyon And to somme in resurrexyon That shal releue thorow his myghty grace And thorow thy sowle shal a sharpe swerde pace Of hertely woo to see his passyon That passyngly shal be bytter and felle To opene hertes by confessyon Her sorowful thoughtes opynly to telle And anna than doughter of phanuelle Borne of the trybe of the kynrede Callyd asser sothely as I rede Of the ioye that anna the doughter of phanes had whan crist was offryd in to the temple capitulo lxxx tHat was that day ronne 〈◊〉 in age Within the temple by contynuaunce Soole by hir sylf out of mariage Laye nyght and day in fastyng penaunce In wydow abyte sad of countenaunce And in prayer was her besy cure Whiche in that houre of grace or auenture Whan crist was there with his moder dere In the tyme of his oblacion This anna came demure and sad of chere And vnto hym with grete deuocion Whan she hym sawe fyl on knees doun Recomforted of al her olde smerte Hym honouryng with al her hoole herte Sayd opynly that al myght here 〈◊〉 mery and light in your entencion And 〈◊〉 man be glad and of good chere For now is borne for our sauacion 〈◊〉 that shal make our redempcion 〈◊〉 yonge chylde blessyd mote he be That me hath graunted his face for to see And than in soth whan euery thynge was doon After the lawe withouten excepcion And than anna and holy symeon Had of this chylde made declaracion As ye haue herde in conclusion This chylde Ioseph this mayde free Retorned hoome agayn in to galyle A profytable declaracion of the propyâ—tees of the Turtyl and the douue Capitulo lxxxvj nOw as me semyth in this hye ferye That namyd is the puryfycacion Euery man oughte to be glad and mery And with good herte and hole entencyon Deuoutely brynge his oblacyon And offre fyrste the turtyl of Innocence Of veray mekenes and hertely pacyence And who that wold this offryng make aryght He may not fayle none of bothe two Fyrste shyne in clennesse with his chaste lyght As the Turtyl and therwith also Lyche the douue bothe in wele and wo His herte daunte so by temporaunce To voyde rancour and plante in sufferaunce And as the Turtyl by contemplacyon For synne soroweth with grete waymentyng Only for loue of thilke eternal dilectyon That lasteth ay and hath none endyng And as the byrde shewyth the comyng Of grene wherwith fresshe byrdes newe Ryght so of vertu with floures fayre of hewe He must exampel of the turtyl take And be wel ware that he not ne varye But lyue sole whan he hath lost his make And in prayer be also solytarye And loke alwey that he not ne tarye On no careyne of no flesshelyhede And with al this to take also hede That he his lyf â—ede not in vayne But like a downe beâ—ely afpye Where he of vertu gader may the grayne And that he fle not out of companye Waytyng also the galle of enuye And that he haue ay Indygnacion Of synful lust out of corrupcion On ony careyn to foster hym and fede And euermore with al his besy payne Eschewyng synne loue god and drede And with the douue sygh and compleyne For his offence and with wynges tweyne Take his flyght as ferforth as he can Thorowe parfyte loue bothe to god and man And as the douue toucheth eke her make 〈◊〉 with kyssyng whan they to geder gone So muste he whether he slepe or wake Thorowe chastyte set his herte in one And lyke a douue maketh his nest of stone This is to seye among al his plesaunce He must his flesshe daunte with penaunce And as the douue wyth her eyen meke Of kynde aspyeth amyd the Riuere The â—â—wbys shadowe when he doth hir seke Sechyng his repast bothe ferre and nere Ryght so must he with parfyte eyen clere Amyd the watres ful of woo and stryf In the wawes of his mortal lyf The dedely shadowe of the fende eschewe That wayteth hym with snares large huge And to the deth ay doth hym pursewe To trappe hym here in his deluge And lyke a douue flee to his refuge By grace only yf he may escape Or deth bytraye hym with his sodeyne trape And who so by clennesse with the turtyl fleetâ— As I tofore haue made mencion And lyke a downe afore his perille fleeth Of deâ—h to eschewe the persecusion And can be meke in tribulacion I dar recorde it write it for soth Trewly to god he his offeryng doth And who that euer lyueth in chastyte And hath enuy enclosid in his herte He may wel offre what so that he be To god a turtyl but the downe nought Wherfore they must be to gyder brought That clennesse by sothfast vnyte Without partyng be knytte with charite And sothely than there is no more to seyne Whan his offeryng and oblacion Is Iustely made to god of bothe tweyne It is accepted of more deuocion And for to make a shorte dyscripcion Of the turtyl and â—he downys kynde Redith thyse versis and ye shul it fynde Alta petit turtur cantando genut veniens 〈◊〉 Nunciat et caste viuit solus que morâ—tur Pullos nocte fouit mortecinium que fugit Errana legat volicat sociata cadauera vitat Felle caret plangit socium que per oscula tangit Petra dat huic nidum fugit hosâ—â— flumiÌ„â— visum Rostro non ledit geminos pullos bene nuâ—nt This feste also bothe of more and lesse Thorugh out the world in euery regyon Called