Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2011 with funding from

University of Ottawa

http://www.archive.org/details/cursormundithecu01morr

NOV 7 tW 13969

CONTENTS OF CURSOR MUNDI

PARTS I, II, III, IV.

PROLOGUE

PAOS

The First Age of the World.

op the trinity and the making of all the world

op the fall of lucifer

of man's soul

of the name adam, and of paradise before adam's sin

of satan's scheme to tempt and ruin ad am

of the state of the world after adam's sin ...

description of paradise

cain is cursed

adam's death and the oil of mercy

the genealogy of adam

of the corruption of the world by man's sin

24

32

40 42 48 56 6Q 72 78 90 96

The Second Age of the World.

OF NOAH AND THE ARK AND FLOOD OF NOAH AND HIS THREE SONS OF SHEM AND HIS FAMILY ... THE TOWER OF BABYLON

The Third Age of the World.

Tin: STORY OF ABRAHAM, LOT, AND SARAH

OF ISAAC, AND OF ISHMAEL ...

OF THE DEATn OF SARAH, AND THE SEARCH FOR ISAA< :'s WIFE

MARRIAGE OF ISAAC ...

102 126 130 136

140 181 in I L98

VI

CONTENTS.

isaac, esau, and jacob

return of jacob, and his meeting with esau

jacob, and the story of joseph and his brethren

history of moses

the deliverance of the israelites, and the twelve plagues

passage of the red sea

of the tree of life and moses' wands ...

battle with amalek

the golden calf

the laws of moses ...

aaron's rod and the death of moses

joshua leads the people into canaan ...

the judges in israel

of samson

samuel anoints saul and david ...

david and goliath; war with the philistines ...

saul jealous of david

PAGB

202

231

238

320

336

358

364

370

376

386

398

400

404

410

420

430

438

The Fourth Age of the World.

david's reign

story of the three holy rods or trees

david purposes to build the temple

choice of david's successor

wonderful childhood of solomon

Solomon's choice

Solomon's judgment

the building of the temple

the first martyr for christ

Solomon's sin and repentance

the death of solomon: his successors ...

454 460 476 480 486 492 494 504 512 516 526

The Fifth Age of the World.

the family of mary ... ... ... ... ... ... 532

isaiah's prophecy of ciirist ... ... ... ... ... 534, 565

recapitulation of adam's fall and the scheme to save mankind 540

parable of a king and his four daughters ... ... ... 548

parable of the castle of love and grace ... ... ... 568

CONTENTS. VX1

PAGE

A PRAYER TO OUR LADY ... ... ... ... ... ... 580

.OF THE CONCEPTION OF OUR LADY ... ... ... ... ... 582

OF THE CHILDHOOD AND MARRIAGE OF MARY ... ... ... 608

THE ANGEL GABRIEL GREETS MARY ... ... ... ... ... 620

OF JOHN THE BAPTIST ... ... ... ... ... ... 628

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST ... ... ... ... ... ... 642

THE THREE KINGS MAKE OFFERINGS ... ... ... ... ... 652

THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST ... ... ... ... ... ... 664

HOW JESUS WAS FIRST PUT TO SCHOOL ... ... ... ... 692

HOW JESUS BROUGHT A DEAD CHILD TO LIFE, AND OTHER WONDERS 704

HOW THEY BROUGHT JESUS AGAIN TO SCHOOL ... ... ... 712

OTHER MIRACLES ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 716

CHRIST DISPUTES WITH THE DOCTORS IN THE TEMPLE ... ... 722

THE PROGENY OF ST ANNE AND HER THREE HUSBANDS ... ... 726

The Sixth Age of the World (p. 730).

of john the baptist and christ's baptism ... ... ... 732

the temptation ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 742

death of john the baptist ... ... ... ... ... 746

beginning of christ's ministry and choice of the apostles ... 760

miracles and sayings of christ ... ... ... ... ... 766

raising of lazarus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 810

the obstinacy and contrariousness of the jews ... ... 825

the jews plot against christ's life ... ... ... ... 846

Christ's entry into Jerusalem; the last supper ... ... 854

the betrayal and last hours of christ ... ... ... 880

the trial before caiaphas and pilate ... ... ... ... 914

the crucifixion and burial ... ... ... ... ... 952

joiin of Lindbergh's prayer [in the gottingen ms. only] ... 979

discourse between christ and man ... ... ... ... 978

of the resurrection [cotton ms. only] ... ... ... ... 985

of joseph of arimathea ... ... ... ... ... ... 984,992

the resurrection of christ ... ... ... ... ... 996

the resurrection of simeon's two sons, carius and lenthius,

and their story of christ's entry into hell ... ... 1018

pilate's letter to rome ... ... ... ... ... ... 1060

christ like a lion 1068

H

VI 11

CONTEXTS.

our lords life after he had risen

the ascension

description of the person of christ

acts of the apostles

descent of the holy spirit

falsehood of ananias and sapphira

imprisonment of the apostles

stoning of stephen

conversion of saint paul ...

simon magus ...

peter's vision and preaching to the heathen

assumption of our lady

of our lady's body

of the works and death of each of the apostles

of the works and virtues of the evangelists

the finding of the holy cross; the bond story

the virtues and symbols of the cross ...

J'AGB

1068 1074- 1078 1080 1084 1100 1104 1110 1116,1122 1118 1130 1144 1182 1192 1213 1222 1238

The Seventh Age of the World.1

THE DAY OF DOOM

OF ANTECHRIST

THE FIFTEEN SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY

WHAT SHALL HAPPEN ON DOOMSDAY

THE JOYS OF THE BLESSED IN HEAVEN

THE STATE OF THE WORLD AFTER DOOMSDAY

THE AUTHOR'S EXHORTATION TO HIS FELLOW-MEN

1250 1258 1282 1298 1336 1352 1354

Appendices.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY

THE SORROWS OF MARY

APOSTROPHE TO SAINT JOHN

THE STORY OF ELSEY, AND THE FESTIVAL OF THE CONCEPTION

1366

1368 1412 1416

ling, p. 125/7,

' The reader is requested to correct the word "sixth," in the sub-heading, col. 1, and in the running head-line on p. 1250, to "seventh." The mistake arose from following the error in the Cotton and Gottingen Texts.

CONTENTS OF PART V.

TABLES OF CONTENTS FROM FAIRFAX, GOTTINGEN, AND LAUD MSS.

[TEXT OF THE CURSOR.']

PRAYER TO OUR LADY1 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1366

THE SORROWS OF MARY ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1368

APOSTROPHE TO SAINT JOHN ... ... ... ... ... ... 1412

THE STORY OF ELSEY, AND THE FESTIVAL OF THE CONCEPTION ... 1416

[SEVEN" ADDITIONS.2]

1 . an exposition of the apostle's creed (4 MSS : Cot, Fa., Got, Ed.) 1430

2. the lord's prayer and its exposition (4 MSS : Cotton (Vespasian

A Hi), Fairfax, Gottingen, Cotton Galba E ix) ... ... 1436

3. prayer to the trinity (3 MSS: Cotton, Fairfax, Gottingen) ... 1454

4. PRAYER FOR THE HOURS OF THE PASSION (3 MSS : Cot., Fa., Got.) 1458

5. song of the five joys of our lady (in Gottingen MS only) ... 1468

6. THE BOKE OF PENANCE3

Prologue. On God's mercy to man ; and letting him rise from Sin,

by Penance ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1470

Part I. Penitence and its 1st Requisite : Ruth, Fcrthirkiig,

or Contrition, p. 1481 1480

Part II. Its 2nd Requisite : Shrift or Confession (and herein of 1484 The 15 Points of True Shrift, p. 1491—1509. The 4 tilings drawing us from Repentance, p. 1509-13. The office of the Priest, p. 1514. The Seven Deadly Sins, p. 1524. How to confess Sins to a Priest (in Cot. Vesp. A 3 only),

p. 1551. Venial Sins, p. 1558.)

1 The Trinity and Land MSS. both stop at the end of the 7th Age of the World, p. 130"), l. 23898. The next 4 subjects, from the Prayer to our Lady, to the Conception, p. 1366 — M2!>, are printed from the Cotton (Vespasian A Hi), Fairfax, Gottingen, and Edinburgh MSS. [n Cotton Galba E ix, are only Bomeof the 'Additions' — Lord's Prayer, 7 Deadly sin-. Cursing — copied aa separate treatises.

2 The Conception of Our Lady is the last subject intended by the author in the Prologue. s<<- p. 21.

3 (Compare Chaucer's Parson's Tale.) The Cotton US, Vespasian E 3. runs righi through. Fairfax stops in the 6th Deadly Sin, al p. 1646,1.27900. Gdttingen slops in the prologue to " Boke of Penance," at p. 1 175, I. 25766. ( otton Galba E 9 runs from the 7 Deadly Bins, p. 1624, to the end [p. 1586), lave ■ How to Confess,' p. 1551 '.'.

a

11 CONTENTS.

PAGE

Part ITT. Its 3rd Requisite : Mends-making or Satisfaction (by 15 GO Prayer and Fasting, p. 1500 ; Alms-doing (in 9 points), p. 1567; Subduing the Flesh, p. 1570; Watching p. 1574.)

Supplement; On Absolution by the Pope, p. 1577; the 15 Points 1577 of Cursing, p. 1578; Absolution by a Bishop (Cott. Vespasian A 3, and Fairfax) or a Priest (Cott. Galba E 9), p. 1581 ; Communion with the Cursed, p. 1583 ; Cursing, p. 1584.

7. cato's morals (in Fairfax MS. only : see Appendix IV, p. 1668)

APPENDICES.

The first 3 consisting of other versions or specimens of other manuscripts of the Cursor than those given in the text ; the 4th of Cato's Dlstichs or Morals.

I. MS. FRAGMENT IN THE LIBRARY OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS,

Edinburgh (lines 18989—23644) 1587

The Acts of the Apostles, p. 1587 — 1601 ; the Assumption, and late Life of our Lady, p. 1601-3; the Works and Death of each of the Apostles, p. 1603-8; the Coming of Christ to Judgment, p. 1608-9; of Antichrist, his Birth, Deeds, and Death, p. 1610-16; the Fifteen Signs before Doomsday, p. 1616-20; the Call to Judgment, p. 1620-3; the Great Doom of the four Rows of Men, two good, two bad, and the rising of all, new-made, p. 1624-6 ; Hell and its nine Pains, p. 1626-8 ; Heaven and the Fourteen Gifts of the Blessed, p. 1629-32.

II. ADDIT. 10,036 (BRIT. MUS.), STORY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY ... 1638

III. THE PROLOGUE TO CURSOR MUNDT, TAKEN FROM LAUD 416 (BODLEIAN), ARUNDEL 57 IN COLLEGE OF ARMS, AND MS. BELONGING TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, BEDFORD ... ... ... ... ... 1651

PARABLE OF THE KING AND HIS FOUR DAUGHTERS, FROM THE

BEDFORD MS. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1664

IV. CATO'S MORALS, FROM THE FAIRFAX MS. 14, BODLEIAN LIBRARY ... 1668

la

TABLES OF CONTENTS

IN THE FAIKFAX, GOTTLNGEN, AND LAUD MSS.

[Fairfax MS. 14. (£<><«. J»r.)3 ^o«%^ tfowemfy ^ *^o/. 107-X

rieaf 1 ] (Scribbling, < milelmus Belyng- ham' and some Latin, English, and French lines.)

[leaf 2.] Capitulum

j. Of he trinite and making of be werlde. (p. 24)

ij. of be angels and falling of

lucifer. (p. 32) iij. of ma?inis bodi. (p. 36) iiij. of ma?mis saule. (p. 40) v. of be state of bingis be-fore

ada??? synnid in paradis.

(p. 44) vj. how adam brak goddis com-

aundement. of be appil.

(p. 52)

[The 1st Age of the World.] [coi.i]

(1) Of be makyng of be werld and of adam (p. 25)

(2) Of be trinite (p. 25)

(3) Of be falling of lucifer (p. 33)

(4) Of bodi and sawle (p. 37, 41)

(5) Of be state of be thi^gis (p. 43)

(6) Of be worme (p. 53)

(7) Of be ouc?--passi??g of ada??i

(8) Of be changing of thi/?ges vij. Of paradis. (p. 66) 0) Of paradis (p. 67)

viij. how cayme dog* abel. (p. 68) (10) Of be dede of abel (p. 69) of be oyle of merci. (p. 78) how adam endid. (p. 90) (1 1 ) Of be elde & be ende Of adam (p. - 9)

[FAIRFAX] [OOTT1NOEN]

■ A fiv-leaf has the hoo*-p.ate (with am., & -M ^^^C^,?^

■ in Hanover erstanrlcn den 1 1. Jim. 178e , me i raw« MS are in 1 columns, in red.

U TABLES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS. (AGES 1, 2, 3.)

ix. J>e kinradin of adam. be Seth. (12) Of Seth kin (p 91)

(p. 00) x. of j,e coirupcion of J>e lande (13) Of kaymys kin (p. 95)

ofter synne. (p. 96)

xj. Of the ij. eldis of J>e werlde. [The 2nd Age of the World.]

fat is to wite of noe flode. (14) Of nooe arad be schip (p 103) (p. 102) ^U' '

xij. Of Je life of Sem. (p. 1 30) (15) Of noe sunes (p. 127)

xiij. J?e kinradin of Chan. (p. 134)

(16) Ofthre partis of J>e world (p. 129)

(17) Of babilon(p. 137)

xiiij. J>e J>rid elde of J,e werlde. of [The 3rd Age of the World.]

Abraham, (p. 140) (18) Of abraham (p. 141)

how sodome and gomor sanke. (19) Of sodom & gomor (p 165)

(p. 164) '

(20) Of loth (p. 175) xv. how Abraham offerred Isaac. (21) Of ysaac sacnfice (p 187)

(p. 186) xvj. ]je stori of Isaac abraham sone. (p. 192) how esau saldis his lande to (22) Of esau (p. 209) Iacob his broker, (p. 208) xvij. how Iacob passid in-to his (23) Of iacob (p. 230) cnntre ofter he was flemid be esau. (p. 230) J>e stori of Ioseph Iacob sone. (24) Of ioseph (p. 239) Of J?e folk of israel and moises. (25) Of ioseph brether (p 281) (p. 320)

xviij. Ofiijwandis.fondinbemoyses (26) Of moyses (p. 321) in squeuin. (p. 364)

(27) Of pe [illegible] xix. how moises fastid for to hane (28) Of moyses lawe (p. 375) lagh of fe x. comaunde- (29) Of J>e iuggemerct (p. 383?) mentis and how Jai made (30) Of aron (p. 399) [fairfax] [gottingen]

TABLES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS. (AGES 3, 4, 5.) 2a

a calf of golde to honour.

(p. 374) of sampson and his wife. (31) Of Sampson (p. 411)

(p. 410)

(32) Of samuel(p. 421)

Of be first king bat euer was (33) Of saule be king (p. 425 Q H3t saule to name, and ben next king Dauid. (p. 424) (34) Of [illegible]

Xx be iiij. elde of be werlde. Of [The M Age of the World.]

king Dauid. (p. 454) (35) Of be of [illegible]

xxj. howsalamonkingregnidoto- (36) Of salamon [coi. q (p. 487) his fader Dauid. (p. 492)

Mi- how ij. wemmen ware ad- (37) Of be iugeme.t of Salamon iugged for a childe be tane (p- 495)

slogn. (p. 494)

(38) Of temple salamon (p. 505)

xxiij. of be v. elde of be werlde. of cristas birf. (p. 532) [From our p. 536, Z. 9325, to p. 666, ?. 11614, //as been torn out of the Fairfax MS 14, and is supplied in the text below from the Laud MS 416.]

[xxiiij. be propheci of cristis birb. (p. 564)

2[xxv. ensaumple of a meruailous castel. (p. 568)

[xxvj. of our lauedi birb. (p. 608)

[xxvij. quar-fore mari was spousid. (p. 018) [fairfax]

1 Leaf 2. 2 The chapters with headings

a 2

[TJie 6th Age of the World.]

(39) Of taid sede of iesu (p. 533)

(40) Of foure doghtem (p. 549)

(41) Of merci (p. 551)

(42) Of sothfastness (p. 553)

(43) Of rightwisness (p. 555)

(44) Of pes (p. 557)

(45) Of prophesie of iesii (p. 565) [See too p. 534]

(46) Of be castell (p. 569)

(47) Of ioachym a?/d anna (p. 583)

(48) Of zakari a/^d elizabeM (p. 585)

(49) Of be co^seyuing Of saint mari (p. 607)

[gutting i :n I in bracket are wanting In the MS. Iteelt

2b

TABLES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS. (AGE 6.)

[xxviij. be a?muraciacion. [ofseint Iolnl baptist]1 (p. 622)

[xxix. how ihesus was borne, (p. 642)

[xxx. of worshepe of pe iij. kingis. &

[xxxj. how Ioseph resceyued ham. (pp. 652, 660)

[xxxij. xxxiij.

xxxmj.

XXXV.

xxxvj.

xxxvij.

xxxviij.

xxxix.

(50) Of be birth of saiwt Iohan pe

baptist (p. 629)

(51) Of Rebirth of Saint mari (p. 609)

(52) Of pe sposage of saint mari

(p. 613)

(53) Of pe helving Of saint mari

(p. 621?)

(54) Of sakt ion pe baptwtf (p. 629)

(55) Of zacari a??d elysabetfi (p. 631)

(56) Of pe birth of iesu (p. 643)

(57) Of pe circu??*siczon &

Of pe purificacion (p. 649)

(58) Of pe offring &

Of pe thre kinges (p. 653)

(59) Of pe dede of bree

(60) Of innocentes & (p. 663) Of pe barnhed of iesu (p. 665)

how pe Innocentis ware slaine.] how Ioseph and mari flagh in- to egipt wib ihesu for drede

of herode pe king. (p. 664) how pe tree bowed to ihesus.

(p. 670) how ihesus come in-to egipt

and per a childe spilt his

lake of water.2 (p. 684) how a prest sone turnid pe

lake fra ihesu. (p. 688) how ihesus was lad to scole.

(p. 692) howihesus raisid a dede childe.

fallin out of a loft. (p. 704) how ihesus bare pe water in his

lap quen pe pot was brokin.

(p. 706)

[FAIRFAX] [GOTTINGEN]

' Crossed through with the pen. 1 The former half of this piece is scratched out in the text.

TABLES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS. (AGES 5, 6.) 3«

xl. how pe quete multiplied atte

ihesus sewed, (p. 706) xlj. how pe lions and pe quelpis honoured ihesus. (p. 708) 1xlij. how ihesus drogfr a short1 tree

lange. (p. 710) xliij. how pai led ihesus eft to pe

scole. (p. 712) xliiij. how f»ai led ihajus pe prid time to pe scole. (p. 714) xlv. Of an Iosepfr raisid be ihesus.

(p. 716) xlvj. how ihesus slogh pe nedder.

(p. 718) xlvij. how pe li3t of heiuen shane on ihesus slepande. (p. 720) xlviij. how ihesus disputid wip pe doctours. (p. 722) xlix. pe kinradin of seint Anne and (61) Of pe sede Of saint anne (p. 727) hir iij. housbandis. (p. 726)

pe vj. elde of pe werlde. [The 6th Age of the World.']

Of saint Iohn pe baptist, and (62) Of pe baptising [coi. s] of suete

|>e baptim of ihesu crist bi iesu (p. 737)

him. (p. 736)

(63) Hu pe feyind Tempped iesn

(p. 743)

(64) Of pe dede of sawt Iohn pe

baptist (p. 747)

1. pe geddering of pe apostolis. (65) Of pe gadring Of pe tpotfolil

(p. 762) (p. 763)

lj. how ihesus tumid water in- (66) Of pemiraclisOf Wucrist(p. 767)

to wine atte pe bridale.

(p. 766)

lij. pe passiouw of ihesu. crist.

(p. 854)

[fairfax] [oottingen]

1 Leaf 2*.

2>b TA13LES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS {AGE 6.)

liij. A Predicacion ofter the pas- sions, [missing in the text : see ch. lxxj,£>. 1470) (67) Of mari magdaZerc (p. 803)

(68) Of martha (p. 809)

(69) Of lazar (p. 811)

(70) Of J?e marys a?id Of iesu crist

(p. 817) liiij. how ihesus spolied helle ofter (71) Of haruing Of hell (p. 1023) J?e resurreccionw. (p. 1022)

(72) Of J>e resurrecc/on Of iesu crist

(p. 997)

(73) Of ]>e asce?icion Of iesu crist

(p. 1075) lv. Of J?e fairnes of Ihesu crist. (74) Offefayrnes of iesu crist (p. 1079) and his bodeli liknes in erf. (p. 1078) lvj. how J>ai chese Mathie apos- (75) Of J>e hali gast (p. 1085) tel poron J?e hali gaste. (p. 1080) lvij. Of J>e comyng of J?e haligast (76) Of J?e coming of }>e hali gast on witsonday. (p. 1084) (p. 1085)

(77) Of J?e preching Of J?e aposfolis (p. 1105) lviij. how saint steuin was stanid. (78) Of J>e stony/?g of saiut steuen (p. 1110) (p. 1111)

lix. Of pe Conuersion of saint (79) Of J>e ciistiuyng Of saiut paul

Paule. (p. 1122) (p. 1123)

lx. Of J>e life of our lauedi. (80) Of ]>e lijf of Saint mari &

(p. 1148) Of J?e assumpsion Of saint mari

lxj. Of pe bodi of our lauedi. (p. 1147)

(p. 1182) lxij. how \q apostles endid. (81) Of pe aposfolis & [coi. 4] of j>e (p. 1192) ewangelpsts] (p. 1193)

(82) Of jje wh [illegible and torn] lxiij. how pe hali cros was fundin (83) Of pe findynfg] Of ]>e hali cr[os] be Elaine, (p. 1222) (p. 1223)

[fairfax] [gottingen]

TABLES OF CONTENTS IN FAIRFAX AND GOTTINGEN MSS. (AGE 7, ETC.) 4a

lxiiij. f»e vij. elde of fie werlde. [The 7 th Age of the World.']

Of antecrist come be-for J>e (84) Of antecrist (p. 1259) dome. (p. 1258) lxv. Of the xv. signis. be-for pe (85) Of fijf[ten toknis of] pe day of dome. (p. 1282) [doom] (p. 1283)

(86) Of pe paynes [of hell] (p. 1327)

(87) Of pines of p?/rga[tori]

(88) Of pe ioye Of heuen (p. 1335)

(89) Of Jeneuyng0fJ?ewrld(p.l353) lxvj. A predicacion wij) pe co?zclu-

sioim. (p. 1354)

lxvij. Compassiouw. of our lauedi for (90) Of pe mnrnirag Of saint mari

J»e passioim of Mr sone. Efter pe passion Of suete iesu

(p. 1367) (p. 1368)

lxviij. Of pe concepcion of our lauedi (91) Of pe concepcion Of saint mari

puplistbeanabbot. (p. 141 6) & Hou fiat it first was funden

(p. 1417)

[Additions to the Cursor : See the author's Prologue, p. 21.]

pe crede. expouned. (p. 1430)

pe Pater noster. (p. 1436) (92) Of pe pater nosteT (p. 1437)

lxix. An orisouw of pe trinite. (93) Of pe orison (p. 1455)

(p. 1454)

lxx. Jje matinisof pe cros. (p. 1458) (94) Of ]?e passion Ofiesucrist (p. 1459)

[The Book of Penance.]

lxxj. A pralicaciou?i of pe faif. (95) Of pe boke Of penance

(p. 1470) [The Gottingcn MS. now ends in

lxxij. how man agh to shrine him the prologue to the " Bolce of

iij. falde. (p. 1480) Penance;1 p. 1475, I. 25766]

pe secund point of shrift. (96) Of pe p'/rgatori Of saint patrick

(p. 1484) [Not now in the MS.] Shrift wij? moujj. (p. 1485)

Ixxiij. shrift pat fallis to fe bisshope. [A shield in 4 quarter$t much rubbed.] (p. 141)0. See too p. 1581)

|fairi'\x] [gotttngi k 1

4b TABLE OP CONTENTS IN THE FAIRFAX MS 11.

lxxiiij. Abstinaunce fra penalities. lxxv. Of the Office of prest. (p. 15 14) lxxvj. J>e vij. dedeli synnis. (p. 1524)

[$?W The quire or quires containing the end of chap, lxxvj [from Drunken- ness, p. 1546, I. 27,900 below) and chapters lxxvij to the first part o/lxxxx (ch. 90, j?. 1668 below), Cato, have been torn out of the Fairfax MS. and are given below from Cotton Galba E ix (with Vespasian JE in).]

[lxxvij. Confessiou?i of venial sywnis. (p. 1558, 1. 28558) [lxxviij. How venial synnis sulde be clansid. (p. 1559, 1. 28576)

An shrift of al be-fore saide. (p. 1559, 1. 28588) plxxix.2 Of satisfacciouw. (p. 1560)

[lxxx. Of tempering of ma/znis flesshe. (p. 1570) [lxxxj. Of fastinge. (p. 1571) [lxxxij. Of discipline, (p. 1573) [Of penaunce. (p. 1575) [lxxxiij. casis in Je quilk Jje pape salle assoile. (p. 1577) [lxxxiiij. how man is cursid borou his awen dide. (p. 1578) [lxxxv. he bat smitis a clerk/3 in ber casis mai no^t be assoilid bot of be

bisshope.4 (p. 1581) [lxxxvj. how bou mai comune wib a cursid man and bou no^t cursid. (p. 1583) [lxxxvij. how cursinge is double, (p. 1584) [lxxxviij. how be cursid mai no^t be cursid. (p. 1585) [lxxxix. how mani maner of sentence is calde vn-^twise. (p. 1585, 1. 29505)]

lxxxx. Catoim litil.

catou?z mykil.5 (incomplete: Appendix IV, p. 1668)

[fairfax]

[On Fairfax 14, leaf 1, foot, Mate \Wi-cent. hand, 9 Worthyes 3 Jewe3 Josua Dauid Maccabeus

3 gentils Hector Alexander Julius Cesar

3 christians Arthur Charlemayn godfrey BoJeyne that won holy crosse At back, a note about ' nycholas batson . . of the Cytie of york '. On back of slip attacht, the names Tomas Bellyngham, Robartws Bellyng- ham, Tomas of Canterbere, Robertas Crank.]

1 Leaf 3. 2 lxix, MS. 3 MS. crek.

4 The Cotton MS. Vespasian A 3 agrees with the Fairfax 16 in giving the power to the Bishoj), while Cotton Galha E 9 gives it to the priest, 'A simple prest': see p. 1581-2, ]. 29373, 29383-5,. 29397, 29409.

5 Leaf 3, back, has some scribbling, and some Latin lines, in a later hand.

TABLE OF CONTENTS IN LAUD MS.

[Laud MS. 416, leaf 65 (old paging Cxvj.), the only leaf left]

Calendarium de Cursor mundi.

[The 1st Age of the World, p. 24.]

IT IP ye will here of1 the trenyte dere // And of )>e makyng of ) Cxviij. this world it apperyp le foile )

1T Of bodely substaunce for to wytte j qx{x

Mannis soule what is it le foile j

1T Of1 the estate the world was ynne // by-fore >e tyme of adam is j Cxx synne le foile ... ••• ••• ••• ••• •■• J

IT How adam brat the comaundment / wherfor kynd of man was j Cxxj.

chcmt. 1 P. foil ft ... ... ••• ." ••• •" /

IT Of the estate the World was ynne / After the tyme of adam is j Cxxij.

synne le foile ... ... • • • • • • • ■ • • • • )

H Of adam is endyng teH woH y / And of the oyle of mercy j Cxxiij.

le foile ... • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ' * ' )

IT The genelogy of Adam old! of Seth / & cayme shall be told ... Cxxiiij

1T How mannys soule that y of mene / coraptij) aH this world! by | Cxxy dene le foile ... ... ... • • ■ • • • • • • • • • )

[The 2nd Age of the World, p. 102.] f Here begynnyth of noie lede / The Second world for to Sede Cxxv

[The Zrd Age of the World, p. 140.]

H Of the third elde is now to teH // Who so wiH a stound dueH j Cxxix le foile ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• "• *

H Of ysaak1 now wiH we nevyn / That louid was wttft god in \ Cxxxiij hevyn le foile ... ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• )

11 Now is good to vndirtake / the story to teH of Sir baafe | (n NXV le foile

f The story of Iacoh begynnyth hero / & also of hia Bonne dere Cxxxvi j

G CALENDARIUM DE CURSOR MUNDI. (LAUD MS. 416.)

1F Of moyses now wiH we teH / yf ye wiH a stound dueH le foile Cxlvj

11 Off' the tre of1 lyf shaH y telle // And' of1 the folk1 of israeH } P1 le foile j 01

IF lystenyth now to my saw // TeH I shaH of1 moyses law le foile Clj

[The ith Age of the World, p. 454.] IF Here begynnytfr vttyrly the iiijth eld of kyng davy ... ... Clix

[The 5th Age of the World, p. 532.]

IF Of swete Ihesu the prophecy // lystynny]? and? I shaH sey on ) p^?. . hie le foile UllJ 1X

IF lystynnyth now vnto my lessouft / that wiH here of1 the con- ) pxx. .

cepci'on le foile ... ... ... ... ... ...j ^ ^

1H Why Ihesu Cryst borne wold' be // Of a spowsid maide teH ) pxx ....

•ma ^a -fnilo I J J

we le foile

XX

1F How hir grete gabrieH // Now is good here to teH ... ... Ciij xiiij

IT How Ihesu did in childbed // Sum tbyng y wiH you rede) pxx.. le foile ... ... ... ... ... ... ... } •*

[The 6th Age of the World, p. 736.]

IT Now wiH ye here on what wyse // Ihesu did lazar to ryse // But ) p". ar we furthir go / speke we of his sustirs ij° le foile ... j J

IT Of the passhion speke we here / how be vs bought Ihesu so ) pxx. dere le foile ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i J

IT Of Ioseph of aramathy to speke now spede woH y ... ... CCvij

Who desyrij) gret pardouw // heryj? of oure lady assu??zpc{on . . . CCxxij

[The 1th Age of the World, p. 1258.] IF Now is good for to wend // to speke of \>is worlds end ... CCxxviij

IF Now is good to be herd / how antecryst shaH be bred ... CCxxix

1F Of xv dais \er is to say / ShaH faH byfore J)e domis day . . . CCxxxj

1F Now be we so farforf>c come // Speke mote we of the dome ) pp

le foile

[The rest of the page is blank, this MS not being intended to contain any of the

Additions in other MSS.] [' leaf 65, back.]

§ 7. Original- Series Texts for 1874. The Cursor Mundi. 17

best authorities on the one hand, and the Editors of the Text on the other. This Troy-Book is a gain both to literature and linguistics. Its poetic value is considerable, its language- problems most interesting. The premature death of one of its Editors, Mr Panton, who was also editing the Bannatyne MS. for the Hunterian Club, will be regretted by all our members. S, The first Part of the Four-Text Early-English Version of S the Cursor Mundi, which is now ready for issue, marks an epoch in the Society's career. For more than a hundred years has the Poem been quoted, and its printing desired, by scholars ; but no man or Club would take it up. Now, how- ever, our Society is printing it, not only in one version, but in four; not only in one dialect, but in three (with a portion in a fourth dialect), thus quadrupling the value of the text, not only as a subject for linguistic study, but also as an instance of how scribes dealt with their early originals. For the general reader, the text sparkles with quaintnesses of phrase and thought, as it tells of the Creation, the Fall, the stories of Cain, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, &c. ; to the student of language, the Four-Texts give an opportunity for comparison of form and word such as no other existing English book affords, except perhaps some editions of parts of the Bible, such as the Gospels issued by the Syndics of the Cambridge-Press. The Society is greatly indebted to the Prussian Minister of Public Worship, Dr Falck, for having (at the suggestion of Prof. Pauli) authorized the Gottingen University MS. of the Cursor to be lent to us for a year. We have also to express our thanks to the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge, for the loan of their MS. of the Poem till its four Texts are printed. The oldest MS. of part of the Cwrsor, the early 14th-century one in the library of the Royal College of Physicians, Edin- burgh, contains such small portions of the poem that it can only form an Appendix to the Society's edition. The second in age, the Cotton, of the 1 4th century, in the British Museum, is, luckily, complete, and stands first in Dr Morris's Four- Text edition for us. Second, stands the Fairfax copy in the Bodleian Library, the fourth in age, with Large alterations in words, and, unluckily, a large gap in its leaves, which has to be filled up from the later Laud MS. of the other type. To this other type belong the Gottingen MS., the third in age, and the Trinity MS., the fifth in age (No. 1 in our edition) ; and of the same type Is the MS. in the College of Arms, London, though it is rather, later than fche Trinity MS,

18 § 7. Original-Series Texts for 1874. BUckling Homilies, fyc.

The third Text for 1874, and which is now ready, is the Blickling Homilies, Anglo-Saxon of the 10th century, Part I. The chief point of interest in these Homilies is, that the MS. is a dated one. The writer has been dwelling on the evils abroad in his time, ' lamentation and weeping on all sides ; mourning everywhere, and breach of peace ; every- where evil and slaughter ' (Horn. X., p. 114-15); has been saying- that the world's end on Doomsday must needs come soon, only the advent of ' the accursed stranger Antichrist ' has yet to take place {Horn,. XI., p. 116-17); and then, he goes on, the world must come to an end in this present age, of which ' the greatest portion has already elapsed, even nine hundred and seventy-one years (nigon hund wintra fy Ixxi), in this [very] year ' (p. 118-119, 1. 2). Dates of this kind are but seldom found in MSS., and are proportionately valued when they do occur. To us the Blickling MS. is of special worth, for in it we have a man writing (that is, copying,) who might well have been born when King Alfred died in 901, and his text therefore admirably follows our ' King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral ■ which Mr Henry Sweet edited for the Society in 1871-2. As, too, the language of the Blickling writer was probably fixt by the middle of the 10th century, we are able to see what changes fifty (or seventy) years had wrought in that Alfredian English, whose charac- teristics Mr Henry Sweet was the first to sum up. That the change was but slight, and that the MS. also retains some older forms of the author of the Homilies, Dr Morris will show, in his Introduction to Part II. in 1875.

(While on this subject the Committee note that, as two cheap and handy editions of Gregory's original Latin Regula Pasforalis have been lately printed, — one with a modern English translation, by the Rev. H. E. Bramley (James Parker & Co., Oxford and London), the other at Leipsic, sumtibus Ernesti Bredti, — the Latin text promist on the title- page to the Society's Anglo-Saxon text of Alfred's transla- tion, will not be publisht.)

The fourth Text for this year will probably be a short col- lection of Anglo-Saxon poems edited by the Rev. J. Rawson Lumby, of which the first, Be Domes Dd>ge, is an Anglo-Saxon version of Bede's Be Die Judicii, — a poem of great beauty, describing the misery of the damned and the happiness of the blesst — while the second is Lav, an Exhortation, teaching how this happiness may be won, and that misery kept out of.

The second Part of Palladius on Husbondrie will contain its Editor's Preface, Notes, Glossary, and Index of Subjects

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8 FOLK DESIRB TO HEAD OLD ROMANCES RELATING TO ALEXANDER,

JULIUS CESAR, GREECE, TROY, BRUTUS, ARTHUR, GAWAIN,

PEOLOGUE.

i

[Cotton Vesp. A Hi., Brit ink Museum, [Fairfax MS. 14, Bodleian Library.']

leaf 2.1 ..,,,»„

Jws is f e best boke of alle

^fje ffiursur o tije foorto*1

[i_i in a later hand.']

[leaf 4]

fe coins of fe werlde men dos hit calle.

Man yliernes rimes for to here, And romans red on maneres sere,

OH. i

Of Alisaundur f e conquerour ;

Of Iuly Cesar f e emparour ; 4

0 grece and troy the Strang strijf,

fere many thosand lesis per lijf ;

0 brut pat bern bald of hand,

f e first conquerour of Ingland ; 8

0 kyng arthoz^r pat was so rike,

Quam non in hys tim was like,

0 ferlys pat hys knythes fell,

J»at aunters sere I here of tell, 1 2

Als wawan, cai and oper stabell,

For to were pe ronde tabell ;

En couettes rimes for to here And romance rede of mony

mancr of Alisander f e conquerour of Iuly cesar pe emperour Of grece and troy pe grete strife f er mony f ousande lost f aire life of brute fat was bolde of handc first conquerour of Ingelande. of kyng arf orow fat was rike In his tyme was nane hym like of ferles at pev kynges felle of mony aunters I. here of telle of wawen cay and of er stabil. for til kepe fe rounde tabil.

How charles kyng and rauland faght, how diaries f e kyng and roland £a}t Wit sarazins wald fai na saght ; 1G wit sarasynes walde fai no3t sa$t

[Of] tristrem and hys leif ysote, How he for here be-com a sote, 0 Ioneck and of ysambrasc, 0 ydoine and of amadase Storis als o ferekin thinges 0 princes, jirelates and o kynges ;

COTTON

of tristram and his lefe Isot how he for hir bicome a sot of Ionek and of isombrase 20 of ydoine and of amadase storis als of mony f inges. of [prinjecs prelates and of kynges. FAIRFAX

■4^Wv» flu ; - caa«a . J

v-t^ q

m

A* *>^

CHARLEMAGNE, ROLAND, TRISTRAM, AND SWEET YSOUDE, JONECK, AND AMADAS, D AND OTHER STORIES OF PRINCES, PRELATES, AND KINGS.

PROLOGUE.

[Gottutgcn MS. theol. 107.]

Ipe tret]is j>«t men cals cursor mtmdi.

[leaf 1, back, col. 1]

[Me]n jernis iestis for to here, And romance rede on maner ser,

[MS. B. 3. 8. Trinity College, Cambridge.]

"ere bigynnej) \q boke of storyes j?at men callen cursor mundi

Men ^ernen iestes for to here

And romauHce rede in dyuerse manere

Of alexander \o, coraquerour, Of Iuli cesar J?e emperour 4

[Of grece & Tr]oye j>e strong strijf, [Jjere many thosand lesis] liir lijf, [O brut J?]at borne bolde of hand [First Conqujerour of meri ingland ; 8 [Of] king arthour, Jy/t was so riche, [wjaa now in his time funden suiche; Of ferlijs ))"t his knigh[t]es fell, [(){] auntris did i. here of tell, 12 [Of] wawain, kay, and other stabil, | For] to were j?e runde tabil. Hon king ch irli a/id rouland faght — Wid sarazins ne wald Jai neucr be

saghl ; — 16

0 tristrem, and ysoude J>e suete, Hu J>ai wid luffe fh Of king ionel and ysumbras, Of ydoyne, and i I' amadas ; 20

rija of din ;rs thing . Of princes, pn lal . awd of kinj

i

Of Alisaunder J»e conqueroure Of Iulius cesar Jje emperoure Of greke & trove Jjc longe strif Jiore mony mon lost his lif Of bruyt Ipat baron bolde of honde Furste conqueroure of engelonde Of kyng Arthour frtt was so riche Was noon in his tymc him liche Of wondris fat his knyjtes felle And auntres duden mew horde telle As wawayn kay & ojwc ful abul For to kepe J?c rourcde tabul How kyng charles & rouland fau^t "Wip Sarazinea nolde J?ei [neuei be]

sau^t ( >f tristram & of rsoude fe swete How J?ci wijj loue firste gan mete Of kyng Ion and of rsombraa ( )f [dpyne & of amadas Rtoryes of dyuerse |>inj ( If pi inces prelatia & of 1.

TiaMTV

10 EACH LIKES TO HEAR TIIR THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM BEST. TJIK WISH DELIGHTS TO HEAR WISE LORE, THE FOOL LENDS EAR TO POLLY.

m

i**J-

Sanges sere of selcuth rime, fu^r *.

Inglis, frankys, and latine, 24

to rede and here Ilkon is prest, /uu«JL

pe thynges pat pam likes best.

pe wisman wil o wisdom here,

pe foul hym draghus to foly neve, 28

pe wra/ig to here o right is lath,

And pride wyt buxsumnes is wrath ;

0 chastite has lichur leth yOtoW ~k*&£

On charite ai werrais wreth ; 32

Bot be the fruit may scilwis se,

0 quat vertu is ilka tre

Of alkyn fruit pat man schal fynd

He fettes fro pe rote his kynd, 36

0 gode pertre corns god peres,

"Wers tre, vers fruit it beres ;

fat I speke o pis ilke tre,

Bytakens, man, both me and pe : 40

pis fruit bitakens alle oure dedis,

Both gode and ille qua rightly redis ;

Vr dedis fro vr hert tas rote, 43

[Quejdur pai be worthi or bale or bote ;

For be pe thyng man drawee till [coi. 2]

Men schal him k[n]aw for god or ill.

A saumpul her be paem^I say,

pat rages in pare riot ay ; 48

In riot and in rigolage,

Of all pere liif spend Jjai pe stage ;

For now is halden non incurs,

Bot qua pat luue can pa?*amurs ; 52

pat foly luue^at uanite,

Jam likes now nan oper gle ;

Hit neys bot fantu??z for to say,

To day it is, to mora away, 56

Wyt chaunce of ded, or chaunce of hert,

pat soft began has endyng smart ;

COTTON

safngels sere of selcoupe ri Ingelea frenche and latine.

to [re]de and here ilkan ys pn pe pinges pat ham likes best. IF pe wyse mon wil of wisdome here pe fole him drawes to foly nere. pe wrang to here of ri^t ys [lath]e pe proude wit buxomnes Is wrath bot by pe frute men may see 33

of wat [verjtue ys ilka tree 34

of chastite ys licchour lop 31

wit charite ys werrour wrop. 32

of iche frute pat men may finde. Ira pe rote he fecches his kynde. of gode pe?*tre gode peres. of wers tre wers frute beres. 5T And pat I speke of pis ilk tre hit takenes mon bap me and pe. pis frute b[e] takenes al our dedis bap gode and il wha ri^tly redis our dedis ira our hert takis rote quepcr pai be worp bale or bote, for bi pe ping man drawes him til men sal h[im] knaw for gode or il. ensaumple now by ham I. say. pat ledes paire life in riot ay. In riot and in ricolage. [eoi. 2]

of al paire life spende pai pe stage, II for now ys nane halden in cours. bot qua con loue paramours. pat foly loue pat vanite. ham likes now na oper gle. hit ys bot fantum sop to say to day hit ys to morne a-way. porow chaunce of dede or ellis of hert pat soft bigan has endyng smert.

FAIRFAX

Im ia* iL«

• s.v-*-;

THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT. NOW THOSE MEN ONLY ARE ESTEEMED 11 WHO LOVE PARAMOURS. BUT, 'BEGIN SMOOTH, END IN SMART.'

Sangys sere of diuers rime,

Engliss, franas, and latine, 24

To rede and here, ilkon is prest,

Of thinges fat Jjaini lilted best.

fe wisman wil of wisdam liere,

be fole him drains to foli nere, 28

fe wrong to here right es loth,

And pWde wid buxumnea es wroght ;

Of chastite has lecchour lite ;

Charite again wreth wil smite ; 32

Bot hi }>e f[r]uyt may ilk man se

Of quat uertu es ilk a tre.

Of ilk a frouit J?at men mai finde

lie takes fra fe rote his kinde ; 3G

Of gode peretre gode peris,

Were tre wer frouit it beris. [coi. 2]

Jwt i say of Jus ilke tie

Bitakina man bath me and fe. 40

j:is fruit bitakins all oure dedis

Bath gode and ill qua right redis;

vr dedes fra vr hert tas rote

QueJ>er pai turne to bale or bote, 44

For be fat tiling men draus till

Men may faim knaue for gode and ill,

mple herebi til |>aim i say I in to fair riott alway, 48

In riott and in rekelage Of all J>aii li.jf Bpend f ii f -v stage; For nu ea holdyn now in coura Bo1 he J? at can Loue paramours; — 52 ha\ foli l[u]ue fat vanyto Him likes dou dou o)>< r gle. It ea bol fanton for to To day it es, to mom away, .r>0

AYi<l chance of de le or change of hert

loft bigan eridia ful . tnert.

Q •! I INOEN

Mony songes of dyuerse ryme

As englisshe frensshe & latyne

To rede & here mony are prest

Of f inges fat hem likef best

f e wise mon wol of wisdome here

f e fool him drawef to foly nere

f e wronge to here ri^t is looj?

And pride wif buxomnes is wroof

Of chastite f e lecchoure haf lite

Charite a^eyn wraf f e wrol flite

But bi Jje fruyte may men ofte se

Of what vertu is vche a tre

And vche fruyt fat men may fynde

He haf from f e rote his kynde

Of good pire com gode perus

Werse tre wers fruyt berus

J»«t I saye Jms of f is tre

Bitokenef mon bofe fe & me

Jus fruyt bitokene]? alle oure dedes

Bofe gode & euel who so ri3te redes

Oure dedes fro oure herte take rote

Wheper fci turne to bale or bote

For bi fat Jung mon drawef tille

Men may him knowe for good or ille

Ensaumpel herby to hem I scy

fat rage in her riot al wey

In ryot & in rigolage

Spende mony her ^oufe & her age

For now is he holden noujt inshouria

But he con lone paramouria

fftt Poles lif fat vanite

Him Like]) now noon ofere gle

Hit is but fantom for to say

To day hit is to morwe away

AYif chaurace of drf or cliaunge of hert

j>at softe bigan endef ful smert

TRINITY

TKHJl 5^\J JtU. r^TK*^

12

BOUGHT LOVE 18 FALSE. TIIL VIRGIN MARY 18 MAN

HER LOVE IS SWEETER THAN HONEY. SHE JS MOTHER AND MAID.

nr*"i'

Foi wen b<nv tro*stes[t] wenia at 1);', for quen bou eicurest wenes to Le

Fro hir schalt bou, or Bcho fro be. GO fra hir sal |>ou or ho fra be.

He Jwt [sjtitthest1 wenis at stand, he J>at stibest wenes to stande.

Warre hymjiis fall is nexst his hand, war him his fal ys next at hande.

Ar he sua brathly don bo broglit, or ho sa brajely doune be bi^t.

Wydur to wende ne wat he noght ; G4 $et quidder to wende wate lie 1103b

Bytuixa/ad his luf haf hvm ledd, bi-twix bat his lone hi>/t lede.

To sli mede als he hy?« ronvit [bedd ;] to suche mede as he be-fore dede.

For ban sal mede wifcmten mere,**«*J [

be mette for dede or better or were. G8 no gap in the MS.]

For-bi blisce and bat paramour, % for bi blesse I. bat paramour.

Que?i i haue nede me dos socure, quen I. hane nede me dose soeour

r n

pat saues me first in berth fra syn, J?at saues me in erbe fra synne.

And heue« blys me helps to wyn. 72 and holpes me heyuen to wynne.

I \ -.•

For bof i quiluw haf ben untrew,

Hyr luue is ay ilik[e] new ;

Hir lnne sco haldes lede ilike,

J) at suetter es ban hony o bike ; '76

Suilk in berth es fundus nan,

For scho es modw and maidan ;

Moder and maiden neuer pe lesse,

For-bi of hir tok c/7'st his flesse. 80

Qua truly loues bis le?>ima«,

pis es pe loue bes neuer gan ;

For in Jus loue scho failes neuer,

for if I. sumtyme haue bene vn-trew hir loue ys ay I-like new. hir loue ho haldes lele in like, bat squetter ys ben hony of bike, suche in erbe ys funden nane. for ho ys moder and maydane. moder and mayden neyue?*-be-lesse for-bi of hir toke criste his flesse. qua truly louys ay Jns le?^man. jris ys be loue sal neuer began, for in bis life ho falis neuer.

And in bat tober scho lastes ever. 84 and in be tober ho lastes euer.

Off suilk an suld ye [mater] take, Crafty pat can rimes make ; Of hir to mak bath rim and sansf, And lime hir suette sun amang. Quat bote is to sette trcaieil On thyng pat may not auail,

^T of suehe an sulde men mate;* take 3c crafty bat con rimes make, of hir to make bab rime and sange 88 and loue hir squete sone aniange. quat hotels to sette trauayle. a-boute binge wil 1103I auayle. Jjat ys bot fantu?« of bis werde

bat es bot fantum 0 bis warld, [leaf:!]

Als 3e haue sene inogh and herd. 92 als 3c. haf oft sine and herde.

Mater fynd 30 large and brade 1 mater finde 3(5 large and bradc

Jpof rimes fele of hir be made, and rimes lyte of hir ar made.

COTTON FAIRFAX

' Looks like ticclicst at first sight.

OF HER TOOK JESU FLESH. HER LOVE NEVER FAILS. OF HER SHOULD POETS BIME j NOT OF PHANTOMS OF THIS WORLD.

13

GO

For que?i pu wenia traistiest to be, Ju sal fra hir or scho fra be, He bat wenis stillest to stand, War him liijs fal is neist at hand. Ar he sua sone dune be broght, Quiber to wend ne wat lie noght Bituix and his luue haue him ledd To suilk mede as he him forbedd. For bair sal mede widuten lett Be sett til him for duel dett. Forbi i blise bat paramoure fat in mi [nede me dos socure], Jjat sauis me in erde fra sin»e, And heuefl blisa me helpis to winne, For J> ou i sumtime he untrewe 73

Hir luue es euerelike neue ; Hii luue scho haldea treu arcd lele

For whe?ine bouwenest hit trewesttohe bou shalt from hit or hit from be He bat wenej) stillest to stonde War him his fal is nexte at honde Whewne he so soone doura is broi^t G4 Whider to wende woot he noi^t But to whom his loue hab him led To take suche mede shal he be sted For bere shal mede wifouten let Be sett to him for dew dett berfore hlesse we Jwt paramoure bat in oure nede dop vs soconre Jwt sane]? vs in erbe fro synne And heuen blisse helpeb to wynne For bou^e I suwityme be vntrewe Hir loue is euer 1 liche newe Hir loue is euer trcwe and lele [ifi,bk]

68

Ful suete it es to manes In ie, OT«i.i] Ful swete hit is to mo/incs hele

Suilk in erd es funden non 77

For scho es mober ami maiden alon, Mober and mayden neuer be less, For bi of hir toke ieau his iless. 80 Qua bat loues treuli J>is lemman Scho es be loue bat bes neuer wan, For in |>is lijf scho fayles neuer And in be toper lastes euer. ( )f >uilk an suld we mater take, ie i i.ilni1 fat can rimes make, ( If hir to make bath teste and sang And Lone hir sue! ■ bud emang; 88 Wat hot es to set trauail On thing fat noght may auail, bai es bot fantom of bis werld A - je haue sene i-now and herd Mater find je large and brade ; Uimes mani of hii be made.

I.Hl I INi

Suche obere in erbe is fouwden none For she is modir & mayden alone Modir & mayden neuer be lea berfore of hir toke ieeu flesshe Who ]»(t loue]? trewely bis iemmon He dial haue loue Jwt neuer is wool For in bis lif she failej neuer

84 And in bat ober lasteb euer

( »r suchon shulde 30 matere take ae crafty bat con rymes make Of hir to make bobe g< est & songe And preise hir swete son amonge What bote is hit 1" Bett trauaile On bing bat no bing may availe bat is but fantom of bis Werd

92 A we ynowje hall Been & herd M.!:, !, fynde we may in dede Byrnes of hir to make & cede

IK1M I V

1 T,„. lo, . ,] / i made bigb r I tan the other, and looks like K.

It OF HART'S BEAUTY, PITY, GOODNESS, AM) TRUTH. SHE IS

LADY OF LADIES, AND RAISES DP FALLEN SINN; I ,

t. t/ft

ft*.

I

Ix

Qua-sa will of hy[r] fa[y]rne8 spell, Find he sal Lnogh to tell ; (JG

Of liir godnes and kir treujhede,£i«lJL Men may fynd euermar to rede ;

0 reut[li] o loue and cliarite, "Was ncuer liir mak, no neuer sal be. Lauedi scho os o lenedis all, 101 Mild and mek witoutew grill, (rtnt/w*^ to nedi neghest on to call, And raises synful quefe }>ai fall ; 104 Til all oure bale ai for to bete, rsuette ■ Oure lauerd lias made Jj«t maiden J>ar-bi man mai liir helping ke?m, Sclio prais ai for sinful me/m; 108 Qua menskes liir, Jai may be bald, Scho sal Jam 3eld a hnndreth fald. In liir wirschip wald i bigyn

A lastand ware apon to myn, 112

For to do man knaw liir kyn,

Jwt 1ms sell wirschip cum to wyn :

Siurakins iestes for to scaw,

\)at done were in J?e hald[e] law, 116

Bituix J>e aid law and J>e new,

How cWst brith bigan to brew, {^uk^-^

1 sal yow schew wit myn eiitent, Bre[fl]i of aijjere testament; 120 AI J>is world, or J? is bok bHn, dU£* Wit cristes help I sal ouer-rin,

And tell sum gestes pr/ncipale ;

For all may na ma/i haue in talfe, 124

Bot fpr-jn jut na were may stand

Wit-outen grundwall to be lastand,

Jur-for j?is were sal i fund

Apon a selcuth stedfast grund, 128

Jwt es, J>e haly tnnite,

jput all has wroght wit his beuto ;

COTTON

51 qua sa wil of hir fairnes speL

fynde he may I-nogfi to tel.

of hir goden hir trew hede.

men may fynde euer mare at rede, of petey and loue and charite was neuer hir make ne neiu r sal be IT Lauedy ho ys of lauedis alle Clear ^ bk] mylde and meke wit-outen galle to nedeful next on to calle. to rayse J>e sinful quen Jui dou/< falle. and al our bale for to bete, our lorde has made j?at lady sqnete. J>ar-by man may hir helpynge ken. for ho prayes ay for sinfulmen. qua menskes hir Jui may be balde. ho wil ham 3ilde an hundre falde. N hir worshepe walde I be-gyn a lastande werk a-pon to Myn. for myche worshepe ho con ys wyn. fayne I walde men knew hir kyn. Jjer-fore sum gestes wil I. shawe. Jut done ware in J?e aide lawe. by-twix Je aide high and J>e newe. how cristes birj> be-gaii to brewe. % I. sal shew jou verrament. shortly of aithur testament, al J>is werlde or Jut I. blyn. wit cristes help .1. sal ouer-ryn. and tel sum gestes principale for al may na mon haue in tale, bot for-Jn Jwt na werk may Btande. wit-out grounde wal to be lastande. J>ar-fore J>is werk sal I. founde. a-pon a secure stedefast grounde. Jjat ys to say J>e trinite. Jut al has wro^t wit his bounte.

FAIRFAX

IN HONOUR OF MARY I WRITE THIS BOOK, FOUNDED ON THE TRINITY; AND 15 I WILL TELL ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW LAW, AND ALL THE WORLD.

Qua Avill of liir fayrnes spell

Find he may inogli to tell ; 9G

Of liir godnes of liir trouth-hedd,

Men may find euermar to rede

Of reuth of lime and of charite ;

Was newer liir make ne neuer sal be.

Lady selio is of ledes all, 101

ATeke and mild widutew gall, To nedefull neist on to call, And rayses pe sinful qaen pai fall, Til all vr balis for to bete, 105

lesu made pat mayden suete ; parbi men may liir helping hen Scho prais ay for sinful men. 108

Qua pat worschipis liir he mai be bald, Scho wil him ^eilcle an hundreth fald, [I]N liir wrorschip wald i biginne A lastand werk apon to minne. 1 1 2 For to do men knaue hir kin [«oi. 2] bat us suilk worschip gan to win, Sumkin ieste nu forto knau pat don was in pe aide lau ; 11G

Bituix pe aid lau and pe new Hu cristes bote bigan to brew, 1 sal 30U scheu wid min entent, Sothli of liir testament. 120

All pis werld, ar pis boke bline, Wid cristes help i sal our-rine, And telle sum teste principale. For all may no man haue in tale, I 2 ! Bot forper may na werk stand Widvten grund-wal to be Lastand, parfor pis werke i wil found ( »;i a selcuth Btedfasl grund, 128

pal es pe hali trinite, pat all 1 id his bonnte,

Who so wol of hir fairnes spelle Fynde he may ynoi^e to telle Of hir goodnesse of hir trouphede Fynde men may aboute to sprede Of treupe of lone of charite Was neuer hir make ne neuer shal be Lady she is of peples alio Meke & mylde wipouten galle Next to nedeful to calle on And reisep eue?* pe synful mon lesu made pat mayden swete Alle oure bales for to bete llerby men may her helpe wel knowe She p?v?yep for synful he^e & lowe Who so dop hir worshepe may be bolde She wrol him ^elde an hundride folde 51 In hir worshepe bigymie wolde . L A werke pat shulde be lastyngely For to do men knowe hir kyn pat muclie worshepe dud vs wyn 51 Sum maner ping is good to knawe pet done was in }>e olde la we IhtAvixe pe olde lawe & pe newe H I low crist vs bote bigan to brewe I shal 3011 shewe bi myii entent Sopely of hir testament Al pis world ar pis bonk blynne AYip crist is helpe 1 shal ouer rynne And telle sum geste pn'ncipale For ;il may no man haue in tale But no werk we] laste may Wipoute good grounds to lasts ay perfore J^is werke I wol founds < in ;i selc i;}1 Btudfaste grou pat is }.••• holy trinite j I ; ... ftde of his boui I

Ml V

10 i'll tell of the trinity, the fall of batan, of adam, Abraham, jacob, joseph, mosb8, david, solomon.

136

140

144

148

! UA-«,<.

vvJ"

At him self first i settc mi mere, eu'fe And sithen to tell his hand were ; 132 0 pe angels first pat fell, And sif en i will of adam tell, Of hys oxs_pring, and of noe, And sumquat of his simns thre, Of abraham and of ysaac fat haly ware wit-outen make ; Sythen sal i tell yow Of iacob and of esan, far neist sal be sythen tald How pat ioseph was boglit and said ; 0 pa Inns and moyses pat goddis folk to lede him ches, how god bigan pe law hjm gyfe f e quilk the Iuns in suld life ; 0 saul pe kyng and o daui How pat he faght a -gain goli ; Sif en o salamon pe wis - How craftilik he did instis ; How crist com thoro propheci, How he com his folk to bij ; And hit sal be reddynn f anne • 0 Ioachim and of sant tanne ; 0 mare als hir doghter mild, How sco Avas born and bare a child, How he was born and qiien and ware, How sco him to pe temple bar; 0 pe kynges pat him soght fat thre presandes til him broght; 1G0 How pat h erode kyng wit wogh WiL For crist sak pe childer slogh ; How pe child to egypte fled And how pat he was thefen ledd ; 1G4 far sal 30 find sumkyn dedis pat \£8U8 did ill hys barndiedis ;

COTTON

152

155

IF at hi??z-sclf I. sette my merle. and sithen to telle his handewerke. of pe angels first at felle. and sif en of adam wil I. telle.

[

no gap in. the MS.]

of abraham and of Isaac.

fat haly weren wit-onte lake.

sifen sal I. tel ^aw

of Isaac and of esaw.

far next sal be talde

how Ioseph was bo^t and salde.

of pe Iewes and of moyses

fat goddes folk to lede him chese.

how god bc-gan f e lagh him gyne

f e quylk f c Iewes in snide lyne.

of sanle f e kynge. and of dauy.

how fat he fa^t a-gayne goly.

sifen of salamon f e wyse

how craftely he gaf Instise.

of cristes come f orow prophesy

how he come his folk to by.

f er next sal be red fan.

of Ioachim and of seynt anne

of marie and hir sone mylde rchi]td

and how ho was borne and bred hir

how he was borne and how and quar^

how ho him til f e temple bare.

of f e kynges fat hi»i S03L

fat presandes til him f ai bro3t.

how fat erode kyng wit woghe.

for cristes sake f e childer sloghe.

how pe childe til egipte lied

and how fat he was fcyfen led.

and far sal -$e fynde sum gode dedis

fat crist dede in his childe-hedis.

FAIRFAX

THEN OF CHRIST'S COMING,' HIS BIRTH, THE THREE KINGS, HEROD'S 17 SLAUGHTER OP THE CHILDREN, THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT, ETC.

First at himself i sett mi marke,

And sif en to tell of liis handwarke, —

Of fe angelis first fat fell, 133

And sipen i wil of adam tell,

Of his hospring and of noe,

And sumquat of his surces thre. 136

Of abraham and of ysaac,

fat hali men war widutew lac ;

Sif en sal i tell to 30U

Of iacob and of ysau, 140

Here neist sal be sif en teld

Hu Ioseph was bath bogh[t] and seld,

Of f e iuus and of moyses

fat goddes folk to lede hi??j ches; 144

Hou godd bigan f e lau him giue,

f e quilk f e iuus suld in Hue.

Of saul f e king and of daui

How fat he faught again goli, 148

And sy^e of salamon f e wise

Hou craftili he did iustifie.

Hou crist cam thoru prophesi [if2,coi.v]

His aune folk forto hi j 152

Sif en it sal be rede 3011 pane

Of ioachim and of saint ane ;

Of mari als hir douther milde

Hou scho was born and bar hir child ;

Hu he was born, quen and quare, 157

How scho him to fe temple bare ;

Of f e kinges fat him soght

fat thre presantes til him broght ; 1G0

Hou fat herodes king wid wogh1

For cristes sake he childcr slogh1 ;

Hou f at iesu til egipt fledd V ™?0^ht'

And hu fat In; was fcnnis ledd. 104

And for suld 30 here mani a del'

fat iem did in his barnhede;

2 OOTTINQBN

1F Furst at hi??2 self I sett my merk

And aftir to telle of his hond werk

IF Of f e aungels fat firste felle

And sif I wol of adam telle

IF Of his ospringe and of Noe

And su??iwhat of his sones f re

IT Of Abraham & als of ysaac

fat holy weren wif outen lac

IT Sif en shal I telle (joju newe

Of Iacob & of Es[au]e

IF Si}?en shul ^e here hit tolde

How Ioseph was bou3te & solde

IF Of f e iewes & of Moises

fat god his folke to lede him chees

IF How god bigan f e lawe him 3yue

AVhiche f e iewes shulde in lyue

II Of saul f e kyng & of dauy

How he fau3te a3eyn goly

IF And sif f e of Salomon f e wise

How he was crafti iustise

IF How crist cam f our3e p?*ophecie

His owne folk for to bye

11 Sif hit shal be rad 30U f a?me

Of Ioachim & of Seynt Anne

IF Of Mary also hir doi^t^?- mylde Deaf 2]

How she was born & bare hir childe

IF How she was born whe/me & whare

How she him to f c temple bare

IF Of fo kynges fat him soi^t

fat f re p?*esentes to him brou^t

IF How fat heroudc kyng wttfl wronge

For cristis sako slower ohilder v"go

IT I low fat iesn to egipte fledde

And how he was pennes ledde

IF And fsre shul je here many a dede

fat iem dude in bis childehede

TRINITY

18 i'll tell of Christ's baptism, temptation, joiin's beheading, the apostles, Christ's miracles, his giving sight to the blind, etc.

Sithen o f o baptist Iolian fat Iesu baptist in flu??i Iordan ; 108 How iesus quen he lang had fast Was fondid wit f e wik gast ; Sif en o Ions baptisyng And how him hefdid herod kyng ; 1 72 How fat iesu crist him selue ches til him apostels tuelue, And openlik bigan to preche, And alle fat sek ware to leche 176 And did fe meracles sua rijf fat fe Iuus him hild in strijf ; Syfen how fat haly drightin Turned watzzr in to vyn ; 180

0 hue thossand men fat he Fedd wyt fiue laues and fisses thre ; Of a man sal $e sithen find [leaf 2, back] fat he gaue sight and born was blind ; 0 spouse-brek womman 185

fat fe> Iuus dempt to stan ; How he heled on al vnfere u^*J.<rY*j fat seke was thritte and aht yeir ; 188 How fe magdalen wit grete '. ■ -«^ Com for to was our lorde fete ; /.L .> Of hir and martha fat was fus

Abote the nedes of fare hus ; 192

0 l&y&v ded laid under lam lc-c^ w How iesus raised his licam ; How Iuus iesu oft vmsette And for his sermon thrali thrette, 196 How f ai sched his blisced blode And pined him opon fe rode ; Wit crist will fan sal I telle How he sif en hared helle ; 4 200 How Iuus wit f er gret vnschill ^^kjOjJLd Wend his vprisyng to dill ;

COTTON

JLsJju*4JL ku &U~Tt\ t

sif en of baptist seynt loan.

fat ihesus hoef in flume Iordan.

how ihesus quen he lange had fast

was fondet wit fe wikket gast.

sij)en of Iones baptisynge

and how hi?/i heued herode f 0 kynge.

how fat ihesus crist hi?/i-self

chese his appostoles twelue.

and opynly by-gan to preyche.

and al fat syke ware for to leche.

and dede fe miracles so rife.

at fe Iewes helde hi??z in strife.

sithen how fat haly d^tyne.

turned water in-to wyne.

of .v. f ousande men pat he.

fed wit .v. lauys and fisshes thre.

of a man sal ^e sythen fynde

fat he gaf si3t fat borne was blynde.

of fe spousebreke of a womman

fat f e Iewes walde deme to stan.

and how he heled an laser.

fat seke was viij. and xxx. ^ere.

how f e Maudalan sore con grete.

and come to wesshe cristes fete.

of hir and martha fat bysy was ho

a-boute f e hous nedes to do.

of laser dede layde vnder lame.

how ihesus raised his licame.

how f e Iewes ihesus sore bet

and for his sarmone f rali fret.

how f ai shed his blesset blode

and sif en pynet him a-pon f e rodo

wit cristes wil fan sal I. telle.

how he sif en heried helle.

how f e Iewes wit fair vnskille.

wend his vprisinge for to dille.

FAIRFAX

i'll tell of the woman taken in adultery, op mart magdalene, 19 op lazarus, Christ's crucifixion, and his harrowing hell.

Sijjen of baptist saint iohn,

fat iesu baptist in fe flom iordan. 168

Hou iesu wan he longe hade fast Was temped wid f e wicked gast; Sif eft of ionis baptising And hou him hefded heroud king. 172

Hu fai iesu crist him seluen Ches to him apostilis tuelue, And opinli bigain to preche, And all fat seke war to leche, 176 And did miraclis sua rif, Quarfor f e iuus him held in strijf ; Sif en hu godd all-mightin Turnd water into win ; 180

Of fijf thousand men fat he Fedd wid fijf louis and fisses thre ; Of a man sal -$q sife?i find 183

fat godd gaf sight fat born was blind, And of fe spousebreche, fat womman fat f o iuus denied to stan ; How he heled a man vnfere fat seke was eglit and tuenti ^ere ; 188 Hou mari magdalain wid grete [coi. 2] Com to wasse vr laue?'des fete, Of hir and martha f at wild noglit blin Aboute fe nedia of hir inne; 192

Of lazar ]M ded lay vnder stan, Hou iesu him raysed in floss a?*d ban ; Hu iuus iesu oft vmsett, And for his preching fai him thrett, Hou fai sched his blissed blode, 197 And pined him apon f e rode. Wid cristas will fan sal i tell Hou he sipen harud hell, 200

Hu iuus wid fair grete vnskill Wend his vprifling to dill ;

FINGER

IT Sifen of f e baptiste Ion

fat baptized iesu in Hum iordon

11 How iesu aftir his fastynge longe

Was temptide with f e spirit of wronge

IF Sif en of Iones baptizyng

And how him heueded heroude f ekyng

IT How fat iesu crist him selue

Ghees to him apostles twelue

And openly bigan to preche

And alle fat seke were to leche

And dud miraclis mony & ryf

Wherfore f e iewes bigonne to strif

IF Sif how god of his mj3t

Turnede watir in to wyn ri^t

IT Of fyue f ousande men fat he

Wif fyue loues fedde & flashes f re

IF Of a mon shul we f enne fynde

fat god 3af si3te & born was blyftde

IT And of f e spousebriche of o wommon

fat \>e iewes denied to ston

IT How he heled a mon vnfere

fat seke was ei3te & twenty 3ere

11 How mary maudeleyn wif grete

Coom to wasshe oure lordis fete

IF Of hir & of Martha also

fat bisy was aboute crist f o

1F Of lazar fat deed lay yndii stoon

How he was reised in flesshe & boon

IF How iewes iesu ofte bi-sette

And for his prechyng also him f\

II How fei pyned him on fe rode 198

And how fei shedde his blessed blode

11 And if god wol f c?mc shal I telle

How he siffeD harewed helle

IF How Lewea ^if het gr» I niskille

Wende his vprisynge to stille

TRINI1 I

^UrA, Sklj,- suft.

20 THEN OF THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY, THE FINDING OF THE CROSS, OF ANTICHRIST, AND THE DAY OF DOOM j

J* L

&tr*/.b

How he vprais, liow he upstey, to «/*><} Many man on_s tad and sey ; 204

How he pat o inyght es mast Send in till erth his haly gast ; 0 tuelue apostlis su??i-kyn gest Bot how Jai endid at f e lest, 208 How our leuedi endid and yald Hir sely saul hit sal be tald ; 0 f e hali croice how it was kyd lang eftmvard pat it was hid ; 212 Of antecrist com fat sal be k'ene, £;£J*?And o Jje dreri days fiueten

' fat sal cum for- wit domes day • Sythen of fe dome yow sal i say, 216 pan of oure leuedi mwrnand mode. For hir sune scho sagh on rode ; pe last resun of alle fis rpn ' u >!-/■• j***m Sal be of hir concepcion. 220

J>is are the maters redde on raw fr-ijfr* fat i thynk in Jns bok to draw, Schortly rimand on pe dede, (*■*-$)• For mani er f ai her-of to spede. 224 ISTotful me thine it ware to man to knaw him self how he began, How [he] began in werld to brede How his oxspring began to sprede, 228 Bath o pe first and o pe last. In quatking curs Jns world es past. Efter haly kyrc state fis ilk bok id es translate 232

•— In to Inglis tong to rede For the loue of Inglis lede, Inglis lede of Ingland, For the commun at understand. 23 G Frankis rimes here I redd, Comiudik in ilk [a] sted,

COTTON

how he vprase how he vpsteghi. [leaf 5]

mony a mon wit eghe hit seghe.

how he pat of irn^t ys mast.

sende in til erthe his haly gast.

of pe xij. appostoles sumkyn geste.

and how f ai endet atte pe leste.

and how our lady endet and 3alde

hir blesset saule hit sal be talde

of pe haly croys how hit was kid.

lange efter fat hit was hidde.

of antecrist come pat sal be kene.

and of pe driry dayes fiftene.

J?at sal come be-fore doinesday.

and sipen of pe dome sal we say.

and fen of our lady mournande mode

for hir sone ho saghe hange on rode.

pe last speche of Jns resoun.

sal be of hir concepcioun.

11 pes ar pe maters red on raw.

pat I. fink in f is boke to draw.

now I. wil be-gynne in dede.

Ihesu leue me wele to spede.

noteful me fink hit were to man

to wyte how he first be-gan.

how he be-gan in werlde to brede

and how his ospringe be-gan to sprede

baf of f e first and of the last.

in quatkyn cours f is werld ys past

IT ofter haly kirkis state.

f is ilke boke ys translate.

vn-til Ingeles tonge to rede.

for f e loue of englis lede.

englis lede of engelande

f e commune for til vnderstande.

frenche rimes here I. rede.

cowmunely in iche a stede.

FAIRFAX

then of mary's mourning at the cross, and her conception : 21 all in english tongue, for love of english men of merry england.

Hu he vp ras a?id lm he vp stey

Mani a man it herd and sey ; 204

Hou he fat [is] of mightes mast

Sent intiil erde f e hali gast.

Of f e tuelue apos£lis sumkins ieste,

Hou fat f ai ended mast arad leste ; 208

Hou vr leuedi endid a?zd ^alde

Hir semeli saule it sal be talde.

Of f e hali crois hou it was kidd

Lang efter fat it was hidd ; 212

Of antecrist come fat sal be kene,

And of f e dreri dais fijftcne

fat sal cum bifor domesday ;

And sy&en of fe dome sal i say, 216

fan of vr leudis nmrnand mode

For hir sune quew he hing on rode ;

f e last resune of all f is roune

Sal be of hir concepcion. 220

f ise er f e materia i redde on rawe,

fat i thinck in f is boke to scliawc,

Schortli renand on f is dede,

For mani ar far for to spede. 224

Nedeful me think it were to man

To knau him self, hou he bigan,

Houhebiganinwerld tobrede, [if3,coi.i]

Hou his ospring bigan to sprcde, 228

Bath of fe first and of fe Lit,

In quatkin cours f is world is past.

Efter hali kirkes state

fis ilke boke es translate, 232

vnto englisa tung to rede

For fe luue of englijs lede,

Englia Lede of meri ingeland

For fe comen to vnf^-stand, 236

Frenkis rimes here i rede

Comunli in ilka stcde ;

GOTTI M.I.N

If How he vp roos & sif en vp stay

Mony a mon hit herde & say

11 How fat he of my3tes moost

Sende to erf e f e holy goost

H Touchynge f e apostlis of her feest

How f ei endede meest & leest

IT How oure lady endede & 3olde

Hir semely soule hit shal be tolde

IT How f e holy cros was kidde

Longe aftir fat hit was hidde

H Of antec?'*'stis coome fat shal be kene

And of f e dredeful dayes fiftene

fat shul com tofore f e domes day

Sif en of f e doom wol I say

IF f ene of oure ladyes mournynge mode

Whewne hir son heng on f e rode

f e laste resoun fat I shal spelle

IT Of hir concepcioun wol I telle

f ese are f e materes red on rowe

fat in fis book wol I showe

Shortly rennyng on fis dede

For mony f er aren for to spede

H Nedeful me f inkc hit were to man

To knowe himself how he bigan

How he bigan in worlde to brcde

How his osprynge bigan to sprede

Bof e of f e furste & of f e last

In what cours fis world is past

Aftir holy chirches astato

fis ilke boke is translate

In to englisshe tonge to role

For f e loue of englisshe lede

For comune folk of engelondo [if2,bk]

Shulde fe better hit vndirstondo

[

ii<> gap in the MS.] TRINITY

.)•>

FRENCH BTME8 ARE NO GOOD TO ENGLISHMEN. I WBIT1 FOR THE

UNLEARNED ENGLISH, TO TEACH IDLE TRIFLERS TO BE WISE.

Mast es it wroght for frankis man :

Quat is for him na frankis can] 240

Of Ingland the nacion,

Es Inglis man par in commxm ;

fe speche fat man wit mast may spede,

Mast Jar-wit to spekc war nede ; 244

Selden was for ani chance

Praised Inglis tong in france :

Giue we ilkan J) are larigage,

Me think we do pam non outrage. 248

To laud and Inglis man i spell

fat understandes fat i tell,

And to f oo speke i alf er-mast

fat won in vnuarc es to wast 252

fair liif in trofel and tru^ndis,v.'^fc^O^«

To be ware wiif at^en.and wis^

Su??iquat vnto fat Jliing to tent,

fat al far mode might wit amend. 256

Ful il ha[yl] f ai fat spending spend

fat findes na fro[te] f ar-of at end.

Sli word and were su??z we til jieild

Traistli armites1 sal we yeild. 260

f ar-for do draw f am hider-ward,

fat o fe pardon will ha part

To here and hald sal ha pardon,

0 plight wit crist benisim. 264

Now o fis proloug wil we b[lin],

In crist nam our bok be-gin,

Cursur o werld man aght it call,

For almast it ouer-rennes all. 268

Tak we our biginning fan

Of him fat al fis werld bigan. 270

Luna Mars Mercurius Iouis

Monenday Tisday Wednesday Thors-

day uerius satwnus sol Friday settwrday sou?*day

COTTON

fat mast ys worf for frenche man.

quat ys worf for him nane can.

of engelande naciouw

ys englis man far in commou??.

f e speche fat man with sone may spede.

mast far wit. to speke ware nede.

selden was for any chaunce.

englis tong praysed in fraunce

IF gif we ilkane f aire langage.

me fink fen we do nane outrage.

to lewet and englis men I. tel.

fat vnderstandes quat I. spel.

and to fa speke I. maste.

fat wont ar to wirke in waste.

fat leden f aire life in trowandise

to teyche ham to be war and wyse.

IT Ihesu suche grace me sende

at I. nn^t f aire life amende.

ful ilhayle f ai far spendyng spends

fat fyndes na frute at f e ende.

suche worde and werkis as we in lyue.

redy acountes mone we gyue.

far-fore draw yow hidder-wart.

fat of f e pardouw wil haue part.

and quo-so heres fis pardowi.

he sal haue cristes benysourc.

11 Now of fis proloug wel I. blyn.

in cristes name my boke be-gynne.

Cursor of f e werlde I. wil hit cal.

for almast hit oumynnys al.

take we our be-gynnyng fan.

of Mm fat al fis werlde be-gan.

1 So in MS., but read acountes

FAIRFAX

7- \k\U >(4V

MAY I AMEND THEM ! FOR ALL OUR WORKS WE MUST ACCOUNT. 23

MY BOOK IS CALLED " COURSE OF THE WORLD", AS IT OVER-RUNS IT ALL.

fat es most made for frankis men,

Quat lielpis kim pat non can cen. 240

Of ingland f e nacione

Er englijs men in comune, no yap in the MS.]

pe specke pat men may mast wid spede pat spccke fat moost vs may spede

Mast to sj)eke f ar-wid war nede ; 244 Moost to speke kit were greet nede

Seldom was for ani ckance Selden kit is for any ckaurcce

Englis tong precked in france, Englisske tunge precked in frauwce

Gif we faim ilkan fair language, 3yue we vcke lond kis langage

And fan do we na vtetrage. 248 penne do we noon outrage

To leuid and englis mew i spell To lewed men englisske I spelle

fat understandis quat i can tell, pat vndirstondef what I con telle

And till f aim speke i alf e/'mast And to hem speke I alf er moost

fat ledis fair Hues in mekil wrast, 252 pat ledef ker lyues in pride & boost

And spendis kis loue in trowandis And spenden ker lyues in trewandise

If f ai migkt mend f aim in sum wis ; And my^te amenden in mony wT.se

Sum quat to pat thing to tende

fat fai fair mede may wid amende, 256 . . . . •. . no gap in the MS.]

Ful wa til f aim kir loue to spende "Wo skal kem he ker lif so spende

fat findes fir of no fruit at end. fat fynde f erof no fruyt at f e ende

Sumkin word or werk as we to keld,

Suilk a font x suld we ^eilde. 260

farfor drau 3U kif^rward

fat of f is pardon wil kaue part,

To kere a[??]d kald sal kaue pardon

And part of cristes benison. 264 no (jap in the MS.]

Nou of f is prolouge wil we bline, [col. 2] Now of fis prolouge wrol we hlynne

In cristes name vr boke bigine, In cristis nome oure book bigy??ne

Coursur of f e world men au it call, Cours of fis world men shul hit calle

For all mast it ouc?'-rines all. 268 For almost hit rehersof alio

Take we vr biginyng fan Take we oure biu'.vnnyng fan

Of him fat all fis wTerld bigan. 270 At him fat al fis world bi-gan

Here endis the prolouge of fis boke fat es cald ou^ rrener of f e werld.

1 So in MS., bat road ahont

QdtTiNGEN TRINITY

24

GOD MADE ALL THINGS, AND IIOLDETII UP EARTH AND HBAVEK

Incipit de t/7nitate & creacione

HlU^di [leafS, bk, col. 1]

Of all men agli fat driglitin dride fat mirtlies mettes man to mede fat euer was and ai sal be, 273

■\vit-outen change in trinite, He fat louerd bath god and man Alkyn god of him be gan. 276

f of he began al of er thing Him self had neuer bigining ; Of him com all, in him is all, He haldes np all fra don-fall ; 280 He haldes heuen and erth stedfast, "Wit-onten him may nothing last, f is lauerd fat is so mikul o might He pwruaid al in his for-sight, 284 And fat he ordaind wit his witte He multiplis and gouerns itte, f e?*for is he cald trraite For he es anfald godd in thre. 288 And if f ou wynus it mai not be Behald f e sune and f ou mai se ; In f e snne fat schines clere Es a thing a[nd] thre thinges sere; 292 A bodi rond, and hete and light, fir thre we find al at a sight ; f is thinges thre wit nankins art Mai man nan fra oper part, 296

For if f ou ta f e light awai, f e erth it has na sun parfai ; And if pe erth1 awai be tan, p«fc]

sun for soth fen has f ou nan. 300 Bot ilk wisman it watte It es f e kind of f e sun be hatte ;

COTTON

Of fe trinite and makings of fe werlde.

Of al i mon a}t fat god drede for mirf he merkis mon to mede fat eue?* was and ay sal be. wit-outen charge in trinite. fat ilk lorde god and man. al gode of him be-gan. if he be-gan al of er f inge. hb?i-self had neuer be-gynnynge. of him come al. in him ys alle. al haldes he vp. fat walde dou>i fal. he haldes heyuen and erf stedefast wit-out him may na f inge. last. IT J>is lorde fat ys so mykil of mi^t. he purueyt al in his for-si3t. a?za' fat he ordenet wit his witte. and multiplis and gouernes hit. far-fore he ys calde trinite. for he ys anfalde. god in f re. and if f ou wenys f is may no^t be. be-halde f e sunne and f ou may se. IF In f e sunne fat shinis clere. [if u, bk] ys a finge and fre fingys sere. a body rouned and het and li^t. f er fre we finde al at a si^t. f er f inges fre wit nankyn art. ne may man nane fra of er part 1T for if f ou take f e ^t a-way. f e erthe ne has na sunne pcrfay. IT and if f e hete a-way be tane sunne for-sof ne has f ou nane. for eumche wyse mon wate. hit ys f e kynde f e sunne be hate FAIRFAX

THE SUN, AT ONCE ROUND, HOT, AND LIGHT, IS AN EMBLEM OF GOD IN TRINITY.

25

Here bigines of pe trinite a«d of pe making of all pe worlde

A lie men aue pat lauerd drede, pat inirth.es settis man to mede, pat euei' was and ay sal be, 273

AViduten ende in trinite. He pat lauerd, bath godd and man, Anekines thing of him bigan, 276 pou he bigan all olper thing, Himself had neuer biginyng ; Of him can all, in him Is al, All haldis he vp fra dunefall ; 280 He haldis heuen and erde stedfast ; "VViduten him may na thing last, pis lane?-d pat es sna mekil of might Puruaid all in his aun sight, 284

And pat he ordained wid his witt He multeplijs a?zd gouernis itt, par for es he cald pe trinite, For he es an-fold god in thre ; 288 And if pu wenis it may noght be, Bihald pe sune, pan may pn se, In pe snne pat schines clere Es a thing and thre thinges sere, 292 A bodi round, hote, and light, pir thre we find all at a sight ; pir thingefl thre wid nankin arte Ne may noght be fra o]>er part, 296 For if pu take pe light away pe erd it has na sune parfay ; And if pe hete away be tan [ifs,bk,coi. i] Sune forsoth ne has pu nan, 300

On ilk a man^r ilk man wate, It es pe kind of sune be hate.

GOTTIM.KN

Herep now of pe trinite dere

And of pe makyng of pis world here

A lie men owe pat lord to drede pat made mon to haue mede pat eucr was & euer shal be "Wipouten ende in trinite He pat lorde bope god and mon Al maner ping of him bigan poi^e he bigan al ope?*e ping him self hadde neuer bigynnyng Of him coom al in him is al Al holdep he vp fro doun fal He holdep heuen & erpe studfaste Wipouten ende may no ping laste pis lord pat is so mychel of my^te Purueide al in to his si}t And pat he ordeyned wip his witt he multeplied & gouernep hit pc?'fore he is pe trinite pat is o god & pcrsoncs pre And if \ou wenest hit may not be Biholde pe somze pen?ze maistou sc In pe son?ze pat shynep clere Is o ping & pre sere A body rou?Kle hoot & 113b pese pre we fynde at a si^t pese pingis pre wip noon art Mow not fro opere be depart For if y>u take pe li3"b awey pe erpe hap no sun/'" perfey And if pe heete awey be L,foon Sonne for sope hastou noon But vche manei man we] wotc pe kynde of sonwc is to be hote

THIN IT v

2G

OTHER WORKMEN MUST HAVE TIMBER, BUT GOD CAN MAKE THE TIMBER.

f e sun bodi pat i neuen

Be-takena f e fader self o heuen ; 304

And be f e light pat is lastand

f e sune f ou agb at understand ;

And be f e liette f ou vnderta

f e hali gost cojnms of hem tua. 308

Fader is he cald for-f i

fat he is welle pat neuer sal dri,

Or for-f i pat he self wroght 311

All thinges quen f ai ware notght ;

His sun his wisdom es, pat wat

All thinges fat haldes stat,

And halds )am up fro misfare 315

pat f ai ne worth to noght als f ai war ar ;

pe hali gast es tat goddhede [if3,bk,coi.2]

J? at giues lijf and mas an-hede.

Minning es to fader cald,

pe sune es vnderstanding tald, 320

J?e haligast es ai pat will,

pat fader and sun will bath fulfill.

f is drithin pat i forwit said

First in his witte he all pw?meid 324

His were, als dos J?e sotill wright,

and sithen he reises it in sight ;

For-f i es godd, als sais scr/pture,

Nan elder fan his creature, 328

Elder o time ne es noght he,

Bot elles wel rnare in dicrnite.

O

f is wright pat i spek of here, Fra al ofer, sundri and sere, 332

For f ai most ofer timber take, Bot he Jus self can timber make ; For of him self he toke his euen 335 fat he of wroght bath erth and heuen. Bot f ou sal noght f ou vndirstand pat he wroght al his were wit hand,

COTTON

pe Sonne body fat I. neyuen. be-takenes pe fader self of heyueii IT and bi pe W^t fat ys lastande. f e sune. 30U aghe to vnderstande. and by f e hete f ou vnder-ta. f e haly gaste come of ham twa. fader ys he calde for-f i. for he ys welle fat neyuer ys dry. and for he him-seluen wro^t. alle p inges quen f ai wrere no3t. lips] sone ys wisdome wele I. wate for al f inges he haldes in state. JIn fe maner he wro3t ham are.

no gap'] P T" K" cr<?""!<z av*

& J- J the 1 Diets underlined.'

^ pe haly gaste ys fat godhede. fat gaf f e life and makis anhede certanly as I. 30U talde. f e sone ys vnderstandynge calde quat euer f e haly gaste wille. f e fader and sone wil tyte fulfil. f is lord fat I. be-fore haue sayde first in his wTitte he al puruayde. his werk as dose f e sotel wu^t. and sif en rayses hit vp in si3t. H for-f i ys god as says scripture nane elder fen his creature elder of tyme ne ys no^t he bot ellis wele mare in dignite. f is wi^t fat I. spak of here, fra al of er ys sundre and sere, for f ai most of er timbei take. IT and f is wri^t con timber make, for of him-self he toke his eyuen fat wro^t of baf erf and heyuen. bot now f ou sal vnder-stande he wrojt no3t anly wit his hande

FAIRFAX

GOD LIKE A CLEVER WRIGHT MADE THE WORLD, 27

BY THOUGHT AND WORD, NOT BY WORK OF HAND.

J e sunes bodi pat i neuen pe sonwes body pat I neuene

Bi-takins pe fade?- self of heuen, 304 Bitokenep pe fadir god of heuen

And bi pe light pat es lastand And bi pe l^t pat lastyng is

It es pe sone pu vnderstand, Hit is pe son kyng of blis

And bi pe hete pu vnde?-stand so, And bi pe bete vndirstonde hit so

J>e hali gast comes of paim to. 308 >e holy goost comef of hem two

And fader es he calde forpi, And fadir is he calde for pi

For he es welle pat neuer is drey ; Tor he is welle pat neuer is dry

And ouyr fat him seluen wroght 311 And oner pis him self wroujt

AU thinges quew pat pai war noght. Alle pingis whenrce pei were noi^t

His sun is wisdam pat all thing wate, His son is Wisdom pat alle pinge wate

For all pe werld he haldis in state ; For al pe world he halt in state

He haldis aU thinges fra misfare, Alle pinges he halt fro mysfare

pat pai noght turne to soru a?zd care. pat pei not turne to sorwe & care

pe hah gast es pat goddhed, 317 pe holy goost is pe godhede

He giues pe lijf and mas onede. pat 3yuep lyf to alle we rede

Minniwg es pe fadir cald, [

pe sune es vnderstanden tald, 320

pe hali gast es pat wille,

pe fadir and sune bath fulfills. . ... no gap in the MS.]

pis lauerd pat i bi-fore of said, pis lord pat I bifore of seide

First in his wit he all puruaid, 324 Firste in his witt he al purueide

His work vs dos a sotil wright, His werkes he dop as sotil w^t

And sipen he raises it in sight. And sipen he reisep hit in aijt

For-pi is gode as seis scripture For-pi is god as seip scripture

Non elder pan his creature, 328 Noon elder pen is creature

Eldir of time ne is noght he, Elder of tyme is not he

Bot ellis more in dignite. p read prime] But clles more in dignite

pis writh pat i speke of here, 331 pis wri3te pat I speke of here [leaf t]

Oueralloperhe is prinea3 widuten pere, la prince oner alle wipouten pero

For ope?- writhes bos of cr tymber take, For ofere wrijtea mot tymber take

Bot pis him self can tymber make j But he him self con tymber make

For of him self he toke his euen, 335 For of him self he toko pe rucno

fat he made bath of erde and heuen. pat he made wip hope erpe & hcueno

Bot pu sal noght vnperatand [coi. 2] But we ahul vndixstonde [honde

pat he wrog[t] al his werke wid hand, pat he WTOUjt not al werke wip hlfl

G(')TTIN(ilN Till MTV

23

THE WORLD WAS MADE OUT OF NOTHING AT FIRST, Till] ELEMENTS WERE MADE IN THREE DAYS.

Bot said wit word, and als son

All his comamcnt was don, 340

Suiftlikcr fen hee may wink,

Or ani mans hert mai thynk.

Als clerkes sais fat are wis 343

He wroght noght first wit partis ;

Bot he fat mad al thing o noght

to-geder he al f is werld wroght

Seit for to be on lang and brad.

f e mate?- first per of he mad, 348

fat es f e elementes to sai,

fat first scapless al samen lay ;

He delt it sythen in sex dais

In partis als fe scr/pture sais, 352

f e elementz first in dais thrin ;

thre thinges Jam es wit-jn ;

Jis elementz pat al thinges bindes

Tour er Jai, als clerkes findes. 35 G

Je nejermast es w&tur and erth,

Je thrid es air, and fir pe ferth.

Or sai we Jms fat he bigan

Als anstin sais, pe hali man, 360

Als we in his bok writen find.

First Jan wroght he angel kind

pe werld and time, Jir things thre gJ4.

By for al ojer thyng wroght he ; 3G4

pe werld i call wit min entens

pe mater of pe four elements,

Jat yeit was tan o forme mischapen,

Quar of was serenes si Jen scapen ;

Al scaples was it noght for-Ji 3G0

pat it o scap ne had parti,

Bot Jarfor scaples was it a 1 tru p ? ij

Jat it had nan Jan suilk als nu. 372

He wroght a-pon pe to-per clay

Je firmament, pat is to say,

COTTON

bot sayde wit worde and als sone

al his comandement was done.

squyfter fan any eye may wynke

or any monnys hert may Jinke.

and als clerkis saync fat ar wyse.

he wro3t no3t al wit partyse.

bot he fat maket al of no3t. j.

to-geder al f is werlde he wix^t.

IT Sijen for to be in lange and brade.

f e mater first f ar-of he made.

fat is elementes sof to say.

fat first scaples al sa???myn lay.

he delt ham sif en in sex dayes

In partis als f e scripture sayse.

f e elementes first in days f rin.

f re f inges ar ham wit-In.

f es elementes fat al f inge bindes.

four f ai ar as clerkis findes.

f e nef ermast ys water and erf e.

f e f rid ayre ys. and fyre f e ferf e.

IT or say we f us fat he be-gan.

als austyn says f e haly man.

for als we in his bokis finde

first fan wro3t he angel kynde.

f e werlde and tyme f es f inges f re

be-for al of er f ing2 wro3t he. [2 MS pm% (?;i

f e werlde I cal wit myne ententes

f e mater of f e foure elementes.

fat 3et was of fourme mishapyn.

quar-of was sternes sif en makyn.

al shaples was hit no3t for-f i.

fat hit of shap had party.

bot far-fore shaples hit was I. traw.

for hit was nane squylk as now.

U he wro3t apon f e to)?er day. ij.

f e firmament fat ys to say.

FAIRFAX

GOD WROUGHT THE ANGELS, THE WORLD, AND TIME BEFORE ALL ELSE.

29

Bot said wid word, a?zd als sone

All his comandment was done, 340

Smartlier pan eie may winck,

Or ani manes hert may tkinck.

And als clerkes seis pat er wise,

He wroght noght first with pa?*tis,

Bot he pat made all of noght, 345

All J?is werld to-gide?* he wroght,

To be sett in lenth and brede.

pe mater first par-of i rede, 348

pat es pe dementis to say,

pat first schaples all samen lay ;

He delt paim fin1 in sex dais L1 read si|?en]

In partis als pe scripture sais ; 352

pe elementis first in dais thrin,

Thre thinges paim es widin ;

pir elementis pat all thing bindes,

Foure par er as clerkes findcs, 35 G

be lauest pan es water a?id erde,

pe thrid es ayr, and. fyre pe ferde.

Ayder say we pat he pus bigan,

As austin sais, pat hali man, 360

Als we in his bokifl find.

First pan wroght he angel kind,

pe world, and tyme, pis thinges thre

Bifore all oper thing wroght he. 364

pe world i calle wid min ententis

pe mate?* of foure elementis, [2 read 3ett]

pat 3eit2 was pan of forme vnschapin,

Quare-of was sipen serenes schapin j

All schaples was it noglit for-pi, 369

For it of schap had sum parti,

Bot par-for schaples was it hou,

For it had nogh[t] as it has nou. 372

He wroght apon pe toper day

pe firmament, pat es to say,

GOTTINM \

But seide wip worde & also soone

Al his biddyng hit was done

Smartliere pan }e may wynke

Or any niannes herte may pinko

And as clerkes say pat are wise

He wroi^te hit not bi partise

But he pat made alio ping of noujt

Al pe world to gider he wroujt

To be set in lengpe & brede

pe matere furst perof I rede

pat is pe elamentis to say

pat firste shaples to gidur lay

He dalt hem ful in sex dayes

In parties as pe scripture sayes

pe elementes firste in dayes pre

pre pinges wipynne hem pe?* be

pe elementis pat al ping byndes

Foure per ben as clerkes fyndes

pe lowest hit is watir and erpe

pe pridde is eyr & fuyr pe ferpe

And we seye pat he pus bigan

As austyn seip pat holy man

As we in his bokis fynde

Furste he wroii^te au??gel kynde

pe world & tyme pese pingis pre

Bifore al ope?*e ping made he

pe world I calle in niyne ententis

pe matere of foure elementis

pat jitt was pernio of forme vnshapen

Wherof sip was parties taken

Al shaples was hit not for-py

For hit of sliap had sum party

But perfore shaples hit was ho*w

For hit had not as hit hap no*w

He wr-.u^tc vpon pe op' re daj

pe nrmaxnenl pal La to

IIMNI 1 V

30

THE SKY, THE WATERS, THE EARTH, THE SUN, J100N, AND STARS ;

pe light wit sterns, gret and smale,

wit water sonded als cristale, 37G

pat es par ouer fra pat par vnder ;

In J>[e]se lie sou[n]did al wit wonder.

pe thrid day pat drightin did

pe watters draw unto a stid, 380

And bad a dri sted suld be ;

pe watters al he cald pe see,

pe dri cald erth pat lauerd kyng, 383

and bad it gress and frut forth bring,

Alkin things grouand sere

pat in pam self paire seding bere.

pe ferth he baad, and it was don,

Bath ware made sun and mon, 388

Aiper wit per ouen light

For to tuin dai fra night,

In takening o tides to stand,

dais and yeirs bath duelland ; 392

And pe sterns, gret and smale,

pat we may se wit-outen tale,

In pe ouermast element of all ;

per pe fir he has his stall. 396

pe fifte dai pat failld noght

On watwr fuxol and fiss he wroght ;

pe fiss to watwr, als we find,

pe fuxol be-taght he to pe wynd ; 400

Al gangand best pe sext day,

And adam bath he wroght on clai,

He was last wroght als lauerding,

Vte-ouer al operkin thing. 404

In a dale he wroght adam

pat ebron hatte, in hebru nam ;

pe sex dais he wroght pat was his will,

pe seuend o werk he hild him still.

Hy?rtself pan gaf us sample pare, [col. 2]

pat we suld hald it euer mare. 410

COTTON

pe lift wit sternes grete and smale.

wit water clere als cristale.

pat ys aboue vs and al-so vnder

craftely wro3t wit myche wonder

H pe prid day pat dri^tyn dide iij

pe wateres draw vn-til a stide.

and bad a dry stede sulde be.

pe wate?*es al he calde pe see.

pe dry. pe erpe calde pat kynge

and bad hit grow and frute forp bringe.

al pinges to grow mony and sere.

pat in h [am] self paire sedynge bere

11I pe iiij he bad and hit was done. iiij.

bap was made sunne and mone.

ayper wit paire awen ^t. \} leaf 6]

for til tyne pe day fra ni^t.

In takenynge of tides to stande.

days and 3eris bap dwellande.

and pe sternys grete and smale.

pat we may se wit-outen tale.

In pe ouermast element of alle.

per has pe fire set hit stalle.

1F pe v day pat falis no^t. v

fowel and fisshe of water he brc^t.

pe fisshe to wate?* als wre fmde.

pe fowel be ta^t he to pe wynde

IT al gaande bestes. pe sext day. vj

and adam bap he made of clay.

he was wro3t last als a lordynge.

ouer alkyn oper pinge.

In a dale he \\T03t adam.

pat ebron hat in ebru name.

pe sext day wro3t he his wille

pe vij. day he held him stille.

and he gaf vs ensaumple pare

pat we sulde halghe hit euer-mare

FAIRFAX

FISH, FOWL, WALKING BEASTS, WERE THEN ALL MADE. MAN LAST OF ALL. GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.

31

f e sky wid stems gret and small, J£*h

wid watir schinand als cristall, 376

fat es on hey, fat es vnder,

In f is lie soundid al to wonder.

f e thrid day godd did thoru his grace

fie watris draue intill a place, 380

And bad a dri place suld be :

f e watris all lie calid f e se.

fe drey lie calid erd, fat lauerd king,

And bad it griss and fruit forth bring.

All thinges waxand fare 385

fat in f aim selff fair sedis bare.

V\e feird he bad and was done,

J Bath war mad sune a?zd mono, 388

Aif er wid [his] sere light,

To part f e dai fra f e night,

In takinyng of tydis to stand,

Dais and jeris bath duelland ; 302

And f e sternis grett & smale,

fat we may so widutew tale.

In f e heiest element of all,

far in fe fire lias his stall. 39 G

fe f i j f to day fat fay lis noght,

Of water foul and fiss he wroght,

f e fiss to water als we finde,

f e foul he bitok to fe wind. 400

All gangand bestis f e sexte day, And adam als he made of clay, He was last made als lauerf i//g, To be maistir ouerall thing. 404

In a dale he wroght adam, fat ebron hate in ebreu nam. fir sex dais he wroght his will, fe seuend of werk he held him still ; Him self vs gaf ensample fare 409 fat we suld hald it euermare,

Q( INN', I \

The sky wif sterres grete & smale

Wif watir shynynge as cristalo

fat is on he3e & fat is vndir

In f is he souned al to wondir

f e f ridde day god dud bi grace

f e wattres drawe in to a place

And bad a drye place shulde be

f e wattres alle he calde f e see

f e drye he calde erf e fat kyng

And bad hit gr/fyns1 fruyt forf bryng

Al f ing to be waxinge fere ^Kl's aiuij

And in hem self her seed to bere

f e ferf e he bad & was done

Bof e were made sonne & mone

Eif er wif his dyuerse li3t

To parte f e day fro f e nyjt

In to kenynge of tides to stonde

Dayes & ^eres bof e dwellonde

And f e sterres grete & smale

fat we may se wif outen tale

In f e h^est element of alle

f er ynne fuyr haf his stalle

f e fyuef e day he failed noi^t

Of watir foule & fisshc he wroi^t

f o fissho to watir as we fyndc

f e foules he toke to f e wynde

Alle goynge beestis fe sixte day

And adam als he made of clay

He was last made as lordyng

To be maistir ouer al f ing

In a dale he wrou3tc Adamc

fat Ebron hett in ebrew name

y> e Bixe dayes he wroujt his willo

I • uenfe of werke he helde hiwi stillo

I [e vb jaf ensaumple f

f^/t we shulde holds hit snermore

THIN I I V

32 GOD WOULD BE WORSHIITED BY TWO KINDS OF BEINGS TO .SERVE HIM,

ANGELS AND MEN.

His first were als yee herd me neuew,

He wroght pe angels all of heuen, 412

And sette pam in lialy palais,

par neue?" mai be of pro'de unpais ;

For to pis palais at was sua rike,

Als niigliti king in his kingrike, 416

he fordestend tuin creature

to serue him in pat hali ture,

pat suld be of a numbre hale,

and mani thusand haue in tale ; 420

pe quilk tale nangat suld be mare

And nede be-houed it fulfild ware ;

pis numbre pat he ordend pan

Suld be bath of angel and man, 424

For mensked wit tuin maner o scaft,

wald he be pat king o craft,

pat es wit angel pat es gastli, 427

And with man pat es bodili ; „ De casu

Of angels wald he serued be l™^rgin]

pat suld of ordres haf thris thre ;

He ches til him, pat lauerd hend,

pe men suld mak pe ordre tend.1 432

Bot pe angel he wroght formast

Of all he gaf an pouste mast ;

for pof pai all war fair and wis, 435

And sum of less and sum mare pris,

He gaf an mast of all sele

If he cuth hafe born it wele,

And sette him heist in his hall, 439

Als praice and sire oner oper all ;

And for pat be was fair and bright

lucifer to nam he bight.

wen he pa?*ceued him he pis

pat he was over all oper in blis, 444

COTTON

Of pe angelis and pe fallings of2 lucifer and his felawes. i2 ms of of]

His first werk $e herd me neyue?i how he wro3t pe angels of hey uen and sett ham in his hey pales. pat neuer of ioy sal hit sese and in pat palas pat ys so rike als mi^ty lorde 3nane him like.3 he ordenet twyn creatours KkVo^S/f to serue him wit grete honours pat sulde be of an vmbre hale and mony a pousande to haue in tale. pe quilk tale nanegate sulde be mare and nede fulfilled bi-houed hit pare ^T pis noumbre pat he ordent pan. of angels sulde hit be and mail, to honour pat lorde of grete bounte of twyn maner seruet walde he be. bap wit angels pat ys gastely. and wit mon pat ys bodely. . of angels walde he seruet be. pat sulde of ordoures haue pries pre he chese til him pat lorde hende pat mon sulde make pe order tende. IF bot pe angels he wro3t formaste. of alle he gaf ham pausty maste. for if pai alle ware fayre and wyse and sum of lesse and sum mare prise, he gaf an mast of al pat wrele hif he coude a keppet hit wreel. and sett him heyest in Ids halle. als p?*ince and sire of oper alle. and for pat he was maste bi^t. lucifer to name he h^t. H quen he persayued him pus I. wisse. pat he was ouer al oper in blisse.

FAIRFAX

HE MADE THRICE THREE ORDERS OF ANGELS, ALL WERE FAIR AND WISE, 33

BUT LUCIFER WAS CHIEF.

Of angelis and lucifer hou he fell. For his pride fra heuen to hell.

[col. 2]

l^e First werk as ^e herd me neuen, «* Godd wroght f e angelis of heuen, And sett faim in his hey palais, 413 "Widuten pride to be in pais • For pis palays was sua riche As migliti king in his kingriche. 416 He ordaned him tuine creature, To serue him in fat hali ture, fat suld be a numbre hale, 419

And mani thousand to liaue in tale, f e quilk tale nagat suld be mare, And nedeful bihoued it ware, pis numbrari he ordained fan, Suld be bath of angel and man. 424 "Worsch/pd wid to maner of schaft wald he be, pat king of craft, fat es wid angel pat es gostli, And wid man fat is bodili ; 428

aIf angelis wald he serried be p«fc] fat ordris suld liaue thrijs thre. He ches till him fat lauerd hend 431 fat man suld be mad f e ordir tend, Bot f e angelis he wroght formast, Of all he gaf faim pouste mast ; 434 13ot fou fai were bath fair and wise, ►Sumnie of less and sum of more prise, An gaf he mast to knaue and fele, If pat he couth haue born him wele, And sett him best in his halle, 439 Of prince and sire of ofer all. And for he was sua wonper light, Lucifer to name he bight. Qoen li«' ]" rceyued pus ])<• bis fat he was oue/-;i!l of( r in bliss, 1 1 I 3

[leaf 8, luck]

Pe flrste werke as ^e lierde neuen God wrou}te f e aungels of heuen And set hem in his lu^e pales Wip outen pride to ben in pees For f is paleis was so riche As niy^ty kyng noon of ere liche He ordeyned hym two creatures To serue him pe?*e wip honures pat shulde a hool noimbre be Mony a pousonde to telle & se pe whiche tale no weye shulde be more And nedeful bihoued hit wore pis nou»ibrary he ordeyned pon Shulde be bope of aungel & mon For he wolde be pat kyng of craft 42G Worsheped wip two mane/* shaft 425 The ton wip aungel pat is goostly And als wip mannes body Of au??gels wolde he serued be pat ordres shulde haue pries pre He chees to him pat lorde hende pat man pe ordre shulde be tende But pe aungels he wrou^t formast Ouer alio he made her pouste past2 pei were bope fairc & wyse Prwcuimut] Som??ie of lasse surmne of more pi He 3af oon moost to knowe .V I 1 •■ if bat he coufe haue borfi hiwi wele And sett hiwi beste in his halle As prynce & sire of op< re alle And for he was bo wondir 1 i 3 1 Lucifer 1" name he brjl And whence he hadde perceyued ) i -

fat he was ouer all | m blis ■juim 1 v

34 LUCIFER WAS PROUD AND WOULD DE THE PEER OF GOD,

BETTING HIS SEAT IN THE NORTH OF HEAVEN AGAINST HIM J

Alias ! caitif he kncu him noght, fat lice diightin fat had him wroght;

For ilhail sagh he fat tide Agains him he tok a pride ; 4-18

Iietlik he lette of ilk fere To godd self wald he be pere ; Noght pere allan, bot rnikul mare, For vndur him he wald all ware, 452 And be him self fair comandur ; Qua herd euer a warr aimtur, ^JVj** 1pat he fat noght hadd bot of him, A-gayn him suld hecwn sua grim 1 " sette," he said, " mi sete i sal 457 Gain him pat heist es of all ; In f e north side it sal be sette 0 me serais sal he non gette ; 4G0 Qui suld I him serais yeild 1 Al sal be at myn auen weild." Bot he was merred of hys mint, Fulson he fand vnstern[e] stint, 4G4 ffor langer fan he thoght fis pKde In heuen moght he na langer abide ; For in pat curt, pat es sa clene, May na filth in dwell wituten wene. Sent micheal, for fare aller right, 4G9 Eais a-gain him for to fight, Again him gaf a batell grim, Out of fat hei curt kest him ; Lucifer first dune he broght, 473

And sithen fat till him helded oght, And schurd fat curt o f am sa clene, fat sithen far sted was neuer sene. fis is fe feind fat formast fell, 477 thoru his ouergart 2 in to hell ; 0ueiJin] Fra fan his nam changed was, • •For now cs he cald sathanas ; 480

COTTON

alias caytef he knew him no3t. fat hey lorde fat him had wro^t. for il hayle sawe he fat tide agayne his lorde to maynten pride hef eli he lete of ilka fere, to god him selfe he held him pere. no3t pere allane bot mykil mare, for vnder him he walde al ware. and be f aire aller comaundour. qua herde euer suche an auntour. fat he fat no3t had bot of him. a-gayne his lorde sulde be sa grim. ^T sette he sayde my sete I. salle. agayne him fat ys lorde of alle. In f e norf side I. sette my sete. of my serues sal he no^t gete. quy sulde I. him seruys ^elde I. wille be at myne awen welde. bot he was merret of his minte. ful sone he fande sturne stint, for langer fan he f o^t fis pride, in heyuen mi3t he na lange?" bide. for in fat court fat ys so clene. dwelles nane enuy wit-out wene. IF seynt Michel for f aire aller rijt. rase agayne him to fi^t. and toke agayne him batayle grim and out of fat court kest him. lucifer first doun he brc^t and sifen alle fat wit him helde 03t. and clanset fat court of ham so clene fat sifen f aire stede was neuer sene fis ys f e fynde fat formast fel. f orou his awgart vn-to hel. and fen his name turnet was for now men callis him satanas.

FAIRFAX

BUT ST MICHAEL FOUGHT AGAINST HIM AND CAST HIM OUT OF HEAVEN INTO HELL.

35

Alias caytif lie kneu liim noght, fat god him seluen had him wroght ; Ful soruful sau he J?at tide Agaynes godd he takes a pride, 448 Lightli he lete of ilka fere, [if4,bk,coi.i] To god him seluen wald he be pere : JNoght pere alon hot mekil mare, For vnder him he wald all were, 452 And he himself fair comandour. Qua herd ewer of a werr anttour,1 fat he fat noght had bot of him, Again him suld becom sua grim. 45 G He said, " sett mi sete i sail jjJ/JJSSi? Gaynis him fat es best of all, }!,',. auctour/ In f e north side sal it be sett, Seruise of me sal he non gett. 460 Qui suld i him seruise ^eilde ? All sal be at mine aim Weilde." Bot he was marrid of his mint, Ful sone he fand vnsterne stint, 4G4 For langer fen he thoght fat pnde, In hcuew might he no langer abide, For in fat curte fat es so sclene2 [2*<c] May na filth duell widvten wene : Saint mychal for fair alder right 4G9 R tynes him forto fight,

I him gaf he a batayl grim,

ourt he cast him. Lucifer firsl doune he broght, 473 And sij?i// all fas 1" him held Qght, And skourd fat court of faitti so clcne fat tdfen fair stede was neuer sene. fia waa f<- feind fat fori il 177

For lii-: pnde fra heuen to hell, I'm fan his name schangid wi Now ea he cald foule Bathanaa ;

I [NGEN

Alias caitif he knew no^t fat god him seluen had him wroi^t Ful sorweful sawe he fat tyde A3eyncs god he toke a pride Li^tly he lette of al his fere To god hym self wolde he be pere Not pere alone but mychel more For vndir him he wolde alle wore And he him self her corn??iaundour AVho horde euer of suche traitour fat he fat not hadde but of him A3eyn his lord shulde wexe so grym He seide sett my sete I shal A3eynes him fat is best of al In f e norf syde shal sitte my sete Seruise of me shal he noon gete Why shulde I him seruyse 3elde I shal be at myn owne welde But he was marred of his willc Ful soone he fonde hit ful grille For lenger fen he folate fat pride In heuen my3tc he not abide For in fat court fat is so clone ISTo fulf e may dwelle no be sene Seynt Michael for her aller la^t Itos a^cyn him to f^t A30V11 him 3:1!' he batail grym Out of fat court cast lie him Lucifer furste (bum he broujt And sib ])<>t wif him helde oi^t And scoured f'd court of horn bo clone fat sif her etude was fere nol Bene fis was fe fend p"\ Corneal felle For hi - pride from heuen to helle For benne his name chaunged was Fro Lucifer to Sathai trini 1 v

3G

LUOIPEB AND HIS FELLOW8 FELL DOWN TO HELL-PIT,

A DISTANCE TOO GREAT FOR TONGUE TO TELL.

Fra ful hei he fell fullaw

fat of his lauerd wald stand nanaw,

wit-outen covering of his care

far he ne has nierci neumnare ; 484

For go.dd aglit noght gif f am mercy

fat far efter wil not cri.

and f us he loses his gret lionur,

far he badd noght fullik an vre, 488

For alsuif e als he was made

he fell, was far na langer bade.

fas of er gastes fat fell him wiht

f e quilk for-sok godds grith, 492

Efter f e will f ai till him bare

fan fell f ai depe, or lesse or mare ;

Sum in fe air, sum in the lift,

far f ai drei ful hard[e] schrift ; 49 G

far pin f ai bere opon f am ai,

and sua sal do to domes dai ;

Bot f ai fat left witoten wite

fai ware conformed far als tite, 500

fat fai mai neuermar held til il, [coi.2]

Namar fan f e wick mai to god will.

f e numbre fat out of heuen fell

f o can na tung in erth [noght] tell ; 504

Ne fra f e trone quar he can sitte,

How farr es in to hell pitte ;

Bot bede sais fra erth to heuen 507

es seuen thusand yeir and hundret

Bi iornes qua fat gang it may, Lseuew»

Fourti mile on ilk [a] day. 510

IF Als i tald ar fat kyng of craft wald mensked be wyth tuinkyn scaft, Bath of aungcl and of man. 513

Adam f er-for was wroght fan

COTTON

fra fulliey lie fel fullawc. [leaf c>, back]

fat of his lord walde stande nan awe.

wit-outen confort of his care.

fur he has mercy neuer mare.

for god awe 1103 1 to gif mercy.

at far ofte?* wil 1103 1 cry.

IT and f us he lost his grete honour.

far he bade no3t fully an our.

for als squyf e sa he was made

he fel was f er na langer bade.

fa of er gastes fat fel him wif .

f e quylk for-soke goddis grif .

ofter f e wille fai ware in fare.

fan fel fai depe or lasse or mare.

sum in f e ayre sum in f e lift.

f er fai dry ful harde shrift.

^[ f aire pyne fai bere apon ham ay.

and sa fai sal tille domesday.

bot fa fat lefte wit-oute wite.

fai ware confermed als tite.

fat fai sal neuer mare turne til il.

na mare fan wikket may til gode wil.

f e noumbre fat out of heyuen fel

con na tonge in erf tel.

ne fra fe trone quare satte fat sotte.

how fer ys in-til helle potte.

bot bede says fra erf to heyuen

1ys vij. fousande 3er and hundres

be iournays qua ga hit may. Lseyile,i

fourty myle a-pon a day.

[} bow far from heauen to earth after Beda in margin, hi a late hand']

Of mannis body.

Als I. talde are fat kynge of hap. walde mensket heyvitli twynshap. baf of angel and of man. adam far-fore was wrc^t fan.

FAIRFAX

THE DISTANCE FROM HEAVEN TO HELL IS IMMENSE, 40 MILES A DAY FOR 7700 YEARS.

37

Fra ful hey he fell ful lawe,

fat of his lauerd wild stand non awe,

\Viduten coueryng of his care,

For me?*ci getis he newer mare ; 484

For god au noglit giue him mercy,

fat far eftir wild noglit cri.

And J)us he tint fat grete honour, [coi.2]

far badd he noglit fulli on our, 488

For alsua suith as he was made,

He fel, was far no Linger bade.

f e toper angelis fat fell him wid,

fe quilk forsok goddes grid, 492

Efter fe will fai to him bare,

Fell fai to hell, lesse and mare,

Sum in f e aire & sum in f e lift,

far fai drey ful hard drift. 496

fair fine fai bere apon f aim ay,

And sua fai sal to domesday.

Bot fos fat left1 widuten wite, [lMs.iest]

fai were confermed fare als tite, 500

fai may neuermar hald to ill,

.Na mare fan wic may to gede will.

f e nimibre fat vte of hcuen fell

Xo tunge in erd noglit can tell, 504

Ne fra fat throne of fat bliss,

Hou fer in to hell pitt es,

Bol bede sais fra erd to heuen

I i ij. thousand jereandhnndredis.vij. ;

Bi iornayis qua fat gang it may, 509

I irti mile euerilk a day.

Fro ful he3e he fel lawe

fat of his lorde wolde stonde noon awe

W if ou ten coueryng of his sore

For mercy getef he neuer more

For god owef not 3if him mercy

fat per aftir wolde not cry

And f us he lost fat he^e tour

fere was he not fully an hour

For soone aftir fat he was made

He fel wif outen longer abade

fe of ere aungels fat fel him wif [leaf 4]

Whiche forsoke goddes grif

Aftir f e wille f ei to him b[o]re

Felle f ei to hclle lasse & more

Som?«e in f e erf e somme in f e lift

fere f ei dre3e ful harde drift

her peyne f ei bere on hem ay

And so shul til domes day

But fo fat lefte wif outen wite

Were confermed fere als tite

f ei may neuer assente to ille

No more fen cud may do good wille

fe noumbre fat out of heuen felle

Xo tonge in erf e hit con telle

Ny fro fe trone of f"t blis

How fer in to belle hit is

But bede seif fro erfe to heuen

Is seuen fousande }cer & hundridea

Bi iornees who so go hit may LseueM

Fourty myle euerychc day

Of bodili substance if f u wil witt, Of bodily substau^ce for to witt

Manis saule fat es it. Monnes soule fat is hitt

1 i told or fat kin- of craft A as I 3011 tolde f< kyng of craft

waM i; I bewid tuin schaft, -^ V. Wolde be worsheped wif two

Bath wid angel and wid man, 5l3 Bofe wif aungel .V wif moD [shatt

Adam f > 1 fore wroght was fan. Adam ferfore made was bon

["BINITY

A

MAN WAS MAD;: OF Till! FOUR is, AND THERE AR i i:

IN Ills HEAD, JUST AS THERE AR1 1 PLAN]

fe tent ordir for to fullfill, fat lucifei did for to spill. 51G

Of ertli allan no was he noght, Bot of four element[e]s worght; — O wattir his blod, his iless o lair, His hetc o fir, hijs and J of air ; 520

[" [i MS wynd,

L in a later

. . . . no gap in the MS.] *"** His heued with in has eien tuin. fe lift has son and mon wit-in, 524 Jwt als men sen er sett to sight, Sua serues sun and mon o light ; Seuen maister sterns er sette in heue??, and mans hefd has thirls seuen, 528 f e quilk if f ow wil f e vm-think, f ow may fam find with litul suink. Jus aand fat men draus oft Betakens wynd fat blaws o loft, 532 0 quilk es thoner and leuening ledd, Als aand with host in brest is spred ; In to f e see all watres sinkes And mans womb all licur drmkes ; Hijs fete him bers up fra fall, 537 Als f e erth vp haldes all ; f e ouer fir gis man his sight, fat ouer air of hcring might ; 540

f is vnder wynd him gis his aand, J?e erth f e tast, to fele, and faand ; f e hardnes pat men has in banes It cums him o f c kynd o stanes ; 544 Of f e erth it groues tres and gress, And neis2 and here of mans fless. wit bestes doumb man has his fele, 0 thyng man liks, il or welle. 548 Of fir things i haf her said [leafs, col. i] was adam cors to-gcdir graid ;

[2 read neilj COTTON

f e tende ordour to fulfille

fat lucifer dide to spille.

1T of erf al-ane made was he 1103L

bot of f e foure elementes wrojt.

of water his blode his flesshe of laire

his hete of fire, his ande of ay re.

his heued ys rouned as a balleo „

and squa ys fe firmament alle.i r

H his heued wit-in. has eyen twyn.

fe lift has sunne and mone w/t/<-in.

ri3t als mon" eyen ar sette to si^t.

sa serues f e sunne and mone of kjt.

51 vij. maister sternys ar sette in heyue?i

and mannes heued has f irlis seyue?i

f e quilk if f ou wille vmf inke.

foil may ham finde with litel squynke.

^[ f is ande fat he drawes oft.

be-takenes winde fat ys on loft.

of quilk ys fonder and leuenyng led

and al-sa host in brest ys bred.

In-to f e see al waters sinkis

and mannys wombe al licour drinkis

his fyte him beris fra dou?i to fal.

als f e erf vp-haldes alle.

If f is ouer fyre gifues mon his si^t.

f e ouer ayre of heringe nnjt.

f is vnder winde ges him his ande

f e erf to taste to fele and fande.

f e hardenes fat mon has in banys.

hit eomys him of fe harde stanys.

% on erj) growes baf trees and gresse

and nayle and heer on mannys flesshe.

[

no gap in fJ/e MS.]

of f er f inges fat I. hauc sayde was adam cors to-geder layde.

FAIRFAX

THE AIR GIVES HIM SIGHT AND HEARING, THE WIND HIS BREATH, 39

THE EARTH HIS TASTE AND FEELING, THE STONES HIS HARD BONES.

f e teind ordir to fulfill,

fat lucifer did to spill. 516

Of erd alsua ne was he noght,

Bot of foure elementis wroght.

Of water his hodi, is fless of laire,

His here of fir, his ond of aire, 520

[

no gap in the MS.]

His hede wid-ine bath eien turn, f e skey bath sune and mone wid-in, Eight als men eien er sett to sight, PJ5j, To1 seruis sune and mone of light. 526 Seuen mayste?' sternis er sett in heuen, And manys hede has thirlis seuen, f e quilk if f u wil f e vmthinck [} read so] f u may f aim find wid littel suink. J>is wind fat men draus oft 531

Bitakins wind fat blauis on loft, ( >f quilk es thoner and leue[n]ing ledd Ala onde wid host in brcst is bred. Into fe see all watir sinkis, 535

And manes wambe all licui drinkis, His fete him beris vp fra fal, Alsua fe erde vphaldia all. J i.yr fir ges manes sight, fe ouyr air of hering might, 540

fie vnderf wind him giues his ond, fe erd tast to fele and fond, fe hardnes fat men has in bonis. It is mad of fe kind of stonis, 544 On erd it grouis fcrea and gria, And nayle arad her [of] manes fle wi<l beetea dumb man hath his fele Of thing men likis, euil or wele. 5 18 Of fir thingea i haue here said was adam core togider graid. «.-.i i I-,

fe tende ordre to fulfille fat lucifel had made spille Of erf e only was Adam noi^t But of foure elementes wrou^t Of watir his body is flesshe laire His heer of fuyr his honde of ayre

[ • • • ■

no gap in the MS.]

His heed wif ynne haf e3en tweyn fe sky haf sonne & mone certeyn And as men??es e3en are set to si^t So seruef son?2e & mone of li$t Maistir sterres are fere seuen Seuen holes haf manges heed euen Wliiclie if f ou wolt f e bi-f inke f on may hem fynde wif litil swynke f is wynd fat we men drawen ofte Bitokenef wynd fat blowef on lofte Whiche is fonder & lcitynge led As onde wif host in brest is bred Into fe see al watir synkef [dritjkeb .And monies wombe alle licouris His feet him beren vp fro fal Also fe erfe vp holdef al fondir fire jyuef mon his eijt fondir ofcr of heryng m}*3t f is wondir wynde him ^yuef onde fe erfe makef him fele & Fonde fat hardenea fat men lian in bones Hit eomcf of fe kynde of stones ( >n erf ■ a - growef trees & grea 8o nay] & heer of mannea fleaahe AVif beeatea doumbe man haf f'< La Of fing him Likef end ot wele Of feae fingea I haue herde Beide Waa adami idei leide

i i;r

40 man's soul is a ghostly light, in god's likeness,

and has the trinity of perception, qnderstanding, wisdom.

For fifl resu?2 f>at $ee haue hard, for J?is resowz fat 30 haue herde

Man es clepid fe lesse world. 552 mon ys calde fe lesse werde.

Bot resura yett, al herd $ee noglit,

Quare of mans saul was wroglit ;

A gastli light man sais it es

f«t god has mad til his liknes, 55 G

Als prient of seel in wax es tlirist,

f er in he has his lieam fest ;

He has it wroglit, als frend and fere,

for-f i es nathing him sua dere j 560

His goddhed es in trinite ;

An saul has propre thinges thre,

Minning and pat 0 thinges thrin,

pat es, pat was, pat sal be min ; 564

It has als vnderstand[ing] clene

0 thing it seis and of vnsene ;

It has als schilwisnes 0 will,

pe god to tak and leue fe ill. 568

Al pe mightes jjat mai be

Wons in fat hali trinite ;

Alle virtus has saul i-wis,

pat vte 0 sin vnsaked is, 572

And als godd pat es an and thre ;

Wit nankyn creature mai be

vnderfanged ne ouertan,

And he ouertakes fam ilkan ; 576

Al sua f e saul, wit-oten wene,

Til alkin thing it es vnsene,

f of it of all thinges has sight,

to se f e saul haf ye na might. 580

Now haf .i. sceud yow til hider,

how tua thinges halds man to-gidcr,

pe saul, 0 gastli thing to tell,

If bodili, his fless and fell. 584

COTTON

Of mannis saule.

i Ot resoim 3et herde $e no3t. of mannys saule how hit ys wro3t. a gastely li^t men says hit ys. fat god has made til his liknes. als prent of seal in wax ys f rest J>er-in he has his liknes fest. he has hit wro3t as frende and fere for-f i ys na finge him sa dere. his godhede ys in pe trinite and saule has propre finges pie. hit knawes wele wit-outen lette fat ys and was and sal be 3ette hit has vnderstandynge clene. of finge sayde and vnseyne. hit his resonable of wille to take pe gode and leue pe ille. 11 al pe unites fat may be wonys in f e haly trinite. al f e vertuea has saule I.-wys. fat oute of synne vnsaked ys. and als god ys ane and fre mijtful lorde in trinite.

[

no gap in the MS.]

squa ys fe smile wif -outen wene [leaf 7] to ilk a man hit ys vn-seync. if hit of alle haue a si3t. to se fe saule lias na f mge n^t. now haue I. shewed 3011 til bidder how twa finges haldes mon to-gider f e saule gastely of I telle. and fe body flesshe and felle.

FAIRFAX

THE SOUL IS UNSEEN", THO IT SEES ALL THINGS. TWO THINGS HOLD MEN TOGETHER : SOUL AND BODY.

41

For Jus resune pat 30 haue herd, For pese resou?«s pat ^e liaue herde

Es man callid pe lesse werlde. 552 Man is calde pe lasse werde

B

[0/ Man's Soul]

ot resun jeit herd 3c noght 51 But vesowi jitt herde 3c nou^t

Querof of manes sanle es wroght, Wherof manraes soulc is wroi^t

Of gastli light men sais it es,

555

pat godd has made till his licknes, Als a preinte of sele in wax thrist, par-ine he has his licknes fest ; He has it wroght as freind a^d fere, For-pi es na thing sua dere. 5 GO

His croddhed es in trinite.

Of goostly li^t men say hit es pat god hap made to his likenes As prent of seel in wax prest perynne he hap his likenes fest He ha]? hit wroi^te as frond & fere No ]?ing to him is so dere His godhede is in trinite J?e soulc haj? propur ]?ingcs pre

And pe saule has propre thinges tlire JMenyng and pat of thinges tlire, [coL 2] Menynge & pat of ]?inges to se pat is and was and ay sal be. 564 pat is & was and euer shal be

Vndirstondyngc hap hit ri^t

It has also vnderstanding clene.

Of thing it seis and of vnsene,

It has also wisdam in wille

pe gode to take and lcue pe ille, 568

All pe mightes pat may be

wonis in pat hali trinite.

Alle mVtus has a saule i-wis,

pat vte of s'mne clensed es, • 572

And als god pat es in on awd tlire,

wid nankines creature may be

vndcr-fanding non ouyr tane,

And he ouertakis paim ilk ane. 576

Alsua J1" saule widuten wene,

To alkines thing it es vnsene,

poii it of all thing haue Bight,

Of pingis seyfi & out of si$t

Wisdome also hit hap in wille

po good to do & leue pe ille

Alle pe myites pat may be

Wouen in pe holy trynite

Alle vertues hap a soulc I-wis of*, bk]

pat out of synne clensed is

And as god pat is in 0011 & pre

AVip no manere creature may be

VndiTgroped ny ouergone

But he ouertakep euerychone

So pe soulc wipouten wene

To alle pinge hit is vn sene

pou;c hii of alle pingis haue si^t

To se na saule haue pai na might. 580 To se B soule no man hap myit

Xou haw i scheud 311 til hip*"/-, Hon tua thinges haldis man togiper, I mle of ga< tli thing to tell, pi' bodi his lea • and fell.

Q01

Now banc I shewed jou pn* hidei How two pingis holden man to gidei j ule is goostly ping to telle pi- body hii i flesshe & felle

1 i;im iv

42

' adam ' MEANS EAST, WEST, NORTH, AND SOUTH, BECAUSE ADAM'S SEED IS TO RULE THE WHOLE WORLD.

[Of the name Adam, and of Paradise,]

Adam was made as T. 3011 talde

Adam was mad 0 mans eild,

Als he moght welle him self weild, JTlL. ri^t as ihcsus crist walde.

Als austin sais, J>«t leis noght, als Austyn says J?at lyes no3t.

And vtewit paradis [was] wroght. 588 oute-wij? paradys was he wrojt.

Here now f e resun of his nam,

Qui \>at he was cald adam.

In Jus nam er four letters laid,

J>at 0 ]?e four 3ates er said ; 592

Sua niicul es adam for to niuth,

Als est, and west, and north, and south.

herkenes pe resou?i of J>is man. quy J?at he was calde adam. In J?is name ar foure letters layde J?at of j?e foure 3ates ar sayde. als muche ys adam for to moujje als est west nor]? and soujje.

And J)ow mai ask, wit-oten blam, [coi. 2] ^f and ]>ou may aske wijj-outen blame

qui god him gaue sua mikel a nam ;

Parfay \>at [es] bot eth to rede, —

It takens adam and his sede ;

Ouer al J)e werld pan suld Jjai spred,

And J?erof bere pe lauerd-hede, GOO

Als oure lauerd has heuen in hand

Sua suld man be lauercl of land.

J?er-for he gafe him to be-gin

A luuesu7?i land at lenger in, — G04

A land 0 lijf, o held, and blis,

J>e quilk man clepes paradis ;

In to )>at land, wit-oten bade, G07

quy god him gaf so grete a name, parfay J?at ys bot ej?e to rede, hit takenys adam and his sede. ouer al J?e werlde J?an sal f>ai sprede and j)ar-of bere J?e lorde hede. als our lorde has heyuen in handc so sulde mon be lorde of lande. IT Jmr-fore he gaf him to be-gyn. a louesum lande to lenge in. of londe of life of belde of blys. ])Q quilk mon callis paradys. In-to Jmt lande wijj-outen bade

Was adam broght quc/i he was made ; was adam bro3t quen he was made

He gaf it him, als in heritage, he gaf hit him in heritage

to yeild Jjerfor na mar knaulage, to 3ilde pare-fore na mare knaulago

Bot for to hald it wel vnbroken Gil bot for to halde hit wele vnbrokyn.

J>c forbot pat was be-tuix fam spoken ; pe forbote \>at was bi-twix ba??i spokyn

Bot for-Jn J>«t he held it noght and for pat he helde hit no3t.

He did us all in bale be broght. he made vs alle in bale be bro3t.

In bale he broght vs, and in care, In bale he bro3t vs and in care.

Sum i sal tell yow forjjer mare. GIG als I. salle tel 30U forjjermare.

COTTON

FAIRFAX

GOD PUT ADAM AT FIRST INTO A LOVESOME LAND, CALLED PARADISE, 43 TO KEEP IT AS HIS HERITAGE.

[Of the name Adam, and of Paradise]

Adam was made of manes elde, Als he might him scluen welde, As austin sais pat lies noght, 587

And widuten paradis was wroght. Here non pe resun of his name, Qui pat he was cald adam ; In pis name er four lettris laid, pat of pe foure jatis er said, 592

Sua mekil es adam forto muth Als est, west, north, and south. And pu may aske widuten blame Qui godd him gaf sua grett a name ? Parfai pat es bot etht to rede, 597 It takins adam and his sede, Oueral pe world suld pai sprede, And parof berc pe lauerdnede. GOO Als vr lauerd lias heuen in hand^-"'''^' Sua suld man be lauerd of land, par for he gaf him to bigine, A lufsum land to duell in ; G04

A land of liif, of ioy and bliss, pe quilk men calis paradis. Into pat land widuten bade, waa adam brouth quen be was made, He gaf it him as in eril GOO

To jeild par for na knaulag

for to bald it wel unbrokin, rbodepal was bituix paim spokin. Bol foi pi pat he held it noght, G13 He did vs all in bale be broght, In bale he broght va and in care, Als i sal toll jou fordei mare. GIG

^F Adam was made of mamzes elde

As he my3te hi??z seluen welde

As austyn seip pat hep noi^t

And wipouten paradis \vr0u3t

Here mow 30 resoim of his name

Wni he was calde Adame

In pis name are foure lettres hide

pat of pe foure 3atis be seide

As eest. west. norp. & soupe

So mychel is Adam for to moupe

And pou maist aske wipouten blame

\Yhi god him 3af so greet a name

For sope pat is b^te to rede

Hit tokencp Adam & his sede

Oner al pe world shulde be sprad

And perof to be lord mad

And as oure lord had heuen in honde

So shulde man be lord of londe

ptrfore he jaf him to bigjrnne

A lussum loud to dwellen Inne

A loud of lif ioyes & del ices

Whiche men callcn paradis

Into pat londe pat swete plas

Was adam broujtc when lie made was

He ^af hit him as heril

To jelde p< rfore no knowlage

But to holde hit wel vnbrokeo l

A forbode bitwene lean spoken

But for pat he helde hit n<m;t

1 [e made v - alle in bale be brou^t

In care he broujte vb & in

A I li 1] telle jou fuip. rva

1 lis. vnbrokon

I ilNOI.V

1 in:

44 adam names all the beasts, etc. god makes a woman

out of adam's kid. adam calls her ■ virago.'

IT Wen Adam wroght was alson

In paradis fen was he don j

f e bestes all, bath sco and he,

War broght forwit him to see ; 620

Fiss on sund, and fouxl on flight,

Was broght all fort in his sight ;

All war broght to serue adam,

And fat he suld gif ilkan nam. 624

fan gane fat kyng his craft to kepe,

Sleli adam fen gart he slepe ;

Vte of his side, als sais f e boke,

Wit-oten sare a rib he tok ) 628

And of fat rib he mad woman,

Til adam fat was first his an ;

Quen sco was broght be-for ada??i,

Virago gaf he hir to nam ; 632

far for hight sco virago,

fTor maked o f e man was sco ;

Bath war naked far licam, 635

Bot far for thoght f a??i f en na scham.

Drightin fam blessed, and bad fa??^

And mnltipli in far sede ; [brede,

"Adam," he said, "how thinkt fe

In fis stede es fair to be? 640

f is es a sted welt ful wan, [if 5, bk, col. i]

far all godes wantes nan ;

Here lastes lijf wit-oten end,

Her es nathing for to mend ; 644

Her es blis fat lastes ai,

Neuer night, bot euer day ;

Es nan forsoth wit hert mai think,

]NTe writer nan mai write wit inc 648

f e mikel ioy fat fam es lent,

fat dos her will mi commandment.

COTTON

Of fe state of fingis be-fore adam synnid.

avail adam wro^t was als-sone In-to paradys was he done. f e bestes alle baf ho and he ware brc^t be-for him for to se. fhsshe on sonde and fowel on n^fc. ware bro3t be-fore him in si}t. alle ware bro^t to serne adam. and fat he sulde gif ilkane name. IT quen adam had al to kepe. slely our lorde made him slepe. oute of his side as says f e boke. wif-outen sare a ribbe he toke. and of fat rib he made wo??? man. to adam fat was first al-ane. quen ho was bi-fore adam. virago gaf he hir to name, far-fore he^t ho virago, for of f e mon maket was ho. baf ware naket faire licam e bot far-of f 0}t ham na shame, god ham blesset and bad ham brede. and multiply wit-in faire sede. If adam he saide how likes f e. in fis stede ys fayre to be. fis ys a stede of welful wane, wif ioyes newe and neue?- gane. here lastis life wif-outen ende here ys na f inge for to amende, here ys blisse fat lastes ay. neyuer ni^t bot euer day. nys nane for-sof wif hert may fink ne write?* nane may write wif Inke. f c mykil ioy fat ham ys lent. fat wil do here my comaundement.

FAIRFAX

GOD TELLS ADAM THAT NO WRITER CAN WRITE WITH INK THE JOYS 45 OF PARADISE. BUT ONE TREE HE MUSTN'T TOUCH.

Of pe state pe world was inne, Bifor pe time of adam sinne.

Qven adaui was made alsone, In paradis pan was he done, pe bestis all bath he and scho, Bi-for adam was broght se to ; — G20 Fiss in watir and foul to flight, All was broght in adamis sight. All were broght to serue adam. G23 And for pat he suld gif Jjaim name, J)an gaf J?at king his craft to kepe, Sleyli gert he adam to slepe, vte of his side, als sais pe bock, widuten sor a ribb he toke, G28

And of J>at ribb he made wownnan, Till adam J)at was first his an, Quen scho was broght bifor adam, virago gaf he hir to name, G32

Jarfor hight scho virago, For of pe man mad was scho. Naked war J)ai bath tway, G35

J>ai were noght schamed par ma fay. God J>aim blisced and bad Juiim brede, And multipli wid J>air in sede, "Adam," he said, "hou thinkea pe, In J?is stede is fail to be? G10

p'\< is b stede of welthful wone, Of ioye ae blia ae wantis nane, Sere lasl is lit widuten ende, Here lb a thing qoh for to mend, G44 Here es blisse J)at lastes ay, Neuer nighl bol eu< r day ; Ea nan foi joth wid herl may thinck, Ne na writer Jwf may write wid Lnck. |>e meki] ioy p-.d J>aim es Lent, 6 I'J p.d <los wele here mi comandment.

GOT I IV

Of pe astate pe word was Inne Bifore pe time of Adames Synne

Whence Adam was made also In paradis he was done |_soone pe beestis hope he & sho Adames si^te were brou3te to Fisshe in watir & foule to fli^t Al was brou3t in Adames si^t Alle were b 1*0113 1 to serue Adame For pat he shulde 3yue hem name Jus kyng pat con his craftis kepe Sle3ely he made Adam to slepe Out of his side as scij) pe boke \Yij)outen sore a rib he toke Of pat ribbe he made a womwion To Adam pat was firste his oon Whence she to Adam was broi^t Virago hir name he wroi^t perfore hett she virago For of pe mon made was sho Naked were Jx-i bofe tweyn Ashamed were pe\ not certeyn God hem blessed & bad hem brede And multeplie wif her in sede Adam he seide how Junta-]) pe In bis place is fair to be Jus is a stude of weleffu] wone ( If ioye & blisse wantijj hit none I [ere laste); lit' wi))outen ende I [ere is no pin \ to amende Here Lb blia fat lastej) ay Neuer nv;t bill euer is day ]* no mon wij? herte i" |>enke Nv clerke fai may write wij enke J)e mychel ioye \>a\ hem is. Lent I l done here my commaundemont

TIUMIV

46 IF ADAM AND H7B TOUCH THE FORBIDDEN TREE THEY .SHALL

DIE A DOUBLE DEATH. THEIR WILL IS FREE.

0 tres o fruttes es her god wan,

All sal fai be fine Lot an, 652

0 J).am al f i will to do ;

Bot ylion tre cum fou nawight to,

j>at standes in midward paradis ;

For if fou do, fou es noglit wis. 65 G

f is tre haf i don in frith.

For i wil fat it haf mi grith ;

If 300 it touche, i sal not lei,

0 dnble ded fan sal 3ee dei; GGO lok for-f i, fat 3ee tak tent

fat ^ee ne brek mi co??zmament." And herbi mai we all wele se How he f am gaf f er will alfre ; GG4 f e gode to do, to leue f e ill, bath he sette in fare fre will ; Witte and wisdam he f am gaue, Might and fairhed for to haue ; GG8 Of all f is werld mad adam king, Euer to last wit-outen ending ; Emang his mani serekyn sele,

1 sal tell smft-quat of his wele : G72 Ar he Brak f at god him for-baad,

In mi kul blis fan was he staad, Of his wTijf sa fair and fre, fat mikel mirth wras on to se ; 676 f e bestes boud him all aboute, Als to fair lauerd vnderloute ; Fouxl o flight, and fiss on sand, 679 All fell him donn to fote and hand ; At his will fai com and ^ode, Als he war fader o fair fode ; f e bestes self war samer-tale, Wit-onten hurt far herd ai hale ; 684 Be-tuix f e wolues lai f e schepe, Sauueli moght fai samen slepe ;

COTTON

IT of trees and frute here ys gode wane

al sal be f yne oute-take ane

of ham alle f i wille f ou do.

bot 3onder tre come fou no3t to.

fat standes amidwarde paradyse

for if fou do jjou nart no3t vryae

f is tree ys done in my frif e

for I. wil fat hit haue grif e.

if 3e hit touche wif-outen leghe.

wit double dede. 3c salle deghe.

loke for-f i. 3e take entent

fat 3e breke no3t. my comandeme?it.

5F and here-by may 3c al wele so

fat he ham gaf. f aire wil fre.

fe gode to do. and leue fe ille.

quef er fai walde. wif f aire fre wil.

witte and wisedome. he ham gaue

nnjt and fayrehede for to haue.

ouer al f is werlde. he made him kyng

euer to last, wif-out endynge.

a-mong f er mony sere-kyn sele. [if 1, bk]

I sal tel sumquat of his wele.

or he brae fat god for-badde

In mykil blisse fen was he stadde

of his wyfe so fayre and fre

fat mykil myrf was on to se.

% f e bestes bowct him alle aboute.

als til f aire lorde vnderloute.

Fowel on fli^fc and fisshe on sande

al fel him doun til fote and hande

at his wille fai come and 3ode.

as he ware of f aire fode.

f e bestes weren in samen tale

wit-outen hurt in herde ay hale

by-twix f e wolues lay f e shepe.

sanely mbyi fai samen slepe.

FAIRFAX

ADAM WAS IN BLISS WITH HIS WIFE. BIRD AND FISn BOWED 47

DOWN TO HIM. THE LION LAY DOWN WITH THE LAMB.

Of treis of fruit here es gocle wone, All sal fai be June bot one, 652

Of f aini all Ju will to do, Bot 3 on a tre com ^e noght to fat standis eniiddes paradis, For if }e do -$e er noght wise. G5G Jus tre haf i done in frith, For i wril haue it to mi grith ; If 30 it touche i wil 3011 say, Of dubil ded fan sul 3c day. GGO

Be war for-Jn 3c take entent, fat 3e breke noght mi comandemcnt." And here-bi may 30 all wele se, Hou he f aim gaf fair will all fre, 664: f e gode to do & leue f e ille, Bath he sett in fair fre will, witt and wisdam he f aim gaf, Might a??d fairhed forto haue ; 668 Of all erd made adam king, To last wid-uten ending. Amang his mcyne diners sele, I sal tell sumquat of his wele, G72 Ar he brak fat iesu forbedd. In mekil bliss fan was [he] stcdd, Of his wif1 sua fair and fre, [leaf 8, ool. 1] fat mekil mirth was on to se ; G7G fe bestis cam him all aboute PMS.wta] Als to fair lauerd fai er vnderloute, Fool in flight, fiss on sand, 079

All boned him dune to fote and hand; At his wil] fai jede and cam, Ala he war maker of faim. f<- bestis war so meke tale widnteD hart fai $ode euer hale, G84 Tnix p' wolnis lay fe schepe, Banfli miili fai amen slope, goi ;

Of trees & fruyt here is good wone A He shul f ei be fine but one Of hem alle f i wille to do But f at 0 tre com $e not to fat stondef amidde paradise For if 3c do 3c be not wise f is tre haue I done in frif For I wol haue hit to my grif If 3e hit touche to 30U saye I On double deef shul 3c dye Bef war & takef good entent Brekef not f is com??iau?idement Ilerby may we alle se fat he hem 3af a wille fre f e gode to do & leue f e ille Bof e he put in her fre wille Witt & wisdome he hem 3aue Mi^te & feirhede for to haue Of al erf e made Adam kyng To laste wif outen endyng Among hem euermore hele Telle wre sumwhat of his wele Ar he brake fat god forbade In mychel blisse was he stad Of his wif so faire and fre f<7t mychel murfe was onne to so fese beestes coom him alle aboute As to her lorde him to loute Foule in fli^te fisshe on sonde Alle bowed him to foot & honde At lii.s wille fei jeode & cam A he had bene makere of ham j beestis were so meke in dole Wifouten hurtyng fei jeoden hole Among fe wolues lay fe shepe Sanely mv;ie ]< i to gidei Blepe

Tin Ml v

48 IN PARADISE THE SCORPION DIDN'T STING. THE SUN WAS SEVEN TIMES BRIGHTER THAN NOW, AND THE MOON AS BRIGHT AS THE SUN.

pe hund ne harmed noght pe hare, [col 2]

ne liane soght on oper sare ; GS8

Bi pe dere pat now es wild,

Als lam.be him lai pe leon mild ;

pe gripe alsua hi side pe here

Nan best wald til oper dere ; 602

pe scorpion for-bare is [sjtang

Fra bestes par he lai amang ;

Ilkin thing, on serekin wise,

3eld til adam par seruise; 6SG

Ne pe nedder was noght bitter

pan, powf he was ener wittur ;

For of alle als sclieus pe bok

Mast he cuth o crafte and crok. 700

pe sun was pat time, pat i sai,

Senen sith brighter pen pe dai ;

pe mone was pat time als bright

Als es pe dai pe sun o light ; 704

hald naman pis for foly

pe prophet it said, ysai ;

Of all thinges pat we here se,

On hei, on lau, on land, on see, 708

War o gretter strengh and pith.,

Ar adam had fordon pe grith.

[0/ Satan's scheme to

IT Bot adam son was send a saand pat soght him with ful fell a faand j Quew sathan sagh pat he was chosin to win pe blis he had forlosin, 714 Sorful bicom pat fals file Twill ■

And thoght how he moght man bi- vmthoght o pat thing to stint 717 pat godd til ending god had mint ; A-ganis godd wex he sa gril pat al his werk he wend to spil, 720

COTTON

pe hounde harmet no^t pe hare

ne nane so3t on oper sare.

IF stille lay pe dere pat now ar wilde

as lambe lay pe lyon myldc.

pe gripe also be-side \>q here.

na best walde oper dere.

pe scorpiou?i for-bare his stange.

fra pe bestes he lay a-mange.

iche pinge of diuerse wyse.

3alde til adam paire seruise.

% and pe nedder lay ful stille.

dide he nauper gode ne ille.

bot of alle bestes says pe boke.

mast he coude of craft and croke

IT pe sunne was pat time pat I. say.

seyuen bri^tter pen pe day.

pe mone was pat time als bii^t

as to day pe sunne of li3t.

^F hald naman pis for foly

pe prophite hit says Isay.

pat al pinges pat wre here se.

on hey on law on lande on see.

ware of gretter street and pip.

or adam had for-done pe grip.

tempt and ruin Adam.~\

Bot adam sone was sende a sande. poron pe deuel at him wald fande quen satanas sawe pat he was borne, to wyn pat blis at he had lorne. sorowful bicome pat fals file. and po^t how he mi^t mon be-gyle he p03t pat ioy for-til stynt. pat god til endyng gode had Mynt. A-gaynes god he wex sa grille. pat al his werk he wende to spil.

FAIRFAX

THAT FALSE FILE SATAN PLOTS TO BEGUILE MAN. 49

ADAM HAS A FOE ON EACH SIDE : THE FIEND, AND HIS WIFE.

f e hund ne harmed noglit f e hare,

Ne na best soglit on ofer sare, 688

Bi f e dere fat nou es wild.

Als larnb him lay f e leon milde,

f e gripe alsua biside f e bere ;

Na best wald do ofer dere, G02

f e scorpion forbar liis tunge,

Fra bestis fat be lay emonge,

Alkines thing in diners wise

3eilded to Adam fair seruise : GOG

£Te f e nedder was noght bitte/-,

For he was ewer wis and. witter,

For as men rede in boke & ieste,

He was mast wis of ani best. 700

f e sune was fat time, as i say,

Seuen sitht bright fan to-day ;

f e mono was fat time alsua bright,

Als is f e sune nu on day light. 704

Haiti na man f is for foli,

fe p?*ophete it sais ysai :

All fe tinges fat w[e] liere se,

Hey or lau, on land or se, 708

Jxii war of gretter strenth and pidh

Bifor fat adam brae f e grith.

[Of Satan's scheme to

Bot adam sone was sent a send, fat soght him felli forto fonde. Queo BathaB au f at he was chosin [ooi.8] To win fat bliss fat he ha lorin, 714 Bori he cam, J«t fab file, And thoght hou he mith maw bigile. He thoghl fa\ thing forto stint, fat godd to gret goddnes had mint. Agaynea godd he wex sua grill, 710 fat all his werk he wend to spill,

<i 001 I INGEN

f e houwd harmed not f e hare Ny no beest soi^te of ere to forfare Bi f e deer fat now is wilde As lomb lay f e lyouw mylde f i gripe also biside f e bere Ko beest wolde to of ere dere f e scorpiou?z forbare his tonge Fro beestis fat he lay amonge Al maner f inge in dyuerse wise jalde to Adam her seruise f e nedder f o was not bittur For he was euer wise & wittur For as we rede in book meest He was more wise fen any beest f e son?ie was fat tyme we say Seuen sif e b^tere fen now aday f e mone was fat tyme also b^t As son?ie now on dayes li3t Holde no mon f is for no foly f e p?*ophete seif f us ysai A lie finges as we may so He30 or lowe in world fat be f ei were of grettwr strcngf e & my^t Bifore fat Adam dud vni^t

tempt and ruin Adam.]

To Adam soone was sent a sonde

fat solute him selly for t<> fonde

Whenwe Sathan Bay fat he was chosen

To haue fe blis fat he bad lo

Sory he was fat. fala file

And f(iu;jr mon to bigyle

He foujte fe [oyes for to Btynt

fat god to monkynde had mynt

A^cyn god he wex bo grille

His hondewerke he fnu;t«' to spille

1 IMNM V

50

8ATAN AND EVE BOTII JOIN TO BETRAY ADAM. SATAN RESOLVES TO WORK THROUGH THE ADDER.

And wend wel with his gret enwie

0 god him self to win f e niaistrie.

Man es now sett bituix tua,

On aifer-side lie has his faa ; 724

Bi-tuix fe warlau and his wijf,

Adam es stad in Strang strijf ;

Bath f ai werhaid on adam

For to bring him in to blam ; 728

Bath ar now on a pa?*tie

to confund man wit trecherie.

fat wili warlau him heild on drei 731

And ganid noght cu??i him to nei,

Namli in his auen schap ; [leaf c, coi. i]

To sped he hopd haue na hap

For-fi a message?' he send 735

Wit q?*am best to spede he wend ;

To Jus he ches a littel best

f e quilk es noght vnwiliest, •

f e nedder J>at es of a scaft, 739

fat mast kan bath on crok and craft ;

Graitli taght he him f e gin,

How he suld at f e wif be-gin,

And thorw f e wijf to wyn f e man ;

f is nedder forth fat he ne blan 744

Bot in hijs slught was self satan ;

Selcut was hit he f ider wan

Bot wit his suffrance he it lete,

}>at best wist how f e bale to bete ;

For-fi he mad f am fat f ai moght 749

Sin or leue, if f am god thoght,

f «t thorn skil on far auen dedo

Suld be mettam al fair mede ; 752

To bu and Hue wit-outen end,

Or elles o ded in langur lend.

and f o^t wif hit grete enuy.

of god him-self to wyn maistry.

IT man ys now sette bi-twix twa.

on ayf er side he has a fa.

bi-twix f e warlaw and his wife.

adam standis in grete strife.

baf f ai f inkyn on adam

for to bringe him in-to blame.

baj? ar now in ane party

to confounde mon in trechery.

IF fat wyly deuel wTas fid sley.

he f o^t no3t to come him ney.

namely in his awen shap.

fen to spede has he na hap.

for-fi. a messager he sende.

for til spede ful wele he wende.

to him he chese a litel beste

f e quilk ys no^t vnwiliest.

f e nedder fat ys so quaynt of gyle

fat mast con of croke and wyle.

IT graydely ta}t he him f e gynne

how atte f e wyfe he sulde be-gyn.

and f orou f e wife to wynne f e man.

f e nedder forf his way ys gan.

bot in his slughe was sathan.

selcuf was how he f idder wan.

bot f orou goddis sufferance he h&m lete.

f e beste f o$t his bale to bete.

for-f i he made ham at f ai mu^t.

syn or leue if ham gode f u^t.

fat f orou skil of f aire awen dede

sulde f ai merke f aire awen mede

to saue f aire self wif -outen ende

or ellis in sorou for to lende.

COTTON

FAIRFAX

THE ADDER IS TO TEMPT EVE, AND SHE IS TO WIN ADAM. 51

GOD MADE THEM FREE TO OBEY AND LIVE, OR ELSE TO DIE.

And troud wele wid his grete enui,

Of god himself to win J?e maystri.

Man es nu sett bituix tua,

On siper side he has a fa, 724

Betuix sathan and his wiif

Adam es stad in mekil strijf.

Bath Jjai war on adam,

For to bring him in [to] hlam, 728

Bath es nn on a parti

To confunde man wid trechuri ;

Jjat wili feind him held on heij, 731

Him gayned noght ciun adam ney,

iNanili in liis aim schapp

To specie he hopid hane na hap.

For-Ju a message;- he sent,

wid whom best to spede he went. 736

To j)is he ches a littel best

J»e qui Ik es noght vn wiliest,

J?e nedder Jwt es of suilk a schaft,

Mast of quantise es in craft, 740

Quaintli taght he him f»e ginne.

Hu he sulci at pe wijf bigine,

And thoru \>q wijf to win pe man,

J)is nedder forth pat he ne blan. 744

In his slohu was seluen sathan,

Wonper was hu he dip&r1 wan, 'IgS

Bot wid li is sufirance he It lete,

Jv/t best wist hu po bale to bete; 748

For-pi he made paim p"t pai moght

Bin or leue, if paim gode thoght,

Jjat thoru skil of hir aune dede, JjJif ,,k'

Suld be markyd paim her medc, 752

To bou and liue widuten end,

Or elhs of dede in langoz to lend.

And trowed wij> his greet envy

Of god to wynne pe maistry

Kow mon is sett bitwene two

On eipe?* side he hap a fo

Bitwene sathan & his wif

Adam is sett in mychel strif

Bope were J?ei on Adame

For to brynge him in to blame

Bope pei be on o party [leaf 5, back]

To ouercom man wijj tricchery

pe wily fende him helde on he3e

Him geyned nou^t com Adam ne^e

jSTaniely in his owne shap

To spede he hoped haue no hap

perfore a messangere he sende

Bi whom best to spede he wende

pen?ze he chees a litil beest

Wniche is not vnwiliest

pe neddre pat is of suche a shaft

Moost of queyntise & of craft

Queyntly tau3te he hi?M pe gyime

At pe wif to bigynno

And pourjc pe wif to wynne pe man

pen??e go]? pis neddre & not blan

In pis slouje Sathan pcn//c was

Wondir is he entred in pat plaa

But of his sunraurcce he hi/// lete

pat best wist how \<t\ bale to bete

For mon he made pat he mou^t

Synrce or leue as him good pou^t

And bi skil of his owne dede

Shulde be merked pen«e his mede

To bowe & lyue Wipouten ends

Or elles (^ deje & to wo wende

[NGEN

TKIMI V

52 THE ADDER TEMPTS EV'E ; GOD HAS ONLY FORBIDDEN TnAT TREE

BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE MEN LIKE GODB.

Expulsio adc & t/ansgressio euis

Adam ^ode walkand in J>ai welth

pat lialden was in micul eltli ; 756

Que?z lie was fra liis wijf a tharu

pe nedder nerliand hir gun draw,

And said, " womruan, tel me now qui

pat ^ee ette noglit al communli 7 GO

0 paradis of ilk a tre 1 "

" Certes," said sco, " sua do we

Of al pe tres bot of an,

pe mid ward tre is vs outtan, 764

Our lauerd in forbot has it laid."

"And wat pou quarfor?" "nai," sco

Bot sco said, " if we com per nei Lsai(i-

0 ded forsoth pan suld we dei ; 7G8

pis tre suld him seluen haue,

And we all o there1 pen pat laue."

"And wenis pou pat it be sua

Sum lie has said yow 1 " " certes, ya ! "

"ISTai, goddot," said pat felun, 773

" par es vnder al sere resun ;

He dos it for he ne wald 3ee were

Parigal til him ne pere ; 776

pe south fra 30W wil I noght hide,

He wat wel wat tim or tide

pat 3ee hade eten 0 pis tre [coi. 2]

Als godds suld 3ee seluen be ; 780

0 wityng bath god an[d] ill

3ee suld be lauerds at 30ur will ;

Of it 3ee ette, sua red i 30W,

ffor 3ee sal find it es 3our prow." 784

pis hight was pan sumdel mikel,

pof it was ful fals and fikel.

1 MS. looks like othwr, but the COTTON

How adam brak^ goddis comande- ment. of the appil.

Adam 3ode walcande in pat place wip-outen care in grete solace he was went his wyfe sone fra pe nedder nerhande hir con ga. and saide wommon tel me quy. pat 3e ete no3t alle co??miunely. of paradys of ilke a tree, certes / ho sayde so do we of al pe trees bot of ane. pe midwarde tree ys vs out-tane. Our lorde in forbode has hit layde [leaf 8] and wate pou quar-fore. na / ho sayde. bot he sayde if we come per neye wip deleful dep we sulde deye. pis tree suld him-selue haue. pe fende saide I. traw pou raue. and wenis pou pat hit is squa. certis / ho sayde I. traw ya. 1F nay for-sop saj^de pat felou?» he ment bi. a-noper resouft. he dose hit. for he walde no3t 3c were parigal til him ne pere. pe sop fra 30W wil I. no3t hide, he wate wele. fra pat time or tide, pat 3c haf eten of pis tree, as goddis sulde $q pen be.

[

. . . . no gap in the MJS.] and 3e hit do I. tel hit 30W. per may na tong tel 3our prow, he sayde paire ioy walde be mykel. pis fals pefe pat was so fikel. last letter is by no means clear. FAIRFAX

THE ADDER ADVISES EVE TO EAT THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT. SHE YEARNS FOR IT, EATS IT, AND GIVES IT TO ADAM.

53

Hon adam brae f e comandment, Quarfor mani a man was schent.

Adam 3ede wanderand in fat welth, fat halden was f aim in mekil Quen adam was fra eue a trawe, Lse"n* f e nedder nere hand hir gan drau, And said, " womman, tell me nou qui fat 3e ete noght all comunli 760

In paradis of ilk a tre 1 n " Certis, sir, so nou do we, Of all treis bot ' of ane, [} ms. both]

f e mid ward tre es vs vte-tane ; 7G4 vr lauerd in forbod had it laid." " And quat f u qui % " " nay," scho said. " Bot," scho said, " if we cum far ney Of dede for soth, fan suld we dey ; J>is a tre suld him seluen haue 7G9 And all o]>er til vs be laue." " And trous fu fat it be sua As he 3U said 1 " " certis, 3a." 772 " Xay," said he, wid gret tresun, u Bot far es wider suilk resun, It es for he w[a]ld noght 30 were Paringale to him na pere. 77G

fe soth fra 311 sal i noght hide, He wat wele f at quat time or tide fat }<■ had <ten of fat tore, Ala goddea suld }ur seluen be, 780 To knan bath fe gode and illo. 3'- suld be lanerdes at 3m- nun wille, f H" it 30 ete bo rede i nu 311, And y sal find it for jur pron.M 784 fia heting was fat time ful mekil, Bot 3<'it it was bath fala and likil ;

How adam brak godd^s com??zau?ide-

me^t Wherfore kynde of mon was shent

Adam wandride in fat wele In mychel myrf e ioye & hele Whence adam was fro eue a fra we f e nedder ne3e to hir gon drawe And seide wommon telle me whi fat 3e eten not al comynly In paradis of cue?' vche tre She seide certis so now do we Of alle trees but of one fat is out-taken to vs allone Oure lord in forbode haf hit laide Wost f au f e why : nay she saide But she seide if we com fer nyje On double deef shul we dy3e f is 0 tre shulde him seluen haue And alle f e of ere to vs he 3auo And trowes fou fat hit so be As he 3011 seide : She seide 30 Nay seide he wif greet tresoun But ferynne lif suche rest am But for he wolde not 3c were Paringal to him nor pere fe sofe fro 30U wol I not hide. lie wot wel fat what tyme or tide fat 3c had eten of fat tre As goddea shulde 3c bofe be To knowe bofe good & illo 30 shulde be lordia at joure willo Of hit £6 ete BO rede I tow And je Bhul fynde hit for jonre prow fia hetynge was fa1 tyme fa] mykel But liis wm lul t'.ils iV, tikel

(."I I INGEN

TIMMTY

5 1 T1IAT CITE OF THE APPLE SET THEIR SONS' TEETH ON EDGE.

ADAM AND EVE PUT ON FIG-LEA \

Sone qucn sco f is frutte bihcild,

Sco dcsiiTcd it to haue in weild ; 788

left sco nogh[t] for drede of blam

Bot tok and ctte and raght adam.

Quat bot cs lang mi tale to draw,

Quat sum first far was gain saw, 792

Al for noght J>ai ette it bath.

fat al Jjaier kin thorn fell in wayth ;

For of fat ilk appel bitt

fair suns tetlie ar eggeid yitt; 796

And sal be ai to doines-clai,

Her egain mai naman sai.

Que?a f ai loked on f er licam

Aief er thoght of of ere scham ; 800

ffor quen f ai sagli ham self al bare,

fat welth and blis had clef ed ar,

f ai cled f am fan in fat mister

Wit leues brad bath o figer. 804

IT Wen f e find f us had fam nomin

Wei he wend ha god ouerco???min ;

And said wit bin his sari thoght, 807

" Ic haue him don to suinc for noght ;

His heuen he sal haue allan,

0 adam lott now getes he nan,

To bring into fat heritage

fat i haf tint wit min vttrage." 812

He leied f at eber file for-qui

fat yett of man had god merci,

Adam ware tint godd wald it noght,

For he wit vikced1 red was soght ;

fe find was mare worthe to blam 817

fat wit his suik bi-suak adam ;

god wist wel fe find him suak [}? wicked]

For-fi yett wald he wit him tak, 820

Bot f of he sif en of him roght

He wald it first ful dere war boght.

COTTON

IF sone as ho f is frute be-helde. ho 3ernet hit to haue in welde. left ho no3t for drede of blame, bot toke and ete and x^t adam. quat bote ys to make lange tale fat appil ham turned to myche bale al for no^t f ai ete hit baf e fat al f aire kyn f i dide scaf e.

[

. . . no gap in the MS.] and sal do ay til domesday. here a-gayne may na mon say. If quen f ai loket on f aire licame. ayf er f 0}t of of er shame, for fen sawe f ai liam-selfe al bare, fat welf and blis had claf id are. f ai clad ham fan for velane. wif brade leues of fyge tree.

auen f e fende had his bone, he wende he had god for-done and sayde in his sary fio^t. al my trauaille lost I. no3t. his heyuen salle he haue him ane. of adam kynde ne gytes he nane. to bring to fat heritage, fat I. loste wif myne owtrage IF now ar f ai lost wif grete foly. and ^et of man had god mercy, to lese adam god no3t ment. for wif wikked rede was he shent. f e fende was worf i mare to blame fat wif his gawdes be-gylet adam. god wiste how f e fende him squake and j)03t oftei wif him to take al of he sif en of him ro3t. he walde hit first ful dere ware bo3t.

FAIRFAX

THE FIEND SAYS HE HAS SPOILT GOD'S PLANS, AND STOPT HIS MEN 55 GOING TO HEAVEN. BUT THE FALSE FILE LIES.

Sone que;i sclio f is fruit bilield, [col. 2]

Scbo 3erned it to haue in weild, 788

Ne left sclio noglit for drede ne blame,

Bot tok and ete and gaf adam.

Quat bote es lange mi tale to dran,

Bot sum of f e hoting was gain sau. 792

All for noglit f ai ete it bath,

Quar thorn all fair king wer wrath,

For of fat ilke a^^lis bitt,

Hir sunes teth er eggid ^eitt, 796

And sua sal be to domis day,

Here egain may na man say.

Quen ayder bilield oper naked, 799

Tor scham fay stode bath and quakid,

For fan ]?ai sau paim seluen bare,

In welth and bliss was clad are,

fai clad f aim, i tell it f e,

wid leuis of a fike tre. puB.quem] 804

Quen1 fe feind fus had him noraen,

wele he wend haue god ouercomera,

And said wid in his sori thoght, 807

" I haue him done to suink for noglit,

His heuen sal he haue bi his on,

Of adam part ne getes he non

To bring into fat critage,

fat i haue tint for mine vtrage." 812

He leyed, fat fals file forqui,

jeit of adam had godd men i,

fat adam wer tint godd wild it noglit,

For he wid wicki d red was soght;

pi- feind was wele mare to blame 817

j m;i falsli bigiled adam.

( lod wis! p<- feind had adam blent,

jeil wild he noght f"t he war schent,

Bpl f-m he sifen of adam roght, 821

He wald first it ful dere war boght.

(.'il I IM.i.N

Sone so she Jus fruit bi helde

She 3erned hit to haue in welde

She let not for drede nor blame

But toke & ete & }af Adame

What bote is longe Jus tale to drawe

f ei eet hit bofe in litil frawe

Al for nou^te f ei eet hit bofe

Wherfore oure lord god was wrof 0

For fat ilke appels bit

Her sones teef eggen ^it

And so shul do til domes day

Here a$eyn may no man say

Whenwe eif er say opers naked

For shame f ei stode bof e & quaked

f cn?ze f ei say fat bare f ei were

In welf e & ioye fat were clad ere

f ei hiled hem I telle hit f e

With leues of a fige tre

Whenwe f e fend f us had hem nomc»

Wei he wende haue god ouercomen

And siidc wifinne his sory foi^t [if 6]

I haue made him worche for nou^t

His heuen shal he haue his one

Of Adam part getef he none

To bringc into fat hcrii

fat I haue lost bi myn vtrage

He li^ecl fals fc<»f for why

}itt had god of Adam mercy

fat he were lost god wolde nou;t

For he wif tricchery was sou^t

fe fend was wel more to blame

fat bo falsly giled Adame

God wist p<- fend had Adam blent

^itt wolde he nol fai he were Bhent

But fouje he wolde ^yuc Ada/// grace

Furst shulde he bie dere fat. trespace

I KIM [ V

5G ALL BLISS WAS NOW GONE, BTOUB AND STRIFE BEGAN.

EACH PBETED ON THE OTHER j SIN AM) BLAME WEBB RIFE.

[Of the state of the ivorld after Adam's Si//.]

Son qyicn f ai had batli don fat sin Be-gan al baret to bigin ; 824

Alkin blis was fan bi-went, [tf6,bk,coi.i] Fra f aim bat brak f is comament ; Son bigan wenganz to kif e, 827

Alle blurded fat was for-wit blif e ; Al bigan to strut and strijf Agains adam and his wijf ; Bitnix f am tua to strut alsua, f e Strang fe wekcr for to sla, 832

Ilkan to niak of of er prai, Als Ave mai see f am do to dai ; Fra f ef en first com ded to man fat fra. J) at tide al wa bigan ; 836

fie wrangwis wit far waful wrak far f ai biginning gan to tak, Sin and sak, and schame and strijf, bat now es oueral fe werld sa rijf ; Merci, lauerd ! Strang wickedhed 841 Broght adam to suilk a ded, bat had him tint and al hijs kin, Bot our lauerd had ranscond him, On suilk a wis, als he for-thoght, 845 Bi-for ar he Jus werld had wroght ; Bot fat Avas noght al don for nede, Bot thoru his auen doghtyhede ; 848 fan if he wald he moght man Wei better mak fan he was fan ; "Wit fleys for-fi he com in place, 851 And fild Jus werld al wit his grace ; his grace it was and nathing of er fat he wald bicom our broker ; Wit fe find fer-for he faght, 855

And wit hijs fader he mad ur saght.

COTTON

Sone quen fai had done J>is sin. bi-gan a baret to be-gynnc. alkyn blis a-Avay was went. fra ham fat brak his comandemc/<!t sone bigan ve?uaunce to kithe al Avas wraf fat er AATas blithe, al bigan to strote and striue a-gaynes adam and his wyue. by-tAvix ham-selfe to flite al-squa f e stranger f e AA^akker for to sla. and ayf er of er con myssay. so men dose 3et f is ilk day. IF fen at first come def to man. fra fat tide our AATa be-gan. f e Avrang AATas vrith f aire AArrang AATake her f ai con be-gynnynge take, of sin and sorou and shame and strife, fat noAV ys ouer f is AArerlde so rife, cursed be fat fals quede fat made adam to do fat dede. he had bene lost and al his kyn. had no3t our lorde raunsonde him, on squylk a Aviso as hi??z for f 03t be-fore fat he f is AA^erlde had bo3t. bot fat Avas no3t al done for nede bot f orou his aAven god-hede. fan if he AAralde he n^t man. Avele better make fen he AA^as fan. Avif flesshe for-f i he come in place and filled fis Averlde al with his grace his grace hit Avas and nafinge of er fat he Avalde become our brof i r. Avif fe fende far-fore he fa3t. and Avif his fader he made vs sa3t

FAIRFAX

ADAM AND ALL HIS KIN HAD BEEN LOST, BUT FOR THE NOBLE DEATH 57 OF OUR LORD, WHO WOULD MAKE MAN BETTER THAN HE WAS.

Of pe state pe world was inne Efter the time of adam sinne.

A

Is fast as pai had don pat sinne, Bigan all vr baret to biginne, Alkins blis fra paim was went, «l y1 Fra J>ai had brokin pe comandenie?it. Sone he bigan vengans to kith, All lourid pan fat ar was blith, 828 All bigan stour and strijf, Againes adam and his wijf ; Bituix paim seluen to strijf alsua, pe stranger fa wayker for to sla, 832 Ilkan to make of ofer prai, — Als we may se non ilk a dai. Fra paim first com dede to man, Fra fat time al vr wa bigan ; 836

fe wrangwis wight wid il wrake, pair biginning gan pai at him take, Sine and sake, schamo and strijf, pat nou oner all pis world es rijf ; 840 Merci, lauerd, Strang wicked-hede Made adam to do suilk a dede. Him-self had tint and all his kin, Bot vr lauml had ransomed him, 844 On suilk a wise as he had thoght Bilbr ar he pis world [had] wroghtj Bot pat was noght done all for nede, Bot thoru his aim doughti dede, 848 For if be wald he might man Wele hotter make pan he was pan. wid flees forpi he cam in place, 851 And fulfild pis world al wid his grace, His grace it was and na thing ofer, pat he wald bicuTTi vr aller brother: wid p«' feind parfoi he feght, And wid his fadir made vr Baght. 85G qOttinoem

Of pe astate pe world was Inne Aftir tyme of adames synne

Als faste as pei had don fat synne Oure wo bigan to bigynne Al mane?' blis fro hem was went For pei brak pat com??ian?zdement Soone bigan he vengeau?zce kipe As lord pat first was meke & blipe Al bigan to stire & strif A3eyn adam & eue his wif Bitwene hem self roos strif also pe strenger beest pe weyker dud slo Vchone of ope?*e to make his pray As we may se now vche day Fro pat tyme furst coom dep to man And pat tyme al oure wo bigan pese wrongis pat ben of euel wrake pe?'e bigynnynge dud pei take Synne & sake shame & strif pat now oner al pe world is rif Mercy lord strong wickedhede Made Adam do I so foul a dede Him self had lost & al his kyn But oure lord had raunsonde him On suche a wise as he had poi^t Bifore ar he pe world wrmijt But pat was not done al for nede But pour^e his owne nobel-hede For if he had woldo he my 3 to man Wei bettwr banc made pen he was pan Wip flesshe perfore ha coom in place And hilled pis world of his grace His grace hit was cv: noon ofrro p'/t he wolde bicom oure broprro Wip pe fend perfore he fuu^t And wip his fadir he made vs sau^t

TRINITY

58 AFTER THIS MIS-DEED ADAM AND HIS WIFE HIDE THEM AMONG TIIE TREES. ADAM HAS BROKEN GOD'S I1EST, AND NOW HE MUST SUFFER.

Leue wc now o suilkin spell

Of our stori forth to tell.

IT Wen Adam sagh he had misdon,

He went to hide him al-son ; 8 GO

He wrend to hide him aina^g fa tres,

Fra his sight fat al sees.

Al for noght him hide adam,

our lauef'd cald him be his nam. 8G4

" lauerd," he said, " quen i f e herd,

For I sagh wel fat i misfard,

I and mi vTif, vs 3ode to hide,

For vs thoght scam f e to bide, 868

For our bodis ar now al bare."

" Goddot, adam ! Jus said i are,

f e wath i tald f e well forwit,

wat it war to brek mi grith ; 872

Eot now it es f is appell etten,

And sua mi forbot es for-geten,

For-f i f «t fou has don f e mis,

fiself fou wite f i wa, i-wis." 876

" lord," he said, " o J?is gilt here,

sco es to wite fat es mi fere,

fat fou me gaf mi wijf to be \

Ful thrali first sco bedde it me, 880

For sco me bedd, wit-outen blin,

Sco has me fild wit hir sin ;

Al fat i sai mai sco noght nite,

For-fi agh sco to bere fe wite." 884

God spak til hir, and said o-nan —

" Qui did foil Jus, fou fole womman V1

" f e worm," sco said, " me draf far till

fat I haf wroght again f i will." 888

Til fat worm fan drightin spak

wordes bath 0 wrath and wrak : —

" fou worm, f ou sal be maledight,

Mare fan ani of ere wight; 892

COTTON

IF leue we now of suilkyn spelle.

and of our stori forf we telle.

wen adam sawe he had mys-done

he went to hide him als sone

he wende to hide him in f e treis

fra his si^t at alle seise.

al for no3t him hydde adam.

our lorde calde him be name

U lorde he saide quen I. f e horde. [if8,bk]

I saw wele fat I. mys-ferde.

I. and my wife 3ode vs tille hide

vs f i^t shame f e to byde. ■

for our bodis aren al bare.

godote adam so saide I. are.

now fou has my hest brokyn.

writte fou wele I. wil be wrokyn.

bot now hit ys fat appel eten,

and squa my forbode ys for-getyn.

for-f i fat fou has done amys.

f i-self may wite f i wa I. wys.

lorde he sayde of f is gilt here

ho ys to wite fat ys my fere.

at fou me gaf my wife to be

ful f rali first ho bed hit me.

ho me hit bed wit-outen blyn.

ho has me filed wif hir syn.

fat I. sai1 may ho no3t nyte p de enseal

for-f i sulde ho bere f e wyte.

^T he spac tille hir and saide anane

quy dide fou f us fou fole wo??anon.

f e worme ho sayde me draue Jjer-til

fat I haue wro3t agayno f i wiL

to fat worme our lorde saide

wordes wif tene and grete vpbraide

worme fou sal be vncumly di3t.

mare fan any ofer wi^t.

FAIRFAX

ADAM SAYS HIS WIFE MUST BEAU THE GUILT, AS HE, LIKE A SLAVE, DID 59 WHAT SHE BID HIM. EVE SAYS THE WORM DROVE HER TO IT.

Leue we nu of pis ilk spell

Of vre stori nu for to tell. 858

avert adain sau he had ruisdone, He went to hide him al sone, He went to hide him emang pa treis, [col. 2] Fra his sight pat all thing seis ; All for noglit him hid adam, vr lauerd cald him bi his nam. 864 " Lauerd," he said, " que?^ i pe herde, For i sau wele fat i misferde, I and mi wijf* went vs to hide, 8G7 For vs thoght schame him to abide ; For vr bodijs er all bare." " Certis, adam, pis said i are, pu wat it i teld pe forDiest, Quat it was to breke mi hcst, 872 Bot nou it es pis appil etin, And so mi forbot es for-getin. For-pi pat pu has don fie miss, pi seluen es pe wite ])i wa, i wiss." 876 " Lauerd," he said, " of pis gilt here, Es scho to wite Jv/t es mi fere, f'rt pu me gaf mi wijf to be, For stiffli first scho bad it me ; 880 For scho it me bedd widuten bline, Scho has me lilid wid hir sine. All pis may scho noghl gain say, Scho an to bere pe gilt away." 884 L m til liir «d said o-nan,

"Qui did pudus, (miUewommany1 n;]] " pc worm," scho said, "me draf par pat i haue wroglit a gain pi will." Til pat worm vr lauerd pan spack, SS9 wordia bath of wreth and wrack, " pu worm, pu sal be maledight Blare pan ani o\>er wight, 892

i i \ • ; i v

IF Leue we now of pis spelle

Of oure story furpere to telle

Whemze Adam say he had mysdone

He went to hide him als sone

He wende to hide hiwi among pe trees

Fro his si3te pat al sees

Al for noi^t him hud Adame

Oure lord him called bi his name

lord he seide when?ze I pe herde

For I saw pat I mys ferde

I & my wif went vs to hide

Shame vs poi^te pe to abide

For oure bodyes al bare were

Adam he seide so tolde I pe ere

I pe tolde mest & leest

What hit was to breke my heest

But now is pis appul eten

And my biddyngc is for^eten

And pot pou hast pus don pis mis

pi seluen is to wite I wis

lorde he seide of pis gult here

Is she to wite pat is my fere

pot pou me 3af" my wif to bo

For pr/ncipaly she bed hit me

She bede hit me wtyouten blynno

She hap me fuyled wip her synne

Al pis may she not 3°yn sey

She owe to bere pe gilt awey

I< >u seide to hir anoon [iearr>, back]

Whi dudest pou pis dede woniwon

She Beide peworm me drou^e per lille

p//j I haue done a^eyn pi wille

To pot worm of wrappe & wrake

Oure lord penne pus he spake

pou worm p"u slialt .- 1 < u i x 'I be

More prn any op< re beesl to so

J IMNI I V

GO THE WORM is CURSED, HATE SHALL BE BETWEEN IT AND WOMAN*.

WOMAN SHALL HAVE BORROW, AND SHALL BE OBEDIENT TO MAX.

Mare pan ani oper best,

For pou sal slid apon pi brest ;

Fra pis dai fareden sal be,

For-soth, bituix womman and j)e, 896

Bituix pine and wowwnan sede,

Mold sal be pi mete for nede ;

pou sal waite wo??2ma?i for to sting,

And sco sal yiet pi hede tilling ; 900

f of pou wald euer liaue hat sted

In cald sal euer be pi bedde.

And pou, wommara, pat standes her,

In soru pou sal pi berns ber ; 904

pou sal be slan wit duble dedd,

Herd it es pe for to redd ;

pou sal be to man vnde?'-heild,

To liim pi buxu??2nes to yeild. 908

To sceu pi scath be noght vnkid,

pou sal haf euer pi heued hid ;

pat pou po-qz^epe[r] has now mistan

It sal be beit wit a womman ; 912

0 man sinles pan mad i pe

In wo??zma?i sal mi wowning be ;

Bot pat bes noght kid so ^aire

For i most couer pis tinsel are. 916

1And pou, man, pat has vndertaken

pi wijf red, and min for-saken, ^Jfy1

ISTe sal pou nawight par wit wiu,

pe werld es werid wit pi sin ; 920

Of erth pou sal, wit suete and suinc,

Win pat pou sal eto and drinc,

Al pe dais on pin eild ; 923

Brembel and thorn it sal te yeil[d] j

par of pou sal ete greses sere,

And pou sal bij pi bred ful dere,

Bituix and pou again be gan

Vnto pat erth pou was of tan ; 928

COTTON

and mare pan any oper best

for pou salle ga a-pon pi brest.

fra pis day sal departynge be

for-sop be-twix worn mon and pe.

for pi dissayte at pou dede.

molde salle be pi mete to mede

pou sal wayte wommon v,Tith shome

and ^et ho sal pe ouer-come.

pi kynde hit ys in hate sted

for-pi in calde sal be pi bed.

and pou wommon pat standes here

In sorow pou sal pi barnys bere

pou salle be slayne with double dede

hard ys pe now for to rede.

pou sal to mon be vnder-helde.

til him pi buxu??znes to ^elde.

to shew pi shap be no3t vn-kidde.

pou sal haue eue?* pi heued hidde.

IF pe pinge at pou now has mistane

hit sal be bete wip an womman.

of sinles man made I. pe.

in wo??zmon sal }et my wonynge be

bot pat bese no3t kid sa jare.

for I. most couer mi tinsel are.

IT and pou mon pat has vndertakyn.

pi wife rede and myne for-sakyn.

ne sal pou na pinge par wip-wyn.

pe werld ys shent wip pi syn.

on erp saltow squete and squynke

to wyn pat pou sal ete and drinke.

al pe dayes of pine elde

brere and ponies hit sal pe }ilde.

per-of pou sal eto gresses sere

pi brede saltow by ful dere.

pou sal wen pi life ys gane

vn-to pat