<P_1>

Here begynnyth a schort tretys and a comfortabyl for synful wrecchys ,
wher-in +tei may haue gret solas and comfort to hem and vndyrstondyn
+te hy & vnspecabyl mercy of ower souereyn Sauyowr Cryst Ihesu , whos
name be worschepd and magnyfyed wythowten ende , +tat now in ower days
to vs vnworthy deyneth to exercysen hys nobeley & hys goodnesse .
(CMKEMPE,1.2)

Alle +te werkys of ower Saviowr ben for ower exampyl & instruccyon ,
(CMKEMPE,1.3)

and what grace +tat he werkyth in any creatur is ower profyth yf lak of
charyte be not ower hynderawnce . (CMKEMPE,1.4)

And +terfor , be +te leue of ower mercyful Lord Cryst Ihesu , to +te
magnyfying of hys holy name , Ihesu , +tis lytyl tretys schal tretyn
sumdeel in parcel of hys wonderful werkys , how mercyfully , how
benyngly , & how charytefully he meued & stered a synful caytyf vn-to
hys love , whech synful caytyf many +gerys was in wyl and in purpose
thorw steryng of +te Holy Gost to folwyn $oure Savyowr , makyng gret
behestys of fastyngys wyth many o+ter dedys of penawns . (CMKEMPE,1.5)

And euyr sche was turned a-+gen a-bak in tym of temptacyon , lech vn-to
+te reedspyr whech boweth wyth euery wynd neuyr is stable les +tan no
wynd bloweth , vn-to +te tyme +tat ower mercyfulle Lord Cryst Ihesu
hauyng pety & compassyon of hys handwerke & hys creatur turnyd helth
in-to sekenesse , prosperyte in-to aduersyte , worshep in-to repref , &
love in-to hatered . (CMKEMPE,1.6)

Thus alle +tis thyngys turnyng vp-so-down , +tis creatur whych many
+gerys had <P_2> gon wyl & euyr ben vnstable was parfythly drawen &
steryd to entren +te wey of hy perfeccyon , whech parfyth wey Cryst
ower Savyowr in hys propyr persoone examplyd . (CMKEMPE,2.7)

Sadly he had it (CMKEMPE,2.8)

& dewly he went it be-forn . (CMKEMPE,2.9)

Than +tis creatur , of whom thys tretys thorw +te mercy of Ihesu schal
schewen in party +te leuyng , towched be +te hand of owyr Lord wyth
grett bodyly sekenesse , wher-thorw sche lost reson & her wyttes a long
tym tyl ower Lord be grace restoryd her a-geyn , as it schal mor openly
be schewed aftyrward . (CMKEMPE,2.10)

Her werdly goodys , whech wer plentyuows & abundawnt at +tat day , in
lytyl whyle after wer ful bareyn & bare . (CMKEMPE,2.11)

+Tan was pompe & pryde cast down & leyd on syde . (CMKEMPE,2.12)

+Tei +tat be-forn had worshepd her sythen ful scharply repreuyd her ;
(CMKEMPE,2.13)

her kynred & +tei that had ben frendys wer now hyr most enmys .
(CMKEMPE,2.14)

Than sche , consyderyng +tis wondyrful chawngyng , sekyng socowr vndyr
+te wengys of hyr gostly modyr , Holy Cherch , went (CMKEMPE,2.15)

& obeyd hyr to hyr gostly fadyr , accusyng hyr-self of her mysdedys ,
(CMKEMPE,2.16)

& sythen ded gret bodyly penawns . (CMKEMPE,2.17)

And in schort tyme ower mercyful Lord vysytyd +tis creatur wyth
plentyuows teerys of contricyon day be day , in so mech +tat sum men
seyden sche mygth wepen when sche wold & slawndered +te werk of God .
(CMKEMPE,2.18)

Sche was so vsyd to be slawndred & repreued , to be cheden & rebuked of
+te world for grace & vertu wyth whech sche was indued thorw +te
strength of +te Holy Gost +tat it was to her in a maner of solas &
comfort whan sche sufferyd any dysese for +te lofe of God & for +te
grace +tat God wrowht in hyr . (CMKEMPE,2.19)

For euyr +te mor slawnder & repref +tat sche sufferyd , +te mor sche
incresyd in grace & in deuocyon of holy medytacyon of hy contemplacyon
& of wonderful spechys & dalyawns whech owr Lord spak and dalyid to hyr
sowle , techyng hyr how sche schuld be despysed for hys lofe , how sche
schuld han pacyens , settyng all hyr trost , alle hyr lofe , and alle
hyr affeccyon in hym only . (CMKEMPE,2.20)

Sche knew & vndyrstod many secret & preuy thyngys whech schuld
beffallen aftyrward be inspiracyon of +te Holy Gost . (CMKEMPE,2.21)

And often-tymes , whel sche was kept wyth swech holy spechys & dalyawns
, <P_3> sche schuld so wepyn & sobbyn +tat many men wer gretly a-wondyr
, (CMKEMPE,3.22)

for +tei wysten ful lytyl how homly ower Lord was in hyr sowle .
(CMKEMPE,3.23)

Ne hyr-self cowd neuyr telle +te grace +tat sche felt , it was so
heuenly , so hy a-bouen hyr reson & hyr bodyly wyttys , and hyr body so
febyl in tym of +te presens of grace +tat sche myth neuyr expressyn it
wyth her word lych as sche felt it in hyr sowle . (CMKEMPE,3.24)

Than had +tis creatur mech drede for illusyons & deceytys of hyr gostly
enmys . (CMKEMPE,3.25)

+Tan went sche be +te byddyng of +te Holy Gost to many worshepful
clerkys , bothe archebysshopys & bysshoppys , doctowrs of dyuynyte &
bachelers also . (CMKEMPE,3.26)

Sche spak also wyth many ankrys (CMKEMPE,3.27)

and schewed hem hyr maner of leuyng & swech grace as +te Holy Gost of
hys goodnesse wrowt in hyr mende and in hyr sowle as her wytt wold
seruen hyr to expressyn it . (CMKEMPE,3.28)

And +tei alle +tat sche schewed hyr secretys vn-to seyd sche was mech
bownde to louen ower Lord for +te grace +tat he schewyd vn-to hyr
(CMKEMPE,3.29)

and cownseld hyr to folwyn hyr meuynggys & hyr steringgys & trustly
belevyn it weren of +te Holy Gost & of noon euvl spyryt .
(CMKEMPE,3.30)

Summe of these worthy & worshepful clerkys tokyn it in perel of her
sowle (CMKEMPE,3.31)

and as +tei wold answer to God +tat +tis creatur was inspyred wyth +te
Holy Gost and bodyn hyr +tat sche schuld don hem wryten & makyn a booke
of hyr felyngys & hir reuelacyons . (CMKEMPE,3.32)

Sum proferyd hir to wrytyn hyr felyngys wyth her owen handys ,
(CMKEMPE,3.33)

& sche wold not consentyn in no wey , (CMKEMPE,3.34)

for sche was comawndyd in hir sowle +tat sche schuld not wrytyn so
soone . (CMKEMPE,3.35)

& so it was xx +ger & mor fro +tat tym +tis creatur had fyrst felyngys
& reuelacyons er +tan sche dede any wryten . (CMKEMPE,3.36)

Aftyrward , whan it plesyd ower Lord , he comawnded hyr & chargyd hir
+tat sche xuld don wryten hyr felyngys & reuelacyons <P_4> & +te forme
of her leuyng +tat hys goodnesse myth be knowyn to alle +te world .
(CMKEMPE,4.37)

Than had +te creatur no wryter +tat wold fulfyllyn hyr desyr ne +geue
credens to hir felingys vn-to +te tym +tat a man dwellyng in Dewchlond
whech was an Englyschman in hys byrth & sythen weddyd in Dewchland &
had +ter bo+te a wyf & a chyld , hauyng good knowlach of +tis creatur &
of hir desyr , meued I trost thorw +te Holy Gost , cam in-to Yngland
wyth hys wyfe & hys goodys & dwellyd wyth +te forseyd creatur tyl he
had wretyn as mech as sche wold tellyn hym for +te tym +tat +tei wer
to-gydder . (CMKEMPE,4.38)

And sythen he deyd . (CMKEMPE,4.39)

Than was +ter a prest whech +tis creatur had gret affeccyon to ,
(CMKEMPE,4.40)

& so sche comownd wyth hym of +tis mater (CMKEMPE,4.41)

& browt hym +te boke to redyn . (CMKEMPE,4.42)

+Te booke was so euel wretyn +tat he cowd lytyl skyll +teron ,
(CMKEMPE,4.43)

for it was nei+tyr good Englysch ne Dewch , (CMKEMPE,4.44)

ne +te lettyr was not schapyn ne formyd as o+ter letters ben .
(CMKEMPE,4.45)

+Terfor +te prest leued fully +ter schuld neuyr man redyn it , but it
wer special grace . (CMKEMPE,4.46)

Neuyr-+te-lesse , he behyte hir +tat if he cowd redyn it he wolde copyn
it owt & wrytyn it betyr wyth good wylle . (CMKEMPE,4.47)

Than was +ter so euel spekyng of +tis creatur & of hir wepyng +tat +te
prest durst not for cowardyse speke wyth her but seldom , ne not wold
wryten as he had be-hestyd vn-to +te forseyd creatur . (CMKEMPE,4.48)

& so he voyded & deferryd +te wrytyng of +tis boke wel on-to a iiij
+ger or ellys mor , not-wyth-standyng +te creatur cryed often on hym
+terfor . (CMKEMPE,4.49)

At +te last he seyd on-to hir +tat he cowd not redyn it , wher-for he
wold not do it . (CMKEMPE,4.50)

He wold not , he seyd , put hym in perel +terof . (CMKEMPE,4.51)

+Tan he cownseld hir to gon to a good man whech had ben mech
conuersawnt wyth hym +tat wrot fyrst +te booke , supposyng +tat he
schuld cun best rede +te booke , (CMKEMPE,4.52)

for he had sum-tym red letters of +te o+ter mannys wrytyng sent fro
be-+gonden +te see whyl he was in Dewchland . (CMKEMPE,4.53)

And so sche went to +tat man , preyng hym to wrytyn +tis booke & neuyr
to be-wreyn it as long as sche leued , grawntyng hym a grett summe of
good for hys labowr . (CMKEMPE,4.54)

And +tis good man wrot a-bowt a leef , (CMKEMPE,4.55)

& +get it was lytyl to +te purpose , (CMKEMPE,4.56)

for he cowd not wel fare +terwyth , +te boke was so euel sett & so
vnresonably wretyn . (CMKEMPE,4.57)

Than +te prest was vexyd in his <P_5> consciens , (CMKEMPE,5.58)

for he had behestyd hyr to wrytyn +tis boke , +gyf he mygth com to +te
redyng +terof , (CMKEMPE,5.59)

& dede not hys part as wel as he mygth a do , (CMKEMPE,5.60)

and preyd +tis creatur to getyn a-geyn +te booke yf sche myth goodly .
(CMKEMPE,5.61)

+Tan sche gat a-geyn +te book (CMKEMPE,5.62)

& browt it to +te preste wyth rygth glad cher , preyng hym to do hys
good wyl , (CMKEMPE,5.63)

and sche schuld prey to God for hym & purchasyn hym grace to reden it &
wrytyn it also . (CMKEMPE,5.64)

+Te preste , trustyng in hire prayers , be-gan to redyn +tis booke ,
(CMKEMPE,5.65)

& it was mych mor esy , as hym thowt , +tan it was be-forn-tym .
(CMKEMPE,5.66)

& so he red it ouyr be-forn +tis creatur euery word , sche sum-tym
helpyng where ony difficulte was . (CMKEMPE,5.67)

Thys boke is not wretyn in ordyr , euery thyng aftyr o+ter as it wer
don , but lych as +te mater cam to +te creatur in mend whan it schuld
be wretyn , (CMKEMPE,5.68)

for it was so long er it was wretyn +tat sche had for-getyn +te tyme &
+te ordyr whan thyngys befellyn . (CMKEMPE,5.69)

And +terfor sche dede no +ting wryten but +tat sche knew rygth wel for
very trewth . (CMKEMPE,5.70)

Whan +te prest began fyrst to wryten on +tis booke , hys eyn myssyd so
+tat he mygth not se to make hys lettyr ne mygth not se to mend hys
penne . (CMKEMPE,5.71)

Alle o+ter thyng he mygth se wel a-now . (CMKEMPE,5.72)

He sett a peyr $of spectacles on hys nose , (CMKEMPE,5.73)

& +tan $was $it {TEXT:wast} wel wers +tan it was be-for .
(CMKEMPE,5.74)

He compleyned to +te creatur of hys dysese . (CMKEMPE,5.75)

Sche seyd hys enmy had envye at hys good dede & wold lett hym yf he
mygth (CMKEMPE,5.76)

& bad hym do as wel as God wold +geue hym grace & not levyn .
(CMKEMPE,5.77)

Whan he cam a-geyn to hys booke , he myth se as wel , hym thowt , as
euyr he dede be-for be day-lyth & be candellygth bo+te . (CMKEMPE,5.78)

& for +tis cause , whan he had wretyn a qwayr , he addyd a leef +terto
, (CMKEMPE,5.79)

and +tan wrot he +tis proym to expressyn mor openly +tan doth +te next
folwyng , whech was wretyn er +tan +tis . (CMKEMPE,5.80)

Anno domini m=lo=. cccc. xxxvj . (CMKEMPE,5.81)

A schort tretys of creture sett in grett pompe & pride of +te world ,
whech sythen was drewyn to ower <P_6> Lord be gret pouerte , sekenes ,
schamis , & gret repreuys in many diuers contres & places , of whech
tribulacyons sum schal ben schewed aftyr , not in ordyr as it fellyn
but as +te creatur cowd han mend of hem whan it wer wretyn ,
(CMKEMPE,6.82)

for it was xx +ger & mor fro tym +tis creatur had forsake +te world and
besyly clef on-to ower Lord or +tis boke was wretyn , not-wythstondyng
+tis creatur had greet cownsel for to don wryten hir tribulacyons & hir
felingys , and a Whyte Frer proferyd hir to wryten frely yf sche wold .
(CMKEMPE,6.83)

And sche was warnyd in hyr spyrit +tat sche xuld not wryte so sone .
(CMKEMPE,6.84)

And many +gerys aftyr sche was bodyn in hyr spyrit for to wrytyn .
(CMKEMPE,6.85)

And +tan +get it was wretyn fyrst be a man whech cowd nei+tyr-2 wel
wryten Englysch ne Duch , so it was vn-able for to be red but only be
specyal grace , (CMKEMPE,6.86)

for +ter was so mech obloquie & slawndyr of +tis creatur +tat +ter wold
fewe men beleue +tis creatur . (CMKEMPE,6.87)

And so at +te last a preste was sor mevyd for to wrytin +tis tretys ,
(CMKEMPE,6.88)

& he cowd not wel redyn it of a iiij +gere to-gedyr . (CMKEMPE,6.89)

& sythen be +te request of +tis creatur & compellyng of hys owyn
consciens he asayd a-gayn for to rede it , (CMKEMPE,6.90)

& it was mech mor esy +tan it was a-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,6.91)

And so he gan to wryten in +te +ger of owr Lord a m. cccc. xxxvj on +te
day next aftyr Mary Maudelyn aftyr +te informacyon of +tis creatur .
(CMKEMPE,6.92)

Whan +tis creatur was xx +ger of age or sumdele mor , sche was maryed
to a worschepful burgeys (CMKEMPE,6.93)

and was wyth chylde wyth-in schort tyme , as kynde wolde .
(CMKEMPE,6.94)

And , aftyr +tat sche had conceyued , sche was labowrd wyth grett
accessys tyl +te chyld was born , (CMKEMPE,6.95)

& +tan , what for labowr sche had in chyldyng & for sekenesse goyng
beforn , sche dyspered of hyr lyfe , wenyng sche mygth not leuyn .
(CMKEMPE,6.96)

And +tan sche sent for hyr gostly fadyr , (CMKEMPE,6.97)

for sche had a thyng in conscyens whech sche had neuyr schewyd <P_7>
be-forn +tat tyme in alle hyr lyfe . (CMKEMPE,7.98)

For sche was euyr lettyd be hyr enmy , +te Deuel , euyr-mor seyng to
hyr whyl sche was in good heele hir nedyd no confessyon but don penawns
be hir-self a-loone , (CMKEMPE,7.99)

& all schuld be for+gouyn , (CMKEMPE,7.100)

for God is mercyful j-now . (CMKEMPE,7.101)

And +terfor +tis creatur oftyn-tymes dede greet penawns in fastyng bred
& watyr & o+ter dedys of almes wyth devowt preyers , saf sche wold not
schewyn it in confessyon . (CMKEMPE,7.102)

And , whan sche was any tym seke or dysesyd , +te Deuyl seyd in her
mende +tat sche schuld be dampnyd , for sche was not schreuyn of +tat
defawt . Wherfor , aftyr +tat hir chyld was born , sche , not trostyng
hir lyfe , sent for hir gostly fadyr , as j-seyd be-forn , in ful wyl
to be schreuyn of alle hir lyfe-tym as ner as sche cowde .
(CMKEMPE,7.103)

& , whan sche cam to +te poynt for to seyn +tat +ting whech sche had so
long conselyd , hir confessowr was a lytyl to hastye (CMKEMPE,7.104)

& gan scharply to vndyrnemyn hir er +tan sche had fully seyd hir entent
, (CMKEMPE,7.105)

& so sche wold no mor seyn for nowt he mygth do . (CMKEMPE,7.106)

And a-noon , for dreed sche had of dampnacyon on +te to syde & hys
scharp repreuyng on +tat o+ter syde , +tis creatur went owt of hir
mende (CMKEMPE,7.107)

& was wondyrlye vexid & labowryd wyth spyritys half +ger viij wekys &
odde days . (CMKEMPE,7.108)

And in +tis tyme sche sey , as hir thowt , deuelys opyn her mowthys al
inflaumyd wyth $brennyng lowys of fyr as +tei schuld a swalwyd hyr in ,
sum-tyme rampyng at hyr , sum-tyme thretyng her , sum-tym pullyng hyr &
halyng hir bo+te nygth & day duryng +te forseyd tyme . (CMKEMPE,7.109)

And also +te deuelys cryed up-on hir wyth greet thretyngys
(CMKEMPE,7.110)

& bodyn hir sche schuld forsake hir Crystendam hir feyth , and denyin
hir God , hys Modyr , & alle +te seyntys in Heuyn , hyr goode werkys &
alle good vertues , hir fadyr , hyr modyr , & alle hire frendys .
(CMKEMPE,7.111)

And so schye dede . (CMKEMPE,7.112)

Sche slawndred hir husbond , hir frendys , and her owyn self ;
(CMKEMPE,7.113)

sche spak many a repreuows worde and many a schrewyd worde ;
(CMKEMPE,7.114)

sche knew no vertu ne goodnesse ; (CMKEMPE,7.115)

sche desyryd all wykkydnesse ; (CMKEMPE,7.116)

lych as +te spyrytys temptyd hir to sey & do so sche seyd & dede .
(CMKEMPE,7.117)

<P_8>

Sche wold a fordon hir-self many a tym at her steryngys & a ben damnyd
wyth hem in Helle , (CMKEMPE,8.119)

& in-to wytnesse +terof sche bot hir owen hand so vyolently +tat it was
seen al hir lyfe aftyr . (CMKEMPE,8.120)

And also sche roof hir skyn on hir body a-+gen hir hert wyth hir nayles
spetowsly , for sche had noon o+ter instrumentys , (CMKEMPE,8.121)

& wers sche wold a don saf sche was bowndyn & kept wyth strength bo+te
day & nygth +tat sche mygth not haue hir wylle . (CMKEMPE,8.122)

& , whan sche had long ben labowrd in +tes & many o+ter temptacyons
+tat men wend sche schuld neuyr a skapyd ne levyd , +tan on a tym , as
sche lay a-loone and hir kepars wer fro hir , owyr mercyful Lord Crist
Ihesu , euyr to be trostyd , worshypd be hys name , neuyr forsakyng hys
seruawnt in tyme of nede , aperyd to hys creatur whych had forsakyn hym
in lyknesse of a man , most semly , most bewtyuows , & most amyable
+tat euyr mygth be seen wyth mannys eye , clad in a mantyl of purpyl
sylke , syttyng up-on hir beddys syde , lokyng vp-on hir wyth so
blyssyd a chere +tat sche was strengthyd in alle hir spyritys ,
(CMKEMPE,8.123)

seyd to hir +tes wordys : (CMKEMPE,8.124)

" Dowtyr , why hast +tow forsakyn me , (CMKEMPE,8.125)

and I forsoke neuyr +te ? " (CMKEMPE,8.126)

And a-noon , as he had seyd +tes wordys , sche saw veryly how +te eyr
openyd as brygth as ony levyn , & he stey up in-to +te eyr , not rygth
hastyli & qwykly , but fayr & esly +tat sche mygth wel be-holdyn hym in
+te eyr tyl it was closyd a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,8.127)

And a-noon +te creature was stabelyd in hir wyttys & in hir reson as
wel as euyr sche was be-forn , (CMKEMPE,8.128)

and preyd hir husbond as so soon as he cam to hir +tat sche mygth haue
+te keys of +te botery to takyn hir mete & drynke as sche had don
be-forn . (CMKEMPE,8.129)

Hyr maydens & hir kepars cownseld hym he xulde delyuyr hir no keys ,
(CMKEMPE,8.130)

for +tei seyd sche wold but +geue awey swech good as +ter was ,
(CMKEMPE,8.131)

for sche wyst not what sche seyde as +tei wende . (CMKEMPE,8.132)

Neuyr-+te-lesse , hir husbond , euyr hauyng tendyrnes & compassyon of
hir , comawndyd +tei xulde delyuyr to hyr +te keyys . (CMKEMPE,8.133)

And $sche toke hyr mete & drynke as hir bodyly strength wold seruyn hir
(CMKEMPE,8.134)

& knew hir frendys & hir meny & all o+ter +tat cam to hir to se how
owyr Lord Ihesu <P_9> Cryst had wrowt hys grace in hir ,
(CMKEMPE,9.135)

so blyssyd mot he be +tat euyr is ner in tribulacyon . (CMKEMPE,9.136)

Whan men wenyn he wer for fro hem , he is ful nere be hys grace .
(CMKEMPE,9.137)

Sythen +tis creatur dede alle o+ter ocupacyons as fel for hir to do
wysly & sadly j-now , saf sche knew not veryli +te drawt of owyr Lord .
(CMKEMPE,9.138)

And , whan +tis creatur was +tus gracyowsly comen a-geyn to hir mende ,
sche thowt sche was bowndyn to God & +tat sche wold ben his seruawnt .
(CMKEMPE,9.139)

Neuyr+te-lesse , sche wold not leeuyn hir pride ne hir pompows aray
+tat sche had vsyd be-for-tym , nei+tyr for hyr husbond ne for noon
o+ter mannys cownsel . (CMKEMPE,9.140)

And +get sche wyst ful wel +tat men seyden hir ful mech velany ,
(CMKEMPE,9.141)

for sche weryd gold pypys on hir hevyd (CMKEMPE,9.142)

& hir hodys wyth +te typettys were daggyd . (CMKEMPE,9.143)

Hir clokys also wer daggyd & leyd wyth dyuers colowrs be-twen +te
daggys +tat it schuld be +te mor staryng to mennys sygth and hir-self
+te mor ben worshepd . (CMKEMPE,9.144)

And , whan hir husbond wold speke to hir for to leuyn hir pride , sche
answeryd schrewydly & schortly (CMKEMPE,9.145)

& seyd +tat sche was comyn of worthy kenred , - (CMKEMPE,9.146)

hym semyd neuyr for to a weddyd hir , (CMKEMPE,9.147)

for hir fadyr was sum-tyme meyr of +te town N . (CMKEMPE,9.148)

and sythyn he was alderman of +te hey Gylde of +te Trinyte in N .
(CMKEMPE,9.149)

And +terfor sche wold sauyn +te worschyp of hir kynred what-so-euyr ony
man seyd . (CMKEMPE,9.150)

Sche had ful greet envye at hir neybowrs +tat +tei schuld ben arayd so
wel as sche . (CMKEMPE,9.151)

Alle hir desyr was for to be worshepd of +te pepul . (CMKEMPE,9.152)

Sche wold not be war be onys chastysyng ne be content wyth +te goodys
+tat God had sent hire , as hir husbond was , (CMKEMPE,9.153)

but euyr desyryd mor & mor . (CMKEMPE,9.154)

And than , for pure coveytyse & for to maynten hir pride , sche gan to
brewyn (CMKEMPE,9.155)

& was on of +te grettest brewers in +te town N. a iij +ger or iiij tyl
sche lost mech good , (CMKEMPE,9.156)

for sche had neuyr vre +terto . (CMKEMPE,9.157)

For , thow sche had neuyr so good seruawntys & cunnyng in brewyng ,
+get it wold neuyr preuyn wyth hem . (CMKEMPE,9.158)

For , whan +te ale was as fayr standyng vndyr berm as any man mygth se
, sodenly +te berm wold fallyn down +tat <P_10> alle +te ale was lost
euery brewyng aftyr o+ter , +tat hir seruawntys weryn a-schamyd & wold
not dwellyn wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,10.159)

+Tan +tis creatur +towt how God had punched hir be-for-tyme & sche cowd
not be war , and now eftsons be lesyng of hir goodys , (CMKEMPE,10.160)

& +tan sche left (CMKEMPE,10.161)

& brewyd no mor . (CMKEMPE,10.162)

And +tan sche askyd hir husbond mercy for sche wold not folwyn hys
cownsel a-for-tyme , (CMKEMPE,10.163)

and sche seyd +tat hir pride and synne was cause of alle her punschyng
and sche wold amend +tat sche had trespasyd wyth good wyl .
(CMKEMPE,10.164)

But +get sche left not +te world al hol , (CMKEMPE,10.165)

for now sche be-thowt hir of a newe huswyfre . (CMKEMPE,10.166)

Sche had an horsmille . (CMKEMPE,10.167)

Sche gat hire tweyn good hors & a man to gryndyn mennys corne
(CMKEMPE,10.168)

& +tus sche trostyd to getyn hir leuyng . (CMKEMPE,10.169)

+Tis provysion duryd not longe , (CMKEMPE,10.170)

for in schort tyme aftyr on Corpus Cristi Evyn fel +tis merueyl .
(CMKEMPE,10.171)

Thys man , beyng in good heele of body & hys tweyn hors craske & lykand
+tat wel haddyn drawyn in +te mylle be-for-tyme , as now he toke on of
+tis hors & put hym in +te mylle as he had don be-for , & +tis hors
wold drawe no drawt in +te mylle for no-+ting +te man mygth do .
(CMKEMPE,10.172)

+Te man was sory (CMKEMPE,10.173)

& asayd wyth al hys wyttys how he schuld don +tis hors drawyn .
(CMKEMPE,10.174)

Sum-tyme he led hym be +te heed , (CMKEMPE,10.175)

sum-tyme he beet hym , (CMKEMPE,10.176)

& sum-tyme he chershyd hym , (CMKEMPE,10.177)

and alle avayled not , (CMKEMPE,10.178)

for he wold ra+ter gon bakward +tan forward . (CMKEMPE,10.179)

+Tan +tis man sett a scharp peyr sporys on hys helys (CMKEMPE,10.180)

& rood on +te hors bak for to don hym drawyn , (CMKEMPE,10.181)

& it was neuyr +te bettyr . (CMKEMPE,10.182)

Whan +tis man saw it wold be in no wey , +tan he sett up +tis hors
a-geyn in +te stabyl (CMKEMPE,10.183)

and +gafe hym mete , (CMKEMPE,10.184)

& he ete weel & freschly . (CMKEMPE,10.185)

And sythen he toke +te o+ter hors (CMKEMPE,10.186)

& put hym in +te mylle . (CMKEMPE,10.187)

And lech as hys felaw dede so dede he , (CMKEMPE,10.188)

for he wold not drawe for any-+ting +tat +te man mygth do .
(CMKEMPE,10.189)

And +tan +tis man forsoke hys seruyse (CMKEMPE,10.190)

& wold no lengar abyden wyth +te fornseyd creatur . (CMKEMPE,10.191)

A-noon as it was noysed a-bowt +te town of N. +tat +ter wold ney+tyr
man ne best don seruyse to +te seyd creatur , +tan summe seyden sche
was a-cursyd ; (CMKEMPE,10.192)

sum seyden God toke opyn veniawns up-on hir ; (CMKEMPE,10.193)

sum seyden <em> o thyng </em> ; (CMKEMPE,10.194)

& sum seyd an-o+ter . (CMKEMPE,10.195)

And sum <P_11> wyse men , whos mend was mor growndyd in +te lofe of
owyr Lord , seyd it was +te hey mercy of our Lord Ihesu Cryst clepyd &
kallyd hir fro +te pride and vanyte of +te wretthyd world .
(CMKEMPE,11.196)

And +tan +tis creatur , seyng alle +tis aduersytes comyng on euery syde
, thowt it weryn +te skowrges of owyr Lord +tat wold chastyse hir for
hir synne . (CMKEMPE,11.197)

+Tan sche askyd God mercy (CMKEMPE,11.198)

& forsoke hir pride , hir coueytyse , & desyr +tat sche had of +te
worshepys of +te world , (CMKEMPE,11.199)

& dede grett bodyly penawnce , (CMKEMPE,11.200)

& gan to entyr +te wey of euyr-lestyng lyfe , as schal be seyd aftyr .
(CMKEMPE,11.201)

On a nygth , as +tis creatur lay in hir bedde wyth hir husbond , sche
herd a sownd of melodye so swet & delectable , hir +towt , as sche had
ben in Paradyse . (CMKEMPE,11.202)

And +terwyth sche styrt owt of hir bedde (CMKEMPE,11.203)

& seyd , " Alas , +tat euyr I dede synne , (CMKEMPE,11.204)

it is ful mery in Hevyn . " (CMKEMPE,11.205)

Thys melody was so swete +tat it passyd alle +te melodye +tat euyr
mygth be herd in +tis world wyth-owtyn ony comparyson , & caused +tis
creatur whan sche herd ony myrth or melodye aftyrward for to haue ful
plentyuows & habundawnt teerys of hy deuocyon wyth greet sobbyngys &
syhyngys aftyr +te blysse of Heuen , not dredyng +te schamys & +te
spytys of +te wretchyd world . (CMKEMPE,11.206)

& euyr aftyr +tis drawt sche had in hir mende +te myrth & +te melodye
+tat was in Heuen , so mech +tat sche cowd not wyl restreyn hyr-self
fro +te spekyng +terof . (CMKEMPE,11.207)

For , wher sche was in ony cumpanye , sche wold sey oftyn-tyme , " It
is ful mery in Hevyn . " (CMKEMPE,11.208)

& +tei +tat knew hir gouernawnce be-for-tyme & now herd hir spekyn so
mech of +te blysse of Heuyn seyd vn-to hir , " Why speke +ge so of +te
myrth +tat is in Heuyn ; (CMKEMPE,11.209)

+ge know it not (CMKEMPE,11.210)

& +ge haue not be +ter no mor +tan we , " (CMKEMPE,11.211)

& wer wroth wyth hir for sche wold not her no speke of wordly thyngys
as +tei dedyn & as sche dede be-forn-tyme . (CMKEMPE,11.212)

And aftyr +tis tyme sche had neuyr desyr to komown fleschly wyth hyre
husbonde , (CMKEMPE,11.213)

for +te dette of matrimony was so abhominabyl to hir +tat sche <P_12>
had leuar , hir thowt , etyn or drynkyn +te wose , +te mukke in +te
chanel , +tan to consentyn to any fleschly comownyng saf only for
obedyens . (CMKEMPE,12.214)

& so sche seyd to hir husbond , " I may not deny +gow my body ,
(CMKEMPE,12.215)

but +te lofe of myn hert & myn affeccyon is drawyn fro alle erdly
creaturys & sett only in God . " (CMKEMPE,12.216)

He wold haue hys wylle , (CMKEMPE,12.217)

& sche obeyd wyth greet wepyng & sorwyng for +tat sche mygth not levyn
chast . (CMKEMPE,12.218)

& oftyn-tymys +tis creatur cownseld hir husbond to levyn chast ,
(CMKEMPE,12.219)

& seyd +tat +tei oftyn-tymes , sche wyst wel , had dysplesyd God be her
inordynat lofe & +te gret delectacyon +tat +tei haddyn ey+tyr of hem in
vsyng of o+ter , (CMKEMPE,12.220)

& now it wer good +tat +tei schuld be her bo+tins wylle & consentyng of
hem bothyn punschyn & chastysyn hem-self wylfully be absteynyng fro her
lust of her bodys . (CMKEMPE,12.221)

Hir husbond seyd it wer good to don so , but he mygth not +gett ,
(CMKEMPE,12.222)

he xuld whan God wold . (CMKEMPE,12.223)

And so he vsyd her as he had do be-for , (CMKEMPE,12.224)

he wold not spar . (CMKEMPE,12.225)

And euyr sche preyd to God +tat sche mygth levyn chast ,
(CMKEMPE,12.226)

& iij or iiij +ger aftyr , whan it plesyd ower Lord , he made a vow of
chastyte , as schal be wretyn aftyr be +te leue of Ihesu .
(CMKEMPE,12.227)

And also , aftyr +tis creatur herd +tis heuenly melody , sche dede gret
bodyly penawnce . (CMKEMPE,12.228)

Sche was schreuyn sum-tyme twyes or thryes on +te day , & in specyal of
+tat synne whech sche so long had conselyd & curyd , as it is wretyn in
+te gynnyng of +te boke . (CMKEMPE,12.229)

Sche +gaf hir to gret fastyng & to gret wakyng ; (CMKEMPE,12.230)

sche roos at ij or iij of +te clok (CMKEMPE,12.231)

& went to cherch (CMKEMPE,12.232)

& was +ter in hir prayers on-to tyme of noon and also al +te aftyrnoon
. (CMKEMPE,12.233)

& +tan was sche slawnderyd & repreuyd of mech pepul (CMKEMPE,12.234)

for sche kept so streyt a levyng . (CMKEMPE,12.235)

+Tan sche gat hir an hayr of a kylne swech as men dryen on malt
(CMKEMPE,12.236)

& leyd it in hir kyrtylle as sotyllych & preuylich as sche mygth +tat
hir husbond xuld not aspye it , (CMKEMPE,12.237)

ne no mor he dede , (CMKEMPE,12.238)

& +get sche lay be hym euery nygth in his bedde , (CMKEMPE,12.239)

& weryd +te hayr euery day , (CMKEMPE,12.240)

& bar chylderyn in +te tyme . (CMKEMPE,12.241)

+Tan sche had iij +ger of gret labowr wyth temptacyons whech <P_13>
sche bar as mekely as sche cowde , thankyng ower Lord of alle hys
+geftys , (CMKEMPE,13.242)

& was as mery whan sche was repreuyd , skornyd , or japyd for ower
Lordys lofe , & mych mor mery +tan sche was be-for-tyme in +te
worshepys of +te world . (CMKEMPE,13.243)

For sche wyst rygth wel sche had synned gretly a-+gens God & was worthy
mor schame & sorwe +tan ony man cowd don to hir , & dyspite of +te
werld was +te rygth way to-Heuyn-ward sythen Cryst hym-self ches +tat
way . (CMKEMPE,13.244)

Alle hys apostlys , martyres , confessorys , & virgynes and alle +tat
euyr comyn to Heuyn passed be +te wey of tribulacyon , (CMKEMPE,13.245)

and sche desyryd no-thyng so mech as Heuyn . (CMKEMPE,13.246)

+Tan was sche glad in hir consciens whan sche beleuyd +tat sche was
$entryng +te wey whech wold leden hir to +te place +tat sche most
desyred . (CMKEMPE,13.247)

And +tis creatur had contrycion & gret compunccyon wyth plentyuows
teerys and many boystows sobbyngys for hir synnes & for hir vnkyndnesse
a-geyns hir Maker . (CMKEMPE,13.248)

Sche bethowt hir fro hir chyldhod for hir vnkyndnes as ower Lord wold
put it in hir mende ful many a tyme . (CMKEMPE,13.249)

And +tan , sche beheldyng hir owyn wykkednes , sche mygth but sorwyn
and wepyn & euyr preyn for mercy & for+geuenes . (CMKEMPE,13.250)

Hir wepyng was so plentyuows and so contwnyng +tat mech pepul wend +tat
sche mygth wepyn & leuyn whan sche wold , (CMKEMPE,13.251)

and +terfor many men seyd sche was a fals ypocryte & wept for +te world
for socowr & for wordly good . (CMKEMPE,13.252)

And +tan ful many forsokyn hir +tat louyd hir be-for whyl sche was in
+te world (CMKEMPE,13.253)

& wold not knowyn hir , (CMKEMPE,13.254)

& euyr sche thankyd God of alle , no-thyng desyryng but mercy and
for+gefnes of synne . (CMKEMPE,13.255)

The fyrst ij +ger whan +tis creatur was +tus drawyn to owyr Lord , sche
had gret qwiete of spyryt as for ony temptacyons . (CMKEMPE,13.256)

Sche mygth wel dure to fastyn , (CMKEMPE,13.257)

it greuyd hir not . (CMKEMPE,13.258)

Sche hatyd +te joys of +te world . (CMKEMPE,13.259)

Sche felt no rebellyon in hyr flesch . (CMKEMPE,13.260)

Sche was strong , as hir thowt , +tat sche dred no devylle in Helle ,
for sche dede so gret bodyly penawnce . (CMKEMPE,13.261)

Sche thowt +tat sche louyd <P_14> God mor +tan he hir .
(CMKEMPE,14.262)

Sche was smet wyth +te dedly wownd of veynglory (CMKEMPE,14.263)

& felt it not , (CMKEMPE,14.264)

for sche desyryd many tymes +tat +te Crucifix xuld losyn hys handys fro
+te crosse & halsyn hir in tokyn of lofe . (CMKEMPE,14.265)

Ower mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu , seyng +tis creaturys presumpcyon ,
sent hir , as is wrete befor , iij +ger of greet temptacyon , of +te
whech on of +te hardest I purpos to wrytyn for exampyl of hem +tat com
aftyr +tat +tei schuld not trostyn on her owyn self ne haue no joy in
hem-self as +tis creatur had , (CMKEMPE,14.266)

for no drede owyr gostly enmy slepyth not , (CMKEMPE,14.267)

but he ful besyly sergyth owr complexions & owyr dysposycionys ,
(CMKEMPE,14.268)

& wher +tat he fyndyth us most freel +ter be owyr Lordys sufferawns he
leyth hys snar , whech may no man skape be hys owyn power .
(CMKEMPE,14.269)

And so he leyd be-forn +tis creatur +te snar of letchery , whan sche
wend +tat all fleschly lust had al hol ben qwenchyd in hir .
(CMKEMPE,14.270)

& so long sche was temptyd wyth +te syn of letchory for owt +tat sche
cowd do . (CMKEMPE,14.271)

& +get sche was oftyn schrevyn , (CMKEMPE,14.272)

sche weryd +te hayr , (CMKEMPE,14.273)

& dede gret bodyly penawns , (CMKEMPE,14.274)

& wept many a byttyr teer (CMKEMPE,14.275)

& preyd ful oftyn to owyr Lord +tat he schuld preserue hir & kepe hir
+tat sche schuld not fallyn in-to temptacyon , (CMKEMPE,14.276)

for sche thowt sche had leuar ben deed +tan consentyn +terto .
(CMKEMPE,14.277)

And in al +tis tyme sche had no lust to comown wyth hir husbond ,
(CMKEMPE,14.278)

but it was very peynful & horrybyl vn-to hir . (CMKEMPE,14.279)

In +te secunde +ger of hir temptacyons yt fel so +tat a man whech sche
louyd wel seyd on-to hir on Seynt Margaretys Evyn be-for euynsong +tat
for any-thyng he wold ly be hir & haue hys lust of hys body ,
(CMKEMPE,14.280)

& sche xuld not wythstond hym , (CMKEMPE,14.281)

for , yf he mygth not haue hys wyl +tat tyme , he seyd , he xuld ellys
haue it a-no+ter tyme , (CMKEMPE,14.282)

sche xuld not chese . (CMKEMPE,14.283)

And he dede it for to preue hir what sche wold do , (CMKEMPE,14.284)

but sche wend +tat he had ment ful <P_15> ernest as +tat tyme
(CMKEMPE,15.285)

and seyd but lytyl +terto . (CMKEMPE,15.286)

So they partvd asondyr as +tan (CMKEMPE,15.287)

& wentyn bo+ten for to here euensong , (CMKEMPE,15.288)

for her cherch was of seynt Margaret . (CMKEMPE,15.289)

+Tis woman was so labowrd wyth +te mannys wordys +tat sche mygth not
heryn hir euynsong , ne sey hir Pater Noster , er thynkyn ony o+ter
good +towt , (CMKEMPE,15.290)

but was mor labowrd +tan euyr sche was befor . (CMKEMPE,15.291)

+Te Deuyl put in hir mende +tat God had forsakyn hir , (CMKEMPE,15.292)

and ellys xuld sche not so ben temptyd . (CMKEMPE,15.293)

she leuyd +te Deuelys suasyons (CMKEMPE,15.294)

& gan to consentyn for be-cause sche cowde thynkyn no good thowt .
(CMKEMPE,15.295)

+Terfor wend sche +tat God had forsake hir . (CMKEMPE,15.296)

And , whan euensong was do , sche went to +te man befor-seyd +tat he
xuld haue hys lust , as sche wend +tat he had desyred ,
(CMKEMPE,15.297)

but he made swech symulacyon +tat sche cowd not knowe hys entent ,
(CMKEMPE,15.298)

& so +tei partyd a-sondyr for +tat nygth . (CMKEMPE,15.299)

+Tis creatur was so labowrd & vexyd al +tat nygth +tat sche wyst neuyr
what sche mygth do . (CMKEMPE,15.300)

Sche lay be hir husbond , (CMKEMPE,15.301)

& for to comown wyth hym it was so abhomynabyl on-to hir +tat sche
mygth not duren it , (CMKEMPE,15.302)

& +get was it leful on-to hir in leful tyme yf sche had wold .
(CMKEMPE,15.303)

But euyr sche was labowrd wyth +te o+ter man for to syn wyth hym
in-as-mech as he had spoke to hir . (CMKEMPE,15.304)

At +te last thorw inoportunyte of temptacyon & lakkyng of dyscrecyon
sche was ouyrcomyn , (CMKEMPE,15.305)

& consentyd in hir mend , (CMKEMPE,15.306)

& went to +te man to wetyn yf he wold +tan consentyn to hire .
(CMKEMPE,15.307)

And he seyd he ne wold for al +te good in +tis world ; (CMKEMPE,15.308)

he had leuar ben hewyn as smal as flesch to +te pott . (CMKEMPE,15.309)

Sche went a-way al schamyd & confusyd in hir-self , seyng hys stabylnes
& hir owyn vnstabylnes . (CMKEMPE,15.310)

+Tan thowt sche of +te grace +tat God had +gouyn hire befor-tyme , how
sche had ij +ger of gret qwyet in sowle , repentawns of hir synne wyth
many byttyr teerys of compunccyon , <P_16> & parfyt wyl neuyr to turne
a-geyn to hir synne , but ra+tar to be deed hir thowt .
(CMKEMPE,16.311)

& now sche saw how sche had consentyd in hir wyl for to don synne .
(CMKEMPE,16.312)

+Tan fel sche half in dyspeyr . (CMKEMPE,16.313)

Sche thowt sche wold a ben in Helle for +te sorw +tat sche had .
(CMKEMPE,16.314)

Sche thowt sche was worthy no mercy for hir consentyng was so wylfully
do ne neuyr worthy to don hym seruyse for sche was so fals vn-to hym .
(CMKEMPE,16.315)

Neuyr-+te-lesse sche was schrevyn many tymes & oftyn , (CMKEMPE,16.316)

and dede hir penawns what-so-euyr hir confessowr wold jn-joyne hir to
do , (CMKEMPE,16.317)

& was gouernd aftyr +te rewelys of +te Chirch . (CMKEMPE,16.318)

+Tat grace God +gafe +tis creatur , (CMKEMPE,16.319)

blyssyd mot he be , (CMKEMPE,16.320)

but he wythdrowe not hir temptacyon (CMKEMPE,16.321)

but ra+tar incresyd it as hir thowt . (CMKEMPE,16.322)

And +terfore wend sche +tat he had forsakyn hir (CMKEMPE,16.323)

& durst not trostyn to hys mercy , (CMKEMPE,16.324)

but was labowrd wyth horrybyl temptacyons of lettherye & of dyspeyr ny
al +te next +ger folwyng , saue owyr Lord of hys mercy , as sche seyd
hir-self , +gaf hir ech day for +te most party too owerys of
compunccyon for hir synnys wyth many byttyr teerys . (CMKEMPE,16.325)

& sythen sche was labowrd wyth temptacyons of dyspeyr as sche was befor
(CMKEMPE,16.326)

and was as for fro felyng of grace as +tei +tat neuyr felt noon .
(CMKEMPE,16.327)

& +tat mygth sche not beryn , (CMKEMPE,16.328)

& +terfor al-wey sche dyspeyrd . (CMKEMPE,16.329)

Safe for +te tyme +tat sche felt grace , hir labowrs wer so wondyrful
+tat sche cowd euel far wyth hem but euyr mornyn & sorwyn as +tow God
had forsakyn hir . (CMKEMPE,16.330)

Than on a Fryday before Crystmes Day , as +tis creatur , knelyng in a
chapel of Seynt Iohn wythinne a cherch of Seynt Margrete in N. , wept
wondir sore , askyng mercy & for+gyfnes of hir synnes & hir trespas ,
owyr mercyful Lord Cryst Ihesu , blyssyd mot he be , rauysched hir
spyryt (CMKEMPE,16.331)

& seyd on-to hir : " Dowtyr , why wepyst +tow so sor ? (CMKEMPE,16.332)

I am comyn to +te , Ihesu Cryst , +tat deyd on +te Crosse sufferyng
byttyr peynes & passyons for +te . (CMKEMPE,16.333)

I , +te same God , for+gefe +te +ti synnes to +te vtterest poynt .
(CMKEMPE,16.334)

And +tow schalt neuyr com in Helle ne in Purgatorye , (CMKEMPE,16.335)

but , whan +tow schalt passyn owt of +tis world , wyth-in +te
twynkelyng of an eye +tow schalt haue +te blysse of <P_17> Heuyn ,
(CMKEMPE,17.336)

for I am +te same God +tat haue browt +ti synnes to +ti mend & mad +te
to be schreve +terof . (CMKEMPE,17.337)

And I $grawnt +te contrysyon in-to +ti lyues ende . (CMKEMPE,17.338)

+Terfor I bydde +te & comawnd +te , boldly clepe me Ihesus , +ti loue ,
(CMKEMPE,17.339)

for I am +ti loue (CMKEMPE,17.340)

& schal be +ti loue wyth-owtyn ende . (CMKEMPE,17.341)

And , dowtyr , +tu hast an hayr vp-on +ti bakke . (CMKEMPE,17.342)

I wyl +tu do it a-way , (CMKEMPE,17.343)

& I schal +giue +te an hayr in +tin hert +tat schal lyke me mych bettyr
+tan alle +te hayres in +te world . (CMKEMPE,17.344)

Also , my derworthy dowtyr , +tu must forsake +tat +tow louyst best in
+tis world , (CMKEMPE,17.345)

& +tat is etyng of flesch . (CMKEMPE,17.346)

And in-stede of +tat flesch +tow schalt etyn my flesch & my blod , +tat
is +te very body of Crist in +te Sacrament of +te Awter .
(CMKEMPE,17.347)

Thys is my wyl , dowtyr , +tat +tow receyue my body euery Sonday ,
(CMKEMPE,17.348)

and I schal flowe so mych grace in +te +tat alle +te world xal meruelyn
+terof . (CMKEMPE,17.349)

+Tow xalt ben etyn & knawyn of +te pepul of +te world as any raton
knawyth +te stokfysch . (CMKEMPE,17.350)

Drede +te nowt , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,17.351)

for +tow schalt haue +te vyctory of al +tin enmys . (CMKEMPE,17.352)

I schal +geue +te grace j-now to answer euery clerke in +te loue of God
. (CMKEMPE,17.353)

I swer to +te be my mageste +tat I schal neuyr forsakyn +te in wel ne
in wo . (CMKEMPE,17.354)

I schal helpyn +te & kepyn +te +tat +ter schal neuyr deuyl in Helle
parte +te fro me , ne awngel in Heuyn , ne man in erthe ,
(CMKEMPE,17.355)

for deuelys in Helle mow not , (CMKEMPE,17.356)

ne awngelys in Heuyn wyl not , (CMKEMPE,17.357)

ne man in erthe schal not . (CMKEMPE,17.358)

And , dowtyr , I wyl +tow leue +ti byddyng of many bedys and thynk
swych thowtys as I wyl putt in +ti mend . (CMKEMPE,17.359)

I schal +geuyn +te leue to byddyn tyl sex of +te cloke to sey what +tow
wyld . (CMKEMPE,17.360)

+Tan schalt +tow ly stylle & speke to me be thowt , (CMKEMPE,17.361)

& I schal +gefe to +te hey medytacyon and very contemplacyon .
(CMKEMPE,17.362)

& I byd +te gon to +te ankyr at +te Frer Prechowrys , & schew hym my
preuyteys & my cownselys whech I schewe to +te , and werk aftyr hys
cownsel , (CMKEMPE,17.363)

for my spyrit xal speke in hym to +te . " (CMKEMPE,17.364)

Than +tis creatur went forth to +te ankyr , as sche was comawndyd ,
(CMKEMPE,17.365)

& schewyd hym +te reuelacyons swech as wer schewyd to hir .
(CMKEMPE,17.366)

+Tan <P_18> +te ankyr wyth gret reuerens & wepyng , thankyng God , seyd
, " Dowtyr , +ge sowkyn euyn on Crystys brest , (CMKEMPE,18.367)

and +ge han an ernest-peny of Heuyn . (CMKEMPE,18.368)

I charge +gow receyueth swech thowtys whan God wyl +geue hem as mekely
& as deuowtly as +ge kan & comyth to me and tellyth me what +tei be ,
(CMKEMPE,18.369)

& I schal , wyth +te leue of ower Lord Ihesu Cryst , telle +gow whe+tyr
+tei ben of +te Holy Gost or ellys of +gowr enmy +te Deuyl . "
(CMKEMPE,18.370)

An-o+ter day +tis creatur $schuld +geue hir to medytacyon , as sche was
bodyn be-for , (CMKEMPE,18.371)

& sche lay stylle , nowt knowyng what sche mygth best thynke .
(CMKEMPE,18.372)

+Tan sche seyd to ower Lord Ihesu Crist , " Ihesu , what schal I thynke
? " (CMKEMPE,18.373)

Ower Lord Ihesu answeryd to hir mende , " Dowtyr , thynke on my Modyr ,
(CMKEMPE,18.374)

for sche is cause of alle +te grace +tat +tow hast . " (CMKEMPE,18.375)

And +tan a-noon sche saw Seynt Anne gret wyth chylde , (CMKEMPE,18.376)

and +tan sche preyd Seynt Anne to be hir mayden & hir seruawnt .
(CMKEMPE,18.377)

& anon ower Lady was born , (CMKEMPE,18.378)

& +tan sche besyde hir to take +te chyld to hir & kepe it tyl it wer
twelve +ger of age wyth good mete & drynke , wyth fayr whyte clothys &
whyte kerchys . (CMKEMPE,18.379)

And +tan sche seyd to +te blyssed chyld , " Lady , +ge schal be +te
Modyr of God . " (CMKEMPE,18.380)

The blyssed chyld answeryd & seyd , " I wold I wer worthy to be +te
handmayden of hir +tat xuld conceive +te Sone of God . "
(CMKEMPE,18.381)

+Te creatur seyd , " I pray +gow , Lady , +gyf +tat grace falle +gow ,
forsake not my seruyse . " (CMKEMPE,18.382)

The blysful chyld passyd awey for a certeyn tyme , +te creatur being
stylle in contemplacyon , (CMKEMPE,18.383)

and sythen cam a-geyn (CMKEMPE,18.384)

and seyd , " Dowtyr , now am I be-kome +te Modyr of God . "
(CMKEMPE,18.385)

& +tan +te creatur fel down on hir kneys wyth gret reuerens & gret
wepyng (CMKEMPE,18.386)

and seyd , " I am not worthy , Lady , to do +gow seruyse . "
(CMKEMPE,18.387)

" +Gys , dowtyr , " sche seyde , " folwe +tow me , (CMKEMPE,18.388)

+ti seruyse lykyth me wel . " (CMKEMPE,18.389)

+Tan went sche forth wyth owyr Lady & wyth Iosep , beryng wyth hir a
potel of pyment & spycys +terto . (CMKEMPE,18.390)

+Tan went +tei forth to Elysabeth , Seynt Iohn Baptystys modir ,
(CMKEMPE,18.391)

& , whan +tei mettyn to-gyder , ey+tyr of hem worshepyd o+ter ,
(CMKEMPE,18.392)

& so +tei wonyd togedyr <P_19> wyth gret grace and gladnesse xij wokys
. (CMKEMPE,19.393)

& +tan Seynt Iohn was bor , (CMKEMPE,19.394)

& owyr Lady toke hym vp fro +te erthe wyth al maner reuerens
(CMKEMPE,19.395)

& +gaf hym to hys modyr , seyng of hym +tat he schuld be an holy man ,
(CMKEMPE,19.396)

and blyssed hym . (CMKEMPE,19.397)

Sythen +tei toke her leue ey+tyr of o+ter wyth compassyf terys .
(CMKEMPE,19.398)

And +tan +te creatur fel down on kneys to Seynt Ely+gabeth
(CMKEMPE,19.399)

& preyd hir sche wold prey for hir to owyr Lady +tat sche mygth do hir
seruyse & plesawns . (CMKEMPE,19.400)

" Dowtyr , me semyth , " seyd Elysabeth , " +tu dost ryght wel +ti
deuer . " (CMKEMPE,19.401)

And +tan went +te creatur forth wyth owyr Lady to Bedlem
(CMKEMPE,19.402)

& purchasyd hir herborwe euery nyght wyth gret reuerens ,
(CMKEMPE,19.403)

& owyr Lady was receyued wyth glad cher . (CMKEMPE,19.404)

Also sche beggyd owyr Lady fayr whyte clothys & kerchys for to swathyn
in hir Sone whan he wer born , (CMKEMPE,19.405)

and , whan Ihesu was born , sche ordeyned beddyng for owyr Lady to lyg
in wyth hir blyssed Sone . (CMKEMPE,19.406)

And sythen sche beggyd mete for owyr Lady & hir blyssyd chyld .
(CMKEMPE,19.407)

Aftyrward sche swathyd hym wyth byttyr teerys of compassyon , hauyng
mend of +te scharp deth +tat he schuld suffyr for +te lofe of synful
men , seyng to hym , " Lord , I schal fare fayr wyth +gow ;
(CMKEMPE,19.408)

I schal not byndyn +gow soor . (CMKEMPE,19.409)

I pray +gow beth not dysplesyd wyth me . " (CMKEMPE,19.410)

And aftyr on +te XII Day , when iij kyngys comyn wyth her +gyftys &
worschepyd owyr Lord Ihesu Crist being in hys Moderys lappe , +tis
creatur , owyr Ladys hand-mayden , beheldyng al +te processe in
contemplacyon , wept wondyr sor . (CMKEMPE,19.411)

And , whan sche saw +tat +tei wold take her leue to gon hom a-+gen
in-to her cuntre , sche mygth not suffyre +tat they schuld go fro +te
presens of owyr Lord , (CMKEMPE,19.412)

and for wondyr +tat +tei wold gon awey sche cryed wondyr sore .
(CMKEMPE,19.413)

& soon aftyr cam an awngel (CMKEMPE,19.414)

& bad owyr Lady & Iosep gon fro +te cuntre ob Bedlem in-to Egypt .
(CMKEMPE,19.415)

+Tan went +tis creatur forth wyth owyr Lady , day be day purueyng hir
herborw wyth gret reuerens wyth many swet thowtys & hy medytacyons &
also hy contemplacyons , sumtyme duryng in wepyng ij owyres & oftyn
lengar in +te mend of owyr Lordys Passyon <P_20> wyth-owtyn sesyng ,
sumtyme for hir owyn synne , sumtyme for +te synne of +te pepyl ,
sumtyme for +te sowlys in Purgatory , sumtyme for hem +tat arn in
pouerte er in any dysese , (CMKEMPE,20.416)

for sche desyred to comfort hem alle . (CMKEMPE,20.417)

Sumtyme sche wept ful plentevowsly & ful boystowsly for desyr of +te
blys of Heuyn & for sche was so long dyfferryd +terfro .
(CMKEMPE,20.418)

+Tan +tis creatur coueyted gretly to be delyueryd owt of +tis wretchyd
world . (CMKEMPE,20.419)

Ower Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to hir mende sche schuld abyden & languren
in lofe . (CMKEMPE,20.420)

" For I haue ordeyned +te to knele be-for +te Trynyte for to prey for
al +te world , (CMKEMPE,20.421)

for many hundryd thowsand sowlys schal be sauyd be +ti prayers .
(CMKEMPE,20.422)

And +terfor , dowtyr , aske what +tow wylt , (CMKEMPE,20.423)

& I xal grawnt +te thyn askyng . " (CMKEMPE,20.424)

+Tis creatur seyd , " Lord , I aske mercy & preseruyng fro euyr-lestyng
dampnacyon for me & for all +te world , (CMKEMPE,20.425)

chastyse us her how +tow wylt & in Purgatory , (CMKEMPE,20.426)

& kepe us fro dampnacyon for +tin hy mercy . " (CMKEMPE,20.427)

Ano+ter tyme , as +tis creatur lay in hir prayer , +te Modyr of Mercy ,
a-peryng to hir , seyd , " A , dowtyr , blyssyd may , +tow be ,
(CMKEMPE,20.428)

+ti sete is mad in Heuyn be-for my Sonys kne & whom +tow wylt han wyth
+te . " (CMKEMPE,20.429)

Than askyd hyr blyssed Sone , " Dowtyr , whom wylt +tow han felaw wyth
+te ? " (CMKEMPE,20.430)

" My derworthy Lord , I aske my gostly fadyr Maystyr R . "
(CMKEMPE,20.431)

" Why askyst $thow mor hym +tan thyn owyn fadyr er +tin husbond ? "
(CMKEMPE,20.432)

" For I may neuyr qwyte hym +te goodnesse +tat he hath don to me & +te
gracyows labowrys +tat he hath had a-bowt me in heryng of my confessyon
. " (CMKEMPE,20.433)

" I grawnt +te +ti desyr of hym , (CMKEMPE,20.434)

& +get schal +ti fadyr ben sauyd , & +ti husbond also , & alle +ti
chylderyn . " (CMKEMPE,20.435)

Than +tis creatur seyd , " Lord , sythen +tow hast for-+gouyn me my
synne , I make +te myn executor of alle +te god werkys +tat +tow
werkyst in me . (CMKEMPE,20.436)

In prayng , in thynkyng , in wepyng , in pylgrimage goyng , in fastyng
, er in any good word spekyng , it is fully my wyl +tat +tow +geue
Maystyr R. halfyndel to <P_21> encres of hys meryte as yf he dede hem
hys owyn self . (CMKEMPE,21.437)

And +te o+ter haluendel , Lord , sprede on +ti frendys & +ti enmys & on
my frendys & myn enmys , (CMKEMPE,21.438)

for I wyl haue but +ti-self for my mede . " (CMKEMPE,21.439)

" Dowtyr , I xal be a trew executor to +te & fulfyllyn all +ti wylle ,
(CMKEMPE,21.440)

& for +ti gret charyte +tat +tow hast to comfortyn +tin euen-cristen
+tu schalt haue dubbyl reward in Heuyn . " (CMKEMPE,21.441)

Ano+ter tyme , as +tis creatur prayd to God +tat sche myt leuyn chast
be leue of hir husbond , Cryst seyd to hir mende , " +Tow must fastyn
+te Fryday bo+ten-1 fro mete & drynke , (CMKEMPE,21.442)

and +tow schalt haue +ti desyr er Whitsonday , (CMKEMPE,21.443)

for I schal sodeynly sle +tin husbonde . " (CMKEMPE,21.444)

+Tan on +te Wednysday in Estern Woke , aftyr hyr husbond wold haue had
knowlach of hir as he was wone be-for , & when he gan neygh hir , sche
seyd , " Ihesus , help me , " (CMKEMPE,21.445)

& he had no power to towche hir at +tat tyme in +tat wyse , ne neuyr
aftyr wyth no fleschly knowyng . (CMKEMPE,21.446)

It be-fel on a Fryday be-for Whytson Evyn , as +tis creatur was in a
cherch of Seynt Margarete at N. heryng hir Messe , sche herd a gret
noyse & a dredful . (CMKEMPE,21.447)

Sche was sore a-stoyned , sor dredyng +te voys of +te pepyl , whech
seyd God schuld take veniawns vp-on hir . (CMKEMPE,21.448)

Sche knelyd up-on hir kneys , heldyng down hir hed and hir boke in hir
hand , prayng owyr Lord Crist Ihesu for grace and for mercy .
(CMKEMPE,21.449)

sodeynly fel down fro +te heyest party of +te cherch-vowte fro vndyr
+te fote of +te sparre on hir hed & on hir bakke a ston whech weyd iij
pownd & a schort ende of a tre weyng vj pownd +tat hir thowt hir bakke
brakke a-sundyr , (CMKEMPE,21.450)

and sche ferd as sche had be deed a lytyl whyle . (CMKEMPE,21.451)

Soone aftyr sche cryed " Ihesu <P_22> mercy , " (CMKEMPE,22.452)

& a-noon hir peyn was gon . (CMKEMPE,22.453)

A good man whech hygth Iohn of Wyreham , seyng +tis wondyr cas &
supposyng +tat sche $had ben gretly dysesyd , cam (CMKEMPE,22.454)

& pullyd hir be +te sleue (CMKEMPE,22.455)

& seyd " Dame , how far +ge ? " (CMKEMPE,22.456)

+Te creatur al hol & sownd thankyd hym of hys cher & hys charyte , mech
merueylyng & gretly a-wonderyd +tat sche felt no peyn & had felt so
mech a lytyl be-for . (CMKEMPE,22.457)

Ne xij wekys aftyr sche felt no peyne . (CMKEMPE,22.458)

+Tan +te spiryt of God seyd to hir sowle , " Helde +tis for a gret
myracle , (CMKEMPE,22.459)

& , +gyf +te pepyl wyl not leuyn +tis , I schal werkyn meche mor . "
(CMKEMPE,22.460)

A worschepful doctowr of dyuynite wych hygth Maystyr Aleyn , a Whyte
Frer , heryng of +tis wondyrful werk , inqwired of +tis creature alle
+te forme of +tis processe . (CMKEMPE,22.461)

He , desyryng +te werk of God to be magnyfyed , gat hym +te same ston
+tat fel up-on hir bakke (CMKEMPE,22.462)

& way it , (CMKEMPE,22.463)

& sythen he gat hym +te treys ende +tat fel up-on hir hed whech oon of
+te kepars of +te cherch had leyd in +te fyre to bren it .
(CMKEMPE,22.464)

And +tis worshepful doctowr seyd it was a gret myracle & ower Lord was
heyly to be magnyfied for +te preseruyng of +tis creatur a-+gen +te
malyce of hir enmy , (CMKEMPE,22.465)

and teld it mech pepyl , (CMKEMPE,22.466)

& mych pepyl magnyfied mech God in +tis creatur . (CMKEMPE,22.467)

And also mech pepyl wold not leuyn it , (CMKEMPE,22.468)

but ra+tar leuyd it was a tokyn of wreth & veniawns +tan +tei wold
leuyn it was any token of mercy er quemfulnes . (CMKEMPE,22.469)

Sone aftyr +tis creatur was meuyd in hir sowle to go vysyten certeyn
places for gostly helth in-as-mech as sche was cured , & mygth not
wyth-owtyn consentyng of hir husbond . (CMKEMPE,22.470)

Sche reqwired hir husbond to $grawntyn hir leue , (CMKEMPE,22.471)

& , he , fully trostyng it was +te wyl of God , sone consentyng , +tei
went to-gedyr to swech place as sche was mevyd . (CMKEMPE,22.472)

& +tan owyr Lord Cryst Ihesu seyd to hir , " My seruawntys desyryn
gretly to se +te . " (CMKEMPE,22.473)

+Tan was sche wolcomyd & mech mad of in dyuers placys . Wherfor sche
had gret dred of veynglory & mech was a-ferde . (CMKEMPE,22.474)

Owyr mercyful Lord Cryst Ihesu , worshepd be hys name , seyd to hir , "
Drede +te not , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,22.475)

I xal take veynglory <P_23> fro +te . (CMKEMPE,23.476)

For +tei +tat worshep +te +tei worshep me ; (CMKEMPE,23.477)

+tei +tat despysyn +te +tei despysen me , (CMKEMPE,23.478)

& I schal chastysen hem +terfor . (CMKEMPE,23.479)

I am in +te , and +tow in me . (CMKEMPE,23.480)

And +tei +tat heryn +te +tei heryn +te voys of God . (CMKEMPE,23.481)

Dowtyr , +ter is no so synful man in erth leuyng , yf he wyl forsake
hys synne & don aftyr +ti cownsel , (CMKEMPE,23.482)

swech grace as +tu behestyst hym I wyl confermyn for +ti lofe . "
(CMKEMPE,23.483)

+Tan hir husbond & sche went forth to +Gorke & to o+ter dyuers placys .
(CMKEMPE,23.484)

It befel up-on a Fryday on Mydsomyr Evyn in rygth hot wedyr , as +tis
creatur was komyng fro-+Gorke-ward beryng a botel wyth bere in hir hand
& hir husbond a cake in hys bosom , he askyd hys wyfe +tis qwestyon ,
(CMKEMPE,23.485)

" Margery , yf her come a man wyth a swerd & wold smyte of myn hed les
+tan I schulde comown kendly wyth +gow as I haue do be-for , seyth me
trewth of +gowr consciens - (CMKEMPE,23.486)

for +ge sey +ge wyl not lye - (CMKEMPE,23.487)

whe+tyr wold +ge suffyr myn hed to be smet of er ellys suffyr me to
medele wyth +gow a+gen as I dede sum-tyme ? " (CMKEMPE,23.488)

" Alas , ser , " sche seyd , " why meue +ge +tis mater & haue we ben
chast +tis viij wekys ? " (CMKEMPE,23.489)

" For I wyl wete +te trewth of +gowr hert . " (CMKEMPE,23.490)

And +tan sche seyd wyth gret sorwe , " For-so+te I had leuar se +gow be
slayn +tan {I_had} we schuld turne a-+gen to owyr vnclennesse . "
(CMKEMPE,23.491)

And he seyd a-+gen , " +Ge arn no good wyfe . " (CMKEMPE,23.492)

& +tan sche askyd hir husbond what was +te cawse +tat he had not
medelyd wyth hir viij wekys be-for , sythen sche lay wyth hym euery
nygth in hys bedde . (CMKEMPE,23.493)

And he seyd he was so made a-ferde whan he wold a towchyd hir +tat he
durst no mor don . " (CMKEMPE,23.494)

Now , good ser , amend +gow (CMKEMPE,23.495)

& aske God mercy , (CMKEMPE,23.496)

for I teld +gow ner iij +ger sythen +tat +ge schuld be slayn sodeynly ,
(CMKEMPE,23.497)

& now is +tis +te thryd +ger , (CMKEMPE,23.498)

& +get I hope I schal han my desyr . (CMKEMPE,23.499)

Good sere , I pray +gow grawnt me +tat I schal askyn , (CMKEMPE,23.500)

& I schal pray for +gow +tat +ge schul be sauyd thorw +te mercy of owyr
Lord Ihesu Cryst , (CMKEMPE,23.501)

and +ge schul haue mor mede in Heuyn +tan +gyf +ge weryd an hayr or an
haburgon . (CMKEMPE,23.502)

I pray +gow , suffer me to make a vow of chastyte in what <P_24>
bysshopys hand +tat God wele . " (CMKEMPE,24.503)

" Nay , " he seyd , " +tat wyl I not grawnt +gow , (CMKEMPE,24.504)

for now may I vsyn +gow wyth-owtyn dedly synne (CMKEMPE,24.505)

& +tan mygth I not so . " (CMKEMPE,24.506)

+Tan sche seyd a-+gen , " +gyf it be +te wyl of +te Holy Gost to
fulfyllyn +tat I haue seyd , I pray God +ge mote consent +terto ;
(CMKEMPE,24.507)

and , yf it be not +te wyl of +te Holy Gost , I pray God +ge neuyr
consent +terto . " (CMKEMPE,24.508)

+Tan went +tei forth to-Brydlyngton-ward in rygth hoot wedyr , +te
forn-seyd creatur hauyng gret sorwe & gret dred for hyr chastite .
(CMKEMPE,24.509)

And , as +tei cam be a cros , hyr husbond sett hym down vndyr +te cros
, clepyng hys wyfe vn-to hym & seyng +tis wordys on-to hir ,
(CMKEMPE,24.510)

" Margery , grawnt me my desyr , (CMKEMPE,24.511)

& I schal grawnt +gow +gowr desyr . (CMKEMPE,24.512)

My fyrst desyr is +tat we xal lyn stylle to-gedyr in o bed as we han do
be-for ; +te secunde +tat +ge schal pay my dettys er +ge go to
Iherusalem ; & +te thrydde +tat +ge schal etyn & drynkyn wyth me on +te
Fryday as +ge wer wont to don . " (CMKEMPE,24.513)

" Nay ser , " sche seyd , " to breke +te Fryday I wyl neuyr grawnt +gow
whyl I leue . " (CMKEMPE,24.514)

" Wel , " he seyd , " +tan schal I medyl +gow a-geyn . "
(CMKEMPE,24.515)

Sche prayd hym +tat he wold +geue hir leue to make hyr praerys ,
(CMKEMPE,24.516)

& he grawntyd it goodlych . (CMKEMPE,24.517)

+Tan sche knelyd down be-syden a cros in +te feld (CMKEMPE,24.518)

and preyd in +tis maner wyth gret habundawns of teerys ,
(CMKEMPE,24.519)

" Lord God , +tu knowyst al thyng ; (CMKEMPE,24.520)

+tow knowyst what sorwe I haue had to be chast in my body to +te al
+tis iij +ger , (CMKEMPE,24.521)

& now mygth I han my wylle & I dar not for lofe of +te .
(CMKEMPE,24.522)

For , +gyf I wold brekyn +tat maner of fastyng whech +tow comawndyst me
to kepyn on +te Fryday wyth-owtyn mete or drynk , I xuld now han my
desyr . (CMKEMPE,24.523)

But , blyssyd Lord , +tow knowyst I wyl not contraryen +ti wyl ,
(CMKEMPE,24.524)

and mekyl now is my sorwe les +tan I fynde comfort in +te .
(CMKEMPE,24.525)

Now , blyssed Ihesu , make +ti wyl knowyn to me vnworthy +tat I may
folwyn +teraftyr & fulfyllyn it wyth al my myghtys . " (CMKEMPE,24.526)

And +tan owyr Lord Ihesu Cryst wyth gret swetnesse spak to +tis creatur
, comawndyng hir to gon a-+gen to hir husbond & prayn hym to grawntyn
hir +tat sche desyred . (CMKEMPE,24.527)

" & he xal han +tat he desyreth . (CMKEMPE,24.528)

For , my derworthy dowtyr , +tis was +te cawse +tat I bad +te fastyn
for +tu schuldyst +te sonar opteyn & getyn +ti desyr , (CMKEMPE,24.529)

& now it is grawntyd +te . (CMKEMPE,24.530)

I wyl no lengar +tow <P_25> fast , (CMKEMPE,25.531)

+terfor I byd +te in +te name of Ihesu ete & drynk as thyn husbond doth
. " (CMKEMPE,25.532)

+Tan +tis creatur thankyd owyr Lord Ihesu Cryst of hys grace & hys
goodnes , (CMKEMPE,25.533)

sythen ros up (CMKEMPE,25.534)

& went to hir husbond , seyng vn-to hym , " Sere , yf it lyke +gow ,
+ge schal grawnt me my desyr , (CMKEMPE,25.535)

& +ge schal haue +gowr desyr . (CMKEMPE,25.536)

Grawntyth me +tat +ge schal not komyn in my bed , (CMKEMPE,25.537)

& I grawnt +gow to qwyte +gowr dettys er I go to Ierusalem .
(CMKEMPE,25.538)

& makyth my body fre to God so +tat +ge neuyr make no chalengyng in me
to askyn no dett of matrimony aftyr +tis day whyl +ge leuyn ,
(CMKEMPE,25.539)

& I schal etyn & drynkyn on +te Fryday at +gowr byddyng . "
(CMKEMPE,25.540)

Than seyd hir husbond a+gen $to hir , " As fre mot +gowr body ben to
God as it hath ben to me . " (CMKEMPE,25.541)

Thys creatur thankyd God gretly , enioyng +tat sche had hir desyr ,
preyng hir husbond +tat +tei schuld sey iij Pater Noster in +te worshep
of +te Trinyte for +te gret grace +tat he had grawntyd hem .
(CMKEMPE,25.542)

& so they ded , knelyng vndyr a cros , (CMKEMPE,25.543)

& sythen +tei etyn & dronkyn to-gedyr in gret gladnes of spyryt .
(CMKEMPE,25.544)

+Tis was on a Fryday on Mydsomyr Euyn . (CMKEMPE,25.545)

+Tan went +tei forth to-Brydlyngton-ward and also to many o+ter contres
(CMKEMPE,25.546)

& spokyn wyth Goddys seruawntys , bo+ten ankrys & reclusys & many o+ter
of owyr Lordys louerys , wyth many worthy clerkys , doctorys of
dyuynyte , & bachelers also in many dyuers placys . (CMKEMPE,25.547)

& +tis creatur to dyuers of hem schewyd hir felyngys & hyr
contemplacyons , as sche was comawndyd for to don , to wetyn yf any
dysseyt were in hir felyngys . (CMKEMPE,25.548)

Thys creatur was sent of owyr Lord to diuers placys of relygyon ,
(CMKEMPE,25.549)

& among on sche cam to a place of monkys wher sche was rygth wolcom for
owyr Lordys lofe , saue +ter was a monk whech bar gret offyce in +tat
place despysed hir & set hir at nowt . (CMKEMPE,25.550)

Neuyr-+te-lesse sche was <P_26> sett at mete wyth +te abbot ,
(CMKEMPE,26.551)

& many tymes of +te mete sche seyd many good wordys as God wold hem
puttyn in hir mende , +te same monke whech had so dyspysed hir beyng
present & many o+ter to heryn what sche wold sey . (CMKEMPE,26.552)

& thorw hir dalyawns hys affeccyon gan gretly enclyne to-hir-ward
(CMKEMPE,26.553)

& gan to haue gret savowr in hir wordys . So +tat aftyrward +te forseyd
monk cam to hir & seyde , sche beyng in cherch & he also as +tat tyme ,
" Damsel , I her seyn God spekyth on-to +te . (CMKEMPE,26.554)

I pray +te telle me whe+tyr I schal be sauyd or nowt and in what synnes
I haue most dysplesyd God , (CMKEMPE,26.555)

for I wyl not leuyn +te but +tow con telle me my synne . "
(CMKEMPE,26.556)

The creatur seyd to +te monke , " Goth to +gowr Messe ,
(CMKEMPE,26.557)

& +gyf I may wepe for +gow I hope to han grace for +gow . "
(CMKEMPE,26.558)

He folwyd hir cownsel (CMKEMPE,26.559)

& went to hys Messe . (CMKEMPE,26.560)

Sche wept wondyrly for hys synnes . (CMKEMPE,26.561)

Whan Messe was endyd , +te creatur seyd to owyr Lord Cryst Ihesu , "
Blyssed Lord , what answer schal I +geue to +tis man ? "
(CMKEMPE,26.562)

" My derworthy dowtyr , sey in +te name of Ihesu +tat he hath synned in
letthery , in dyspeyr , & in wordly goodys kepyng . " (CMKEMPE,26.563)

" A , gracyows Lord , +tis is hard for me to sey . (CMKEMPE,26.564)

He schal do me mech scheme +gyf I telle hym any lesyng . "
(CMKEMPE,26.565)

" Drede +te not (CMKEMPE,26.566)

but speke boldly in my name in +te name of Ihesu , (CMKEMPE,26.567)

for +tei arn no leesyngys . " (CMKEMPE,26.568)

And +tan sche seyd a-+gen to owyr Lord Ihesu Crist , " Good Lord ,
schal he be savyd ? " (CMKEMPE,26.569)

" +Ga , " seyd owyr Lord Ihesu , " +gyf he wyl forsakyn hys synne & don
aftyr +ti cownsel . (CMKEMPE,26.570)

Charge hym +tat he forsake hys synne & be schreue +terof & also hys
offyce +tat he hath wyth-owtyn-forth . " (CMKEMPE,26.571)

Than cam +te monk a-+gen , (CMKEMPE,26.572)

" Margery , telle me my synnes . " (CMKEMPE,26.573)

Sche seyd , " I pray +gow , ser , askyth not +teraftyr ,
(CMKEMPE,26.574)

for I vndyrtake for +gowr sowle +ge schal ben savyd , +gyf +ge wyl do
aftyr my cownsel . " (CMKEMPE,26.575)

" Forso+te I wyl not leuyn +gow but +gyf +ge telle me my synne . "
(CMKEMPE,26.576)

" Syr , I vndyrstond +tat +ge han synned in letchery , in dyspeyr , &
in kepyng of wordly <P_27> good . " (CMKEMPE,27.577)

+Tan stod +te monke stylle sumdel a-baschyd , (CMKEMPE,27.578)

& sythen he seyd , " Whe+tyr haue I synned wyth wyfes er wyth sengyl
women ? " (CMKEMPE,27.579)

" Ser , wyth wyfes . " (CMKEMPE,27.580)

+Tan seyd he " Schal I be sauyd ? " (CMKEMPE,27.581)

" +Ga , syr , yf +ge wyl do aftyr my cownsel . (CMKEMPE,27.582)

Sorwyth for +gowr synne , (CMKEMPE,27.583)

& I xal help +gow to sorwyn ; (CMKEMPE,27.584)

beth schrevyn +terof (CMKEMPE,27.585)

& forsake it wylfully . (CMKEMPE,27.586)

Leuyth +te offyce +tat +ge han wythowtynforth , (CMKEMPE,27.587)

& God schal +geue +gow grace for my lofe . " (CMKEMPE,27.588)

The monke toke hir be +te hand (CMKEMPE,27.589)

& led hir in-to a fayr hows of offyce , (CMKEMPE,27.590)

made hir a gret dyner , (CMKEMPE,27.591)

& sythen +gaf hyr gold to prey for hym . (CMKEMPE,27.592)

And so sche toke hir leue at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,27.593)

Ano+ter tyme whan +te creatur cam a-geyn to +te same place , +te
fornseyd monke had forsakyn hys offyce at hir cownsel ,
(CMKEMPE,27.594)

& was turnyd fro hys synne , (CMKEMPE,27.595)

& was mad suppriowr of +te place , a wel gouernyd man & wel dysposyd ,
(CMKEMPE,27.596)

+tankyd be God , (CMKEMPE,27.597)

& made +tis creatur gret cher (CMKEMPE,27.598)

& hyly blyssed God +tat euyr he saw hir . (CMKEMPE,27.599)

On a tyme , as +tis creatur was at Cawntyrbery in +te Cherch a-mong +te
monkys , sche was gretly despysed & repreuyd for cawse sche wept so
fast bothyn of +te monkys & prestys & of seculer men ner al a day bo+te
a-for-noon & aftyr-noon , also jn so mech +tat hyr husbond went a-way
fro hir as he had not a knowyn hir & left hir a-loon a-mong hem , cheys
hir as sche cowde , (CMKEMPE,27.600)

for o+ter comfort had sche noon of hym as +tat day . (CMKEMPE,27.601)

So an eld monk , whech had ben tresowrer wyth +te Qwen whyl he was in
seculer clothyng , a riche man , & gretly dred of mech pepyl , toke hir
be +te hand , seying vn-to hir , " What kanst +tow seyn of God ? "
(CMKEMPE,27.602)

" Ser , " sche seyth , " I wyl bo+te speke of hym & heryn of hym , "
rehersyng +te monk a story of Scriptur . (CMKEMPE,27.603)

The munke seyd , " I wold +tow wer closyd in an hows of ston +tat +ter
schuld no man speke wyth +te . " (CMKEMPE,27.604)

" A , ser , " sche seyd , " +ge schuld meynteyn Goddys seruawntys ,
(CMKEMPE,27.605)

& +ge arn +te fyrst +tat heldyn a-+gens <P_28> hem . (CMKEMPE,28.606)

Owyr Lord amend +gow . " (CMKEMPE,28.607)

+Tan a +gong monke seyde to +tis creatur , " Ey+tyr +tow hast +te Holy
Gost (CMKEMPE,28.608)

or ellys +tow hast a devyl wyth-in +te , (CMKEMPE,28.609)

for +tat +tu spekyst her to vs it is Holy Wrytte , (CMKEMPE,28.610)

and +tat hast +tu not of +tiself . " (CMKEMPE,28.611)

+Tan seyd +tis creatur , " I pray +gow , ser , +geue me leue to tellyn
+gow a tale . " (CMKEMPE,28.612)

+Tan +te pepyl seyd to +te monke , " Late hir sey what sche wyl . "
(CMKEMPE,28.613)

And +tan sche seyd , " +Ter was onys a man +tat had synned gretly
a-+gens God , (CMKEMPE,28.614)

& , whan he was schrevyn , hys confessowr jnyoined hym in party of
penawnce +tat he schuld o +ger hyer men to chyde hym & repreuyn hym for
hys synnes & he xuld +geuen hem syluer for her labowr .
(CMKEMPE,28.615)

& on a day he cam a-mong many gret men as now ben her ,
(CMKEMPE,28.616)

God saue +gow alle , (CMKEMPE,28.617)

and stod a-mong hem as I do now a-mong +gow , despysyng hym as +ge do
me , +te man lawhyng er smylyng & hauyng good game at here wordys .
(CMKEMPE,28.618)

+Te grettest maystyr of hem seyd to +te man , ' Why lawhyst +tu ,
bro+tel , & art +tow gretly despysed ? ' (CMKEMPE,28.619)

' A , ser , I haue a gret cause to lawh , (CMKEMPE,28.620)

for I haue many days put syluer owt of my purse & hyred men to chyde me
for remyssyon of my synne , (CMKEMPE,28.621)

& +tis day I may kepe my syluer in my purs , (CMKEMPE,28.622)

I thank +gow alle . ' (CMKEMPE,28.623)

Rygth so I sey to +gow , worshepful serys , (CMKEMPE,28.624)

whyl I was at hom in myn owyn contre day be day wyth gret wepyng &
mornyng , I sorwyd (CMKEMPE,28.625)

for I had no schame , skorne , & despyte as I was worthy .
(CMKEMPE,28.626)

I thank +gow alle , serys , heyly what fore-noon & aftyr-noon I haue
had resonably +tis day , (CMKEMPE,28.627)

blyssed be God +terof . " (CMKEMPE,28.628)

Than sche went owt of +te monastery , +tei folwyng & crying vp-on hir ,
" +Tow xalt be brent , fals lollare . (CMKEMPE,28.629)

Her is a cartful of thornys redy for +te & a tonne to bren +te wyth . "
(CMKEMPE,28.630)

And +te creatur stod wythowtyn +te +gatys at Cawntyrbery ,
(CMKEMPE,28.631)

for it was in +te euenyng , mech pepyl wonderyng on hir .
(CMKEMPE,28.632)

+Tan seyd +te pepyl , " Tak & bren hir . " (CMKEMPE,28.633)

And +te creatur stod stylle , tremelyng & whakyng ful sor in hir flesch
wythowtyn ony erdly comfort , (CMKEMPE,28.634)

& wyst not wher hyr husbond was be-come . (CMKEMPE,28.635)

+Tan prayd sche in hir hert to owyr Lord , thynkyng on +tis maner , "
Hedyr cam I , Lord , for +ti lofe . (CMKEMPE,28.636)

Blyssed Lord , help me (CMKEMPE,28.637)

& haue mercy on me . " (CMKEMPE,28.638)

And a-non , aftyr sche had mad hir prayerys in hir hert to owyr Lord ,
+ter komyn tweyn fayr <P_29> +gong men (CMKEMPE,29.639)

& seyd to hir , " Damsel , art +tow non eretyke ne no loller ? "
(CMKEMPE,29.640)

And sche seyd , " No , serys , I am ney+tyr eretyke ne loller . "
(CMKEMPE,29.641)

+Tan +tei askyd hir wher was hir in . (CMKEMPE,29.642)

Sche seyd sche wyst neuyr in what strete , (CMKEMPE,29.643)

neuyr-+te-lesse it schuld be at a Dewchmannys hows . (CMKEMPE,29.644)

+Tan +tis tweyn +gong men browgt hir hom to hir ostel (CMKEMPE,29.645)

& made hir gret cher , preyng hir to pray for hem , (CMKEMPE,29.646)

& +ter fond sche hyr husbond . (CMKEMPE,29.647)

And mech pepyl in N. had seyd euyl of hir whyl sche was owte &
slawndryd hir in many thyngys +tat sche schuld a do whyl sche was in
+te contre . (CMKEMPE,29.648)

Than aftyr +tis sche was in gret rest of sowle a gret whyle
(CMKEMPE,29.649)

& had hy contemplacyon day be day & many holy spech & dalyawns of owyr
Lord Ihesu Cryst bo+te a-for-noon & aftyr-noon , wyth many swet terys
of hy deuocyon so plentyvowsly & contynualy +tat it was meruayle +tat
hir eyne enduryd er how hir hert mygth lestyn +tat it was not consumyd
wyth ardowr of lofe , whych was kyndelyd wyth +te holy dalyawns of owyr
Lord whan he seyd to hir many tymes , " Derworthy dowtyr , lofe +tow me
wyth al +tin hert , (CMKEMPE,29.650)

for I loue +te wyth al myn hert & wyth al +te mygth of my Godhed ,
(CMKEMPE,29.651)

for +tow wer a chosyn sowle wyth-owt $begynnyng in my syghte and a
peler of Holy Cherch . (CMKEMPE,29.652)

My mercyful eyne arn euyr up-on +te . (CMKEMPE,29.653)

It wer vnpossibyl to +te to suffyr +te scornys & despytes +tat +tow
schalt haue ne were only my grace supportyng +te . " (CMKEMPE,29.654)

Than thys creatur +towt it was ful mery to be reprevyd for Goddys lofe
; (CMKEMPE,29.655)

it was to hir gret solas & cowmfort whan sche was chedyn & fletyn for
+te lofe of Ihesu for repreuyng of synne , for spekyng of vertu , for
comownyng in Scriptur whech sche lernyd in sermownys & be comownyng
wyth clerkys . (CMKEMPE,29.656)

Sche ymagyned in hir-self <P_30> what deth sche mygth deyn for Crystys
sake . (CMKEMPE,30.657)

Hyr $+towt sche wold a be slayn for Goddys lofe , but dred for +te
poynt of deth , (CMKEMPE,30.658)

& +terfor sche ymagyned hyrself +te most soft deth , as hir thowt , for
dred of inpacyens , +tat was to be bowndyn hyr hed & hir fet to a
stokke & hir hed to be smet of wyth a scharp ex for Goddys lofe .
(CMKEMPE,30.659)

+Tan seyd owyr Lord in hir mende , " I thank +te , dowtyr , +tat +tow
woldyst <em> suffer deth </em> for my lofe , (CMKEMPE,30.660)

for , as oftyn as +tow thynkyst so , +tow schalt haue +te same mede in
Heuyn as +tow +tu suffredyst +te same deth . (CMKEMPE,30.661)

& +get schal no man sle the , ne fyer bren +te , ne watyr drynch +te ,
ne wynd deryn +te , (CMKEMPE,30.662)

for I may not for-+getyn +te how +tow art wretyn in myn handys & my
fete ; (CMKEMPE,30.663)

it lykyn me wel +te peynes +tat I haue sufferyd for +te .
(CMKEMPE,30.664)

I xal neuyr ben wroth wyth +te , (CMKEMPE,30.665)

but I xal louyn +te wyth-owtyn ende . (CMKEMPE,30.666)

+tow al +te worlde be a-+gens +te , drede +te not , (CMKEMPE,30.667)

for +tei cun no skyl of +te . (CMKEMPE,30.668)

I swer to +ti mend , & it wer possybyl me to suffyr peyn a-geyn as I
haue do be-forn , me wer leuar to suffyr as mech peyn as euyr I dede
for +ti sowle alon ra+tar +tan +tow schuldyst partyn fro me wyth-owtyn
ende . (CMKEMPE,30.669)

& +terfor , dowtyr , rygth as +tow seyst +te prest take +te chyld at
+te funt-ston & dyppe it in +te watyr & wasch it fro oryginal synne ,
rygth so xal I wasch +te in my precyows blod fro alle +ti synne .
(CMKEMPE,30.670)

And , +tow I wythdrawe sumtyme +te felyng of grace fro +te ey+tyr of
spech er of wepyng , drede +te not +terof , (CMKEMPE,30.671)

for I am an hyd God in +te +tat +tu schuldyst haue no veynglory & +tat
+tu schuldyst knowyn wele +tow mayst not han terys ne swych dalyawns
but whan God wyl send hem +te , (CMKEMPE,30.672)

for it arn +te fre +gyftys of God wyth-owtyn +ti meryte
(CMKEMPE,30.673)

& he may +geue hem whom he wyl & don +te no wrong . (CMKEMPE,30.674)

And <P_31> +terfor take hem mekely & +tankyngly whan I wyl send hem ,
(CMKEMPE,31.675)

& suffyr pacyently whan I wythdrawe hem , (CMKEMPE,31.676)

& seke besyly tyl +tow mayst getyn hem , (CMKEMPE,31.677)

for terys of $compunccyon , deuocyon , & compassyon arn +te heyest &
sekerest +gyftys +tat I +geue in erde . (CMKEMPE,31.678)

And what schuld I don mor for +te les +tan I toke +ti sowle owt of +ti
body & put it in Heuyn , (CMKEMPE,31.679)

& +tat wyl I not +get . (CMKEMPE,31.680)

Neuyr-+te-les whersoeuyr God is Heuyn is , (CMKEMPE,31.681)

& God is in +ti sowle (CMKEMPE,31.682)

& many an awngel is abowte +ti sowle to kepe it bo+te nygth & day .
(CMKEMPE,31.683)

For , whan +tow gost to chyrch , I go wyth +te ; (CMKEMPE,31.684)

whan +tu syttest at +ti mete , I sytte wyth +te ; (CMKEMPE,31.685)

whan +tow gost to +ti bed , I go wyth +te ; (CMKEMPE,31.686)

& , whan +tu gost owt of towne , I go wyth +te . (CMKEMPE,31.687)

Dowtyr , +ter was neuyr chyld so buxom to +te fadyr as I wyl be to +te
to help +te and kepe +te . (CMKEMPE,31.688)

I far sum-tyme wyth my grace to +te as I do wyth +te sunne .
(CMKEMPE,31.689)

Sum-tyme +tow wetyst wel +te sunne schynyth al abrod +tat many man may
se it , (CMKEMPE,31.690)

& sum-tyme it is hyd vndyr a clowde +tat men may not se it ,
(CMKEMPE,31.691)

& +get is +te sunne neuyr +te lesse in hys hete ne in hys brytnesse .
(CMKEMPE,31.692)

And rygth so far I be +te & be my chosyn sowlys . (CMKEMPE,31.693)

$+Towgh it be so +tat +tu wepe not alwey at +ti lyst , my grace is
neuyr +te lesse in +te . (CMKEMPE,31.694)

+Terfor I preue +tat +tow art a very dowtyr to me & a modyr also , a
syster , a wyfe , and a spowse , wytnessyng +te Gospel wher owyr Lord
seyth to hys dyscyples , ' He +tat doth +te wyl of my Fadyr in Heuyn he
is bothyn modyr , bro+tyr , & syster vn-to me . ' (CMKEMPE,31.695)

Whan +tow stodyst to plese me , +tan art +tu a very dowtyr ;
(CMKEMPE,31.696)

whan +tu wepyst & mornyst for my peyn & for my Passyon , +tan art +tow
a very modyr to haue compassyon of hyr chyld ; (CMKEMPE,31.697)

whan +tow wepyst for o+ter mennys synnes and for aduersytes , +tan art
+tow a very syster ; (CMKEMPE,31.698)

and , whan thow sorwyst for +tow art so long fro +te blysse of Heuyn ,
+tan art +tu a very spowse & a wyfe , (CMKEMPE,31.699)

for it longyth to +te wyfe to be wyth hir husbond & no very joy to han
tyl sche come to hys presens . " (CMKEMPE,31.700)

<P_32>

Thys creatur , whan owyr Lord had for+gouyn hir hir synne as is wrete
be-forn , had a desyr to se +to placys wher he was born & wher he
sufferyd hys Passyon & wher he deyd , wyth o+ter holy placys wher he
was in hys lyue & also aftyr hys Resurrexyon . (CMKEMPE,32.702)

As sche was in +tese desyres , owyr Lord bad hir in hir mend ij +ger er
+tan sche went +tat sche schuld gon to Rome , to Iherusalem , & to
Seynt Iamys , (CMKEMPE,32.703)

for sche wold fayn a gon (CMKEMPE,32.704)

but sche had no good to go wyth . (CMKEMPE,32.705)

& +tan sche seyd to owyr Lord , " Wher schal I han good to go wyth to
+tes holy placys ? " (CMKEMPE,32.706)

Ower Lord seyd a-+gen to hir , " I schal send +te frendys a-nowe in
dyuers contreys of Ynglond to help +te . (CMKEMPE,32.707)

And , dowtyr , I xal go wyth +te in euery contre & ordeyn for +te ;
(CMKEMPE,32.708)

I xal ledyn +te thyder & brynge +te a-geyn in safte , (CMKEMPE,32.709)

& noon Englysch-man schal deyn in +te schyp +tat +tow art in .
(CMKEMPE,32.710)

I xal kepe +te fro alle wykked mennys power . (CMKEMPE,32.711)

And , dowtyr , I sey to +te I wyl +tat +tu were clothys of whyte & non
o+ter colowr , (CMKEMPE,32.712)

for +tu xal ben arayd aftyr my wyl . " (CMKEMPE,32.713)

" A , der Lord , yf I go arayd on o+ter maner +tan o+ter chast women
don , I drede +tat +te pepyl wyl $slawndyr me . (CMKEMPE,32.714)

+Tei wyl sey I am an ypocryt & wondryn vp-on me . " (CMKEMPE,32.715)

" +Ga , dowtyr , +te mor wondryng +tat +tow hast for my lofe , +te mor
+tu plesyst me . " (CMKEMPE,32.716)

Than +tis creatur durst non o+ter-wyse do +tan sche was comawndyd in
hir sowle . (CMKEMPE,32.717)

And so sche went forth wyth hir husbond in-to +te cuntre ,
(CMKEMPE,32.718)

for he was euyr a good man & an esy man to hir . (CMKEMPE,32.719)

+Tow +tat he sumtyme for veyn dred lete hir a-lone for a tyme , +get he
resortyd euyr-mor a-geyn to hir , (CMKEMPE,32.720)

& had compassyon of hir , (CMKEMPE,32.721)

& spak for hir as he durst for dred of +te pepyl . (CMKEMPE,32.722)

But alle o+ter +tat went wyth hir forsokyn hir , (CMKEMPE,32.723)

& ful falsly +tei accusyd hir thorw temptacyon of +te Deuyl of thyngys
+tat sche was neuyr gylty in . (CMKEMPE,32.724)

& so dede o man whech <P_33> sche trostyd gretly on (CMKEMPE,33.725)

& proferyd hym-self to gon wyth hir in-to +te contre , wher+torw sche
was rygth glad , trostyng he wold wel supportyn hir & helpyn hir whan
sche had nede , (CMKEMPE,33.726)

for he had ben dwellyng long tyme wyth an ankyr , commensowr in
dyuinyte & an holy man , (CMKEMPE,33.727)

& +tat ankyr was +tis womans confessowr . (CMKEMPE,33.728)

And so hys seruawnt toke leue be hys owyn steryng to gon wyth +tis
creatur in-to +te contre , (CMKEMPE,33.729)

& hir owyn mayden went wyth hir also long as +tei ferd wel & no man
seyd no-thyng a-geyns hem . (CMKEMPE,33.730)

But , as sone as +te pepyl thorw entysyng of owyr gostly enmy & be +te
sufferawns of owyr Lord spak a-geyn +tis creatur for sche wept so sor ,
& seyd sche was a fals ypocryte & falsly deceyued +te pepyl , & thretyd
hir to be brent , +tan +te forseyd man was holdyn so holy a man & +tat
sche trustyd so mech up-on uttyrly repreuyd hir , (CMKEMPE,33.731)

and fowely despysed hir , (CMKEMPE,33.732)

& wold no for+ter gon wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,33.733)

Hir mayden , seyng dysese on euery syde , wex boystows a-+gens hir
maystres . (CMKEMPE,33.734)

Sche wold not obeyn ne folwyn hir cownsel . (CMKEMPE,33.735)

Sche let hir gon a-lone in many good townys (CMKEMPE,33.736)

& wold not gon wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,33.737)

And euyr hir husbond was redy whan alle o+ter fayled (CMKEMPE,33.738)

& went wyth hir wher owyr Lord wold sende hir , al-wey trostyng +tat al
was for +te best & xuld comyn to good ende when God wold .
(CMKEMPE,33.739)

& at +tis tyme he led hir to spekyn wyth +te Bysshop of Lynkoln , whech
hygth Philyp , (CMKEMPE,33.740)

and a-bod iij wekys er +tei mygth speke wyth hym , (CMKEMPE,33.741)

for he was not at hom at hys paleys . (CMKEMPE,33.742)

Whan +te Bysshop was comyn hom & herd seyn how swech a woman had abedyn
hym so long to speke wyth hym , a-non he sent for hir in gret hast to
wetyn hir wylle . (CMKEMPE,33.743)

& +tan sche cam to hys presens (CMKEMPE,33.744)

& salutyd hym , (CMKEMPE,33.745)

& he derly wolcomyd hir (CMKEMPE,33.746)

& seyd he had long desyred to speke wyth hir & he was rygth glad of hir
comyng . (CMKEMPE,33.747)

And so sche prayd hym +tat sche mygth speke wyth hym in cownsel &
schewyn hym +te secretys of hir sowle , (CMKEMPE,33.748)

& he lymyt hir a tyme conuenyent +terto . (CMKEMPE,33.749)

Whan +te tyme cam , sche schewyd hym hyr medytacyons , & hy <P_34>
contem-placyons , & o+ter secret thyngys bo+te of qwyk & of ded as owyr
Lord schewyd to hir sowle . (CMKEMPE,34.750)

He was rygth glad to heryn hem , (CMKEMPE,34.751)

& suffryd hir benyngly to sey what hir lysted , (CMKEMPE,34.752)

& commendyd gretly hir felyngys & hir contemplacyons , seyyng +tei wer
hy maters & ful deuowt maters & enspyred of +te Holy Gost , cownselyng
hir sadly +tat hir felyngys schuld be wretyn . (CMKEMPE,34.753)

& sche seyd +tat it was not Goddys wyl +tat +tei schuld be wretyn so
soon , (CMKEMPE,34.754)

ne +tei wer wretyn xx +ger aftyr & mor . (CMKEMPE,34.755)

And +tan sche seyd fer+termor , " My Lord , yf it lyke +gow , I am
comawndyd in my sowle +tat +ge schal +gyue me +te mantyl & +te ryng &
clothyn me al in whygth clothys . (CMKEMPE,34.756)

And , yf +ge clothyn me in erth , owyr Lord Ihesu Cryst xal clothyn
+gow in Heuyn , as I vndyrstond be reuelacyon . " (CMKEMPE,34.757)

+Tan +te Bysshop seyd to hir , " I wyl fulffyllen +gowr desyr +gyf
+gowr husbond wyl consentyn +terto . " (CMKEMPE,34.758)

+Tan sche seyd to +te Bysshop , " I prey +gow late myn husbond come to
+gowr presens , (CMKEMPE,34.759)

& +ge xal heryn what he wyl sey . " (CMKEMPE,34.760)

& so hyr husbond cam before +te Bysshop , (CMKEMPE,34.761)

and +te Bysshop askyd hym , " Iohn , is it +gowr wyl +tat +gowr wyf xal
take +te mantyl & +te ryng & leuyn chast , & +ge bo+ten ? "
(CMKEMPE,34.762)

" +Ga , my Lord , " he seyd , " & in tokyn +tat we bo+ten vowyn to leue
chast her I offyr myn handys into +gowyr , " (CMKEMPE,34.763)

& he put hys handys be-twen +te Bysshoppys handys . (CMKEMPE,34.764)

& +te Bysshop dede no mor to us at +tat day , saue he mad us rygth good
cher and seyd we wer rygth wolcome . (CMKEMPE,34.765)

Ano+ter day +tis creatur cam to mete at +te request of +te Bysshop .
(CMKEMPE,34.766)

And sche saw hym +geuyn wyth hys handys , er he set hym to mete , to
xiij powyr men xiij pens & xiij lovys wyth o+ter mete .
(CMKEMPE,34.767)

& so he dede euery day . (CMKEMPE,34.768)

+Tis creatur was steryd to hy deuocyon wyth +tis sygth (CMKEMPE,34.769)

& +gaf God preysyng & worshepyng +tat he +gaf +te Bysshop grace to don
+tes good dedys wyth plentyuows wepyng , in so mych +tat alle +te
Bysshopys meny wer gretly merveylyng what hyr eyled . (CMKEMPE,34.770)

And sythen sche was set to mete wyth many worthy clerkys & prestys &
swyers of +te <P_35> Bys-shoppys , (CMKEMPE,35.771)

and +te Bysshop hym-self sent hir ful gentylly of hys owyn mees .
(CMKEMPE,35.772)

+Te clerkys askyd +tis creatur many hard qwestyons , +te wych sche be
+te grace of Ihesu resoluyd , so +tat hir answerys lykyd +te Bysshop
rygth wel and +te clerkys had ful gret meruayl of hir +tat sche
answeryd so redyly & pregnawntly . (CMKEMPE,35.773)

Whan +te Bysshop had etyn , he sent for +tis creatur in-to hys chawmbyr
, seying to hir , " Margery , +ge & +gowr husbond spak to me for to
+gyfe +gow +te mantyl & +te ryng , for whech cause I haue take my
cownsel , (CMKEMPE,35.774)

& my cownsel wyl not +gyf me to professe +gow in so synguler a clothyng
wyth-owtyn bettyr avysement . (CMKEMPE,35.775)

And +ge sey be +te grace of God +ge wyl go to Ierusalem .
(CMKEMPE,35.776)

+Terfor prayth to God +tat it may abyden tyl +ge come fro Ierusalem
+tat +ge be bettyr preuyd & knowyn . " (CMKEMPE,35.777)

On +te next day +tis creatur went to chirch (CMKEMPE,35.778)

& prayd to God wyth alle hyr spyritys +tat sche mygth han knowlach how
sche xuld ben gouernd in +tis mater and what answer sche mygth gife to
+te Bysshop . (CMKEMPE,35.779)

Owyr Lord Ihesu Crist answeryd to hir mend in +tis maner ,
(CMKEMPE,35.780)

" Dowtyr , sey +te Bysshop +tat he dredyth mor +te schamys of +te world
+tan +te parfyt lofe of God . (CMKEMPE,35.781)

Sey hym , I xuld as wel han excusyd hym +gyf he had fulfyllyd +ti wyl
as I dede +te chyldren of Israel whan I bad hem borwe +te goodys of +te
pepyl of Egypt & gon a-wey +terwyth . (CMKEMPE,35.782)

+Terfor , dowtyr , sey hym , +tow he wyl not don it now , it xal be don
an-o+ter tyme whan God wyl . " (CMKEMPE,35.783)

& so sche dede hir massage to +te Bysshop of Lyncolne as sche had in
comawndment . (CMKEMPE,35.784)

+Tan he preyd hyre to gon to +te Archbusshop of Cawntyrbery , Arundel ,
& preyn hym to grawntyn leue to me , Bysshop of Lyncoln , for to +geuyn
hir +te mentyl & +te ryng in-as-mech as sche was not of hys dyocyse .
(CMKEMPE,35.785)

+Tis cawse he feyned thorw cownsel of hys clerkys , (CMKEMPE,35.786)

for +tei louyd not +tis creatur . (CMKEMPE,35.787)

Sche seyd , " Ser , I wyl go $to my Lord of Cawntyrbery wyth rygth good
wyl for o+ter cawsys & materys whech I haue to schewe to hys reuerens .
(CMKEMPE,35.788)

As for +tis cawse I xal not gon , (CMKEMPE,35.789)

for God wyl not I aske hym +teraftyr . " (CMKEMPE,35.790)

+Tan sche <P_36> toke hir leue of +te Bysshop of Lyncolne ,
(CMKEMPE,36.791)

& he +gaf hir xxvj schelyngys & viij d to byen hyr clothyng wyth & for
to prey for hym . (CMKEMPE,36.792)

Than went +tis creatur forth to London wyth hir husbond vn-to Lambhyth
, +ter +te Erchebisshop lay at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,36.793)

And , as +tei comyn in-to +te halle at aftyr-noon , ther wer many of
+te Erchebysshoppys clerkys & o+ter rekles men bo+te swyers & +gemen
whech sworyn many gret o+tis & spokyn many rekles wordys ,
(CMKEMPE,36.794)

& +tis creatur boldly vndyrname hem (CMKEMPE,36.795)

& seyd +tei schuld ben dampnyd but +tei left her sweryng & o+ter synnes
+tat +tei vsyd . (CMKEMPE,36.796)

& wyth +tat cam forth a woman of +te same town in a pylche
(CMKEMPE,36.797)

& al for-schod +tis creatur , (CMKEMPE,36.798)

bannyd hir , (CMKEMPE,36.799)

& seyd ful cursydly to hir in +tis maner , (CMKEMPE,36.800)

" I wold +tu wer in Smythfeld , (CMKEMPE,36.801)

& I wold beryn a fagot to bren +te wyth ; (CMKEMPE,36.802)

it is pety +tat +tow leuyst . " (CMKEMPE,36.803)

+Tis creatur stod stylle (CMKEMPE,36.804)

& answeryd not , (CMKEMPE,36.805)

& hir husbond suffred wyth gret peyn (CMKEMPE,36.806)

& was ful sory to heryn hys wyfe so rebukyd . (CMKEMPE,36.807)

Than +te Erchbusshop sent for +tis creatur in-to hys gardeyn .
(CMKEMPE,36.808)

Whan sche cam to hys presens , sche salutyd hym as sche cowd , prayng
hym of hys gracyows lordshyp to grawnt hir auctoryte of chesyng hyr
confessowr & to be howselyd euery Sonday , +gyf God wold dysposen hir
+terto , vndyr hys lettyr and hys seel thorw al hys prouynce .
(CMKEMPE,36.809)

& he grawnt it her ful benyngly all hir desyr wyth-owtyn any syluer er
gold , (CMKEMPE,36.810)

ne he wold latyn hys clerkys takyn anythyng for wrytyn ne for seelyng
of +te lettyr . (CMKEMPE,36.811)

Whan +tis creatur fond +tis grace in hys sygth , sche was wel comfortyd
& strengthyd in hir sowle , (CMKEMPE,36.812)

& so sche schewyd +tis worshepful lord hir maner of leuyng & swech
grace as God wrowt in hyr mende & in hir sowle to wetyn what he wold
sey +terto , +gyf he fond any defawte ey+tyr in hyre contemplacyon er
in hir wepyng . (CMKEMPE,36.813)

& sche teld hym also +te cawse of hyr wepyng and +te maner of $dalyawns
+tat owyr Lord dalyid to hyr sowle . (CMKEMPE,36.814)

And <P_37> he fond no defawt +terin (CMKEMPE,37.815)

but a-prevyd hir maner of leuyng (CMKEMPE,37.816)

& was rygth glad +tat owyr mercyful Lord Cryst Ihesu schewyd swech
grace in owyr days , (CMKEMPE,37.817)

blyssed mot he be . (CMKEMPE,37.818)

+Tan +tis creatur boldly spak to hym for +te correccyon of hys meny ,
seying wyth reuerens , " My Lord , owyr alderes Lord al-myty God hath
not +gon +gow +gowyr benefys & gret goodys of +te world to $maynten
wyth hys tretowrys & hem +tat slen hym euery day be gret othys sweryng
. (CMKEMPE,37.819)

+Ge schal answer for hem les +tan +ge correctyn hem or ellys put hem
owt of +gowr seruyse . " (CMKEMPE,37.820)

Ful benyngly & mekely he suffred hir to sey hir entent (CMKEMPE,37.821)

& +gaf a fayr answer , hir supposyng it xuld ben +te bettyr .
(CMKEMPE,37.822)

& so her dalyawns contynuyd tyl sterrys apperyd in +te fyrmament .
(CMKEMPE,37.823)

+Tan sche toke hir leue & hyr husbond also . (CMKEMPE,37.824)

Sythen +tei comyn a-+gen to London , (CMKEMPE,37.825)

& many worthy men desyred to heryn hir dalyawns & hir comunycacyon ,
(CMKEMPE,37.826)

for hir communycacion was so mech in +te lofe of God +tat +te herars
wer oftyn-tyme steryd +terthorw to wepyn ryt sadly . (CMKEMPE,37.827)

& so sche had +ter rygth gret cher , & hir husbond be-cawse of hir , as
long as +tei wold abyden in +te cyte . (CMKEMPE,37.828)

Aftyrward +tei comyn a-geyn to Lenne , (CMKEMPE,37.829)

& +tan went +tis creatur to +te ankyr at +te Frer Prechowrys in Lenne
(CMKEMPE,37.830)

& teld hym what cher sche had had and how sche had sped whyl sche was
in +te contre . (CMKEMPE,37.831)

And he was rygth glad of hir comyng hom (CMKEMPE,37.832)

& held it was gret myracle hir comyng & hir goyng to & fro .
(CMKEMPE,37.833)

And he seyd to hir , " I haue herd mych euyl langwage of +gow syth +ge
went owt , (CMKEMPE,37.834)

& I haue ben sor cownseld to leue +gow & no mor to medyl wyth +gow ,
(CMKEMPE,37.835)

& +ter is $behyte me gret frenschepys wyth condycyon yf I leue +gow .
(CMKEMPE,37.836)

And I answeryd for +gow +tus : (CMKEMPE,37.837)

+Gyf +ge wer in +te same plyte +tat +ge wer whan we partyd a-sundyr , I
durst wel say +ge wer a good woman , a louere of God , & hyly inspyred
wyth +te Holy Gost . (CMKEMPE,37.838)

<P_38>

' And I wyl not forsake hyr for no lady in +tis reme for to speke wyth
+te lady & leuyn hir , (CMKEMPE,38.840)

for ra+tar I schuld leue +te lady & speke wyth hir , +gyf I mygth not
don bo+ten , +tan I xuld don +te contrarye . ' (CMKEMPE,38.841)

" Rede fyrst +te xxi chapetre & +tan +tis chapetre aftyr +tat .
(CMKEMPE,38.842)

On a day long befor +tis tyme , whyl thys creatur was beryng chylder &
sche was newly delyueryd of a chyld , owyr Lord Cryst Ihesu seyd to hir
sche xuld no mor chyldren beryn , (CMKEMPE,38.843)

& +terfor he bad hyr gon to Norwych . (CMKEMPE,38.844)

& sche seyd , " A , der Lord , how xal I gon ? (CMKEMPE,38.845)

I am bo+te feynt & feble . " (CMKEMPE,38.846)

" Drede +te not , (CMKEMPE,38.847)

I xal make +te strong j-now . (CMKEMPE,38.848)

I byd +te gon to +te Vykary of Seynt Stefenys and sey +tat I gret hym
wel & +tat he is an hey chossyn sowle of myn , (CMKEMPE,38.849)

& telle hym he plesyth me mech wyth hys prechyng (CMKEMPE,38.850)

& schew hym thy preuytes & myn cownselys swech as I schcwe +te . "
(CMKEMPE,38.851)

Than sche toke hyr wey to-Norwych-ward (CMKEMPE,38.852)

& cam in-to hys cherch on a Thursday a lytyl be-for noon .
(CMKEMPE,38.853)

And +te Vykary went vp & down wyth a-no+ter prest whech was hys gostly
fadyr +tat leuyd whan +tis boke was mad . (CMKEMPE,38.854)

& +tis creatur was clad in blak clothyng +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,38.855)

Sche salutyd +te Vykary , preyng hym +tat sche mygth speke wyth hym an
owyr or ellys tweyn owyrs at aftyr-none whan he had etyn in +te lofe of
God . (CMKEMPE,38.856)

He , lyftyng vp hys handys & blyssyng hym , seyd , " Benedicite .
(CMKEMPE,38.857)

What cowd a woman ocupyn an owyr er tweyn owyrs in +te lofe of owyr
Lord ? (CMKEMPE,38.858)

I xal neuyr ete mete tyl I wete what +ge ken sey of owyr Lord God +te
tyme of on owyr . " (CMKEMPE,38.859)

+Tan he sett hym down in +te chirche . (CMKEMPE,38.860)

Sche , syttyng a lytyl be-syde , schewyd hym all +te wordys whech God
had reuelyd to hyr in hyr $sowle . (CMKEMPE,38.861)

Sythen sche schewyd hym al hyr maner of levyng fro hyr chyldhod as ny
as it wolde come to hir mende , - how vnkynd sche had ben a-geyn owyr
Lord Ihesu Crist , how prowde & veyne sche had ben in hir aport , how
obstynat a-geyns +te lawes of God , & how envyows a-geyn hir <P_39>
euyn-cristen , sythen , whan it plesyd owyr Lord Crist Ihesu , how sche
was chastysed wyth many tribulacyons & horrybyl temptacyons , &
aftyrward how sche was fed and comfortyd wyth holy medytacyons &
specyal in +te mende of owyr Lordys Passyon . (CMKEMPE,39.862)

& , whyl sche dalyed in +te Passyon of owyr Lord Ihesu Crist , sche
herd so hedows a melodye +tat sche mygth not ber it . (CMKEMPE,39.863)

+Tan +tis creatur fel down as yf she had lost hir bodyly strength
(CMKEMPE,39.864)

& lay stylle a gret whyle , desyryng to put it a-way , (CMKEMPE,39.865)

& sche mygth not . (CMKEMPE,39.866)

+Tan knew sche wel be hir feyth +tat +ter was gret joye in Hevyn , wher
+te lest poynt of blys wyth-owtyn any comparyson passeth al +te joye
+tat euyr myt be thowt er felt in +tis lyfe . (CMKEMPE,39.867)

Sche was gretly strengthyd in hir feyth & mor bold to tellyn +te Vykary
her felyngys whech sche had be reuelacyons bo+ten of qwyk & of ded & of
hys owyn self . (CMKEMPE,39.868)

Sche teld hym how sum-tyme +te Fadyr of Hevyn dalyd to hir sowle as
pleynly and as veryly as o frend spekyth to a-no+ter be bodyly spech ;
(CMKEMPE,39.869)

sum-tyme +te Secunde Persone in Trinyte ; sumtyme alle thre Personys in
Trinyte & o substawns in Godhede dalyid to hir sowle (CMKEMPE,39.870)

& informyd hir in hir feyth & in hys lofe how sche xuld lofe hym ,
worshepyn hym , & dredyn hym , so excellently +tat sche herd neuyr boke
, ney+tyr Hyltons boke , ne $Bridis boke , ne Stimulus Amoris , ne
Incendium Amoris , ne non o+ter +tat euyr sche herd redyn +tat spak so
hyly of lofe of God but +tat sche felt as hyly in werkyng in hir sowle
yf sche cowd or ellys mygth a schewyd as sche felt . (CMKEMPE,39.871)

Sum-tyme owyr Lady spak to hir mend . (CMKEMPE,39.872)

$Sumtyme Seynt Petyr , sumtyme seynt Powyl , sumtym seynt Kateryn , er
what seynt in Heuyn sche had deuocyon to aperyd to hir sowle
(CMKEMPE,39.873)

& tawt hir how sche xuld louyn owyr Lord & how sche xuld plesyn hym .
(CMKEMPE,39.874)

<P_40>

Her dalyawns was so swet , so holy , & so devowt +tat +tis creatur myt
not oftyn-tymes beryn it but fel down & wrestyd wyth hir body & mad
wondyrful cher & contenawns wyth boystows sobbyngys & gret plente of
terys , sumtyme seyng " Ihesu , mercy , " sum-tyme " I dey . "
(CMKEMPE,40.876)

& +terfor mech pepyl slawndryd hir , not leuyng it was +te werke of God
but +tat sum euyl spyrit vexid hir in hir body er ellys +tat sche had
sum bodyly sekenesse . (CMKEMPE,40.877)

Notwythstondyng +te rumowr & grutchyng of +te pepyl a-+gen hir , +tis
holy man , Vykary of Seynt Stefenys Chyrch of Norwych , whom God hath
exaltyd & +torw meruelyows werkys schewyd & preuyd for holy , euyr held
wyth hir (CMKEMPE,40.878)

& supportyd hir a+gen hir enmys in-to hys powyr aftyr +te tyme +tat
sche be +te byddyng of God had schewyd hym hir maner of gouernawns &
leuyng , (CMKEMPE,40.879)

for he trustly beleuyd +tat sche was wel lernyd in +te lawe of God &
indued wyth grace of +te Holy Gost , to whom it longyth to enspyr wher
he wyl . (CMKEMPE,40.880)

& , +tow hys voys be herd , it is not wyst of +te werld fro when it
comyth er whedyr it goth . (CMKEMPE,40.881)

Thys holy Vykary aftyr +tis tyme was confessowr to +tis creatur al-wey
whan sche cam to Norwych (CMKEMPE,40.882)

& howsyld hir wyth hys owyn handys . (CMKEMPE,40.883)

And , whan sche was on a tyme moneschyd to aper be-for certeyn
offycerys of +te Bysshop to answer to certeyn artyculys whech xuld be
put a-geyn hir be +te steryng of envyows pepyl , +te good Vykary ,
preferryng +te lofe of God be-for any schame of +te world , went wyth
hir to her hir examynacyon (CMKEMPE,40.884)

& delyueryd hir fro +te malys of hyr enmys . (CMKEMPE,40.885)

& +tan was it reuelyd to +tis creatur +tat +te good Vykary xuld leuyn
sevyn +ger aftyr (CMKEMPE,40.886)

& +tan he sculd passyn hens wyth gret grace , (CMKEMPE,40.887)

and he dede as sche $had <lacuna> of <lacuna> . (CMKEMPE,40.888)

<P_41>

Thys creatur was chargyd & comawndyd in hir sowle +tat sche schuld go
to a Whyte Frer in +te same cyte of Norwych whech hyte Wyllyam
Sowthfeld , a good man and an holy leuar , to schewyn hym +te grace
+tat God wrowt in hir as sche had don to +te good Vykary be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,41.890)

Sche dede as sche was comawndyd , (CMKEMPE,41.891)

& cam to +te frere on a for-noon , (CMKEMPE,41.892)

& was wyth hym in a chapel a long tyme , (CMKEMPE,41.893)

& schewyd hym hir meditacyons & swech as God wrowt in hir sowle to
wetyn yf sche wer dysceyued be any illusyons or not . (CMKEMPE,41.894)

Thys good man , +te White Frer , euyr whyl sche teld hir felyngys ,
heldyng up hys handys , seyd , " Ihesu , mercy & gremercy .
(CMKEMPE,41.895)

Syster , " he seyd , " dredyth +ge not of +gowr maner of leuyng ,
(CMKEMPE,41.896)

for it is +te Holy Gost werkyng plentyuowsly hys grace in +gowr sowle .
(CMKEMPE,41.897)

Thankyth hym heyly of hys goodnes , (CMKEMPE,41.898)

for we alle be bowndyn to +tankyn hym for +gow , +tat now in owyr days
wel inspir hys grace in +gow to +te help & comfort of us alle whech arn
supportyd be +gowr preyers & be swech o+ter as +ge ben .
(CMKEMPE,41.899)

And we arn preservyd fro many myschevys & dysesys whech we schuld
sufferyn & worthily for owyr trespas ne wer swech good creaturys a-mong
vs . (CMKEMPE,41.900)

Blyssed be al-myty God for hys goodnes . (CMKEMPE,41.901)

And +terfor , syster , I cownsel +gow +tat +ge dyspose +gow to receyuyn
+te +gyftys of God as lowly & mekely as +ge kan & put non obstakyl ne
obieccyon a-+gen +te goodnes of +te Holy Gost , (CMKEMPE,41.902)

for he may +gevyn hys +gyftys wher he wyl , (CMKEMPE,41.903)

& of vnworthy he makyth worthy , (CMKEMPE,41.904)

of synful he makyth rygtful . (CMKEMPE,41.905)

Hys mercy is euyr redy vn-to vs , les +tan +te fawt be in owyrself ,
(CMKEMPE,41.906)

for he dwellyth not in a body soget to syn . (CMKEMPE,41.907)

He fleth al fals feynyng & falshede ; (CMKEMPE,41.908)

he askyth of us a lowe , a meke , & a contryte hert wyth a good wyl .
(CMKEMPE,41.909)

Owyr Lord seyth hym-self , ' My spyrit schal restyn vp-on a meke man ,
a contryte man , & dredyng my wordys . ' (CMKEMPE,41.910)

Syster , I trost to owyr Lord +ge han +tese condicyons ey+tyr in +gowr
wyl or in +gowr affeccyon er ellys in bothyn , (CMKEMPE,41.911)

& I $helde not +tat owyr Lord suffryth hem to be dysceyued endlesly
+tat settyn al here trost in hym & <P_42> no-thyng sekyn ne desyryn but
hym only , as I hope +tat +ge don . (CMKEMPE,42.912)

And +terfor beleuyth fully +tat owyr Lord louyth +gow & werkyth hys
grace in +gow . (CMKEMPE,42.913)

I prey God incres it & continu it to hys euyr-lestyng worshep for hys
mercy . " (CMKEMPE,42.914)

The beforn-seyd creatur was mech comfortyd bo+te in body & in sowle be
+tis good mannys wordys & gretly strengthyd in hir feyth .
(CMKEMPE,42.915)

& +tan sche was bodyn be owyr Lord for to gon to an ankres in +te same
cyte whych hyte Dame Ielyan . (CMKEMPE,42.916)

& so sche dede (CMKEMPE,42.917)

& schewyd hir +te grace +tat God put in hir sowle of compunccyon ,
contricyon , swetnesse & deuocyon , compassyon wyth holy meditacyon &
hy contemplacyon , & ful many holy spechys & dalyawns +tat owyr Lord
spak to hir sowle , and many wondirful reuelacyons whech sche schewyd
to +te ankres to wetyn yf +ter wer any deceyte in hem ,
(CMKEMPE,42.918)

for +te ankres was expert in swech thyngys (CMKEMPE,42.919)

& good cownsel cowd +geuyn . (CMKEMPE,42.920)

+Te ankres , heryng +te meruelyows goodnes of owyr Lord , hyly thankyd
God wyth al hir hert for hys visitacyon , cownselyng +tis creatur to be
obedyent to +te wyl of owyr Lord God & fulfyllyn wyth al hir mygthys
what-euyr he put in hir sowle yf it wer not a-geyn +te worshep of God &
profyte of hir euyn-cristen , (CMKEMPE,42.921)

for , yf it wer , +tan it wer nowt +te mevyng of a good spyryte but
ra+tar of an euyl spyrit . (CMKEMPE,42.922)

+Te Holy Gost meuyth neuyr a +ting a-geyn charite , (CMKEMPE,42.923)

& , yf he dede , he wer contraryows to hys owyn self , (CMKEMPE,42.924)

for he is al charite . (CMKEMPE,42.925)

Also he meuyth a sowle to al chastnesse , (CMKEMPE,42.926)

for chast leuars be clepyd +te temple of +te Holy Gost ,
(CMKEMPE,42.927)

& +te Holy Gost makyth a sowle stabyl & stedfast in +te rygth feyth &
+te rygth beleue . (CMKEMPE,42.928)

And a dubbyl man in sowle is euyr vnstabyl & vnstedfast in al hys weys
. (CMKEMPE,42.929)

He +tat is euyr-mor dowtyng is lyke to +te flood of +te see , +te whech
is mevyd & born a-bowte wyth +te wynd , (CMKEMPE,42.930)

& +tat man is not lyche to receyuen +te +gyftys of God .
(CMKEMPE,42.931)

What creatur +tat hath +tes tokenys he $muste stedfastlych belevyn +tat
+te Holy Gost dwellyth in hys sowle . (CMKEMPE,42.932)

And mech mor , whan God visyteth a creatur wyth terys of contrisyon ,
deuosyon , er compassyon , he may & <P_43> owyth to leuyn +tat +te Holy
Gost is in hys sowle . (CMKEMPE,43.933)

Seynt Powyl seyth +tat +te Holy Gost askyth for vs wyth mornynggys &
wepyngys vnspekable , +tat is to seyn , he makyth vs to askyn & preyn
wyth mornynggys & wepyngys so plentyvowsly +tat +te terys may not be
nowmeryd . (CMKEMPE,43.934)

Ther may non euyl spyrit +geuyn +tes tokenys , (CMKEMPE,43.935)

for Ierom seyth +tat terys turmentyn mor +te Devylle +tan don +te
peynes of Helle . (CMKEMPE,43.936)

God & +te Deuyl ben euyrmor contraryows , (CMKEMPE,43.937)

& +tei xal neuyr dwellyn to-gedyr in on place , (CMKEMPE,43.938)

& +te Devyl hath no powyr in a mannys sowle . (CMKEMPE,43.939)

Holy Wryt seyth +tat +te sowle of a rytful man is +te sete of God ,
(CMKEMPE,43.940)

& so I trust , syster , +tat +ge ben . (CMKEMPE,43.941)

I prey God grawnt +gow perseuerawns . (CMKEMPE,43.942)

Settyth al +gowr trust in God (CMKEMPE,43.943)

& feryth not +te langage of +te world , (CMKEMPE,43.944)

for +te mor despyte , schame , & repref +tat +ge haue in +te world +te
mor is +gowr meryte in +te sygth of God . (CMKEMPE,43.945)

Pacyens is necessary vn-to +gow , (CMKEMPE,43.946)

for in +tat schal +ge kepyn +gowr sowle . " (CMKEMPE,43.947)

Mych was +te holy dalyawns +tat +te ankres & +tis creatur haddyn be
comownyng in +te lofe of owyr Lord Ihesu Crist many days +tat +tei were
to-gedyr . (CMKEMPE,43.948)

Thys creatur schewyd hyr maner of leuyng to many a worthy clerke , to
worshepful doctorys of divinyte , bo+te religiows men & o+ter of
seculer abyte , (CMKEMPE,43.949)

& +tei seyden +tat God wrowt gret grace wyth hir (CMKEMPE,43.950)

& bodyn sche xuld not ben aferde , - (CMKEMPE,43.951)

+ter was no disseyte in hir maner of leuyng . (CMKEMPE,43.952)

+Tei cownseld hir to be perseuerawnt , (CMKEMPE,43.953)

for here most dred was +tat sche xuld turnyn & not kepyn hir perfeccyon
. (CMKEMPE,43.954)

Sche had so many enmys & so mech slawndyr +tat hem semyd sche myte not
beryn it wyth-owtyn gret grace & a mygty feyth . (CMKEMPE,43.955)

O+ter whech had no knowlach of hir maner of gouernawns , saue only be
sygth owtforth er ellys be jangelyng of o+ter personys , peruertyng +te
dom of trewth , seyd ful euyl of hir <em> (CMKEMPE,43.956)

& causyd </em> hir to haue mech enmyte & mech dysese , mor +tan sche
xuld haue ellys had , had her euyl langage ne ben . (CMKEMPE,43.957)

Neuyr-+te-lesse +te ankyr of +te Frer Prechowrys in Lenn , whech was
<P_44> prin-cipal gostly fadyr to +tis creatur as is wretyn be-forn ,
toke it on charge of hys sowle +tat hir felyngys wer good & sekyr &
+tat +ter was no disseyt in hem . (CMKEMPE,44.958)

And he be +te spiryt of prophecye teld hir , whan sche xuld gon to
Ierusalem-ward , sche xuld haue mech tribulacyon wyth hir mayden and
how owyr Lord xuld asayn hir scharply & preuyn hir ful streytly .
(CMKEMPE,44.959)

+Tan seyd sche a-geyn , " A , good ser , what xal I +tan do whan I am
fer fro hom & in strawnge cuntreys & my mayden be a+gens me ?
(CMKEMPE,44.960)

+Tan is my bodily comfort a-go , (CMKEMPE,44.961)

& gostly comfort of any confessowr as +ge beth wot I not wher to haue .
" (CMKEMPE,44.962)

" Dowtyr , drede +ge nowt , (CMKEMPE,44.963)

for owyr Lord schal comfort +gow hys owyn self , hoose comfort passyth
alle o+teris , (CMKEMPE,44.964)

& , whan al +gowr frendys han forsakyn +gow , owyr Lord schal makyn a
brokyn-bak man to lede +gow forth wher +ge wyl be . " (CMKEMPE,44.965)

& so it be-fel as +te ankyr had prophecyed in euery poynt ,
(CMKEMPE,44.966)

and , as I trust , xal be wretyn more pleynly aftyrward .
(CMKEMPE,44.967)

Than +tis creatur in a maner compleynyng seyd to +te ankyr , " Good ser
, what xal I do ? (CMKEMPE,44.968)

He +tat is my confessowr in +gowr absens is rygth scharp vn-to me .
(CMKEMPE,44.969)

He wyl not levyn my felyngys ; (CMKEMPE,44.970)

he settyth nowt by hem ; (CMKEMPE,44.971)

he heldyth hem but tryfelys & japys . (CMKEMPE,44.972)

& +tat is a gret peyn vn-to me , (CMKEMPE,44.973)

for I lofe hym wele (CMKEMPE,44.974)

& I wold fawyn folwyn hys cownsel . " (CMKEMPE,44.975)

The ankyr , answeryng a-+gen to hir , seyd , " It is no wondyr , dowtyr
, yf he kan nowt beleuyn in +gowr felyngys so sone . (CMKEMPE,44.976)

He knowyth wel +ge han ben a synful woman , (CMKEMPE,44.977)

& +terfor he wenyth +tat God wold not ben homly wyth +gow in so schort
tyme . (CMKEMPE,44.978)

Aftyr +gowr conuersyon I wold not for al +tis world ben so scharp to
+gow as he is . (CMKEMPE,44.979)

God for +gowr meryte hath ordeynd hym to be +gowr scorge
(CMKEMPE,44.980)

& faryth wyth +gow as a smyth wyth a fyle +tat makyth +te yron to be
bryte & cler to +te sygth whech be-forn aperyd rusty , dyrke , $& euyl
colowryd . (CMKEMPE,44.981)

+Te mor scharp +tat he is to +gow , <em> +te mor </em> clerly schinyth
+gowr sowle in +te sygth of God , (CMKEMPE,44.982)

& God hath ordeyned me <P_45> to be +gowr norych & +gowr comfort .
(CMKEMPE,45.983)

Beth +ge lowe & meke (CMKEMPE,45.984)

& thanke God bo+te of on & of o+ter . " (CMKEMPE,45.985)

On a tyme be-forn +tis creatur went to hir praerys for to wetyn what
answer sche xuld +geuyn to +te wedow . (CMKEMPE,45.986)

Sche was comawndyd in hir spyryt to byddyn +te wedow levyn hir
confessowr +tat was +tat tyme , yf sche wold plesyn God , and gon to
+te ankyr at +te Frer Prechowrys in Lenn & schewyn hym hir lyfe .
(CMKEMPE,45.987)

Whan +tis creatur dede +tis massage , +te wedow wold not levyn hir
wordys ne hir gostly fadyr ney+tyr , les +tan God wold +gevyn hir +te
same grace +tat he +gaf +tis creatur , (CMKEMPE,45.988)

and sche chargyd +tis creatur +tat sche xuld no mor comyn in hir place
. (CMKEMPE,45.989)

& for +tis creatur teld hir +tat sche had to fele lofe of affecyon to
hir gostly fadyr , +terfor +te wedow seyde it had ben good to +tis
creatur +tat hir lofe & hir affeccyon wer set as hir was .
(CMKEMPE,45.990)

Than owyr Lord bad +tis creatur don wryten a lettyr & send it hir .
(CMKEMPE,45.991)

A maystyr of dyuynite wrot a lettyr at +te request of +tis creatur
(CMKEMPE,45.992)

& sent to +te wedow wyth +tese clawsys +tat folwyn . (CMKEMPE,45.993)

On clause was +tat +te wedow xuld neuyr han +te grace +tat +tis creatur
had . (CMKEMPE,45.994)

A-no+ter was +tow +tis creatur come neuyr in hir howse it plesyd God
ryt wel . (CMKEMPE,45.995)

Owyr Lord seyd eftsonys to +tis creatur , " It wer bettyr to hir +tan
al +tis world & hir lofe wer sett as thyn is . (CMKEMPE,45.996)

& I byd +te gon to hir gostly fadyr & telle hym , (CMKEMPE,45.997)

for he wyl not belevyn +ti wordys , (CMKEMPE,45.998)

+tei schal be departyd a-sundyr er +tan he be war , (CMKEMPE,45.999)

& +tei +tat ben not of hir cownsel xal knowyn it er +tan he , whe+tyr
he wyl or not . (CMKEMPE,45.1000)

Lo , dowtyr , her mayst +tow se how hard it is to departyn a man fro
hys owyn wyl . " (CMKEMPE,45.1001)

& all +tis processe was fulfyllyd in trewth as +te creatur had seyd
be-forn twelue +ger aftyrward . (CMKEMPE,45.1002)

+Tan +tis creatur suffryd mech tribulacyon & gret heuynesse for sche
seyd +tese wordys as owyr Lord bad hir sey . (CMKEMPE,45.1003)

& euyr sche encresyd in +te lofe of God (CMKEMPE,45.1004)

& was mor bold +tan sche was be-forn . (CMKEMPE,45.1005)

<P_46>

Be-forn +tis creatur went to Ierusalem , owyr Lord sent hir to a
worshipful lady +tat sche xuld spekyn wyth hir in cownsel & do hys
eraend vn-to hir . (CMKEMPE,46.1007)

+Te lady wold not speke wyth hir les +tan hir gostly fadyr wer present
, (CMKEMPE,46.1008)

& sche seyd sche was wel plesyd . (CMKEMPE,46.1009)

& +tan whan +te ladys gostly fadyr was comyn +tei wentyn in-to a chapel
al thre to-gedyr , (CMKEMPE,46.1010)

and +tan +tis creatur seyd wyth gret reuerens & many teerys , " Madam ,
owyr Lord Ihesu Crist bad me telle +gow +tat +gowr husbond is in
Purgatory & +tat +ge schal ben savyd but it schal be long er +ge come
to Hevyn . " (CMKEMPE,46.1011)

And +tan +te lady was dysplesyd (CMKEMPE,46.1012)

& seyd hir husbond was a good man , - (CMKEMPE,46.1013)

sche levyd not +tat he was in Purgatory . (CMKEMPE,46.1014)

Hir gostly fadyr held wyth +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,46.1015)

& seyd it mygth rygth wel ben so as sche seyd (CMKEMPE,46.1016)

& confermyd hir wordys wyth many holy talys . (CMKEMPE,46.1017)

And +tan +tis lady sent hir dowtyr wyth o+ter meny wyth hir to +te
ankyr whech was princypal confessowr to +tis creatur +tat he schuld
forsakyn hir & ellys he xuld lesyn hir frenshep . (CMKEMPE,46.1018)

The ankyr seyd to +te massangerys +tat he wold not forsakyn +tis
creatur for no man in erthe , (CMKEMPE,46.1019)

for to swech creaturys as wold inqwiryn of hym hir maner of gouernawns
& how he held of hir he seyd sche was Goddys owyn seruawnt
(CMKEMPE,46.1020)

and also he seyd sche was +te tabernakyl of God . (CMKEMPE,46.1021)

And +te ankyr seyd vn-to hir owyn persone for to strengthyn hir in hir
feyth , " +Tow God toke fro +gow al teerys & dalyawns , beleuyth
neuyr-+te-les +tat God louyth +gow & +tat +ge schal be ryt sekyr of
Hevyn for +tat +ge haue had be-for-tyme , (CMKEMPE,46.1022)

for teerys wyth lofe is +te grettest +geft +tat God may +gevyn in erth
(CMKEMPE,46.1023)

& al men +tat louyn God owyn to thankyn hym for +gow . "
(CMKEMPE,46.1024)

Also +ter was a wedow preyd +tis creatur to preyn for hir husbond &
wete yf he had ony nede of help . (CMKEMPE,46.1025)

& , as +tis creatur preyd for hym , sche was answeryd +tat hys sowle
xuld be xxx +ger in Purgatory les +tan he had bettyr frendys in erthe .
(CMKEMPE,46.1026)

Thus sche teld +te wedow (CMKEMPE,46.1027)

& seyd , " $+Gyf $+ge wyl don almes for hym iij <P_47> pownd er iiij in
$messys & almes-+geuyng to powyr folke , +ge schal hyly plesyn God &
don +te sowle gret esse . " (CMKEMPE,47.1028)

+Te wedow toke lytyl hede at hir wordys (CMKEMPE,47.1029)

& let it pasyn forth . (CMKEMPE,47.1030)

+Tan +tis creatur went to +te ankyr (CMKEMPE,47.1031)

& teld hym how sche had felt , (CMKEMPE,47.1032)

& he seyd +te felyng was of God & +te dede in +te self was good , +tow
+te sowle had no nede +terof , (CMKEMPE,47.1033)

& cownseld it xuld be fulfylled . (CMKEMPE,47.1034)

+Tan +tis creatur teld +tis mater to hir gostly fadyr +tat he xuld
speke to +te wedow , (CMKEMPE,47.1035)

& so it was long tyme +tat +tis creatur herd no mo of +tis mater .
(CMKEMPE,47.1036)

Aftyrward owyr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to +tis creatur , " +Tat thyng I
bad xuld a be don for +te sowle it is not don . (CMKEMPE,47.1037)

Aske now +ti gostly fadyr . " (CMKEMPE,47.1038)

& so sche dede , (CMKEMPE,47.1039)

& he seyd it was not don . (CMKEMPE,47.1040)

Sche seyd a-+gen , " My Lord Ihesu Crist teld me so rygth now .
(CMKEMPE,47.1041)

<heading>

CAPITULUM (CMKEMPE,47.1043)

</heading>

On a day as +tis creatur was heryng hir Messe , a +gong man and a good
prest heldyng up +te Sacrament in hys handys ouyr hys hed , +te
Sacrament schok (CMKEMPE,47.1045)

& flekeryd to & fro as a dowe flekeryth wyth hir wengys .
(CMKEMPE,47.1046)

& , whan he held up +te chalys wyth +te precyows Sacrament , +te chalys
mevyd to & fro as it xuld a fallyn owt of hys handys .
(CMKEMPE,47.1047)

Whan +te Sacre was don , +tis creatur had gret merueyle of +te steryng
& mevyng of +te blyssed Sacrament , desyring to se mor Sacreys & lokyng
yf it wold don so a-+gen . (CMKEMPE,47.1048)

+Tan seyd owyr Lord Ihesu Crist to +te creatur , " +Tow xalt no mor sen
it in +tis maner , (CMKEMPE,47.1049)

+terfor thank God +tat +tow hast seyn . (CMKEMPE,47.1050)

My dowtyr , Bryde , say me neuyr in +tis wyse . " (CMKEMPE,47.1051)

+Tan seyd +tis creatur in hir thowt , " Lord , what betokenyth +tis ? "
(CMKEMPE,47.1052)

" It betokenyth veniawnce . " (CMKEMPE,47.1053)

" A , good Lord , what veniawnce ? " (CMKEMPE,47.1054)

+Tan seyd owyr Lord a-+gen to hir , " +Ter xal be an erdene ,
(CMKEMPE,47.1055)

tel it whom +tow wylt in +te name of Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,47.1056)

For I telle +te forso+te (CMKEMPE,47.1057)

rygth as I spak to Seynt Bryde ryte so I speke to +te , dowtyr ,
(CMKEMPE,47.1058)

& I telle +te trewly it is trewe euery word +tat is wretyn in Brides
boke , (CMKEMPE,47.1059)

& be +te it xal be knowyn for very trewth . (CMKEMPE,47.1060)

And +tow xalt faryn wel , <P_48> dowtyr , in spyte of alle thyn enmys ;
(CMKEMPE,48.1061)

+te mor envye thei han to +te for my $grace , +te bettyr xal I lofe +te
. (CMKEMPE,48.1062)

I wer not rygthful God but <em> I $louyd +te , (CMKEMPE,48.1063)

for I knowe +te bettyr +tan +tow dost +ti-self , $what $+tat $euyr
{TEXT:what-+tat-euyr} men </em> seyn of +te . (CMKEMPE,48.1064)

+Tow seyst I haue gret paciens in +te syn of +te pepyl ,
(CMKEMPE,48.1065)

and +tow seyst soth , (CMKEMPE,48.1066)

but , yf +tow sey +te synne of +te pepyl as I do , +tow xuldyst haue
mech more mervayle in my pacyens & mech mor sorwe in +te synne of +te
pepyl +tan +tow hast . " (CMKEMPE,48.1067)

+Tan +te creatur seyd , " Alas , derworthy Lord , what xal I do for +te
pepyl ? " (CMKEMPE,48.1068)

Owyr Lord answeryd , " It is j-now to +te to don as +tow dost . "
(CMKEMPE,48.1069)

+Tan sche preyed , " Mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu , in +te is al mercy &
grace & goodnes . (CMKEMPE,48.1070)

Haue mercy , pyte , & compassyon of hem . (CMKEMPE,48.1071)

Schew +ti mercy & thy goodnes vp-on hem , (CMKEMPE,48.1072)

help hem , (CMKEMPE,48.1073)

send hem very contricyon , (CMKEMPE,48.1074)

& late hem neuyr deyn in her synne . " (CMKEMPE,48.1075)

Owyr mercyful Lord seyde , " I may no mor , dowtyr , of my rytfulnesse
do for hem +tan I do . (CMKEMPE,48.1076)

I send hem prechyng & techyng , pestylens & bataylys , hungyr and
famynyng , losse of her goodys wyth gret sekenesse , & many o+ter
tribulacyons , (CMKEMPE,48.1077)

& +tei wyl not leuyn my wordys (CMKEMPE,48.1078)

ne +tei wyl not knowe my vysitacyon . (CMKEMPE,48.1079)

& +terfor I xal sey to hem +tat I made my seruawntys to prey for +gow ,
& +ge despysed her werkys & her leuyng . " (CMKEMPE,48.1080)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 21 (CMKEMPE,48.1082)

</heading>

In +te tyme +tat +tis creatur had reuelacyons , owyr Lord seyd to hir ,
" Dowtyr , +tow art wyth childe . " (CMKEMPE,48.1084)

sche seyd a-+gen , " A , Lord , how xal I +tan do for kepyng of my
chylde ? " (CMKEMPE,48.1085)

Owir Lord seyd , " Dowtyr , drede +te not , (CMKEMPE,48.1086)

I xal ordeyn for an kepar . " (CMKEMPE,48.1087)

" Lord , I am not worthy to heryn +te spekyn & +tus to comown wyth myn
husbond . (CMKEMPE,48.1088)

Ner-+te-lesse it is to me gret peyn & gret dysese . " (CMKEMPE,48.1089)

" +Terfor is it no synne to +te , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,48.1090)

for it is to +te ra+tar mede & meryte , (CMKEMPE,48.1091)

& +tow xalt haue neuyr +te lesse grace , (CMKEMPE,48.1092)

for I wyl +tat +tow bryng me forth mor frwte . " (CMKEMPE,48.1093)

+Tan seyd +te creatur , " Lord Ihesu , +tis maner of leuyng longyth to
<P_49> thy holy maydens . " (CMKEMPE,49.1094)

" +Ga , dowtyr , trow +tow rygth wel +tat I lofe wyfes also , and
specyal +to wyfys whech woldyn levyn chast , +gyf +tei mygtyn haue her
wyl , & don her besynes to plesyn me as +tow dost , (CMKEMPE,49.1095)

for , +tow +te state of maydenhode be mor parfyte & mor holy +tan +te
state of wedewhode , & +te state of wedewhode mor parfyte +tan +te
state $of wedlake , +get dowtyr I lofe +te as wel as any mayden in +te
world . (CMKEMPE,49.1096)

+Ter may no man let me to lofe whom I wele & as mech as I wyl ,
(CMKEMPE,49.1097)

for lofe , dowtyr , qwenchith al synne . (CMKEMPE,49.1098)

& +terfor aske of me +te +gyftys of lofe . (CMKEMPE,49.1099)

+Ter is no +gyft so holy as is +te +gyft of lofe , ne no +ting to be so
mech desyred as lofe , (CMKEMPE,49.1100)

for lofe may purchasyn what it can desyren . (CMKEMPE,49.1101)

& +terfor , dowtyr , +tow mayst no bettyr plesyn God +tan contynuly to
thinkyn on hys lofe . " (CMKEMPE,49.1102)

Than +tis creatur askyd owyr Lord Ihesu how sche xuld best louyn hym .
(CMKEMPE,49.1103)

And owyr Lord seyd , " Haue mende of +ti wykydnesse (CMKEMPE,49.1104)

& thynk on my goodnes . " (CMKEMPE,49.1105)

Sche seyd a-geyn , " I am +te most vnwor+ti creatur +tat euyr +tow
schewedyst grace vn-to in erth . " (CMKEMPE,49.1106)

" A , dowtyr , " seyd owyr Lord , " fere +te nowt , (CMKEMPE,49.1107)

I take non hede what a man hath ben , (CMKEMPE,49.1108)

but take hede what he wyl ben . (CMKEMPE,49.1109)

Dowtyr , +tow hast despysed +ti-self , (CMKEMPE,49.1110)

+terfor +tow xalt neuyr be despysed of God . (CMKEMPE,49.1111)

Haue mend , dowtyr , what Mary Mawdelen was , Mary Eypcyan , Seynt
Powyl , & many o+ter seyntys +tat arn now in Hevyn , (CMKEMPE,49.1112)

for of vnworthy I make worthy , (CMKEMPE,49.1113)

& of synful I make rytful . (CMKEMPE,49.1114)

& so haue I mad +te worthy to me , onys louyd & euyrmor lovyd wyth me .
(CMKEMPE,49.1115)

+Ter is no seynt in Heuyn +tat +tow wylt speke wyth but he xal com to
+te . (CMKEMPE,49.1116)

Whom +tat God louyth +tei louyn . (CMKEMPE,49.1117)

Whan +tu plesyst God , +tow plesyst hys Modyr & al +te seyntys in Heuyn
. (CMKEMPE,49.1118)

Dowtyr , I take wytnesse of my Modyr , of alle +te awngelys in Heuyn ,
& of alle +te seyntys in Hevyn +tat I loue +te wyth all myn hert & I
may not forberyn +ti lofe . " (CMKEMPE,49.1119)

Owyr Lord seyd +tan to hys blysful Modyr , " Blyssed Modyr , <P_50>
telle +ge my dowtyr of +te gretnesse of loue I haue vn-to hir . "
(CMKEMPE,50.1120)

Than +tis creatur lay stylle al in wepyng & sobbyng as hir hert xuld a
brostyn for +te swetnesse of spech +tat owyr Lord spak on-to hir sowle
. (CMKEMPE,50.1121)

A-swythe aftyr +te Qwen of Mercy , Goddys Modyr , dalyed to +te sowle
of +tis creatur , seying , " My derworthy dowtyr , I bryng +te sekyr
tydyngys , wytnessyng my swet Sone Ihesu wyth alle awngelys & alle
seyntys in Heuyn whech louyn +te ful hily . (CMKEMPE,50.1122)

Dowtyr , I am thy modyr , +ti lady , and thy maystres for to teche +te
in al wyse how +tu schalt plese God best . " (CMKEMPE,50.1123)

Sche tawt +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,50.1124)

& informyd hir so wondyrfully +tat sche was abaschyd to speke it or
telle it to any , +te maters wer so hy & so holy , saf only to +te
ankyr whech was hir princypal confessowr , (CMKEMPE,50.1125)

for he cowde most skyl in swech thyngys . (CMKEMPE,50.1126)

& he chargyd +tis $creatur be vertu of obedyens to tellyn hym $what
$+tat $euyr {TEXT:what-+tat-euyr} sche felt , (CMKEMPE,50.1127)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,50.1128)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 22 (CMKEMPE,50.1130)

</heading>

As +tis creatur lay in contemplacyon , sor wepyng in hir spiryt , sche
seyde to owyr Lord Ihesu Cryst , " A , Lord , maydenys dawnsyn now
meryly in Heuyn . (CMKEMPE,50.1132)

Xal not I don so ? (CMKEMPE,50.1133)

For be-cawse I am no mayden , lak of maydenhed is to me now gret sorwe
; (CMKEMPE,50.1134)

me thynkyth I wolde I had ben slayn whan I was takyn fro +te funtston
+tat I xuld neuyr a dysplesyd +te , (CMKEMPE,50.1135)

& +tan xuldyst +tu , blyssed Lorde , an had my maydenhed wyth-owtyn
ende . (CMKEMPE,50.1136)

A , der God , I haue not lovyd +te alle +te days of my lyue ,
(CMKEMPE,50.1137)

& +tat sor rewyth me ; (CMKEMPE,50.1138)

I haue ronnyn a-wey fro +te , (CMKEMPE,50.1139)

& +tou hast ronnyn aftyr me ; (CMKEMPE,50.1140)

I wold fallyn in dyspeyr , (CMKEMPE,50.1141)

& +tu woldyst not suffer me . " (CMKEMPE,50.1142)

" A , dowtyr , how oftyn-tymes haue I teld +te +tat thy synnes arn
for+goue +te & +tat we ben onyd to-gedyr wyth-owtyn ende ?
(CMKEMPE,50.1143)

+Tu art to me a synguler lofe , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,50.1144)

& +terfor I behote +te +tu schalt haue a synguler grace in Hevyn ,
<P_51> dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,51.1145)

& I be-hest +te +tat I shal come to +tin ende at +ti deyng wyth my
blyssed Modyr & myn holy awngelys & twelve apostelys , Seynt Kateryne ,
Seynt Margarete , Seynt Mary Mawdelyn , & many o+ter seyntys +tat ben
in Hevyn , whech +gevyn gret worshep to me for +te grace +tat I +geue
to +te , $+ti {TEXT:omit_+ti} God , +ti Lord Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,51.1146)

+Tow +tart drede no grevows peynes in +ti deyng , (CMKEMPE,51.1147)

for +tu xalt haue thy desyre , +tat is to haue mor mynde of my Passyon
+tan on +tin owyn peyne . (CMKEMPE,51.1148)

+Tu xalt not dredyn +te Devyl of Helle (CMKEMPE,51.1149)

for he hath no powyr in +te . (CMKEMPE,51.1150)

He dredyth +te mor +tan thow dost hym . (CMKEMPE,51.1151)

He is wroth wyth +te , (CMKEMPE,51.1152)

for +tu turmentyst hym mor wyth +ti wepyng +tan doth al +te fyer in
helle ; (CMKEMPE,51.1153)

+tu wynnyst many sowlys fro hym wyth +ti wepyng . (CMKEMPE,51.1154)

& I haue be-hygth +te +tat +tu xuldyst noon o+ter Purgatory han +tan
slawndyr & speche of +te world , (CMKEMPE,51.1155)

for I haue chastysed +te my-self as I wolde be many gret dredys &
turmentrijs +tat +tu hast had wyth euyl spyritys bo+t-4 in slepyng &
wakyng many +gerys . (CMKEMPE,51.1156)

& +terfor I schal preseruyn +te at +tin ende thorw my mercy +tat +tei
schal no powyr haue ouyr +te ney+tyr in body ne in sowle ;
(CMKEMPE,51.1157)

it is gret grace & myracle +tat +tu hast thy bodyly wyttys for +te
vexacyon +tat +tu hast had wyth hem a-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,51.1158)

I haue also , dowtyr , chastised +te wyth +te drede of my Godhede ,
(CMKEMPE,51.1159)

& many tymes haue I feryd +te wyth gret tempestys of wyndys +tat +tu
wendyst veniawns xuld a fallyn on +te for synne . (CMKEMPE,51.1160)

I haue preuyd +te be many tribulacyons , many gret heuynes , & many
grevows sekenes in so mech +tat +tu hast ben $a-noynted for deed ,
(CMKEMPE,51.1161)

& al thorw my grace hast +tu skapyd . (CMKEMPE,51.1162)

+Terfor drede +te nowt , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,51.1163)

for wyth myn owyn handys , whech wer nayled to +te Crosse , I xal take
+ti sowle fro +ti bodd wyth gret myrthe & melodye , wyth swet smellys &
good odowrys , & offyr it to my Fadyr in Heuyn , (CMKEMPE,51.1164)

+ter <P_52> +tu xalt se hym face to face , wonyng wyth hym wythowtyn
ende . (CMKEMPE,52.1165)

Dowtyr , +tu xalt be ryte wolcome to my Fadyr & to my Modyr & to alle
my seyntys in Hevyn , (CMKEMPE,52.1166)

for +tu hast +gouyn hem drynkyn ful many tymes wyth teerys of thyn eyne
. (CMKEMPE,52.1167)

Alle myn holy seyntys xal enioyen of +ti comyng hom . (CMKEMPE,52.1168)

+Tu xalt be fulfyllyd of al maner lofe +tat +tu coueytyst .
(CMKEMPE,52.1169)

+Tan xalt +tu blysse +te tyme +tat +tu wer wrowte & +te body +tat +te
hath bowte . (CMKEMPE,52.1170)

He xal joyen in +te & +tu in hym wyth-owtyn ende . (CMKEMPE,52.1171)

Dowtyr , I be-hote +te +te same grace +tat I be-hyte Seynt Kateryne ,
Seynt Margarete , Seynt Barbara , & Seynt Powle , in so mech +tat what
creatur in erth vn-to +te Day of Dom aske +te any bone & beleuyth +tat
God louyth +te he xal haue hys bone er ellys a bettyr thyng .
(CMKEMPE,52.1172)

+Terfor +tei +tat beleuyn +tat God louyth +te +tei xal ben blyssed
wythowtyn ende . (CMKEMPE,52.1173)

The sowlys in Purgatory xal joyn in +ti comyng hom , (CMKEMPE,52.1174)

for +tei knowyn wel +tat God louyth +te specyaly . (CMKEMPE,52.1175)

& men in erth schal joyn in God for +te , (CMKEMPE,52.1176)

for he xal werkyn meche grace for +te and makyn al +te world to knowyn
+tat God louyth +te . (CMKEMPE,52.1177)

+Tu hast be despysed for my lofe , (CMKEMPE,52.1178)

& +terfor +tu xalt be worshepyd for my lofe . (CMKEMPE,52.1179)

Dowtyr , whan +tu art in Heuyn , +tu xalt mown askyn what +tu wylt ,
(CMKEMPE,52.1180)

& I xal grawnte +te al +ti desyr . (CMKEMPE,52.1181)

I haue telde +te be-for-tyme +tat +tu art a synguler louer ,
(CMKEMPE,52.1182)

& +terfor +tu xalt haue a synguler loue in Heuyn , a synguler reward ,
& a synguler worshep . (CMKEMPE,52.1183)

& , for-as-mech as +tu art a mayden in +ti sowle , I xal take +te be
+te on hand in Hevyn & my Modyr be +te o+ter hand , (CMKEMPE,52.1184)

& so xalt +tu dawnsyn in Hevyn wyth o+ter holy maydens & virgynes ,
(CMKEMPE,52.1185)

for I may clepyn +te dere a-bowte & myn owyn derworthy derlyng .
(CMKEMPE,52.1186)

I xal sey to +te , myn owyn blyssed <P_53> spowse , ' Welcome to me
wyth al maner of joye & gladnes , her to dwellyn wyth me & neuyr to
departyn fro me wyth-owtyn ende , but euyr to dwellyn wyth me in joy &
blysse , whech non eye may se , ne eer heryn , ne tunge telle , ne non
hert thynkyn , +tat I haue ordeynd for +te & for alle my seruawntys +te
whech desyryn to lofe me & plesyn me as +tu dost . ' "
(CMKEMPE,53.1187)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 23 (CMKEMPE,53.1189)

</heading>

Ther cam onys a vykary to +tis creatur , preyng hir to prey for hym &
wetyn whedyr he xuld mor plese God to leuyn hys cure & hys benefyce or
to kepe it stylle , (CMKEMPE,53.1191)

for hym thowt he profyted not a-mong hys parysshonys .
(CMKEMPE,53.1192)

+te creatur beyng in hir preyers hauyng mende of +tis mater , Crist
seyde vn-to hir spyrite , " Bydde +te vykary kepyn stylle hys cure &
hys benefyce & don hys diligence in prechyng & techyng of hem hys owyn
persone and sumtyme procuryn o+ter to teche hem my lawys & my
comawndmentys so +tat +ter be no defawte in hys parte ,
(CMKEMPE,53.1193)

& , +gyf +tei do neuyr +te bettyr , hys mede xal neuyr be +te lesse . "
(CMKEMPE,53.1194)

& so sche dede hir massage as sche was comawndyd , (CMKEMPE,53.1195)

& +te vykary kept stylle hys cur . (CMKEMPE,53.1196)

As +tis creatur was in a cherch of Seynt Margarete in +te qwer wher a
cors was present , & he +tat was husbond of +te same cors whyl sche
leuyd was +ter in good hele for to offeryn hir Messe-peny aftyr +te
custom of +te place , owyr Lord seyd to +te forseyd creatur , " Lo ,
dowtyr , +te sowle of +tis cors is in Purgatory , (CMKEMPE,53.1197)

& he +tat was hir husbond is now in good hele , (CMKEMPE,53.1198)

& +get he xal ben ded in schort tyme . " (CMKEMPE,53.1199)

& so it be-fel as sche felt be reuelacyon . (CMKEMPE,53.1200)

Also , as +tis creatur lay in +te qwer in hir preyers , a prest cam to
hir (CMKEMPE,53.1201)

& preyde hir to prey for a woman whech lay in poynt of deth .
(CMKEMPE,53.1202)

As +tis creatur gan to prey for hir , owyr Lord seyd to hir , " Dowtyr
, it is gret nede to prey for hir , (CMKEMPE,53.1203)

for sche hath ben a wykkyd woman (CMKEMPE,53.1204)

& sche xal be ded . " (CMKEMPE,53.1205)

& sche seyd a-+gen , " Lord , as +tu louyst me , <P_54> saue hir sowle
fro dampnacyon , " (CMKEMPE,54.1206)

& +tan sche wept wyth plentyuows teerys for +tat sowle .
(CMKEMPE,54.1207)

& owyr Lord grawntyd hir mercy for +te sowle , comawndyng hir to prey
for hir . (CMKEMPE,54.1208)

Thys creaturys gostly fadyr cam to hir , mevyng hir to prey for a woman
whech lay in poynt of deth to mannys sygthe . (CMKEMPE,54.1209)

& a-non owyr Lord seyd sche xuld levyn & faryn wel , (CMKEMPE,54.1210)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,54.1211)

A good man whech was a gret frend to +tis creatur & an helply to +te
powyr pepyl was strongly seke many wekys to-gedyr . (CMKEMPE,54.1212)

& mech mone was mad for hym , (CMKEMPE,54.1213)

for men wend he xuld neuyr a leuyd , hys peyn was so wondyrful in alle
hys joyntys & in al hys body . (CMKEMPE,54.1214)

Owyr Lord Ihesu seyd to hir spirite , " Dowtyr , be not abaschyd for
+tis man , (CMKEMPE,54.1215)

he schal levyn & faryn rygth wel . " (CMKEMPE,54.1216)

& so he leuyd many +gerys aftyr in good helth & prosperite .
(CMKEMPE,54.1217)

An-o+ter good man whech was a lyster lay seke also , (CMKEMPE,54.1218)

& , whan +tis creature preyd for hym , it was answeryd to hir mende
+tat he xulde languryn a whyle & sythen he xuld ben ded wyth +tat same
sekenesse . (CMKEMPE,54.1219)

& so he was in schort tyme aftyr . (CMKEMPE,54.1220)

Also a worshepful woman & , as men leuyd , an holy woman whech was a
specyal frende to +tis creatur was ryte seke , (CMKEMPE,54.1221)

& mech pepyl wend sche xuld a be ded . (CMKEMPE,54.1222)

+Tan , +tis creatur preyng for hyr , owyr Lord seyd , " sche xal not
deyn +tis x +ger , (CMKEMPE,54.1223)

for +ge schal aftyr +tis makyn ful mery to-gedyr & han ful good
comunycacyon as +ge han had be-for . " (CMKEMPE,54.1224)

& so it was in trewth : (CMKEMPE,54.1225)

+tis holy woman leuyd many +gerys aftyr . (CMKEMPE,54.1226)

Many mo swech reuelacyons +tis creatur had in felyng ;
(CMKEMPE,54.1227)

hem alle for to wryten it xuld be lettyng perauentur of mor profyte .
(CMKEMPE,54.1228)

+Tes be wretyn for to schewyn +te homlynes & +te goodlynes of owyr
mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu & for no commendacyon of +te creatur .
(CMKEMPE,54.1229)

+Tes felyngys & swech o+ter many mo +tan be wretyn , bo+te of leuyng &
of deyng , of summe to be sauyd , of summe to be dammyd , weryn to +tis
creatur gret peyn & ponyschyng . (CMKEMPE,54.1230)

Sche had leuar a sufferyd any bodyly penawns +tan +tes felyngys
(CMKEMPE,54.1231)

& sche mygth a put hem a-wey for +te dred +tat sche had of illusyons &
deceytys of hir gostly enmys . (CMKEMPE,54.1232)

Sche had sumtyme so <P_55> gret trubbyl wyth swech felyngys whan it fel
not trewe to hir vndyrstandyng , +tat hir confessowr feryd +tat sche
xuld a fallyn in dyspeyr +terwyth . (CMKEMPE,55.1233)

And +tan aftyr hir turbele & hir gret fere it xuld ben schewyd vn-to
hir sowle how +te felyngys xuld ben vndyrstondyn . (CMKEMPE,55.1234)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 24 (CMKEMPE,55.1236)

</heading>

The prest whech wrot +tis boke for to preuyn +tis creaturys felyngys
many tymes & dyuers tymes he askyd hir qwestyons & demawndys of thyngys
+tat wer for to komyn , vn-sekyr & vncerteyn as +tat tyme to any
creatur what xuld be +te ende , preyng hir , +tei sche wer loth & not
wylly to do swech thyngys , for to prey to God +terfor & wetyn , whan
owyr Lord wold visiten hir wyth deuocyon , what xuld be +te ende , and
trewly wyth-owtyn any feynyng tellyn hym how sche felt ,
(CMKEMPE,55.1238)

& ellys wold he not gladlych a wretyn +te boke . (CMKEMPE,55.1239)

And so +tis creatur , sumdel for drede +tat he wold ellys not a folwyd
hir entent for to wryten +tis boke , compellyd , dede as he preyd hir
(CMKEMPE,55.1240)

& telde hym hir felyngys what xuld be-fallyn in swech materys as he
askyd hir +gyf hir felyngys wer trewth . (CMKEMPE,55.1241)

& +tus he preuyd hem for very trewth . (CMKEMPE,55.1242)

& +get he wold not alwey +geuyn credens to hir wordys ,
(CMKEMPE,55.1243)

& +tat hyndryd hym in +tis maner +tat folwyth . (CMKEMPE,55.1244)

It be-fel on a tyme +tat +ter cam a +gong man to +tis prest , whech
+gong man +te preste neuyr sey be-forn , compleynyng to +te preste of
pouerte & disese whech he was fallyn in be infortunyte , expleyntyng
+te cawse of infortunyte , seying also he $had takyn holy orderys for
to be a preste . (CMKEMPE,55.1245)

For a lytil hastynes , hym-self defendyng as he myght not chesyn les
+tan he wold a be ded thorw pursute of hys enmys , he smet a man or
ellys tweyn , wher-thorw , as he seyde , wer ded or ellys lyche for to
be ded . (CMKEMPE,55.1246)

& so he was fallyn in-to irregularite (CMKEMPE,55.1247)

& mygth not executyn hys <P_56> orderys wyth-owtyn dispensacyon of +te
Cowrt of Rome , (CMKEMPE,56.1248)

& for +tis cawse he fled fro hys frendys (CMKEMPE,56.1249)

& durst not comyn in hys contre for drede to be takyn for her deth .
(CMKEMPE,56.1250)

+te forseyd preste , +geuyng credens to +te +gong mannys wordys ,
in-as-mech as he was an amyabyl persone , fayr feturyd , wel faueryd in
cher & in cuntenawns , sad in hys langage and dalyawns , prestly in hys
gestur & vestur , hauyng compassyon of hys disese , purposyng to getyn
hym frendys in-to hys relevyng & comfort , went to a worshepful burgeys
in Lenn , a meyrs pere & a mercyful man , whech lay in gret seknes &
long tyme had don , compleynyng to hym & to hys wyfe , a ful good woman
, of +te myschef of +tis +gong man , trustyng to haue fayr almes as he
oftyn-tyme had for o+ter +tat he askyd for . (CMKEMPE,56.1251)

It happyd +te creatur of whom +tis boke is wretyn to ben +ter present &
herd how +te preste compleyned for +te +gong man & how +te preste
preysed hym . (CMKEMPE,56.1252)

& sche was sor mevyd in hir spiryt a-geyns +tat +gong man ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1253)

& seyd +tei haddyn many powyr neybowrys whech +tei knewyn wel a-now
hadyn gret nede to ben holpyn & relevyd , (CMKEMPE,56.1254)

& it was mor almes to helpyn hem +tat +tei knewyn wel for wel dysposyd
folke & her owyn neybowrys +tan o+ter strawngerys whech +tei knew not ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1255)

for many spekyn (CMKEMPE,56.1256)

& schewyn ful fayr owtward to +te sygth of +te pepyl ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1257)

God knowyth what +tei arn in her sowlys . (CMKEMPE,56.1258)

The good man & hys wyfe thowtyn +tat sche seyd rygth wel ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1259)

& +terfor +tei woldyn grawntyn hym non almes . (CMKEMPE,56.1260)

At +tat tyme +te preste was euyl plesyd wyth +tis creatur ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1261)

& , whan he mett wyth hir a-lone , he rehersyd how sche had lettyd hym
+tat he mygth non almes getyn for +te +gong man whech was $a wel
dysposyd man as hym thowt (CMKEMPE,56.1262)

& commendyd mech hys gouernawns . (CMKEMPE,56.1263)

+te creatur seyd , " Sere , God knowyth what hys gouernawns is ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1264)

for , +tat I wot of , I sey hym neuyr . (CMKEMPE,56.1265)

& +get I haue vndyrstondyng what hys gouernawns xuld be ,
(CMKEMPE,56.1266)

& +terfor , ser , yf +ge wyl do be my cownsel & aftyr +tat I fele ,
latyth hym chesyn & helpyn hym-selfe as wel as he can (CMKEMPE,56.1267)

& medyl +ge not wyth hym , (CMKEMPE,56.1268)

for he xal dysceyue +gow at +te last . " (CMKEMPE,56.1269)

+te +gong man resortyd alwey to +te preste , flateryng hym & seyng +tat
he hath <P_57> good frendys in o+ter placys whech xuld helpyn hym +gyf
+tei wysten wher he wer , & +tat in schort tyme , & also +tei woldyn
thankyn +to personys +tat had supportyd hym in hys dysese .
(CMKEMPE,57.1270)

The preste , trustyng it xuld be as +tis +gong man teld hym , lent hym
syluer wyth good wyl to helpyn hym wyth . (CMKEMPE,57.1271)

+te +gong man preyed +te preste to haue hym excused if he sey hym not
of too days er thre , (CMKEMPE,57.1272)

for he xuld gon a lytyl wey & comyn a-geyn in schort tyme & bryng hym
a-+gen hys syluer rygth wel & trewly . (CMKEMPE,57.1273)

The preste , hauyng confidens in hys promysse , was wel content ,
grawntyng hym good lofe & leue vn-to +te day whech he had promysed to
come a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,57.1274)

Whan he was gon , +te forseyde creatur hauyng vndyrstondyng be felyng
in hir sowle as owyr Lord wold schewyn +tat he was an vntrewe man & no
mor wold come a-geyn , sche for to preve whe+tyr hir felyng was trewe
or fals askyd +te preste whe+tyr +te +gong man was +tat he had preysed
so mech . (CMKEMPE,57.1275)

The preste seyd he walkyd a lytil way & trustyd +tat he wold come
a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,57.1276)

Sche seyd sche supposyd +tat he wold no mor se hym , (CMKEMPE,57.1277)

ne no mor he dede neuyr aftyr . (CMKEMPE,57.1278)

& +tan he repentyd hym +tat he had not don aftyr hir cownsel .
(CMKEMPE,57.1279)

In schort tyme aftyr +tis was passyd , comyth an-o+ter fals schrewe ,
an elde man , to +te same preste (CMKEMPE,57.1280)

& proferyd hym a portose , a good lytyl boke , for to selle .
(CMKEMPE,57.1281)

+te preste went to +te forseyd creatur , preyng hir to preye for hym &
wetyn whedyr God wolde he xulde by +te boke er not , (CMKEMPE,57.1282)

& , whyl sche preyd , he cheryd +te man as wel as he cowde ,
(CMKEMPE,57.1283)

& sythen he cam a-geyn to +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,57.1284)

& askyd how sche felt . (CMKEMPE,57.1285)

" Syr , " sche seyth , " byith no boke of hym , (CMKEMPE,57.1286)

for he is not to trustyn vp-on , (CMKEMPE,57.1287)

& +tat xal +ge wel knowyn +gyf +ge medyl wyth $hym . "
(CMKEMPE,57.1288)

Than +te preste preyde +te man +tat he mygt se +tis boke .
(CMKEMPE,57.1289)

+te man seyde he hath it not vp-on hym . (CMKEMPE,57.1290)

+te preste askyd how he cam +terby . (CMKEMPE,57.1291)

He seyd he was executor to a preste whech was of hys kynred , & he
chargyd hym to sellyn it & dysposyn it for hym . (CMKEMPE,57.1292)

" Fadyr , " seyde +te preste be-cawse of reuerens , " why profyr +ge me
+tis boke ra+tar +tan o+ter men or o+ter prestys <P_58> whan +ter arn
many mo thryftyare , richare prestys in +tis cherch +tan I am , & I wel
wot +ge had neuyr no knowlach of me be-fore +tis tyme ? "
(CMKEMPE,58.1293)

" For-so+te , syr , " he seyde , " no mor I had , (CMKEMPE,58.1294)

neuyr-+te-les I haue good wyl wyth +gowr persone , (CMKEMPE,58.1295)

& also it was hys wyl +tat awt it be-for +tat , +gef I knew any +gong
preste +tat me thowt sad & wel dysposyd , +tat he xuld han +tis boke
be-fore any o+ter man & for lesse prys +tan any o+ter man +tat he myt
prey for hym . (CMKEMPE,58.1296)

& +tese cawsys mevyn me to come to +gow ra+ter +tan to an-o+ter man . "
(CMKEMPE,58.1297)

+te preste askyd wher was hys dwellyng . (CMKEMPE,58.1298)

" Ser , " he seyde , " but fyve myle fro +tis place in Penteney Abbey .
" (CMKEMPE,58.1299)

" +Ter haue I ben , " seyd +te preste , (CMKEMPE,58.1300)

" & I haue not sey +gow . " (CMKEMPE,58.1301)

" No ser , " seyd he a-geyn , " I haue be +ter but lytyl whyle
(CMKEMPE,58.1302)

& now haue I ther a lyuery , (CMKEMPE,58.1303)

+tankyd be God . " (CMKEMPE,58.1304)

+te preste preyd hym +tat he mygth haue a sygth of +te boke & lokyn yf
+tei mygth acordyn . (CMKEMPE,58.1305)

He seyde , " Sere , I hope to be her a-geyn +te next woke & bryng it
wyth me (CMKEMPE,58.1306)

& , ser , I be-hote +gow +ge schal haue it before any o+ter man +gyf
+gow lyke it . " (CMKEMPE,58.1307)

+te preste +tankyd hym for hys good wyl , (CMKEMPE,58.1308)

& so they partyd a-sundyr , (CMKEMPE,58.1309)

but +te man wold neuyr comyn at +te preste aftyr , (CMKEMPE,58.1310)

& +tan +te preste knew wel +tat +te forseyd creaturys felyng was trewe
. (CMKEMPE,58.1311)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 25 (CMKEMPE,58.1313)

</heading>

Ferthermore her folwyth a rygth notabyl matere of +te creaturys felyng
, (CMKEMPE,58.1315)

& it is wretyn her for conuenyens in-as-mech as it is in felyng leche
to +te materys +tat ben wretyn be-forn , notwythstondyng it befel long
aftyr +te materys whech folwyn . (CMKEMPE,58.1316)

It happyd in a worshepful town wher was o parysch cherch & tweyn
chapelys annexid , +te chapellys hauyng & mynystryng alle sacramentys ,
except only cristenyng & purificacyons , thorw sufferawns of +te person
, whech was a monke of Seynt $Benetys Ordyr sent fro +te hows of
Norwych , kepyng resydens wyth iij of hys bretheryn in +te worshepful
town be-forn-wretyn . (CMKEMPE,58.1317)

Thorw summe of +te parischenys desyryng to make +te chapelys lych to
+te parysch cherch , <P_59> pursuyng a bulle fro +te Cowrt of Rome ,
fel gret ple & gret heuynes be-twen +te Priowr whech was her person &
curat & +te forseyd paryschenys +tat desyred to haue fvntys &
purificacyons in +te chapelys lych as weryn in +te parysch cherch .
(CMKEMPE,59.1318)

& specyaly in +te on chapel whech was +te grettar & +te fayrare +tei
wold haue a funte . (CMKEMPE,59.1319)

+Ter was pursuyd a bulle , in +te whech was grawntyd a funte to +te
chapel so it wer no derogacyon to +te parysch cherch .
(CMKEMPE,59.1320)

+te bulle was put in ple , (CMKEMPE,59.1321)

& diuers days wer kept be forme of lawe to preuyn whe+tyr +te funte ,
+gyf it wer had , xuld ben derogacyon to +te parysch chyrch or nowt .
(CMKEMPE,59.1322)

+te paryschenys whech pursuyd weryn rygth strong (CMKEMPE,59.1323)

& haddyn gret help of lordshyp , (CMKEMPE,59.1324)

& also , +te most of alle , +tei wer ryche men , worshepful marchawntys
, (CMKEMPE,59.1325)

& haddyn gold a-now , whech may spede in euery nede , (CMKEMPE,59.1326)

& +tat is rewth +tat mede xuld spede er +tan trewth . (CMKEMPE,59.1327)

Neuyr-+te-lesse +te Priowr whech was her person , +tei he wer powyr ,
manfully he wythstod hem thorw +te help of summe of hys paryschenys
whech wer hys frendys & louedyn +te worshep of her parysch chyrch .
(CMKEMPE,59.1328)

So long +tis mater was in ple +tat it be-gan yrkyn hem on bo+te sydes ,
(CMKEMPE,59.1329)

& it was neuyr +te nerar an ende . (CMKEMPE,59.1330)

+Tan was +te mater put in my Lord of Norwych Alnewyk to say if he mygth
be trety bryng it to an ende . (CMKEMPE,59.1331)

$He laboryd +tis mater diligently , (CMKEMPE,59.1332)

& for to settyn rest & pes he proferyd +te forseyd paryschenys mych of
her desyre wyth certeyn condycyons , in so mech +tat +tei +tat heldyn
wyth +te person & wyth her parysch chyrche weryn ful sory , dredyng
gretly +tat +tei +tat suyd for to haue a funte xuld obteyn & getyn her
intent & so makyn +te chapel eqwal to +te parysch cherch .
(CMKEMPE,59.1333)

Than +te preste whech aftyrward wrot +tis boke went to +te creatur of
whom +tis tretys makyth mencyon , as he had don be-forn in +te tyme of
ple , (CMKEMPE,59.1334)

& askyd hir how sche felt in hir sowle in +tis mater whe+tyr +tei xuld
haue a funte in +te chapel or nowt . (CMKEMPE,59.1335)

" Syr , " seyd +te creatur , " drede +ge not , (CMKEMPE,59.1336)

for I vndyrstond in my sowle , +tow +tei woldyn $+geve a buschel of
nobelys , +tei xuld not haue it . " (CMKEMPE,59.1337)

" A modyr , " seyd +te preste , <P_60> " my Lord of Norwych hath
proferyd it hem wyth certeyn condycyons , (CMKEMPE,60.1338)

& +tei haue a tyme of avysement for to sey nay or +ga whe+tyr +tei wyl
, (CMKEMPE,60.1339)

and +terfor I am a-ferd +tei wyl not deny it but be ryt glad to haue it
. " (CMKEMPE,60.1340)

Thys creatur preyd to God +tat hys wyl myt be fulfyllyd .
(CMKEMPE,60.1341)

& , for-as-mech as sche had be reuelacyon +tat +tei xuld not haue it ,
sche was +te mor bold to preyn owyr Lord to wythstonde her intent & to
slakyn her bost . (CMKEMPE,60.1342)

And , so as owyr Lord wolde , +tei obeyd not (CMKEMPE,60.1343)

ne lyked not +te menys whech wer proferyd hem , (CMKEMPE,60.1344)

for +tei trostyd fully to han her entent be lordshep & be proces of
lawe ; (CMKEMPE,60.1345)

& , as God wolde , +tei wer deceyuyd of her entent , (CMKEMPE,60.1346)

and for +tei wold han al +tei lost al . (CMKEMPE,60.1347)

And so , blyssed mot God ben , +te parysch cherch stod stylle in her
worshep & hyr degre as sche had don ij hundryd +ger befor & mor ,
(CMKEMPE,60.1348)

and +te inspiracyon of owyr Lord was be experiens preuyd for very
sothfast & sekyr in +te forseyd creatur . (CMKEMPE,60.1349)

Whan tyme cam +tat +tis creatur xuld vysiten +to holy placys wher owyr
Lord was whyk & ded , as sche had be reuelacyon +gerys a-forn , sche
preyd +te parysch preste of +te town +ter sche was dwellyng to sey for
hir in +te pulpyt +tat , yf any man er woman +tat cleymyd any dette of
hir husbond or of hir +tei xuld come & speke wyth hir er sche went , &
sche , wyth +te help of God , xulde makyn a-seth to ech of hem +tat
+tei sehuldyn heldyn hem content . (CMKEMPE,60.1350)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,60.1351)

Sythen sche toke hir leue at hir husbond & of +te holy ankyr , whech
had teld hir beforn +te proces of hir goyng & mech dysese +tat sche
xuld sufferyn be +te wey , and , whan alle hir felaschep forsoke hir ,
how a broke-bakkyd man xuld ledyn hire forth in safte thorw +te help of
owyr Lord . (CMKEMPE,60.1352)

& so it <em> be-fel in </em> dede , as it xal be wretyn aftyrwarde .
(CMKEMPE,60.1353)

Than sche toke hir leue of Maystyr Robert (CMKEMPE,60.1354)

& preyd hym of hys blyssyng , & so forth of o+ter frendys .
(CMKEMPE,60.1355)

& +tan sche went forth to Norwych (CMKEMPE,60.1356)

and offeryd at +te Trinite , (CMKEMPE,60.1357)

& sythen sche went to +Germowth , (CMKEMPE,60.1358)

& offeryd at an ymage of owyr Lady , (CMKEMPE,60.1359)

& +ter sche toke hir schyp . (CMKEMPE,60.1360)

& +te next day +tei cam to a gret town hyte Seryce , wher owyr Lord of
hys hey goodnesse <P_61> vysited +tis creatur wyth abundawnt teerys of
contricyon for hir owyn synnes and sumtyme for o+ter mennys synnes also
. (CMKEMPE,61.1361)

And specyaly sche had teerys of compassyon in +te mende of owyr Lordys
Passyon . (CMKEMPE,61.1362)

And sche was howselyd eche Sonday wher +tat tyme was & place conuenient
+terto wyth gret wepyngys & boystows sobbyngys +tat many men merueyled
& wonderyd of +te gret grace +tat God wrowt in hys creatur .
(CMKEMPE,61.1363)

Thys creatur had etyn no flesch ne drunkyn no wyn iiij +gere er sche
went owt of Ynglond . (CMKEMPE,61.1364)

And as now hyr gostly fadyr chargyd hir be vertu of obediens +tat sche
xulde bothyn etyn flesch & drynkyn wyn , & so sche dede a lytyl whyle .
(CMKEMPE,61.1365)

Sythen sche preyd hir confessowr he wolde heldyn hir excused +tow sche
ete no flesch , (CMKEMPE,61.1366)

and suffred hir to do as sche wold for a tyme as hym lykyd .
(CMKEMPE,61.1367)

And sone aftyr thorw meuyng of summe of her cumpany hyr confessowr was
dysplesyd for sche ete no flesch , (CMKEMPE,61.1368)

& so was mech of alle +te cumpany . (CMKEMPE,61.1369)

And +tei wer most displesyd for sche wepyd so mech & spak alwey of +te
lofe & goodnes of owyr Lord as wel at +te tabyl as in o+ter place .
(CMKEMPE,61.1370)

& +terfor schamfully +tei repreuyd hir & alto-chedyn hir & seyden +tei
wold not suffren hir as hir husbond dede whan sche was at hom & in
Inglond . (CMKEMPE,61.1371)

And sche seyd mekely a-geyn vn-to hem , " Owyr Lord al-mygty God is as
gret a lord her as in Inglond , (CMKEMPE,61.1372)

& as gret cawse haue I to lofe hym her as +ter , (CMKEMPE,61.1373)

blyssed mot he be . " (CMKEMPE,61.1374)

For +tes wordys hir felaschep was wro+tar +tan +tei wer be-forn , whose
wreth & vnkyndnesse to +tis creatur was mater of gret heuynes ,
(CMKEMPE,61.1375)

for +tei wer holdyn ryt good men , (CMKEMPE,61.1376)

& sche desyred $gretly her lofe +gyf sche myth an had it to +te
plesawns <em> of God </em> . (CMKEMPE,61.1377)

& +tan sche seyd to oon of hem specyaly , " +Ge do me meche schame &
gret greuawns . " (CMKEMPE,61.1378)

He answeryd a-geyn a-noon , " I prey God +tat +te Deuelys deth mote
ouyr-go +te sone & ra+te , " (CMKEMPE,61.1379)

& many mo cruel wordys he seyd to hir +tan sche cowde rehersyn .
(CMKEMPE,61.1380)

And sone aftyr summe of +te cumpany on whech sche trostyd best & hir
owyn mayden also seyden sche xuld no lengar gon in her <P_62> felaschep
, (CMKEMPE,62.1381)

& +tei seyden +tei woldyn han a-wey hyr mayden fro hir +tat sche xuld
no strumpet be in hyr cumpany . (CMKEMPE,62.1382)

& +tan on of hem $whech had hir gold in kepyng left hir a nobyl wyth
gret angyr & tene to go wher sche wolde & helpyn hir-self as wel as
sche myth , (CMKEMPE,62.1383)

for wyth hem , +tei seyden , sche xuld no lengar abyde ,
(CMKEMPE,62.1384)

& forsokyn hir +tat nygth . (CMKEMPE,62.1385)

+Tan on +te next morwyn +ter com to hir on of her cumpany , a man whech
louyd hir wel , preyng hir +tat sche wold go to hys felaws & mekyn hir
on-to hem & preyn hem +tat sche myth go stylle in her cumpany tyl sche
come at Constawns . (CMKEMPE,62.1386)

& so sche dede , (CMKEMPE,62.1387)

& went forth wyth hem tyl sche cam at Constawns wyth gret dissese &
gret turbyl , (CMKEMPE,62.1388)

for +tei dedyn hir mech shame & mech reprefe as +tei $wentyn in dyuers
placys . (CMKEMPE,62.1389)

They cuttyd hir gown so schort +tat it come but lytil be-nethyn hir kne
(CMKEMPE,62.1390)

& dedyn hir don on a whyte canwas in maner of a sekkyn gelle , for sche
xuld ben holdyn a fool & +te pepyl xuld not makyn of hir ne han hir in
reputacyon . (CMKEMPE,62.1391)

+Tei madyn hir to syttyn at +te tabelys ende be-nethyn alle o+ter +tat
sche durst ful euyl spekyn a word . (CMKEMPE,62.1392)

& not-wythstondyng al her malyce , sche was had in mor worshep +tan
+tei $wher $+tat $euyr {TEXT:wher-+tat-euyr} +tei comyn .
(CMKEMPE,62.1393)

& +te good man of +te hows +ter +tei wer hostellyd , +tow sche sat
lowest at +te tablys ende , wold al-wey cheryn hir be-for hem alle as
he cowde & myth (CMKEMPE,62.1394)

& sent hir of hys owyn mees of swech seruyse as he had ,
(CMKEMPE,62.1395)

& +tat greuyd hir felawshep ful euyl . (CMKEMPE,62.1396)

As +tei went be +te wey $to-Constawns-ward , it was teld hem +tei
xuldyn ben $harmyd & han gret disese les +tan +tei had gret grace .
(CMKEMPE,62.1397)

Than +tis creatur cam be a cherch (CMKEMPE,62.1398)

& went in to make hir prayer , (CMKEMPE,62.1399)

& sche preyde wyth al hir hert , wyth gret wepyng & many teerys , for
help & socowr ageyn her enmys . (CMKEMPE,62.1400)

A-noon owyr Lord seyd to hir mende , " Drede +te nowt , dowtyr ,
(CMKEMPE,62.1401)

+ti felawshep xal non harm han whyl +tu art in her cumpany . "
(CMKEMPE,62.1402)

And so , blyssed mote owyr Lord ben in alle hys werkys , +tei wentyn
forth in safte to Constawns . (CMKEMPE,62.1403)

<P_63>

Than +tis creatur & hir felawshep was come to Constawns , sche herd
tellyn of an Englysch frer , a maystyr of diuinite & +te Popys legat ,
was in +tat cite . (CMKEMPE,63.1405)

+Tan sche went to +tat worshepful man (CMKEMPE,63.1406)

& schewyd hym hire lyfe fro +te be-gynnyng vn-to +tat owyr as ny as
sche mygth in confessyon , be-cause he was +te Popys legate & a
worshepful clerk . (CMKEMPE,63.1407)

& aftyr sche teld hym what disese sche had wyth hir felawshep .
(CMKEMPE,63.1408)

Sche teld hym also what grace God +gaf hir of contricyon & compunccyon
, of swetnes & deuocyon , & of many dyuers reuelacyons whech owyr Lord
had reuelyd vn-to hir , & +te dred +tat sche had of jllusyons &
deceytys of hir gostly enmys , wher-for sche leuyd in gret drede ,
desyryng to putte hem a-way & non for to felyn +gyf sche myth
wythstonde hem . (CMKEMPE,63.1409)

& , whan sche had seyd , +te worshepful clerke +gaf hir wordys of gret
comfort (CMKEMPE,63.1410)

& seyd it was +te werke of +te Holy Gost , comawndyng & chargyng hir to
obey hem & receyue hem whan God wold +geue hem & no dowt han ,
(CMKEMPE,63.1411)

for +te Deuyl hath no powyr to werkyn swech grace in a sowle .
(CMKEMPE,63.1412)

& also he seyd he wold supportyn hir a-+gen +te euyl wyl of hir
felawschep . (CMKEMPE,63.1413)

Aftyrward , whan it lykyd hir felawshep , +tei preyde +tis worthy
doctowr to dyner . (CMKEMPE,63.1414)

And +te doctowr teld so +te forseyd creatur , warnyng hir to syttyn at
+te mete in hys presens as sche dede in hys absens & kepyn +te same
maner of gouernawns +tat sche kept whan he was not +ter .
(CMKEMPE,63.1415)

Whan tyme was comyn +tat +tei schulde syttyn at mete , euery man toke
hys place as hym lyked , (CMKEMPE,63.1416)

+te worshepful legat & doctowr fyrst sett , & sythen o+ter , & at +te
last +te seyd creatur at +te bordys ende $syttyng & no word spekyng as
sche was won to do whan +te legate was not +ter . (CMKEMPE,63.1417)

+Tan +te legate seyd vn-to hir , " Why ar +ge no myryar ? "
(CMKEMPE,63.1418)

& sche sat stylle (CMKEMPE,63.1419)

& answeryd not , as hymself had comawndyd hir to do . (CMKEMPE,63.1420)

Whan +tei had etyn , +te company mad gret compleynt vp-on +tis creatur
to +te legate , (CMKEMPE,63.1421)

& $seyd vttyrly sche xulde no lengar be in her company les +tan he
wolde comawndyn hir to etyn flesch as +tei dedyn & levyn hir wepyng &
+tat sche xulde not speke so <P_64> mech of holynes . (CMKEMPE,64.1422)

+Tan +te worshepful doctowr seyde , " Nay , serys , I wyl not don hir
etyn flesch whyl sche may absteyne hir & ben +te bettyr disposyd to
louyn owyr Lord . (CMKEMPE,64.1423)

Whech of +gow alle +tat mad avowe to gon to Rome barfote I wolde not
dispense wyth hym of hys vow whyl he myth fulfillyn it ,
(CMKEMPE,64.1424)

ne I wyl not byddyn hir etyn flesch whyl owyr Lord +geuyth hir strength
to absteyne . (CMKEMPE,64.1425)

As for hyr wepyng , it is not in my power to restreyn it ,
(CMKEMPE,64.1426)

for it is +te +gyft of +te Holy Gost . (CMKEMPE,64.1427)

As for hir spekyng , I wyl prey hir to sesyn tyl sche comyth +ter men
wyl her hir wyth bettyr wyl +tan +ge wyl do . " (CMKEMPE,64.1428)

The company was wroth & in gret angyr . (CMKEMPE,64.1429)

+Tei +gouyn hir ouyr to +te legate (CMKEMPE,64.1430)

& seyden vttyrly +tei woldyn no mor medyl wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,64.1431)

He ful benyngly & goodly receyued hir as +tow sche had ben hys modyr
(CMKEMPE,64.1432)

& receyued hir golde a-bowte xx pownd , (CMKEMPE,64.1433)

& +get on of hem wythhelde wrongfully abowte xvj pownd .
(CMKEMPE,64.1434)

& +tei wythheldyn also hir mayden (CMKEMPE,64.1435)

& wolde not letyn hir gon wyth hir maystres , not-wythstondyng sche had
behestyd hir maystres & sekyrd hir +tat sche xulde not forsake hir for
no nede . (CMKEMPE,64.1436)

And +te legate ordeyned for +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,64.1437)

& made hir chawnge as sche had ben hys modyr . (CMKEMPE,64.1438)

+Tan +tis creatur went in-to a cherche (CMKEMPE,64.1439)

& preyd owyr Lorde to ordeyn hir a ledar . (CMKEMPE,64.1440)

& a-non owyr Lord spak to hir (CMKEMPE,64.1441)

& seyd , " +Tu xalt haue rygth good help & a good ledar , "
(CMKEMPE,64.1442)

& aswythe aftyr +ter cam to hir an olde man wyth a whyte berde .
(CMKEMPE,64.1443)

He was of Deuyn-schir , (CMKEMPE,64.1444)

& he seyd , " Damsel , wyl +ge prey me for Goddys lofe & for owyr Ladys
to gon wyth +gow & ben +gowr $gyde (CMKEMPE,64.1445)

for +gowr cuntre-men han forsake +gow ? " (CMKEMPE,64.1446)

Sche askyd what was hys name . (CMKEMPE,64.1447)

He seyde , " My name is Willyam Wever . " (CMKEMPE,64.1448)

Sche preyd hym at +te reuerens of God & of owyr Lady +tat he wolde
helpyn hir at hir nede , (CMKEMPE,64.1449)

& sche xulde wel rewardyn hym for hys labowre . (CMKEMPE,64.1450)

& so +tei wer a-cordyd . (CMKEMPE,64.1451)

+Tan went sche to +te legate (CMKEMPE,64.1452)

& telde hym how wel <P_65> owyr Lord had ordeynd for hir ,
(CMKEMPE,65.1453)

& toke hir leue of hym & of hir cumpany +tat so vngoodly had refusyd
hir & also of hir mayden whech was bowndyn to a gon wyth hir .
(CMKEMPE,65.1454)

Sche toke hir leue wyth ful heuy cher & rewful , hauyng gret heuynes
in-as-meche as sche was in strawnge cuntre & cowde no langage ne +te
man +tat xuld ledyn hir ney+tyr . (CMKEMPE,65.1455)

& so +te man & sche went forth to-gydder in gret drede & heuynes .
(CMKEMPE,65.1456)

As +tei went to-gydder , +te man seyd vn-to hir , " I am a-ferde +tu
xalt be take fro me & I xal be betyn for +te & forberyn my tabbarde . "
(CMKEMPE,65.1457)

Sche seyd , " Willyam , dredyth +gow not ; (CMKEMPE,65.1458)

God xal kepyn vs rygth wel . " (CMKEMPE,65.1459)

And +tis creatur had euery day mend of +te Gospel whech tellyth of +te
woman whech was takyn in a-vowtre & browt be-forn owyr Lord .
(CMKEMPE,65.1460)

& +tan sche preyde , " Lord , as +tow dreve awey hir enmys , so dryfe
a-wey myn enmys , (CMKEMPE,65.1461)

& kepe wel my chastite +tat I vowyd to +te , (CMKEMPE,65.1462)

& late me neuyr be defowlyd , (CMKEMPE,65.1463)

for +gyf I be , Lord , I make myn a-vow I wyl neuyr come in Inglonde
whil I leue . " (CMKEMPE,65.1464)

+Tan went +tei forth day be day (CMKEMPE,65.1465)

& met wyth many joly men . (CMKEMPE,65.1466)

& +tei seyd non euyl worde to +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,65.1467)

but +gouyn hir & hyr man mete & drynke , (CMKEMPE,65.1468)

& +te good wyvys +ter +tei weryn at inne leyden hir in her owyn beddys
for Goddys lofe in many placys +ter +tei come . (CMKEMPE,65.1469)

& owyr Lord vysite hir wyth gret grace of gostly comfort as sche went
be +te wey . (CMKEMPE,65.1470)

& so God browt hir forth tyl sche cam to Boleyn de Grace .
(CMKEMPE,65.1471)

& , aftyr +tat sche was come +tedyr , cam hir o+ter felawshep +tedyr
also whech had for-sakyn hir be-for . (CMKEMPE,65.1472)

& , whan +tei herdyn sey +tat sche was come to Boleyn er +tan +tei ,
+tan had +tei gret wondyr , (CMKEMPE,65.1473)

& on of her felawshep cam to hir preyng hir to gon to hys felaschep &
asayn +gyf +tei woldyn receyuen hir a-geyn in-to her felawshep .
(CMKEMPE,65.1474)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,65.1475)

" +Gyf +ge wyl gon in owyr felawshep , +ge must makyn a new comnawnt ,
(CMKEMPE,65.1476)

& +tat is +tis , (CMKEMPE,65.1477)

+ge schal not $speke of +te Gospel wher we come , (CMKEMPE,65.1478)

but +ge schal syttyn stylle & makyn mery , as we don , bo+tin at mete &
at soper . " (CMKEMPE,65.1479)

Sche consentyd (CMKEMPE,65.1480)

& was receyuyd a-geyn in-to hir felawshep . (CMKEMPE,65.1481)

+Tan went +tei forth to Venyce (CMKEMPE,65.1482)

& +tei dwellyd +ter xiij wekys . (CMKEMPE,65.1483)

& +tis creatur was howselyd euery Sonday in a gret hows of nunnys
(CMKEMPE,65.1484)

& had gret cher <P_66> a-mong hem , wher owyr mercyful Lord Cryst Ihesu
visite +tis creatur wyth gret deuocyon & plentyuows terys +tat +te good
ladijs of +te place wer mech a-merueylyd +terof . (CMKEMPE,66.1485)

Sythyn it happyd , as +tis creatur sat at mete wyth hir felawshep ,
+tat sche rehersyd a text of a Gospel lych as sche had leryd
be-for-tyme wyth o+ter goode wordys . (CMKEMPE,66.1486)

And a-non hir felawshep seyd sche had brokyn comenawnt .
(CMKEMPE,66.1487)

& sche seyd , " +Ga , serys , forso+te I may no lengar hold +gow
comenawnt , (CMKEMPE,66.1488)

for I must nedys speke of my Lord Ihesu Crist +tow al +tis world had
forbodyn it me . " (CMKEMPE,66.1489)

& +tan sche toke hir chawmbre (CMKEMPE,66.1490)

& ete a-lone vj wokys vn-to +te tyme +tat owyr Lord mad hir so seke
+tat sche wend to a be ded , (CMKEMPE,66.1491)

& sythyn sodeynly he mad hir hool a-+gen . (CMKEMPE,66.1492)

& al +te tyme hir mayden let hir a-lone (CMKEMPE,66.1493)

& mad +te cumpanyes mete (CMKEMPE,66.1494)

& wesch her clo+tis , (CMKEMPE,66.1495)

& to hir maystres , whom sche had behestyd servyse , sche wolde no dele
attende . (CMKEMPE,66.1496)

Also +tis cumpany whech had putt +te forseyd creatur fro her tabyl +tat
sche xulde no lengar etyn a-mong hem ordeynd a schip for hem-self to
seylyn in . (CMKEMPE,66.1497)

+Tei bowtyn vessellys for her wyn (CMKEMPE,66.1498)

& ordeyned hem beddyng for hemselfe but no-thyng for hir .
(CMKEMPE,66.1499)

Than sche , seyng her vnkyndnesse , went to +tat same man wher +tei
haddyn ben , (CMKEMPE,66.1500)

& purueyd for hyr beddyng as +tei had don , (CMKEMPE,66.1501)

& cam +ter +tei weryn (CMKEMPE,66.1502)

and schewyd hem how sche had don , purposyng to seylyn wyth hem in +tat
schyp whech +tei had ordeyned . (CMKEMPE,66.1503)

Sithyn , as +tis creatur was in contemplacyon , owyr Lord warnyd hir in
hir mende +tat sche xuld not seylyn in +tat schip , (CMKEMPE,66.1504)

& he assyngned hir ano+ter schip , a galey , +tat sche xulde seylyn in
. (CMKEMPE,66.1505)

Than sche told +tis $to summe of +te cumpany , (CMKEMPE,66.1506)

& +tei teld it forth to her felawshep , (CMKEMPE,66.1507)

<em> & +tan </em> +tei durst not seyl in +te schip whech +tei had
ordeyned . (CMKEMPE,66.1508)

& so +tei seldyn a-wey her vessellys whech +tei had ordeyned for her
wynys (CMKEMPE,66.1509)

& wer ryth fayn to comyn to +te galey +ter sche was , (CMKEMPE,66.1510)

& so , +tow it wer <P_67> a-geyn her wyl , sche went forth wyth hem in
her cumpany , (CMKEMPE,67.1511)

for +tei durst non o+ter-wyse don . (CMKEMPE,67.1512)

Whan it was tyme to makyn her beddys , +tei lokyd up her clo+tis ,
(CMKEMPE,67.1513)

& a preste wech was in her cumpany toke a-wey a schete fro +te forseyd
creatur (CMKEMPE,67.1514)

& seyd it was hys . (CMKEMPE,67.1515)

Sche toke God to wytnesse +tat it was hire schete . (CMKEMPE,67.1516)

Than +te preste swor a gret othe , & be +te boke in hys hand , +tat
sche was as fals as sche mygth be (CMKEMPE,67.1517)

& dispysed hir (CMKEMPE,67.1518)

& alto-rebukyd hir . (CMKEMPE,67.1519)

& so sche had euyr mech tribulacyon tyl sche cam to Iherusalem .
(CMKEMPE,67.1520)

& , er sche cam +ter , sche seyd to hem +tat sche supposyd +tei weryn
grevyd wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,67.1521)

" I prey +gow , serys , beth in charite wyth me , (CMKEMPE,67.1522)

for I am in charite wyth +gow , (CMKEMPE,67.1523)

& for+geuyth me +tat I haue grevyd +gow be +te wey . (CMKEMPE,67.1524)

& , +gyf any of +gow hath any-+ting trespasyd a-+gens me , God for+geue
it +gow , (CMKEMPE,67.1525)

& I do . " (CMKEMPE,67.1526)

& so +tei went forth in-to +te Holy Lond tyl +tei myth se Ierusalem .
(CMKEMPE,67.1527)

And , whan +tis creatur saw Ierusalem , rydyng on an asse , sche
thankyd God wyth al hir hert , preyng hym for hys mercy +tat lych as he
had browt hir to se +tis erdly cyte Ierusalem he wold grawntyn hir
grace to se +te blysful cite Ierusalem a-bouyn , +te cyte of Heuyn .
(CMKEMPE,67.1528)

Owyr Lord Ihesu Cryst , answeryng to hyr thowt , grawntyd hir to haue
hir desyr . (CMKEMPE,67.1529)

+Tan , for joy +tat sche had & +te swetnes +tat sche felt in +te
dalyawnce of owyr Lord , sche was in poynt to a fallyn of hir asse ,
(CMKEMPE,67.1530)

for sche myth not beryn +te swetnesse & grace +tat God wrowt in hir
sowle . (CMKEMPE,67.1531)

+Tan tweyn pylgrymys of Duchemen went to hir & kept hir fro fallyng ,
of whech +te on was a preste . (CMKEMPE,67.1532)

And he put spycys in hir mowth to comfort hir , wenyng sche had ben
seke . (CMKEMPE,67.1533)

& so +tei holpyn hir forth to Ierusalem . (CMKEMPE,67.1534)

And , whan sche cam +ter , sche seyd , " Serys , I prey +gow beth nowt
displesyd +tow I wepe sore in +tis holy place wher owyr Lord Ihesu
Crist was qwyk & ded . " (CMKEMPE,67.1535)

Than went +tei to +te Tempyl in Ierusalem , (CMKEMPE,67.1536)

& +tei wer latyn in on +te to day at <P_68> evynsong-tyme
(CMKEMPE,68.1537)

& abydyn +ter-in til +te next day at euynsong-tyme . (CMKEMPE,68.1538)

+Tan +te frerys lyftyd up a cros (CMKEMPE,68.1539)

& led +te pylgrimys a-bowte fro $on place to an-o+ter wher owyr Lord
had sufferyd hys $peynys and hys passyons , euery man & woman beryng a
wax candel in her hand . (CMKEMPE,68.1540)

& +te frerys al-wey , as +tei went a-bowte , teld hem what owyr Lord
sufferyd in euery place . (CMKEMPE,68.1541)

& +te forseyd creatur wept & sobbyd so plentyvowsly as +tow sche had
seyn owyr Lord wyth hir bodyly ey sufferyng hys Passyon at +tat tyme .
(CMKEMPE,68.1542)

Befor hir in hyr sowle sche saw hym veryly be contemplacyon ,
(CMKEMPE,68.1543)

& +tat cawsyd hir to haue compassyon . (CMKEMPE,68.1544)

& , whan +tei cam vp on-to +te Mownt of Caluarye , sche fel down +tat
sche mygth not stondyn ne knelyn (CMKEMPE,68.1545)

but walwyd & wrestyd wyth hir body , spredyng hir armys a-brode ,
(CMKEMPE,68.1546)

& cryed wyth a lowde voys as +tow hir hert xulde a brostyn a-sundyr ,
(CMKEMPE,68.1547)

for in +te cite of hir sowle sche saw veryly & freschly how owyr Lord
was crucifyed . (CMKEMPE,68.1548)

Beforn hir face sche herd and saw in hir gostly sygth +te mornyng of
owyr Lady , of Sen Iohn & Mary Mawdelyn , and of many o+ter +tat louyd
owyr Lord . (CMKEMPE,68.1549)

& sche had so gret compassyon & so gret peyn to se owyr Lordys peyn
+tat sche myt not kepe hir-self fro krying & roryng +tow sche xuld a be
ded +terfor . (CMKEMPE,68.1550)

And +tis was +te fyrst cry +tat euyr sche cryed in any contemplacyon .
(CMKEMPE,68.1551)

And +tis maner of crying enduryd many +gerys aftyr +tis tyme for owt
+tat any man myt do , (CMKEMPE,68.1552)

& +terfor sufferyd sche mych despyte & mech reprefe . (CMKEMPE,68.1553)

+Te cryeng was so lowde & so wondyrful +tat it made +te pepyl astoynd
les +tan +tei had herd it be-forn & er $ellys +tat +tei knew +te cawse
of +te crying . (CMKEMPE,68.1554)

& sche had hem so oftyn-tymes +tat +tei madyn hir ryth weyke in hir
bodyly myghtys , & namely yf sche herd <P_69> of owyr Lordys Passyon .
(CMKEMPE,69.1555)

& sumtyme , whan sche saw +te Crucyfyx , er yf sche sey a man had a
wownde er a best whe+tyr it wer , er +gyf a man bett a childe be-for
hir er smet an hors er an-o+ter best wyth a whippe , +gyf sche myth sen
it er heryn it , hir thowt sche saw owyr Lord be betyn er wowndyd lyk
as sche saw in +te man er in +te best , as wel in +te feld as in +te
town , & be hir-selfe $alone as wel as a-mong +te pepyl .
(CMKEMPE,69.1556)

Fyrst whan sche had hir cryingys at Ierusalem , sche had hem oftyntymes
, & in Rome also . (CMKEMPE,69.1557)

& , whan sche come hom in-to Inglonde , fyrst at hir comyng hom it
comyn but seldom as it wer onys in a moneth , sythen onys in +te weke ,
aftyrward cotidianly , (CMKEMPE,69.1558)

& onys sche had xiiij on o day , (CMKEMPE,69.1559)

& ano+ter day sche had vij , & so as God wolde visiten hir , sumtyme in
+te cherch , sumtyme in +te strete , sumtym in +te chawmbre , sumtyme
in +te felde whan God wold sendyn hem , (CMKEMPE,69.1560)

for sche knew neuyr tyme ne owyr whan +tei xulde come .
(CMKEMPE,69.1561)

& +tei come neuyr wyth-owtyn passyng gret swetnesse of deuocyon & hey
contemplacyon . (CMKEMPE,69.1562)

& , as sone as sche parceyvyd +tat sche xulde crye , sche wolde kepyn
it in as mech as sche myth +tat +te pepyl xulde not an herd it for
noyng of hem . (CMKEMPE,69.1563)

For summe seyd it was a wikkyd spiryt vexid hir ; (CMKEMPE,69.1564)

sum seyd it was a sekenes ; (CMKEMPE,69.1565)

sum seyd sche had dronkyn to mech wyn ; (CMKEMPE,69.1566)

sum bannyd hir ; (CMKEMPE,69.1567)

sum wisshed sche had ben in +te hauyn ; (CMKEMPE,69.1568)

sum wolde sche had ben in +te se in a bottumles boyt ;
(CMKEMPE,69.1569)

and so ich man as hym thowte . (CMKEMPE,69.1570)

O+ter gostly men louyd hir (CMKEMPE,69.1571)

& fauowrd hir +te mor . (CMKEMPE,69.1572)

sum gret clerkys seyden owyr Lady cryed neuyr so ne no seynt in Heuyn ,
(CMKEMPE,69.1573)

but +tei knewyn ful lytyl what sche felt , (CMKEMPE,69.1574)

ne +tei wolde not beleuyn but +tat sche myth an absteynd hir fro crying
yf sche had wold . (CMKEMPE,69.1575)

And +terfor , whan sche knew +tat sche xulde cryen , sche kept it in as
long as sche mygth (CMKEMPE,69.1576)

& dede al +tat sche cowde to withstond it er ellys to put it a-wey til
sche wex as blo as any leed , (CMKEMPE,69.1577)

& euyr it xuld labowryn in hir mende mor and mor in-to +te tyme +tat it
broke owte . (CMKEMPE,69.1578)

& , whan +te body myth ne lengar enduryn +te gostly labowr but was
ouyrcome wyth +te vnspekabyl lofe +tat wrowt so feruently in <P_70> +te
sowle , +tan fel sche down (CMKEMPE,70.1579)

& cryed wondyr lowde . (CMKEMPE,70.1580)

& +te mor +tat sche wolde labowryn to kepe it in er to put it a-wey ,
mech +te mor xulde sche cryen & +te mor lowder . (CMKEMPE,70.1581)

And +tus sche dede in +te Mownt of Caluarye , as it is wretyn be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,70.1582)

Sche had so very contemplacyon in +te sygth of hir $sowle as yf Crist
had hangyn befor hir bodily eye in hys manhode . (CMKEMPE,70.1583)

& , whan thorw dispensacyon of +te hy mercy of owyr Souereyn Savyowr
Crist Ihesu it was grawntyd +tis creatur to beholdyn so verily hys
precyows tendyr body , alto-rent & toryn wyth scorgys , mor ful of
wowndys +tan euyr was duffehows of holys , hangyng vp-on +te cros wyth
+te corown of thorn up-on hys heuyd , hys blysful handys , hys tendyr
fete nayled to +te hard tre , +te reuerys of blood flowyng owt
plentevowsly of euery membre , +te gresly & grevows wownde in hys
precyows syde schedyng owt blood & watyr for hir lofe & hir saluacyon ,
+tan sche fel down (CMKEMPE,70.1584)

& cryed wyth lowde voys , wondyrfully turnyng & wrestyng hir body on
euery syde , spredyng hir armys a-brode as +gyf sche xulde a deyd ,
(CMKEMPE,70.1585)

& not cowde kepyn hir fro crying , - (CMKEMPE,70.1586)

and +tese bodily mevyngys for +te fyer of lofe +tat brent so feruently
in hir sowle wyth pur pyte & compassyon . (CMKEMPE,70.1587)

It is nowt to be merueyled +gyf +tis creatur cryed & made wondirful
cher & cuntenawns , whan we may se eche day at eye bo+te men and women
, summe for los of werdly good , sum for affeccyon of her kynred er for
werdly frenshepys thorw ouyr fele stody & erdly affeccyon , & most of
alle for inordinat lofe & fleschly affeccyon +gyf her frendys er partyn
fro hem , +tei wyl cryen & roryn and wryngyn her handys as +gyf +tei
had no wytte ne non mende , (CMKEMPE,70.1588)

& +get wetyn +tei wel j-now +tat +tei displesyn God . (CMKEMPE,70.1589)

& , +gyf a man cownsel hem to leevyn er seesyn of her wepyng er crying
, +tei wyl seyn +tat +tei may not ; (CMKEMPE,70.1590)

+tei louyd her frend so meche (CMKEMPE,70.1591)

& he was so gentyl & so kende to hem +tat +tei may be no wey for+getyn
hym . (CMKEMPE,70.1592)

How meche mor myth +tei wepyn , cryen , & roryn +gyf her most belouyd
frendys wer wyth vyolens takyn in her sygth <P_71> & wyth al maner of
reprefe browt be-for +te juge , wrongfully condemnyd to +te deth , &
namely so spyteful a deth as owr mercyful Lord suffyrd for owyr sake .
(CMKEMPE,71.1593)

How schuld +tei <em> suffyr yt </em> ? (CMKEMPE,71.1594)

No dowt but +tei xulde bo+te cry & rore & wrekyn hem +gyf +tei myth ,
(CMKEMPE,71.1595)

& ellys men wold sey +tei wer no frendys . (CMKEMPE,71.1596)

Alas , alas , for sorwe , +tat +te deth of a creatur whech hat oftyn
synned & trespasyd a-geyn her Maker xal be so vnmesurabely mornyd &
sorwyd . (CMKEMPE,71.1597)

& it is offens to God & hyndryng to +te sowlys on eche syde .
(CMKEMPE,71.1598)

And +te compassyfe deth of owyr Savyowr , be +te whech we arn alle
restoryd to lyfe , is not had in mende of us vnworthy & vnkende
wretchys , (CMKEMPE,71.1599)

ne not we wylle supportyn owyr Lordys owyn secretarijs whech he hath
indued wyth lofe , but ra+tar detractyn hem & hyndryn hem in as mech as
$we may . (CMKEMPE,71.1600)

Whan +tis creatur wyth hir felawshep cam to +te grave wher owyr Lord
was berijd , a-non , as sche entryd +tat holy place , sche fel down
wyth hir candel in hir hand as sche xuld a deyd for sorwe .
(CMKEMPE,71.1601)

& sythen sche ros vp a-geyn wyth gret wepyng & sobbyng as +tow sche had
seyn owyr Lord berijd euen befor hir . (CMKEMPE,71.1602)

+Tan sche thowt sche saw owyr Lady in hir sowle , how sche mornyd & how
sche wept hir Sonys deth , (CMKEMPE,71.1603)

& +tan was owyr Ladijs sorwe hir sorwe . (CMKEMPE,71.1604)

& so ouyr al $wher-+tat-euyr $+tat $euyr {TEXT:wher-+tat-euyr} +te
frerys led hem in +tat holy place sche alwey wept & sobbyd wondyrfully
, and specialy whan sche cam +ter owyr Lord was nayled on +te cros .
(CMKEMPE,71.1605)

+Ter cryed sche (CMKEMPE,71.1606)

& wept wyth-owtyn mesur +tat sche myth not restreyn hir-self .
(CMKEMPE,71.1607)

Also +tei comyn to a ston of marbyl +tat owyr Lord was leyd on whan he
was takyn down of +te cros , (CMKEMPE,71.1608)

& +ter sche wept wyth gret compassyon , hauyng mend of owyr Lordys
Passyon . (CMKEMPE,71.1609)

Aftyrwardys sche was howselyd on +te Mownt of Caluarye ,
(CMKEMPE,71.1610)

& +tan sche wept , (CMKEMPE,71.1611)

sche sobbyd , (CMKEMPE,71.1612)

sche cryed so lowde +tat it $was wondyr to heryn it . (CMKEMPE,71.1613)

Sche was so ful of holy thowtys & medytacyons & holy contemplacyons in
+te <P_72> Passyon of owyr Lord Ihesu Crist & holy dalyawns +tat owyr
Lord Ihesu Crist dalyed to hir sowle +tat sche cowde neuyr expressyn
hem aftyr , so hy & so holy +tei weryn . (CMKEMPE,72.1614)

Meche was +te grace +tat owyr Lord schewyd to +tis creatur whyl sche
iij wekys was in Ierusalem . (CMKEMPE,72.1615)

An-o+ter day erly in +te morwenyng +tei went <em> a-geynes +te </em>
gret hyllys . (CMKEMPE,72.1616)

& her gydes teld wher owyr Lord bare +te cros on hys bakke , & wher hys
Modyr met wyth hym , & how sche swownyd , & how sche fel down & he fel
down also . (CMKEMPE,72.1617)

& so +tei went forth al +te for-noone tyl +tei cam to +te Mownt Syon .
(CMKEMPE,72.1618)

And euyr +tis creatur wept abundawntly al +te wey +tat sche went for
compassyon of owyr Lordys Passyon . (CMKEMPE,72.1619)

In +te Mownt Syon is a place wher owyr Lord wesch hys disciplys fete ,
(CMKEMPE,72.1620)

& a lityl +terfro he mad hys Mawnde wyth hys disciplys .
(CMKEMPE,72.1621)

And +terfor +tis creatur had gret desyr to be howselyd in +tat holy
place wher owyr mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu fyrst sacryd hys precyows
body in +te forme of bred & +gaf it to hys discipulys .
(CMKEMPE,72.1622)

And so sche was wyth gret deuocyon , wyth plentevows teerys , & wyth
boystows sobbyngys , (CMKEMPE,72.1623)

for in +tis place is plenyr remyssyon . (CMKEMPE,72.1624)

& so is in o+ter iiij placys in +te Tempyl . (CMKEMPE,72.1625)

On is in +te Mownt of Caluarye ; an-o+ter at +te graue wher owyr Lord
was berijd ; (CMKEMPE,72.1626)

+te thridde is at +te marbyl ston +tat hys preciows body was leyd on
whan it was takyn of +te cros ; (CMKEMPE,72.1627)

+te ferd is +ter +te holy cros was berijd , (CMKEMPE,72.1628)

& in many o+ter placys of Ierusalem . (CMKEMPE,72.1629)

And , whan +tis creatur cam in-to +te place +ter +te apostelys receyued
+te Holy Gost , owyr Lord +gaf hir gret deuocyon . (CMKEMPE,72.1630)

Aftyrward sche went to +te place +ter owyr Lady was berijd ,
(CMKEMPE,72.1631)

& , as sche knelyd on hyr knes +te tyme of tweyn Messys heryng , owyr
Lord Ihesu Crist seyd on-to hir , " +Tu comyst not hedyr , dowtyr , for
no nede but for meryte & for mede , (CMKEMPE,72.1632)

for thy synnes wer for-+gouyn +te er thow come her , (CMKEMPE,72.1633)

& +terfor +tu comyst hedyr for incresyng of +ti mede & of +ti meryte .
(CMKEMPE,72.1634)

& I am wel plesyd wyth +te , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,72.1635)

for +tu stondist vndyr obedyens of Holy Cherch & +tat +tu wylt obey +ti
confessowr & folwyn hys cownsel , whech thorw auctorite of Holy Cherch
hath asoyld +te <P_73> of +ti synnes & dispensyd wyth +te +tat +tu
schuldist not go to Rome ne to seynt Iamys les +tan +tu wyl +tin owyn
selfe . (CMKEMPE,73.1636)

Not-wythstondyng al +tis , I comawnde +te in +te name of Ihesu , dowtyr
, +tat +tu go vysite +tes holy placys & do $as I byd +te ,
(CMKEMPE,73.1637)

for I am aboue al Holy Cherch (CMKEMPE,73.1638)

& I xal gon <em> wyth +te </em> & kepyn +te rygth wel . "
(CMKEMPE,73.1639)

Than owyr Lady spak to hir sowle on +tis maner , seying , " Dowtyr ,
wel art +tu blyssed , (CMKEMPE,73.1640)

for my Sone Ihesu xal flowyn so mech grace in +te +tat al +te world xal
wondryn of +te . (CMKEMPE,73.1641)

Be not aschamyd , my derworthy dowtyr , to receyue +te +gyftys whech my
Sone xal +geuyn +te , (CMKEMPE,73.1642)

for I telle +te in trewth +tei xal be gret +gyftys +tat he xal +geue
+te . (CMKEMPE,73.1643)

& +terfore , my derworthy dowtyr , be not aschamyd of hym +tat is +ti
God , +ti Lord , & +ti lofe , no mor +tan I was whan I saw hym hangyn
on +te Cros , my swete sone , Ihesu , for to cryen & to wepyn for +te
peyn of my swete Sone , Ihesu Crist ; (CMKEMPE,73.1644)

ne Mary Mawdelyn was not aschamyd to cryen & wepyn for my Sonys lofe .
(CMKEMPE,73.1645)

And +terfor , dowtyr , +gyf +tu wylt be partabyl in owyr joye , +tu
must be partabil in owyr sorwe . " (CMKEMPE,73.1646)

+Tes swet spech & dalyawns had +tis creatur at owyr Ladijs graue , &
mech mor +tan sche cowde euyr rehersyn . (CMKEMPE,73.1647)

Aftyrward sche rood on an asse to Bedlem (CMKEMPE,73.1648)

& whan sche cam to +te tempyl & to +te crybbe wher owyr Lord was born ,
sche had gret deuocyon , mech spech , & dalyawns in hyr sowle , & hy
gostly comfort wyth mech wepyng & sobbyng so +tat hir felaws wold not
latyn hir etyn in her cumpany . (CMKEMPE,73.1649)

& +terfor sche ete hir mete be hir-selfe a-lone . (CMKEMPE,73.1650)

And +tan +te Grey Frerys whech had led hir fro place to place receyued
hir in-to hem (CMKEMPE,73.1651)

& sett hir wyth hem at +te mete +tat sche xuld not etyn a-lone .
(CMKEMPE,73.1652)

And on of +te frerys askyd on of hir felawshep +gyf +tat wer +te woman
of Inglond +te which +tei had herd seyd spak wyth God .
(CMKEMPE,73.1653)

& , whan +tis cam to hir knowlach , sche wist wel +tat it was trewth
+tat owyr Lord seyd to hir er sche went owt of Inglond ,
(CMKEMPE,73.1654)

" Dowtyr , I xal makyn al +te werld to wondryn of +te ,
(CMKEMPE,73.1655)

& many man & many woman xal spekyn of me for lofe of +te & worshepyn me
in +te . " (CMKEMPE,73.1656)

<P_74>

An-o+ter tyme +tis creaturys felawshep wold gon to Flod of Iurdon
(CMKEMPE,74.1658)

& wold not letyn $hir $gon wyth hem . (CMKEMPE,74.1659)

+Tan +tis creatur preyd owyr <em> Lord Ihesu </em> +tat sche myth gon
wyth hem , (CMKEMPE,74.1660)

& he bad +tat sche xuld go wyth hem whe+tyr +tei wold er not .
(CMKEMPE,74.1661)

And +tan sche went forth be +te grace of God (CMKEMPE,74.1662)

& askyd hem no leue . (CMKEMPE,74.1663)

Whan sche cam to +te Flood of Iurdan , +te wedyr was so hoot +tat sche
wend hir feet schuld a brent for +te hete +tat sche felt .
(CMKEMPE,74.1664)

Sithyn sche went forth wyth hir felawschep to +te Mownt Qwarentyne +ter
owyr Lord fastyd fowrty days . (CMKEMPE,74.1665)

& +ter sche preyd hir felawshep to helpyn hir up on-to +te Mownt .
(CMKEMPE,74.1666)

& +tei seyd nay , (CMKEMPE,74.1667)

for +tei cowd not wel helpyn hem-self . (CMKEMPE,74.1668)

+Tan had sche mekyl sorwe (CMKEMPE,74.1669)

for sche myth not comyn on +te Hille . (CMKEMPE,74.1670)

And a-non happyd a Sara+gyn , a welfaryng man , to comyn by hir ,
(CMKEMPE,74.1671)

& sche put a grote in hys hand , makyng to hym a token for to bryng hir
onto +te Mownt . (CMKEMPE,74.1672)

& as-swythe +te Sara+gyn toke hir vndyr hys arme (CMKEMPE,74.1673)

& led hir up on-to +te hey Mownt wher owyr Lord fastyd fowrty days .
(CMKEMPE,74.1674)

+Tan was sche sor a-thryste (CMKEMPE,74.1675)

& had no comfort of hir felashyp . (CMKEMPE,74.1676)

+Tan God of hys hey goodnes meuyd +te Grey Frerys wyth compassyon
(CMKEMPE,74.1677)

& +tei comfortyd hir whan hir cuntremen wolde not knowyn hir .
(CMKEMPE,74.1678)

& so sche was euyrmor strengthyd in +te lofe of owyr Lord & +te mor
bold to suffyr shamys & repreuys for hys sake in euery place +ter sche
cam for +te grace +tat God wrowt in hir of wepyng , sobbyng , and
crying , +te which grace sche myth not wythstonde whan God wold send it
. (CMKEMPE,74.1679)

& euyr sche preuyd hir felyngys trewe , (CMKEMPE,74.1680)

& +to behestys +tat God had be-hyte hir whil she was in Inglond and in
o+ter placys also +tei fellyn to hir in effect lych as sche had felt
beforn , (CMKEMPE,74.1681)

& +terfor sche durst +te bettyr receyuen swech spechys & dalyawns & +te
mor boldly werkyn +ter-aftyr . (CMKEMPE,74.1682)

Sithyn , whan +tis creatur was comyn down of +te Mownt , as God wold ,
sche went forth to +te place +ter Seynt Ion <P_75> Baptyst was born .
(CMKEMPE,75.1683)

& sythyn sche went to Betanye +ter Mary & Martha dwellyd & to +te grave
+ter $La+ger was berijd & reysed fro deth in-to lyfe .
(CMKEMPE,75.1684)

And sche <em> was also </em> in +te chapel +ter owyr blyssed Lord
aperyd to hys blysful Modyr on Estern Day at morwyn fyrst of alle o+ter
. (CMKEMPE,75.1685)

& sche stode in +te same place +ter Mary Mawdelyn stode whan Crist seyd
to hir , " Mary , why wepyst +tu ? " (CMKEMPE,75.1686)

And so sche was in many mo placys +tan be wretyn , (CMKEMPE,75.1687)

for sche was iij wekys in Ierusalem & in +te cuntreys +ter-a-bowtyn .
(CMKEMPE,75.1688)

& sche had euer gret deuocyon as long as sche was in +tat cuntre .
(CMKEMPE,75.1689)

And +te Frerys of +te Tempyl mad hir gret cher (CMKEMPE,75.1690)

and +gouyn hir many gret relykys , desiryng +tat sche schuld a dwellyd
stille a-mongs hem , +gyf sche had wold , for +te feyth +tei had in hir
. (CMKEMPE,75.1691)

Also +te Sara+gines mad mych of hir (CMKEMPE,75.1692)

& conueyd hir (CMKEMPE,75.1693)

& leddyn hir abowtyn in +te cuntre wher sche wold gon .
(CMKEMPE,75.1694)

& sche fond alle pepyl good on-to hir & gentyl saf only hir owyn
cuntremen . (CMKEMPE,75.1695)

And , as sche cam fro Ierusalem-ward vn-to Rafnys , +tan wold sche a
turnyd a-geyne to Ierusalem for +te gret grace & gostly comfort +tat
sche felt whan sche was +ter & for to purchasyn hir mor pardon .
(CMKEMPE,75.1696)

And +tan owyr Lord comawndyd hir for to gon to Rome , & so forth hom
in-to Inglond , (CMKEMPE,75.1697)

& seyd vn-to hir , " Dowtyr , as oftyn-tymes as +tu seyst or thynkyst ,
' Worshepyd be alle +to holy placys in Ierusalem +tat Crist suffyrde
bittyr peyn & passyon in , ' +tu schalt haue +te same pardon as +gyf
+tu wer +ter wyth +ti bodily presens bothyn to +ti-self & to alle +to
+tat +tu wylt +geuyn it to . " (CMKEMPE,75.1698)

And , as sche went forth vn-to Venyce , mych of hir felaschep was ryth
seke , (CMKEMPE,75.1699)

& euyr owyr Lord seyd to hir , " Drede +te not , dowtyr ,
(CMKEMPE,75.1700)

+ter schal no man deyin in +te schip +tat +tu art in . "
(CMKEMPE,75.1701)

& sche fond hir felyngys ryth trewe . (CMKEMPE,75.1702)

And , whan owyr Lord had browt hem a-geyn to Venyce in safte , hir
cuntre-men forsokyn hir (CMKEMPE,75.1703)

& went a-way fro hir , leuyng hir a-lone . (CMKEMPE,75.1704)

& summe of hem <P_76> seyden +tat +tei wold not go wyth hir for an
hundryd pownd . (CMKEMPE,76.1705)

And , whan +tei wer gon a-wey fro hir , +tan owyr Lord Ihesu Crist ,
+tat euyr helpyth at nede & neuyr forsakyth hys <em> seruawnt +tat
</em> trewly trostith to hys mercy , seyd to hys creatur , " $Drede +te
not , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,76.1706)

for I xal ordeyn for +te ryth wel & <em> bryng +te </em> in safte to
Rome & hom a-geyn in-to Inglond wyth-owtyn ony velany of +ti body +gyf
thow wilt be clad in white clothys & weryn hem as I seyd to +te whil
+tu wer in Inglond . " (CMKEMPE,76.1707)

Than +tis creatur , beyng in gret heuynes & gret diswer , answeryd
a-+gen in hir mende , " +Gyf +tu be +te spiryt of God +tat spekyst in
my sowle & I may preuyn +te for a trew spiryt wyth cownsel of +te
chirche , I xal obey +ti wille , (CMKEMPE,76.1708)

and , +gyf +tu bryng me to Rome in safte , I xal weryn white clothys ,
+tow alle +te world schuld wondyr on me , for +ti lofe . "
(CMKEMPE,76.1709)

" Go forth , dowtyr , in +te name of Ihesu , (CMKEMPE,76.1710)

for I am +te spirit of God , +te whech xal helpyn +te at al thy nede ,
gon wyth +te , & supportyn +te in euery place , (CMKEMPE,76.1711)

& +terfor mystrost me not . (CMKEMPE,76.1712)

+Tu fondist me neuyr deceyuabyl , (CMKEMPE,76.1713)

ne I bid +te no-thyng do but +tat whech is worshep to God & profyte to
thy sowle +gyf +tu wilt do +ter-aftyr , (CMKEMPE,76.1714)

and I xal flowyn on +te gret plente of grace . " (CMKEMPE,76.1715)

Than a-non , as sche lokyd on +te on syde , sche sey a powyr man
sittyng whech had a gret cowche on hys bakke . (CMKEMPE,76.1716)

Hys clo+tis wer al for-clowtyd , (CMKEMPE,76.1717)

& he semyd a man of L wyntyr age . (CMKEMPE,76.1718)

+Tan sche went to hym (CMKEMPE,76.1719)

& seyde , " Gode man , what eyleth +gowr bak ? " (CMKEMPE,76.1720)

He seyd , " Damsel , it was brokyn in a sekenes . " (CMKEMPE,76.1721)

Sche askyd what was hys name & what cuntreman he was .
(CMKEMPE,76.1722)

He seyd hys name was Richard & he was of Erlond . (CMKEMPE,76.1723)

Than thowt sche $of hir confessorys wordys whech was an holy ankyr , as
is wretyn be-for , +tat seyd to hir whil sche was in Inglond in +tis
maner , " Dowtyr , whan +gowr owyn felawshep hath <P_77> forsakyn +gow
, God xal ordeyn a broke-bakkyd man to lede +gow forth +ter +ge wil be
. " (CMKEMPE,77.1724)

Than sche wyth a glad spirit seyde vn-to hym , " Good Richard , ledith
me to Rome , (CMKEMPE,77.1725)

& +ge xal be rewardyd for +gowr labowr . " (CMKEMPE,77.1726)

" Nay , damsel , " he seyd , " I wot wel +ti cuntremen han forsakyn +te
, (CMKEMPE,77.1727)

& +terfor it wer hard to me to ledyn +te . (CMKEMPE,77.1728)

<em> For thy </em> cuntre-men han bothyn bowys & arwys , wyth +te
$whech +tei myth defendyn bothyn +te & hem-self , (CMKEMPE,77.1729)

and <em> I haue </em> no wepyn save a cloke ful of clowtys .
(CMKEMPE,77.1730)

& +get I drede me +tat myn enmys xul robbyn me & perauentur takyn +te
a-wey fro me & defowlyn thy body , (CMKEMPE,77.1731)

& +terfor I dar not ledyn +te , (CMKEMPE,77.1732)

for I wold not for an hundryd pownd +tat +tu haddyst a vylany in my
cumpany . " (CMKEMPE,77.1733)

& +tan sche seyd a+gen , " Richard , dredith +gow not ;
(CMKEMPE,77.1734)

God xal kepyn vs bo+ten ryth wel , (CMKEMPE,77.1735)

& I xal +geue +gow too noblys for +gowr labowr . " (CMKEMPE,77.1736)

+Tan he consentyd (CMKEMPE,77.1737)

& went forth wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,77.1738)

Sone aftyr +ter cam too Grey Frerys & a woman +tat cam wyth hem fro
Ierusalem , (CMKEMPE,77.1739)

& sche had wyth hir an asse +te whech bar a chyst & an ymage +terin mad
aftyr our Lord . (CMKEMPE,77.1740)

And +tan seyd Richard to +te forseyd creatur , " +Tu xalt go forth wyth
+tes too men & woman , (CMKEMPE,77.1741)

& I xal metyn wyth +te at morwyn & at euyn , (CMKEMPE,77.1742)

for I must gon on my purchase & beggyn my leuyng . (CMKEMPE,77.1743)

& so sche dede aftyr hys cownsel (CMKEMPE,77.1744)

& went forth wyth +te frerys & +te woman . (CMKEMPE,77.1745)

& non of hem cowde vndirstand hir langage , (CMKEMPE,77.1746)

& +get +tei ordeyned for hir euery day mete , drynke , & herborwe as
wel as he dedyn for hem-selfe & ra+tar bettyr +tat sche was euyr
bownden to prey for hem . (CMKEMPE,77.1747)

& euery euyn & morwyn Richard wyth +te broke bak cam (CMKEMPE,77.1748)

& comfortyd hir as he had promysed . (CMKEMPE,77.1749)

And +te woman the which had +te ymage in +te chist , whan +tei comyn in
good citeys , sche toke owt +te ymage owt of hir chist
(CMKEMPE,77.1750)

& sett it in worshepful wyfys lappys . (CMKEMPE,77.1751)

& +tei wold puttyn schirtys +terup-on & kyssyn it as +tei it had ben
God hym-selfe . (CMKEMPE,77.1752)

& , whan +te creatur sey +te worshep & +te reuerens +tat +tei dedyn to
+te ymage , sche was takyn wyth swet deuocyon & swet meditacyons +tat
sche wept wyth gret sobbyng & lowde <P_78> crying . (CMKEMPE,78.1753)

& sche was meuyd in so mych +te mor as , whil sche was in Inglond ,
sche had hy meditacyons in +te byrth & +te childhode of Crist ,
(CMKEMPE,78.1754)

& sche thankyd God for-as-mech as sche saw +tes creaturys han so gret
feyth in +tat sche sey wyth hir bodily eye lych as sche had be-forn
wyth hir gostly eye . (CMKEMPE,78.1755)

Whan +tes good women seyn +tis creatur wepyn , sobbyn , & cryen so
wondirfully & mythtyly +tat sche was nerhand ouyrcomyn +terwyth , +tan
+tei ordeyned a good soft bed (CMKEMPE,78.1756)

& leyd hir +terup-on (CMKEMPE,78.1757)

& comfortyd hir as mech as +tei myth for owyr Lordys lofe ,
(CMKEMPE,78.1758)

blyssed mot he ben . (CMKEMPE,78.1759)

The forseyd creatur had a ryng +te whech owyr Lord had comawndyd hir to
do makyn whil she was at hom in Inglond & dede hir gravyn +terup-on , "
Ihesus est amor meus . " (CMKEMPE,78.1760)

Sche had mech thowt how sche xulde kepe +tis ryng fro theuys & stelyng
as sche went be +te cuntreys , (CMKEMPE,78.1761)

for sche thowt sche wold not a lost +te ryng for a thowsand pownde &
meche mor be-cause +tat sche dede it makyn be +te byddyng of God .
(CMKEMPE,78.1762)

& also sche weryd it be hys byddyng , (CMKEMPE,78.1763)

for sche purposyd befor-tyme er +tan sche had it be reuelacyon neuyr to
a weryd ryng . (CMKEMPE,78.1764)

And , as it happyd hir to be herberwyd in a good mannys hows , & many
neyborwys comyn in to cheryn hir for hir perfeccyon & hir holynes , &
sche +gaf hem +te mett of Cristys grave , +te whech +tei receyued ful
goodly , hauyng gret joy +terof , & +tankyd hir hyly +terfore ,
(CMKEMPE,78.1765)

sithen +tis creatur went to hir chawmbre (CMKEMPE,78.1766)

& let hir ryng hang be hir purs-stryng whech sche bar at hir brest .
(CMKEMPE,78.1767)

In +te morwenyng on +te next day when sche wold a takyn hir ryng it was
go , (CMKEMPE,78.1768)

sche myth not fyndyn it . (CMKEMPE,78.1769)

+Tan had sche mekyl heuynes (CMKEMPE,78.1770)

& compleyned to +te good wyfe of +te hows , seying in +tis wyse , "
Madam , my bone maryd ryng to Ihesu Crist , as ho seyth , it is a-wey .
" (CMKEMPE,78.1771)

The good wyfe , vndirstondyng what sche ment , preyde hir to prey for
hir , (CMKEMPE,78.1772)

and sche chongyd hir cher & hir cuntenawns wondyrly as thow sche had
ben gylty . (CMKEMPE,78.1773)

+Tan +tis creatur <P_79> toke a candel in hir hand (CMKEMPE,79.1774)

& sowt al a-bowtyn hir bed +ter sche had leyn al nygth ,
(CMKEMPE,79.1775)

and +te good wyfe of +te hows toke an-o+ter candel in hir hand
(CMKEMPE,79.1776)

& bisyed hir to sekyn also a-bowte +te bed . (CMKEMPE,79.1777)

& at +te last sche fonde +te ryng vndyr +te bed on +te bordys ,
(CMKEMPE,79.1778)

and wyth gret joye sche telde +te good wyfe +tat sche had fownden hjr
ryng . (CMKEMPE,79.1779)

+Tan +te good wyfe , obeyng hir , preyd +tis creatur of for+geuenes as
sche cowde , " Bone Cristian , prey pur me . " (CMKEMPE,79.1780)

Aftyrward +tis creatur cam to Assyse (CMKEMPE,79.1781)

& +ter sche met wyth a Frer Menowr , an Englysch-man ,
(CMKEMPE,79.1782)

& a solempne clerke he was holdyn . (CMKEMPE,79.1783)

Sche tolde hym of hir maner leuyng , of hir felingys , of hir
reuelacyons , & of +te grace +tat God wrowt in hir sowle be holy
inspiracyons & hy contemplacyons , & how owyr Lord dalyed to hir sowle
in a maner of spekyng . (CMKEMPE,79.1784)

+Tan +te worshepful clerke seyd +tat sche was mech beholdyn to God ,
(CMKEMPE,79.1785)

for he seyd he had neuyr herd of non sweche in +tis worlde leuyng for
to be so homly wyth God be lofe & homly dalyawnce as sche was ,
(CMKEMPE,79.1786)

thankyd be God of hys +gyftys , (CMKEMPE,79.1787)

for it is hys goodnes & no mannys meryte . (CMKEMPE,79.1788)

Vp-on a tyme as +tis creatur was in cherche at Assyse , +ter was
schewyd owyr Ladys kerche whech sche weryd her in erth wyth gret lygth
& gret reuerens . (CMKEMPE,79.1789)

+Tan +tis creatur had gret deuocyon . (CMKEMPE,79.1790)

Sche wept , (CMKEMPE,79.1791)

sche sobbyd , (CMKEMPE,79.1792)

sche cryed wyth gret plente of teerys & many holy thowtys .
(CMKEMPE,79.1793)

Sche was +ter also on Lammes Day , whan +ter is gret pardon of plenyr
remyssyon , for to purchasyn grace , mercy , & for+geuenes for hir-self
, for alle hir frendys , for alle hir enmys , & for alle +te sowlys in
Purgatory . (CMKEMPE,79.1794)

& +ter was a lady was comyn fro Rome to purchasyn hir pardon .
(CMKEMPE,79.1795)

Hir name was Margaret Florentyne . (CMKEMPE,79.1796)

& sche had wyth hir many Knygtys of Roodys , many gentylwomen , & mekyl
good caryage . (CMKEMPE,79.1797)

Than Richard , +te brokebakkyd man , went to hir , preyng hir +tat +tis
creatur mygth gon wyth hir to Rome & hym-self also for to be kept fro
perel of theuys . (CMKEMPE,79.1798)

And +tan +tat worshepful lady receyued hem in-to hir cumpanye
(CMKEMPE,79.1799)

& let hem gon wyth hir to Rome as God wolde . (CMKEMPE,79.1800)

Whan +te forseyd <P_80> creatur was comyn in-to Rome , & +tei +tat
weryn hir felaws be-forn-tyme & put hir owt of her cumpany weryn in
Rome also & herd tellyn of swech a woman was come +tedyr , +tei had
gret wondir how sche cam +ter in safte . (CMKEMPE,80.1801)

And +tan sche went (CMKEMPE,80.1802)

& ordeynd hir white clothys (CMKEMPE,80.1803)

& was clad al in white liche as sche was comawndyd for to do +gerys
be-forn in hir sowle be reuelacyon , (CMKEMPE,80.1804)

& now it was fulfilt in effect . (CMKEMPE,80.1805)

+Tan was +tis creatur receyued in-to +te Hospital of Seynt Thomas of
Cawntyrbery in Rome (CMKEMPE,80.1806)

& +ter was sche howselyd euery Sonday wyth gret wepyng , boistows
sobbyng , & lowde crying (CMKEMPE,80.1807)

& was hyly belouyd wyth +te Maystyr of +te Hospital & wyth alle hys
bre+tyr . (CMKEMPE,80.1808)

And +tan thorw steryng of hyr gostly enmy +ter cam a preste +tat was
holdyn an holy man in +te Hospital & also in o+ter placys of Rome , +te
whech was on of hir felaws & on of hir owyn cuntre-men .
(CMKEMPE,80.1809)

& not-wythstondyng hys holynes he spak so euyl of +tis creatur &
slawndryd so hir name in +te Hospital +tat thorw hys euyl langage sche
was put owte of +te Hospital +tat sche myth no lengar be schrevyn ne
howselyd +ter-in . (CMKEMPE,80.1810)

Whan +tis creatur sey sche was forsakyn & put fro among +te good men ,
sche was ful heuy , most for sche had no confessowr ne myth not be
schrevyn +tan as sche wolde . (CMKEMPE,80.1811)

+Tan preyde sche owyr Lord of hys mercy +tat he wolde disposyn for hir
as was most plesawns vn-to hym , wyth gret plente of teerys .
(CMKEMPE,80.1812)

& sithyn sche clepyd on-to hir +te forseyd Richard wyth +te broke bak ,
preyng hym to go ouyr to a cherch a-+gen +te Hospital & enformyn +te
person of +te chyrche of hir maner of gouernawnce , & what sorwe sche
had , & how sche wept for sche myth not be schrevyn ne howselyd , &
what compunccyon and contricyon sche had for hir synnes .
(CMKEMPE,80.1813)

Than Richard went to +te person (CMKEMPE,80.1814)

& enformyd hym of +tis creatur , & how owyr Lord +gaf hir contricyon &
compunccyon wyth gret plente of teerys , & how sche desired to be
howseld euery Sonday +gyf sche myth & sche had no preste to be schrevyn
to . (CMKEMPE,80.1815)

And +tan +te person , heryng of hir contricyon & compunccyon , was ryth
glad (CMKEMPE,80.1816)

& bad sche <P_81> xulde come to hym in +te name $of Ihesu & sey hir
Confiteor , (CMKEMPE,81.1817)

& he xulde howseln hire hys owyn self , (CMKEMPE,81.1818)

for he cowde not vndyrstond non Englysch . (CMKEMPE,81.1819)

Than owyr Lord sent Seynt Iohn +te Evangelyst to heryn hir confessyon ,
(CMKEMPE,81.1820)

& sche seyd " Benedicite . " (CMKEMPE,81.1821)

& he seyd " Dominus " verily in hir sowle +tat sche saw hym & herd hym
in hire gostly vndirstondyng as sche xuld a do an-o+ter preste be hir
bodily wittys . (CMKEMPE,81.1822)

Than sche teld hym alle hir synnes & al hir heuynes wyth many swemful
teerys , (CMKEMPE,81.1823)

& he herd hir ful mekely & benyngly . (CMKEMPE,81.1824)

& sythyn he enioyned hir penawns +tat sche xuld do for hir trespas
(CMKEMPE,81.1825)

& asoyled hir of hir synnes wyth swet wordys & meke wordys , hyly
strengthyng hir to trostyn in +te mercy of owyr Lord Ihesu Crist ,
(CMKEMPE,81.1826)

& bad hir +tat sche xulde receyuen +te Sacrament of +te Awter in +te
name of Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,81.1827)

& sithyn he passyd awey fro hir . (CMKEMPE,81.1828)

Whan he was go , sche preyd wyth al hir hert alle +te tyme as sche herd
hir Messe , " Lord , as wistly as +tu art not wroth wyth me , grawnt me
a welle of teerys , wher-thorw I may receyue +ti precyows body wyth al
maner terys of deuocyon to +ti worshep & encresyng of my meryte ,
(CMKEMPE,81.1829)

for +tu art my joye , Lord , my blysse , my comfort , & alle +te tresor
+tat I haue in +tis world , (CMKEMPE,81.1830)

for o+ter werdlys joye coueyt I non but only +te . (CMKEMPE,81.1831)

& +terfor , my derworthy Lord & my God , forsake me not . "
(CMKEMPE,81.1832)

Than owyr blysful Lord Crist Ihesu answeryd to hir sowle
(CMKEMPE,81.1833)

& seyd , " My derworthy dowtyr , I swer be myn hy mageste +tat I xal
neuyr forsakyn +te . (CMKEMPE,81.1834)

& , dowtyr , +te mor schame , despite , & reprefe +tat +tu sufferyst
for my lofe , +te bettyr I lofe +te , (CMKEMPE,81.1835)

for I far liche a man +tat louyth wel hys wyfe , (CMKEMPE,81.1836)

+te mor enuye +tat men han to hir +te bettyr he wyl arayn hir in
despite of hir enmys . (CMKEMPE,81.1837)

& ryth so , dowtyr , xal I faryn wyth +te . (CMKEMPE,81.1838)

In no-thyng +tat +tu dost , dowtyr , ne seyest , +tu mayst no bettyr
plesyn God +tan beleuyn +tat he <P_82> louyth +te , (CMKEMPE,82.1839)

for , +gyf it were possybyl +tat I myth wepyn wyth +te , I wold wepyn
wyth +te , dowtyr , for +te compassion +tat I haue of +te .
(CMKEMPE,82.1840)

Tyme xal come whan $+tu xalt holdyn +te ryth wel plesyd ,
(CMKEMPE,82.1841)

for it schal be verifyed in +te +te comown prouerbe +tat men seyn ,
(CMKEMPE,82.1842)

' He is wel blyssed +tat may sytten on hys wel-stool & tellyn of hys
wo-stool . ' (CMKEMPE,82.1843)

& so xalt +tu don , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,82.1844)

& al +ti wepyng & +ti sorwe xal turnyn in-to joy & blysse , +te whech
+tu xalt neuyr mysse . " (CMKEMPE,82.1845)

An-o+ter tyme , as +tis creatur was at Seynt Ionys Cherch Lateranens
be-for +te awter heryng +te Messe , hir thowt +tat +te preste whech
seyd Messe semyd a good man & deuowte . (CMKEMPE,82.1846)

Sche was sor mevyd in spiryt to speke wyth hym . (CMKEMPE,82.1847)

+tan sche preyd hir man wyth +te brokyn bak for to gon to +te preste &
preyn hym to spekyn wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,82.1848)

+Tan +te preste vndirstod non Englysch (CMKEMPE,82.1849)

ne wist not what sche seyd , (CMKEMPE,82.1850)

& sche cowde non o+ter langage +tan Englisch , (CMKEMPE,82.1851)

& +terfor +tei spokyn be an jnterpretowr , a man +tat telde her ey+tyr
what o+ter seyde . (CMKEMPE,82.1852)

Than sche preyd +te preste in +te name of Ihesu +tat he wolde makyn hys
preyeris to +te blysful Trinite , to owir Lady , & to alle +te blissed
seyntys in Hevyn , also steryn o+ter +tat louedyn owir Lord to preyn
for hym , +tat he myth han grace to vndirstondyn hir langage & hir
speche in swech thyngys as sche thorw +te grace of God wold seyn &
schewyn vn-to hym . (CMKEMPE,82.1853)

+Te preste was a good man , (CMKEMPE,82.1854)

& of hys birth he was a Dewcheman , a good clerke , & a wel lernyd man
, hily belouyd , wel cherschyd , & myche trostyd in Rome ,
(CMKEMPE,82.1855)

and had on of +te grettest office of any preste in Rome .
(CMKEMPE,82.1856)

Desyryng to plese God , $he folwyd +te cownsel of +tis creatur ,
(CMKEMPE,82.1857)

& mad hys praerys to God deuowtly as he cowde euery day +tat he myth
han grace to vndirstandyn what +te forseyd creatur wolde seyn to hym ,
(CMKEMPE,82.1858)

& also he mad o+ter louerys of owyr Lord to prey <P_83> for hym .
(CMKEMPE,83.1859)

+Tus +tei preyd therten $days . (CMKEMPE,83.1860)

& aftyr therten days +te preste cam a-geyn to hir to preuyn +te effect
of her preyerys , (CMKEMPE,83.1861)

& +tan he vndirstod what sche seyd in Englysch to hym (CMKEMPE,83.1862)

& sche vndirstod what +tat he seyd . (CMKEMPE,83.1863)

& +get he vndirstod not Englisch +tat o+ter men spokyn ;
(CMKEMPE,83.1864)

+tow +tei spokyn +te same wordys +tat sche spak , +get he vndirstod hem
not les +tan sche spak hir-selfe . (CMKEMPE,83.1865)

Than was sche confessyd to +tis preste of alle hir synnes as ner as hir
mende wold seruyn hir fro hir childhode vn-to +tat owre
(CMKEMPE,83.1866)

& receyued hir penawns ful joyfully . (CMKEMPE,83.1867)

& sithyn sche schewyd hym +te secret thyngys of reuelacyonys & of hey
contemplacyons , & how sche had swech mend in hys Passyon & so gret
compassyon whan God wolde +geue it +tat sche fel down +terwyth & myth
not beryn it . (CMKEMPE,83.1868)

+Tan sche wept bittyrly , (CMKEMPE,83.1869)

sche sobbyd boistowsly (CMKEMPE,83.1870)

& cryed ful lowde & horybly +tat +te pepil was oftyn-tymes aferd &
gretly astoyned , demyng sche had ben vexyd wyth sum euyl spiryt er a
sodeyn sekenes , not leuyng it was +te werk of God but ra+tar sum euyl
spiryt , er a sodeyn sekenes , er ellys symulacyon & ypocrisy falsly
feyned of hir owyn self . (CMKEMPE,83.1871)

The preste had gret trost +tat it was +te werk of God ,
(CMKEMPE,83.1872)

& , whan he wolde mystrostyn , owyr Lord sent hym swech tokenys be +te
forseyd creatur of hys owyn mysgouernawns & hys leuyng , +te whech no
man knew but God & he , as owyr Lord schewyd to hir be reuelacyon & bad
hir tellyn hym , +tat he wist wel +terby hir felyngys wer trewe .
(CMKEMPE,83.1873)

& +tan +tis preste receyued hir ful mekely & reuerently as for hys
modyr & for hys syster (CMKEMPE,83.1874)

& seyd he wolde supportyn hir a-+gen hir enmys . (CMKEMPE,83.1875)

& so he dede as long as sche was in Rome & sufferd many euyl wordys &
meche tribulacyon . (CMKEMPE,83.1876)

& also he forsoke hys office be-cawse +tat he wolde supportyn hir in
hir sobbyng & in hir crying whan alle hir cuntremen had forsakyn hir ,
(CMKEMPE,83.1877)

for +tei weryn euyr hir most enmys (CMKEMPE,83.1878)

& cawsyd hir mych heuynes in euery place +ter they comyn ,
(CMKEMPE,83.1879)

for +tei wold +tat sche schulde ney+tyr-1 a sobbyd ne cryed .
(CMKEMPE,83.1880)

& sche myth nowt chesyn , (CMKEMPE,83.1881)

<P_84>

but +tat wolde +tei not belevyn . (CMKEMPE,84.1883)

& +ter +tei wer euyr ageyn hir & a-geyn +te good man whech supportyd
hir . (CMKEMPE,84.1884)

& +tan +tis good man , seyng +tis woman so wondirfully sobbyn & cryin ,
and specialy on Sondays whan sche xuld ben howselde a-mong alle +te
pepyl , purposyd hym to preuyn whe+tyr it wer +te +gyfte of God , as
sche seyd , er ellys hir owyn feynyng by ypocrisy , as +te pepyl seyd ,
(CMKEMPE,84.1885)

& toke hir a-lone an-o+ter Sonday in-to an-o+ter chirche whan Mes was
don & alle +te pepil was hom , no man wetyng +terof saf hym-self & +te
clerk only . (CMKEMPE,84.1886)

& , whan he schulde howselyn hir , sche wept so plentyvowsly & sobbyd &
cryed so lowde +tat he was astoyned hym-self , (CMKEMPE,84.1887)

for it semyd to hys heryng +tat sche cryed neuyr so lowde be-for +tat
tyme . (CMKEMPE,84.1888)

& +tan he beleuyd fully +tat it was +te werkyng of +te Holy Gost &
nei+tyr feynyng ne ypocrise of hir owyn self . (CMKEMPE,84.1889)

& +tan aftyrward he was not a-basshyd to heldyn wyth hir & to spekyn
a-+gens hem +tat wolde defamyn hir & spekyn euyl of hir tyl he was
detractyd of +te enmys of vertu nerhand as mech as sche ,
(CMKEMPE,84.1890)

& +tat lykyd hym wel to suffir tribulacyon for Goddys cawse .
(CMKEMPE,84.1891)

& meche pepyl in Rome +tat wer disposyd to vertu lovyd hym meche +te
mor & hir also (CMKEMPE,84.1892)

& oftyn-tymes preyd hir to mete (CMKEMPE,84.1893)

& madyn hir ryth gret cher , preyng hir to prey for hem .
(CMKEMPE,84.1894)

& euyr hir owyn cuntremen wer obstynat , & specyaly a preste +tat was
a-monx hem . (CMKEMPE,84.1895)

He steryd meche pepyl a+gen hi (CMKEMPE,84.1896)

& seyd mech euyl of hir , (CMKEMPE,84.1897)

for sche weryd white clothyng mor +tan o+ter dedyn whech wer holyar &
bettyr +tan euyr was sche as hym thowt . (CMKEMPE,84.1898)

+Te cawse of hys malyce was for sche wold not obeyn hym .
(CMKEMPE,84.1899)

& sche wist wel it was a-geyn +te helth of hir sowle for to obeyn hym
as he wolde +tat sche xulde a don . (CMKEMPE,84.1900)

Than +te good man , +te Duche preste +tat sche was schrevyn on-to ,
thorw +te steryng of +te Englysch preste whech was hir enmye askyd hir
yf sche wolde be obedient vn-to hym er not . (CMKEMPE,84.1901)

And sche seyd , " +Ga , syr . " (CMKEMPE,84.1902)

" Wyl +ge don +tan as I schal byd +gow don ? " (CMKEMPE,84.1903)

" Wyth ryth good wyl , sire . " (CMKEMPE,84.1904)

" I charge +gow +tan +tat +ge leue +gowr white clothys ,
(CMKEMPE,84.1905)

& weryth a-geyn +gowr blak clothys . " (CMKEMPE,84.1906)

<P_85>

& sche dede hys comawndment . (CMKEMPE,85.1908)

& +tan had sche felyng +tat sche plesyd God wyth hir obediens .
(CMKEMPE,85.1909)

Than suffyrd sche many scornys of wyfys of Rome . (CMKEMPE,85.1910)

+Tei askyd hir +gyf malendrynes had robbyd hir , (CMKEMPE,85.1911)

& sche seyd , " Nay , madame . " (CMKEMPE,85.1912)

Sythen , as sche went on pylgrimage , it happyd hir to metyn wyth +te
preste +tat was hir enmye , (CMKEMPE,85.1913)

& he enjoyid gretly +tat sche was put fro hir wille (CMKEMPE,85.1914)

& seyd vn-to hir , " I am glad +tat +ge gon in blak clothyng as +ge wer
wont to do . " (CMKEMPE,85.1915)

And sche seyd a-+gen to hym , " Ser , owyr Lord wer not displesyd thow
I weryd whyte clothys , (CMKEMPE,85.1916)

for he wyl +tat I do so . " (CMKEMPE,85.1917)

Than +te preste seyd to hir a-+gen , " Now wote I wel +tat +tu hast a
deuyl wyth-inne +te , (CMKEMPE,85.1918)

for I her hym spekyn in +te to me . " (CMKEMPE,85.1919)

" A , good ser , I pray +gow dryuyth hym away fro me ,
(CMKEMPE,85.1920)

for God knowyth I wolde ryth fawyn don wel & plesyn hym yf I cowde . "
(CMKEMPE,85.1921)

And +tan he was ryth wroth (CMKEMPE,85.1922)

& seyd ful many schrewyd wordys . (CMKEMPE,85.1923)

& sche seyd to hym , " Ser , I hope I haue no deuyl wyth-inne me ,
(CMKEMPE,85.1924)

for , +gyf I had a deuyl wyth-in me , wetyth wel I schuld ben wroth
wyth +gow . (CMKEMPE,85.1925)

& , sir , me thynkyth +tat I am nothyng wroth wyth +gow for no-thyng
+tat +ge can don on-to me . " (CMKEMPE,85.1926)

And +tan +te preste partyd a-wey fro hir wyth heuy cher .
(CMKEMPE,85.1927)

And +tan owyr Lord spak to +tis creatur in hir sowle (CMKEMPE,85.1928)

& seyd , " Dowtyr , drede +te not $what-+tat-euyr $+tat $euyr
{TEXT:what-+tat-euyr} he sey on-to +te , (CMKEMPE,85.1929)

for , thow he renne euery +ger to Ierusalem , I haue no deynte of hym ,
(CMKEMPE,85.1930)

for as long as he spekyth a-geyns +te he spekyth a-geyns me ,
(CMKEMPE,85.1931)

for I am in +te (CMKEMPE,85.1932)

& +tu art in me . (CMKEMPE,85.1933)

& herby mayst thow knowyn +tat I suffyr many schrewyd wordys ,
(CMKEMPE,85.1934)

for I haue oftyn-tymes seyd to +te +tat I schuld be newe crucifyed in
+te be schrewyd wordys , (CMKEMPE,85.1935)

for +tu schalt non o+ter-wyse ben slayn +tan be schrewyd wordys
sufferyng . (CMKEMPE,85.1936)

For +tis preste +tat is thyn enmy he is but an ypocryte . "
(CMKEMPE,85.1937)

Than +te good preste hir confessowr bad hir be vertu of obediens & also
in party of penawns +tat sche xulde seruyn an hold woman +tat was a
poure creatur in Rome . (CMKEMPE,85.1938)

& sche dede so sex wekys . (CMKEMPE,85.1939)

Sche seruyd hir as sche wolde a don owyr Lady . (CMKEMPE,85.1940)

& <P_86> sche had no bed to lyn in ne no clothys to be cured wyth saf
hir owyn mentyl . (CMKEMPE,86.1941)

& +tan was sche ful of vermyn (CMKEMPE,86.1942)

& suffyrd gret peyn +terwyth . (CMKEMPE,86.1943)

Also sche fet hom watyr & stykkys in hir nekke for +te poure woman
(CMKEMPE,86.1944)

and beggyd mete and wyn bothyn for hir . (CMKEMPE,86.1945)

And , whan +te pour womans wyn was sowr , +tis creatur hir-self drank
+tat sowr wyn (CMKEMPE,86.1946)

& +gaf +te powr woman good wyn +tat sche had bowt for hir owyn selfe .
(CMKEMPE,86.1947)

As +tis creatur was in +te Postelys Cherch at Rome on Seynt Laterynes
Day , +te Fadyr of Hevyn seyd to hir , " Dowtyr , I am wel plesyd wyth
+te in-as-meche as +tu beleuyst in alle +te Sacramentys of Holy Chirche
& in al feyth +tat longith +terto , & specialy for +tat +tu beleuyst in
manhode of my Sone & for +te gret compassyon +tat +tu hast of hys
bittyr Passyon . " (CMKEMPE,86.1948)

Also +te Fadyr seyd to +tis creatur , " Dowtyr , I wil han +te weddyd
to my Godhede , (CMKEMPE,86.1949)

for I schal schewyn +te my preuyteys & my cownselys , (CMKEMPE,86.1950)

for +tu xalt wonyn wyth me wyth-owtyn ende . " (CMKEMPE,86.1951)

+Tan +te creatur kept sylens in hir sowle (CMKEMPE,86.1952)

& answeryd not +terto , (CMKEMPE,86.1953)

for sche was ful sor aferd of +te Godhed (CMKEMPE,86.1954)

& sche cowde no skylle of +te dalyawns of +te Godhede ,
(CMKEMPE,86.1955)

for al hir lofe & al hir affeccyon was set in +te manhode of Crist
(CMKEMPE,86.1956)

& +terof cowde sche good skylle (CMKEMPE,86.1957)

& sche wolde for no-thyng a partyd +terfro . (CMKEMPE,86.1958)

Sche was so meche affectyd to +te manhode of Crist +tat whan sche sey
women in Rome beryn children in her armys , +gyf sche myth wetyn +tat
+tei wer ony men children , sche schuld +tan cryin , roryn , & wepyn as
+tei sche had seyn Crist in hys childhode . (CMKEMPE,86.1959)

And , yf sche myth an had hir wille , oftyn-tymes sche wolde a takyn
+te childeryn owt of +te moderys armys & a kyssed hem in +te stede of
Criste . (CMKEMPE,86.1960)

And , +gyf sche sey a semly man , sche had gret peyn to lokyn on hym
les +tan sche myth a seyn hym +tat was bo+te God & man .
(CMKEMPE,86.1961)

& +terfor sche cryed many tymes & oftyn whan sche met a semly man
(CMKEMPE,86.1962)

& wept & sobbyd ful sor in +te manhod of Crist as sche went in +te
stretys at Rome +tat +tei +tat seyn hir wondryd ful mych on hir ,
(CMKEMPE,86.1963)

for +tei knew not +te cawse . (CMKEMPE,86.1964)

<P_87>

& +terfor it was no wondyr +gyf sche wer stille & answeryd not +te
Fadyr of Hevyn whan he teld hir +tat sche xuld be weddyd to hys Godhed
. (CMKEMPE,87.1966)

Than seyd +te Secunde Persone , Crist Ihesu , whoys manhode sche louyd
so meche , to hir , " What seyst +tu , Margery , dowtyr , to my Fadyr
of +tes wordys +tat he spekyth to +te ? (CMKEMPE,87.1967)

Art +tu wel plesyd +tat it be so ? " (CMKEMPE,87.1968)

And +tan sche wold not answeryn +te Secunde Persone (CMKEMPE,87.1969)

but wept wondir sor , desiryng to haue stille hym-selfe & in no wyse to
be departyd fro hym . (CMKEMPE,87.1970)

Than +te Secunde Persone in Trinite answeryd to hys Fadyr for hir
(CMKEMPE,87.1971)

& seyde , " Fadyr , haue hir excused , (CMKEMPE,87.1972)

for sche is +get but +gong & not fully lernyd how sche xulde answeryn .
" (CMKEMPE,87.1973)

And +tan +te Fadyr toke hir be +te hand in hir sowle be-for +te Sone &
+te Holy Gost & +te Modyr of Ihesu and alle +te xij apostelys & Seynt
Kateryn & Seynt Margarete & many o+ter seyntys & holy virgynes wyth
gret multitude of awngelys , seying to hir sowle , " I take +te ,
Margery , for my weddyd wyfe , for fayrar , for fowelar , for richar ,
for powerar , so +tat +tu be buxom & bonyr to do what I byd +te do .
(CMKEMPE,87.1974)

For , dowtyr , +ter was neuyr childe so buxom to +te modyr as I xal be
to +te bo+te in wel & in wo , - to help +te and comfort +te .
(CMKEMPE,87.1975)

And +terto I make +te suyrte . " (CMKEMPE,87.1976)

And +tan +te Modyr of God & alle +te seyntys +tat wer +ter present in
hir sowle preyde +tat +tei myth haue mech joy to-gedyr .
(CMKEMPE,87.1977)

And +tan +te creatur wyth hy deuocyon , wyth gret plente of terys ,
thankyd God of +tis gostly comfort , heldyng hir-self in hir owyn
felyng ryth vnworthy to any swech grace as sche felt ,
(CMKEMPE,87.1978)

for sche felt many gret comfortys , bo+te gostly comfortys & bodily
comfortys . (CMKEMPE,87.1979)

Sum-tyme sche felt swet smellys wyth hir nose ; (CMKEMPE,87.1980)

it wer swettar , hir thowt , +tan euyr was ony swet erdly thyng +tat
sche smellyd be-forn , (CMKEMPE,87.1981)

ne sche myth neuyr tellyn how swet it wern , (CMKEMPE,87.1982)

for hir thowt sche myth a leuyd +terby +gyf they wolde a lestyd .
(CMKEMPE,87.1983)

Sum-tyme sche herd wyth hir bodily erys sweche sowndys & melodijs +tat
<P_88> sche myth not wel heryn what a man seyd to hir in +tat tyme les
he spoke +te lowder . (CMKEMPE,88.1984)

+Tes sowndys & melodijs had sche herd ny-hand euery day +te terme of
xxv +gere whan +tis boke was wretyn , & specialy whan sche was in
deuowt prayer , also many tymes whil sche was at Rome & in Inglond
bo+te . (CMKEMPE,88.1985)

Sche sey wyth hir bodily eyne many white thyngys flying al a-bowte hir
on euery syde as thykke in a maner as motys in the sunne ;
(CMKEMPE,88.1986)

it weryn ryth sotyl & comfortabyl , (CMKEMPE,88.1987)

& +te brygtare +tat +te sunne schyned , +te bettyr sche myth se hem .
(CMKEMPE,88.1988)

Sche sey hem many dyuers tymes & in many dyuers placys , bo+te in
chirche & in hir chawmbre , at hir mete & in hir praerys , in felde &
in towne , bothyn goyng & syttyng . (CMKEMPE,88.1989)

And many tymes sche was a-ferde what +tei myth be , (CMKEMPE,88.1990)

for sche sey hem as wel on nytys in dyrkenes as on day-lygth .
(CMKEMPE,88.1991)

Than , whan sche was a-ferde of hem , owir Lord seyd on-to hir , " Be
+tis tokyn , dowtyr , beleue it is God +tat spekyth in +te ,
(CMKEMPE,88.1992)

for wher-so God is Heuyn is , (CMKEMPE,88.1993)

& wher +tat God is +ter be many awngelys , (CMKEMPE,88.1994)

& God is in +te (CMKEMPE,88.1995)

& +tu art in hym . (CMKEMPE,88.1996)

& +terfor be not aferde , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,88.1997)

for +tes be-tokyn +tat +tu hast many awngelys a-bowte +te to kepyn +te
bo+te day & nygth +tat no deuyl xal han power ouyr +te ne non euyl man
to der +te . " (CMKEMPE,88.1998)

+Tan fro +tat tyme forwarde sche vsyd to seyn whan sche saw hem comyn ,
" Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini . " (CMKEMPE,88.1999)

Also owr Lord +gaf hir an-o+ter tokne , +te whech enduryd a-bowtyn xvj
+ger & it encresyd euyr mor & mor , (CMKEMPE,88.2000)

& +tat was a flawme of fyer & wondir hoot & delectabyl & ryth
comfortabyl , nowt wastyng but euyr incresyng , of lowe ,
(CMKEMPE,88.2001)

for , thow +te wedyr wer neuyr so colde , sche felt +te hete brennyng
in hir brest & at hir hert , as verily as a man schuld felyn +te
material fyer +gyf he put hys hand or hys fynger +terin .
(CMKEMPE,88.2002)

Whan sche felt fyrst +te fyer of loue brennyng in her brest , sche was
a-ferd +terof , (CMKEMPE,88.2003)

& +tan owr Lord answeryd to hir mend (CMKEMPE,88.2004)

& seyde , " Dowtyr , be not a-ferd , (CMKEMPE,88.2005)

for +tis hete is +te hete of +te Holy Gost , +te whech <P_89> schal
bren a-wey alle +ti synnes , (CMKEMPE,89.2006)

for +te fyer of lofe qwenchith alle synnes . (CMKEMPE,89.2007)

And +tu xalt vndirstondyn be +tis tokyn +te Holy Gost is in +te ,
(CMKEMPE,89.2008)

and +tu wost wel $wher-+tat-euyr $+tat $euyr {TEXT:wher-+tat-euyr} +te
Holy Gost is +ter is +te Fadir , (CMKEMPE,89.2009)

& wher +te Fadyr is +ter is +te Sone , (CMKEMPE,89.2010)

and so +tu hast fully in +ti sowle al +te Holy Trinite .
(CMKEMPE,89.2011)

+Terfor +tow hast gret cawse to louyn me ryth wel , (CMKEMPE,89.2012)

& +get +tu xalt han grettar cawse +tan euyr +tu haddyst to louyn me ,
(CMKEMPE,89.2013)

for +tu xalt heryn +tat +tu neuyr herdist , (CMKEMPE,89.2014)

& +tu xalt se +tat +tu neuyr sey , (CMKEMPE,89.2015)

& +tu xalt felyn +tat +tu neuyr feltist . (CMKEMPE,89.2016)

For , dowtyr , +tu art as sekyr of +te lofe of God as God is God .
(CMKEMPE,89.2017)

Thy sowle is mor sekyr of +te lofe of God +tan of +tin owyn body ,
(CMKEMPE,89.2018)

for +ti sowle xal partyn fro thy body (CMKEMPE,89.2019)

but God xal neuyr partyn fro +ti sowle , (CMKEMPE,89.2020)

for +tei ben onyd to-gedyr wyth-owtyn ende . (CMKEMPE,89.2021)

+Terfor , dowtyr , +tu hast as gret cawse to be mery as any lady in
+tis werld , (CMKEMPE,89.2022)

& , +gyf +tu knew , dowtyr , how meche +tu plesyst me whan +tu suffyrst
me wilfully to spekyn in +te , +tu schuldist neuyr do o+terwyse ,
(CMKEMPE,89.2023)

for +tis is an holy lyfe (CMKEMPE,89.2024)

& +te tyme is ryth wel spent . (CMKEMPE,89.2025)

For , dowtyr , +tis lyfe plesyth me mor +tan weryng of +te haburion or
of +te hayr or fastyng of bred & watyr , (CMKEMPE,89.2026)

for , +gyf +tu seydest euery day a thowsand Pater Noster , +tu xuldist
not plesyn me so wel as +tu dost whan +tu art in silens & sufferyst me
to speke in thy sowle . (CMKEMPE,89.2027)

" Fastyng , dowtyr , is good for +gong be-gynnars & discrete penawns ,
namly +tat her gostly fadyr +geuyth hem er inioyneth hem for to do .
(CMKEMPE,89.2028)

And for to byddyn many bedys it is good to hem +tat can no bettyr do ,
(CMKEMPE,89.2029)

& +get it is not parfyte . (CMKEMPE,89.2030)

But it is a good wey to-perfeccyon-ward . (CMKEMPE,89.2031)

For I telle +te , dowtyr , +tei +tat arn gret fastarys & gret doers of
penawnce +tei wold +tat it schuld ben holdyn +te best lyfe ;
(CMKEMPE,89.2032)

also +tei +tat +geuyn hem to sey many deuocyons +tei wold han +tat +te
best lyfe ; (CMKEMPE,89.2033)

and +tei +tat +geuyn mech almes +tei wold +tat +tat wer holdyn +te best
lyfe . (CMKEMPE,89.2034)

And I haue oftyn-tymes , dowtyr , teld +te +tat thynkyng , wepyng , &
hy contemplacyon is +te best lyfe in erthe . (CMKEMPE,89.2035)

And +tu xalt haue mor meryte in Heuyn <P_90> for o +ger of thynkyng in
+ti mende +tan for an hundryd +ger of preyng wyth +ti mowth ,
(CMKEMPE,90.2036)

& +get +tu wylt not leuyn me , (CMKEMPE,90.2037)

for +tu wilt byddyn many bedys whedyr I wil or not . (CMKEMPE,90.2038)

And +get , dowtyr , I wyl not be displesyd wyth +te whedir +tu thynke ,
sey , or speke , (CMKEMPE,90.2039)

for I am al-wey plesyd wyth +te . (CMKEMPE,90.2040)

And , +gyf I wer in erde as bodily as I was er I deyd on +te Cros , I
schuld not ben a-schamyd of +te as many o+ter men ben ,
(CMKEMPE,90.2041)

for I schuld take +te be +te hand a-mongs +te pepil & make +te gret
cher +tat +tei schuldyn wel knowyn +tat I louyd +te ryth wel .
(CMKEMPE,90.2042)

For it is conuenyent +te wyf to be homly wyth hir husbond .
(CMKEMPE,90.2043)

Be he neuyr so gret a lorde & sche so powr a woman whan he weddyth hir
, +get +tei must ly to-gedir & rest to-gedir in joy & pes .
(CMKEMPE,90.2044)

Ryght so mot it be twyx +te & me , (CMKEMPE,90.2045)

for I take non hed what +tu hast be but what +tu woldist be .
(CMKEMPE,90.2046)

And oftyn-tymes haue I telde +te +tat I haue clene for+goue +te alle
thy synnes . (CMKEMPE,90.2047)

+Terfore most I nedys be homly wyth +te & lyn in +ti bed wyth +te .
(CMKEMPE,90.2048)

Dowtyr , thow desyrest gretly to se me , (CMKEMPE,90.2049)

& +tu mayst boldly , whan +tu art in +ti bed , take me to +te as for
+ti weddyd husbond , as thy derworthy derlyng , & as for thy swete sone
, (CMKEMPE,90.2050)

for I wyl be louyd as a sone schuld be louyd wyth +te modyr
(CMKEMPE,90.2051)

& wil +tat +tu loue me , dowtyr , as a good $wife owyth to loue hir
husbonde . (CMKEMPE,90.2052)

& +terfor +tu mayst boldly take me in +te armys of +ti sowle & kyssen
my mowth , myn hed , & my fete as swetly as thow wylt .
(CMKEMPE,90.2053)

& , as oftyn-tymes as +tu thynkyst on me er woldyst don any good dede
to me , +tu schalt haue +te same mede in Heuyn as +gyf +tu dedist it to
myn owyn precyows body whech is in Heuyn , (CMKEMPE,90.2054)

for I aske no mor of +te but +tin hert for to louyn $me +tat louyth +te
, (CMKEMPE,90.2055)

for my lofe is euyr redy to +te . " (CMKEMPE,90.2056)

Than sche +gaf thankyng & preysing to owr Lord Ihesu Crist for +te hy
grace & mercy +tat he schewyd vn-to hir vnworthy wrech .
(CMKEMPE,90.2057)

Thys creatur had diuers tokenys in hir bodily heryng .
(CMKEMPE,90.2058)

On was a maner of sownde as it had ben a peyr of belwys blowyng in hir
ere . (CMKEMPE,90.2059)

Sche , beyng a-basshed +terof , was warnyd in hir sowle no fer <P_91>
to haue , (CMKEMPE,91.2060)

for it was +te sownd of +te Holy Gost . (CMKEMPE,91.2061)

& +tan owyr Lord turnyd +tat sownde in-to +te voys of a dowe ,
(CMKEMPE,91.2062)

& sithyn he turnyd it into +te voys of a lityl bryd whech is callyd a
reedbrest +tat song ful merily oftyn-tymes in hir ryght ere .
(CMKEMPE,91.2063)

& +tan schuld sche euyr-mor han gret grace aftyr +tat sche herd swech a
tokyn . (CMKEMPE,91.2064)

And sche had been vsed to swech tokenys a-bowt xxv +ger at +te writyng
of +tis boke . (CMKEMPE,91.2065)

Than seyd owr Lord Ihesu Crist to hys creatur , " Be +tes tokenys mayst
+tu wel wetyn +tat I loue +te , (CMKEMPE,91.2066)

for +tu art to me a very modir & to al +te world for +tat gret charite
+tat is in +te , (CMKEMPE,91.2067)

& +get I am cawse of +tat charite my-self , (CMKEMPE,91.2068)

& +tu xalt haue gret mede +terfor in Heuyn . (CMKEMPE,91.2069)

" Dowtyr , for +tu art so buxom to my wille & cleuyst as sore on-to me
as +te skyn of stokfysche cleuyth to a mannys handys whan it is sothyn
, & wilt not forsake me for no schame +tat any man can don to +te , &
+tu seyst also +tat +tow I stod be-forn +te myn owyn persone & seyd to
+te +tat +tu xuldist neuyr han my lofe , ne neuyr comyn in Heuyn , ne
neuyr sen my face , +get seist +tu , dowtyr , +tat +tu woldist neuyr
forsake me in erthe , ne neuyr lofe me +te lesse , ne neuyr do +te
lesse besynes to plese me , thow +tu xuldyst lye in Helle wyth-owtyn
ende , for +tu maist not forber my lofe in erthe , ne +tu can han non
o+ter comforth but me only , whech am I , +ti God , & am al joy & al
blysse to +te , +terfore I sey to +te , derworthy dowtyr , it is
vnpossybyl +tat any swech sowle schuld be dampnyd or departyd fro me
whech hath so gret meknes & charite to me . (CMKEMPE,91.2070)

& +terfor , dowtyr , drede +te neuyr , (CMKEMPE,91.2071)

for alle +te gret behestys +tat I haue behite to +te & to alle thyn &
to alle thy gostly faderys xal euer be trewe & trewly fulfilled whan
tyme comyth . (CMKEMPE,91.2072)

Haue no dowt +ter-of . " (CMKEMPE,91.2073)

An-o+ter tyme whil sche was in Rome a lityl befor Cristemes , owr Lord
Ihesu Criste comawndyd hir to gon to hir gostly fadyr , Wenslawe be
name , & byddyn hym +geuyn hir leue to weryn a-geyn <P_92> hir white
clothys , (CMKEMPE,92.2074)

for he had put hir +terfro be vertu of obediens , as is wretyn be-forn
. (CMKEMPE,92.2075)

& , whan sche teld hym +te wyl of owr Lord , he durst not onys sey nay
. (CMKEMPE,92.2076)

& so weryd sche white clothys euyr aftyr . (CMKEMPE,92.2077)

Than owr Lord bad hir +tat sche xuld at Cristemes gon hom a-geyn to hir
ostys howse +ter sche was at hostel befor-tyme . (CMKEMPE,92.2078)

And +tan sche went to a powr woman whech sche seruyd at +tat tyme be
+te byddyng of hir confessowr , as is beforn-wretyn , (CMKEMPE,92.2079)

& telde +te powr woman how sche must gon fro hir . (CMKEMPE,92.2080)

& +tan +te powr woman was ryth sory (CMKEMPE,92.2081)

& mad gret mone for hir departyng . (CMKEMPE,92.2082)

& +tan +tis creatur teld hir how it was +te wil of God +tat it schuld
be so , (CMKEMPE,92.2083)

& +tan sche toke it +te mor esily . (CMKEMPE,92.2084)

Aftyrward , as +tis creatur was in Rome , owr Lord bad hir +geuyn a-wey
al hir good & makyn hir bar for hys lofe . (CMKEMPE,92.2085)

& a-non sche wyth a feruent desyr to plesyn God +gaf a-wey swech good
as sche had & sweche as sche had borwyd also of +te brokebakkyd man
+tat went wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,92.2086)

Whan he wist how +tat sche had +gouyn a-wey hys good , he was gretly
mevyd & euyl plesyd for sche +gaf a-wey hys good , (CMKEMPE,92.2087)

& spak ryth scharply to hir . (CMKEMPE,92.2088)

& +tan sche seyd vn-to hym , " Richard , be +te grace of God we xal
comyn hom in-to Inglond ryth wel . (CMKEMPE,92.2089)

& +ge schal come to me in Brystowe in +te Whitsunwoke ,
(CMKEMPE,92.2090)

& +ter xal I pay +gow ryth wel & trewly be +te grace of God ,
(CMKEMPE,92.2091)

for I trust ryth wel +tat he +tat bad me +geuyn it a-wey for hys lofe
wil help me to payn it a-geyn . " (CMKEMPE,92.2092)

& so he dede . (CMKEMPE,92.2093)

Afftyr +tat +tis creatur had thus +gouyn a-wey hir good
(CMKEMPE,92.2094)

& had neyther peny ne half-peny to helpyn hir-self wyth , as sche lay
in Seynt Marcellys Chirche in Rome , thynkyng & stodying wher sche xuld
han hir leuyng in-as-mech as sche had no syluer to cheys hir wyth-+tal
, (CMKEMPE,92.2095)

owr Lord answeryd to hir mende (CMKEMPE,92.2096)

& seyde , " Dowtyr , +tu art not +get so powr as I was whan I heng
nakyd on +te Cros for thy lofe , (CMKEMPE,92.2097)

for +tu hast clothys on thy body (CMKEMPE,92.2098)

& I had non . (CMKEMPE,92.2099)

And thow hast cownseld o+ter men to ben powr for my sake ,
(CMKEMPE,92.2100)

& +terfor +tu must folwyn thyn owyn cownsel . (CMKEMPE,92.2101)

But drede +te not , dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,92.2102)

for +ter is gold to-+te-ward , (CMKEMPE,92.2103)

& I haue hyte +te befor-tyme +tat I wolde neuyr <P_93> fayl +te .
(CMKEMPE,93.2104)

& I xal preyn myn owyn Modir to beggyn for +te , (CMKEMPE,93.2105)

for +tu hast many tymes beggyd for me & for my Modir also .
(CMKEMPE,93.2106)

& +terfor drede +te not . (CMKEMPE,93.2107)

I haue frendys in euery cuntre (CMKEMPE,93.2108)

& xal make my frendys to comfort +te . " (CMKEMPE,93.2109)

Whan owr Lord had thus swetly dalyed to hir sowle , sche thankyd hym of
+tis gret comforte , hauyng good trost it xuld be as he seyd .
(CMKEMPE,93.2110)

Sythen sche , risyng up , went forth in +te strete (CMKEMPE,93.2111)

& met casualy wyth a good man . (CMKEMPE,93.2112)

& so they fellyn in good comunicacyon as +tei went togedir be +te wey ,
to whom sche had many good talys & many good exhortacyonys tyl God
visited hym wyth terys of deuocyon & of compunccyon to hys hey comfort
& consolacyon . (CMKEMPE,93.2113)

& +tan he +gaf hir mony , be +te whech sche was wel releuyd & comfortyd
a good while . (CMKEMPE,93.2114)

Than on a nyth sche say in vision how owyr Lady , hir thowt , sat at
+te mete wyth many worshepful personys & askyd mete for hir .
(CMKEMPE,93.2115)

And +tan thowt +tis creatur +tat owr Lordys wordys wer fulfilled gostly
in +tat vision , (CMKEMPE,93.2116)

for he behestyd +tis creatur a lityl be-forn +tat he xuld preyn hys
modir to beggyn for hir . (CMKEMPE,93.2117)

& in schort tyme aftyr +tis visyon sche met wyth a worshepful lady ,
Dame Margarete Florentyn , +te same lady +tat browt hir fro Assyse
in-to Rome . (CMKEMPE,93.2118)

& nei+tyr of hem cowd wel vndirstand o+ter but be syngnys er tokenys &
in fewe comown wordys . (CMKEMPE,93.2119)

And +tan +te lady seyd on-to hir , " Margerya in pouerte ? "
(CMKEMPE,93.2120)

Sche , vndirstondyng what +te lady ment , seyd a-+gen , " +Ga , grawnt
pouerte , Madam . " (CMKEMPE,93.2121)

+Tan +te lady comawndyd hir to etyn wyth hir euery Sonday
(CMKEMPE,93.2122)

& set hir at hir owen tabil a-bouyn hir-self (CMKEMPE,93.2123)

& leyd hir mete wyth hir owyn handys . (CMKEMPE,93.2124)

Than thys creatur sat (CMKEMPE,93.2125)

& wept ful sor , thankyng owr Lord +tat sche was so cheryd & cherisched
for hys lofe of hem +tat cowd not vndirstond hir langage .
(CMKEMPE,93.2126)

Whan +tei had etyn , +te good lady vsed to takyn hir an hamper wyth
o+ter stuffe +tat sche myght makyn hir potage +terwyth , as meche as
wolde seruyn hir for a too days mete , (CMKEMPE,93.2127)

& filled hir botel wyth good wyn . (CMKEMPE,93.2128)

And sumtyme sche +gaf hir an viij bolendinys +terto . (CMKEMPE,93.2129)

And +tan an-o+ter man in Rome , whech was clepyd Marcelle , bad hir to
mete <P_94> ij days in +te woke , whos wyfe was gret wyth childe , hyly
desiryng to haue had +tis creatur to godmodyr to hir childe whan it had
ben born , (CMKEMPE,94.2130)

& sche abood not so long in Rome . (CMKEMPE,94.2131)

& also +ter was an holy mayden +gaf +tis creatur hir mete on +te
Wednysday . (CMKEMPE,94.2132)

O+ter days whan sche was not purueyd sche beggyd hir mete fro dor to
dore . (CMKEMPE,94.2133)

An-o+ter tyme , ryth as sche cam be a powr womanys hows , +te powr
woman clepyd hir in-to hir hows (CMKEMPE,94.2134)

& dede hir sytten be hir lytyl fyer , +geuyng hir wyn to drynke in a
cuppe of ston . (CMKEMPE,94.2135)

& sche had a lytel manchylde sowkyng on hir brest , +te whech sowkyd o
while on +te moderys brest ; (CMKEMPE,94.2136)

an-o+ter while it ran to +tis creatur , +te modyr syttyng ful of sorwe
& sadnes . (CMKEMPE,94.2137)

+Tan +tis creatur brast al in-to wepyng , as +tei sche had seyn owr
Lady & hir sone in tyme of hys Passyon , (CMKEMPE,94.2138)

& had so many of holy thowtys +tat sche myth neuyr tellyn +te haluendel
, (CMKEMPE,94.2139)

but euyr sat (CMKEMPE,94.2140)

& wept plentyvowsly a long tyme +tat +te powr woman , hauyng compassyon
of hir wepyng , preyd hir to sesyn , not knowyng why sche wept .
(CMKEMPE,94.2141)

+Tan owr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to +te creatur , " Thys place is holy .
" (CMKEMPE,94.2142)

And +tan sche ros up (CMKEMPE,94.2143)

& went forth in Rome (CMKEMPE,94.2144)

& sey meche pouerte a-mong +te pepyl . (CMKEMPE,94.2145)

& +tan sche thankyd God hyly of +te pouerte +tat sche was in , trostyng
+terthorw to be partynyr wyth hem in meryte . (CMKEMPE,94.2146)

+Tan was +ter a gret jentyl-woman in Rome preyng thys creatur to be
godmodyr of hir childe (CMKEMPE,94.2147)

& namyd it aftyr seynt Brigypt , (CMKEMPE,94.2148)

for they haddyn knowlach of hir in hir lyue-tyme . (CMKEMPE,94.2149)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,94.2150)

Sithyn God +gaf hir grace to haue gret lofe in Rome , bothyn of men &
of women , & gret fauowr a-mong the pepyl . (CMKEMPE,94.2151)

Whan +te Maystyr & Bro+tyr of +te Hospital of Seynt Thomas , wher sche
was refusyd be-for-tyme , as is wretyn be-forn , herd tellyn what lofe
& what fauowr sche had in +te cyte , they preyd hir +tat sche wolde
come a-geyn to hem , (CMKEMPE,94.2152)

& sche xulde be wolcomear +tan euyr sche was be-forn ,
(CMKEMPE,94.2153)

for +tei weryn ryth sory +tat +tei had put hir a-wey fro hem .
(CMKEMPE,94.2154)

& sche thankyd hem for her charite (CMKEMPE,94.2155)

& dede her comawndment . (CMKEMPE,94.2156)

& , whan sche was comyn a-+gen to hem , +tei madyn hir ryth good cher
(CMKEMPE,94.2157)

& weryn rith glad of hir comyng . (CMKEMPE,94.2158)

<P_95>

Than fond sche +ter hir +tat was hir mayden be-for-tyme , & wyth ryght
schulde a be so stylle , dwellyng in +te Hospital in meche welth &
prosperyte , (CMKEMPE,95.2160)

for sche was kepar of her wyn . (CMKEMPE,95.2161)

And +tis creatur went sumtyme to hir for cawse of mekenes
(CMKEMPE,95.2162)

& preyd hir of mete & drynke , (CMKEMPE,95.2163)

& +te mayden +gaf hir wyth good wyl , & sumtyme a grote +terto .
(CMKEMPE,95.2164)

+Tan sche compleyned to hir mayden (CMKEMPE,95.2165)

& seyd +tat sche thowt gret swem of her departyng & what slawndir &
euyl wordys men seyd of hir for +tei wer a-sundyr , (CMKEMPE,95.2166)

but wold sche neuyr +te ra+tar be a-geyn wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,95.2167)

Aftyrward +tis creatur spak wyth Seynt Brydys mayden in Rome ,
(CMKEMPE,95.2168)

but sche cowd not vndirstondyn what sche seyd . (CMKEMPE,95.2169)

+Tan had sche a man +tat cowde vndirstondyn hir langage ,
(CMKEMPE,95.2170)

& +tat man tolde Seynt Brygiptys mayden what +tis creatur seyde & how
sche askyd aftyr Seynt Brigypt , hir lady . (CMKEMPE,95.2171)

+Tan +te mayden seyd +tat hir lady , Seynt Brigypt , was goodly & meke
to euery creatur & +tat sche had a lawhyng cher . (CMKEMPE,95.2172)

And also +te good man wher +tis creatur was at hoste telde hir +tat he
knew hir hys owyn selfe (CMKEMPE,95.2173)

but he wend lityl +tat sche had ben so holy a woman as sche was ,
(CMKEMPE,95.2174)

for sche was euyr homly & goodly to alle creaturys +tat woldyn spekyn
wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,95.2175)

Sche was in +te chawmbre +tat Seynt Brigypt deyd in , (CMKEMPE,95.2176)

& herd a Dewche preste prechyn of hir +terin & of hir reuelacyonys & of
hir maner of leuyng . (CMKEMPE,95.2177)

& sche knelyd also on +te ston on +te whech owr Lord aperyd to Seynt
Brigypte and telde hir what day sche xuld deyn on . (CMKEMPE,95.2178)

& +tis was on of Seynt Brigyptys days +tat +tis creatur was in hir
chapel , whech befortyme was hir chawmbre +tat sche deyd in .
(CMKEMPE,95.2179)

Owr Lord sent swech tempestys of wyndys & reynes & dyuers impressyons
of eyrs +tat +tei +tat wer in +te feldys & in her labowrys
wyth-owtyn-forth wer compellyd to entyr howsys in socowryng of her
bodijs to enchewyn dyuers perellys . (CMKEMPE,95.2180)

+Torw swech tokenys +tis creatur supposyd +tat owr Lord wold hys holy
Seyntys day xulde ben halwyd & +te Seynt had in mor worshep +tan sche
was at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,95.2181)

And sumtyme , whan +tis creatur wolde a gon +te Stacyownys , our Lord
warnyd hir on +te nyght beyng <P_96> in hir bed +tat sche xulde not gon
owte fer fro hir ostel , (CMKEMPE,96.2182)

for he xulde sendyn gret tempestys +tat day of leuenys & thunderys .
(CMKEMPE,96.2183)

& so it was in dede . (CMKEMPE,96.2184)

Ther wer so gret tempestys +tat +ger of thunderys & leuenys , of gret
reynes & dyuers wederyngys , +tat ryth elde men +tat tyme dwellyng in
Rome seydyn +tei had neuyr seyn swech be-forn , (CMKEMPE,96.2185)

+te leuenys wer so plentyuows & so brygth schynyng wyth-inne her howsys
+tat +tei wendyn verily it xulde a brent her howsys wyth contentys .
(CMKEMPE,96.2186)

+Tan cryed +tei vp-on +te forseyd creatur to prey for hem , fully
trustyng +tat sche was +te seruawnt of al-myghty God & thorw hir
prayerys +tei xuldyn ben holpyn & socowryd . (CMKEMPE,96.2187)

+Tis creatur at her request preyng owr Lord of mercy , he answeryd in
hir sowle , seying , " Dowtyr , be not a-ferd , (CMKEMPE,96.2188)

for +ter xal no wedyr ne tempest noyin +te , (CMKEMPE,96.2189)

& +terfor mystrost me not , (CMKEMPE,96.2190)

for I xal neuyr disceyuen +te . " (CMKEMPE,96.2191)

And owr merciful Lord Cryst Ihesu , as it plesyd hym , wythdrow +te
tempestys , preseruyng +te pepyl fro alle myscheuys . (CMKEMPE,96.2192)

Than thorw +te prouysyon of owr mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu +ter was
comyn a preste , a good man , owte of Inglond in-to Rome wyth o+ter
felawshep speryng & inqwyryng diligently aftyr +te seyd creatur whom he
had neuyr seyn be-forn , ne sche hym . (CMKEMPE,96.2193)

But whil he was in Inglond he herd tellyn of swech a woman was at Rome
wyth +te whech he longyd hyly to spekyn +gyf God wolde grawntyn hym
grace . Wher-for , whyl he was in hys owyn lond , he , purposyng to se
+tis creatur whan he thorw +te sufferawns of owr Lord myght come +ter
sche was , purueyd golde to bryng hir in releuyng of hir +gyf sche had
nede . (CMKEMPE,96.2194)

+Tan be inqwyryng he cam in-to +te place wher +tat sche was ,
(CMKEMPE,96.2195)

& ful humbely & mekely he clepyd hir modyr , preying hir for charite to
receyuen hym as hir sone . (CMKEMPE,96.2196)

Sche seyd +tat he was wolcom to God & to hir as to hys owyn modyr .
(CMKEMPE,96.2197)

So be holy dalyawns & communycacyon sche felt wel he was a good man .
(CMKEMPE,96.2198)

& +tan sche , discuryng +te preuyte of hert , reuelyd what grace God
wrowt in hir sowle thorw hys holy inspiracyon & sumwhat of hir maner of
leuyng . (CMKEMPE,96.2199)

+Tan wolde he no <P_97> lengar suffyr hir to beggyn hir mete fro dore
to dore , (CMKEMPE,97.2200)

but preyid hir to eten wyth hym & hys felawshep , les +tan good men &
women be +te wey of charite & for gostly comfort wolde preyn hir to
mete . (CMKEMPE,97.2201)

+Tan he wolde +tat $she xulde take it in +te name of owr Lord ,
(CMKEMPE,97.2202)

and ellys sche ete wyth hym & wyth hys felawschep euery day ,
(CMKEMPE,97.2203)

& +gaf hir golde sufficiently to come hom wyth in-to Inglond .
(CMKEMPE,97.2204)

And +tan was fulfilled +tat owr Lord seyd to hir a lityl be-forn , "
(CMKEMPE,97.2205)

Gold is to-+te-warde . " (CMKEMPE,97.2206)

& so it was in dede , (CMKEMPE,97.2207)

thankyd be alle-myghty God . (CMKEMPE,97.2208)

Than summe of hir felaws whech sche had ben wyth at Ierusalem comyth to
+tis good preste , newly come to Rome , compleynyng of hir ,
(CMKEMPE,97.2209)

& seyd +tat sche was schreuyn at a preste whech cowde not vndirstondyn
hir langwage ne hir confessyown . (CMKEMPE,97.2210)

Than +tis good preste , trostyng to hir as to hys modyr , desyryng +te
helth of hir sowle , askyd of hir yf hir confessowr vndirstod hir whan
sche spak to hym er not . (CMKEMPE,97.2211)

" Good sone , I beseche +gow , (CMKEMPE,97.2212)

preyth hym to dyne wyth +gow & wyth +gowr felawys (CMKEMPE,97.2213)

& late me be present , (CMKEMPE,97.2214)

& +tan xal +ge knowyn +te trewth . " (CMKEMPE,97.2215)

Hyr confessowr was preyd to mete & , whan tyme cam , sett & seruyd wyth
+tis good preste & hys felaschep , +te seyd creatur beyng present , +te
good preste of Inglonde dalying & comownyng in her owyn langage ,
Englysch . (CMKEMPE,97.2216)

+Te Duche preste , a worthy clerke as is wretyn be-forn , confessowr to
+te seyd creatur , satt al stille in a maner of heuynes for cawse he
vndirstod not what +tei seyden in Englysch les +tan +tei spokyn Latyn .
(CMKEMPE,97.2217)

& +tei dede it in purpose , hys vnwetyng , to preuyn +gyf he vndirstod
Englysch er not . (CMKEMPE,97.2218)

At +te last , +te seyd creatur , seyng & wel vndirstondyng +tat hir
confessowr vndirstod not her langage & +tat was tediows to hym , +tan ,
in party to comfort hym & in party er ellys meche mor to preuyn +te
werk of God , sche telde in hyr owyn langage in Englysch a story of
Holy Writte whech sche had lernyd of clerkys whil sche was at hom in
Inglond , (CMKEMPE,97.2219)

for sche wolde spekyn of no vanyte ne of no fantasijs .
(CMKEMPE,97.2220)

Than +tei askyd hir confessowr +gyf he vndirstod +tat sche had seyd ,
(CMKEMPE,97.2221)

& he a-non in Latyn telde hem +te <P_98> same wordys +tat sche seyd
be-forn in Englisch , (CMKEMPE,98.2222)

for he cowde ney+tyr speke Englysch ne vndirstondyn Englisch saue only
aftyr hir tunge . (CMKEMPE,98.2223)

& +tan +tei had gret meruayle , (CMKEMPE,98.2224)

for +tei wist wel +tat he vndirstod what sche seyde & sche vndirstod
what he seyd , (CMKEMPE,98.2225)

& he cowde vndirstonde non o+ter Englysch-man , (CMKEMPE,98.2226)

so blyssed mote God ben +tat mad an alyon to vndirstondyn hir whan hir
owyn cuntre-men had forsakyn hir & wolde not heryn hir confessyon les
+tan sche wolde a left hir wepyng & spekyng of holynes .
(CMKEMPE,98.2227)

& +get sche myth not wepyn but whan God +gaf it hir . (CMKEMPE,98.2228)

& oftyn-tymes he +gaf it so plentyuowsly +tat sche cowde not wythstonde
it . (CMKEMPE,98.2229)

But +te mor +tat sche wolde a wythstonde it er put it a-wey , +te mor
strongly it wrowt in hir sowle wyth so holy thowtys +tat sche xulde not
sesyn . (CMKEMPE,98.2230)

Sche xulde sobbyn & cryen ful lowde al a-geyn hir wyl +tat many man &
woman also wondryd on hir +terfore . (CMKEMPE,98.2231)

Svm-tyme , whan +te forseyd creatur was at sermownys wher Duchemen &
o+ter men prechyd , techyng +te lawys of God , sodeyn sorwe & heuynes
ocupying hir hert cawsyd hir to compleyn wyth mornyng cher for lak of
vndirstondyng , desyryng to be refreschyd wyth sum crumme of gostly
vndirstondyng vn-to hir most trustyd & entyrlyest belouyd souereyn ,
Crist Ihesu , whos melydiows voys swettest of alle sauowrys softly
sowndyng in hir sowle , seyd , " I xal preche +te & teche +te my-selfe
, (CMKEMPE,98.2232)

for +ti wyl & thy desyr is acceptabyl vn-to me . " (CMKEMPE,98.2233)

+Tan was hir sowle so delectabely fed wyth +te swet dalyawns of owr
Lorde & so fulfilled of hys lofe +tat as a drunkyn man sche turnyd hir
fyrst on +te o syde & sithyn on +te o+ter wyth gret wepyng & gret
sobbyng , vn-mythy to kepyn hir-selfe in stabilnes for +te vnqwenchabyl
fyer of lofe whech brent ful sor in hir sowle . (CMKEMPE,98.2234)

+Tan meche pepyl wonderyd up-on hir , askyng hir what sche eyled , to
whom sche as a creatur al wowndyd wyth lofe & as reson had fayled ,
cryed wyth lowde voys , " +te Passyon of Crist sleth me . "
(CMKEMPE,98.2235)

+te good women , hauyng compassyon <P_99> of hir sorwe & gretly
meruelyng of hir wepyng & of hir crying , meche +te mor +tei louyd hir
. (CMKEMPE,99.2236)

& +terfor +tei , desiryng to make hir solas & comfort aftyr hir gostly
labowr , be sygnys & tokenys , for sche vndirstod not her speche ,
preyid hir and in a maner compellyd hir to comyn hom to hem , willyng
+tat sche xulde not gon fro hem . (CMKEMPE,99.2237)

Than owr Lord sent hyr grace to han gret lofe & gret fauowr of many
personys in Rome , bothyn-1 of religyows men & o+ter .
(CMKEMPE,99.2238)

Sum religyows comyn to swech personys of hyr cuntremen as louyd hir
(CMKEMPE,99.2239)

& seyden , " +tis woman hath sowyn meche good seed in Rome sithyn sche
cam hydir , +tat is to sey , schewyd good exampyl to +te pepyl ,
wherthorw +tei louyn God mor +tan +tei dede be-forn . "
(CMKEMPE,99.2240)

On a tyme , as +tis creatur was in a chirche at Rome wher +te body of
Seynt Ierom lyth birijd <paren> whech was myraculosly translatyd fro
Bedlem in-to +tat place & +ter now is had in gret worshep be-syden +te
place wher Seynt Lauerawnce lyth berijd </paren> , to +tis creaturys
gostly sygth aperyng , Seynt Ierom seyd to hir sowle , " Blissed art
+tow , dowtyr , in +te wepyng +tat +tu wepyst for +te peplys synnes ,
(CMKEMPE,99.2241)

for many xal be sauyd +terby . (CMKEMPE,99.2242)

And , dowtyr , drede +te nowt , (CMKEMPE,99.2243)

for it is a synguler & a specyal +gyft +tat God hath +gouyn +te , - a
welle of teerys +te whech xal neuyr man take fro +te . "
(CMKEMPE,99.2244)

Wyth swech maner of dalyawns he hily comfortyd hir spiritys .
(CMKEMPE,99.2245)

& also he made gret preysyng & thankyng to God for +te grace +tat he
wrowt in hir sowle , (CMKEMPE,99.2246)

for les +tan sche had an had sweche gostly comfortys it had ben
vnpossybyl hir to a boryn +te schamys & wonderyngys +te whech sche
suffyrd pacyently & mekely for +te grace +tat God schewyd in hyr .
(CMKEMPE,99.2247)

Whan tyme of Estern er ellys Paske was come & go , +tis creatur wyth
hir felawschep , purposyng to gon a-geyn in-to her owyn natyf lond , it
was telde hem +tat <P_100> +ter wer many theuys be +te wey whech wolde
spoyl hem of her goodys & perauentur slen hem . (CMKEMPE,100.2248)

+Tan +te seyd creatur wyth many a bittyr teer of hir eye preyd to owr
Lord Ihesu Crist , seying , " Crist Ihesu , in whom is al my trost , as
thow hast be-hyte me many tymes befor +tat +ter xulde no man be disesyd
in my cumpanye , & I was neuyr deceyued ne defrawdyd in +ti promysse as
long as I fully & trewly trostyd on-to +te , so here +te preyerys of
+tin vnworthy seruawnt al holy trustyng in +ti mercy .
(CMKEMPE,100.2249)

& grawnt +tat I & myn felawschep wythowtyn hyndryng of body er of catel
- for of owr sowlys , Lord , haue +tei no powr - may gon hom a-geyn
in-to owr lond lych as we come hedyr , for +ti lofe ,
(CMKEMPE,100.2250)

& late neuyr owr enmijs haue no powr ouyr us , Lord , +gyf it plese +te
. (CMKEMPE,100.2251)

As +tu wilt , so mot it be . " (CMKEMPE,100.2252)

Than owr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to hir mende , " Drede +te not , dowtyr
, (CMKEMPE,100.2253)

for +tu & alle +tat ben in thy cumpany xal gon as safe as +gyf +tei wer
in Seynt Petrys Cherch . " (CMKEMPE,100.2254)

Than thankyd sche God wyth alle hir spiritys , (CMKEMPE,100.2255)

& was bold a-now to go wher God wolde , (CMKEMPE,100.2256)

& toke hir leue of hir frendys in Rome , & most specyaly of hir gostly
fadyr , whech , for owr Lordys lofe , had supportyd hir & socowrd hir
ful tendirly a-geyn +te wykked wyndys of hir invyows enmyis , whos
departyng was ful lamentabyl as wytnessyd wel +te pur watyrdropys
rennyng down be her chekys . (CMKEMPE,100.2257)

Sche , fallyng on hyr knes , receyued +te benefys of hys blyssyng ,
(CMKEMPE,100.2258)

& so departyd a-sundyr whom charite ioyned bothyn in oon , thorw +te
whech +tei trostyd to metyn a-geyn , whan owr Lord wolde , in her
kendly cuntre whan +tei wer passyd +tis wretchyd wordelys exile .
(CMKEMPE,100.2259)

And +tus sche & hir feleschep passyd forth in-to-Inglond-ward .
(CMKEMPE,100.2260)

And whan +tei wer a lityl wey owte of Rome , & +te good preste , whech
as is beforn-wretyn +tis creatur had receyued as for hir owyn sone ,
had mekyl drede of enmyis . Wher-for he seyd on-to hir , " Modyr , I
drede me to be deed & slayn wyth enmyis . " (CMKEMPE,100.2261)

Sche seyd , " Nay , sone , +ge schal far <P_101> ryth wel & gon saf be
+te grace of God . (CMKEMPE,101.2262)

& he was wel comfortyd wyth hyr wordys , (CMKEMPE,101.2263)

for he trustyd meche in hir felyngys (CMKEMPE,101.2264)

and mad hir as good cher be +te wey as +gyf he had ben hir owyn sone
born of hir body . (CMKEMPE,101.2265)

& so +tei cam forth to Medylborwgh , (CMKEMPE,101.2266)

& +tan hir felaschep wolde takyn her jurne in-to-Inglond-ward on +te
Sunday . (CMKEMPE,101.2267)

+Tan +te good preyste cam to hir , seying , " Modyr , wyl +ge gon wyth
+gowr felaschep er not on +tis good day ? " (CMKEMPE,101.2268)

& sche seyde , " Nay , sone , it is not my Lordys wille +tat I xulde
gon so sone hens . " (CMKEMPE,101.2269)

& so sche abood stylle wyth +te good preste & summe o+ter of +te
felaschyp tyl +te Satyrday aftyr . (CMKEMPE,101.2270)

And mech of her felaschep went to schip on +te Sonday .
(CMKEMPE,101.2271)

On +te Fryday aftyr , as +tis creatur went to sportyn hir in +te felde
& men of hir owyn nacyon wyth hir , +te whech sche informyd in +te
lawys of God as wel as sche cowde - & scharply sche spak a-geyns hem
for +tei sworyn gret othys & brokyn +te comawndment of owr Lord God - &
as sche went +tus dalying wyth hem , owr Lord Ihesu Crist bad hir gon
hom in haste to hir hostel , (CMKEMPE,101.2272)

for +ter schulde come gret wederyng & perlyows . (CMKEMPE,101.2273)

+Tan sche hyed hir homwardys wyth hir felaschep , (CMKEMPE,101.2274)

& , as sone as +tei come hom to her hostel , +te wederyng fel as sche
felt be reuelacyon . (CMKEMPE,101.2275)

And many tymes , as sche went be +te wey & in +te feldys , +ter fel
gret leuenys wyth hedows thunderys , gresely & greuows , +tat sche
feryd hir +tat it xulde a smet hir to deth , & many gret reynes , whech
cawsyd in hir gret drede & heuynes . (CMKEMPE,101.2276)

+Tan owr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to hir , " Why art thow a-ferd whil I am
wyth +te ? (CMKEMPE,101.2277)

I am as mythy to kepyn +te her in +te felde as in +te strengest chirche
in alle +tis worlde . " (CMKEMPE,101.2278)

& aftyr +tat tyme sche was not so gretly a-ferd as sche was be-forn ,
(CMKEMPE,101.2279)

for euyr sche had gret trust in hys mercy , (CMKEMPE,101.2280)

blyssed mote he be +tat comfortyd hir in euery sorwe .
(CMKEMPE,101.2281)

And sithyn it happyd an Englysch-man to come to +tis creatur & swor a
gret oth . (CMKEMPE,101.2282)

Sche , heryng +tat oth , wept , mornyd , & sorwyd wyth-owtyn mesur ,
not of powr to restreyn hir-selfe fro wepyng & sorwyng , for-as-meche
as sche sey hir bro+tyr offendyn owr Lord God al-mygthy & lytyl heed
wold takyn to hys owyn defawte . (CMKEMPE,101.2283)

<P_102>

On +te next day be-tymes come to +tis creatur +te good preste , whech
was as hir sone , (CMKEMPE,102.2285)

& seyd , " Modyr , good tydyngys . (CMKEMPE,102.2286)

We haue good wynd , (CMKEMPE,102.2287)

thankyd be God . " (CMKEMPE,102.2288)

& a-non sche +gaf preysyng to owr Lord (CMKEMPE,102.2289)

& preyd hym of hys mercy to grawntyn hem good perseuerawns of wynde &
wederyng +tat +tei myth come hom in safte . (CMKEMPE,102.2290)

And it was answeryd & comawndyd in hir sowle +tat +tei xuld gon her wey
in +te name of Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,102.2291)

Whan +te preste knew +tat sche wolde al-gatys gon forth , he seyd , "
Modyr , her is no schip ; (CMKEMPE,102.2292)

her is but a lityl hecke . " (CMKEMPE,102.2293)

Sche answeryd ageyn , " Sone , God is as mythy in a lityl schip as in a
gret schip , (CMKEMPE,102.2294)

for I wyl go +terin be +te leue of God . " (CMKEMPE,102.2295)

And , whan +tei wer in +te lityl schip , it be-gan to waxin gret
tempestys & dyrke wedyr . (CMKEMPE,102.2296)

+Tan +tei cryed to God for grace & mercy , (CMKEMPE,102.2297)

& a-non +te tempestys sesyd , (CMKEMPE,102.2298)

& +tei had fayr wedyr (CMKEMPE,102.2299)

& seyled al +te nygth on ende & +te next day tyl evyn-song-tyme ,
(CMKEMPE,102.2300)

& +tan +tei cam to londe . (CMKEMPE,102.2301)

& , whan +tei wer on +te londe , +te forseyd creatur fel downe on hir
knes kyssyng +te grownde , hyly thankyng God +tat had browt hem hom in
safte . (CMKEMPE,102.2302)

Than had +tis creatur nei+tyr peny ne halfpeny in hir purse .
(CMKEMPE,102.2303)

& so +tei happyd to meten wyth o+ter pilgrimys whech +gouyn hir iij
halfpenys , in-as-meche as sche had in comownyng telde hem good talys .
(CMKEMPE,102.2304)

& +tan was sche rygth glad & mery , (CMKEMPE,102.2305)

for sche had sum good +tat sche myght offeryn in +te worshep of +te
Trinite whan sche come to Norwych as sche dede whan sche went owt of
Inglond-ward . (CMKEMPE,102.2306)

& so , whan sche cam +ter , sche offeryd wyth rygth good wylle
(CMKEMPE,102.2307)

& sithyn went sche wyth hir felaschep to +te Vykary of Seynt Steuenys ,
Maistyr Richard Castyr , whech leuyd +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,102.2308)

& he led hem wyth hym to +te place +ter he went to boorde
(CMKEMPE,102.2309)

& mad hem ryth good cher . (CMKEMPE,102.2310)

& he seyd to +te forseyd creatur " Margery , I merueyl how +ge can be
so mery & han had so gret labowr & ben so fer hens . "
(CMKEMPE,102.2311)

" Syr , for I haue gret cawse to ben mery and joyn in owr Lorde +tat
hath holpyn me & socowryd me & browt me a-geyn in safte ,
(CMKEMPE,102.2312)

blyssed & worshepyd mot he be . " (CMKEMPE,102.2313)

& so +tei dalyed in owr Lord a good while (CMKEMPE,102.2314)

& had ful goodly cher . (CMKEMPE,102.2315)

& +tan <P_103> +tei tokyn her leue , (CMKEMPE,103.2316)

& sche went to an ankyr whech was a monke of a fer cuntre & dwellyd in
+te Chapel of +te Felde . (CMKEMPE,103.2317)

He bar a name of gret perfeccyon (CMKEMPE,103.2318)

& be-for-tyme had louyd +tis creatur ryth meche . (CMKEMPE,103.2319)

And sithyn thorw euyl langage +tat he herd of hir he turnyd al a-+gens
hir . (CMKEMPE,103.2320)

& +terfor sche went to hym in purpose to mekyn hyr-selfe & drawyn hym
to charite +gyf sche myth . (CMKEMPE,103.2321)

Whan sche was come to hym , he wolcomyd hir hom schortly
(CMKEMPE,103.2322)

& askyd wher sche had don hir chylde +te whech was begotyn & born whil
sche was owte , as he had herd seyde . (CMKEMPE,103.2323)

And sche seyd , " Ser , +te same childe +tat God hath sent me I haue
browt hom , (CMKEMPE,103.2324)

for God knowyth I dede neuyr sithyn I went owte wher-thorw I xulde haue
a childe . " (CMKEMPE,103.2325)

& wolde he not leuyn hir for nowt +tat sche cowde sey .
(CMKEMPE,103.2326)

And neuyr-+te-lesse +get sche lowly & mekely schewyd hym for trust +tat
sche had in hym how it was owr Lordys wyl +tat sche xulde be clad in
white clothyng . (CMKEMPE,103.2327)

& he seyd " God forbede it , " (CMKEMPE,103.2328)

for sche xulde +tan make al +te world to wondyr on hir .
(CMKEMPE,103.2329)

And sche seyd a-+gen , " Ser , I make no fors so +tat God be plesyd
+terwyth . " (CMKEMPE,103.2330)

Than he bad hir comyn a-+gen to hym & be gouernyd be hym & be a good
preste hite ser Edwarde . (CMKEMPE,103.2331)

& sche seyd sche xulde wete first +gyf it wer +te wil of God er not ,
(CMKEMPE,103.2332)

& +terwyth sche toke hir leue at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,103.2333)

& , as sche went fro-hym-ward be +te wey , owr Lord seyde to hir sowle
, " I wil not +tat +tu be gouernyd be hym . " (CMKEMPE,103.2334)

& sche sent hym worde what answer sche had of God . (CMKEMPE,103.2335)

And +tan preyid sche to God , seying , " As wostly , Lorde , as it is
thy wille +tat I xulde be clad in white , as $wostly grawnt me a tokne
of leuyn , thundyr , & reyn so +tat it hyndir ne noy no-thyng +tat I
vnworthy may +te ra+tar fulfillyn thy wil . " (CMKEMPE,103.2336)

Than owr Lord answeryd & seyd vn-to hys vnworthy seruawnt , " Dowtyr ,
dowte it not , (CMKEMPE,103.2337)

+tu xalt haue +tat tokyn be +te thryd day . " (CMKEMPE,103.2338)

& so it was . (CMKEMPE,103.2339)

On +te Fryday next folwyng , erly in +te morwenyng , <P_104> as sche
lay in hir bed , sche sey gret leuyn , (CMKEMPE,104.2340)

sche herd gret thundyr & gret reyn folwyng , (CMKEMPE,104.2341)

& as-swy+te it passyd a-wey (CMKEMPE,104.2342)

& was fayr wedir a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,104.2343)

& +tan sche purposyd hir fullych to weryn white clo+tis , saf sche had
nei+tyr gold ne syluer to byen wyth hir clothyng . (CMKEMPE,104.2344)

And +tan owr Lord seyd to hir sowle , " I xal ordeyn for +te . "
(CMKEMPE,104.2345)

+Tan went sche forth to a worshepful man in Norwich to whom sche was
ryth wolcome (CMKEMPE,104.2346)

& had gret chere . (CMKEMPE,104.2347)

And , as +tei sat to-gedyr tellyng good talys , euyr owr Lord seyde in
hir sowle , " Speke to +tis man , (CMKEMPE,104.2348)

speke to +tis man . " (CMKEMPE,104.2349)

+Tan sche seyd to +tat worshepful man , " Wolde God , ser , +tat I myth
fyndyn a good man whech wolde lendyn me ij nobelys tyl I myth payn hym
a-geyn to byen me clothys wyth . " (CMKEMPE,104.2350)

And he seyde , " +Tat wil I do , damsel , gladly . (CMKEMPE,104.2351)

What clothys wil +ge weryn ? " (CMKEMPE,104.2352)

" Ser , " sche seyde , " white clo+tis , wyth +te leue of God . "
(CMKEMPE,104.2353)

So +tis good man bowt white cloth (CMKEMPE,104.2354)

& dede makyn hir a gowne +terof & an hood , a kyrtyl , & a cloke .
(CMKEMPE,104.2355)

And on +te Satyrday , whech was +te next day , at euyn he browt hir
+tis clothyng (CMKEMPE,104.2356)

& +gaf it hir for Goddys lofe , (CMKEMPE,104.2357)

& meche mor goodnes dede to hir for owr Lordys lofe ,
(CMKEMPE,104.2358)

Crist Ihesu be hys reward (CMKEMPE,104.2359)

& haue mercy up-on hys sowle & on alle Cristen . (CMKEMPE,104.2360)

And on +te Trinite Sunday next folwyng sche was howselyd al in white ,
(CMKEMPE,104.2361)

& sithen hath sche sufferyd meche despyte & meche schame in many dyuers
cuntreys , cyteys , & townys , (CMKEMPE,104.2362)

thankyd be God of alle . (CMKEMPE,104.2363)

And sone aftyr hir husbond cam fro Lynne vn-to Norwych to se how sche
ferd & how sche had sped , (CMKEMPE,104.2364)

& so went +tei hom to-gedyr to Lynne . (CMKEMPE,104.2365)

And sche in schort tyme aftyr fel in gret sekenes in so mech +tat sche
was anoyntyd for dowt of deth . (CMKEMPE,104.2366)

& sche desired , yf it wer +te wil of God , +tat sche myth sekyn Seynt
Iamys er sche deyid & suffyr mor schame for hys lofe , as he had hyte
hir befor +tat sche xuld do . (CMKEMPE,104.2367)

And +tan owr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to hir in hir sowle +tat sche xuld
$not dey +get , (CMKEMPE,104.2368)

and sche wend hir-selfe +tat sche xulde not a leuyd (CMKEMPE,104.2369)

for hir peyn was so gret . (CMKEMPE,104.2370)

And hastily aftyrwarde sche was heyl & hoyl . (CMKEMPE,104.2371)

<P_105>

+tan it drow in-to-wyntyrwarde , (CMKEMPE,105.2373)

and sche had so meche colde +tat sche wist not what sche myth do ,
(CMKEMPE,105.2374)

for sche was powr (CMKEMPE,105.2375)

& had no mony , (CMKEMPE,105.2376)

& also sche was in gret dette . (CMKEMPE,105.2377)

Than suffyrd sche schamys & repreuys for weryng of hir white clothys &
for sche cryed so lowde whan owr Lord +gaf hyr mende of hys Passyon .
(CMKEMPE,105.2378)

And for +te compassyon +tat sche had of owr Lordys Passyon sche cryed
so wondyr lowde , (CMKEMPE,105.2379)

& +tei had neuyr herd hir $cryen before-tyme , (CMKEMPE,105.2380)

& it was +te more merueyl on-to hem . (CMKEMPE,105.2381)

For sche had hir fyrst cry at Ierusalem , as is wretyn be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,105.2382)

And many seyd +ter was neuyr seynt in Heuyn +tat cryed so as sche dede
, wherfor +tei woldyn concludyn +tat sche had a deuyl wythinne hir
whech cawsyd +tat crying . (CMKEMPE,105.2383)

& so +tei seyden pleynly & meche mor euyl . (CMKEMPE,105.2384)

And al sche toke pacyently for owr Lordys lofe , (CMKEMPE,105.2385)

for sche wist wel +tat +te Iewys seyd meche wers of hys owyn persone
+tan men dede of hir . (CMKEMPE,105.2386)

& +terfor sche toke it +te mor mekely . (CMKEMPE,105.2387)

Sum seyde +tat sche had +te fallyng euyl , (CMKEMPE,105.2388)

for sche wyth +te crying wrestyd hir body turnyng fro +te o syde in-to
+te o+ter (CMKEMPE,105.2389)

& wex al blew & al blo as it had ben colowr of leed .
(CMKEMPE,105.2390)

& +tan folke spitted at hir for horrowr of +te sekenes ,
(CMKEMPE,105.2391)

& sum scornyd hir (CMKEMPE,105.2392)

and seyd +tat sche howlyd as it $had ben a dogge (CMKEMPE,105.2393)

& bannyd hir (CMKEMPE,105.2394)

& cursyd hir (CMKEMPE,105.2395)

& seyd +tat sche dede meche harm a-mong +te pepyl . (CMKEMPE,105.2396)

And +tan +tei +tat be-forn-tyme had +gouyn hir bothyn mete & drynke for
Goddys lofe now +tei put hir a-wey (CMKEMPE,105.2397)

& bodyn hir +tat sche xulde not come in her placys for +te schrewyd
talys +tat +tei herd of hir . (CMKEMPE,105.2398)

And aftyrward , whan tyme cam +tat sche wolde gon to Seynt Iamys , sche
went to +te best frendys +tat sche had in Lynne (CMKEMPE,105.2399)

& telde hem hir entent , how sche purposyd to gon to Seynt Iamys +gyf
sche myth han good to gon wyth , (CMKEMPE,105.2400)

but sche was powr (CMKEMPE,105.2401)

and awt meche dette . (CMKEMPE,105.2402)

And hir frendys <P_106> seyden to hir , " Why haue +ge +gouyn a-wey
+gowr good & o+ter mennys also ? (CMKEMPE,106.2403)

Wher schal +ge now haue so meche good as +ge owe ? " (CMKEMPE,106.2404)

And sche seyd a-+gen , " Owr Lord God schal helpyn ryth wel ,
(CMKEMPE,106.2405)

for he fayld me neuyr in no cuntre , (CMKEMPE,106.2406)

& +terfor I trust hym ryth wel . " (CMKEMPE,106.2407)

And sodeynly cam a good man (CMKEMPE,106.2408)

& +gaf hir fowrty pens , (CMKEMPE,106.2409)

& wyth sum +terof sche bowt hir a pylche . (CMKEMPE,106.2410)

& euyr owr Lord seyd to hir , " Dowtyr , stody +tow for no good ,
(CMKEMPE,106.2411)

for I xal ordeyn for +te , (CMKEMPE,106.2412)

but euyr stody +tow to loue me & kepe +ti mende on me ,
(CMKEMPE,106.2413)

for I schal go wyth +te wher +tow gost as I haue hite +te be-forn . "
(CMKEMPE,106.2414)

And aftyrwarde +ter cam a woman , a good frend to +tis creatur ,
(CMKEMPE,106.2415)

& +gaf hyr vij marke for sche xulde prey for hir whan +tat sche come to
Seynt Iamys . (CMKEMPE,106.2416)

& +tan sche toke hir leue at hir frendys in Lynne , purposyng hir
forward in al +te hast +tat sche myth . (CMKEMPE,106.2417)

& +tan was it seyd in Lynne +tat +ter wer many theuys be +te wey .
(CMKEMPE,106.2418)

+Tan had sche gret drede +tat +tei xulde robbyn hir & takyn hir golde
a-wey fro hir . (CMKEMPE,106.2419)

And owr mercyful Lord , comfortyng hir , seyd on-to hir , " Go forth ,
dowtyr , in +te name of Ihesu , (CMKEMPE,106.2420)

+ter xal no thef han powyr ouyr +te . (CMKEMPE,106.2421)

Than went sche forth (CMKEMPE,106.2422)

& cam to Brystowe on +te Wednysday in Whitson-weke , (CMKEMPE,106.2423)

and +ter fond sche redy $the broke-bakkyd man whech had ben wyth hir at
Rome , whom sche left in Rome whan sche cam +tens too +ger befor +tis
tyme . (CMKEMPE,106.2424)

& , whil they wer in Rome , sche borwyd certeyn golde of hym
(CMKEMPE,106.2425)

& be +te byddyng of God sche +gaf a-wey to powr pepil al +te mony +tat
sche had , & +tat sche had borwyd of hym also , as is wretyn be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,106.2426)

& than , whil sche was in Rome , sche hite hym to payn hym a-geyn in
Bristowe at +tis tyme , (CMKEMPE,106.2427)

& so was he come thedyr for hys payment . (CMKEMPE,106.2428)

And owr Lord Ihesu Crist had so ordeyned for hir , as sche went
to-Bristowe-ward , +tat +ter was +gouyn hir so meche mony +tat sche
myth wel payn +te forseyd man al +tat sche awt hym . (CMKEMPE,106.2429)

& so sche dede , (CMKEMPE,106.2430)

blissed be owr Lord +terfor . (CMKEMPE,106.2431)

And +tan sche lay stille in Bristowe be +te byddyng of God for to
a-byden <P_107> schepyng vj wokys , in-as-mech as +ter wer non Englisch
schepys +tat myth seylen +tedyr , (CMKEMPE,107.2432)

for +tei wer arestyd & takyn up for +te kyng . (CMKEMPE,107.2433)

& o+ter pilgrymes +tat wer at Bristowe , desiryng to spedyn her jurne ,
went a-bowte fro port to port (CMKEMPE,107.2434)

& sped neuyr +te mor . (CMKEMPE,107.2435)

& so +tei cam a-geyn to Bristowe , whyl sche lay stille & sped bettyr
+tan they for al her labowr . (CMKEMPE,107.2436)

And , whil sche was thus stille in Bristowe aftyr +te byddyng of God ,
owr mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu visityd hys creatur wyth many holy
meditacyons & many hy contemplacyonys & many swet comfortys .
(CMKEMPE,107.2437)

& +ter was sche howselyd euery sonday wyth plentyuows terys & boystows
sobbyngys , wyth lowde cryingys and schille schrykyngys .
(CMKEMPE,107.2438)

& +terfor many man & many woman wondyrd up-on hir , (CMKEMPE,107.2439)

skornyd hir (CMKEMPE,107.2440)

& despised hir , (CMKEMPE,107.2441)

bannyd hir (CMKEMPE,107.2442)

& cursyd hir , (CMKEMPE,107.2443)

seyde meche euyl of hir , (CMKEMPE,107.2444)

slawndryd hir , (CMKEMPE,107.2445)

& born hyr on hande +tat sche xulde a seyd thyng whech +tat sche seyd
neuyr . (CMKEMPE,107.2446)

& +tan wept sche ful sor for hir synne , preyng God of mercy &
for+geuenes for hem , seying to owr Lord , " Lord , as +tu seydyst
hangyng on +te Cros for +ti crucyfyerys , ' Fadyr , for+geue hem ;
(CMKEMPE,107.2447)

+tei wite not what +tei don , ' (CMKEMPE,107.2448)

so I beseche +te , for+geue +te pepyl al scorne & slawndrys & al +tat
+tei han trespasyd , +gyf it be thy wille , (CMKEMPE,107.2449)

for I haue deseruyd meche mor (CMKEMPE,107.2450)

& meche more am I worthy . " (CMKEMPE,107.2451)

On Corpus Cristi Day aftyr , as +te prestys born +te Sacrament a-bowte
+te town wyth solempne processyon , wyth meche lyth & gret solempnyte ,
as was worthy to be do , +te forseyd creatur folwyd ful of terys &
deuocyon , wyth holy thowtys & meditacyon , sor wepyng & boystows
sobbyng . (CMKEMPE,107.2452)

& +tan cam a good woman be +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,107.2453)

& seyd , " Damsel , God +gef us grace to folwyn +te steppys of owr Lord
Ihesu Crist . " (CMKEMPE,107.2454)

+Tan +tat worde wrowt so sor in hir herte & in hir mende +tat sche myth
not beryn it +tat sche was fawyn to takyn an hows . (CMKEMPE,107.2455)

& +ter sche cryed , " I dey , (CMKEMPE,107.2456)

I dey , " (CMKEMPE,107.2457)

& roryd also wondirfully +tat +te pepil wonderyd up-on hir , hauyng
gret merueyl what hir eyled . (CMKEMPE,107.2458)

And +get owr Lord mad summe to lofe hir <P_108> & cherschyn hir ryth
meche (CMKEMPE,108.2459)

& haddyn hir hom bo+te to mete & to drynke (CMKEMPE,108.2460)

& haddyn ful gret gladnes to heryn hir dalyin in owre Lord .
(CMKEMPE,108.2461)

And so +ter was a man of Newe Castel - hys name was Thomas Marchale -
whech ofte-tymes bad +tis creatur to mete for to heryn hir dalyawns .
(CMKEMPE,108.2462)

& he was so drawyn be +te good wordys +tat God put in hir to sey of
contricyon & compunccyon , of swetnes & of deuocyon +tat he was al
meuyd as he had ben a newe man wyth terys of contricyon & compunccyon ,
bo+te days & nyghtys , as owr Lord wolde visiten hys hert wyth grace ,
+tat sum-tyme whan he went in +te feldys he wept so sor for hys synnes
& hys trespas +tat he fel down & myth not beryn it & telde +te forseyd
creatur +tat he had ben a ful rekles man & mys-gouernyd , & +tat sore
rewyd hym , (CMKEMPE,108.2463)

thankyd be God . (CMKEMPE,108.2464)

And +tan he blyssed +te tyme +tat he knew +tis creatur & purposyd hym
fully to be a good man . (CMKEMPE,108.2465)

Also he seyd to +te seyd creatur , " Modyr , I haue her x marke .
(CMKEMPE,108.2466)

I pray +gow +tat it be +gowr as +gowr owyn , (CMKEMPE,108.2467)

for I wil helpyn +gow to Seynt Iamys wyth Goddys grace .
(CMKEMPE,108.2468)

And what +tat +ge byd me +geuyn to any powr man er woman I wyl do +gowr
byddyng , - (CMKEMPE,108.2469)

al-wey o peny for +gow (CMKEMPE,108.2470)

an-o+ter for myselfe . " (CMKEMPE,108.2471)

Than , as it plesyd owr Lord , he sent a schip owte of Breteyn in-to
Bristowe , whech schip was mad redy & arayd for to seylen to Seynt
Iamys . (CMKEMPE,108.2472)

And +tan +te seyd Thomas Marchale went (CMKEMPE,108.2473)

& payd +te maystyr for hym-selfe & for +te seyd creatur .
(CMKEMPE,108.2474)

+Tan was +ter riche man of Bristowe whech wolde not late +te seyd
creatur seylen in +tat schip , (CMKEMPE,108.2475)

for he held hir no good woman . (CMKEMPE,108.2476)

And +tan sche seyd to +tat ryche man , " Syr , yf +ge put me owt of +te
schip , my Lord Ihesu xal put +gow owt of Heuyn , (CMKEMPE,108.2477)

for I telle +gow , ser , owr Lord Ihesu hath no deynte of a ryche man
les +tan he wil be a good man & a meke man . " (CMKEMPE,108.2478)

& so sche seyde many scharp wordys on-to hym wyth-owtyn any glosyng er
flateryng . (CMKEMPE,108.2479)

& +tan owr Lord seyd to hir in hir sowle , " Thow xalt han <P_109> thy
wylle & gon to Seynt Iamys at +ti desyr . " (CMKEMPE,109.2480)

And a-non aftyr sche was putt vp befor +te Bischop of Worcetyr +tat lay
iij myle be+gondyn Bristowe & moneschid to aper be-for hym +ter he lay
. (CMKEMPE,109.2481)

Sche ros up erly on +te next day (CMKEMPE,109.2482)

& went to +te place wher he lay hym-selfe , +get beyng in bedde ,
(CMKEMPE,109.2483)

& happyd to metyn on of hys worschepfulest men in +te town ,
(CMKEMPE,109.2484)

& so +tei dalyid of God . (CMKEMPE,109.2485)

& , whan he had herd hir $dalyin a good while , he preyd hir to mete
(CMKEMPE,109.2486)

& sithyn he browt hir in-to +te Bischopys halle . (CMKEMPE,109.2487)

& , whan sche cam in-to +te halle , sche saw many of +te Bischopys men
al-to-raggyd & al-to-daggyd in her clothys . (CMKEMPE,109.2488)

Sche , lyftyng vp hir hande , blissed hir . (CMKEMPE,109.2489)

& +tan +tei seyd to hir , " What deuyl eyleth +te ? "
(CMKEMPE,109.2490)

Sche seyd a-+gen , " Whos men be +ge ? " (CMKEMPE,109.2491)

+Tei answeryd a-+gen , " +Te Bischopys men . " (CMKEMPE,109.2492)

And +tan sche seyd , " Nay , forso+te , +ge arn lykar +te Deuelys men .
" (CMKEMPE,109.2493)

+Tan +tei weryn wroth (CMKEMPE,109.2494)

& chedyn hir (CMKEMPE,109.2495)

& spokyn angrily vn-to hir , (CMKEMPE,109.2496)

& sche suffryd hem wel & mekely . (CMKEMPE,109.2497)

& sithyn sche spak so sadly a-geyn syn & her mysgouernawns +tat +tei
wer in sylens & held hem wel plesyd wyth hyr dalyawns , thankyd be God
, er +tan sche left . (CMKEMPE,109.2498)

And +tan sche went in-to +te chirch (CMKEMPE,109.2499)

and a-bood the comyng of +te Bischop . (CMKEMPE,109.2500)

& whan he cam sche knelyd down (CMKEMPE,109.2501)

& askyd what was hys wille & why sche was somownde to come be-for hym ;
(CMKEMPE,109.2502)

it was to hir gret noye & hynderawns in-as-meche as sche was a pilgryme
purposyng be +te grace of God to-Seynt-Iamys-warde . (CMKEMPE,109.2503)

Than +te Bischop seyde , " Margery , I haue not somownd +te ,
(CMKEMPE,109.2504)

for I knowe wel j-now +tu art Iohn of Burnamys dowtyr of Lynne .
(CMKEMPE,109.2505)

I pray +te be not wroth , (CMKEMPE,109.2506)

but far fayr wyth me , (CMKEMPE,109.2507)

& I xal far fayr wyth the , (CMKEMPE,109.2508)

for +tu xalt etyn wyth me +tis day . " (CMKEMPE,109.2509)

" Syr , " sche seyd , " I prey +gow haue me excusyd ,
(CMKEMPE,109.2510)

for I haue behestyd a good man in town to etyn with hym to-day . "
(CMKEMPE,109.2511)

And +tan he seyd , " +tu xalt etyn wyth me & he bothyn . "
(CMKEMPE,109.2512)

& so sche a-bood wyth hym tyl God sent wynde +tat sche myth seylen
(CMKEMPE,109.2513)

& had gret cher of hym & of hys meny <P_110> also . (CMKEMPE,110.2514)

& sithyn sche was schreuyn to +te Bischop . (CMKEMPE,110.2515)

& +tan he preyd hir to prey for hym +tat he myth deyn in charite ,
(CMKEMPE,110.2516)

for it was warnyd hym be an holy man whech had be reuelacyon +tat +tis
Bischop xulde be ded wyth-inne +te terme of ij +ger .
(CMKEMPE,110.2517)

& it fel so in dede . (CMKEMPE,110.2518)

And +terfor he compleynyd to +tis creatur (CMKEMPE,110.2519)

& preyde hir to prey for hym +tat he myth deyin in charite .
(CMKEMPE,110.2520)

At +te last sche toke hir leue of hym , (CMKEMPE,110.2521)

& he +gaf hir golde & hys blyssyng (CMKEMPE,110.2522)

& comawndyd hys mene to lede hir forth in hir wey . (CMKEMPE,110.2523)

And also he preyd hir whan sche come fro Seynt Iamys a-geyn +tat sche
wolde come vn-to hym . (CMKEMPE,110.2524)

And so sche went forth to hir schip . (CMKEMPE,110.2525)

Be-for +tat sche entryd +te schip , sche mad hir preyerys +tat God
xulde kepe hem & preserue hem fro veniawns , tempestys , & perellys in
+te se +tat +tei myth go & come in safte , (CMKEMPE,110.2526)

for it was telde hir +gyf +tei haddyn any tempest +tei woldyn castyn
hyr in +te se , (CMKEMPE,110.2527)

for +tei seyd it was for hir , (CMKEMPE,110.2528)

& +tei seyde +te schip was +te wers for sche was +terin .
(CMKEMPE,110.2529)

And +terfor sche in hir preyer seyde on +tis maner , (CMKEMPE,110.2530)

" Al-mythy God Crist Ihesu , I beseche +te for +ti mercy , +gyf +tu
wilte chastisyn me , spar me tyl I come a-geyn in-to Inglond .
(CMKEMPE,110.2531)

& , whan I come a-geyn , chastyse me ryth as +tu wilte . "
(CMKEMPE,110.2532)

& +tan owr Lord grawntyd hir hir bone . (CMKEMPE,110.2533)

& so sche toke hir schip in +te name of Ihesu (CMKEMPE,110.2534)

& seylyd forth wyth hir felaschip , whom God sent fayr wynde & wedyr so
+tat +tei comyn to Seynt Iamys on +te seuenyth day . (CMKEMPE,110.2535)

And +tan +tei +tat weryn a-+gen hir whan +tei wer at Bristowe now +tei
made hir good cher . (CMKEMPE,110.2536)

& so +tei abedyn +ter xiiij days in +tat lond , (CMKEMPE,110.2537)

& +ter had sche gret cher , bothyn bodily & gostly , hy deuocyon , &
many gret cryes in +te mende of owr Lordys Passion , wyth plentyuows
terys of compassyon . (CMKEMPE,110.2538)

& sithyn +tei come hom a-geyn to Bristowe in v days .
(CMKEMPE,110.2539)

& sche abood not long +ter (CMKEMPE,110.2540)

but went forth to +te Blod of Hayles , (CMKEMPE,110.2541)

& +ter was schrevyn (CMKEMPE,110.2542)

& had lowde cryes & boystows wepyngys . (CMKEMPE,110.2543)

& +tan +te religiows men had hir in a-mongse hem (CMKEMPE,110.2544)

& mad hir good cher , saf +tei sworyn many gret othys & horryble .
(CMKEMPE,110.2545)

& sche vndyrname hem +terof aftyr +te Gospel , (CMKEMPE,110.2546)

& +Terof had +tei gret wondyr . (CMKEMPE,110.2547)

<P_111>

Neuyr-+te-lesse summe wer ryth wel plesyd , (CMKEMPE,111.2549)

thankyd be God of hys goodnesse . (CMKEMPE,111.2550)

Sythyn +ged sche forth to Leyectyr , & a good man also , Thomas
Marchale , of whom is wretyn be-forn . (CMKEMPE,111.2551)

And +ter sche cam in-to a fayr cherch wher sche behelde a crucyfyx was
petowsly poyntyd & lamentabyl to be-heldyn , thorw whech beheldyng +te
Passyon of owr Lord entryd hir mende , $wherthorw sche gan meltyn &
al-to-relentyn be terys of pyte & compassyown . (CMKEMPE,111.2552)

+Tan +te fyer of lofe kyndelyd so +gern in hir hert +tat sche myth not
kepyn it preuy , (CMKEMPE,111.2553)

for , whedyr sche wolde er not , it cawsyd hir to brekyn owte wyth a
lowde voys & cryen merueylowslyche & wepyn & sobbyn ful hedowslyche
+tat many a man and woman wondryd on hir +terfor . (CMKEMPE,111.2554)

Whan it was ouyr-comyn , sche goyng owt at +te chirche dore , a man
toke hir be +te sleue (CMKEMPE,111.2555)

& seyd , " Damsel , why wepist +tu so sor ? " (CMKEMPE,111.2556)

" Ser , " sche seyd , " it is not +gow to telle . " (CMKEMPE,111.2557)

& so sche & +te good man , Thomas Marchale , went forth
(CMKEMPE,111.2558)

& toke hir hostel (CMKEMPE,111.2559)

& +ter etyn her mete . (CMKEMPE,111.2560)

Whan +tei had etyn , sche preyd Thomas Marchale to writyn a lettyr &
sendyn to hir husbond +tat he myth fettyn hir hom . (CMKEMPE,111.2561)

& , wyl +te lettyr was in wrytyng , +te osteler cam vp to hir chawmbyr
in gret hast (CMKEMPE,111.2562)

& toke a-wey hir scryppe (CMKEMPE,111.2563)

& bad hyr comyn +gerne and spekyn wyth +te Meyr . (CMKEMPE,111.2564)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,111.2565)

+Tan +te Meyr askyd hir of what cuntre sche was & whos dowtyr sche was
. (CMKEMPE,111.2566)

" Syr , " sche seyd , " I am of Lynne in Norfolke , a good mannys
dowtyr of +te same Lynne , whech hath ben meyr fyve tymes of +tat
worshepful burwgh and aldyrman also many +gerys , (CMKEMPE,111.2567)

& I haue a good man , also a burgeys of +te seyd town , Lynne , to myn
husbond . " (CMKEMPE,111.2568)

" A , " seyd +te Meyr , " Seynt Kateryn telde what kynred sche cam of
(CMKEMPE,111.2569)

& +get ar +ge not lyche , (CMKEMPE,111.2570)

for +tu <P_112> art a fals strumpet , a fals loller , & a fals deceyuer
of +te pepyl , (CMKEMPE,112.2571)

& +terfor I xal haue +te in preson . " (CMKEMPE,112.2572)

And sche seyd a-geyn , " I am as redy , ser , to gon to preson for
Goddys lofe as +ge arn redy to gon to chirche . " (CMKEMPE,112.2573)

Whan +te Meyr had long chedyn hir & seyd many euyl & horybyl wordys
on-to hir & sche , be +te grace of Ihesu , had resonabely answeryd hym
to al +tat he cowde seyn , +tan he comawndyd +te jaylerys man to ledyn
hir to preson . (CMKEMPE,112.2574)

The jaylerys man , hauyng compassyon of hir wyth wepyng terys , seyd to
+te Meyr , " Ser , I haue non hows to put hir inne les +tan I putte hir
a-mong men . " (CMKEMPE,112.2575)

+Tan sche , meuyd wyth compassyon of $+te man whech had compassyon of
hir preyng for grace & mercy to +tat man as to hir owyn sowle , seyd to
+te Meyr , " I prey +gow , ser , put me not a-mong men , +tat I may
kepyn my chastite & my bond of wedlak to myn husbond , as I am bowndyn
to do . " (CMKEMPE,112.2576)

& +tan seyd +te jayler hys owyn selfe to +te Meyr , " Ser , I will be
bowndyn to kepe +tis woman in safwarde tyl +ge wyl haue hir a-geyn . "
(CMKEMPE,112.2577)

Than was +ter a man of Boston , (CMKEMPE,112.2578)

& seyd to +te good wyfe +ter sche was at ostel , " Forso+te , " he
seyth , " in Boston +tis woman is holdyn an holy woman & a blissed
woman . " (CMKEMPE,112.2579)

+Tan +te jayler toke hir in-to hys a-warde (CMKEMPE,112.2580)

& led hyr hom in-to hys owyn hows (CMKEMPE,112.2581)

& put hir in a fayr chawmbyr , schetyng +te dor wyth a key & comendyng
hys wyfe +te key to kepyn . (CMKEMPE,112.2582)

Neuyr-+te-lesse he lete hir gon to chirche whan sche wolde
(CMKEMPE,112.2583)

& dede hir etyn at hys owyn tabyl (CMKEMPE,112.2584)

& mad hir ryght good cher for owr Lordys lofe , (CMKEMPE,112.2585)

+tankyd be almygthy God +terof . (CMKEMPE,112.2586)

Than +te Styward of Leycetyr , a semly man , sent for +te seyd creatur
to +te jaylerys wyfe , (CMKEMPE,112.2587)

& sche , for hir husbond was not at hom , wolde not late hir gon to no
man , Styward ne o+ter . (CMKEMPE,112.2588)

Whan +te jayler knew +terof , he cam hys propyr persone
(CMKEMPE,112.2589)

& browt hir befor +te Stywarde . (CMKEMPE,112.2590)

+Te Styward a-non , as he sey hir , spak Latyn vn-to hir , many prestys
<P_113> stondyng a-bowtyn to here what sche xulde say & o+ter pepyl
also . (CMKEMPE,113.2591)

Sche seyd to +te Stywarde , " Spekyth Englysch , yf +gow lyketh ,
(CMKEMPE,113.2592)

for I vndyrstonde not what +ge sey . " (CMKEMPE,113.2593)

+Te Styward seyd vn-to hir , " +Tu lyest falsly in pleyn Englysch . "
(CMKEMPE,113.2594)

+Tan seyd sche vn-to hym a-+gen , " Syr , askyth what qwestyon +ge wil
in Englysch , (CMKEMPE,113.2595)

& thorw +te grace of my Lord Ihesu Cryst I xal answeryn +gow resonabely
+terto . " (CMKEMPE,113.2596)

And +tan askyd he many qwestyonys , to +te whech sche answeryd redily &
resonabely +tat he cowde getyn no cawse a-geyn hir . (CMKEMPE,113.2597)

Than +te Stywarde toke hir be +te hand (CMKEMPE,113.2598)

& led hir in-to hys chawmbyr (CMKEMPE,113.2599)

& spak many fowyl rebawdy wordys vn-to hir , purposyng & desyryng , as
it semyd hir , to opressyn hir & for-lyn hir . (CMKEMPE,113.2600)

& +tan had sche meche drede & meche sorwe , crying hym mercy .
(CMKEMPE,113.2601)

Sche seyd , " Ser , for +te reuerens of al-mythy God , sparyth me ,
(CMKEMPE,113.2602)

for I am a mannys wife . " (CMKEMPE,113.2603)

And +tan seyd +te Stywarde , " +Tu xalt telle me whe+tyr +tu hast +tis
speche of God er of +te Devyl , (CMKEMPE,113.2604)

er ellys +tu xalt gon to preson . " (CMKEMPE,113.2605)

" Ser , " sche seyd , " for to gon to preson I am not aferd for my
Lordys lofe , +te whech meche mor suffyrd for my lofe +tan I may for
hys . (CMKEMPE,113.2606)

I pray +gow doth as +gow thynkyth +te beste . " (CMKEMPE,113.2607)

The Stiwarde , seyng hir boldenes +tat sche dred no presonyng , he
$strogelyd wyth hir , schewyng vn-clene tokenys & vngoodly cuntenawns ,
wher-thorw he frayd hir so mech +tat sche telde hym how sche had hyr
speche & hir dalyawns of +te Holy Gost & not of hir owyn cunnyng .
(CMKEMPE,113.2608)

And +tan he , al a-stoyned of hir wordys , left hys besynes & hys
lewydnes , seying to hir as many man had do be-forn , " Ey+tyr +tu art
a ryth good woman er ellys a ryth wikked woman , " (CMKEMPE,113.2609)

& delyueryd hir a-geyn to hir gayler . (CMKEMPE,113.2610)

& he led hyr hom a-geyn wyth hym . (CMKEMPE,113.2611)

Sithyn +tei tokyn ij of hyr felaws +tat went wyth hyr on pylgrimage -
(CMKEMPE,113.2612)

+te on was Thomas Marchale beforn-seyd , +te o+ter , a man of Wisbeche
- (CMKEMPE,113.2613)

& put hem bothyn in preson for cawse of hyr . (CMKEMPE,113.2614)

+Tan was sche heuy & sory for her distres (CMKEMPE,113.2615)

& preyd to God for her delyuerawns . (CMKEMPE,113.2616)

And <P_114> +tan owr mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu seyd to hys creatur , "
Dowtyr , I xal for thy loue so disposyn for hem +tat +te pepyl xal be
ryth fayn to letyn hem gon & not longe kepyn hem . " (CMKEMPE,114.2617)

And , on +te next day folwyng , owr Lord sent sweche wederyng of
leuenys , thunderys , & reynes contynuyng +tat al +te pepyl in +te town
wer so afrayd +tei wist not what to do . (CMKEMPE,114.2618)

+Tei dreddyn hem it was for +tei had put +te pylgrimys in preson .
(CMKEMPE,114.2619)

& +tan +te gouernorys of +te town went in gret hast (CMKEMPE,114.2620)

& toke owt +to tweyn pilgrimys whech had leyn in preson al +te nyth
be-forn , ledyng hem to +te Gylde-halle +ter to be examynyd be-for +te
Meyr & +te worschepful men of +te town , compellyng hem to sweryn +gyf
+te forseyd creatur wer a woman of +te ryth feyth & ryth beleue ,
continent & clene of hir body , er not . (CMKEMPE,114.2621)

As fer as +tei knewyn , +tei sworyn , as wittyrly God xulde help hem at
+te Day of Dome , +tat sche was a good woman of +te ryth feyth & ryth
beleue , clene & chaste in al hir gouernawns as fer as +tei cowde
knowyn in cher , cuntenawns , in worde , & in werke .
(CMKEMPE,114.2622)

And +tan +te Meyr let hem gon whedyr +tei wolde . (CMKEMPE,114.2623)

And a-non +te tempest sesyd , (CMKEMPE,114.2624)

& it was fayr wedir , (CMKEMPE,114.2625)

worschepyd be owre Lord God . (CMKEMPE,114.2626)

The pilgrimys +tei wer glad +tat +tei wer delyueryd (CMKEMPE,114.2627)

& durst no lengar abydyn in Leycetyr (CMKEMPE,114.2628)

but went x myle thens (CMKEMPE,114.2629)

& abood +ter +tat +tei myth haue knowlach what xulde be do wyth +te
seyde creatur , (CMKEMPE,114.2630)

for , whan +tei bothyn wer put in preson , +tei had telde hyr hem-selfe
+tat +tei supposyd , +gyf +te Meyr myth han hys wil , he wolde don hir
be brent . (CMKEMPE,114.2631)

On a Wednysday +te seyd creatur was browt in-to a chirch of Alle Halwyn
in Leycetyr , in whech place be-for +te hy awter was sett +te Abbot of
Leycetyr wyth summe of hys chanownys , +te Den of Leicetyr , a worthy
clerke . (CMKEMPE,114.2632)

Ther wer also many frerys & preystys , also +te Meyr of +te same town
wyth mech o+ter of lay pepyl . (CMKEMPE,114.2633)

+Ter was so meche pepyl +tat +tei stodyn vp-on stolys for to beheldyn
hir & wonderyn vp-on hir . (CMKEMPE,114.2634)

+Te sayd creatur lay on hir knes , makyng hir prayerys to al-mythy God
+tat sche <P_115> myth han grace , wytte , & wysdam so to answeryn +tat
day as myth ben most plesawns & worschep to hym , most profyth to hir
sowle , & best exampyl to +te pepyl . (CMKEMPE,115.2635)

Than +ter cam a preste to hir (CMKEMPE,115.2636)

& toke hir be +te hand (CMKEMPE,115.2637)

& browt hir be-forn +te Abbot & hys assessowrys syttyng at +te awter ,
the wheche dedyn hir sweryn on a boke +tat sche xulde answeryn trewly
to +te Artyculys of +te Feyth lych as sche felt in hem .
(CMKEMPE,115.2638)

& fyrst +tei rehersyd +te blysful Sacrament of +te Awter , chargyng hir
to seyn ryth as sche beleuyd +terin . (CMKEMPE,115.2639)

Than sche seyd , " Serys , I beleue in +te Sacrament of +te Awter on
+tis wyse , +tat what man hath takyn +te ordyr of presthode , be he
neuyr so vicyows a man in hys leuyng , +gyf he sey dewly +to wordys
ouyr +te bred +tat owr Lord Ihesu Criste seyde whan he mad hys Mawnde
a-mong hys disciplys +ter he sat at +te soper , I be-leue +tat it is
hys very flesch & hys blood & no material bred ne neuyr may be vnseyd
be it onys seyd . " (CMKEMPE,115.2640)

& so sche answeryd forth to alle +te artycles as many as +tei wolde
askyn hir +tat +tei wer wel plesyd . (CMKEMPE,115.2641)

+Te Meyr , whech was hir dedly enmy , he seyd , " In fayth , sche
menyth not wyth hir hert as sche seyth with hir mowthe . "
(CMKEMPE,115.2642)

And +te clerkys seyden to hym , " Sir , sche answeryth ryth wel to vs .
" (CMKEMPE,115.2643)

+Tan +te Meyr alto-rebukyd hir (CMKEMPE,115.2644)

& rehersyd many repreuows wordys & vngoodly , +te whiche is mor
expedient to be concelyd +tan expressyd . (CMKEMPE,115.2645)

" Sir , " sche seyde , " I take witnesse of my Lord Ihesu Crist , whos
body is her present in +te Sacrament of +te Awter , +tat I neuyr had
part of mannys body in +tis worlde in actual dede be wey of synne , but
of myn husbondys body , whom I am bowndyn to be +te lawe of matrimony ,
& be whom I haue born xiiij childeryn . (CMKEMPE,115.2646)

For I do +gow to wetyn , ser , +tat +ter is no man in +tis worlde +tat
I lofe so meche as God , (CMKEMPE,115.2647)

for I lofe hym a-bouyn al thynge , (CMKEMPE,115.2648)

& , ser , I telle +gow trewly I lofe al men in God & for God . "
(CMKEMPE,115.2649)

Also <P_116> fer+termor sche seyd pleynly to hys owyn persone , " Sir ,
+ge arn not worthy to ben a meyr , (CMKEMPE,116.2650)

& +tat xal I preuyn be Holy Writte , (CMKEMPE,116.2651)

for owr Lord God seyde hym-self er he wolde takyn veniawnce on +te
cyteys , ' I xal comyn down & seen , ' (CMKEMPE,116.2652)

& +get he knew al thyng . (CMKEMPE,116.2653)

& +tat was not ellys , sir , but for to schewe men as +ge ben +tat +ge
schulde don non execucyon in ponischyng but +gyf +ge had knowyng
be-forn +tat it wer worthy for to be don . (CMKEMPE,116.2654)

& , syr , +ge han do al +te contrary to me +tis day ,
(CMKEMPE,116.2655)

for , syr , +ge han cawsyd me myche despite for thyng +tat I am not
gilty in . (CMKEMPE,116.2656)

I pray God for-+geue +gow it . " (CMKEMPE,116.2657)

Than +te Meyr seyde to hir , " I wil wetyn why +tow gost in white
clothys , (CMKEMPE,116.2658)

for I trowe +tow art comyn hedyr to han a-wey owr wyuys fro us & ledyn
hem wyth +te . " (CMKEMPE,116.2659)

" Syr , " sche seyth , " +ge xal not wetyn of my mowth why I go in
white clothys ; (CMKEMPE,116.2660)

+ge arn not worthy to wetyn it . (CMKEMPE,116.2661)

But , ser , I wil tellyn it to +tes worthy clerkys wyth good wil be +te
maner of confessyon . (CMKEMPE,116.2662)

Avyse hem +gyf +tei wyl telle it +gow . " (CMKEMPE,116.2663)

Than +te clerkys preyd +te Meyr to gon down fro hem wyth +te o+ter
pepyl . (CMKEMPE,116.2664)

And , whan +tei weryn gon , sche knelyd on hir knes be-for +te Abbot ,
& +te Den of Leycetyr , & a Frer Prechowr , a worschipful clerke ,
(CMKEMPE,116.2665)

& telde +tes iij clerkys how owr Lord be reuelacyon warnyd hir & bad
hir weryn white clothys er sche cam at Ierusalem . " (CMKEMPE,116.2666)

And so haue I tolde my gostly faderys . (CMKEMPE,116.2667)

And +terfor +tei han chargyd me +tat I xulde gon thus ,
(CMKEMPE,116.2668)

for +tei dar not don a-geyn my felyngys for dred of God , and , +gyf
+tei durste , +tei wolde ful gladlych . (CMKEMPE,116.2669)

And +terfor , serys , +gyf +te Meyr wil wetyn why I go in whyte , +ge
may seye , +gyf +gow likyth , +tat my gostly faderys byddyn me gon so ,
(CMKEMPE,116.2670)

& +tan xal +ge make no lesynggys (CMKEMPE,116.2671)

ne he xal not knowe +te trewth . " (CMKEMPE,116.2672)

So +te clerkys clepyd up a-+gen +te Meyr (CMKEMPE,116.2673)

& teldyn hym in cownsel +tat hir gostly faderys had chargyd hir to
weryn white clo+tis & sche had bowndyn hir to her obediens .
(CMKEMPE,116.2674)

Than +te Meyr clepyd hir to hym , seying , " I wil not letyn +te gon
hens for thyng +tat +tow canst seyn les +tan +tu wil gon to my Lord of
Lynkoln for a lettyr , in-as-meche as +tu art in hys jurisdiccyon ,
+tat I may be dischargyd of +te . " (CMKEMPE,116.2675)

Sche seyd , " Ser , I dar speke to my Lord of Lyncolne ryth wel ,
(CMKEMPE,116.2676)

for <P_117> I haue had of hym rith good cher a-for +tis tyme . "
(CMKEMPE,117.2677)

And +tan o+ter men askyd hir +gyf sche wer in charite with +te Meyr ,
(CMKEMPE,117.2678)

& sche seyd , " +Ga , & with alle creaturys . " (CMKEMPE,117.2679)

And +tan sche , obeyng hir to +te Meir , preyd hym to ben in charite
wyth hyr wyth wepyng terys & for+geuyn hir any thyng +tat sche had
displesyd hym . (CMKEMPE,117.2680)

And he +gaf hir goodly wordys for a while +tat sche wend al had ben wel
& he had ben hir good frende , (CMKEMPE,117.2681)

but aftyrward sche wist wel it was not so . (CMKEMPE,117.2682)

& +tus she had leue of +te Meir for to gon to my Lord of Lyncolne &
fettyn a lettyr be +te whech +te Meyr schulde be excusyd .
(CMKEMPE,117.2683)

So sche went fyrst to +te Abbey of Leycetyr in-to +te chirche ,
(CMKEMPE,117.2684)

and , as sone as +te Abbot had aspyed hir , he , of hys goodnes , wyth
many of hys bre+tyr , cam for $to wolcomyn hir . (CMKEMPE,117.2685)

Whan sche sey hem comyn , a-non in hir sowle sche beheld owr Lord
comyng wyth hys apostelys , (CMKEMPE,117.2686)

& sche was so raueschyd in-to contemplacyon wyth swetnes & deuocyon
+tat sche myth $not stondyn , a-geyns her comyng as curtesy wolde but
lenyd hir to a peler in +te chirche & held hir strongly +terby for dred
of fallyng , (CMKEMPE,117.2687)

for sche wold a stondyn (CMKEMPE,117.2688)

& sche myth not for plente of deuocyon whech was cawse +tat sche cryed
& wept ful sor . (CMKEMPE,117.2689)

Whan hir criyng was ouyr-comyn , +te Abbot preyd hys bre+tyr to haue
hir in wyth hem & comfortyn hir , (CMKEMPE,117.2690)

and so +tei +gouyn hir ryth good wyn (CMKEMPE,117.2691)

& madyn hir ryth good cher . (CMKEMPE,117.2692)

+Tan sche gat hir a lettyr of +te Abbot to my Lord of Lyncolne in-to
record $in what conuersacyon sche had ben +te tyme +tat sche was in
Leicetyr . (CMKEMPE,117.2693)

And +te Deen of Leicetyr was redy to recordyn & witnessyn wyth hir also
, (CMKEMPE,117.2694)

for he had gret confidens +tat owre Lord louyd hir , (CMKEMPE,117.2695)

& +terfor he cheryd hir ful hily in hys owyn place . (CMKEMPE,117.2696)

And so sche toke leue of hir sayd sone , purposyng forth
to-Lyncoln-ward wyth a man whech hite Patryk , +tat had ben wyth hir at
Seynt Iamys be-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,117.2697)

And as +tis tyme he was sent be Thomas Marchale beforn-seyd fro Melton
Mowmbray to Leycetyr for to inqwir & se how it stod wyth <P_118> +te
same creatur . (CMKEMPE,118.2698)

For +te forseyd Thomas Marchal feryd meche +tat sche xuld a be brent ,
(CMKEMPE,118.2699)

& +terfor he sent +tis man Patryk to preuyn +te trewth .
(CMKEMPE,118.2700)

& so sche & Patryk wyth many good folke of Leicetyr comyn to cheryn hir
, thankyng God +tat had preseruyd hir & +gouyn hir +te victory of hir
enmyis , wentyn forth owt at +te townys ende (CMKEMPE,118.2701)

& madyn hir ryth good cher , behestyng hir yf euyr sche come a-geyn
sche xuld han bettyr cher a-mong hem +tan euyr sche had be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,118.2702)

Than had sche for+getyn & left in +te towne a staf of a Moyses +gerde
whech sche had browt fro Ierusalem , (CMKEMPE,118.2703)

& sche wold not a lost it for xl s . (CMKEMPE,118.2704)

+Tan went Patryk a-+gen in-to +te towne for hir staffe & hir scryppe
(CMKEMPE,118.2705)

& happyd to metyn wyth +te Meyr , (CMKEMPE,118.2706)

and +te Meir wolde a putte hym in preson . (CMKEMPE,118.2707)

So at +te last he scapyd of hard (CMKEMPE,118.2708)

& left +ter hir scrippe . (CMKEMPE,118.2709)

+Tan +te forseyd creatur a-bood +tis man in a blynd womanys hows in
gret heuynes , dredyng what was fallyn of hym (CMKEMPE,118.2710)

for he was so long . (CMKEMPE,118.2711)

At +te last +tis man cam rydyng forby +ter +tat sche was .
(CMKEMPE,118.2712)

Whan sche sey hym sche cryed , " Patryk , sone , wher ha +ge ben so
long fro me ? " (CMKEMPE,118.2713)

" +Ga , +ga , modyr , " seyd he , " I haue ben in gret peril for +gow .
(CMKEMPE,118.2714)

I was in poynt to a ben put in preson for +gow , (CMKEMPE,118.2715)

& +te Meyr hath gretly turmentyd me for +gow , (CMKEMPE,118.2716)

& he hath takyn a-wey +gowr scrippe fro me . " (CMKEMPE,118.2717)

" A , good Patryk , " seyd sche , " be not displesyd ,
(CMKEMPE,118.2718)

for I xal prey for +gow , (CMKEMPE,118.2719)

& God xal rewardyn +gowr labowr ryth wel ; (CMKEMPE,118.2720)

it is al for +te best . " (CMKEMPE,118.2721)

Than Patryk set hir up-on hys hors (CMKEMPE,118.2722)

& browt hir hom in-to Melton Mowmbray into hys owyn hows wher was
Thomas Marchale be-forwretyn (CMKEMPE,118.2723)

& toke hir down of +te hors , hyly +tankyng God +tat sche was not brent
. (CMKEMPE,118.2724)

So +tei enjoyed in owr Lord al +tat nyth . (CMKEMPE,118.2725)

And aftyrward sche went forth to +te Byschop of Lyncolne +ter he lay
+tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,118.2726)

Sche , not verily knowyng wher he was , met a worschepful man wyth a
furryd hood , a worthy officer of +te Bischopys , whech seyd vn-to hir
, " Damsel , knowyst +tu not me ? " (CMKEMPE,118.2727)

" No , sir , " sche seyd , " forso+te . " (CMKEMPE,118.2728)

" & +get +tow wer beholdyn , " he seyd , (CMKEMPE,118.2729)

" for I haue sumtyme mad +te good cher . " (CMKEMPE,118.2730)

" Sir , I trust +tat +ge dedyn +ge dedyn for Goddys lofe ,
(CMKEMPE,118.2731)

& +terfor I hope he xal ryth wel <P_119> rewardyn +gow .
(CMKEMPE,119.2732)

And I prey +gow heldyth me excusyd , (CMKEMPE,119.2733)

for I take lytil heed of a mannys bewte er of hys face ,
(CMKEMPE,119.2734)

& +terfor I for+gete hym meche +te sonar . " (CMKEMPE,119.2735)

And +tan he teld hir goodly wher sche xulde haue +te Bischop .
(CMKEMPE,119.2736)

And so sche gat hir a lettyr of +te Bischop to +te Meyr of Leycetyr ,
monyschyng hym +tat he xulde not vexyn hir ne lettyn hir to gon & comyn
whan sche wolde . (CMKEMPE,119.2737)

Than +ter fellyn gret thunderys & leuenys & many reynes +tat +te pepil
demyd it was for veniawns of +te sayd creatur , gretly desyryng +tat
she had ben owt of +tat cuntre . (CMKEMPE,119.2738)

& sche wolde in no wise gon thens tyl +tat sche had hir scryppe a-geyn
. (CMKEMPE,119.2739)

Whan +te seyde Meyr receyued +te forseyd lettyr , he sent hir hir
skryppe (CMKEMPE,119.2740)

& leet hir gon in safte wher sche wolde . (CMKEMPE,119.2741)

Iij wokys sche was lettyd of hir jurney be +te Meyr of Leycetyr er he
wold letyn hyr gon owt +tat cooste . (CMKEMPE,119.2742)

+Tan sche hyryd +te forseyd man Patryk to gon wyth hir in +te cuntre
(CMKEMPE,119.2743)

& so went +tei forth to +Gorke . (CMKEMPE,119.2744)

Whan sche was com in-to +Gorke , sche went to an ancres wheche had
louyd hir wel er sche went to Ierusalem to han knowlach of hyr gostly
encres , also desiryng for mor gostly communicacyon to etyn wyth +te
ancres +tat day no-thyng ellys but bred & watyr , (CMKEMPE,119.2745)

for it was on owr Ladijs Euyn . (CMKEMPE,119.2746)

And +te ancres wolde not receyuen hir , (CMKEMPE,119.2747)

for sche had herd telde so mech euyl telde of hir . (CMKEMPE,119.2748)

So sche went forth to o+ter fremd folk , (CMKEMPE,119.2749)

& +tei made hir rith good cher for owr Lordys lofe . (CMKEMPE,119.2750)

On a day , as sche sat in a chirche of +Gorke , owr Lord Ihesu Crist
seyd in hir sowle , " Dowtyr , +ter is meche tribulacyon to-+te-warde .
" (CMKEMPE,119.2751)

Sche was sumdel heuy & abaschyd +terof (CMKEMPE,119.2752)

& +terfor sche , syttyng stille , answeryd not . (CMKEMPE,119.2753)

Than seyd owr blissed Lord a+gen , " What , dowtyr , art +tu euyl payd
for to suffyr mor tribulacyon for my lofe ? (CMKEMPE,119.2754)

+Gyf +tu wilte no mor suffyr , I xal take it a-wey fro +te . "
(CMKEMPE,119.2755)

And +tan seyd sche a-+gen , " Nay , good Lord , late me be at +ti wille
(CMKEMPE,119.2756)

& make me mythy & strong for to suffyr al +tat euyr +tu wilt +tat I
<P_120> suffyr , (CMKEMPE,120.2757)

and grawnt me mekenes & pacyens +terwyth . " (CMKEMPE,120.2758)

And so , fro +tat tyme forwarde +tat sche knew it was owr Lordys wille
+tat sche xulde suffyr mor tribulacyon , sche receyued it goodly whan
owr Lorde wolde send it (CMKEMPE,120.2759)

& thankyd hym hily +terof , beyng ryth glad & mery +tat day +tat sche
suffryd any disese . (CMKEMPE,120.2760)

And be processe of tyme +tat day whech sche suffyrd no tribulacyon sche
was not mery ne glad as +tat day when sche suffyrd tribulacyon .
(CMKEMPE,120.2761)

Sithyn , as sche was in +te Mynster at +Gorke forseyd , a clerk cam to
hir , seying , " Damsel , how long wil +ge a-bydyn her ? "
(CMKEMPE,120.2762)

" Ser , " sche seyd , " I purpose to abyden +tes xiiij days . "
(CMKEMPE,120.2763)

& so sche dede . (CMKEMPE,120.2764)

& in +tat tyme many good men & women preyd hir to mete
(CMKEMPE,120.2765)

& madyn hir ryth good cher (CMKEMPE,120.2766)

& weryn ryth glad to heryn hyr dalyawns , hauyng gret merueyle of hir
speche (CMKEMPE,120.2767)

for it was fruteful . (CMKEMPE,120.2768)

& also sche had many enmyis whech slawndryd hir , scornyd hir , &
despysed hir , of whech o prest cam to hir whil sche was in +te seyd
Mynstyr & , takyng hir be +te coler of +te gowne , seyd , " +Tu wolf ,
what is +tis cloth +tat +tu hast on ? " (CMKEMPE,120.2769)

Sche stod stylle (CMKEMPE,120.2770)

& not wolde answeryn in hir owyn cawse . (CMKEMPE,120.2771)

Childer of +te monastery goyng be-syde seyd to +te preste , " Ser , it
is wulle . " (CMKEMPE,120.2772)

+Te preste was a-noyed for sche wolde not answer (CMKEMPE,120.2773)

& gan to sweryn many gret o+tis . (CMKEMPE,120.2774)

+Tan sche gan to spekyn for Goddys cawse ; (CMKEMPE,120.2775)

sche was not a-ferd . (CMKEMPE,120.2776)

Sche seyd , " Ser , +ge xulde kepe +te comawndmentys of God & not
sweryn so necgligently as +ge do . " (CMKEMPE,120.2777)

The preste askyd hir hoo kept +te comawndmentys . (CMKEMPE,120.2778)

Sche seyd , " Ser , +tei +tat kepyn hem . " (CMKEMPE,120.2779)

+Tan seyd he , " Kepyst +tu hem ? " (CMKEMPE,120.2780)

Sche seyd a-geyn , " Syr , it is my wille to kepyn hem ,
(CMKEMPE,120.2781)

for I am bownde +terto , (CMKEMPE,120.2782)

& so ar +ge & euery man +tat wil be sauyd at +te last . "
(CMKEMPE,120.2783)

Whan he had long jangelyd wyth hir , he went a-wey preuyly er sche was
war , +tat sche wist not wher he be-cam . (CMKEMPE,120.2784)

<P_121>

An-o+ter tyme +ter cam a gret clerke on-to hir , askyng +tes wordys how
+tei xuld ben vndirstondyn , " Crescite & multiplicamini . "
(CMKEMPE,121.2786)

Sche , answeryng , seyd , " Ser , +tes wordys ben not vndirstondyn only
of begetyng of chyldren bodily , but also be purchasyng of vertu ,
whech is frute gostly , as be heryng of +te wordys of God , be good
exampyl +geuyng , be mekenes & paciens , charite & chastite , & swech
o+ter , (CMKEMPE,121.2787)

for pacyens is more worthy +tan myraclys werkyng . " (CMKEMPE,121.2788)

And sche thorw +te grace of God answeryd so +tat clerke +tat he was wel
plesyd . (CMKEMPE,121.2789)

And owr Lord of hys mercy euyr he mad sum men to louyn hir & supportyn
hir . (CMKEMPE,121.2790)

& so in +tis cite of +Gorke +ter was a doctowr of diuinyte , Maistyr
Iohn Aclom , also a Chanown of +te Mynstyr , Syr Iohn Kendale , &
an-o+ter preste whech song be +te Bischopys grave ; (CMKEMPE,121.2791)

+tes wer hir good frendys of +te spiritual-te . (CMKEMPE,121.2792)

So sche dwellyd stille in +tat cite xiiij days , as sche had seyd
be-forn , & sumdel mor , (CMKEMPE,121.2793)

& on +te Sundays sche was howseld in +te Mynster wyth gret wepyng ,
boistows sobbyng , & lowde crying +tat many man merueyled ful meche
what hir eyled . (CMKEMPE,121.2794)

So aftyrward +ter cam a preste , (CMKEMPE,121.2795)

a worschepful clerke he semyd , (CMKEMPE,121.2796)

& seyd vn-to hir , " Damsel , +tu seydest whan +tu come first hedyr
+tat +tu woldyst abydyn her but xiiij days . " (CMKEMPE,121.2797)

" +Ga , ser , wyth +gowr leue , I seyd +tat I wolde abydyn her xiiij
days , (CMKEMPE,121.2798)

but I seyd not +tat I xulde nei+tyr abydyn mor her ne les .
(CMKEMPE,121.2799)

But as now , ser , I telle +gow trewly I go not +get . "
(CMKEMPE,121.2800)

+Tan he sett hir a day , comawndyng hir for to aperyn beforn hym in +te
Chapelhows . (CMKEMPE,121.2801)

And sche seyd +tat sche wolde obey hys monycyon wyth a good wil .
(CMKEMPE,121.2802)

Sche went +tan to Maistyr Iohn Aclom , +te forseyd doctowr , preyng hym
to be +ter on hir party . (CMKEMPE,121.2803)

& so he was , (CMKEMPE,121.2804)

& he toke gret fauowr a-mongys hem alle . (CMKEMPE,121.2805)

Also ano+ter maistyr of diuinite had behestyd hir to a ben +ter wyth
hir , (CMKEMPE,121.2806)

but he drow on bakke tyl he knew how +te cawse xulde gon , whedyr wyth
hir or a-+gen hir . (CMKEMPE,121.2807)

+Ter was meche pepil +tat day in +te Chapetilhows of +te Mynstyr to her
& se what xulde ben seyd er do to +te forseyd creatur .
(CMKEMPE,121.2808)

Whan +te day cam , sche was al redy in +te Mynstyr to come to <P_122>
hir answer . (CMKEMPE,122.2809)

Than cam hir frendys to hir (CMKEMPE,122.2810)

& bodyn hir ben of good cher . (CMKEMPE,122.2811)

Sche , thankyng hem , seyd so sche xulde . (CMKEMPE,122.2812)

And a-swythe cam a preste ful goodly (CMKEMPE,122.2813)

& toke hir be +te arme for to helpyn hir thorw +te prees of +te pepil
(CMKEMPE,122.2814)

& browte hir be-forn a worschepful doctowr , +te whech had monyschyd
hir be-forn for to aperyn beforn hym in +te Chapetyl-hows as +tis day
in +Gorke Minstyr . (CMKEMPE,122.2815)

And wyth +tis doctowr setyn many o+ter clerkys ful reuerende &
worshepful , of +te whech clerkys summe louyd +te sayd creatur ryth wel
. (CMKEMPE,122.2816)

+Tan seyd +te worschepful doctowr to hir , " Woman , what dost +tu her
in +tis cuntre ? " (CMKEMPE,122.2817)

" Syr , I come on pilgrimage to offyr her at Seynt William . "
(CMKEMPE,122.2818)

+Tan seyd he a-+gen , " Hast +tu an husbond ? " (CMKEMPE,122.2819)

Sche seyd , " +Ga . " (CMKEMPE,122.2820)

" Hast +tu any lettyr of recorde ? " (CMKEMPE,122.2821)

" Sir , " sche seyd , " myn husbond +gaf me leue wyth hys owyn mowthe .
(CMKEMPE,122.2822)

Why fare +ge +tus wyth me mor +tan +ge don wyth o+ter pilgrimys +tat
ben her , wheche han no lettyr no mor +tan I haue ? (CMKEMPE,122.2823)

Syr , hem +ge latyn gon in peys & qwyet & in reste , (CMKEMPE,122.2824)

& I may no rest haue a-mongys +gow . (CMKEMPE,122.2825)

And , syr , +gyf her be any clerke a-mongys +gow alle +tat can preuyn
+tat I haue seyd any worde o+ter-wise +tan I awt for to do , I am redy
for to amende it wyth good wille . (CMKEMPE,122.2826)

I wil nei+tyr-1 meynteyn errowr ne heresy , (CMKEMPE,122.2827)

for it is my ful wil to holdyn as Holy Chirche holdith & fully to
plesyn God . " (CMKEMPE,122.2828)

+Tan +te clerkys examynde hir in +te Articles of +te Feyth & in many
o+ter poyntys as hem likyde , to +te whech sche answeryd wel & trewly
+tat +tei myth haue non occasyon in hir wordys for to disesyn hir ,
(CMKEMPE,122.2829)

thankyd be God . (CMKEMPE,122.2830)

And +tan +te doctowr whiche satt +ter as a juge somownd hir to apere
be-for +te Erchebischop of +Gorke (CMKEMPE,122.2831)

& telde hir what day at a towne hite Cowoode , comawndyng hir to be
kept in preson tyl +te day of hir aperyng come . (CMKEMPE,122.2832)

Than +te seculer pepil answeryd for hir (CMKEMPE,122.2833)

& seyde sche xulde not comyn in preson , (CMKEMPE,122.2834)

for +tei woldyn hem-self vndirtakyn for hir & gon to +te Erchebischop
wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,122.2835)

& so +te clerkys <P_123> seyd no mor to hir at +tat tyme ,
(CMKEMPE,123.2836)

for +tei resyn up (CMKEMPE,123.2837)

& went wher +tei wolde (CMKEMPE,123.2838)

& letyn hir gon wher sche wolde , (CMKEMPE,123.2839)

worschip $be to Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,123.2840)

And sone aftyr +ter cam a clerke vn-to hir - on of +te same +tat had
$fotyn ageyn hir - (CMKEMPE,123.2841)

& seyd , " Damsel , I prey +te be not displesyd wyth me , thow I sat
wyth +te doctowr a-geyns +te ; (CMKEMPE,123.2842)

he cryed so up-on me +tat I durst non o+ter-wise don . "
(CMKEMPE,123.2843)

And sche seyd , " Ser , I am not displesyd wyth +gow +terfor . "
(CMKEMPE,123.2844)

Than seyd he , " I pray +gow +tan preyth for me . " (CMKEMPE,123.2845)

" Sir , " sche seyd , " I wil al redy . " (CMKEMPE,123.2846)

Ther was a monke xuld prechyn in +Gorke , +te whech had herd meche
slawndyr & meche euyl langage of +te sayd creatur . (CMKEMPE,123.2847)

& , whan he xulde prechyn , +ter was meche multitude of pepil to heryn
hym , & sche present wyth hem . (CMKEMPE,123.2848)

& so , whan he was in hys sermown , he rehersyd many materys so openly
+tat +te pepil conceyued wel it was for cawse of hir , wher-for hir
frendys +tat louyd hir wel wer ful sory & heuy +terof ,
(CMKEMPE,123.2849)

& sche was meche +te mor mery , (CMKEMPE,123.2850)

for sche had mater to preuyn hyr paciens & hir charite wher-thorw sche
trostyd to plesyn owr Lord Crist Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,123.2851)

Whan +te sermown was don , a doctowr of dyuinyte whech louyd hir wel
wyth many o+ter also come to hir (CMKEMPE,123.2852)

& seyd , " Margery , how haue +ge don +tis day ? " (CMKEMPE,123.2853)

" Sir , " sche seyd , " ryth wel , (CMKEMPE,123.2854)

blyssed be God . (CMKEMPE,123.2855)

I haue cawse to be ryth mery & glad in my sowle +tat I may any-thyng
suffyr for hys lofe , (CMKEMPE,123.2856)

for he suffryd mech mor for me . " (CMKEMPE,123.2857)

A-non aftyr cam a man whech louyd hir rith wel of good wil wyth hys
wife & o+ter mo , (CMKEMPE,123.2858)

and led hir vij myle +tens to +te Erchebischop of +Gorke ,
(CMKEMPE,123.2859)

& browt hir in-to a fayr $chawmbyr , wher cam a good clerke , seying to
+te good man whech had browt hir +tedyr , " Sir , why haue +ge & +gowr
wife browt +tis woman hedyr ? (CMKEMPE,123.2860)

Sche xal stelyn a-wey fro +gow , (CMKEMPE,123.2861)

& +tan xal +ge han a velany of hir . " (CMKEMPE,123.2862)

+Te good man seyd , " I dar wel say sche wil a-bydyn & ben at hir
answer wyth good wille . " (CMKEMPE,123.2863)

On +te next day sche was browt in-to +te Erchebischopys Chapel ,
(CMKEMPE,123.2864)

& +ter comyn many of +te Erchebischopys meny , <P_124> des-pisyng hir ,
callyng hir " loller " & " heretyke , " (CMKEMPE,124.2865)

& sworyn many an horrybyl othe +tat sche xulde be brent .
(CMKEMPE,124.2866)

And sche , thorw +te strength of Ihesu , seyd a-+gen to hem , " Serys ,
I drede me +ge xul be brent in helle wyth-owtyn ende les +tan +ge
amende +gow of +gowr othys sweryng , (CMKEMPE,124.2867)

for +ge kepe not +te comawndementys of God . (CMKEMPE,124.2868)

I wolde not sweryn as +ge don for al +te good of +tis worlde . "
(CMKEMPE,124.2869)

+Tan +tei +gedyn a-wey as +tei had ben a-schamyd . (CMKEMPE,124.2870)

Sche +tan , makyng hir prayer in hir mende , askyd grace so to be
demenyd +tat day as was most plesawns to God & profyte to hir owyn
sowle & good exampyl to hir euyncristen . (CMKEMPE,124.2871)

Owr Lord , answeryng hir , seyd it xulde be ryth wel .
(CMKEMPE,124.2872)

At +te last +te seyd Erchebischop cam in-to +te Chapel wyth hys clerkys
, (CMKEMPE,124.2873)

& scharply he seyde to hir , " Why gost +tu in white ?
(CMKEMPE,124.2874)

Art +tu a mayden ? " (CMKEMPE,124.2875)

Sche , knelyng on hir knes be-for hym , seyd , " Nay , ser , I am no
mayden ; (CMKEMPE,124.2876)

I am a wife . " (CMKEMPE,124.2877)

He comawndyd hys mene to fettyn a peyr of feterys (CMKEMPE,124.2878)

& seyd sche xulde ben feteryd , (CMKEMPE,124.2879)

for sche was a fals heretyke . (CMKEMPE,124.2880)

& +tan sche seyd , " I am non heretyke , (CMKEMPE,124.2881)

ne +ge xal non preue me . " (CMKEMPE,124.2882)

+Te Erchebisshop went a-wey (CMKEMPE,124.2883)

& let hir stondyn a-lone . (CMKEMPE,124.2884)

Than sche mad hir prayers to owr Lord God almythy for to helpyn hir &
socowryn hir ageyn alle hir enmyis , gostly & bodily , a long while ,
(CMKEMPE,124.2885)

& hir flesch tremelyd & whakyd wondirly +tat sche was fayn to puttyn
hir handys vndyr hir clo+tis +tat it schulde not ben aspyed .
(CMKEMPE,124.2886)

Sythyn +te Erchebischop cam a-geyn in-to +te Chapel wyth many worthy
clerkys , a-mongys whech was +te same doctowr whech had examynd hir
be-forn and +te monke +tat had prechyd a-geyn hir a lityl tyme be-forn
in +Gorke . (CMKEMPE,124.2887)

Sum of +te pepil askyd whedyr sche wer a Cristen woman er a Iewe ;
(CMKEMPE,124.2888)

sum seyd sche was a good woman , (CMKEMPE,124.2889)

& sum seyd nay . (CMKEMPE,124.2890)

Than +te Erchebischop toke hys see , & hys clerkys also , iche of hem
in hys degre , meche pepil beyng present . (CMKEMPE,124.2891)

And in +te tyme whil +te pepil was gaderyng to-gedyr & +te Erchebischop
takyn hys see , +te seyd creatur stod al behyndyn , makyng hir preyerys
for help & socowr ageyn hir enmijs wyth hy deuocyon so long +tat sche
meltyd al in-to teerys . (CMKEMPE,124.2892)

& at +te last sche cryed lowde +terwith , +tat +te Erchebischop & his
clerkys & meche pepil <P_125> had gret wondyr of hir ,
(CMKEMPE,125.2893)

for +tei had not herd swech crying be-forn . (CMKEMPE,125.2894)

Whan hir crying was passyd , sche cam be-forn +te Erchebischop
(CMKEMPE,125.2895)

& fel down on hir kneys , the Erchebischop seying ful boystowsly vn-to
hir , " Why wepist +tu so , woman ? " (CMKEMPE,125.2896)

Sche , answeryng , seyde , " Syr , +ge xal welyn sum day +tat +ge had
wept as sor as I . " (CMKEMPE,125.2897)

And +tan a-non , aftyr +te Erchebischop put to hir +te Articles of owr
Feyth , to +te whech God +gaf hir grace to answeryn wel & trewly &
redily wyth-owtyn any gret stody so +tat he myth not blamyn hir , than
he seyd to +te clerkys , " Sche knowith hir Feyth wel a-now .
(CMKEMPE,125.2898)

What xal I don wyth hir ? " (CMKEMPE,125.2899)

The clerkys seyden , " We knowyn wel +tat sche can +te Articles of +te
Feith , (CMKEMPE,125.2900)

but we wil not suffyr hir to dwellyn a-mong vs , (CMKEMPE,125.2901)

for +te pepil hath gret feyth in hir dalyawnce , (CMKEMPE,125.2902)

and perauentur sche myth peruertyn summe of hem . " (CMKEMPE,125.2903)

Than +te Erchebischop seyd vn-to hir , " I am euyl enformyd of +te ;
(CMKEMPE,125.2904)

I her seyn +tu art a ryth wikked woman . " (CMKEMPE,125.2905)

And sche seyd a-geyn , " Ser , so I her seyn +tat +ge arn a wikkyd man
. (CMKEMPE,125.2906)

And , +gyf +ge ben as wikkyd as men seyn , +ge xal neuyr come in Heuyn
les +tan +ge amende +gow whil +ge ben her . " (CMKEMPE,125.2907)

Than seyd he ful boistowsly , " Why , +tow , what sey men of me . "
(CMKEMPE,125.2908)

Sche answeryd , " O+ter men , syr , can telle +gow wel a-now . "
(CMKEMPE,125.2909)

+Tan seyd a gret clerke wyth a furryd hood , " Pes , (CMKEMPE,125.2910)

+tu speke of +ti-self (CMKEMPE,125.2911)

& late hym ben . " (CMKEMPE,125.2912)

Sithyn seyd +te Erchebischop to hir , " Ley +tin hand on +te boke her
be-forn me (CMKEMPE,125.2913)

& swer +tat +tu xalt gon owt of my diocyse as sone as +tu may . "
(CMKEMPE,125.2914)

" Nay , syr , " sche sayd , " I praye +gow , +geue me leue to gon ageyn
in-to +Gorke to take my leue of my frendys . " (CMKEMPE,125.2915)

+Tan he +gaf hir leue for on day er too . (CMKEMPE,125.2916)

Sche thowt $it was to schort a tyme , wherfor sche seyd a+gen , " Sir ,
I may not gon owt of +tis diocyse so hastily , (CMKEMPE,125.2917)

for I must teryin & spekyn wyth good men er I go , (CMKEMPE,125.2918)

& I must , ser , wyth +gowr leue , gon to Brydlyngton & spekyn wyth my
confessor , a good man , +te whech was +te good Priowrys confessor +tat
is now canonysed . " (CMKEMPE,125.2919)

+Tan seyd +te Erchebischop to hir , " +Tow schalt sweryn +tat +tu $ne
xalt techyn ne chalengyn +te <P_126> pepil in my diocyse . "
(CMKEMPE,126.2920)

" Nay , syr , I xal not sweryn , " sche seyde , (CMKEMPE,126.2921)

" for I xal spekyn of God & vndirnemyn hem +tat sweryn gret othys
wher-so-euyr I go vn-to +te tyme +tat +te Pope & Holy Chirche hath
ordeynde +tat no man schal be so hardy to spekyn of God ,
(CMKEMPE,126.2922)

for God al-mythy forbedith not , ser , +tat we xal speke of hym .
(CMKEMPE,126.2923)

And also +te Gospel makyth mencyon +tat , whan +te woman had herd owr
Lord prechyd , sche cam be-forn hym wyth a lowde voys & seyd , '
Blyssed be +te wombe +tat +te bar & +te tetys +tat +gaf +te sowkyn . '
(CMKEMPE,126.2924)

+Tan owr Lord seyd a-+gen to hir , ' Forso+te so ar +tei blissed +tat
heryn +te word of God and kepyn it . ' (CMKEMPE,126.2925)

And +terfor , sir , me thynkyth +tat +te Gospel +geuyth me leue to
spekyn of God . " (CMKEMPE,126.2926)

" A ser , " seyd +te clerkys , " her wot we wel +tat sche hath a deuyl
wyth-inne hir , (CMKEMPE,126.2927)

for sche spekyth of +te Gospel . " (CMKEMPE,126.2928)

As-swy+te a gret clerke browt forth a boke (CMKEMPE,126.2929)

& leyd Seynt Powyl for hys party a-geyns hir +tat no woman xulde
prechyn . (CMKEMPE,126.2930)

Sche , answeryng +terto , seyde , " I preche not , ser ,
(CMKEMPE,126.2931)

I come in no pulpytt . (CMKEMPE,126.2932)

I vse but comownycacyon & good wordys , (CMKEMPE,126.2933)

& +tat wil I do whil I leue . " (CMKEMPE,126.2934)

Than seyd a doctowr whech had examynd hir be-for-tyme , " Syr , sche
telde me +te werst talys of prestys +tat euyr I herde . "
(CMKEMPE,126.2935)

+Te Bischop comawndyd hir to tellyn +tat tale . (CMKEMPE,126.2936)

" Sir , wyth +gowr reuerens , I spak but of o preste be +te maner of
exampyl , +te whech as I haue lernyd went wil in a wode thorw +te
sufferawns of God for +te profite of hys sowle tyl +te nygth cam up-on
hym . (CMKEMPE,126.2937)

He , destytute of hys herborwe , fond a fayr erber in +te whech he
restyd +tat nyght , hauyng a fayr pertre in +te myddys al floreschyd
wyth flowerys & belschyd , and blomys ful delectabil to hys syght ,
wher cam a bere , gret & boistows , hogely to beheldyn , schakyng +te
pertre & fellyng down +te flowerys . (CMKEMPE,126.2938)

Gredily +tis greuows best ete & deuowryd +to fayr flowerys .
(CMKEMPE,126.2939)

& , whan he had etyn hem , turnyng <P_127> hys tayl-ende in +te prestys
presens , voydyd hem owt ageyn at +te hymyr party . (CMKEMPE,127.2940)

+Te preste , hauyng gret abhominacyon of +tat lothly syght , conceyuyng
gret heuynes for dowte what it myth mene , on +te next day he wandrid
forth in hys wey al heuy & pensife , whom it fortunyd to metyn wyth a
semly agydd man lych to a palmyr er a pilgrime , +te whiche enqwiryd of
+te preste +te cawse of hys heuynes . (CMKEMPE,127.2941)

The preste , rehersyng +te mater be-forn-wretyn , seyd he conceyuyd
gret drede & heuynes whan he beheld +tat lothly best defowlyn &
deuowryn so fayr flowerys & blomys & aftirward so horrybely to deuoydyn
hem be-for hym at hys taylende , & he not vndirstondyng what +tis myth
mene . (CMKEMPE,127.2942)

Than +te palmyr , schewyng hym-selfe +te massanger of God , +tus
aresond hym , ' Preste , +tu +ti-self art +te pertre , sumdel
florischyng & floweryng thorw +ti Seruyse seyyng & +te Sacramentys
ministryng , thow +tu do vndeuowtly , (CMKEMPE,127.2943)

for +tu takyst ful lytyl heede how +tu seyst +ti Mateynes & +ti Seruyse
, so it be blaberyd to an ende . (CMKEMPE,127.2944)

+Tan gost +tu to +ti Messe wyth-owtyn deuocyon , (CMKEMPE,127.2945)

& for +ti synne hast +tu ful lityl contricyon . (CMKEMPE,127.2946)

+Tu receyuyst +ter +te frute of euyrlestyng lyfe , +te Sacrament of +te
Awter , in ful febyl disposicyon . (CMKEMPE,127.2947)

Sithyn al +te day aftyr +tu myssespendist +ti tyme , (CMKEMPE,127.2948)

+tu +geuist +te to bying & sellyng , choppyng & chongyng , as it wer a
man of +te werld . (CMKEMPE,127.2949)

+Tu sittyst at +te ale , +geuyng +te to glotonye & excesse , to lust of
thy body , thorw letchery & vnclennesse . (CMKEMPE,127.2950)

+Tu brekyst +te comawndmentys of God thorw sweryng , lying , detraccyon
, & bakbytyng , & swech o+ter synnes vsyng . (CMKEMPE,127.2951)

Thus be thy mysgouernawns , lych on-to +te lothly ber , +tu deuowryst &
destroist +te flowerys & blomys of vertuows leuyng to thyn endles
dampnacyon & many mannys hyndryng lesse +tan +tu haue grace of
repentawns & amendyng . ' " (CMKEMPE,127.2952)

+Tan +te Erchebisshop likyd wel +te tale (CMKEMPE,127.2953)

& comendyd it , seying it was a good tale . (CMKEMPE,127.2954)

& +te clerk whech had examynd hir be-for-tyme in +te absens of +te
Erchebischop , seyd , " Ser , +tis tale smytyth me to +te hert . "
(CMKEMPE,127.2955)

The forseyd creatur seyd to +te clerk , " A , <P_128> worschipful
doctowr , ser , in place wher my dwellyng is most , is a worthy clerk ,
a good prechar , whech boldly spekyth ageyn +te mysgouernawns of +te
pepil & wil flatyr no man . (CMKEMPE,128.2956)

He seyth many tymes in +te pulpit , ' +Gyf any man be euyl plesyd wyth
my prechyng , note hym wel , (CMKEMPE,128.2957)

for he is gylty . ' (CMKEMPE,128.2958)

And ryth so , ser , " seyd sche to +te clerk , " far +ge be me ,
(CMKEMPE,128.2959)

God for+geue it +gow . " (CMKEMPE,128.2960)

+Te clerk wist not wel what he myth sey to hir . (CMKEMPE,128.2961)

Aftyrward +te same clerk cam to hir (CMKEMPE,128.2962)

& preyid hir of for+gefnes +tat he had so ben a-geyn hir .
(CMKEMPE,128.2963)

Also he preyid hir specyaly to prey for hym . (CMKEMPE,128.2964)

& +tan anon aftyr +te Erchebischop seyd , " Wher schal I haue a man
+tat myth ledyn +tis woman fro me ? " (CMKEMPE,128.2965)

As-swythe +ter styrt up many +gong men , (CMKEMPE,128.2966)

& euery man seyd of hem , " My Lord , I wyl gon wyth hir . "
(CMKEMPE,128.2967)

+Te Erchebischop answeryd , " +ge ben to +gong ; (CMKEMPE,128.2968)

I wil not haue +gow . " (CMKEMPE,128.2969)

Than a good sad man of +te Erchebischopys meny askyd hys Lord what he
wolde +geuyn hym & he xulde ledyn hir . (CMKEMPE,128.2970)

+Te Erchebischop proferyd hym v s . (CMKEMPE,128.2971)

and +te man askyd a nobyl . (CMKEMPE,128.2972)

The Erchebischop , answeryng , seyd , " I wil not waryn so mech on hir
body . " (CMKEMPE,128.2973)

" +Gys , good ser , " seyd +te sayd creatur , " our Lord schal rewardyn
+gow ryth wel a+gen . " (CMKEMPE,128.2974)

+Tan +te Erchebischop seyd to +te man , " Se , (CMKEMPE,128.2975)

her is v s. , (CMKEMPE,128.2976)

& lede hir fast owt of +tis cuntre . " (CMKEMPE,128.2977)

Sche , knelyng down on hir kneys , askyd hys blissyng .
(CMKEMPE,128.2978)

He , preyng hir to preye for hym , blissed hir (CMKEMPE,128.2979)

& let hir go . (CMKEMPE,128.2980)

Than sche , goyng a-+gen to +Gorke , was receyued of mech pepil & of
ful worthy clerkys , whech enjoyed in owr Lord +tat had +gouyn hir not
lettryd witte & wisdom to answeryn so many lernyd men wyth-owtyn velani
or blame , (CMKEMPE,128.2981)

thankyng be to God . (CMKEMPE,128.2982)

Sithyn +tat good man whech was hir ledar browte hir owt of +te town
(CMKEMPE,128.2983)

& +tan went +tei forth to Brydelyngton to hir confessowr , whech hite
Sleytham , (CMKEMPE,128.2984)

and spak wyth hym & wyth many o+ter good men whech had cheryd hir
befor-tyme & don meche for hir . (CMKEMPE,128.2985)

Than <P_129> sche wolde not abydyn +ter (CMKEMPE,129.2986)

but toke hir leue for to walke forth in hir jurne . (CMKEMPE,129.2987)

& +tan hir confessowr askyd hir +gyf sche durst not abydyn for +te
Erchebischop of +Gorke , (CMKEMPE,129.2988)

& sche seyd , " No , forsothe . " (CMKEMPE,129.2989)

+Tan +te good man +gaf hir syluer , besechyng hir to prey for hym .
(CMKEMPE,129.2990)

And so sche +ged forth vn-to Hulle . (CMKEMPE,129.2991)

& +ter on a tyme , as +tei went in processyon , a gret woman
al-to-despysed hir , (CMKEMPE,129.2992)

& sche seyd no word +terto . (CMKEMPE,129.2993)

Many o+ter folke seyd +tat sche xulde be sett in preson
(CMKEMPE,129.2994)

& madyn gret thretyng . (CMKEMPE,129.2995)

And not-wythstondyng al her malyce +get a good man cam
(CMKEMPE,129.2996)

& preyd hir to mete (CMKEMPE,129.2997)

& mad hir ryth good cher . (CMKEMPE,129.2998)

Than +te malicyows pepil , +te whech had despisyd hir be-forn , cam to
+tis good man (CMKEMPE,129.2999)

& bad hym +tat he xulde do hir no good , (CMKEMPE,129.3000)

for +tei helde +tat sche was no good woman . (CMKEMPE,129.3001)

On +te next day at morwyn hir hoste led hir owt at +te townys ende ,
(CMKEMPE,129.3002)

for he durst no lengar kepyn hir . (CMKEMPE,129.3003)

& so sche went to Hesyl (CMKEMPE,129.3004)

& wolde a gon ouyr +te watyr at Humbyr . (CMKEMPE,129.3005)

+Tan happyd sche to fyndyn +ter too Frer Prechowrys and ij +gemen of
+te Duke of Bedforthys . (CMKEMPE,129.3006)

+Te frerys telde +te +gemen +tat woman sche was , (CMKEMPE,129.3007)

& +te +gemen arestyd hir as sche wolde a takyn hir boot ,
(CMKEMPE,129.3008)

& restyd a man +tat went wyth hir also . (CMKEMPE,129.3009)

" For owr Lord , " +tei seyd , " +te Duke of Bedforth hath sent for +te
. (CMKEMPE,129.3010)

And +tu art holdyn +te grettest loller in al +tis cuntre er a-bowte
London eythyr . (CMKEMPE,129.3011)

& we han sowt +te in many a cuntre , (CMKEMPE,129.3012)

& we xal han an hundryd pownde for to bryng +te be-forn owr Lord . "
(CMKEMPE,129.3013)

Sche seyd to hem , " Wyth good wil , serys , I xal gon wyth +gow wher
+ge wil ledyn me . " (CMKEMPE,129.3014)

+Tan +tei browt hir a-+gen in-to Hesyl , (CMKEMPE,129.3015)

& +ter men callyd hir loller , (CMKEMPE,129.3016)

& women cam rennyng owt of her howsys wyth her rokkys , crying to +te
pepil , " Brennyth +tis fals heretyk . " (CMKEMPE,129.3017)

So , as sche went forth to-Beuerleward wyth +te seyd +gemen & +te
frerys be-forn-seyd , +tei mettyn many tymes wyth men of +te cuntre ,
whech seyd vn-to hir , " Damsel , forsake +tis lyfe +tat +tu hast ,
(CMKEMPE,129.3018)

& go spynne & carde as o+ter women don , (CMKEMPE,129.3019)

& suffyr not so meche schame & so meche wo . (CMKEMPE,129.3020)

We wolde not suffir so meche for no good in erthe . "
(CMKEMPE,129.3021)

+Tan sche seyd to hem , " I suffir not so mech <P_130> sorwe as I wolde
do for owr Lordys lofe , (CMKEMPE,130.3022)

for I suffir but schrewyd wordys , (CMKEMPE,130.3023)

& owr merciful Lord Crist Ihesu , worshepyd be hys name , suffyrd hard
strokys , bittyr scorgyngys , & schamful deth at +te last for me and
for al mankynde , (CMKEMPE,130.3024)

blyssed mot he be . (CMKEMPE,130.3025)

& +terfor it is ryth nowt +tat I suffir in regarde to +tat he suffyrd .
" (CMKEMPE,130.3026)

And so , as sche went wyth +te forseyd men , sche telde hem good talys
tyl on of +te Dukys men whech had a-restyd hir seyd vn-to hir , " Me
ouyr-thynkyth +tat I met wyth +te , (CMKEMPE,130.3027)

for me semyth +tat +tu seyst ryth good wordys . " (CMKEMPE,130.3028)

Than seyd sche vn-to hym , " Ser , ouyrthynkyth ne repentith +gow not
+tat +ge met wyth me . (CMKEMPE,130.3029)

Doth +gowr Lordys wille , (CMKEMPE,130.3030)

& I trust al schal be for +te best , (CMKEMPE,130.3031)

for I am ryth wel plesyd +tat +ge met wyth me . " (CMKEMPE,130.3032)

He seyd a-+gen , " Damsel , yf euyr +tu be seynt in Heuyn , prey for me
. " (CMKEMPE,130.3033)

Sche answeryd , seying to hym a-+gen , " Sir , I hope +ge xal be a
seynt +gowr-selfe & euery man +tat xal come to Heuyn . "
(CMKEMPE,130.3034)

So +tei +gedyn forth til +tei comyn in-to Beuerle , wher dwellyd on of
+te mennys wifys +tat had arestyd hir . (CMKEMPE,130.3035)

& +tedyr +tei leddyn hir (CMKEMPE,130.3036)

& tokyn a-wey fro hir hir purs & hir ryng . (CMKEMPE,130.3037)

+Tei ordeynd hir a fayr chambyr & an honest bed +terin wyth +te
necessarys , lokkyng +te dor wyth +te key & beryng a-wey +te key wyth
hem . (CMKEMPE,130.3038)

Sithyn +tei tokyn +te man whom +tei arestyd wyth hir , wheche was +te
Erchebischopys man of +Gorke , (CMKEMPE,130.3039)

& put hym in preson . (CMKEMPE,130.3040)

& sone aftyr +tat same day cam tydyngys +tat +te Erchebischop was comyn
in-to +te town wher hys man was put in preson . (CMKEMPE,130.3041)

It was telde +te Erchebischop of hys mannys presonyng ,
(CMKEMPE,130.3042)

& a-non he dede hym be latyn owte . (CMKEMPE,130.3043)

+Tan +tat man went to +te sayd creatur wyth angry cher , seying , "
Alas +tat euyr knew I +te . (CMKEMPE,130.3044)

I haue ben presonyd for +te . " (CMKEMPE,130.3045)

Sche , comfortyng hym , seyd a-+gen , " Hauyth mekenes & pacyens ,
(CMKEMPE,130.3046)

& +ge xal haue gret mede in Heuyn +terfor . " (CMKEMPE,130.3047)

So +ged he a-wey fro hir . (CMKEMPE,130.3048)

+Tan stode sche lokyng owt at a wyndown , tellyng many good talys to
hem +tat wolde heryn hir , in so meche +tat women wept sor & seyde wyth
gret heuynes of her hertys , " Alas , <P_131> woman , why xalt +tu be
brent ? " (CMKEMPE,131.3049)

Than sche preyid +te good wyfe of +te hows to +geuyn hir drynke ,
(CMKEMPE,131.3050)

for sche was euyl for thryste . (CMKEMPE,131.3051)

And +te good wife seyde hir husbond had born a-wey +te key , wherfor
sche myth not comyn to hir ne +geuyn hir drynke . (CMKEMPE,131.3052)

And +tan +te women tokyn a leddyr (CMKEMPE,131.3053)

& set up to +te wyndown (CMKEMPE,131.3054)

& +gouyn hir a pynte of wyn in a potte (CMKEMPE,131.3055)

& toke hir a pece , besechyng hir to settyn a-wey +te potte preuyly &
+te pece +tat whan +te good man come he myth not aspye it .
(CMKEMPE,131.3056)

The seyd creatur , lying in hir bed +te next nyth folwyng , herd wyth
hir bodily erys a lowde voys clepyng , " Margery . " (CMKEMPE,131.3057)

Wyth +tat voys sche woke , gretly a-feryd , (CMKEMPE,131.3058)

& , lying stille in sylens , sche mad hir preyerys as deuowtly as sche
cowde for +te tyme . (CMKEMPE,131.3059)

& sone owr merciful Lord ouyral present , comfortyng hys vnworthy
seruawnt , seyd vn-to hir , " Dowtyr , it is mor plesyng vn-to me +tat
+tu suffyr despitys & scornys , schamys & repreuys , wrongys & disesys
+tan +gif +tin hed wer smet of thre tymes on +te day euery day in sevyn
+ger . (CMKEMPE,131.3060)

And +terfor , dowtyr , fere +te nowt what any man can seyn on-to +te ,
(CMKEMPE,131.3061)

but in myn goodnes & in thy sorwys +tat +tu hast suffryd +terin hast
+tu gret cawse to joyn , (CMKEMPE,131.3062)

for , whan +tu comyst hom in-to Heuyn , +tan xal euery sorwe turnyn +te
to joye . " (CMKEMPE,131.3063)

On +te next day sche was browte in-to +te Chapetyl ows of Beuerle ,
(CMKEMPE,131.3064)

& +ter was +te Erchebischop of +Gorke & many gret clerkys wyth hym ,
prestys , chanowns , & seculer men . (CMKEMPE,131.3065)

+Tan seyd +te Erchebischop to +te seid creatur , " What , woman , art
+tu come a-+gen ? (CMKEMPE,131.3066)

I wolde fayn be delyueryd of +te . " (CMKEMPE,131.3067)

And +tan a preste browt hir forth be-for hym , (CMKEMPE,131.3068)

and +te Erchebischop seyd , alle +tat wer present heryng , " Serys , I
had +tis woman befor me at Cowode , (CMKEMPE,131.3069)

& +ter I wyth my clerkys examynd hir in hir feyth (CMKEMPE,131.3070)

& fond no defawte in hir . (CMKEMPE,131.3071)

For+termor , serys , I haue sithyn +tat tyme spokyn wyth good men whech
holdyn hir a parfyte woman & a good woman . (CMKEMPE,131.3072)

Notwythstandyng al +tis I +gaf on of my men v s. to ledyn hir owt of
+tis cuntre for qwietyng of +te pepil . (CMKEMPE,131.3073)

And , as <P_132> +tei wer goyng in her jurne , they wer takyn & arestyd
, my man put in preson for hir , (CMKEMPE,132.3074)

also hir gold & hir syluer was takyn a-wey fro hir wyth hir bedys & hir
ryng , (CMKEMPE,132.3075)

and sche is browt her a-+gen befor me . (CMKEMPE,132.3076)

Is her any man can sey any-thyng a+gen hir ? " (CMKEMPE,132.3077)

Than o+ter men seyd , " Her is a frer can meche +ting a-+gens hir . "
(CMKEMPE,132.3078)

+Te frer cam forth (CMKEMPE,132.3079)

& seyd +tat sche disprauyd alle men of Holy Chirche (CMKEMPE,132.3080)

& mech ylle langage he vttryd +tat tyme of hir . (CMKEMPE,132.3081)

Also he seyd +tat sche xulde a be brent at Lynne , had hys ordyr , +tat
was Frer Prechowrys , ne be . (CMKEMPE,132.3082)

" And , syr , sche seyth +tat sche may wepyn & han contricyon whan sche
wil . " (CMKEMPE,132.3083)

+Tan cam +to too men whech had arestyd hir , seyng wyth +te frer +tat
sche was Combomis dowtyr & was sent to beryn lettrys abowtyn +te cuntre
. (CMKEMPE,132.3084)

And +tei seydyn sche had $nowt ben at Ierusalem ne in +te Holy Lond ne
on o+ter pilgrimage , liche as sche had ben in trewth .
(CMKEMPE,132.3085)

+Tei denyed al trewth (CMKEMPE,132.3086)

& meynteyned +te wrong , as many o+ter had don be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,132.3087)

Whan +tei had seyd j-now a gret while & a long tyme , +tei wer in pes .
(CMKEMPE,132.3088)

Than seyd +te Erchebischop to hir , " Woman , what seyst +tu her-to ? "
(CMKEMPE,132.3089)

Sche seyd , " My Lorde , saue +gowr reuerens , it arn lesyngys alle +te
wordys +tat +tei sey . " (CMKEMPE,132.3090)

+Tan seyde +te Erchebischop to +te frer , " Frer , +te wordys arn non
heresye ; (CMKEMPE,132.3091)

+tei arn slawnderows wordys & erroneows . " (CMKEMPE,132.3092)

" My Lord , " seyde +te frer , " sche can hir Feyth wel j-now .
(CMKEMPE,132.3093)

Neuyr-+te-lesse , my Lord of Bedforthe is wroth wyth hir ,
(CMKEMPE,132.3094)

& he wyl han hir . " (CMKEMPE,132.3095)

" Wel frer , " seyde +te Erchebischop , " & +tu xalt ledyn hir to hym .
" (CMKEMPE,132.3096)

" Nay , ser , " seyde +te frer , " it fallyth not for a frer to ledyn a
woman a-bowtyn . " (CMKEMPE,132.3097)

" And I wille not , " seyde +te Erchebischop , " +tat +te Duke of
Bedforde be wroth wyth me for hir . " (CMKEMPE,132.3098)

+Tan seyde +te Erchebischop to hys men , " Takyth hede to +te frer tyl
I wyl haue hym a-+gen , " (CMKEMPE,132.3099)

and comawndyd an-o+ter man to kepyn +te seyde creatur also tyl he wolde
haue hir a+gen an-o+ter tyme when he lykyde . (CMKEMPE,132.3100)

The sayd creatur preyde hym of hys lordschip +tat sche xulde not be
putte a-mongs men , (CMKEMPE,132.3101)

for sche was a <P_133> mannys wyfe . (CMKEMPE,133.3102)

And +te Erchebischop seyde , " Nay , +tu xalt non harm han . "
(CMKEMPE,133.3103)

+Tan he +tat was chargyd wyth hir toke hir be +te hand
(CMKEMPE,133.3104)

& led hir hom to hys hows (CMKEMPE,133.3105)

& dede hir sittyn wyth hym at mete & drynke , schewyng hir goodly cher
. (CMKEMPE,133.3106)

+Tedyr comyn many prestys & o+ter men eftsonys to se hir & spekyn wyth
hir , (CMKEMPE,133.3107)

& meche pepil had gret compassyon +tat sche was so euyl ferd wyth .
(CMKEMPE,133.3108)

In schort tyme aftyr , +te Erchebischop sent for hir ,
(CMKEMPE,133.3109)

& sche cam in-to hys halle . (CMKEMPE,133.3110)

Hys meny was at mete , (CMKEMPE,133.3111)

& sche was ledde in-to hys chawmbyr euyn to hys beddys syde .
(CMKEMPE,133.3112)

+Tan sche , obeyng , thankyd hym of hys gracyows lordschip +tat he had
schewyd to hir be-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,133.3113)

" +Ga , +ga , " seyd +te Erchebischop , " I am wers enformyd of +te
+tan euyr I was be-forn . " (CMKEMPE,133.3114)

Sche seyd , " My Lord , +gyf it lyke +gow to examyn me , I xal ben
a-knowe +te trewth , (CMKEMPE,133.3115)

and , yf I be fowndyn gylty , I wyl abeyn +gowr correccyon . "
(CMKEMPE,133.3116)

Than cam forth a Frer Prechowr whech was Suffragan wyth +te
Erchebischop , to whom +te Erchebischop seyde , " Now , ser , as +ge
seyde to me whan sche was not present , sey now whil sche is present .
" (CMKEMPE,133.3117)

" Schal I so ? " seyde +te Suffragan . (CMKEMPE,133.3118)

" +Ga , " seyde +te Erchebischop . (CMKEMPE,133.3119)

+Tan seyde +te suffragan to +te seyde creatur , " Damsel , +tu wer at
my Lady Westmorlond . " (CMKEMPE,133.3120)

" Whan , sir ? " seyde sche . " (CMKEMPE,133.3121)

At Estern , " seyd +te Suffragan . (CMKEMPE,133.3122)

Sche , not replying , seyd , " Wel , ser ? " (CMKEMPE,133.3123)

+Tan seyd he , " My Lady hir owyn persone was wel plesyd wyth +te
(CMKEMPE,133.3124)

& lykyd wel thy wordys , (CMKEMPE,133.3125)

but +tu cownseledyst my Lady Greystokke to forsakyn hir husbonde , +tat
is a barownys wyfe & dowtyr to my Lady of Westmorlonde ,
(CMKEMPE,133.3126)

& now hast seyd j-now to be brent for . " (CMKEMPE,133.3127)

And so he multiplyed many schrewyd wordys befor +te Erchebischop , -
(CMKEMPE,133.3128)

it is not expedient to rehersyn hem . (CMKEMPE,133.3129)

At +te last sche seyde to +te Erchebischop , " My Lord , yf it be +gowr
wille , I saw not my Lady Westmorlond +tis too +ger & mor .
(CMKEMPE,133.3130)

Sir , sche sent for me er I went to Ierusalem (CMKEMPE,133.3131)

& , +gyf it lyke +gow , I wyl gon a-geyn to hir for recorde +tat I
mevyd no sweche mater . " (CMKEMPE,133.3132)

" Nay , " seyde +tei +tat stodyn a-bowtyn , " late hir be putte in
preson , (CMKEMPE,133.3133)

& we xal sendyn a lettyr to +te worshepful Lady , (CMKEMPE,133.3134)

& , +gyf it be trewth +tat <P_134> sche seyth , late hir go qwite
wyth-owtyn dawnger . " (CMKEMPE,134.3135)

& sche seyde sche was ryth wel a-payd +tat it wer so .
(CMKEMPE,134.3136)

+Tan seyde a gret clerke whech stood a lytyl besyden +te Erchebischop ,
" Putte hir xl days in preson (CMKEMPE,134.3137)

& sche xal louyn God +te bettyr whyl sche leuyth . " (CMKEMPE,134.3138)

The Erchebischop askyd hir what tale it was +tat sche telde +te Lady of
Westmorlonde whan sche spak wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,134.3139)

Sche seyde , " I telde hir a good tale of a lady +tat was dampmyd for
sche wolde not louyn hir enmijs & of a baly +tat was savyd for he louyd
hys enmys & for+gaf +tat +tei had trespasyd a+gen hym ,
(CMKEMPE,134.3140)

& +get he was heldyn an euyl man . " (CMKEMPE,134.3141)

+Te Erchebischop seyd it was a good tale . (CMKEMPE,134.3142)

Than seyd hys styward & many mo wyth hym , crying wyth a lowde voys to
+te Erchebischop , " Lord , we prey +gow late hir go hens at +tis tyme
, (CMKEMPE,134.3143)

& , yf euyr sche come ageyn , we xal bren hyre owr-self . "
(CMKEMPE,134.3144)

The Erchebischop seyde , " I leue +ter was neuyr woman in Inglond so
ferd wyth-+tal as sche is & hath ben . " (CMKEMPE,134.3145)

+Tan he seyde to +te sayde creatur , " I wote not what I xal don wyth
+te . " (CMKEMPE,134.3146)

Sche seyde , " My Lord , I pray +gow late me haue +gowr lettyr & +gowr
seyl in-to recorde +tat I haue excusyd me a-geyn myn enmys & no-thyng
is attyd ageyns me , nei+tyr herrowr ne heresy +tat may ben preuyd
vp-on me , thankyd be owr Lord , and Iohn , +gowr man , a-+gen to
bryngyn me ouyr +te watyr . " (CMKEMPE,134.3147)

& +te Erchebischop ful goodly grawntyd hir al hir desyr , owr Lord
rewarde hym hys mede , (CMKEMPE,134.3148)

& delueryd hyr purs wyth hir ryng & hir bedys whech +te Dukys men of
Bedforth had takyn fro hir beforn . (CMKEMPE,134.3149)

The Erchebischop had gret merueyl wher sche had good to gon wyth
a-bowtyn +te cuntre , (CMKEMPE,134.3150)

and sche seyde good men +gaf it hir for sche xulde prey for hem .
(CMKEMPE,134.3151)

Than sche , knelyng down , receyued hys blissyng (CMKEMPE,134.3152)

& toke hir leue wyth ryth glad cher , goyng owt of hys chambyr .
(CMKEMPE,134.3153)

And +te Erchebischopys mene preyd hir to prey for hem ,
(CMKEMPE,134.3154)

but +te styward was wroth , for <P_135> sche lowgh & made good cher ,
seying to hir , " Holy folke xulde not lawghe . " (CMKEMPE,135.3155)

Sche seyd , " Ser , I haue gret cawse for to lawghe ,
(CMKEMPE,135.3156)

for +te mor schame I suffyr & despite , +te meryar may I ben in owr
Lord Ihesu Crist . " (CMKEMPE,135.3157)

+Tan sche cam down in-to +te halle , (CMKEMPE,135.3158)

and +ter stood +te Frere Prechowr +tat had cawsyd hir al +tat wo .
(CMKEMPE,135.3159)

And so sche passyd forth wyth a man of +te Erchebischop , beryng +te
lettyr whech +te Erchebischop had grawntyd hir for a recorde ,
(CMKEMPE,135.3160)

& he browt hir to +te Watyr of Humbyr , (CMKEMPE,135.3161)

& +ter he toke hys leue of hir , returnyng to hys lord & beryng +te
sayd lettyr wyth hym a-+gen , (CMKEMPE,135.3162)

so was sche left a-lone wythowtyn knowlache of +te pepyl .
(CMKEMPE,135.3163)

Al +te forseyd disese fel hir on a Fryday , (CMKEMPE,135.3164)

thankyd be God of alle . (CMKEMPE,135.3165)

Whan sche was passyd +te Watyr of Humbyr , a-non sche was arestyd for a
loller & ledde to-preson-warde . (CMKEMPE,135.3166)

+Ter happyd to be a person whech had seyn hir be-forn +te Erchebischop
of +Gorke & gate hir leue to gon wher sche wolde & excusyd hir a-+gen
+te baly & vndirtoke for hir +tat sche was no loller .
(CMKEMPE,135.3167)

& so sche scapyd a-wey in +te name of Ihesu . (CMKEMPE,135.3168)

+Tan met sche wyth a man of London & hys wife wyth hym .
(CMKEMPE,135.3169)

& so went sche forth wyth hem tyl sche cam to Lyncolne ,
(CMKEMPE,135.3170)

& +ter sufferd sche many scornys & many noyful wordys , answeryng
a-+gen in Goddys cawse wyth-owtyn any lettyng , wysly & discretly +tat
many men merueyled of hir cunnyng . (CMKEMPE,135.3171)

+Ter wer men of lawe seyd vn-to hir , " We han gon to scole many +gerys
, (CMKEMPE,135.3172)

& +get arn we not sufficient to answeryn as +tu dost .
(CMKEMPE,135.3173)

Of whom hast +tu +tis cunnyng ? " (CMKEMPE,135.3174)

& sche seyd , " Of +te Holy Gost . " (CMKEMPE,135.3175)

+Tan askyd +tei , " Hast +tu +te Holy Gost ? " (CMKEMPE,135.3176)

" +Ga , serys , " seyd sche , " +ter may no man sey a good worde
wyth-owtyn +te +gyft of +te Holy Gost , (CMKEMPE,135.3177)

for owr Lord Ihesu Crist seyd to hys disciplys , ' Stody not what +ge
schal sey , (CMKEMPE,135.3178)

for it schal not be +gowr spiryt +tat schal spekyn in +gow ,
(CMKEMPE,135.3179)

but it schal be +te spiryt of +te Holy Gost . ' " (CMKEMPE,135.3180)

And thus owr Lord +gaf hir grace to answer hem , (CMKEMPE,135.3181)

worschepyd mote he be . (CMKEMPE,135.3182)

An-o+ter tyme +ter cam gret lordys men vn-to hir , (CMKEMPE,135.3183)

& +tei sworyn many gret <P_136> othys , seying , " It is don us to
wetyn +tat +tu canst tellyn vs whe+tyr we schal be sauyd er damnyd . "
(CMKEMPE,136.3184)

Sche seyd , " +Ga , forso+te can I , (CMKEMPE,136.3185)

for , as long as +ge sweryn swech horrybyl o+tis & brekyn +te
comawndment of God wetyngly as +ge do and wil not leuyn +gowr synne , I
dar wel say +ge schal be damnyd . (CMKEMPE,136.3186)

And , +gyf +ge wil be contrite & schreuyn of +gowr synne , wilfully don
penawnce & leuyn it whil +ge may , in wil no mor to turne a+gen +terto
, I dar wel say +ge schal be sauyd . " (CMKEMPE,136.3187)

" What , canst +tu noon o+terwise tellyn us but thus ? "
(CMKEMPE,136.3188)

" Serys , " sche seyd , " +tis is ryth good , me thynkyth . "
(CMKEMPE,136.3189)

& +tan +tei went a-wey fro hir . (CMKEMPE,136.3190)

Aftyr +tis sche cam homward a-+gen til sche cam at West Lynne .
(CMKEMPE,136.3191)

Whan sche was +ter , sche sent aftyr hir husbonde in-to Lynne Bischop ,
aftyr Maystyr Robert , hir confessowr , & aftyr Maistyr Aleyn , a
doctowr of dyuinite , (CMKEMPE,136.3192)

& telde hem in parcel of hyr tribulacyon . (CMKEMPE,136.3193)

& sithyn sche telde hem +tat sche myth not comyn at hom at Lynne
Bischop vn-to +te tyme +tat sche had ben at +te Erchebischop of
Cawntyrbery for hys lettyr & hys seel . (CMKEMPE,136.3194)

" For , whan I was befor +te Erchebischop of +Gorke , " sche seyd , "
he wolde +geue no credens to my wordys in-as-meche as I had not my
Lordys lettyr & seel of Cawntyrbery . (CMKEMPE,136.3195)

And so I behestyd hym +tat I schulde not comyn in Lynne Bischop tyl I
had my Lordys lettyr & +te seel of Cawntyrbury . " (CMKEMPE,136.3196)

& +tan sche toke hir leue of +te sayd clerkys , askyng her blissyng ,
(CMKEMPE,136.3197)

& passyd forth wyth hir husbonde to London . (CMKEMPE,136.3198)

Whan sche cam +ter , sche was sped of hir lettyr a-non of +te
Erchebischop of Cawntirbury . (CMKEMPE,136.3199)

& so sche dwellyd in +te cite of London a long tyme (CMKEMPE,136.3200)

and had ryth good cher of many worthy men . (CMKEMPE,136.3201)

Sithyn sche cam vn-to-Elywarde for to a comyn hom in-to Lynne , and
sche was iij myle fro Ely , +ter cam a man rydyng aftyr a gret spede
(CMKEMPE,136.3202)

& arestyd hir husbond & hir also , purposyng to ledyn hem bothyn in-to
preson . (CMKEMPE,136.3203)

He cruely rebukyd hem (CMKEMPE,136.3204)

& al-to-reuylyd hem , rehersyng many repreuows wordys .
(CMKEMPE,136.3205)

& at +te last sche preyde hir husbonde to schewyn hym my Lordys lettyr
of Cawntirbery . (CMKEMPE,136.3206)

Whan +te man had redde +te lettyr , +tan he spak fayr & goodly vn-to
hem , seying , <P_137> " Why schewyd me not +gowr lettyr be-forn ? "
(CMKEMPE,137.3207)

& so +tei partyd awey fro hym (CMKEMPE,137.3208)

& +tan comyn in-to Ely & fro thens hom in-to Lynne , wher sche suffryd
meche despite , meche reprefe , many a scorne , many a slawndyr , many
a bannyng , & many a cursyng . (CMKEMPE,137.3209)

And on a tyme a rekles man , litil chargyng hys owyn schame , wyth wil
& wyth purpose kest a bolful of watyr on hir heuyd comyng in +te strete
. (CMKEMPE,137.3210)

Sche , no-thyng meuyd +terwyth , seyd , " God make +gow a good man , "
heyly thankyng God +terof , as sche dede of many mo o+ter tymes .
(CMKEMPE,137.3211)

Afftyrward God ponyschyd hir wyth many gret & diuers sekenes .
(CMKEMPE,137.3212)

Sche had +te flyx a long tyme tyl sche was anoyntyd , wenyng to a be
deed . (CMKEMPE,137.3213)

Sche was so febyl +tat sche myth not heldyn a spon in hir hand .
(CMKEMPE,137.3214)

+Tan owr Lord Ihesu Crist spak to hir in hir sowle (CMKEMPE,137.3215)

& seyd +tat sche xulde not dey +get . (CMKEMPE,137.3216)

+Tan sche recuryd a+gen a lytyl while . (CMKEMPE,137.3217)

And a-non aftyr sche had a gret sekenes in hir heuyd and sithyn in hir
bakke +tat sche feryd to a lost hir witte +ter-thorw .
(CMKEMPE,137.3218)

Aftyrwarde , whan sche was recuryd of alle +tes sekenessys , in schort
tyme folwyd an-o+ter sekenes whech was sett in hir ryth syde , duryng
+te terme of viij +ger , saf viij wokys , be diuers tymes .
(CMKEMPE,137.3219)

Sumtyme sche had it onys in a weke contunyng sumtyme xxx owrys ,
sumtyme xx , sumtyme x , sumtyme viij , sumtyme iiij , & sumtyme ij ,
so hard & so scharp +tat sche must voydyn +tat was in hir stomak as
bittyr as it had ben galle , ney+tyr etyng ne drynkyng whil +te sekenes
enduryd but euyr gronyng tyl it was gon . (CMKEMPE,137.3220)

+Tan wolde sche sey to owr Lorde , " A , blysful Lord , why woldist +tu
be-comyn man & suffyr so meche peyne for my synnes & for alle mennys
synnes +tat xal be sauyd , (CMKEMPE,137.3221)

& we arn so vnkende , Lord , to +te , (CMKEMPE,137.3222)

& I , most vnworthy , can not suffyr +tis lityl peyne ?
(CMKEMPE,137.3223)

A , Lord , for thy gret peyn haue mercy on my lityl peyne ;
(CMKEMPE,137.3224)

for +te gret peyne +tat +tu suffredyst +gef me not so meche as I am
worthy , (CMKEMPE,137.3225)

for I may not beryn so meche as I am worthy . (CMKEMPE,137.3226)

And , +gyf +tu wilte , Lord , +tat I ber it , sende me pacyens ,
(CMKEMPE,137.3227)

for ellys I may not suffyr it . (CMKEMPE,137.3228)

A , <P_138> blisful Lord , I had leuyr suffyr alle +te schrewyd wordys
+tat men myth seyn of me & alle clerkys to prechyn a-+gens me for thy
lofe , so it were no hyndryng to no mannys sowle , +tan +tis peyne +tat
I haue . (CMKEMPE,138.3229)

For schrewyd wordys to suffyr for +ti lofe it hirte me ryth nowt , Lord
, (CMKEMPE,138.3230)

and +te werlde may takyn no-thyng fro me but worschep & worldly good ,
(CMKEMPE,138.3231)

& be +te worschip of +te werlde I sett ryth nowt . (CMKEMPE,138.3232)

& alle maner of goodys & worschepys & alle maner of louys in erthe , I
prey +te , Lord , forbede me , namely alle +to louys & goodys of any
erdly thyng whech schulde discres my lofe a-+gens +te , er lesse my
meryte in Heuyn ; (CMKEMPE,138.3233)

& alle maner of louys & goodys whech +tu knowist in thy Godheed xulde
encresyn my loue to +te , I prey +te , grawnt me for thy mercy to +tin
euyrlestyng worschep . " (CMKEMPE,138.3234)

Sumtyme , not-wythstondyng +te sayd creatur had gret bodily sekenes ,
+get +te Passyon of owr merciful Lord Crist Ihesu wrowt so in hir sowle
+tat for +te tyme sche felt not hir owyn sekenes but wept & sobbyd in
+te mend of owr Lordys Passyon as thow sche sey hym wyth hir bodily eye
sufferyng peyne & passyon be-forn hir . (CMKEMPE,138.3235)

Sithyn , whan viij +ger wer passyd , hir sekenes scapyd +tat it cam not
weke be weke as it dede be-forn , (CMKEMPE,138.3236)

but +tan encresyd hir cryes & hir wepyngys in so meche +tat prestys
durst not howselyn hir opynly in +te Chirche but preuyly in +te
Priowrys Chapel at Lenne fro +te peplys audiens . (CMKEMPE,138.3237)

And in +tat Chapel sche had so hy contemplacyon & so meche dalyawns of
owr Lord , in-as-meche as sche was putte owt of chirche for hys lofe ,
+tat sche cryed what tyme sche schulde ben howselyd as +gyf hir sowle &
hir body xulde a partyd a-sundyr , so +tat tweyn men heldyn hir in her
armys tyl hir cryng was cesyd , (CMKEMPE,138.3238)

for sche myth not beryn +te habundawns of lofe +tat sche felt in +te
precyows Sacrament , whech sche stedfastly beleuyd was very God & Man
in +te forme of breed . (CMKEMPE,138.3239)

Than owr blisful Lord seyde vn-to hir mende , " Dowtyr , I wil not han
my grace hyd +tat I +geue +te , (CMKEMPE,138.3240)

for +te mor besy +tat +te pepil is to hyndryn it & <P_139> lette it ,
+te mor schal I spredyn it a-brood & makyn it knowyn to alle +te worlde
. " (CMKEMPE,139.3241)

Than it happyd +ter cam an-o+ter monke to Lynne at +te tyme of
remownyng , as custom was a-mongys hem , whech louyd not +te sayd
creatur ne wolde suffryn hir to comyn in her Chapel as sche had do
be-for +tat he cam +tedir . (CMKEMPE,139.3242)

Than +te Priowr of Lynne , Dawn Thomas Heuyngham , metyng wyth +te sayd
creatur & Maistyr Robert Spryngolde , whech was hir confessowr +tat
tyme , preyd hem to holdyn hym excusyd +tei sche wer no mo howselyd in
hys Chapel , (CMKEMPE,139.3243)

" For +ter is comyn , " he seyd , " a newe bro+tyr of myn whech wil not
comyn in owr Chapel as long as sche is +terin . (CMKEMPE,139.3244)

And +terfor prouydith +gow an-o+ter place , I pray +gow . "
(CMKEMPE,139.3245)

Maistyr Robert answeryd , " Syr , we must +tan howselyn hir in +te
Chirche ; (CMKEMPE,139.3246)

we may not chesyn , (CMKEMPE,139.3247)

for sche hath my Lordys lettyr of Cawntyrbery & hys seel , in +te whech
we arn comawndyd be vertu of obedyens to heryn hir confessyon &
ministryn to hir +te Sacrament as oftyn as we ben reqwiryd . "
(CMKEMPE,139.3248)

+Tan was sche howselyd aftyr +tis tyme at +te hy awter in Seynt
Margaretys Chirche , (CMKEMPE,139.3249)

& owr Lord visited hir wyth so gret grace whan sche xulde ben howselyd
+tat sche cryed so lowde +tat it myth ben herd al a-bowte +te Chirche &
owte of +te Chirche as sche xulde a deyid +terwyth +tat sche myth not
receyuyn +te Sacrament of +te prestys handys , +te preyst turnyng hym
a-geyn to +te awter wyth +te preciows Sacrament , til hir crying was
cesyd . (CMKEMPE,139.3250)

And +tan he , turnyng ageyn to hir , xulde minystyr hir as hym awte to
do . (CMKEMPE,139.3251)

And +tus it happyd many a tyme whan sche xulde ben howselyd .
(CMKEMPE,139.3252)

& sumtyme sche xulde wepyn ful softly & stilly in receyuyng of +te
preciows Sacrament wyth-owtyn any boystowsnes as owr Lord wolde visityn
hir wyth hys grace . (CMKEMPE,139.3253)

On a Good Fryday , as +te sayd creatur behelde preystys knelyng on her
kneys & o+ter worschepful men wyth <P_140> torchys brennyng in her
handys be-for +te Sepulcre , deuowtly representyng +te lamentabyl deth
and doolful berying of owr Lord Ihesu Crist aftyr +te good custom of
Holy Cherch , +te mende of owr Ladijs sorwys whech sche suffryd whan
sche behelde hys precyows body hangyng on +te Crosse & sithyn berijd
be-for hir syght sodeynly ocupijd +te hert of +tis creatur , drawyng
hir mende al holy in-to +te Passyon of owr Lord Crist Ihesu , whom sche
behelde wyth hir gostly eye in +te syght of hir sowle as verily as +tei
sche had seyn hys precyows body betyn , scorgyd , & crucifyed wyth hir
bodily eye , whech syght & gostly beheldyng wrowt be grace so feruently
in hir mende , wowndyng hir wyth pite & compassyon , +tat sche sobbyd ,
roryd , & cryed , and , spredyng hir armys a-brood , seyd wyth lowde
voys , " I dey , I dey , " +tat many man on hir wonderyd & merueyled
what hir eyled . (CMKEMPE,140.3254)

And +te mor sche besijd hir to kepyn hir fro criyng , +te lowdar sche
cryed , (CMKEMPE,140.3255)

for it was not in hir powyr to take it ne leuyn it but as God wolde
send it . (CMKEMPE,140.3256)

Than a preyst toke hir in hys armys (CMKEMPE,140.3257)

& bar hir in-to +te Priowrys Cloistyr for to latyn hir takyn +te eyr ,
supposyng sche schulde not ellys han enduryd , hir labowr was so greet
. (CMKEMPE,140.3258)

+Tan wex sche al blew as it had ben leed (CMKEMPE,140.3259)

& swet ful sor . (CMKEMPE,140.3260)

And +tis maner of crying enduryd +te terme of x +ger , as it is wretyn
be-forn . (CMKEMPE,140.3261)

And euery Good Friday in alle +te forseyd +gerys sche was wepyng &
sobbyng v er vj owrys to-gedyr (CMKEMPE,140.3262)

& +terwyth cryed ful lowde many tymes so +tat sche myth not restreyn
hir +terfro , whech madyn hir ful febyl & weyke in hir bodily mytys .
(CMKEMPE,140.3263)

Sumtyme sche wept on Good Fryday an owr for +te synne of +te pepil ,
hauyng mor sorwe for ther synnys +tan for hir owyn , in-as-meche as owr
Lorde for-+gaf hir hir owyn synne er sche went to Ierusalem .
(CMKEMPE,140.3264)

Neuyr-+te-lesse sche wept for hir owyn synnes ful plentyuowsly whan it
plesyd owr Lord to visityn hir wyth hys grace . (CMKEMPE,140.3265)

Sumtyme sche wept an-o+ter owr for +te sowlys in Purgatory ; an-o+ter
owr for hem +tat weryn in myschefe , in pouerte , er in any disese ;
<P_141> an-o+ter owr for Iewys , Sara+ginys , & alle fals heretikys
+tat God for hys gret goodnes xulde puttyn a-wey her blyndnes +tat +tei
myth thorw hys grace be turnyd to +te feyth of Holy Chirche & ben
children of saluacyon . (CMKEMPE,141.3266)

Many tymes , whan +tis creatur xulde makyn hir preyerys , owr Lord seyd
vn-to hir , " Dowtyr , aske what +tu wylt , (CMKEMPE,141.3267)

& +tu schalt haue it . " (CMKEMPE,141.3268)

Sche seyd , " I aske ryth nowt , Lord , but +tat +tu mayst wel +geuyn
me , (CMKEMPE,141.3269)

& +tat is mercy whech I aske for +te pepil synnys . (CMKEMPE,141.3270)

+Tu seyst oftyn-tymes in +te +ger to me +tat +tu hast for+gouyn me my
synnes . (CMKEMPE,141.3271)

+Terfor I aske now mercy for +te synne of +te pepil , as I wolde don
for myn owyn , (CMKEMPE,141.3272)

for , Lord , +tu art alle charite , (CMKEMPE,141.3273)

& charite browt +te in-to +tis wretchyd worlde (CMKEMPE,141.3274)

& cawsyd +te to suffyr ful harde peynys for owr synnys .
(CMKEMPE,141.3275)

Why xulde I not +tan han charite to +te pepyl & desiryn for+geuenes of
her synnes ? (CMKEMPE,141.3276)

Blyssed Lorde , me thynkyth +tat +tu hast schewyd ryth gret charite to
me , vnworthy wrech . (CMKEMPE,141.3277)

+Tu art as gracyows to me as +tei I wer as clene a mayden as any is in
+tis worlde & as thow I had neuyr synned . (CMKEMPE,141.3278)

+Terfor , Lorde , I wolde I had a welle of teerys to constreyn +te wyth
+tat +tu schuldist not takyn vttyr veniawns of mannys sowle for to
partyn hym fro +te wyth-owtyn ende , (CMKEMPE,141.3279)

for it is an hard thyng to thynkyn +tat any erdly man xulde euyr do any
synne wher-thorw he xulde be departyd fro +ti gloryows face wyth-owtyn
ende . (CMKEMPE,141.3280)

+Gyf I myth as wel , Lorde , +geuyn +te pepyl contricyon & wepyng as
+tu +geuyst me for myn owyn synnes & o+ter mennys synnys also & as wel
as I myth +geuyn a peny owt of my purse , sone xulde I fulfille mennys
hertys wyth contricyon +tat +tei myth sesyn of her synne .
(CMKEMPE,141.3281)

I haue gret merueyl in myn hert , Lord , +tat I , whech haue ben so
synful a woman & +te most vnworthy creatur +tat euyr +tu schewedist +ti
mercy on-to in alle +tis werlde , +tat I haue so gret charite to myn
euyn-cristen sowlys +tat me thynkyth , +tou +tei had ordeynd for me +te
<P_142> most schamful deth +tat euyr myth any man suffyr in erde , +get
wolde I for+geuyn it hem for +ti lofe , Lord , & han her sowlys sauyd
fro euyr-lestyng dampnacyon . (CMKEMPE,142.3282)

And +terfor , Lord , I schal not sesyn , whan I may wepyn , for to
wepyn for hem plentyuowsly , spede-1 +gyf I may . (CMKEMPE,142.3283)

And , +gyf +tu wylt , Lord , +tat I sese of wepyng , I prey +te take me
owt of +tis world . (CMKEMPE,142.3284)

What xulde I don +terin but +gyf I myth profityn ? (CMKEMPE,142.3285)

For , thow it wer possibyl +tat al +tis world myth be sauyd thorw +te
teerys of myn eyne , I wer no thank worthy . (CMKEMPE,142.3286)

+Terfor alle preysyng , al honowr , al worshep mot ben to +te Lord .
(CMKEMPE,142.3287)

+Gyf it wer thy wille , Lord , I wolde for +ti lofe & for magnyfying of
+ti name ben hewyn as smal as flesch to +te potte . "
(CMKEMPE,142.3288)

On a tyme , as +te forseyd creatur was in hir contemplacyon , sche
hungryd ryth sor aftyr Goddys word (CMKEMPE,142.3289)

& seyd , " Alas , Lord , as many clerkys as +tu hast in +tis world ,
+tat +tu ne woldyst sendyn me on of hem +tat myth fulfillyn my sowle
wyth +ti word & wyth redyng of Holy scriptur , (CMKEMPE,142.3290)

for alle +te clerkys +tat prechyn may not fulfillyn ,
(CMKEMPE,142.3291)

for me thynkyth +tat my sowle is euyr a-lych hungry .
(CMKEMPE,142.3292)

+Gyf I had gold j-now , I wolde +geuyn euery day a nobyl for to haue
euery day a sermown , (CMKEMPE,142.3293)

for +ti word is mor worthy to me +tan alle +te good in +tis werld .
(CMKEMPE,142.3294)

& +terfor , blyssed Lord , rewe on me , (CMKEMPE,142.3295)

for +tu hast takyn a-wey +te ankyr fro me whech was to me synguler
solas & comforte & many tymes refreschyd me wyth +tin holy worde . "
(CMKEMPE,142.3296)

+Tan answeryd owr Lord Ihesu Cryst in hir sowle , seying , " +Ter xal
come on fro fer +tat xal fulfillyn +ti desyr . " (CMKEMPE,142.3297)

So , many day aftyr +tis answer , +ter cam a preste newly to Lynne
whech had neuyr knowyn hir be-forn , (CMKEMPE,142.3298)

& , whan he sey hir gon in +te stretys , he was gretly meuyd to speke
wyth hir (CMKEMPE,142.3299)

& speryd of o+ter folke what maner woman sche was . (CMKEMPE,142.3300)

+Tei seydyn +tei trustyd to God +tat sche was a ryth good woman .
(CMKEMPE,142.3301)

Aftyrward +te <P_143> preyst sent for hir , preyng hir to come & spekyn
wyth hym & wyth hys modyr , (CMKEMPE,143.3302)

for he had hiryd a chawmbyr for hys modyr & for hym ,
(CMKEMPE,143.3303)

& so they dwellyd togedyr . (CMKEMPE,143.3304)

+Tan +te sayd creatur cam to wetyn hys wille (CMKEMPE,143.3305)

& spak wyth hys modyr & wyth hym (CMKEMPE,143.3306)

& had ryth good cher of hem bothyn . (CMKEMPE,143.3307)

+Tan +te preyste toke a boke (CMKEMPE,143.3308)

& red +terin how owr Lord , seyng +te cite of Ierusalem , wept
+terup-on , rehersyng +te myscheuys & sorwys +tat xulde comyn +terto ,
(CMKEMPE,143.3309)

for sche knew not +te tyme of hyr visitacyon . (CMKEMPE,143.3310)

Whan +te sayd creatur herd redyn how owr Lord wept , +tan wept sche sor
(CMKEMPE,143.3311)

& cryed lowde , +te preyste ne hys modyr knowyng no cawse of hyr wepyng
. (CMKEMPE,143.3312)

Whan hir crying & hir wepyng was cesyd , +tei joyyd (CMKEMPE,143.3313)

& wer ryth mery in owr Lord . (CMKEMPE,143.3314)

Sithyn sche toke hir leue (CMKEMPE,143.3315)

& partyd fro hem at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,143.3316)

Whan sche was gon , +te preste seyd to hys modyr , " Me merueylyth mech
of +tis woman why sche wepith & cryith so . (CMKEMPE,143.3317)

Neuyr-+te-les me thynkyth sche is a good woman , (CMKEMPE,143.3318)

& I desyre gretly to spekyn mor wyth hir . " (CMKEMPE,143.3319)

Hys modyr was wel plesyd (CMKEMPE,143.3320)

& cownselyd +tat he xulde don so . (CMKEMPE,143.3321)

And aftyrwardys +te same preyste louyd hir (CMKEMPE,143.3322)

& trustyd hir ful meche (CMKEMPE,143.3323)

& blissed +te tyme +tat euyr he knew hir , (CMKEMPE,143.3324)

for he fond gret gostly comfort in hir (CMKEMPE,143.3325)

& cawsyd hym to lokyn meche good scriptur & many a good doctowr whech
he wolde not a lokyd at +tat tyme had sche ne be . (CMKEMPE,143.3326)

He red to hir many a good boke of hy contemplacyon & o+ter bokys , as
+te Bybyl wyth doctowrys +ter-up-on , Seynt Brydys boke , Hyltons boke
, Bone-ventur , Stimulus Amoris , Incendium Amoris , & swech o+ter .
(CMKEMPE,143.3327)

& +tan wist sche +tat it was a spirit sent of God whech seyd to hir ,
as is wretyn a lityl be-forn , whan sche compleynyd for defawte of
redyng , +tes wordys , (CMKEMPE,143.3328)

" +Ter schal come on fro fer +tat xal fulfillyn +ti desyr . "
(CMKEMPE,143.3329)

& +tus sche knewe be experiens +tat it was a ryth trewe spiryt .
(CMKEMPE,143.3330)

+Te forseyd preste red hir bokys +te most part of vij +ger er viij +ger
to gret encres of hys cunnyng & of hys meryte , (CMKEMPE,143.3331)

and he suffryd many an euyl worde for hyr lofe in-as-meche as he red
hir so many <P_144> bokys & supportyd hir in hir wepyng & hir crying .
(CMKEMPE,144.3332)

Aftyrwardys he wex benefysyd (CMKEMPE,144.3333)

& had gret cur of sowle , (CMKEMPE,144.3334)

& +tan lykyd hym ful wel +tat he had redde so meche be-forn .
(CMKEMPE,144.3335)

Thus , thorw heryng of holy bokys & thorw heryng of holy sermownys ,
sche euyr encresyd in contemplacyon & holy meditacyon .
(CMKEMPE,144.3336)

It wer in maner vn-possibyl to writyn al +te holy thowtys , holy
spechys , and +te hy reuelacyons whech owr Lord schewyd vn-to hir ,
bothyn of hir-selfe & of o+ter men & women , also of many sowlys , sum
for to ben sauyd & sum for to ben dampnyd , (CMKEMPE,144.3337)

& was to hir a gret ponyschyng & a scharp chastisyng .
(CMKEMPE,144.3338)

For to knowyn of +to +tat xulde be sauyd sche was ful glad & joyful ,
(CMKEMPE,144.3339)

for sche desyred in as meche as sche durst alle men to be sauyd ,
(CMKEMPE,144.3340)

and , whan owr Lord schewyd to hir of any +tat xulde be dampnyd , sche
had gret peyn . (CMKEMPE,144.3341)

Sche wolde not heryn it ne beleuyn +tat it was God +tat schewyd hir
swech thyngys (CMKEMPE,144.3342)

& put it owt of hir mende as mech as sche myth . (CMKEMPE,144.3343)

Owr Lord blamyd hir +ter-for (CMKEMPE,144.3344)

& badde hir beleuyn +tat it was hys hy mercy & hys goodnesse to schewyn
hir hys preuy cownselys , seying to hir mende , " Dowtyr , +tu must as
wel heryn of +te dampnyd as of +te sauyd . " (CMKEMPE,144.3345)

Sche wolde +geuyn no credens to +te cownsel of God (CMKEMPE,144.3346)

but ra+tar leuyd it was sum euyl spiryt for to deceyuyn hir .
(CMKEMPE,144.3347)

Than for hir frowardnes & hir vnbeleue owr Lord drow fro hir alle good
thowtys & alle good mendys of holy spechys & dalyawns & +te hy
contemplacyon whech sche had ben vsyd to be-for-tyme ,
(CMKEMPE,144.3348)

& suffyrd hir to haue as many euyl thowtys as sche had be-forn of good
thowtys . (CMKEMPE,144.3349)

And +tis vexacyon enduryd xij days to-gedyr , (CMKEMPE,144.3350)

and , lyche as be-for-tyme sche had iiij owrys of +te for-noon in holy
spechys & dalyawns wyth owr Lord , so had sche now as many owrys of
fowle thowtys & fowle mendys of letchery & alle <P_145> vnclennes as
thow sche xulde a be comown to al maner of pepyl . (CMKEMPE,145.3351)

& so +te Deuyl bar hyr on hande , dalying vn-to hir wyth cursyd thowtys
liche as owr Lord dalyid to hir be-forn-tyme with holy thowtys .
(CMKEMPE,145.3352)

And , as sche beforn had many gloryows visyonys & hy contemplacyon in
+te manhod of owr Lord , in owr Lady , & in many o+ter holy seyntys ,
ryth euyn so had sche now horybyl syghtys & abhominabyl , for anythyng
+tat sche cowde do , of beheldyng of mennys membrys & swech o+ter
abhominacyons . (CMKEMPE,145.3353)

Sche sey as hir thowt veryly dyuers men of religyon , preystys , & many
o+ter , bothyn hethyn & Cristen comyn be-for hir syght +tat sche myth
not enchewyn hem ne puttyn hem owt of hir syght , schewyng her bar
membrys vn-to hir . (CMKEMPE,145.3354)

& +terwyth +te Deuyl bad hir in hir mende chesyn whom sche wolde han
fyrst of hem alle (CMKEMPE,145.3355)

& sche must be comown to hem alle . (CMKEMPE,145.3356)

& he seyd sche lykyd bettyr summe on of hem +tan alle +te o+ter .
(CMKEMPE,145.3357)

Hir thowt +tat he seyd trewth ; (CMKEMPE,145.3358)

sche cowde not sey nay ; (CMKEMPE,145.3359)

& sche must nedys don hys byddyng , (CMKEMPE,145.3360)

& +get wolde sche not a don it for alle +tis worlde .
(CMKEMPE,145.3361)

But +get hir thowt +tat it xulde be don , (CMKEMPE,145.3362)

& hir thowt +tat +tes horrybyl syghtys & cursyd mendys wer delectabyl
to hir a-geyn hir wille . (CMKEMPE,145.3363)

Wher sche went er what so sche dede , +tes cursyd mendys abedyn wyth
hir . (CMKEMPE,145.3364)

Whan sche xulde se +te Sacrament , makyn hir prayerys , er don any
o+ter good dede , euyr swech cursydnes was putte in hir mende .
(CMKEMPE,145.3365)

Sche was schreuyn (CMKEMPE,145.3366)

& dede al +tat sche myth , (CMKEMPE,145.3367)

but sche fonde no relesyng tyl sche was ner at dispeyr .
(CMKEMPE,145.3368)

It can not be wretyn +tat peyn +tat sche felt & +te sorwe +tat sche was
inne . (CMKEMPE,145.3369)

+Tan sche seyd , " Alas , Lord , +tu hast seyd be-for-tyme +tat +tu
schuldyst neuyr forsake me . (CMKEMPE,145.3370)

Wher is now +te sothfastnes of thy word ? " (CMKEMPE,145.3371)

And a-non aftyr cam hir good awngel vn-to hir , seying , " Dowtyr , God
hath not <P_146> forsakyn +te (CMKEMPE,146.3372)

ne neuyr schal forsake +te , as he hath behyte +te , (CMKEMPE,146.3373)

but , for +tu beleuyst not +tat it is +te spiryt of God +tat spekyth in
+ti sowle & schewyth +te hys preuy cownselys of summe +tat xul ben
sauyd & summe +tat xal ben dampnyd , +terfor God chastisyd +te on +tis
wise & maner , (CMKEMPE,146.3374)

& +tis chastisyng schal enduryn xij days tyl +tu wyl beleuyn +tat it is
God whech spekyth to +te & no deuyl . " (CMKEMPE,146.3375)

+Tan sche seyd to hir awngel , " A , I prey +te , prey for me to my
Lord Ihesu Crist +tat he wyl vowchesafe to takyn fro me +tes cursyd
thowtys & spekyn to me as he dede befor-tyme , (CMKEMPE,146.3376)

and I xal makyn a behest to God +tat I schal beleuyn +tat it is God
whech +tat hath spokyn to me a-for-tyme , (CMKEMPE,146.3377)

for I may no lengar duryn +tis gret peyne . " (CMKEMPE,146.3378)

Hyr awngel seyd a-geyn to hir , " Dowtyr , my Lord Ihesu wyl not take
it a-wey fro +te tyl +tu haue suffyrd it xij days , (CMKEMPE,146.3379)

for he wyl +tat +tu knowe +terby whe+tyr it is bettyr +tat God speke to
+te er +te Deuyl . (CMKEMPE,146.3380)

And my Lord Crist Ihesu is neuyr +te wro+tar wyth +te , +tei he suffyr
+te to felyn +tis peyne . " (CMKEMPE,146.3381)

So sche suffryd +tat peyn tyl xij days wer passyd , (CMKEMPE,146.3382)

and +tan had sche as holy thowtys , as holy mendys , & as holy desyrys
, as holy spechys & dalyawns of owr Lord Ihesu Crist as euyr sche had
be-forn , owr Lord seying to hir , " Dowtyr , beleue now wel +tat I am
no deuyl . " (CMKEMPE,146.3383)

+Tan was sche fylled wyth joye , (CMKEMPE,146.3384)

for sche herd owr Lord spekyn to hir as he was wone to don .
(CMKEMPE,146.3385)

+Terfor sche seyd , " I xal beleuyn +tat euery good thowt is +te speche
of God , (CMKEMPE,146.3386)

blyssed mote +tu Lord be +tat +tu $disdeynyst not to comfortyn me
a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,146.3387)

I wold not , Lord , for al +tis world suffryn swech an-o+ter peyne as I
haue suffryd +tes xij days , (CMKEMPE,146.3388)

for me thowt I was in Helle , (CMKEMPE,146.3389)

blyssed mote +tu be +tat it is passyd . (CMKEMPE,146.3390)

+Terfor , Lord , now wyl I lyn stille & be buxom to +ti wille ;
(CMKEMPE,146.3391)

I pray +te , Lord , speke in me what +tat is most plesawns to +te . "
(CMKEMPE,146.3392)

<P_147>

The good preste , of whom it is wretyn be-forn , +te wheche was hir
lystere , fel in gret sekenes , (CMKEMPE,147.3394)

& sche was steryd in hir sowle for to kepyn hym in Goddys stede .
(CMKEMPE,147.3395)

& , whan sche faylde swech as was nedful for hym , sche went abowtyn to
good men & good women (CMKEMPE,147.3396)

& gate swech thyng as was necessary vn-to hym . (CMKEMPE,147.3397)

He was so seke +tat men trustyd no-thyng to hys lyfe ,
(CMKEMPE,147.3398)

& hys sekenes was long contunyng . (CMKEMPE,147.3399)

+Tan on a tyme , as sche was in +te chirche heryng hir Messe & preyid
for +te same preste , owr Lord seyd to hir +tat he xulde leuyn & faryn
ryth wel . (CMKEMPE,147.3400)

+Tan was sche steryd to gon to Norwych to Seynt Stefenys Chirche wher
is berijd +te good Vicary , whech deyd but lityl befor +tat tyme , for
whom God sehewyd hy mercy to hys pepil , & +tankyn hym for recuryng of
+tis preyste . (CMKEMPE,147.3401)

Sche toke leue of hir confessowr , goyng forth to Norwich .
(CMKEMPE,147.3402)

Whan sche cam in +te chirch-+gerd of Seynt Stefyn , sche cryed ,
(CMKEMPE,147.3403)

sche roryd , (CMKEMPE,147.3404)

sche wept , (CMKEMPE,147.3405)

sche fel down to +te grownd , so feruently +te fyer of lofe brent in
hir hert . (CMKEMPE,147.3406)

Sithyn sche ros vp a-+gen (CMKEMPE,147.3407)

& went forth wepyng in-to +te chirche to +te hy awter ,
(CMKEMPE,147.3408)

& +ter sche fel down with boistows sobbyngys , wepyngys , & lowde cryes
be-syden +te grave of +te good Vicary , al rauyschyd wyth gostly
comfort in +te goodnes of owr Lord +tat wrowt so gret grace for hys
seruawnt whech had ben hir confessowr & many tymes herd hir confessyon
of al hir leuyng , (CMKEMPE,147.3409)

& ministryd to hir +te precyows Sacrament of +te Awter diuers tymes .
(CMKEMPE,147.3410)

& in so meche was hir deuocyon +te mor incresyd +tat sche sey owr Lord
werkyn so special grace for swech a creatur as sche had ben conuersawnt
wyth in hys lyfe-tyme . (CMKEMPE,147.3411)

Sche had so holy thowtys & so holy mendys +tat sche myth not mesuryn
hir wepyng ne hir crying . (CMKEMPE,147.3412)

And +terfor +te pepil had gret merueyl of hir , supposyng +tat sche had
wept for sum fleschly er erdly affeccyon , (CMKEMPE,147.3413)

& seyd vn-to hir , " What eylith +te woman ? (CMKEMPE,147.3414)

Why faryst +tus wyth +ti-self ? (CMKEMPE,147.3415)

We knew hym as wel as +tu . " (CMKEMPE,147.3416)

+Tan wer prestys in +te same place whech knew hir maner of werkyng ,
(CMKEMPE,147.3417)

& +tei ful <P_148> charitefully led hir to a tauerne (CMKEMPE,148.3418)

& dede hir drynkyn (CMKEMPE,148.3419)

& made hir ful hy & goodly cher . (CMKEMPE,148.3420)

Also +ter was a lady desyred to haue +te sayd creatur to mete .
(CMKEMPE,148.3421)

& +terfor , as honeste wolde , sche went to +te cherch +ter +te lady
herd hir seruyse , wher +tis creatur sey a fayr ymage of owr Lady
clepyd a pyte . (CMKEMPE,148.3422)

And thorw +te beholdyng of +tat pete hir mende was al holy ocupyed in
+te Passyon of owr Lord Ihesu Crist & in +te compassyon of owr Lady ,
Seynt Mary , be whech sche was compellyd to cryyn ful lowde & wepyn ful
sor , as +tei sche xulde a deyd . (CMKEMPE,148.3423)

+Tan cam to hir +te ladys preste seying , " Damsel , Ihesu is ded long
sithyn , " (CMKEMPE,148.3424)

Whan hir crying was cesyd , sche seyd to +te preste , " Sir , hys deth
is as fresch to me as he had deyd +tis same day , (CMKEMPE,148.3425)

& so me thynkyth it awt to be to +gow & to alle Cristen pepil .
(CMKEMPE,148.3426)

We awt euyr to han mende of hys kendnes & euyr thynkyn of +te dolful
deth +tat he deyd for vs . " (CMKEMPE,148.3427)

+Tan +te good lady , heryng her communicacyon , seyd , " Ser , it is a
good exampyl to me , & to o+ter men also , +te grace +tat God werkyth
in hir sowle . " (CMKEMPE,148.3428)

& so +te good lady was hir auoket (CMKEMPE,148.3429)

and answeryd for hir . (CMKEMPE,148.3430)

Sithyn sche had hir hom wyth hir to mete (CMKEMPE,148.3431)

& schewyd hir ful glad & goodly chere as long as sche wold abydyn +ter
. (CMKEMPE,148.3432)

& sone aftyr sche cam hom a-geyn to Lenne , (CMKEMPE,148.3433)

& +te forseyd preyste , for whom sche went most specialy to Norwich ,
whech had redde hir a-bowte vij +ger , recuryd (CMKEMPE,148.3434)

& went a-bowte wher hym lykyde , (CMKEMPE,148.3435)

+tankyd be al-mythy God for hys goodnes . (CMKEMPE,148.3436)

Than cam +ter a frer to Lenne whech was holdyn an holy man & a good
prechowr . (CMKEMPE,148.3437)

Hys name & hys perfeccyon of prechyng spred & sprong wondyr wyde .
(CMKEMPE,148.3438)

Ther cam good men to +te sayd creatur of good charite
(CMKEMPE,148.3439)

& seyd , " Margery , now xal +ge han prechyng a-now ,
(CMKEMPE,148.3440)

for +ter is comyn on of +te most famows frerys in Inglond to +tis towne
, for to be her in $conuent . " (CMKEMPE,148.3441)

+Tan was sche mery & glad (CMKEMPE,148.3442)

& thankyd God wyth al hir hert +tat so good a man was comyn to dwellyn
a-mongys hem . (CMKEMPE,148.3443)

In schort <P_149> tyme aftyr he seyd a sermown in a chapel of Seynt
Iamys in Lenne , wher was meche pepyl gadyrd to heryn +te sermown .
(CMKEMPE,149.3444)

& , er +te frer went to +te pulpit , +te parisch preste of +te same
place wher he xulde prechyn went to hym (CMKEMPE,149.3445)

& seyd , " Ser , I prey +gow , beth not displesyd . (CMKEMPE,149.3446)

Her xal comyn a woman to +gowr sermown +te whech oftyn-tymes , whan
sche herith of +te Passyon of owr Lord er of any hy deuocyon , sche
wepith , sobbith , & cryeth , (CMKEMPE,149.3447)

but it lestith not longe . (CMKEMPE,149.3448)

& +terfor , good ser , +gyf sche make any noyse at +gowr sermown ,
suffyr it paciently (CMKEMPE,149.3449)

& beth not a-baschyd +terof . " (CMKEMPE,149.3450)

+Te good frer went forth to sey +te sermown (CMKEMPE,149.3451)

& seyd ful holily & ful deuowtly (CMKEMPE,149.3452)

& spak meche of owr Lordys Passyon +tat +te seyd creatur myth no lengar
beryn it . (CMKEMPE,149.3453)

Sche kept hir fro crying as long as sche myth , (CMKEMPE,149.3454)

and +tan at +te last sche brast owte wyth a gret cry (CMKEMPE,149.3455)

& cryid wondyr sor . (CMKEMPE,149.3456)

+Te good frere suffyrd it paciently (CMKEMPE,149.3457)

& seyd no word +terto at +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,149.3458)

In schort tyme aftyr he prechyd a-geyn , in +te same place .
(CMKEMPE,149.3459)

+Te seyd creatur beyng present , & , beheldyng how fast +te pepyl cam
rennyng to heryn +te sermown , sche had gret joy in hir sowle ,
thynkyng in hir mende , " A , Lord Ihesu , I trowe , and +tu wer here
to prechyn +tin owyn persone , +te pepyl xulde han gret joy to heryn
+te . (CMKEMPE,149.3460)

I prey +te , Lorde , make +ti holy word to sattelyn in her sowlys as I
wolde +tat it xulde don in myn , as many mict be turnyd be hys voys as
xulde ben be thy voys +gyf +tu prechedist thy-selfe . "
(CMKEMPE,149.3461)

& wyth swech holy thowtys & holy mend sche askyd grace for +te pepyl
+tat tyme , (CMKEMPE,149.3462)

& sithyn , what thorw +te holy sermown & what thorw hir meditacyon ,
grace of deuocyon wrowt so sor in hir mende +tat sche fel in a boystows
wepyng . (CMKEMPE,149.3463)

+Tan seyd +te good frer , " I wolde +tis woman wer owte of +te chirche
; (CMKEMPE,149.3464)

sche noyith +te pepil . " (CMKEMPE,149.3465)

Summe +tat weryn hir frendys answeryd a-+gen , " Sir , haue hir excusyd
. (CMKEMPE,149.3466)

Sche may not withstand it . " (CMKEMPE,149.3467)

+Tan meche <P_150> pepil turnyd a-+gen hir (CMKEMPE,150.3468)

& wer ful glad +tat +te good frer held a+gen hir . (CMKEMPE,150.3469)

+Tan seyd summe men +tat sche had a deuyl wythinne hir .
(CMKEMPE,150.3470)

& so had +tei seyd many tymys be-forn , (CMKEMPE,150.3471)

but now +tei wer mor bolde , (CMKEMPE,150.3472)

for hem thowt +tat her opinyon was wel strenghthyd er ellys fortifyed
be +tis good frer . (CMKEMPE,150.3473)

Ne he wolde not suffyr hir to her hys sermown les +tan sche wolde leuyn
hir sobbyng & hir crying . (CMKEMPE,150.3474)

+Ter was +tan a good preyste whech had red to hir mech good scriptur &
knew +te cawse of hir crying . (CMKEMPE,150.3475)

He spak to an-o+ter good preyste , +te whech had knowyn hir many +gerys
, (CMKEMPE,150.3476)

& telde hym hys conseyt , how he was purposyd to gon to +te good frer &
assayn +gyf he myth mekyn hys hert . (CMKEMPE,150.3477)

+Te o+ter good preyste seyd he wolde wyth good wyl gon wyth hym to
getyn grace +gyf he myth . (CMKEMPE,150.3478)

So +tei went , bo+te preystys to-gedyr , (CMKEMPE,150.3479)

& preyid +te good frer as enterly as +tei cowde +tat he wolde suffyr
+te sayd creatur quyetly to comyn to hys sermown & suffyr hir paciently
+gyf sche happyd to sobbyn er cryen as o+ter good men had suffyrd hir
be-fore . (CMKEMPE,150.3480)

He seyd schortly a-+gen , +gyf sche come in any cherch wher he xulde
prechyn & sche made any noyse as sche was wone to do , he xulde speke
scharply a-geyn hir , (CMKEMPE,150.3481)

he wolde not suffyrn hir to crye in no wyse . (CMKEMPE,150.3482)

Sithyn a worshepful doctowr of diuinite , a White Frer , a solem clerk
& elde doctowr , & a wel a-preuyd , whech had knowyn +te sayd creatur
many +gerys of hir lyfe & beleuyd +te grace +tat God wrowt in hir ,
toke wyth hym a worthy man , a bacheler of lawe , a wel growndyd man in
scriptur & long exercisyd , whech was confessowr to +te sayd creatur ,
(CMKEMPE,150.3483)

& wentyn to +te sayd frer as +te good preystys dedyn beforn
(CMKEMPE,150.3484)

& sentyn for wyne to cheryn hym wyth , preyng hym of hys charite to
fauyr +te werkys of owr Lord in +te sayd creatur & grawntyn hir hys
beneuolens in supportyng of hir +gyf it happyd hir to cryen er sobbyn
whyl he wer in hys sermown . (CMKEMPE,150.3485)

& +tes worthy clerkys telde hym +tat it was a +gyft of God & +tat sche
cowde not haue it but whan God wolde +geue it , (CMKEMPE,150.3486)

ne sche myth not wythstande it whan God wolde send <P_151> it ,
(CMKEMPE,151.3487)

& God xulde wythdrawe it whan he wilde , (CMKEMPE,151.3488)

for +tat had sche be reuelacyon , (CMKEMPE,151.3489)

& +tat was vnknowyn to +te frer . (CMKEMPE,151.3490)

+Tan he , ney+tyr-2 +geuyng credens to +te doctowrys wordys ne +te
bachelerys , trustyng mech in +te fauowr of +te pepil , seyd he wolde
not fauowr hir in hir crying for nowt +tat any man myth sey er do ,
(CMKEMPE,151.3491)

for he wolde not leuyn +tat it was a +gyft of God . (CMKEMPE,151.3492)

But he seyd , +gyf sche myth not wythstond it whan it cam , he leuyd it
was a cardiakyl er sum o+ter sekenesse , (CMKEMPE,151.3493)

& , +gyf sche wolde be so a-knowyn , he seyd , he wold haue compassyon
of hir & steryn +te pepil to prey for hir , (CMKEMPE,151.3494)

and vndyr +tis condicion he wolde han paciens in hir & suffyr hir to
cryen a-now , +tat sche xulde sey +tat it was a kendly seknes .
(CMKEMPE,151.3495)

& hir-self knew wel be reuelacyon & be experiens of werkyng it was no
sekenes , (CMKEMPE,151.3496)

& +terfor sche wolde not for al +tis world sey o+terwyse +tan sche felt
. (CMKEMPE,151.3497)

And +terfor +tei myth not acordyn . (CMKEMPE,151.3498)

+Tan +te worschepful doctowr & hir confessowr cownselyd hir +tat sche
xulde not come at hys sermown , (CMKEMPE,151.3499)

& +tat was to hir a gret peyne . (CMKEMPE,151.3500)

Than went an-o+ter man , a worschepful burgeys , +te whech in fewe
+gerys aftyr was Meyr of Lenne , (CMKEMPE,151.3501)

& preyd hym as +te worthy clerkys had don be-forn , (CMKEMPE,151.3502)

& he was answeryd as +tei worn . (CMKEMPE,151.3503)

+Tan was sche chargyd be hir confessowr +tat sche xulde not comyn +ter
he prechyd , (CMKEMPE,151.3504)

but whan he prechyd in o chirche sche xulde gon in-to an-o+ter .
(CMKEMPE,151.3505)

Sche had so mech sorwe +tat sche wist not what sche myth do ,
(CMKEMPE,151.3506)

for sche was putte fro +te sermown whech was to hir +te hyest comfort
in erth whan sche myth heryn it , (CMKEMPE,151.3507)

& ryth so +te contrary was to hir +te grettest peyne in erthe whan sche
myth not heryn it . (CMKEMPE,151.3508)

Whan sche was alone be hir-self in on cherch & he prechyng +te pepil in
an-o+ter , sche had as lowde & as meruelyows cryis as whan sche was
a-mongys +te pepil . (CMKEMPE,151.3509)

It was +gerys +tat sche myth not be suffyrd to come at hys sermown for
+tat sche cryed so whan it plesyd owr Lord to +gyfe hir mende & very
beholdyng of hys bittyr Passyon . (CMKEMPE,151.3510)

But sche was not excludyd fro non o+ter clerkys prechyng , but only fro
+te good frerys , as is seyd be-forn , notwythstondyng in +te mene-tyme
+ter prechyd many <P_152> wor-sehepful doctorys & o+ter worthy clerkys
, bothyn religyows & seculerys , at whoys sermownys sche cryid ful
lowde & sobbyd ful boystowsly many tymes & ofte . (CMKEMPE,152.3511)

& +get +tei suffyrd it ful paciently , (CMKEMPE,152.3512)

& summe whech had spokyn wyth hir be-forn & haddyn knowlach of hir
maner of leuyng excusyd hir to +te pepil whan +tei herdyn any rumowr er
grutchyng a-+gens hir . (CMKEMPE,152.3513)

Afftyr on Seynt Iamys Day +te good frere prechyd in Seynt Iamys
Chapel-+gerd at Lenne - he was as +tat tyme ney+tyr bacheler ne doctowr
of diuinyte - wher was meche pepil & gret audiens , (CMKEMPE,152.3514)

for he had an holy name & gret fauowr of +te pepyl , in so meche +tat
summe men , +gyf +tei wiste +tat he schulde prechyn in +te cuntre ,
+tei wolde go wyth hym er ellys folwyn hym fro town to town , so gret
delite +tei had to heryn hym (CMKEMPE,152.3515)

& so , blissed mote God ben , he preehyd ful holily & ful deuowtly .
(CMKEMPE,152.3516)

Neuyr-+te-lesse as +tis day he prechyd meche a-geyn +te seyd creatur ,
not expressyng hir name , (CMKEMPE,152.3517)

but so he expleytyd hys conseytys +tat men vndirstod wel +tat he ment
hir . (CMKEMPE,152.3518)

+Tan was +ter mech remowr a-mong +te pepil , (CMKEMPE,152.3519)

for many men & many women trustyd hir (CMKEMPE,152.3520)

& louyd hir ryth wel (CMKEMPE,152.3521)

& wer ryth heuy & sorweful for he spak so meche a-geyn hir as he dede ,
desiryng +tat +tei had not an herd hym +tat day . (CMKEMPE,152.3522)

Whan he herd +te murmowr & grutchyng of +te pepil , supposyng to be
geyn-seyd an-o+ter day of hem +tat weryn hir frendys , he , smityng hys
hand on +te pulpit , seyd , " +Gyf I here any mor +tes materys rehersyd
, I xal so smytyn +te nayl on +te hed , " he seyd , " +tat it schal
schamyn alle hyr mayntenowrys . " (CMKEMPE,152.3523)

And +tan many of hem +tat pretendyd hir frenschep turnyd a-bakke for
lytyl veyn drede +tat +tei haddyn of hys wordys & durst not wel spekyn
wyth hir , of +te whech +te same preyste was on +tat aftirward wrot
+tis boke & was in purpose neuyr to a leuyd hir felyngys aftyr .
(CMKEMPE,152.3524)

& +get owr Lord drow hym a-+gen in schort tyme , blissed mote he ben ,
+tat he louyd hir mor & trustyd mor to hir wepyng & hir crying +tan
euyr he dede be-forn , (CMKEMPE,152.3525)

for aftyrward he red of a <P_153> woman clepyd Maria de Oegines & of
hir maner of leuyng , of +te wondirful swetnesse +tat sche had in +te
word of God heryng , of +te wondirful compassyon +tat sche had in hys
Passyon thynkyng , & of +te plentyuows teerys +tat sche wept , +te
whech made hir so febyl & so weyke +tat sche myth not endur to beheldyn
+te Crosse , ne heryn owr Lordys Passyon rehersyd , (CMKEMPE,153.3526)

so sche was resoluyd in-to terys of pyte & compassyon .
(CMKEMPE,153.3527)

Of +te plentyuows grace of hir teerys he tretyth specyaly in +te boke
beforn wretyn +te xviij capitulo +tat begynnyth , " Bonus es , domine ,
sperantibus in te , " and also in +te xix capitulo wher he tellyth how
sche , at +te request of a preyste +tat he xulde not be turbelyd ne
distrawt in hys Messe wyth hir wepyng & hir sobbyng , went owt at +te
chirche-dor , wyth a lowde voys crying +tat sche myth not restreyn hir
+terfro . (CMKEMPE,153.3528)

& owr Lord also visityd +te preyste beyng at Messe wyth swech grace &
wyth sweche deuocyon whan he xulde redyn +te Holy Gospel +tat he wept
wondirly so +tat he wett hys vestiment & ornamentys of +te awter & myth
not mesuryn hys wepyng ne hys sobbyng , it was so habundawnt , ne he
myth not restreyn it ne wel stande +terwyth at +te awter .
(CMKEMPE,153.3529)

+Tan he leuyd wel +tat +te good woman , whech he had be-forn lityl
affeccyon to , myth not restreyn hir wepyng , hir sobbyng , ne hir
cryyng , whech felt meche mor plente of grace +tan euyr dede he
wyth-owtyn any comparison . (CMKEMPE,153.3530)

+Tan knew he wel +tat God +gaf hys grace to whom he wolde .
(CMKEMPE,153.3531)

Than +te preste whech wrot +tis tretys thorw steryng of a worshepful
clerk , a bacheler of diuinite , had seyn & red +te mater beforn-wretyn
meche mor seryowslech & expressiowslech +tan it is wretyn in +tis
tretys <paren> (CMKEMPE,153.3532)

for her is but a lityl of +te effect +terof , (CMKEMPE,153.3533)

for he had not ryth cler mende of +te sayd mater whan he wrot +tis
tretys , (CMKEMPE,153.3534)

& +terfor he wrot +te lesse +terof </paren> +tan he drow a-geyn
(CMKEMPE,153.3535)

& inclined mor sadly to +te sayd creatur , whom he had fled & enchewyd
thorw +te frerys prechyng , as is be-forn-wretyn . (CMKEMPE,153.3536)

Also +te same preyste red aftyr-ward in a tretys whech is clepyd " +Te
Prykke of Lofe , " +te ij chapitulo <P_154> +tat Bone-auentur wrot of
hym-selfe +tes wordys folwyng , (CMKEMPE,154.3537)

" A , Lord , what xal I mor noysen er cryen ? (CMKEMPE,154.3538)

+Tu lettyst (CMKEMPE,154.3539)

& +tu comyst not , (CMKEMPE,154.3540)

& I , wery & ouyrcome thorw desyr , begynne for to maddyn ,
(CMKEMPE,154.3541)

for lofe gouernyth me & not reson . (CMKEMPE,154.3542)

I renne wyth hasty cowrs $wher $+tat $euyr {TEXT:wher-+tat-euyr} +tu
wylte . (CMKEMPE,154.3543)

I bowe , Lord , (CMKEMPE,154.3544)

+tei +tat se me irkyn and rewyn , not knowyng me drunkyn wyth +ti lofe
. (CMKEMPE,154.3545)

Lord , +tei seyn ' Lo , +gen wood man cryeth in +te stretys , '
(CMKEMPE,154.3546)

but how meche is +te desyr of myn hert +tei parceyue not . "
(CMKEMPE,154.3547)

& capitulo Stimulo Amoris & capitulo ut supra . (CMKEMPE,154.3548)

He red also of Richard Hampol , hermyte , in Incendio Amoris leche
mater +tat meuyd hym to +geuyn credens to +te sayd creatur .
(CMKEMPE,154.3549)

Also , Eli+gabeth of Hungry cryed wyth lowde voys , as is wretyn in hir
tretys . (CMKEMPE,154.3550)

& many o+ter whech had forsakyn hir thorw +te frerys prechyng repentyd
hem (CMKEMPE,154.3551)

& turnyd a-+gen vn-to hir be processe of tyme , not-withstandyng +te
frer kept hys opinyon . (CMKEMPE,154.3552)

& al-wey he wolde in hys sermown haue a parte a-geyn hir , whe+tyr sche
wer +ter er not , (CMKEMPE,154.3553)

& cawsyd mech pepil to demyn wol euyl of hir many day & long .
(CMKEMPE,154.3554)

For summe seyd +tat sche had a deuyl wyth-inne hir , (CMKEMPE,154.3555)

& summe seyd to hir owyn mowth +tat +te frer xulde a dreuyn to deuelys
owt of hir . (CMKEMPE,154.3556)

Thus was sche slawnderyd , etyn , & knawyn of +te pepil for +te grace
+tat God wrowt in hir of con-tricyon , of deuocyon , & of compassyon ,
thorw +te +gyft of whech gracys sche wept , sobbyd , & cryid ful sor
a-geyn hir wyl , (CMKEMPE,154.3557)

sche myth not chesyn , (CMKEMPE,154.3558)

for sche had leuar a wept softly & preuyly +tan opynly +gyf it had ben
in hyr power . (CMKEMPE,154.3559)

<P_221>

<heading>

SECUNDUS LIBER (CMKEMPE,221.3562)

</heading>

<heading>

CAPITULUM PRIMUM (CMKEMPE,221.3565)

</heading>

Afftyr +tat owr Souereyn Sauyowr had take +te persone whech wrot first
+te tretys aforn-seyd to hys many-fold mercy , and +te preiste of whom
is be-forn-wretyn had copijd +te same tretys aftyr hys sympyl cunnyng ,
he held it expedient to honowr of +te blisful Trinite +tat hys holy
werkys xulde be notifyid & declaryd to +te pepil , whan it plesyd hym ,
to +te worschip of hys holy name . (CMKEMPE,221.3567)

And +tan he gan to writyn in +te +ger of owr Lord m=lo=. cccc. xxxviij
in +te fest of Seynt Vital Martyr sweche grace as owr Lord wrowt in hys
sympyl creatur +gerys +tat sche leuyd aftyr , not alle but summe of hem
, aftyr hyr owyn tunge . (CMKEMPE,221.3568)

And first her is a notabyl mater +te whech is not wretyn in +te forseyd
tretys . (CMKEMPE,221.3569)

It befel sone aftyr +tat +te creatur be-forn-wretyn had forsakyn +te
occupasyon of +te worlde (CMKEMPE,221.3570)

& was joynyd in hir mende to God as meche as frelte wolde suffyr .
(CMKEMPE,221.3571)

The seyd creatur had a sone , a tal +gong man , dwellyng wyth a
worschepful burgeys in Lynne , vsyng marchawndyse & seylyng ouyr +te
see , whom sche desyryd to a drawyn owt of +te perellys of +tis
wretchyd & vnstabyl worlde +gyf hir power myth a teynyd +terto .
(CMKEMPE,221.3572)

Neuyr-+te-lesse sche dede as meche as in hir was , (CMKEMPE,221.3573)

& , whan sche myth metyn wyth hym at leyser , many tymys sche cownselyd
hym to leeuyn +te worlde & folwyn Crist in so meche +tat he fled hyr
cumpany & wolde not gladlych metyn wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,221.3574)

So on a tyme it happyd +te modyr to metyn wyth hir sone +tei it wer
a-geyns hys wille & hys entent as +tat tyme . (CMKEMPE,221.3575)

And , as sche had don be-forn-tyme , so now sche spak to hym a-geyn
+tat he xulde fle +te perellys of +tis world & not settyn hys stody ne
hys besynes so mech +terup-on as he dede . (CMKEMPE,221.3576)

He not consentyng but scharply answeryng a-geyn , sche , <P_222> sumdel
meuyd wyth scharpnes of spiryt , seyde , " Now sithyn +tu wil not
leeuyn +te world at my cownsel , I charge +te at my blissyng kepe +ti
body klene at +te lest fro womanys feleschep tyl +tu take a wyfe aftyr
+te lawe of +te Chirche . (CMKEMPE,222.3577)

And , +gyf +tu do not , I pray God chastise +te & ponysch +te +terfor .
" (CMKEMPE,222.3578)

+Tei partyd a-sundyr , (CMKEMPE,222.3579)

& sone aftyr +te same +gong man passyd ouyr +te see in wey of
marchawndyse , (CMKEMPE,222.3580)

& +tan , what thorw euyl entisyng of o+ter personys & foly of hys owyn
gouernawnce , he fel in-to +te synne of letchery . (CMKEMPE,222.3581)

Sone aftyr hys colowr chawngyd , (CMKEMPE,222.3582)

hys face wex ful of whelys & bloberys as it had ben a lepyr .
(CMKEMPE,222.3583)

+Tan he cam hom a-geyn in-to Lynne to hys maistyr wyth whech he had ben
dwellyng be-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,222.3584)

Hys maistyr put hym owt of hys seruyse for no defawte he fond wyth hym
, but perauentur supposyng he had ben a la+ger as it schewyd be hys
visage . (CMKEMPE,222.3585)

The +gong man telde wher hym likyd how hys modyr had bannyd hym ,
wher-thorw , as he supposyd , God so greuowsly ponyschyd hym .
(CMKEMPE,222.3586)

Sum persone , hauyng knowlach of hys compleynt & compassyon of hys
disese , cam to hys modyr , seying sche had don ryth euyl ,
(CMKEMPE,222.3587)

for thorw hir prayer God had takyn veniawns on hir owyn childe .
(CMKEMPE,222.3588)

Sche , takyng lityl heed of her wordys , let it passyn forth as sche
had mad no fors tyl he wolde comyn & preyin for grace hys-self .
(CMKEMPE,222.3589)

So at +te last , whan he sey non o+ter bote , he cam to hys modyr ,
tellyng hir of hys mysgouernawns , promittyng he xulde ben obedient to
God & to hir & to a-mende hys defawte thorw +te help of God enchewyng
al mysgouernawnce fro +tat tyme for-ward vp-on hys power .
(CMKEMPE,222.3590)

He preyid hys modyr of hir blissyng , (CMKEMPE,222.3591)

& specialy he preyd hir to prey for hym +tat owr Lord of hys hy mercy
wolde for+geuyn hym +tat he had trespasyd & takyn a-wey +tat gret
sekenes for whech men fleddyn hys company & hys felaschep as for a
lepyr . (CMKEMPE,222.3592)

For he supposyd be hir preyerys owr Lord sent hym +tat ponischyng ,
(CMKEMPE,222.3593)

& +terfor he trustyd be hir preyerys to be deliueryd +ter-of +gyf sche
wolde of hir charite preyin for <P_223> hym . (CMKEMPE,223.3594)

+Tan sche , hauyng trust of hys a-mendyng & compassyon of hys infirmyte
, wyth scharp wordys of correpcyon promysyd to fulfillyn hys entent
+gyf God wolde grawntyn it . (CMKEMPE,223.3595)

Whan sche cam to hir meditacyon , not for+getyng +te frute of hir wombe
, $sche askyd for+geuenes of hys synne & relesyng of +te sekenes +tat
owr Lord had +gouyn hym +gyf it wer hys plesawns & profite to hys sowle
. (CMKEMPE,223.3596)

So longe sche preyid +tat he was clene delyueryd of +te sekenes
(CMKEMPE,223.3597)

and leuyd many +gerys aftyr (CMKEMPE,223.3598)

& had a wife & a childe , (CMKEMPE,223.3599)

blissyd mote God ben , (CMKEMPE,223.3600)

for he weddyd hys wife in Pruce in Dewchelonde . (CMKEMPE,223.3601)

Whan tydyngys cam to hys modyr fro ouyr +te see +tat hir sone had
weddyd , sche was ryth glad (CMKEMPE,223.3602)

& thankyd God wyth al hir hert , supposyng & trustyng he xulde leuyn
clene & chast as +te lawe of matrimony askith . (CMKEMPE,223.3603)

Sithyn , whan God wolde , hys wife had a childe , a fayr mayde-child .
(CMKEMPE,223.3604)

+Tan he sent tydingys to hys modyr in-to Inglond how gracyowsly God had
visityd hym & hys wife . (CMKEMPE,223.3605)

Hys modyr being in a chapel of owr Lady thankyng God of +te grace &
goodnes +tat he schewyd to hir sone & hauyng desyr to sen hem +gyf sche
myth , a-non it was answeryd to hir mende +tat sche xulde seen hem alle
er +tan sche deyid . (CMKEMPE,223.3606)

Sche had wondyr of +tis felynge how it xulde be so as sche felt ,
in-as-meche as +tei weryn be-+gowndyn +te see & sche on +tis halfe +te
see , neuyr purposyng to passyn +te see whil sche leuyd .
(CMKEMPE,223.3607)

Neuyr-+te-lesse sche wiste wel to God was nothyng impossibyl .
(CMKEMPE,223.3608)

+Terfor sche trustyd it schulde be so as sche had felyng whan God wolde
. (CMKEMPE,223.3609)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 2=M= (CMKEMPE,223.3611)

</heading>

In fewe +gerys aftyr +tat +tis +gong man had weddyd he cam hom in-to
Inglond to hys fadyr & hys modyr al chongyd in hys aray & hys
condicyonis . (CMKEMPE,223.3613)

For a-for-tyme hys clothys wer al daggyd & hys langage al uanyte ;
(CMKEMPE,223.3614)

now he weryd no daggys , (CMKEMPE,223.3615)

& hys dalyawns was ful of vertu . (CMKEMPE,223.3616)

Hys modyr , hauyng gret merueyl of +tis sodeyn chongyng , seyd vn-to
hym , " Benedicite , sone , how is it wyth +te +tat +tu art so chongyd
? " (CMKEMPE,223.3617)

" Modyr , " he seyd , " I hope +tat thorw +gowr preyerys owr Lord hath
drawyn me , (CMKEMPE,223.3618)

and I purpose be +te grace of God to folwyn +gowr cownsel mor +tan I
haue don be-forn . " (CMKEMPE,223.3619)

Than hys <P_224> modyr , seyng +tis meruelyows drawte of owr Lord ,
thankyd God as sche cowde , takyng good heed of hys gouernawns for dred
of symulacyon . (CMKEMPE,224.3620)

+te lengar +tat sche beheld hys gouernawns , +te mor sadde sche thowt
he was & +te mor reuerent to-owr-Lord-ward . (CMKEMPE,224.3621)

Whan sche knew it was +te drawt of owr Lordys mercy , +tan sche was ful
joyful , thankyng God ful many timys for hys grace & hys goodnes .
(CMKEMPE,224.3622)

Sithyn , for he xulde be +te mor diligent & +te mor besy to folwyn owr
Lordys drawyng , sche openyd hir hert to hym , schewyng hym & enformyng
how owr Lord had drawyn hir thorw hys mercy & be what menys , also how
meche grace he had schewyd for hir , +te whech he seyd he was vnworthy
to heryn . (CMKEMPE,224.3623)

+Tan he went many pilgrimagys to Rome & to many o+ter holy placys to
purchasyn hym pardon , resortyng a-geyn to hys wife & hys childe as he
was bowndyn to do . (CMKEMPE,224.3624)

He enformyd hys wife of hys modyr in so meche +tat sche wolde leeuyn
hir fadyr & hir modyr & hir owyn cuntre for to comyn in-to Inglonde &
seen hys modyr . (CMKEMPE,224.3625)

He was ful glad +terof (CMKEMPE,224.3626)

& sent word in-to Inglond to hys modyr to certifyin hir of hys wyfys
desyr & to wetyn whedyr hys modyr wolde cownselyn hym to comyn be lond
er be watyr , (CMKEMPE,224.3627)

for he trustyd meche in hys moderys cownsel , leuyng it was of +te Holy
Gost . (CMKEMPE,224.3628)

Hys modyr , whan sche had lettyr fro hym & knew hys desyr , went to hir
preyer to knowyn owr Lordys cownsel & owr Lordys wyl .
(CMKEMPE,224.3629)

And , as sche preyid for +te sayd mater , it was answeryd to hir sowle
+tat whedyr hir sone come be lond er be watyr he xulde comyn in
saf-warde . (CMKEMPE,224.3630)

+Tan wrot sche letterys to hym , seying +tat whedyr he come be londe er
be watyr he schulde come in safte be +te grace of God .
(CMKEMPE,224.3631)

Whan he was certifijd of hys moderys cownsel , he speryd whan schippys
xulde come in-to Inglond (CMKEMPE,224.3632)

& hiryd a schip er ellys a part of a schip in whech he putt hys good ,
hys wife , hys childe , & hys owyn self , purposyng alle to comyn in-to
Inglond to-gedyr . (CMKEMPE,224.3633)

Whan +tei weryn in +te schip , +ter resyn swech tempestys +tat +tei
durstyn not takyn +te see , (CMKEMPE,224.3634)

& so +tei comyn on lond a-geyn , bothyn he , <P_225> hys wife , & her
childe . (CMKEMPE,225.3635)

+Tan +tei left her childe in Pruce wyth her frendys ,
(CMKEMPE,225.3636)

& he & hys wife comyn in-to Inglond be lond wey to hys fadyr & to hys
modyr . (CMKEMPE,225.3637)

Whan +tei wer come +tedir , hys modir ful meche enioijd in owr Lord
+tat hir felyng was trewe , (CMKEMPE,225.3638)

for sche had felyng in hir sowle , as is wretyn be-forn , +tat whedyr
+tei come be lond er be watyr +tei schulde comyn be safte .
(CMKEMPE,225.3639)

& so it was in dede , (CMKEMPE,225.3640)

blissyd mote God ben . (CMKEMPE,225.3641)

+Tei come hom on +te Satyrday in good heele , (CMKEMPE,225.3642)

& on +te next day +tat was +te Sonday , whil +tei wer at mete at noon
with o+ter good frendys , he fel in gret sekenes +tat he ros fro +te
tabyl & leyd hym on a bed , whech sekenes & infirmite ocupijd hym
a-bowte a monyth , (CMKEMPE,225.3643)

& +tan in good life & ryth beleue he passyd to +te mercy of owr Lord .
(CMKEMPE,225.3644)

So gostly & bodily it myth wel ben verifijd he xal comyn hom in safte ,
not only in-to +tis dedly lond but also in-to +te lond of leuyng men ,
wher deth xal neuyr aperyn . (CMKEMPE,225.3645)

In schort tyme aftyr , +te fadyr of +te sayd persone folwyd +te sone
+te wey whech euery man must gon . (CMKEMPE,225.3646)

Than leuyd stille +te modyr of +te sayd persone , of whom +tis tretys
specyaly makyth mencyon , and sche +tat was hys wife , a Dewche woman ,
dwellyng wyth hys modyr a +ger & an halfe vn-to +te tyme +tat hir
frendys whech wer in Duchelond , desyryng to haue hir hom , wretyn
lettrys to hir & steryd hir to resortyn to hir owyn cuntre .
(CMKEMPE,225.3647)

And so sche , desiryng +te beneuolens of hir frendys , vtteryd hir
conseyte to hir eldmodyr , declaryng to hir +te desyr of hir frendys ,
preying hir of good lofe & leue +tat sche myth resortyn to hir owyn
cuntre . (CMKEMPE,225.3648)

And so thorw hir eldmodrys consentyng sche purueyid hir to gon as sone
as any schippys wentyn in-to +tat lond . (CMKEMPE,225.3649)

So +tei speryd a schip of +tat same lond (CMKEMPE,225.3650)

& hir owyn cuntremen xulde seylyn +tedyr , (CMKEMPE,225.3651)

and hem thowt it was goodly +tat sche xulde ra+tar seylyn wyth hem in
her schip +tan wyth o+ter men . (CMKEMPE,225.3652)

Than sche went to hir confessowr for to be schreuyn ,
(CMKEMPE,225.3653)

& , whil sche was in +te schryuyng , +te sayd creatur , hir eldmodir ,
went vp & down in +te qwer , thynkyng in hir mende , " Lord , +gyf it
wer +ti wille I wolde takyn leue of my confessowr & gon wyth hir ouyr
+te see . " (CMKEMPE,225.3654)

Owr Lord answeryd to hyr thowt , seying , " Dowtyr , I wote wel , yf I
bode +te gon , +tu woldist gon <P_226> al redy . (CMKEMPE,226.3655)

+terfor I wyl +tat +tu speke no word to hym of +tis mater . "
(CMKEMPE,226.3656)

Than was sche ryth glad & mery , trustyng sche xulde not gon ouyr +te
see , (CMKEMPE,226.3657)

for sche had ben in gret perell on +te see a-for-tyme
(CMKEMPE,226.3658)

& was in purpos neuyr to comyn +teron mor be hir owyn wille .
(CMKEMPE,226.3659)

Whan hir dowtyr-in-lawe was schreuyn , +te good man whech was
confessowr to hem bothyn as +tat tyme cam to hir (CMKEMPE,226.3660)

& seyd , " Ho schal gon wyth +gowr dowtyr to +te see-syde tyl sche come
at hir schip ? (CMKEMPE,226.3661)

It is not goodly +tat sche xulde gon so fer wyth a +gong man a-lone in
strawnge cuntre wher her nei+tyr is knowyn , " (CMKEMPE,226.3662)

for a strawnge man was come for hir (CMKEMPE,226.3663)

& her nei+tyr was but lityl knowyn in +tis cuntre , wher-for hir
confessowr had +te mor compassyon of hir . (CMKEMPE,226.3664)

+Tan +te sayd creatur seyd a-geyn , " Syr , +gyf +ge wele biddyn me , I
xal gon wyth hir my-self tyl sche come at +Gepiswech ,
(CMKEMPE,226.3665)

+ter lyth +te schip & hir owyn cuntremen +tat xal ledyn hir ouyr +te
see . " (CMKEMPE,226.3666)

Hir confessowr seyd , " How xulde +ge gon wyth hir ? "
(CMKEMPE,226.3667)

+Ge hirtyd but late +gowr foote , (CMKEMPE,226.3668)

& +ge ar not +get al hool , (CMKEMPE,226.3669)

& also +ge arn an elde woman . (CMKEMPE,226.3670)

+Ge may not gon . " (CMKEMPE,226.3671)

" Sir , " sche seyd , " God , as I trust , xal helpyn me ryth wel . "
(CMKEMPE,226.3672)

+Tan he askyd ho xulde gon wyth hir & brynge hir hom a-geyn .
(CMKEMPE,226.3673)

And sche seyd , " Ser , her is longyng to +tis chirch an ermyte , a
+gong man . (CMKEMPE,226.3674)

I hope he wil for owr Lordys lofe gon & comyn wyth me , +gef +ge wil
+geuyn me leue . " (CMKEMPE,226.3675)

So sche had leue to brynge hir dowtyr to +Gepiswich & +tan comyn a-geyn
to Lynne . (CMKEMPE,226.3676)

+Tus +tei passyd forth in her jurne in tyme of Lenton ,
(CMKEMPE,226.3677)

and , whan +tei weryn v er vj myle fro Lynne , +tei comyn forby a
cherch , (CMKEMPE,226.3678)

& so +tei turnyd in for to heryn Messe . (CMKEMPE,226.3679)

And , as +tei wer in +te chirche , +te forseyd creatur , desiryng
teerys of deuocyon , non myth purchasyn at +tat tyme (CMKEMPE,226.3680)

but euyr was comawndyd in hir hert for to gon ouyr +te see wyth hir
dowtyr . (CMKEMPE,226.3681)

Sche wolde a putt it owt of hir mende , (CMKEMPE,226.3682)

& euyr it cam a-geyn so fast +tat sche myth not rest ne qwiet han in
hir mende (CMKEMPE,226.3683)

but euyr was labowryd & comawndyd to gon ouyr +te see .
(CMKEMPE,226.3684)

Sche thowt it was heuy to hir to takyn sweche labowr vp-on hir
(CMKEMPE,226.3685)

& excusyd hir-self to owr Lord in hir mende , <P_227> seying , " Lord ,
+tu wost wel I haue no leue of my gostly fadyr , & I am bowndyn to
obediens . (CMKEMPE,227.3686)

+terfor I may not do thus wyth-owtyn hys wil & hys consentyng . "
(CMKEMPE,227.3687)

It was answeryd a-geyn to hir thowt , " I bydde +te gon in my name ,
Ihesu , (CMKEMPE,227.3688)

for I am a-bouyn thy gostly fadyr (CMKEMPE,227.3689)

& I xal excusyn +te & ledyn +te & bryngyn +te a-geyn in safte . "
(CMKEMPE,227.3690)

Sche wolde +get excusyn hir yf sche myth in any wey ,
(CMKEMPE,227.3691)

& +terfor sche seyd , " I am not purueyd of gold ne of syluer
sufficiently for to gon wyth as I awt to be , (CMKEMPE,227.3692)

and , +tow I wer & wolde gon , I wote wel my dowtyr had leuar I wer at
hom , (CMKEMPE,227.3693)

& perauentur +te schip-maistrys xulde not receyuyn me in-to her vessel
for to gon wyth hem . " (CMKEMPE,227.3694)

Owr Lord seyd a-geyn , " Yf I be wyth +te , ho schal ben a-geyns +te ?
(CMKEMPE,227.3695)

I xal purueyin for +te & getyn +te frendys to helpyn +te .
(CMKEMPE,227.3696)

Do as I bydde +te , (CMKEMPE,227.3697)

& +ter schal no man of +te schip sey nay vn-to +te . "
(CMKEMPE,227.3698)

The creatur say +ter was non o+ter help but forth sche must at +te
comawndyng of God . (CMKEMPE,227.3699)

Sche thowt +tat sche wolde fyrst gon to Walsyngham & offeryn in
worschep of owr Lady , (CMKEMPE,227.3700)

& , as sche was in +te wey +tedir-ward , sche herd tellyn +tat a frer
schuld seyin a sermown in a lityl village a lityl owt of hir wey .
(CMKEMPE,227.3701)

Sche turnyd in-to +te cherch wher +te frer seyd +te sermown , a famows
man , & a gret audiens had at hys sermown . (CMKEMPE,227.3702)

And many tymys he seyd +tes wordys , " +Gyf God be wyth us , ho schal
be a-geyns us ? " thorw +te whech wordys sche was +te mor steryd to
obeyn +te wil of God & parformyn hir entent . (CMKEMPE,227.3703)

So sche went forth to Walsingham , & sithyn to Norwich wyth hir
dowtyr-in-lawe , & +te ermyte wyth hem . (CMKEMPE,227.3704)

Whan +tei cam at Norwich , sche mett a Grey Frer , a worschepful clerk
, a doctowr of diuinyte whech had herd of hir leuyng & hir felyngys
be-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,227.3705)

+te doctowr schewyd hir gret cher (CMKEMPE,227.3706)

& dalyid wyth hir as he had don be-for-tyme . (CMKEMPE,227.3707)

sche , many tymys syhyng , was heuy in cher & in cuntenawnce .
(CMKEMPE,227.3708)

+te doctowr askyd what hir eylyd , (CMKEMPE,227.3709)

" Sir , " sche seyd , " whan I cam owte of Lynne wyth +te leue of my
confessowr , I purposyd to ledyn my dowtyr to +Gepisweche , wher is a
schip in +te whech sche be +te grace of God xal seylyn to Deuchelond ,
<P_228> & I than to turnyn hom a-geyn as sone as I myth goodly to Lynne
wyth an ermyte whech cam wyth me for +te same entent to ledyn me hom
a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,228.3710)

& he $wenyd fully +tat I xulde don so . (CMKEMPE,228.3711)

And , ser , whan I was a-bowtyn vj myle owt of Lynne in a chirch to
makyn my preyerys , I was comawndyd in my sowle +tat I schulde gon ouyr
+te see wyth my dowtyr , (CMKEMPE,228.3712)

& I wote wel sche wolde I wer at hom , (CMKEMPE,228.3713)

& so wolde I yf I durst . (CMKEMPE,228.3714)

+Tus was I meuyd in my sowle (CMKEMPE,228.3715)

& no rest myth han in my spiryt ne deuocyon tyl I was consentyd to do
as I was meuyd in my spiryt , (CMKEMPE,228.3716)

& +tis is to me gret drede & heuynes . " (CMKEMPE,228.3717)

+te worschipful clerk seyd vn-to hir , " +Ge schal obey +te wil of God
, (CMKEMPE,228.3718)

for I leue it is +te Holy Gost +tat spekyth in +gow ,
(CMKEMPE,228.3719)

& +terfor folwyth +te meuyng of +gowr spiryt in +te name of Ihesu . "
(CMKEMPE,228.3720)

Sche was meche comfortyd wyth hys wordys (CMKEMPE,228.3721)

& toke hir leue , goyng forth to +te see-syde wyth hir felaschip .
(CMKEMPE,228.3722)

Whan +tei were comyn +tedir , +te schip was redy to seilyn .
(CMKEMPE,228.3723)

+Tan sche preyid +te maistyr +tat sche myth seilyn wyth hem in-to
Duchelond , (CMKEMPE,228.3724)

& he goodly receyuyd hir , (CMKEMPE,228.3725)

& +tei +tat weryn in +te schip seyd not onys nay . (CMKEMPE,228.3726)

+Ter was non so meche a-geyn hir as was hir dowtyr , +tat awt most to a
ben wyth hir . (CMKEMPE,228.3727)

+Tan sche toke hir leue of +te ermyte +tat was come +tedyr wyth hir ,
rewardyng hym sum-deel for hys labowr & preying hym to excusyn hir to
hir confessowr & to hir o+ter frendys whan he come hom to Lynne ,
(CMKEMPE,228.3728)

for it was not hir wetyng ne hir entent whan sche partyd fro hem to a
passyd +te see neuyr whil sche had leuyd , (CMKEMPE,228.3729)

" but , " sche seyd , " I must a-beyn +te wil of God . "
(CMKEMPE,228.3730)

The ermyte partyd fro hir wyth heuy cher (CMKEMPE,228.3731)

& cam hom a-geyn to Lynne , excusyng hir to hir confessowr & to o+ter
frendys , tellyng hem of her sodeyn & wondirful partyng & how it was
not hys knowyng +tat +tei xulde a partyd so sodeynly a-sundyr .
(CMKEMPE,228.3732)

+te pepil +tat herd +terof had gret wondyr (CMKEMPE,228.3733)

& seydin as +tei woldyn . (CMKEMPE,228.3734)

Sum seyd it was a womanys witte & a gret foly for +te lofe of hir
dowtyr-in-lawe to putte hir-self , a woman in gret age , to perellys of
+te see & for to gon in-to a strawnge cuntre <P_229> wher sche had not
ben be-forn ne not wist how sche xulde come a-geyn . (CMKEMPE,229.3735)

Summe heldyn it was a dede of gret charite for-as-meche as hir dowtyr
had be-forn-tyme left hir frendys & hir cuntre & cam wyth hir husbond
to visityn hir in +tis cuntre +tat sche wolde now halpyn hir dowtyr hom
a-geyn in-to +te cuntre +tat sche cam fro . (CMKEMPE,229.3736)

o+ter whech knewe mor of +te creaturys leuyng supposyd & trustyd +tat
it was +te wille & +te werkyng of al-mythy God to +te magnifying of hys
owyn name . (CMKEMPE,229.3737)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 3=M= (CMKEMPE,229.3739)

</heading>

The sayd creatur & hir felawschip entryd her schip on +te Thursday in
Passyon Weke , (CMKEMPE,229.3741)

& God sent hem fayr wynde & wedyr +tat day & +te Fryday ,
(CMKEMPE,229.3742)

but on +te Satirday owr Lord , turnyng hys hand as hym likyd , & +te
Palme Sonday also , preuyng her feith & her pacyens , wyth +te ij
nyghtys , sent hem swech stormys & tempestys +tat +tei wendyn alle to a
ben perischyd . (CMKEMPE,229.3743)

+te tempestys weryn so greuows & hedows +tat +tei myth not rewlyn ne
gouerne her schip . (CMKEMPE,229.3744)

+tei cowde no bettyr chefsyawns +tan comendyn hem-self & her schip to
+te gouernawns of owr Lord ; (CMKEMPE,229.3745)

+tei left her craft & her cunnyng (CMKEMPE,229.3746)

& leet owr Lord dryuyn hem wher he wolde . (CMKEMPE,229.3747)

+te sayd creatur had sorwe & care j-now ; (CMKEMPE,229.3748)

hir thowt sche had neuyr so mech be-forn . (CMKEMPE,229.3749)

Sche cryid to owr Lord for mercy & preseruyng of hir & alle hir
felaschep . (CMKEMPE,229.3750)

Sche thowt in hir mende , " A , Lord , for +ti lofe cam I hedyr ,
(CMKEMPE,229.3751)

& +tu hast oftyn-tyme behite me +tat I schulde neuyr perischyn nei+tyr
on londe ne in watyr ne wyth no tempest . (CMKEMPE,229.3752)

+te pepil hath many tyme bannyd me , cursyd me , & warijd me for +te
grace +tat +tu hast wrowt in me , desiryng +tat I schulde deyin in
myschef & gret disese , (CMKEMPE,229.3753)

& now , Lord , it is lyke +tat her bannyng comyth to effect ,
(CMKEMPE,229.3754)

& I , vnworthy wretche , am deceyuyd and defrawdyd of +te promys +tat
+tu hast mad many tyme on-to me , whech haue euyr trostyd in +ti mercy
& +ti goodnesse , lesse +tan +tu +te sonar wythdrawe +tes tempestys &
schewe us mercy . (CMKEMPE,229.3755)

Now may myn enmyis enyoyin , (CMKEMPE,229.3756)

& I may sorwyn yf +tei haue her intent & I be deceyuyd .
(CMKEMPE,229.3757)

Now , <P_230> blisful Ihesu , haue mende of thy many-fold mercy
(CMKEMPE,230.3758)

& fulfille +ti behestys +tat +tu hast behite me . (CMKEMPE,230.3759)

Schewe +tu art sothfast God & non euyl spiryt +tat hast browte me hedyr
in-to +te perellys of +te see , whoys cownsel I haue trustyd & folwyd
many +gerys & xal don thorw +ti mercy yf +tu delyuyr us owt of +tis
greuows perellys . (CMKEMPE,230.3760)

Help us (CMKEMPE,230.3761)

& socowr us , Lord , er +tan we perischyn er dispeyryn ,
(CMKEMPE,230.3762)

for we may not long enduryn +tis sorw +tat we ben in wyth-owtyn +ti
mercy & +ti socowr . " (CMKEMPE,230.3763)

Owr mercyful Lord , spekyng in hir mende , blamyd hir of hyr feerdnes ,
seying , " Why dredist +te ? (CMKEMPE,230.3764)

Why art +tu so aferd ? (CMKEMPE,230.3765)

I am as mythy her in +te see as on +te londe . (CMKEMPE,230.3766)

Why wilt +tu mistrostyn me ? (CMKEMPE,230.3767)

Al +tat I haue hite +te I xal trewly fulfillyn , (CMKEMPE,230.3768)

& I xal neuyr deceyuyn +te . (CMKEMPE,230.3769)

Suffyr paciently a while (CMKEMPE,230.3770)

& haue trost in my mercy . (CMKEMPE,230.3771)

Wauyr nowt in thy feith , (CMKEMPE,230.3772)

for wyth-owtyn feith +tu maist nowt plesyn me . (CMKEMPE,230.3773)

+Gyf +tu woldist verily trostyn in me & no-thyng dowtyn , +tu maist han
gret comfort in +ti-self (CMKEMPE,230.3774)

& mythist comfortyn al thy felaschep wher +ge ben now alle in gret
drede & heuynes . " (CMKEMPE,230.3775)

Wyth swech maner of dalyawns & meche mor hy & holy +tan euyr I cowde
writyn owr Lord comfortyd hys creatur , (CMKEMPE,230.3776)

blissyd mote he ben . (CMKEMPE,230.3777)

Holy seyntys whech sche preyid on-to dalijd vn-to hir sowle be +te
sufferawns of owr Lord , +geuyng hir wordys of gret comfort .
(CMKEMPE,230.3778)

At +te last cam owr Lady (CMKEMPE,230.3779)

& seyd , " Dowtyr , be of a good comfort . (CMKEMPE,230.3780)

+Tu hast euyr fowndyn my tydingys trewe , (CMKEMPE,230.3781)

& +terfor be no lengar a-ferd , (CMKEMPE,230.3782)

for I telle +te trewly +tes wyndys & tempestys xal sone sesyn & +ge xal
han rith fayr wedyr . " (CMKEMPE,230.3783)

And so , blissyd mote God ben , it was in schort tyme aftyr her schip
was dreuyn in-to Norwey coost , (CMKEMPE,230.3784)

& +ter +tei londyd on Good Fryday (CMKEMPE,230.3785)

& abedyn +ter Estern Euyn , & Estern Day , & +te Monday aftyr Estern .
(CMKEMPE,230.3786)

And on +tat Monday <P_231> +tei weryn howselyd wyth-inne +te schip alle
+tat longyd to +te schip . (CMKEMPE,231.3787)

On Estern Day +te maistyr of +te schip & +te sayd creatur & o+ter for
+te most partye of +te schipgynge went on lond (CMKEMPE,231.3788)

& herdyn her seruyse at +te chirche . (CMKEMPE,231.3789)

Aftyr +te vse of +te cuntre +te Cros was reisyd on Estern Day a-bowte
noon-tyme , (CMKEMPE,231.3790)

& sche had hir meditacyon & hir deuocyon wyth wepyng & sobbyng as wel
as yf sche had ben at hom . (CMKEMPE,231.3791)

God drow not hys grace fro hir nei+tyr in cherch , ne in schip , ne in
+te see , ne in no place +tat sche cam to , (CMKEMPE,231.3792)

for euyr sche had hym in hir sowle . (CMKEMPE,231.3793)

Whan +tei had receyuyd +te Sacrament on Estern Monday , as is wretyn
be-forn , owr Lord sent hem a fayr wynde +tat browte hem owt of +tat
cuntre & drofe hem hom in-to Duchelond as +tei desiryd .
(CMKEMPE,231.3794)

The forseyd creatur fond swech grace in +te maistyr of +te schip +tat
he ordeynd for hir mete & drynke & al +tat was necessary vn-to hir as
long as sche was wyth-inne +te schip , (CMKEMPE,231.3795)

and was as tendyr to hir as sche had ben hys modyr . (CMKEMPE,231.3796)

He curyd hir in +te schip wyth hys owyn clothys , (CMKEMPE,231.3797)

for ellys sche myth a deyd for colde , (CMKEMPE,231.3798)

sche was not purueyd as o+ter weryn . (CMKEMPE,231.3799)

sche went at +te biddyng of owr Lord , (CMKEMPE,231.3800)

& +terfor hyr Maistyr whech bad hir gon purueyid for hir so +tat sche
ferd as wel as any of hir felawschep , (CMKEMPE,231.3801)

worschep & preysyng be to owr Lord +terfor . (CMKEMPE,231.3802)

<heading>

CAPITULUM 4=M= (CMKEMPE,231.3804)

</heading>

The seyd creatur a-bood in Danske in Duchelond a-bowt v er vj wekys
(CMKEMPE,231.3806)

& had ryth good cher of meche pepil for owr Lordys lofe .
(CMKEMPE,231.3807)

+Ter was non so meche a-geyn hir as was hir dowtyr-in-lawe , +te whech
was most bowndyn & beholdyn to a comfortyd hir yf sche had ben kende .
(CMKEMPE,231.3808)

+Tan +te creatur enyoyid in owr Lord +tat sche had so gret cher for hys
lofe (CMKEMPE,231.3809)

& purposyd to a-bydyn +ter +te lengar tyme . (CMKEMPE,231.3810)

Owr Lord , spekyng to hir thowt , monischyd hir to gon owt of +te
cuntre . (CMKEMPE,231.3811)

Sche was +tan in gret heuynes & diswer how sche xulde do +te byddyng of
God , whech sche wolde in no wey wythstondyn , (CMKEMPE,231.3812)

& had nei+tyr man ne woman to gon wyth hir in felawschep .
(CMKEMPE,231.3813)

Be +te watyr wolde sche not gon as ny as sche myth , (CMKEMPE,231.3814)

for sche was so afrayd on +te see as <P_232> sche cam +tedirward ;
(CMKEMPE,232.3815)

and be lond wey sche myth not gon esyly , (CMKEMPE,232.3816)

for +ter was werr in +te cuntre +tat sche xulde passyn by .
(CMKEMPE,232.3817)

So what thorw o cawse & o+ter sche was in gret heuynesse , not wetyng
how sche xuld be releuyd . (CMKEMPE,232.3818)

Sche went in-to a chirche (CMKEMPE,232.3819)

& mad hir preyerys +tat owr Lord , liche as he comawndyd hir for to gon
, he schulde sendyn hir help & felaschip wyth +te which sche myth gon .
(CMKEMPE,232.3820)

And sodeynly a man , comyng to hir , askyd yf sche wolde gon on
pilgrimage a fer cuntre fro thens to a place clepyd Wilsnak , wher is
worschepyd +te Precyows Blod of owr Lord Ihesu Crist whech be miracle
cam of thre Oostys , +te Sacrament of +te Awter , +te whech iij Oostys
& Precyows Blood ben +ter on-to +tis day had in gret worschip &
reuerens & sowt fro many a cuntre . (CMKEMPE,232.3821)

Sche wyth glad cher seyde +tat sche wolde gon +tedyr yf sche had good
felaschep & yf sche wist of any honest man +tat myth sithyn bryng hir
in-to Inglond . (CMKEMPE,232.3822)

& he behestyd hir +tat he wolde gon on pilgrimage wyth hir to +te
forseyd place on hys owyn cost , (CMKEMPE,232.3823)

& sithyn , yf sche wolde al qwite hys coste in-to Inglond , he xulde
comyn wyth hir tyl sche wer in +te costys of Inglond +tat sche myth han
good felaschep of hir nacyon . (CMKEMPE,232.3824)

He purueyd an heeke , a lityl schip , in +te which +tei xulde seylyn
to-+te-holy-place-warde , (CMKEMPE,232.3825)

and +tan myth sche han no leue to gon owt of +tat lond ,
(CMKEMPE,232.3826)

for sche was an Englisch woman , (CMKEMPE,232.3827)

& so had sche gret vexacyon & meche lettyng er sche myth getyn leue of
on of +te heerys of Pruce for to gon +tens . (CMKEMPE,232.3828)

At +te last , thorw +te steryng of owr Lord , +ter was a marchawnt of
Lynne herd tellyn +ter-of , (CMKEMPE,232.3829)

& he cam to hir (CMKEMPE,232.3830)

& comfortyd hir , behestyng hir +tat he xulde helpyn hir fro +tens ,
ey+tyr preuyly er apertly . (CMKEMPE,232.3831)

And +tis good man thorw gret labowr gate hir leue to gon wher sche
wolde . (CMKEMPE,232.3832)

+Tan sche , wyth +te man whech had prouydyd for hir , tokyn her vessel
, (CMKEMPE,232.3833)

& God sent hem calm wynde , +te whech wynde plesyd hir ryth wel
(CMKEMPE,232.3834)

for +ter ros no wawe on +te watyr . (CMKEMPE,232.3835)

Hir felaschep thowt +tei sped no wey (CMKEMPE,232.3836)

& weryn heuy & grutchyng . (CMKEMPE,232.3837)

Sche preyid to owr Lord , (CMKEMPE,232.3838)

& he sent hem wynde a-now +tat +tei seylyd a gret cowrse
(CMKEMPE,232.3839)

<P_233>

& +te wawys resyn sor . (CMKEMPE,233.3841)

Hyr felaschep was glad & mery , (CMKEMPE,233.3842)

and sche was heuy & sory for dred of +te wawys . (CMKEMPE,233.3843)

Whan sche lokyd up-on hem , sche was euyr feryd . (CMKEMPE,233.3844)

Owr Lord , spekyng to hir spirit , bad hir leyn down hir heuyd +tat
sche xulde not seen +te wawys , (CMKEMPE,233.3845)

& sche dede so . (CMKEMPE,233.3846)

But euyr sche was a-feerd , (CMKEMPE,233.3847)

& +terfor was sche oftyn-tymys blamyd . (CMKEMPE,233.3848)

& so they seylyd forth to a place whech is clepyd Strawissownd .
(CMKEMPE,233.3849)

Yf +te namys of +te placys be not ryth wretyn , late no man merueylyn ,
(CMKEMPE,233.3850)

for sche stodyid mor a-bowte contemplacyon +tan +te namys of +te placys
, (CMKEMPE,233.3851)

& he +tat wrot hem had neuyr seyn hem , (CMKEMPE,233.3852)

& +terfor haue hym excusyd . (CMKEMPE,233.3853)

