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[^TEXT:  HALI MEIDHAD.
THE KATHERINE GROUP.
EDITED FROM MS. BODLEY 34.
BIBLIOTHEQUE DE LA FACULTE DE PHILOSOPHIE
ET LETTRES DE L'UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE, CCXV. 
ED. S. T. R. O. D'ARDENNE. 
PARIS: SOCIETE D'EDITION "LES BELLES
LETTRES", 1977. 
PP. 127.1 - 165.19^]

<P 127>
   (\Avdi filia & uide & inclina aurem tuam. & 
obliuiscere populum tuum. & domum patris tui.\) 
Daui+d +te psalm-wruhte speke+d i +te sawter towart 
godes spuse. +tt is euch meiden +tt haue+d. meii+d 
+teawes. & sei+d. Iher me dohter. bihald & bei 
+tin eare. & for-+get ti folc & tines feader hus. 
Nim +geme hwet euch wor+d beo sunderliche 
to seggen. Iher me dohter he sei+d. dohter he
cleope+d hire. for-+ti +tt ha understonde. +tt he hire 
luueliche liues luue leare+d. as feader ah his 
dohter. Ant heo him as hire feader. +te bli+teluker 
lustin. I-her me deore dohter. +tt is +geornne lustne.
<P 128>
me wi+d earen of +tin heauet. Ant bihald. +tt is. 
opene to understonde me; +te. ehnen. of +tin heorte. 
Ant bei +tin eare. +tt is. beo buhsum to mi 
lare; Ant hwet is nu +tis lare. +tt tu nimest. se 
deopliche. & learst me se +geone?. low +tis. for+get 
ti folc. & tines feader hus. +ti folc he cleope+d 
daui+d. +te +gederunge inwi+d +te of fleschliche 
+tonkes +te lea+die+d +te & dreaie+d wi+d har procunges; 
to flesliche ful+den. to licomliche lustes. 
ant eggi+d +te to brudlac. & to weres cluppunge. 
ant makie+d +te to +tenchen hwuch delit were.
+trin. hwuch eise i +te richedom +tt +teos leafdis 
habbe+d. Hu muche mahte of inker streon 
a-wakenin. A fals folc of swikel read as +ti
mu+d ule+d. as +tu schawest for+d al +tt god +tunche+d. 
ant helest al +tt bittri bale +tt is +terunder. 
& al +tt muchele lure +tt ter of arise+d. for+get 
al +tis folc mi deorewr+de dohter sei+d daui+d 
+te witege. +tt is +tes +tonkes warp ut of +tin heorte. 
+tis is babilones folc +te deofles here of helle. 
+tt is umbe forte leaden in-to +te worldes +teowdom. 
Syones dohter. Syon wes sumhwile icleopet 
+te hehe tur of ierusalem. & syon ase muchel 
on englische ledene; ase heh sih+de & bitacne+d 
+tis tur; +te hehnesse of mei+dhad. +te bi-hald as 
<P 129>
of heh; alle widewen under hire ant weddede 
ba+de. for +teos ase. Flesches +trealles. beo+d i worldes
+teowdom & wunie+d lah on eor+d+de. Ant meiden 
stont +turh heh lif i +te tur of ierusalem. Nawt 
of lah on eor+de; ah of +te hehe in heouene. 
+te is bitacnet +turh +tis; of +tt syon ha bihalt al 
+te worlt under hire. & +turh englene lif-lade 
& heouenlich +tt ha lead +tah ha licomliche wunie 
up-on eor+de. ant is as i syon +te hehe tur of
heouene. freo ouer alle from worldliche weanen. 
Ah babilones folc +tt ich ear nempnede 
+te deofles here of helle. +tt beo+d flesches lustes.
& feondes. eggunge weorri+d & warpe+d eauer 
towart tis tur forte keasten hit adun & drahen 
into +teowdom. +tt stont se hehe +terin. & is icleopet 
for +ti Syones dohter; Ant nis ha witerliche akeast 
& in-to +teowdom idrahen? +te of se swi+de heh stal 
of se muche dignete. & swuch wur+d-hchipe as hit 
is to beo godes spuse. iesu cristes brude +te lauerdes 
leofmon +tt alle +tinges buhe+d. of al worlt leafdi. 
as he is of lauerd. ilich him in halschipe. Vnwemmet 
as he is. & +tt eadi meiden his deorrewur+de 
moder ilich his hali engles & his heste halhen. 
se freo of hire seoluen; ha nawhit ne 
+tearf of o+der +ting +tenchen. bute ane of hire 
<P 130>
leofmon. wi+d treowe luue cwemen. for he 
wule carie for hire. +tet ha haue+d itake to;
of al +tt hire bihoue+d. hwil ha riht luue+d him 
wi+d so+de bileaue. Nis ha +tenne sariliche 
as ich seide ear akeast. & into +teowdom idrahen;
+te of se muchel hehschipe. & se seli freodom. 
schal lihte se lahe in-to a monnes +teowdom swa 
+tt naue+d nawt freo of hire-seoluen; & trukien
for a mon of lam; +te heouenliche lauerd; 
& lutlin hire leafdi-schipe ase muchel 
as hire leatere were is leasse wur+d & leasse haue+d; 
+ten hefde ear hire earre? & of godes brude 
& his freo dohter. for ba to-+gederes ha is. bikime+d 
+teow under mon. & his +trel to don al; & drehen 
+tt him like+d. ne sitte hit hire se uuele. & of se seli 
sikernesse. as ha wes & mahte beon under godes 
warde. de+d hire in-to drechunge. to dihten hus
& hinen. & to se monie earmden. to carien for 
se feole +ting. teonen +tolien & gromen. & scheomen 
umbe stunde. drehen se moni wa. for se wac
hure. As +te worlt for-+gelt eauer ed ten ende. Nis 
+teos witerliche akeast? Nis +tis +teowdom inoh. 
A+gein +tt ilke freolec +tt ha hefde hwil ha wes 
Syones dohter. Ant +tah nis inempnet her nawt 
of heouenliche luren +te passi+d alle wi+d-uten 
euenunge. Sikerliche swa hit feare+d. Serue 
godd ane. & alle +ting schule +te turne to gode. 
& tac +te to him treowliche. & tu schalt beo 
<P 131>
freo from alle worldliche weanen. Ne mei nan 
uuel hearmi +te. for as seinte pawel sei+d. alle 
+ting turne+d +ten gode. to gode. ne mei na +ting 
wonti +te. +te berest him +tt al wealt in-wi+d +ti 
breoste. & swuch swettnesse +tu schalt ifinden 
in his luue & in his seruise & habbe se muche 
murh+de +trof & licunge i +tin heorte, +tt tu 
naldest changin. +tt stat +tt tu liuest in; forte 
cwen icrunet. Se hende is ure lauerd. +tt nule 
he nawt +tt his icorene. beon her wi+d-ute mede. 
for se muchel cunfort is in his grace; +tt al ham 
sit +tt ha seo+d. Ant +tah hit +tunche o+tre men. 
+tt ha drehen hearde. hit ne derue+d ham 
nawt. Ah +tunche+d ham softe & habbe+d 
mare delit +trin; +ten ei o+der habbe i licunge 
of +te worlt. +tis ure lauerd +geue+d ham her as 
on earnnesse of eche mede. +tt schal cume +trefter. 
+tus habbe+d godes freond al +te frut of +tis 
worlt +tt ha forsaken habbe+d o wunderliche wise.
& heouene ed ten ende. Nu +tenne on o+der 
half. nim +te to +te worlde. & eauer se +tu mare
hauest se +te schal mare trukien. & seruin 
hwen +tu naldest godd; +tes fikele worlt ant 
frakele. & schalt beo sare ideruet under hire 
as hire +treal. on a +tusent wisen. A+geines 
<P 132>
an licunge; habben twa of+tunchunge. & 
se ofte beon imaket earm of an e+dlich mon 
+tt tu list under. for nawt o+der for nohtunge; 
+tt te schal la+di +ti lif. & bireowe +ti si+d +tt tu eauer 
dudest te in-to swuch +teowdom. for worldliche.
wunne. +tt tu wendest to bi-+geotene. ant 
hauest ifunden weane +trin & wontre+de riue. 
Al is +tt tu wendest golt; iwur+de to meastling. 
Al is nawt +tt ti folc of hwam ispec +truppe. 
biheten +te to ifinden. Nu +tu wast +tt ha habbe+d 
bichearret te as treitres. for under weole
iwunnes stude; +tu hauest her ofte helle. 
ant bute +gef +tu wi+dbreide +te; +tu bredest te 
+tt o+der. as do+d +tes cwenes. +tes riche cuntasses. 
+teos modie leaf-dis of hare liflade. So+dliche 
+gef ha bi+tenche+d ham riht. & icnawleche+d so+d; 
ich habbe ham to witnesse. Ha licki+d honi of 
+tornes. ha bugge+d al +tt swete; wi+d twa dale of 
bittre. & +tt schal for+dre i +tis writ beon openliche 
ischawet. Nis hit nower neh gold al +tt ter 
schine+d. Nat +tah na mon bute ham-seolfen 
hwet ham stiche+d ofte. Hwen +tus is of riche; 
hwet wenest tu of +te poure. +te beo+d wacliche 
i+geuen ant biset on vuele. as gentile wummon 
<P 133>
meast alle nu on worlde. +te nabbe+d hwer-wi+d 
buggen ham brudgume o-nont ham. & +geoue+d 
ham to +teowdom of an e+deluker mon. wi+d al 
+tt ha habbe+d. weilawei iesu godd hwuch unwur+de 
chaffere. wel were ham were ha on hare
brudlakes dei iboren to biburien. for-+ti seli 
meiden. for-+get ti folc as daui+d bit. +tt is. do 
awei +te +tonckes +te prokie+d +tin heorte. +turh
licomliche lustes. & lea+die+d & eggi+d towart 
+tullich +teowdom. for flecsliche ful+den. for+get 
ec +ti feader hus. as daui+d read +trefter. +ti feader 
he cleope+d +tt un+teaw +tet streonede. +te of +ti moder. 
+tt ilke unhende flesches brune +tt bearninnde 
+geoh+de of +tt licomliche lust. biuore +tt wleatewile 
werc. +tt bestelich gederunge. +tt scheomelese sompnunge. 
+tt ful of ful+de stinkinde. & untohe dede.
Hit is +tah i wedlac summes weies to +tolien as me schal 
efter iheren. +gef +tu easkest hwi godd scheop 
swuch +ting to beonne; Ich +te ondswerie. Godd 
ne scheop hit neauer swuch. Ah adam & eue turnden 
hit to beo swuch. +turh hare sunne. & merden 
ure cunde. +tt is un+teawes hus & haue+d mare hearrm 
is. al to muche lauerdom & meistrie +trinne. 
+tis cunde merre+d us. +tt daui+d cleope+d +ti feadres hus. 
+tt is +te lust of lecherie. +tt rixle+d +terwi+d-innen: 
for-+get & ga ut +trof wi+d wil of +tin heorte. & godd 
<P 134>
wule efter +te wil; +geoue streng+de sikerliche of 
his deore grace. Ne +tearf +tu bute wilnin; & leote
godd wurchen. haue trust on his help. Ne schalt 
tu na +ting godes bisechen ne luuien. +tt he hit 
nule endin. Eauer bidde his grace. & ouerkim wi+d hire 
help; +te ilke wake cunde. +te drahe+d in-to +teowdom 
& in-to ful+de fenniliche akeaste+d se monie 
(\Et concupiscet rex decorem tuum\) . ant +tenne 
wule sei+d daui+d. +te king wilni +ti wlite. +te king 
of alle kinges. desiri +te to leofmon. Ant tu 
+tenne eadi meiden +tt art iloten to him. wi+d meidhades 
merke. ne brec +tu nawt +tt seil; +tt seile+d inc 
to-gederes. Hwalt +ti nome +turh hwam +tu art
to him i-weddet. Ne leos +tu neauer for a lust. & for 
e+delich delit. of an hondhwile; +tt ilke +ting +te ne 
mei neauer beon acoueret. Mei+dhad is +tt tresor. +tt beo 
hit eanes forloren; ne bi+d hit neauer ifunden. Mei+dhad 
is +te blostme. +tt beo ha fulliche eanes forcoruen,
ne sprute+d ha eft neauer. Ah +tah ha falewi sumchere. 
mid misliche +tonkes; ha mei eft grenin. 
neauer +te leatere. Mei+dhad is +te steorre. +tt beo ha eanes 
of +te est; igan adun i +te west; neauer eft ne arise+d
ha. Mei+dhad is +tt an i+gettet te of heouene. do +tu 
hit eanes awei; ne schalt tu neauer nan o+der swuch 
acourin. for mei+dhad is heouene cwen. & worldes alesendnesse. 
+turh hwam we beo+d iborhen. Mihte ouer 
alle mihtes. & cwemest crist of alle. for-+ti +tu. Ahest 
<P 135>
meiden se deorliche witen hit. for hit is se heh 
+ting & se swi+de leof godd. & se licwur+de. & +tt an lure 
+tt is wit-uten couerunge. +gef hit is godd +tt is him-seolf 
swa ilich. hit na wunder. for he is leoflukest 
+ting. & buten eauer euch bruche & wes eauer & is; cleane 
ouer alle +ting. & ouer alle +tinge luue+d cleainnesse. 
& hwet is lufsumre +ting & mare to herien 
bi-mong eordlich +ting; +ten +te mihte of mei+dhad
bute bruche & cleane. ibrowden on him seoluen 
+te maked of eordlich mon & wummon; heouene 
engel. of heame. hine. of fa; freont. help; of 
+tt te hearmi+d. Vre flesch is ure fa. & heane+d 
us. & hearmi+d se ofte as ha us fule+d. Ah +gef 
ha wit hire wi+d-ute bruche cleane; ha is us swi+de 
godd freond. & help of treowe hine. for in 
hire & +turh hire. +tu of-earnest meden to beon 
englene euening. i +te eche blisse of heouene. 
& wi+d go+d rihte. hwen +tu hare liflade i +ti bruchele 
flesch bute bruche leadest. Engel & meiden 
beo+d euening i uertu. i meidhades mihte. 
<P 136>
+tah eadinesse ham twinni +getten & totweame. 
Ant +tah hare mei+dhad beo ed-ure nu+de. 
+tin is +te mare streng+de to halden. 
& schal wi+d mare mede beo +te for-+golden. 
+tis mihte is +tt an. +tt is +te deadliche lif. schawe+d. 
in hire an estat of +te blisse undeadlich 
i +tt eadi lond. as brude ne nime+d gume. ne 
brudgume brude & teache+d her on eor+de in 
hire liflade; +te liflade of heouene. ant i +tis 
worlt +tt is icleopet. lond of unlicnesse. edhalt 
hire burde in cleannesse of heouenlich cunde.
+tah ha beo ut-lahe +treof. & i licome of lam. 
& i bestes bodi neh liue+d heouene engel. Nis 
+tis mihte of alle swi+de to herien? +tis is +get +te 
uertu +te halt ure bruchele ueat. +tt is ure feble 
flesch as seinte pawel leare+d. In hal halinesse. 
& as +tt swote smirles. ant deorest of o+tre. +tt 
is icleopet basme. wit +tt deade licome. +tt is +ter-wi+d
ismiret. from rotunge. Al swa de+d meidenhad. 
meidenes cwike flesch wi+d-ute wemmunge. 
halt alse hire limen. & hire fif wittes. Sih+de.
& herunge. Smechunge. & smellunge. & euch 
limes felunge. +tt ha ne merren ne ne mealten 
+turh licome luftest i fleschliche ful+den +te godd 
haue+d +turh his grace se muche luue i-vnnen. 
<P 137>
+tt ha ne beo+d of +te ilich; bi hwam hit is i-writen 
+tus +turh +te prophete. +tt ha in hare wur+dinge as eaueres 
forroteden. +tt is. eauer-euch wif +tt is hire were +treal 
& liue+d i wur+dinge. he & heo ba+de. Ah nis nawt
bi +teos iseid. +tt ha forrotie+d +trin; +gef ha hare wedlac 
lahe-liche halde+d. Ah +te ilke sari wrecches +te 
i +te fule wur+dinge. vnwedde walewe+d, beo+d +te deofles 
eaueres. +tt rit ham & spure+d ham to don al +tt he 
wule. +teos walewi+d i wurdinge & forrotie+d +trin. 
a-+tet ha arisen +turh bireowsunge. & healen ham 
wi+d so+d schrift & wi+d deadbote. Eadi meiden understont 
te in hu heh dignete. +te mihte of meidhad
halt te. Ah se +tu herre stondest; beo sarre offeaaret 
to fallen. for se herre degre; se +te fal is
wurse. +te ontfule deouel bihalt te se heh istihe 
towart heouene. +turh mei+dhades mihte +tt him 
is mihte la+dest. for +turh hire leafdi mei+dhad +te 
hit bigon earst. +te meiden marie; he forleas +te 
lauerdom on moncun on eor+de. & wes helle irobbet.
& heouene bi+d ifullet. si+d +te folhin hire troden 
Meiden gan as heo dude. +te offrede hire mei+dhad; 
earst to ure lauerd for hwon +tt he cheas hire bimong 
alle wummem. forte beon his moder & +turh hire
<P 138>
mei+d-had moncun alesen. Nu bihalt te alde 
feond. & si+d i +tis mihte stonde se hehe ilich hire. & 
hire sune. as engel in heouene. i mei+dhades menske. 
& to-swelle+d of grome. & scheote+d niht & dei his 
earewen idrencte of an attri healewi towart tin 
heorte. to wundi +te wi+d wac wil. & makien to fallen 
as crist te forbeode. & eauer se +tu strengeluker stondest 
a+gein him; se he o teone. & o grome wodeluker
weorre+d. for swa muche +te hokerluker him 
+tunche+d to beon ouercumen. +tt +ting se feble as flesch 
is. & nomeliche of wummon; schal him ouerstihen.
Euch fleschlich wil & lust of leccherie. +te arise+d 
i +te heorte, is +tes feondes fla. Ah hit ne wunde+d 
+te nawt; bute hit festni in +te. & leaue se longe. 
+tt tu waldest +tt ti wil; were ibroht to werke. hwil 
+ti wit ed-stont. & chastie+d +ti wil; +tah +ti lust beore.
to +tt te leof were: ne hearme+d hit te nawiht 
ne sule+d +ti sawle. for wit is hire scheld under godes 
grace. Hwil +te schled is ihal +tt is +te wisdom of 
+ti wit. +tt hit ne breoke ne beie. +tah +ti fleschliche 
wil fals beo +ter-under. & walde as hire luste. 
+tes feondes flan beod a+gein alle on him-seoluen. 
& loke wel hweruore. Vre licomes lust is +tes
feondes foster. Vre wit is godes dohter. & ba beo+d 
<P 139>
us inwi+d. for+ti her is aa feht. & mot beon aa nede. 
for ne truke+d neauer mare hwil we her wunie+d; 
weorre ham bi-tweonen. Ah wel is him +tt folhe+d.
wit godes dohter; for ha halt wi+d meidhad. +tt 
is ure suster. Ah +ti wil on oder half. of +tet 
licomliche lust. halt wi+d leccherie. +tt is +te deofles 
streon; as heo is. & sunne hire moder 
leccherie o mei+dhad wi+d help of fleschlich wil; 
weorre+d o +tis wise. hire forme fulst is sih+de. +gef 
+tu bihaldest ofte. & stikelunge on ei mon; 
leccherie anan-riht greide+d hire wi+d +tt. to weorrin 
o +ti mei+dhad. & seche+d erst up-on hire nebbe 
to nebbe. Speche is hire o+ter help +gef +ge +trefter 
+tenne sweoked to-gedere folliche. & talki+d 
of unnet; leccherie sei+d scheome. +te menske 
of +ti mei+dhad. & tuke+d hire al to wundre. Ant 
+treat to don hire scheome. & hearmin +trefter. & halt 
hire forewart. for sone se cos kime+d for+d; +tt is 
hire +tridde fulht. +tenne spit leccherie to scheome 
& to schendlac; mei+dhad o +te nebbe. +te feor+de fulst 
to bismere. & to merren mei+dhad. +tt is un-hende felunge 
wite hire +tenne. for +gef +ge +tenne hondli+d ow in 
ei stude untuliche. +tenne smit leccherie o +te mihte 
of mei+dhad. & wunde+d hire sare. +tt dreori dede 
on ende. +geue+d +tt dea+des dunt. weila +tt reow+de. Ne 
<P 140>
acwike+d neauer mei+dhad efter +tt wunde. wei +te sehe 
+tenne. hu +te engles beo+d isweamet. +te seo+d hare 
suster se seorhfuliche aueallet. & te deoflen hoppin.
& kenchinde beaten honden. to-+gederes. Stani were 
his heorte; +gef ha ne mealte i teares. wite +te 
seli meiden. Me sei+d +tt eise make+d +teof. flih alle 
+te +ting. & forbuh +georne. +tt tus unbotelich lure 
mahe of arisen. +tt is on alre earst. +te stude. & te 
time. +te mahten bringe +te on; mis forte donne. 
wi+d o+tre un+teawes me mei stondinde fehten. Ah 
a+gein lecherie; +tu most turne +te rug +gef +tu 
wult ouercumen. & wi+d fluht fehten. & so+des +gef 
+tu +tenchest & bihaldest on heh towart te muchele
mede +tt mei+dhad abide+d +tu wult leote liht-liche 
& a-beoren bli+deliche +te derf +tt tu drehest onont. 
ti fleschliche wil; & ti licomes lust. +tt tu forberest her. 

& ane hwile leauest for blisse +tt kime+d +treof. wi+duten
eani ende. ant hwuch is +te blisse? low godd 
him-seolf sei+d +turh +te prophete. +teo +te habbe+d from 
ham forcoruen flesches lustes. & halde+d mine sabaz. 
+tt is halde+d ham i reste from +tt fleschliche werc. 
& halde+d me forewart. Ich bihate ham he sei+d i mi 
kineriche. to +geouen ham stude & betere nome; +ten 
sunen & dehtren. Hwa mahte wilni mare. (\Eunuchus. 
Qui seminauerunt sabata mea. & cetera.\) hwa mei +tenche 
<P 141>
+te weole. +te wunne. & te blisse. +te hehschipe of +tis 
mede +tt tes ilke lut word bicluppe+d abuten? Ich chulle 
he sei+d. +geouen ham stude. ant nome betere. 
+ten sunen & dehtren. Sulli biheste. Ah hit is ilich 
+tt. +tt ham is bihaten. to singen wi+d engles. hwas feolahes
ha beo+d +turh liflade of heouene. +te +get +ter 
ha wunie+d fleschliche on eor+de. to singe +tt swete song. 
ant +tt englene drem Vtnume murie. +tt nan habbe 
ne mei. bute meiden ane; singen in heouene. & folhin
godd al-mihti. euch godes ful hwider-se he eauer 
wende+d. as +te o+tre ne mahe nawt. +tah ha alle beon 
his sunen. & alle hise dehtren. ne nan of +tes o+tres 
crunen. ne hare wlite. ne hare weden. ne mahen
euenin to hare. se vnimete brihte. ha beo+d. & schene 
to bi-seon on. Ant hwet bid hare anes song. 
ant efter godd hare anes +gong. hwider-se he eauer 
turne+d. & hare fare se feier biuoren alle +te o+tre.           #
Vnderstond.
& nim +geme. al hare song in heouene; is forte 
herien godd of his grace. & of his goddede. +te i-weddede 
+tonki+d him. +tt ha lanhure hwen ha alles walden fallen 
dunewart; ne feollen nawt wi+d alle adun; for wedlac 
ham i-kepte. +te ilke lahe +te godd haue+d istald 
for +te unstronge. for wel wiste ure lauerd. +tt alle ne 
mahten nawt halden ham i +te hehe; of mei+dhades mihte. 
Ah seide +ta he spec +trof. (\Non omnes capiunt uerbum 
istu+d.\) Ne underuo+d nawt q+d he +tis ilke word alle. 
(\Quis potest capere capiat.\) Hwa-se hit mei underneomen;
underneome ich reade. q+d he. o+ter is +tt godd 
hat. & o+ter is +tt he reat. +te ilke +tinges godd hat; 
<P 142>
+tt mon mot nede halden. +te wule beon iborhen. & +teo 
beo+d to alle men o liue iliche imeane. His reades
beo+d of heh +ting. & to his leoueste freond +te lut 
i +tisse worlde. & derue beo+d to fullen & lihte +tah hwa-se 
haue+d riht luue to him. & treowe bileaue. Ah 
hwa-se halt ham. earne+d him. ouerfullet ful. & ouereorninde
met of heouenliche mede. Swuch is mei+dhades 
read +tt godd ne hat nawt; ah reat. Hwuch-se 
wule beon of +te lut of his leoueste freond. & al 
his deorling deore; don his read. & earnin him crune 
up o crune; al-swa seinte pawel +geue+d read to meidnes.
+te meidnes beo+d as he wes. & sei+d +tt wel is ham 
+tt swa ham mahen halden. Ne hat he hit nan o+ter 
weis. for eauer se deorre +ting. se is derure to biwitene. 
ant +gef hit were ihaten. & nawt tenne ihalden; +te 
bruche were deadlich sunne. for-+ti wes wedlac ilahet 
in hali chirche. as bed te seke to ihente +te unstronge. 
+te ne mahen stonden i +te hehe hul. & se neh heouene.
as mei+dhades mihte. +tis is +tenne hare song. 
+te beo+d i lahe of wedlac; +tonki godd & herien. +tet 
he grei+dede ham lanhure. +ta ha walden of meidnes 
hehschipe; a swuch stude in-to lihten. +tt ha neren nawt
ihurt. +tah ha weren ilahet. Ant hwet-se ha +trin 
hurten ham; wi+d ealmes deden healden. +tis singe+d 
+tenne iweddede. +tt ha +turh godes milce & merci of his 
grace. +ta ha driuen dunewart i wedlac etstutten. & 
i +te bed of his lahe; softeliche lihten. for hwa-se swa 
falle+d of mei+dhades menske. +tt wedlakes heuel-bedd 
nawt ham ne ihente; se ferliche ha driue+d dun 
to +ter eor+de; +tt al ham is to-limet li+d ba. & lire. 
+teos ne schulen neauer song singen in heouene. Ah 
<P 143>
schulen weimeres leo. a mare in helle bute +gef bireowsunge 
areare ham to liue. & heale ham wi+d 
so+d schrift & wi+d deadbote. for +gef ha +tus beo+d acwiket. 
& imaket hale; ha beo+d iwidewene reng & schulen 
i widewene ring biuore +te iwedde. singen in heouene. 
+tt is +tenne hare song to herien hare drihtin 
& +tonkin him +georne +tt his mihte heolt ham i cleanschipe 
chaste; efter +tt ha hefden ifondet flesches 
ful+de. & +gettede ham i +tis worlt to beten hare sunnen. 
Swete beo+d +teos songes. Ah al meidenes song 
unilich +teose. wi+d engles i-meane dream ouer alle 
+te dreames in heouene. In heore ring. +ter godd 
seolf. & his deore moder. +te deorewur+de meiden. +te
heouenliche cwen leat i +tt eadi trume. of schimminde 
meidnes. ne meten nane buten heo hoppin 
ne singen. for +tt is aa hare song. +tonki godd & herien. 
+tt he on ham se muche grace; +gef of him-seoluen.
+tt ha forsoken for him euch eor+dlich mon 
& heolden ham cleane. aa from fleschliche ful+den 
i bodi & i breoste. & i stude of mon of lam; 
token liues lauerd. +te king of hehe blisse. for hwi 
he menske+d ham se muchel biuoren alle +te 
o+dre as +te brudgume de+d his weddede spuse. 
+tis song ne muhen nane buten heo singen. al 
as ich seide ear folhi+d ure lauerd. & tah nawt 
ouer al. for i +te menske of mei+dhad & in hire 
<P 144>
mihte ne muhten nane folhin him. ne +tt 
eadi meiden englene leafdi & meidenes 
menske. bute meidnes ane. ant for-+ti is
hare aturn se briht & se schene biuoren alle 
o+tre: +tt ha gad eauer nest godd hwider-se 
he turne+d. & alle ha beo+d icrunet +te blissi+d in 
heouene wi+d kempene crune. Ah +te meidnes 
habbe+d up-o +teo +te is to alle iliche imeane; a gerlondesche 
schenre +ten +te sunne. an-urle ihaten 
o latines ledene. +te flurs +te beo+d idrahe +tron. ne 
+te +gimmes +trin. ne tellen of hare euene; Nis
na monnes speche. +tus feole priuileges schawi+d ful 
sutelliche. Hwucche beo+d +ter mei+dnes. & sundri+d 
ham from +te o+dre wi+d +tus feole mensken world buten 
ende. +gef of +tes +treo-hat. Mei+dhad & widewehad. 
& wedlac is +te +tridde; +tu maht bi +te degrez 
of hare blisse i-cnawen. hwuch & bi hu muchel;
+te an. passe+d +te o+tre. for wedlac haue+d frut. +trittifald 
in heouene. widewehad; sixti-fald. Mei+dhad; wi+d 
hundret-fald. ouergea+d ba+te. loke +tenne her-bi. 
hwa-se of hire mei+dhad; lihte+d in-to wedlac; bi hu 
monie degrez ha falle+d dunewardes. Ha is an 
hundret degrez ihehet towart heouene; hwil ha 
mei+dhad halt as +te frut preoued. & leaped in-to 
wedlac. +tt is dun neo+der to +te +trittu+de ouer +trie
twenti & +get ma bi tene. Nis +tis ed en-cherre. 
<P 145>
a muche lupe dunewart? & tah hit is to +tolien. 
& godd haued. ilahet hit. as ich ear seide. leste 
hwa-se leope. & +ter ne ed-stode lanhure. nawt nere
+tt kepte him. & driue adun swireuor+d wi+d-uten ikepunge 
deope into helle. of +teos nis nawt to speokene. 
for ha beod iscrippet ut of liues writ in heouene.
Ah schawi we +get witerluker as we ear biheten hwet 
drehen +te iweddede. +tt tu icnawe +ter-bi hu murie +tu 
maht libben meiden i +ti mei+dhad. ouer +tt heo libbe+d. to 
eche. +te murh+de. & te menske in heouene +tt mu+d ne 
mei munnen. Nu +tu art iweddet. & of se heh se lahe 
iliht. of englene ilicnesse. of iesu cristes leof-mon. of 
leafdi in heouene; in-to flesches ful+de. into beastes
liflade. in-to monnes +teowdom. & into worldes weane. 
Sei nu hwet frut. & for hwuch +ting meast. Is hit 
al for +ti o+der ane dale +ter-uore beo nu so+d-cnawes 
for te keli +ti lust wi+d ful+de of +ti licome? for gode 
hit is speatewile forte +tenche +tron. & forte speoken 
+trof? +get speatewilre. loke +tenne hwuch 
beo +tt seolue +ting. & +tt dede to donne. al +tt fule 
delit. is wi+d ful+de aleid. as +tu turnest +tin hond. ah 
+tt ladliche beast leafe+d & lest for+d. & te of-+tunchunge 
+trof; longe +trefter. Ant te vnseli horlinges 
+te vnlaheliche hit hanti+d in inwarde helle. for +tt 
<P 146>
hwilinde lust; Endelese pine. bute +gef heo hit 
leauen. & hit on eor+de under schrift bitterliche beten. 
forhohe forte don hit. +tt te +tunche+d uuel of 
& eil forte heren. for hwen hit is +tullich; & muchele 
ladluker. +ten ei wel itohe mu+d for scheome 
mahe seggen. Hwet make+d hit iluuet bituhhe 
beasteliche men. bute hare muchele vn+teaw. +tt 
bere+d ham ase beastes to al +tt ham luste+d. as +tah 
ha nefden wit inham ne tweire schad as mon 
haue+d ba of god. & of vuel. of kumelich. & vnkumelich; 
na mare +ten beastes. & dumbe neb habbe+d. 
Ah leasse +ten beastes +get for +teos do+d hare 
cunde. bute wit +tah ha beon; in a time of +te +ger. 
Moni halt him to a make. ne nule efter +tt lure; 
neauer neomen o+ter. Ant mon +tt schulde habbe 
wit. & don al +tt he dude efter hire wilnunge; fohe+d 
+tt ful+de. in eauer-euch time. & nime+d an efter an. 
& moni +tt is wurse; monie to-+gederes. Lo nu hu +tis 
vn+teaw ne euene+d +te nawt ane to wittlese beastes.
dumbe & broke-rugget ibuhe towart eor+de. 
+tu +tt art iwit wraht to godes ilicnesse. & iriht bodi 
up. & heaued towart heouene. for-+ti +tt tu schuldest 
+tin heorte heouen +tiderwart. as +tin eritage 
is. & eor+de forhohien. Nim +geme hu +tis vn+deaw 
ne make+d +te nawt ane euening ne ilich ham; 
Ah de+d muchel eateluker. & mare to witen. +te forschuptest 
<P 147>
te-seolf willes & waldes in-to hare cunde. 
+te leose+d +tenne se heh +ting +te mihte & te biheue 
of meidhades menske. for se ful ful+de. as is ischawet 
+truppe. Hwa-se of engel lihte+d to iwur+den. lahre 
+ten a beast. for se ladli cheaffere; loki hu ha 
spede. Nai +tu wult seggen. for +tt ful+de nis 
hit nawt. Ah monnes elne is muche wur+d. & 
me bihoue+d his help to fluttunge & te fode
of wif & weres gederunge worldes weole awakene+d. 
& streon of feire children. +te gleadie+d 
muchel +te ealdren. Nu +tu hauest iseid tus. & 
+tunche+d. +tt tu hauest iseid so+d; Ah ich chulle 
schawin hit. al wi+d falsschipe isme+det. Ah on 
alre earst. hwet weole o+der wunne se +ter eauer 
of cume. to deore hit bi+d aboht. +tt tu +te-seolf 
sulest fore. & +geuest +tin beare bodi to tukin 
swa to wundre. & feare wi+d se scheomeliche. wi+d 
swuch uncouerlich lure. as mei+dhades menske is. 
& te mede for worldlich bi+gete. wa wur+de +tet 
cheaffeare. for ei hwilinde weole. sullen mei+dhad 
awei +te cwen is of heouene. for al-swa as of +tis 
lure. nis nan acouerunge; al swa is euch wur+d;
unwur+d her towart. +tu seist. +tt muche confort haue+d 
wif. of hire were. +te beo+d wel igederet. & ei+der 
is allesweis. ipaiet of o+der. +ge. ahi hit is seltscene 
on eor+de. Beo nu +tah swuch. hare cunfort 
& hare delit. Hwer-in is hit al meast buten i flesches 
<P 148>
ful+de? o+der in worldes vanite. +te wur+de+d 
al to sorhe. & to sar on ende? Ant nawt ane on 
ende; Ah eauer umbe hwile. for moni +ting schal 
ham wrea+den. & gremien. & makie to carien. 
& for hare o+tres uuel; sorhin. & siken. 
Moni +ting ham schal twinnin ant tweamen. 
+tt la+d is luuie men. ant dea+des dunt on ende; 
ei+der from o+der. swa +tt ne bi+d hit nanes 
weis. +tt tet elne ne schal endin in earmde. 
ant eauer se hare murh+de; wes mare to-+gederes; 
se +te sorhe is sarre ed te twinununge. Wa is 
him for-+ti as seint Austin sei+d. +tt is wi+d to muche 
luue to ei eor+dlich +ting iteiet. for eauer 
bi+d +tt swote aboht; wi+d twa dale of bittre. ant 
a fals wunne. wi+d moni so+d teone. Ah wel is 
hire +tt luue+d godd. for him ne mei ha nanes 
weis. bute +gef ha lihe him. & his luue leaue; 
neauer mare leosen. Ah schal ifinden him aa; 
swetture & sauurure. from worlde in-to worlde. 
aa on ecnesse. +tu speke +truppe of monnes 
help to flutunge & to fode. wala lutel
+terf +tu carien. for +tin anes liuene+d. A meoke 
meiden as +tu art. & his deore leofmon 
+te is alre +tinge lauerd. +tt +ge ne mahe lihtliche. 
+tt he nule gleadliche. ifinde +te largeliche; 
al +tt te bihoue+d. ant tah +tu wone hefdest. 
o+der drehdest eani derf for his deorewur+de 
<P 149>
luue. as +te o+dre do+d for monnes; to goder-heale. 
him; +te hit +tole+d to fondi +te hwe+der +tu beo 
treowe. & grei+de+d +ti mede monifald in heouene.
vnder monnes help +tu schalt; sare beon ideruet. 
for his. & for +te worldes luue +te beo+d ba swikele. & 
wakien i moni care. nawt ane for +te-seolf; ase +terf 
godes spuse; ah schalt for monie o+tre. ase wel
for +te la+de; ofte as for +te leoue. & mare beon idrechet; 
+ten ei driuel i +te hus. o+der ei ihuret hine. 
& tin anes dale. bruken ofte wi+d bale & bitterliche 
abuggen. lutel witen her of +te selie godes spuses. 
+te i +te swote eise wi+d-ute swuch trubuil i gastelich 
este. & i breoste reste. luuie+d +te so+de luue. & in 
his anes seruise hare lif lea+de+d. I-noh wel ham 
is her. Ah unlich elles hwer. alle worldes weole ham 
is inoh riue. Al ha habbe+d +ter-of +tt ha wel wilni+d. 
Al +tt eauer godd isi+d +tt ham wule freamien. Ne 
mei na worldliche un-hap bireauin ham hare weole. 
for ha beo+d riche. & weolefule. in-wi+d i +te heorte.
as +te este. & al +te eise is. +ter as +te o+tre. beo+d         #
godlese. 
& ignahene; nabben ha neauer se muchel 
wi+d-uten i +te worlde; for +tt ha beo+d offearet eauer 
forte leosen. & +gisci+d +tah efter muchel; muche 
deale mare. wi+d earm+de bi-winne+d hit. wi+d fearlac 
biwite+d hit. for-leose+d hit wi+d sorhe Swinke+d 
<P 150>
to bi+geotene. Bi+geote+d forte leosen. leose+d
forte sorhin. +tus +tis worldes hweol warpe+d ham 
abuten. +teoues hit steoled ham. reauers hit 
robbi+d. Hare ouerherren witi+d ham ant 
wrea+de+d. Moh+de fret te clades. & cwalm slea+d 
+tet ahte. ant tah nane of +teos ne makie to 
forwurden. weole +ter ase muchel is. Eauer se +ter 
mare is. se ma beo+d +tt hit wasti+d. Ant nat ich 
neauer hwi me sei+d. +tt heo hit al weldi+d. +tt wullen 
ha nullen ha. biwinne+d & biwite+d hit to se monie 
o+tre. nawt ane to hare freond; ah to hare 
fan fulle. ne habben ne mahen +trof. +tah ha 
hit hefden isworen; bute hare anes dale. +tis is 
nu for-+ti iseid. +tt tu seidest +truppe. +tt ter walde 
wakenin of wif. & weres somnunge; richesce. & 
worldes weole. +tt tu understonde hu lutel hit 
freame+d ham +get her i +tis worlt. teke +tt hit reaue+d 
ham +te hehe riche of heouene. bute ha 
poure beon +ter-in; wi+d halinesse of heorte. +tus
wummon +gef +tt. hauest were efter +ti wil. & wunne 
ba of worldes weole; +te ne schal itiden. ant 
hwet +gef ha beo+d +te wone. +tt tu nabbe +ti wil. 
wi+d him. ne weole now+der. & schalt grenin godles
in-wi+d westi wahes. & te breades wone brede 
+ti bearn-team. & teke +tis liggen under la+dest 
mon; +tet +tah +tu hefdest. alle weole; he went
hit te to weane. for beo hit nu. +tt te beo richedom 
riue. & tine wide wahes wlonke & weolefule 
& habbe monie vnder +te. hirdmen in halle. & ti 
were beo +te wra+d. o+der iwur+de +te la+d. swa +tet 
<P 151>
inker ei+ter heasci wi+d o+ter. Hwet worltlich weole 
mei beo +te wunne? hwen he bi+d ute. hauest a+gein 
his cume. sar care & eie. Hwil he bi+d et hame, 
alle +tine wide wanes. +tunche+d +te to nearewe. his
lokunge on ageaste+d +te. his ladliche nur+d. & his
untohe bere; make+d +te to agrisen. Chit te & cheowe+d 
+te. & scheomeliche schent te tuke+d +te to bismere. 
as huler his hore beate+d +te & buste+d +te as his ibohte 
+trel. & his e+dele +teowe. +tine banes ake+d +te. & 
ti flesch smeorte+d +te. +tin heorte wi+d-inne +te swelle+d 
of sar grome. & ti neb utewi+d tendrei+d ut of 
teone. hwuch schal beo +te sompnunge bituhen ow 
ibedde? Me +teo +te best luuie+d ham; to-beore+d ofte. 
+trin. +tah ha na semblant ne makien ine marhen. 
ant ofte of moni nohtunge ne luuien ha ham 
neauer swa; bitterliche bi ham-seolf teoni+d ei+der. 
heo schal his wil muchel hire unwil wi+d muche 
weane ofte. alle his fulitohchipes. & his unhende
gomenes. ne beon ha neauer swa wi+d ful+de bifunden. 
nomeliche ibedde. ha schal wulle ha nulle ha. +tolien 
ham alle. Christ schilde euch meiden to freinin 
o+ter to wilnin. forte witen hwucche ha beon. 
<P 152>
for +teo +te fondi+d ham meast; ifin+de+d ham forcu+dest. 
& cleopie+d ham selie iwiss; +te nuten neauer 
hwet hit is. ant heatie+d +tt ha hanti+d. ah hwase 
li+d ileifen deope bisuncken. +tah him +tunche 
uuel +trof, he ne schal nawt up acouerin hwen he 
walde. bisih +te seli wummon. beo +te cnotte icnut 
eanes of wedlac. beo he cangun o+der crupel beo 
he hwuch-se eauer beo; +tu most to him halden. 
+gef +tu art feier. & wi+d gleade chere. bi-cleopest 
alle feire; ne schalt o nane wise. wite +te wi+d unword; 
ne wi+d uuel blame. +gef +tu art unwur+dliche ilatet, 
+tu maht ba to o+tre & to +ti were iwur+den 
+te unwur+dre. +gef +tu i-wur+dest him unwur+d. & 
he as unwur+d +te; o+der +gef +tu him muche luuest. 
& he let lutel to +te; hit greue+d +te se swi+de
+tt tu wult inohrea+de ase monie do+d; makien 
him poisun. & +geouen bale ibote stude. o+der 
hwa-se swa nule don; medi wi+d wicchen & forsaken 
forte drahen his luue towart hire. crist 
& hire cristendom & rihte bileaue. Nu hwet blisse 
mei +teos bruken. +te luue+d hire were wel. & 
ha habbe his la+d+de. o-+ter cunqueari his luue o 
+tulliche wise; Hwenne schulde ich al habben 
irikenet. +tt springe+d bituhe +teo +te +tus beo+d
i+gederet. +gef ha ne mei nawt temen; ha is icleopet 
gealde. hire lauerd luue+d hire. & wur+dge+d +te 
leasse. & heo as +teo +tt wurst is +trof; bi-wepe+d hire 
wur+des. & cleope+d ham wunne. & weolefule, +te teme+d 
<P 153>
hare teames. Ah nu iwur+de hit al. +tt ha 
habbe hire wil of streon +tt ha wilne+d. & loki we 
hwuch wunne +trof hire iwur+de. I +te streonunge 
+trof, is anan hire flesch. wi+d +tt ful+te ituket. as hit 
is ear ischawet. I +te bur+derne +trof; is heuinesse 
heard sar eauer umbe stunde. In his iborenesse; 
alre stiche strengest. & dea+d o+der hwiles. in his fosttrunge
for+d; moni earm hwile. Sone se hit lihte+d 
i +tis lif; mare hit bringe+d wi+d him; care +ten 
blisse. nomeliche to +te moder. for +gef hit is misboren;
as hit ilome ilimpe+d. & wonti ei of his limen. 
O+der sum mis-feare; hit is sorhe to hire. 

& to al his cun scheome. upbrrud in uuel mu+d. tale 
bimon alle. +gef hit wel iboren is. & +tunche+d wel 
forlich; fearlac of his lure; is anan wi+d him 
iboren. for nis ha neauer bute care leste hit misfeare. 
A-+tet ow+der of ham twa, ear leose o+ter. 
ant ofte hit itime+d. +tt tet leoueste bearn. & iboht 
bitterlukest. sorhe+d & sweame+d meast his ealdren 
on ende. Nu hwet wunne haue+d +te moder +te 
haue+d of +tt for-schuppet bearn. sar. & scheome 
ba+de. & fearlac of +tt for+dlich a+tt ha hit leose. for 
gode +tah hit nere neauer for godes luue. ne for hope of 
heouene. ne for dred of helle; +tu ahtest wummon 
+tis werc for +ti flesches halschipe. for +ti licomes
<P 154>
luue. & ti bodies heale. ouer alle +ting to schunien. 
for ase seinte pawel sei+d. Euch sunne +tt me de+d; 
is wi+d-ute +te bodi. bute +tis ane. alle +te o+tre sunen. 
ne beo+d bute sunnen. ah +tis is sunne. & 
ec uncumeleche+d +te. & unwurdge+d +ti bodi. sule+d 
+ti sawle & make+d schuldi towart godd. & fule+d +ti 
flesch ec. gulte+d o twa half. wrea+dest +ten al-wealdent 
wi+d +tt suti sunne. & dest woh to +te-seolf. & tu 
al willes se scheomeliche tukest. Ga we nu for+dre. 
& loki we hwuch wunne arise+d +trefter i bur+terne
of bearne. hwen +tt streon in +te awakene+d & waxe+d. 
& hu monie earm+den anan awakene+d +terwi+d. +te 
wurche+d +te wa inoh; fehte+d o +ti seolue flesch. & 
weorri+d wi+d feole weanen; o +tin ahne cunde. +tirudie
neb schal leanin. ant ase gres grenin. +tine 
ehnen schule doskin. & underneo+de wonnin. & 
of +ti breines turnunge; +tin heaued aken sare. 
Inwi+d i +ti wombe swel in. +ti butte +te bere+d +te for+d 
as a weater bulge. +tine +tearmes +tralunge & stiches 
i +ti lonke. & i +ti lendene; sar eche riue. 
heuinesse in euch lim. +tine breostes bur+terne; 
o +tine twa pappes. & te milc strunden +te +te of strike+d. 
Al is wi+d a weolewunge. +ti wlite ouerwarpen. +ti 
mu+d is bitter. & walh al +tt tu cheowest. ant hwet 
se +ti mahe hokerliche underue+d; +tt is wi+d unlust; 
<P 155>
warpe+d hit eft ut. In-wi+d al +ti weole. & ti weres wunne; 
forwur+dest a wrecche. +te carest a+gein +ti 
pinunge +traen. bineome+d +te nahtes slepes. Hwen
hit +tenne +ter-to kime+d; +tt sore sorhfule angoise. 
+tt stronge & stinkinde stiche. +tt unroles uuel. 
+tt +tine. ouer pine. +tt wondrinde +geomerunge. hwil 
+tu swenchest ter-wi+d. & +tine dea+des dute. scheome
teke +tt sar wi+d +te alde wifes scheome creft. 
+te cunnen of +tt wa-si+d. hwas help +te bihoue+d. ne 
beo hit neauer se uncumelich & nede most hit +tolien. 
+tt te +ter-in itime+d. Ne +tunche +te nan uuel 
of. for we ne edwite+d nawt wifes hare weanen. +tt 
ure alre modres drehden on us-seoluen. Ah we 
schawi+d ham for+d. forte warni mei+dnes. +tt ha 
beon +te leasse efterwart swuch +ting. & witen her+turh 
+te betere; hwet ham beo to donne. Efter al 
+tis kime+d of +tt bearn ibore +tus; wanunge. & wepunge.
+te schal abute midniht. makie +te to 
iwakien. o+der +teo +te hire stude halt. +te +tu most 
for carien. & hwet +te cader ful+den. & bearmes 
umbe stunde. to feskin & to fostrin hit. se moni 
earm hwile. & his waxunge se let. & se slaw his 
+triftre. & eauer habbe sar care. & lokin efter al +tis; 
hwenne hit forwur+de. & bringe on his moder sorhe. 
<P 156>
+tah +tu riche beo. & nurrice habbe; +tu most 
as moder carien for al +tt hire limpe+d to donne. 
+teose & o+tre earm+den +te of wedlac a-wakeni+d; 
Seinte pawel biluke+d in ane lut wordes. (\Tribulaciones 
carnis. & cetera.\) +tt is on englisch. +teo 
+tt +tulliche beo+d, schulen derf drehen. Hwa-se
+tenche+d on al +tis. & o mare +tt ter is. & nule 
wi+dbuhe +tt +ting +tt hit al of awakene+d; ha 
is heardre iheortet. +ten adamantines stan.
& mare amead +gef ha mei; +ten is meadschipe 
seolf. hire ahne fa. & hire feont. heate+d hireseolfen.
lutel wat meiden of al +tis ilke weane. 
of wifes wa wi+d hire were. ne of hare were se 
wleateful +te ha wurche+d imeane. ne of +tt sar
ne of +tt suti. i +te bur+terne of bearn. & his iborenesse. 
of nurrices wecches. ne of hire wa-si+des. 
of +tt fode fostrunge. hu muchel hit is ed eanes. 
In his mu+d famplin. now+der to bigan hit. 
ne his cader clutes. +tah +tis beon of to speokene 
vnwur+dliche +tinges; +tes +te mare ha schawi+d i hwuch 
+teodom wifes beo+d. +te +tullich mote drehen.
ant meidnes i hwuch freodom. +te freo bei+d from 
ham alle. ant hwet +gef ich easki +get +tah hit +tunche 
egede. hu +tet wif stonde. +te ihere+d hwen ha kime+d 
in; hire bearn schreamen. si+d +te cat et te 
<P 157>
fliche. & ed te hude +te hund. hire cake bearnen o 
+te stan. & hire kelf suken. +te crohe eornen i +te fur. 
& te cheorl chide+d. +tah hit beo egede isahe; hit 
ah meiden to eggi +te swi+de +ter-frommart. for nawt 
ne +tunche+d hit hire egede +tt hit fonde+d. Ne +terf 
+tt seli meiden +tt haue+d al idon hire ut of +tullich          #
+teowdom 
as godes freo dohter & his sunes spuse. drehe nawiht 
swucches. for-+ti seli meiden. for-sac al +tulli
sorhe. for utnume mede. +tt tu ahtest to don wi+d-vten 
euch hure. for nu ich habbe ihalden min biheaste 
+truppe. +tt ich walde schawin wi+d falschipe isme+det. 
& te moni an sei+d. & +tunche+d +tt hit so+d beo of 
+te selh+de & te sy +tt te i-weddede habbe+d. +tt hit ne 
feare+d nawt swa; as wene+d +tt si+d utewi+d. ah feare+d 
al o+der weis. of poure ba. & riche. of la+de ba. & 
leoue. +tt te weane ihwer passe+d +te wunne. & te 
lure ouer al; al +te bi+gete. Nu +tenne seli meiden 
+tt daui+d cleope+d dohter. iher +ti feader. & hercne 
his read. +tt he +te i +te frum+de of +tis writ 
readde. for+get ti folc +tt lihe+d +te. of weres & worldes 
wunne. +tt beo+d +tine +tohtes +te swikelliche. lea+die+d 
+te towart alle weane. & forsac +ti feader hus as
hit is +truppe iopenet. & tac +te to him treowliche 
wi+d him +tu schalt wealden. as wi+d +ti were iweddet; 
worlt buten ende. heouenliche wunnen. Eadi is +tis 
<P 158>
spuse hwas mei+dhad is unwemmet. hwen he on hire 
streone+d. & hwen ha teme+d of him; ne swinke+d ne 
ne pine+d. Eadi is +te were hwen nan ne mei beo meiden; 
bute +gef heo him luuie. ne freo; bute +gef heo 
him serui. hwas streon is undea+dlich. & hwas marhe+geue 
is; +te kinedom of heouene. Nu +tenne seli meiden. 
+gef +te is weole leof; nim +te him to lauer+d. +tt wealde+d
al +tt is & wes & eauer schal iwur+den. for +tah he beo 
richest him ane ouer alle. +te alre measte poure +te 
him to were cheose+d; is him wel i-cweme. +gef +tt tu wilnest 
were. +te muche wlite habbe; nim him of hwas
wlite beo+d awundret of; +te sunne & te mone. up-o hwas 
nebscheft; +te engles ne beo+d neauer fulle to bihalden. 
for hwen he +geue+d feirlec to al +tt is feier 
in heouene & in eor+de. Muchele mare he haue+d
wi+d-uten ei etlunge; ethalden to him-seoluen. & 
+tah hwen he +tus is. alre +tinge feherest. he underue+d 
bli+deliche. & bicluppe+d swoteliche +te alre 
ladlukeste. & make+d ham seouesi+de schenre 
+ten +te sunne. +gef +te were leof streon; nim +te 
to him under hwam +tu schalt i +ti mei+dhad temen 
dehtren & sunen of gasteliche teames. +te 
neauer deie ne mahen. ah schulen aa biuore +te pleien 
in heouene. +tt beo+d +te uertuz +tt he streone+d 
in +te +turh his swete grace. as rihtwissnesse & warschipe 
a+geines un+teawes. Mesure & mete & gastelich 
streng+de to wi+dstonde +te feond. Ant a+gein 
sunne. Simplete of semblant. buhsumnesse & stil+de. 
+tolomodnesse. & reowfulnesse of euch monnes
<P 159>
sorhe. gleadschipe i +te hali gast. & pes i +ti breoste 
of onde & of wrea+d+de. of +gisceunge. & of euch 
un+teawes weorre. Metelec. & miltschipe. & swotnesse 
of heorte. +te limpe+d alre +tinge best to meihades 
mihte. +tis is meidenes team. godes sune 
spuse. +tt schal aa libben & pleien buten ende biuoren 
hire in heouene. Ah +tah meiden beo 
wi+d unbruche of +ti bodi. & tu habbe prude. onde 
o+der wrea+d+de. +gisceunge o+der wac wil inwi+d 
heorte; +tu forhorest te wi+d +te unwiht of helle. & 
he streone+d on +te. +te team +tt tu temest. Hwen +ti 
were al-wealdent +tt tu +te to weddest. si+d & understont 
tis. +tt his fa forli+d +te. & +tt tu temest of him. +tt 
him is teame la+dest; he forhecche+d +te anan. as 
hit nis na wunder. & cwe+de+d +te al cwite; him +tt 
tu of temest. Ne kepe+d he wi+d na mon & hure
wi+d his famon; nan half dale. +te luuie+d eawiht 
buten him. ant hwet-se ha for him luuie+d; hawrea+de+d 
him swi+de. Ouer alle +ting wite +te +tt tu ne temi 
prude. bi +tes deofles streonunge. for heo of alle 
un+teawes is. hiss ealdest dohter. Earst ha wakenede 
of him +te +get he wes in heouene. for neh wi+d 
him euenald. & swa hire keaste ure feader sone 
se ha ibore wes. from +te heste heouene; into helle 
<P 160>
grunde bute couerunge. & makede of heh-engel; 
eatelukest deofel. +te +tus adun duste hire heouenliche
feader. hwet wule he don bi hire eor+dliche 
modres +te teme+d hire in horedom of +ten 
la+de unwiht +te hellene schucke. Hwen godd se
wracfulliche fordemde his heh-engel +te streonede 
hire in heouene; hwet wule he don bi +tt lam & wurmene 
mete. +te of +te deofel teme+d hire in eawbruche 
on eor+de. +gef +tu hauest wi+d mei+dhad, 
meokelec. & mildschipe; godd is i +tin heorte. ah +gef 
+ter is ouerhohe. o+der ei prude in; he is utlahe +trof;
for ne muhen ha nanes weis; beddin in a breoste. 
ne ne maken nawt somet eardin in heouene. +teonne 
godd weorp hire sone se ha iboren wes. & as 
+tah ha nuste hwuch wei ha come +teonewart. ne 
con ha neauer mare ifinden nan wei a+geinwart. 
ah earm+de her on eor+de. bihalt eche wununge. 
alle hire modres al beon ha meidnes wi+d hare aweariede. 
feader in inwarde helle. wite +te meiden wi+d
hire. ha cwikede of cleane cunde as is in engles euene. 
& cleaneste breosten brede+d hire +geten. +te beste 
ha asaile+d. & wel ha der hopien to beo kempe ouer 
mon; +te ouercom engel. Nis ha nawt i cla+des. ne i feahunge 
utewi+d. +tah hit beo merke +trof & makunge 
o+der hwiles. ah under hwit o+der blac. & ase wel under 
grei; ase under grene. & aa ha lute+d i +te heorte. 
Son se +tu telest te betere +ten an o+der. beo hit 
<P 161>
hweruore se hit eauer beo. & hauest of ei ouerhohe. & 
+tunche+d hofles & hoker of eawt +tt me sei+d +te o+der 
de+d +getten; +tu merrest +tin mei+dhad. & brekest ti wedlac 
towart godd. & of his fa temest. ne tele +tu 
nawt e+delich al beo +tu meiden; to widewen. ne to
iweddede. for alswa as a charbuche is betere +ten a 
iacinct. i +te euene of hare cunde. Ant +tah is betere 
abriht iacinct. +ten a charbucle won; al swa passe+d 
meiden onon te mihte of mei+dhad; widewen & iweddede.
& tah is betere. a milde wif. o+der a meoke 
widewe, +ten a prud meiden. for +teos for hare 
sunnen +tt ha i flesches ful+de folhi+d o+ter fulie+d;
leote+d ham lahe & e+dliche. & beo+d sare of-dret. 
of godes lu+dere eie. Ant al +te eadi sunegilt Marie 
magdaleine. wi+d bittre wopes bireowse+d hare 
gultes. & inwar+dluker luuie+d godd alswa as heo 
dude. for hare for+geuenesse. & te o+dre +te halde+d 
ham unforgult. & cleane; beo+d ase sikere unlusti 
& wlecche unnea+de i godes luue. wi+d-uten euch 
heate of +te hali gast +te bearne+d se lihte. wi+d-vte 
wastinde brune in alle his icorene. & te o+tre in 
<P 162>
an heate of an honthwile; beo+d imelt mare. & 
i+gotten i godd; +ten +te o+tre in a wlechcunge al 
hare lif-si+den. for-+ti eadi meiden godes sunes
spuse ne beo +tu nawt trust ane to +ti meidhad 
wi+d-uten o+der god. & +teawfule mihtes & ouer al
miltschipe & meokeschipe of heorte. +te forbisne of 
+tt eadi meiden oueralle o+dre. Marie godes moder. for 
+ta +te heh-engel Gabriel grette hire. & brohte hire to 
tidinge of godes akennesse. Loke hu +tah ha lette hire. 
+ta ha ontswerede +tus. bi hire-seoluen. Efter +ti word q+d 
ha mote me iwur+den. low her mi lauerdes +trel. 
ant tah ha ful were of alle gode. +tea-wes. ane 
of hire meokelec ha seide. & song to elizabeth. 
for mi lauerd biseh +tis +tuftenes meokelec; me 
schulen cleopien q+d ha eadi alle leoden. Nim +geme 
meiden & understont her-bi. +tt mare for 
hire meokelec. +ten for hire mei+dhal; ha lette 
+tt ha ifont swuch grace ed ure lauerd. for al mei+dhad 
meokelec is muche wur+d. & mei+dhad wi+d-uten hit; 
is e+delich & unwur+d, for alswa is meiden i mei+dhad bute 
meokeschipe; as is wid-ute liht eolie in a lampe. Eadi 
godes spuse haue +teos ilke mihte. +tt tu ne +tunche 
+teostri; ah schine ase sunne & ti weres sih+de feahi 
+ti mei+dhad wi+d alle gode +teawes +te +tunche+d him 
feire. Haue eauer i +tin heorte +te eadieste of meidnes. 
<P 163>
& mei+dhades moder. & bisech hire aa. +tt ha +te lihte. 
& +geoue luue & streng+de forte folhin i mei+dhad 
hire +teawes. +tench o seinte Katerine. o seinte Margarete.
seinte Enneis. Seinte Iuliene. & seinte cecille 
& o +te o+tre hali mei+dnes in heouene. hu ha nawt 
ane ne forsoken kinges sunes. & eorles wi+d alle worldliche 
weolen. & eor+dliche wunnen; ah +toleden stronge
pinen. ear ha walden neomen ham; & derf 
dea+d on ende. +tench hu wel ham is nu. & hu ha blissi+d 
+teruore bituhe godes earmes cwenes of heouene. 
Ant +gef hit eauer time+d. +tt tu licomes lust. 
+turh +te false feont lea+die towart flesliche ful+den. 
ontswere i +ti +toht +tus. Ne geine+d +te nawt 
sweoke. +tullich ich chulle beon in meidenes 
liflade. ilich heouene engel. Ich chulle 
halde me hal +turh +te grace of godd. 
as cunde me makede. +tt paraise selh+de underuo 
me al swuch. as weren ear ha a gulten; 
his eareste hinen. Allunge swuch ich chulle beon. 
as is mi deore leofmon mi deorewurde lauerd. 
& as +tt eadi meiden. +te he him cheas to moder. 
al swuch ich chulle wite treowliche unwemmet; 
as ich am him iweddet. ne nulle ich nawt
for a lust of ane lutle hwile. +tah hit +tunche delit;
<P 164>
awei warpe +tt +ting. hwas lure ich schal biremen 
wi+d-vten couerunge & wi+d eche brune 
abuggen in helle. +tu wrenchfule ful wiht al 
for nawt +tu prokest me. to for-gulten & forgan 
+te blisse up-o blisse. +te crune up-o crune; 
of meidenes mede. & willes & waldes warpe me as 
wrecche i +ti leir-wite. & for +tt englene song of meidhades 
menske. wi+d +te & wi+d +tine greden aa. & 
granin i +te eche grure of helle. +gef +tu +tus ontswerest 
to +ti licomes lust. & to +te feondes fondunge;
he schal fleo +te wi+d scheome. ant +gef he 
alles efter +tis; inohrea+de et-stonde; & halt on to 
eili +ti flesch. & prokie +tin heorte. & ti lauerd
godd hit +teaue+d him to muchli +ti mede. for 
as seinte pawel sei+d. ne bi+d nan icrunet; bute 
hwa-se treoweliche i +tulli feht fehte. & wi+d strong 
cokkunge. ouercome hire-seolf. for +tenne 
is +te deofel wi+d his ahne turn scheomeliche 
a-warpen. hwen +tu as +te apostle sei+d. ne schalt
tu beon icrunet bute +tu beo asailet. +gef 
godd wule cruni +te; he wule leote ful wel +te 
unwiht asaili +te. +tt tu earni +ter +turh; kempene
crune. for-+ti hit is +te meast god; +tt hwen 
he greue+d +te meast. & towart te wi+d fondunge 
<P 165>
wodeluker weorre+d. +gef +tu wel wrist te
under goder wengen. for +turh his weorre he 
+garke+d +te un+tonc in his te+d; +te blisse. & te 
crune of cristes icorene. Ant iesu crist leue 
hire +turh +ti blescede nome alle +teo +te leaue+d 
luue of lami mon. forte beon his leofmon. & leue 
ham swa hare heorte halden to him; +tt hare 
flesches eggunge. ne +te feondes fondunge. ne 
nan of his eor+dliche limen; 
ne wori hare heorte wit. ne wrenche ham ut 
of +te wei; +tt ha beo+d in i+gongen. & helpe ham 
swa in him to hehin towart heouene; a+tt ha 
beon istihe +tider as hare brudlac schal in 
al +tt eauer sel is wi+d +tene seli brudgume. +tt sihe+d 
alle selh+de of sitten buten ende 
Amen. 



