<B CMKEMPE>
<Q M4 IR RELT KEMPE>
<N MKEMPE>
<A KEMPE MARGERY>
<C M4>
<O 1420-1500>
<M 1420-1500>
<K CONTEMP>
<D EMO>
<V PROSE>
<T REL TREAT>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X FEMALE>
<Y X>
<H X>
<U X>
<E X>
<J X>
<I X>
<Z INSTR REL>
<S SAMPLE X>


[^KEMPE, MARGERY.
THE BOOK OF MARGERY KEMPE, VOL. I.
EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, 212.
ED. S. B. MEECH AND H. E. ALLEN.
LONDON, 1940. 
PP. 47.15 - 60.17   (SAMPLE 1)
PP. 221.1 - 233.12  (SAMPLE 2)^]

<S SAMPLE 1>
<P I,47>
[} (\CAPITULUM 20\) }]

   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 & flekeryd to
& fro as a dowe flekeryth wyth hir wengys. &, whan
he held up +te chalys wyth +te precyows Sacrament,
+te chalys mevyd to & fro as it xuld a fallyn owt of
hys handys. 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. +Tan seyd owyr Lord Ihesu Crist to
+te creatur, "+Tow xalt no mor sen it in +tis maner,
+terfor thank God +tat +tow hast seyn. My dowtyr,
Bryde, say me neuyr in +tis wyse." +Tan seyd +tis creatur
in hir thowt, "Lord, what betokenyth +tis?" "It betokenyth
veniawnce." "A, good Lord, what veniawnce?"
+Tan seyd owyr Lord a-+gen to hir, "+Ter xal be an erdene,
tel it whom +tow wylt in +te name of Ihesu. For I telle
+te forso+te rygth as I spak to Seynt Bryde ryte so I
speke to +te, dowtyr, & I telle +te trewly it is trewe euery
word +tat is wretyn in Brides boke, & be +te it xal be
knowyn for very trewth. And +tow xalt faryn wel,
<P I,48>
dowtyr, in spyte of alle thyn enmys; +te mor envye thei
han to +te for my [{gr{]ace, +te bettyr xal I lofe +te. I wer
not rygthful God but [{I louy{]d +te, for I knowe +te
bettyr +tan +tow dost +ti-self, what- [{+tat-euyr men{]
seyn of +te. +Tow seyst I haue gret paciens in +te syn
of +te pepyl, and +tow seyst soth, 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." +Tan +te creatur
seyd, "Alas, derworthy Lord, what xal I do for +te
pepyl?" Owyr Lord answeryd, "It is j-now to +te to
don as +tow dost." +Tan sche preyed, "Mercyful Lord
Crist Ihesu, in +te is al mercy & grace & goodnes. Haue
mercy, pyte, & compassyon of hem. Schew +ti mercy
& thy goodnes vp-on hem, help hem, send hem very
contricyon, & late hem neuyr deyn in her synne." Owyr
mercyful Lord seyde, "I may no mor, dowtyr, of my
rytfulnesse do for hem +tan I do. I send hem prechyng
& techyng, pestylens & bataylys, hungyr and famynyng,
losse of her goodys wyth gret sekenesse, & many o+ter
tribulacyons, & +tei wyl not leuyn my wordys ne +tei
wyl not knowe my vysitacyon. & +terfor I xal sey to
hem +tat I made my seruawntys to prey for +gow, &
+ge despysed her werkys & her leuyng."

[} (\CAPITULUM 21\) }]

   In +te tyme +tat +tis creatur had reuelacyons, owyr 
Lord seyd to hir, "Dowtyr, +tow art wyth childe." Sche
seyd a-+gen, "A, Lord, how xal I +tan do for kepyng of
my chylde?" Owir Lord seyd, "Dowtyr, drede +te not,
I xal ordeyn for an kepar." "Lord, I am not worthy to
heryn +te spekyn & +tus to comown wyth myn husbond.
Ner-+te-lesse it is to me gret peyn & gret dysese." "+Terfor
is it no synne to +te, dowtyr, for it is to +te ra+tar mede
& meryte, & +tow xalt haue neuyr +te lesse grace, for I
wyl +tat +tow bryng me forth mor frwte." +Tan seyd +te
creatur, "Lord Ihesu, +tis maner of leuyng longyth to
<P I,49>
thy holy maydens." "+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, 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. +Ter may no man let me to
lofe whom I wele & as mech as I wyl, for lofe, dowtyr,
qwenchith al synne. & +terfor aske of me +te +gyftys
of lofe. +Ter is no +gyft so holy as is +te +gyft of lofe, ne   #
no
+ting to be so mech desyred as lofe, for lofe may purchasyn
what it can desyren. & +terfor, dowtyr, +tow mayst no
bettyr plesyn God +tan contynuly to thinkyn on hys
lofe." Than +tis creatur askyd owyr Lord Ihesu how
sche xuld best louyn hym. And owyr Lord seyd,
"Haue mende of +ti wykydnesse & thynk on my goodnes."
Sche seyd a-geyn, "I am +te most vnwor+ti creatur +tat
euyr +tow schewedyst grace vn-to in erth." "A, dowtyr,"
seyd owyr Lord, "fere +te nowt, I take non hede what a
man hath ben, but take hede what he wyl ben. Dowtyr,
+tow hast despysed +ti-self, +terfor +tow xalt neuyr
be despysed of God. Haue mend, dowtyr, what Mary
Mawdelen was, Mary Eypcyan, Seynt Powyl, & many
o+ter seyntys +tat arn now in Hevyn, for of vnworthy I
make worthy, & of synful I make rytful. & so haue I
mad +te worthy to me, onys louyd & euyrmor lovyd
wyth me. +Ter is no seynt in Heuyn +tat +tow wylt speke
wyth but he xal com to +te. Whom +tat God louyth
+tei louyn. Whan +tu plesyst God, +tow plesyst hys
Modyr & al +te seyntys in Heuyn. 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." Owyr
Lord seyd +tan to hys blysful Modyr, "Blyssed Modyr,
<P I,50>
telle +ge my dowtyr of +te gretnesse of loue I haue vn-to
hir." 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. 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. Dowtyr, I am thy modyr, +ti lady, and thy
maystres for to teche +te in al wyse how +tu schalt
plese God best." Sche tawt +tis creatur & 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, for he
cowde most skyl in swech thyngys. & he chargyd
+tis [{creatur{] be vertu of obedyens to tellyn hym             #
what-+tat-euyr
sche felt, & so sche dede.

[} (\CAPITULUM 22\) }]

   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. Xal
not I don so? For be-cawse I am no mayden, lak of
maydenhed is to me now gret sorwe; me thynkyth I
wolde I had ben slayn whan I was takyn fro +te funtston
+tat I xuld neuyr a dysplesyd +te, & +tan xuldyst
+tu, blyssed Lorde, an had my maydenhed wyth-owtyn
ende. A, der God, I haue not lovyd +te alle +te days
of my lyue, & +tat sor rewyth me; I haue ronnyn a-wey
fro +te, & +tou hast ronnyn aftyr me; I wold fallyn in
dyspeyr, & +tu woldyst not suffer me." "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? +Tu art to me a synguler lofe, dowtyr, & +terfor
I behote +te +tu schalt haue a synguler grace in Hevyn, 
<P I,51>
dowtyr, & I be-hest +te +tat I shal [\THE WORDS +tat I shal     #
WRITTEN IN THE OUTER MARGIN\] 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, God, +ti Lord Ihesu. +Tow +tart
drede no grevows peynes in +ti deyng, for +tu xalt haue
thy desyre, +tat is to haue mor mynde of my Passyon
+tan on +tin owyn peyne. +Tu xalt not dredyn +te Devyl
of Helle for he hath no powyr in +te. He dredyth +te
mor +tan thow dost hym. He is wroth wyth +te, for +tu
turmentyst hym for mor wyth +ti wepyng +tan doth al +te
fyer in helle; +tu wynnyst many sowlys fro hym wyth
+ti wepyng. & I haue be-hygth +te +tat +tu xuldyst noon
o+ter Purgatory han +tan slawndyr & speche of +te world,
for I haue chastysed +te my-self as I wolde be many gret
dredys & turmentrijs +tat +tu hast had wyth euyl spyritys
bo+tin slepyng & wakyng many +gerys. & +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;
it is gret grace & myracle +tat +tu hast thy bodyly wyttys
for +te vexacyon +tat +tu hast had wyth hem a-for-tyme.
I haue also, dowtyr, chastised +te wyth +te drede of my
Godhede, & many tymes haue I feryd +te wyth gret
tempestys of wyndys +tat +tu wendyst veniawns xuld a
fallyn on +te for synne. I haue preuyd +te be many
tribulacyons, many gret heuynes, & many grevows
sekenes in so mech +tat +tu hast ben a-noy[{n{]ted for
deed, & al thorw my grace hast +tu skapyd. +Terfor
drede +te nowt, dowtyr, 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, +ter
<P I,52>
+tu xalt se hym face to face, wonyng wyth hym wythowtyn
ende. Dowtyr, +tu xalt be ryte wolcome to
my Fadyr & to my Modyr & to alle my seyntys in Hevyn,
for +tu hast +gouyn hem drynkyn ful many tymes wyth
teerys of thyn eyne. Alle myn holy seyntys xal enioyen
of +ti comyng hom. +Tu xalt be fulfyllyd of al maner 
lofe +tat +tu coueytyst. +Tan xalt +tu blysse +te tyme +tat
+tu wer wrowte & +te body +tat +te hath bowte. He xal
joyen in +te & +tu in hym wyth-owtyn ende. 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. +Terfor +tei +tat
beleuyn +tat God louyth +te +tei xal ben blyssed wythowtyn
ende. The sowlys in Purgatory xal joyn in +ti
comyng hom, for +tei knowyn wel +tat God louyth +te
specyaly. & men in erth schal joyn in God for +te,
for he xal werkyn meche grace for +te and makyn al +te
world to knowyn +tat God louyth +te. +Tu hast be
despysed for my lofe, & +terfor +tu xalt be worshepyd for
my lofe. Dowtyr, whan +tu art in Heuyn, +tu xalt
mown askyn what +tu wylt, & I xal grawnte +te al +ti
desyr. I haue telde +te be-for-tyme +tat +tu art a synguler
louer, & +terfor +tu xalt haue a synguler loue in Heuyn, a
synguler reward, & a synguler worshep. &, 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, & so xalt
+tu dawnsyn in Hevyn wyth o+ter holy maydens &
virgynes, for I may clepyn +te dere a-bowte & myn owyn
derworthy derlyng. I xal sey to +te, myn owyn blyssed
<P I,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.' "

[} (\CAPITULUM 23\) }]

   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, for
hym thowt he profyted not a-mong hys parysshonys.
+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, &, +gyf +tei do neuyr +te bettyr, hys mede
xal neuyr be +te lesse." & so sche dede hir massage as
sche was comawndyd, & +te vykary kept stylle hys cur.
   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, & he +tat was hir
husbond is now in good hele, & +get he xal ben ded in
schort tyme." & so it be-fel as sche felt be reuelacyon.
Also, as +tis creatur lay in +te qwer in hir preyers, a prest
cam to hir & preyde hir to prey for a woman whech lay
in poynt of deth. As +tis creatur gan to prey for hir,
owyr Lord seyd to hir, "Dowtyr, it is gret nede to prey
for hir, for sche hath ben a wykkyd woman & sche xal
be ded." & sche seyd a-+gen, "Lord, as +tu louyst me,
<P I,54>
saue hir sowle fro dampnacyon," & +tan sche wept
wyth plentyuows teerys for +tat sowle. & owyr Lord
grawntyd hir mercy for +te sowle, comawndyng hir to
prey for hir. Thys creaturys gostly fadyr cam to hir,
mevyng hir to prey for a woman whech lay in poynt
of deth to mannys sygthe. & a-non owyr Lord seyd
sche xuld levyn & faryn wel, & so sche dede. A good
man whech was a gret frend to +tis creatur & an helply
to +te powyr pepyl was strongly seke many wekys to-gedyr.
& mech mone was mad for hym, for men wend
he xuld neuyr a leuyd, hys peyn was so wondyrful in
alle hys joyntys & in al hys body. Owyr Lord Ihesu
seyd to hir spirite, "Dowtyr, be not abaschyd for +tis
man, he schal levyn & faryn rygth wel." & so he leuyd
many +gerys aftyr in good helth & prosperite. An-o+ter
good man whech was a lyster lay seke also, &, 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. & so he was in schort tyme
aftyr. Also a worshepful woman &, as men leuyd, an
holy woman whech was a specyal frende to +tis creatur was
ryte seke, & mech pepyl wend sche xuld a be ded. +Tan,
+tis creatur preyng for hyr, owyr Lord seyd, "Sche xal
not deyn +tis x +ger, for +ge schal aftyr +tis makyn ful
mery to-gedyr & han ful good comunycacyon as +ge han
had be-for." & so it was in trewth: +tis holy woman
leuyd many +gerys aftyr. Many mo swech reuelacyons
+tis creatur had in felyng; hem alle for to wryten it xuld
be lettyng perauentur of mor profyte. +Tes be wretyn
for to schewyn +te homlynes & +te goodlynes of owyr
mercyful Lord Crist Ihesu & for no commendacyon of
+te creatur. +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. Sche had leuar a sufferyd any
bodyly penawns +tan +tes felyngys & sche mygth a put
hem a-wey for +te dred +tat sche had of illusyons &
deceytys of hir gostly enmys. Sche had sumtyme so
<P I,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. And +tan aftyr hir
turbele & hir gret fere it xuld ben schewyd vn-to hir
sowle how +te felyngys xuld ben vndyrstondyn.

[} (\CAPITULUM 24\) }]

   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, & ellys wold he not gladlych a wretyn +te boke. And
so +tis creatur, sumdel for drede +tat he wold ellys not
[\THE WORD not WRITTEN ABOVE ellys\] 
a folwyd hir entent for to wryten +tis boke, compellyd,
dede as he preyd hir & telde hym hir felyngys what xuld
be-fallyn in swech materys as he askyd hir +gyf hir felyngys
wer trewth. & +tus he preuyd hem for very trewth. &
+get he wold not alwey +geuyn credens to hir wordys, & +tat
hyndryd hym in +tis maner +tat folwyth. 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. 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. & so he
was fallyn in-to irregularite & mygth not executyn hys
<P I,56>
orderys wyth-owtyn dispensacyon of +te Cowrt of Rome, &
for +tis cawse he fled fro hys frendys & durst not comyn in
hys contre for drede to be takyn for her deth. +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.
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. & sche was
sor mevyd in hir spiryt a-geyns +tat +gong man, & seyd +tei
haddyn many powyr neybowrys whech +tei knewyn wel
a-now hadyn gret nede to ben holpyn & relevyd, & 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, for many spekyn & schewyn
ful fayr owtward to +te sygth of +te pepyl, God knowyth
what +tei arn in her sowlys. The good man & hys wyfe
thowtyn +tat sche seyd rygth wel, & +terfor +tei woldyn
grawntyn hym non almes. At +tat tyme +te preste was
euyl plesyd wyth +tis creatur, &, 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 & commendyd
mech hys gouernawns. +Te creatur seyd, "Sere, God
knowyth what hys gouernawns is, for, +tat I wot of, I sey
hym neuyr. & +get I haue vndyrstondyng what hys
gouernawns xuld be, & +terfor, ser, yf +ge wyl do be my
cownsel & aftyr +tat I fele, latyth hym chesyn & helpyn
hym-selfe as wel as he can & medyl +ge not wyth hym, for
he xal dysceyue +gow at +te last." +Te +gong man resortyd
alwey to +te preste, flateryng hym & seyng +tat he hath
<P I,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. The preste, trustyng it xuld be as +tis
+gong man teld hym, lent hym syluer wyth good wyl to
helpyn hym wyth. +Te +gong man preyed +te preste to
haue hym excused if he sey hym not of too days er thre,
for he xuld gon a lytyl wey & comyn a-geyn in schort
tyme & bryng hym a-+gen hys syluer rygth wel & trewly.
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. 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. The preste seyd he walkyd a lytil way &
trustyd +tat he wold come a-geyn. Sche seyd sche
supposyd +tat he wold no mor se hym, ne no mor he dede
neuyr aftyr. & +tan he repentyd hym +tat he had not
don aftyr hir cownsel. In schort tyme aftyr +tis was
passyd, comyth an-o+ter fals schrewe, an elde man, to +te
same preste & proferyd hym a portose, a good lytyl boke,
for to selle. +Te preste went to +te forseyd creatur,
preyng hir to preye for hym & wetyn whedyr God wolde
he xulde by +te boke er not, &, whyl sche preyd, he
cheryd +te man as wel as he cowde, & sythen he cam
a-geyn to +tis creatur & askyd how sche felt. "Syr,"
sche seyth, "byith no boke of hym, for he is not to
trustyn vp-on, & +tat xal +ge wel knowyn +gyf +ge medyl
wyth hy[{m{] ." Than +te preste preyde +te man +tat he
mygt se +tis boke. +Te man seyde he hath it not vp-on
hym. +Te preste askyd how he cam +terby. He seyd he
was executor to a preste whech was of hys kynred, & he
chargyd hym to sellyn it & dysposyn it for hym. "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 I,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?" "For-so+te, syr," he
seyde, "no mor I had, neuyr-+te-les I haue good wyl
wyth +gowr persone, & 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. & +tese cawsys mevyn me to come to +gow
ra+ter +tan to an-o+ter man." +Te preste askyd wher was
hys dwellyng. "Ser," he seyde, "but fyve myle fro
+tis place in Penteney Abbey." "+Ter haue I ben,"
seyd +te preste, "& I haue not sey +gow." "No ser,"
seyd he a-geyn, "I haue be +ter but lytyl whyle & now
haue I ther a lyuery, +tankyd be God." +Te preste
preyd hym +tat he mygth haue a sygth of +te boke &
lokyn yf +tei mygth acordyn. He seyde, "Sere, I
hope to be her a-geyn +te next woke & bryng it wyth
me &, ser, I be-hote +gow +ge schal haue it before any
o+ter man +gyf +gow lyke it." +Te preste +tankyd hym
for hys good wyl, & so they partyd a-sundyr, but
+te man wold neuyr comyn at +te preste aftyr, & +tan
+te preste knew wel +tat +te forseyd creaturys felyng was 
trewe.

[} (\CAPITULUM 25\) }]

   Ferthermore her folwyth a rygth notabyl matere
of +te creaturys felyng, & 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. 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
[{Be{]netys Ordyr sent fro +te hows of Norwych, kepyng
resydens wyth iij of hys bretheryn in +te worshepful town
be-forn-wretyn. Thorw summe of +te parischenys desyryng
to make +te chapelys lych to +te parysch cherch,
<P I,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. & specyaly in +te on chapel
whech was +te grettar & +te fayrare +tei wold haue a funte.
+Ter was pursuyd a bulle, in +te whech was grawntyd a
funte to +te chapel so it wer no derogacyon to +te parysch
cherch. +Te bulle was put in ple, & 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. +Te paryschenys whech pursuyd weryn rygth
strong & haddyn gret help of lordshyp, & also, +te most
of alle, +tei wer ryche men, worshepful marchawntys, &
haddyn gold a-now, whech may spede in euery nede,
& +tat is rewth +tat mede xuld spede er +tan trewth.
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. So long
+tis mater was in ple +tat it be-gan yrkyn hem on bo+te
sydes, & it was neuyr +te nerar an ende. +Tan was +te
mater put in my Lord of Norwych Alnewyk to say if he
mygth be trety bryng it to an ende. [{He{] laboryd
+tis mater diligently, & 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. 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, & askyd hir how sche felt in hir sowle in +tis mater
whe+tyr +tei xuld haue a funte in +te chapel or nowt.
"Syr," seyd +te creatur, "drede +ge not, for I vndyrstond
in my sowle, +tow +tei woldyn +gev[{e{] a buschel of nobelys,
+tei xuld not haue it." "A modyr," seyd +te preste,
<P I,60>
"my Lord of Norwych hath proferyd it hem wyth
certeyn condycyons, & +tei haue a tyme of avysement
for to sey nay or +ga whe+tyr +tei wyl, and +terfor I am
a-ferd +tei wyl not deny it but be ryt glad to haue it."
Thys creatur preyd to God +tat hys wyl myt be fulfyllyd.
&, 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. And, so as
owyr Lord wolde, +tei obeyd not ne lyked not +te menys
whech wer proferyd hem, for +tei trostyd fully to han her
entent be lordshep & be proces of lawe; &, as God wolde,
+tei wer deceyuyd of her entent, and for +tei wold han al
+tei lost al. 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, and +te inspiracyon
of owyr Lord was be experiens preuyd for very sothfast
& sekyr in +te forseyd creatur. 

<S SAMPLE 2>
<P I,221>
[} (\SECUNDUS LIBER\) }]
[} (\CAPITULUM PRIMUM\) }]

   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. 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. And first her is a notabyl mater +te whech is
not wretyn in +te forseyd tretys. It befel sone aftyr +tat
+te creatur be-forn-wretyn had forsakyn +te occupasyon
of +te worlde & was joynyd in hir mende to God as meche
as frelte wolde suffyr. 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. Neuyr-+te-lesse sche dede as meche as
in hir was, &, 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. 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. 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. He not
consentyng but scharply answeryng a-geyn, sche,
<P I,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. And, +gyf +tu do not, I pray God chastise
+te & ponysch +te +terfor." +Tei partyd a-sundyr, & sone
aftyr +te same +gong man passyd ouyr +te see in wey of
marchawndyse, & +tan, what thorw euyl entisyng of
o+ter personys & foly of hys owyn gouernawnce, he fel
in-to +te synne of letchery. Sone aftyr hys colowr
chawngyd, hys face wex ful of whelys & bloberys as it
had ben a lepyr. +Tan he cam hom a-geyn in-to Lynne to
hys maistyr wyth whech he had ben dwellyng be-for-tyme.
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. The
+gong man telde wher hym likyd how hys modyr had
bannyd hym, wher-thorw, as he supposyd, God so
greuowsly ponyschyd hym. Sum persone, hauyng
knowlach of hys compleynt & compassyon of hys disese,
cam to hys modyr, seying sche had don ryth euyl, for
thorw hir prayer God had takyn veniawns on hir owyn
childe. 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. 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. He preyid hys modyr of hir
blissyng, & 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.
For he supposyd be hir preyerys owr Lord sent hym +tat
ponischyng, & +terfor he trustyd be hir preyerys to be
deliueryd +ter-of +gyf sche wolde of hir charite preyin for
<P I,223>
hym. +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. 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. So longe sche preyid +tat he was clene delyueryd
of +te sekenes and leuyd many +gerys aftyr & had a wife
& a childe, blissyd mote God ben, for he weddyd hys
wife in Pruce in Dewchelonde. Whan tydyngys cam to
hys modyr fro ouyr +te see +tat hir sone had weddyd, sche
was ryth glad & thankyd God wyth al hir hert, supposyng
& trustyng he xulde leuyn clene & chast as +te lawe of
matrimony askith. Sithyn, whan God wolde, hys wife
had a childe, a fayr mayde-child. +Tan he sent tydingys
to hys modyr in-to Inglond how gracyowsly God had
visityd hym & hys wife. 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. 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. Neuyr-+te-lesse sche wiste wel to God was nothyng
impossibyl. +Terfor sche trustyd it schulde be so
as sche had felyng whan God wolde.

[} (\CAPITULUM 2=M=\) }]

   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. For a-for-tyme
hys clothys wer al daggyd & hys langage al uanyte;
now he weryd no daggys, & hys dalyawns was ful of
vertu. 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?" "Modyr," he seyd,
"I hope +tat thorw +gowr preyerys owr Lord hath drawyn
me, and I purpose be +te grace of God to folwyn +gowr
cownsel mor +tan I haue don be-forn." Than hys
<P I,224>
modyr, seyng +tis meruelyows drawte of owr Lord,
thankyd God as sche cowde, takyng good heed of hys
gouernawns for dred of symulacyon. +Te lengar +tat sche
beheld hys gouernawns, +te mor sadde sche thowt he was
& +te mor reuerent to-owr-Lord-ward. 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. 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. +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. 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. He was ful glad
+terof & 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, for
he trustyd meche in hys moderys cownsel, leuyng it
was of +te Holy Gost. Hys modyr, whan sche had
lettyr fro hym & knew hys desyr, went to hir preyer to 
knowyn owr Lordys cownsel & owr Lordys wyl. 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. +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. Whan he
was certifijd of hys moderys cownsel, he speryd whan
schippys xulde come in-to Inglond & 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. Whan +tei weryn in +te
schip, +ter resyn swech tempestys +tat +tei durstyn not
takyn +te see, & so +tei comyn on lond a-geyn, bothyn he,
<P I,225>
hys wife, & her childe. +Tan +tei left her childe in Pruce
wyth her frendys, & he & hys wife comyn in-to Inglond
be lond wey to hys fadyr & to hys modyr. Whan +tei
wer come +tedir, hys modir ful meche enioijd in owr Lord
+tat hir felyng was trewe, 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. & so it was in
dede, blissyd mote God ben. +Tei come hom on +te
Satyrday in good heele, & 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, & +tan in good life & ryth beleue
he passyd to +te mercy of owr Lord. 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. In schort tyme aftyr, +te
fadyr of +te sayd persone folwyd +te sone +te wey whech euery
man must gon. 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. 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. And
so thorw hir eldmodrys consentyng sche purueyid hir to
gon as sone as any schippys wentyn in-to +tat lond. So
+tei speryd a schip of +tat same lond & hir owyn cuntremen
xulde seylyn +tedyr, and hem thowt it was goodly
+tat sche xulde ra+tar seylyn wyth hem in her schip +tan
wyth o+ter men. Than sche went to hir confessowr for
to be schreuyn, &, 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." Owr Lord answeryd to hyr thowt, seying,
"Dowtyr, I wote wel, yf I bode +te gon, +tu woldist gon
<P I,226>
al redy. +Terfor I wyl +tat +tu speke no word to hym of
+tis mater." Than was sche ryth glad & mery, trustyng
sche xulde not gon ouyr +te see, for sche had ben in gret
perell on +te see a-for-tyme & was in purpos neuyr to
comyn +teron mor be hir owyn wille. Whan hir dowtyr-in-lawe
was schreuyn, +te good man whech was confessowr
to hem bothyn as +tat tyme cam to hir & seyd, 
"Ho schal gon wyth +gowr dowtyr to +te see-syde tyl
sche come at hir schip? 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," for a strawnge man was
come for hir & her nei+tyr was but lityl knowyn in +tis
cuntre, wher-for hir confessowr had +te mor compassyon
of hir. +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, +ter lyth +te schip & hir owyn cuntremen
+tat xal ledyn hir ouyr +te see." Hir confessowr
seyd, "How xulde +ge gon wyth hir?" +Ge hirtyd but late
+gowr foote, & +ge ar not +get al hool, & also +ge arn an elde
woman. +Ge may not gon." "Sir," sche seyd, "God,
as I trust, xal helpyn me ryth wel." +Tan he askyd ho
xulde gon wyth hir & brynge hir hom a-geyn. And sche
seyd, "Ser, her is longyng to +tis chirch an ermyte, a
+gong man. I hope he wil for owr Lordys lofe gon &
comyn wyth me, +gef +ge wil +geuyn me leue." So sche had
leue to brynge hir dowtyr to +Gepiswich & +tan comyn
a-geyn to Lynne. +Tus +tei passyd forth in her jurne
in tyme of Lenton, and, whan +tei weryn v er vj myle
fro Lynne, +tei comyn forby a cherch, & so +tei turnyd
in for to heryn Messe. And, as +tei wer in +te chirche, +te
forseyd creatur, desiryng teerys of deuocyon, non myth
purchasyn at +tat tyme but euyr was comawndyd in hir
hert for to gon ouyr +te see wyth hir dowtyr. Sche wolde
a putt it owt of hir mende, & euyr it cam a-geyn so fast
+tat sche myth not rest ne qwiet han in hir mende but
euyr was labowryd & comawndyd to gon ouyr +te see.
Sche thowt it was heuy to hir to takyn sweche labowr
vp-on hir & excusyd hir-self to owr Lord in hir mende,
<P I,227>
seying, "Lord, +tu wost wel I haue no leue of my gostly 
fadyr, & I am bowndyn to obediens. +Terfor I may not
do thus wyth-owtyn hys wil & hys consentyng." It was
answeryd a-geyn to hir thowt, "I bydde +te gon in my
name, Ihesu, for I am a-bouyn thy gostly fadyr & I xal
excusyn +te & ledyn +te & bryngyn +te a-geyn in safte."
Sche wolde +get excusyn hir yf sche myth in any wey, &
+terfor sche seyd, "I am not purueyd of gold ne of syluer
sufficiently for to gon wyth as I awt to be, and, +tow I wer
& wolde gon, I wote wel my dowtyr had leuar I wer at
hom, & perauentur +te schip-maistrys xulde not receyuyn
me in-to her vessel for to gon wyth hem." Owr Lord
seyd a-geyn, "Yf I be wyth +te, ho schal ben a-geyns
+te? I xal purueyin for +te & getyn +te frendys to helpyn
+te. Do as I bydde +te, & +ter schal no man of +te schip
sey nay vn-to +te." The creatur say +ter was non o+ter
help but forth sche must at +te comawndyng of God.
Sche thowt +tat sche wolde fyrst gon to Walsyngham &
offeryn in worschep of owr Lady, &, 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. Sche
turnyd in-to +te cherch wher +te frer seyd +te sermown, a
famows man, & a gret audiens had at hys sermown.
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. So sche went forth to Walsingham,
& sithyn to Norwich wyth hir dowtyr-in-lawe, & +te
ermyte wyth hem. 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.
+Te doctowr schewyd hir gret cher & dalyid wyth hir as he
had don be-for-tyme. Sche, many tymys syhyng, was
heuy in cher & in cuntenawnce. +Te doctowr askyd what
hir eylyd, "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 I,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. & he weny[{d{]
fully +tat I xulde don so. 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, & I wote wel sche wolde I wer
at hom, & so wolde I yf I durst. +Tus was I meuyd in my
sowle & no rest myth han in my spiryt ne deuocyon tyl
I was consentyd to do as I was meuyd in my spiryt, &
+tis is to me gret drede & heuynes." +Te worschipful
clerk seyd vn-to hir, "+Ge schal obey +te wil of God, for I
leue it is +te Holy Gost +tat spekyth in +gow, & +terfor
folwyth +te meuyng of +gowr spiryt in +te name of Ihesu."
Sche was meche comfortyd wyth hys wordys & toke hir
leue, goyng forth to +te see-syde wyth hir felaschip.
Whan +tei were comyn +tedir, +te schip was redy to seilyn.
+Tan sche preyid +te maistyr +tat sche myth seilyn wyth
hem in-to Duchelond, & he goodly receyuyd hir, & +tei
+tat weryn in +te schip seyd not onys nay. +Ter was non
so meche a-geyn hir as was hir dowtyr, +tat awt most to a
ben wyth hir. +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, for it was not hir wetyng ne hir entent whan sche
partyd fro hem to a passyd +te see neuyr whil sche had
leuyd, "but," sche seyd, "I must a-beyn +te wil of God."
The ermyte partyd fro hir wyth heuy cher & 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. +Te pepil +tat herd
+terof had gret wondyr & seydin as +tei woldyn. 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 I,229>
wher sche had not ben be-forn ne not wist how sche xulde
come a-geyn. 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. 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.

[} (\CAPITULUM 3=M=\) }]

   The sayd creatur & hir felawschip entryd her schip
on +te Thursday in Passyon Weke, & God sent hem fayr
wynde & wedyr +tat day & +te Fryday, 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. +Te tempestys
weryn so greuows & hedows +tat +tei myth not rewlyn
ne gouerne her schip. +Tei cowde no bettyr chefsyawns
+tan comendyn hem-self & her schip to +te gouernawns
of owr Lord; +tei left her craft & her cunnyng &
leet owr Lord dryuyn hem wher he wolde. +Te sayd
creatur had sorwe & care j-now; hir thowt sche had
neuyr so mech be-forn. Sche cryid to owr Lord for
mercy & preseruyng of hir & alle hir felaschep. Sche
thowt in hir mende, "A, Lord, for +ti lofe cam I hedyr,
& +tu hast oftyn-tyme behite me +tat I schulde neuyr
perischyn nei+tyr on londe ne in watyr ne wyth no tempest.
+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,
& now, Lord, it is lyke +tat her bannyng comyth to
effect, & 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. Now may myn enmyis enyoyin, & I may
sorwyn yf +tei haue her intent & I be deceyuyd. Now,
<P I,230>
blisful Ihesu, haue mende of thy many-fold mercy &
fulfille +ti behestys +tat +tu hast behite me. 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. Help
us & socowr us, Lord, er +tan we perischyn er dispeyryn,
for we [\THE WORD we WRITTEN ON TOP OF me\] may not long        #
enduryn +tis sorw +tat we ben
in wyth-owtyn +ti mercy & +ti socowr." Owr mercyful
Lord, spekyng in hir mende, blamyd hir of hyr feerdnes,
seying, "Why dredist +te? Why art +tu so aferd?
I am as mythy her in +te see as on +te londe. Why wilt
+tu mistrostyn me? Al +tat I haue hite +te I xal
trewly fulfillyn, & I xal neuyr deceyuyn +te. Suffyr
paciently a while & haue trost in my mercy. Wauyr
nowt in thy feith, for wyth-owtyn feith +tu maist nowt
plesyn me. +Gyf +tu woldist verily trostyn in me &
no-thyng dowtyn, +tu maist han gret comfort in +ti-self
& mythist comfortyn al thy felaschep wher +ge ben now
alle in gret drede & heuynes." Wyth swech maner of
dalyawns & meche mor hy & holy +tan euyr I cowde
writyn owr Lord comfortyd hys creatur, blissyd mote he
ben. Holy seyntys whech sche preyid on-to dalijd
vn-to hir sowle be +te sufferawns of owr Lord, +geuyng
hir wordys of gret comfort. At +te last cam owr Lady
& seyd, "Dowtyr, be of a good comfort. +Tu hast
euyr fowndyn my tydingys trewe, & +terfor be no lengar
a-ferd, for I telle +te trewly +tes wyndys & tempestys
xal sone sesyn & +ge xal han rith fayr wedyr." And so,
blissyd mote God ben, it was in schort tyme aftyr her
schip was dreuyn in-to Norwey coost, & +ter +tei londyd
on Good Fryday & abedyn +ter Estern Euyn, & Estern
Day, & +te Monday aftyr Estern. And on +tat Monday
<P I,231>
+tei weryn howselyd wyth-inne +te schip alle +tat longyd
to +te schip. On Estern Day +te maistyr of +te schip &
+te sayd creatur & o+ter for +te most partye of +te schipgynge
went on lond & herdyn her seruyse at +te chirche.
Aftyr +te vse of +te cuntre +te Cros was reisyd on Estern
Day a-bowte noon-tyme, & sche had hir meditacyon
& hir deuocyon wyth wepyng & sobbyng as wel as yf
sche had ben at hom. 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, for euyr sche had hym in hir sowle.
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. 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, and was as tendyr
to hir as sche had ben hys modyr. He curyd hir in +te
schip wyth hys owyn clothys, for ellys sche myth a
deyd for colde, sche was not purueyd as o+ter weryn.
Sche went at +te biddyng of owr Lord, & +terfor hyr Maistyr
whech bad hir gon purueyid for hir so +tat sche ferd
as wel as any of hir felawschep, worschep & preysyng
be to owr Lord +terfor.

[} (\CAPITULUM 4=M=\) }]

   The seyd creatur a-bood in Danske in Duchelond
a-bowt v er vj wekys & had ryth good cher of meche
pepil for owr Lordys lofe. +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. +Tan +te creatur enyoyid in owr Lord +tat sche
had so gret cher for hys lofe & purposyd to a-bydyn +ter
+te lengar tyme. Owr Lord, spekyng to hir thowt,
monischyd hir to gon owt of +te cuntre. Sche was
+tan in gret heuynes & diswer how sche xulde do +te
byddyng of God, whech sche wolde in no wey wythstondyn,
& had nei+tyr man ne woman to gon wyth hir
in felawschep. Be +te watyr wolde sche not gon as
ny as sche myth, for sche was so afrayd on +te see as
<P I,232>
sche cam +tedirward; and be lond wey sche myth not
gon esyly, for +ter was werr in +te cuntre +tat sche xulde
passyn by. So what thorw o cawse & o+ter sche was in
gret heuynesse, not wetyng how sche xuld be releuyd.
Sche went in-to a chirche & 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.
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. 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. & he behestyd hir
+tat he wolde gon on pilgrimage wyth hir to +te forseyd
place on hys owyn cost, & 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. He purueyd an
heeke, a lityl schip, in +te which +tei xulde seylyn            #
to-+te-holy-place-warde,
and +tan myth sche han no leue to
gon owt of +tat lond, for sche was an Englisch woman,
& so had sche gret vexacyon & meche lettyng er sche
myth getyn leue of on of +te heerys of Pruce for to gon
+tens. At +te last, thorw +te steryng of owr Lord, +ter
was a marchawnt of Lynne herd tellyn +ter-of, & he cam
to hir & comfortyd hir, behestyng hir +tat he xulde helpyn
hir fro +tens, ey+tyr preuyly er apertly. And +tis good
man thorw gret labowr gate hir leue to gon wher sche
wolde. +Tan sche, wyth +te man whech had prouydyd
for hir, tokyn her vessel, & God sent hem calm wynde,
+te whech wynde plesyd hir ryth wel for +ter ros no wawe
on +te watyr. Hir felaschep thowt +tei sped no wey &
weryn heuy & grutchyng. Sche preyid to owr Lord,
& he sent hem wynde a-now +tat +tei seylyd a gret cowrse
<P I,233>
& +te wawys resyn sor. Hyr felaschep was glad & mery,
and sche was heuy & sory for dred of +te wawys. Whan
sche lokyd up-on hem, sche was euyr feryd. Owr Lord,
spekyng to hir spirit, bad hir leyn down hir heuyd +tat
sche xulde not seen +te wawys, & sche dede so. But
euyr sche was a-feerd, & +terfor was sche oftyn-tymys
blamyd. & so they seylyd forth to a place whech is
clepyd Strawissownd. Yf +te namys of +te placys be
not ryth wretyn, late no man merueylyn, for sche stodyid
mor a-bowte contemplacyon +tan +te namys of +te placys,
& he +tat wrot hem had neuyr seyn hem, & +terfor haue
hym excusyd.



