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[^TEXT:  THE LIFE OF ST. EDMUND.
THE EARLY SOUTH-ENGLISH LEGENDARY
OR LIVES OF SAINTS.
EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, O.S. 87. 
ED. C. HORSTMANN.
LONDON, 1887. 
PP. 431.1 - 449.613 (BODL. MS. LAUD MISC. 108)^]

<P 431>
[}63 [{EADMUND CONF.{] }]

   Seint Eadmund +te confessour : +tat lyth+t at pounteneye,
Of guode men and trewe he cam : +tei huy neren nou+gt ful       #
hei+ge;
In Engelonde he was i-bore : in +te toun of Abindone.
Glad mi+ghtte +te moder beo : +tat bar swuch a sone!
Mabile +te riche is moder [{het{] : +tat guod womman was        #
i-nou+g,
For bo+te wif and wydewe : to holie lif heo drou+g.
Lustniez nou+te and i may telle : hou and in +gwat manere
Seint Eadmund was i-bore : +gif +ge it wollez i-here.
A-seint Eadmundus dai +te king : +tis guode child was i-bore;
So clene he cam fram is moder : with-oute ech-manere hore,
And so clene, +tat no cloth : +tat nei+gh +te moder was
Ne nei+gh +tis +goungue child, +to it was i-bore : no-+ting     #
+te foulere it nas.
   A-seint Eadmundes dai he was i-bore : ri+ght ase it was day;
Fram erne morewe +tat it was eue : ase a ded +ting he lay+g,
Ri+ght ase he were ded-bore : for no +ting on him lif ne sai+g;
<P 432>
+Te mide-wyues him wolden habbe i-bured : ac +te moder seide    #
euere 
nay. 
A-+gein eue he cudde furst is lif. : to churche he was i-bore,
And for seint Eadmundes day : he [{was{] Eadmund i-cleoped      #
+tare-fore.
   +Tis child wax and wel i-+tev - : elles wonder it were.
+To it was of ani elde : +te moder it sette to lere,
And Robert al-so, hire o+tur sone - : for sones heo hadde to,
And tweye maydenes clene i-nou+g : hire dou+ghtren were al-so,
Dame Margerie and dame Alis : +tat at catesbi weren i-do
And +tare in religion Nonnes huy weren : and +guyt liggez       #
+tare bo+te-to.
   Dame Mabile, heore guode moder : +teos children heo louede   #
i-nou+gh,
And wissede heom to clene liue : and to alle guodnesse heom     #
drou+gh.
+Te +gwyle +te children +gongue weren : heo +gaf heom ofte mede
For-to faste +tane friday : to watur and to brede.
+Toru+g mede and +toru+g ire faire bi-heste : huy weren so      #
+tar-on i-brou+gt,
+Tat, +to huy weren of grettore elde : it ne grefde heom        #
ri+ght nou+ght.
   +Te moder werede +te strongue here : for ore louerdes loue,
Fram +te scholdre to +te hele : and on haubark +tare-a-boue - 
In swuche manere he ladde hire lif : +te widewe +tat was so     #
wis.
wel +gongue heo sende bo+te hire sones : to scole to paris,
And bi-tok heom spense luyte i-nou+g : ase heo it mi+ghte       #
bi-seo.
huy senden hire word +tat huy ne mi+ghten : with so luyte beo.
"leoue sones," quath +te mode[{r{] : "ichulle beon a-+gein eov  #
hende;
+Gif +ge wollez aftur me do : ich can eou more sende,
And it schal eov like swi+te wel : bi +tat +ge wyteth +te ende;
Ne spariez nou+ght, mi leoue sones : out of londe to wende."
   "Leoue Moder," que+ten +te sones : "we schullen do aftur     #
+ti lore;
Ake wel +tou wost +tat we ne mouwen nou+gt libbe : bote +tou    #
us 
sende more."
   +Te moder tok wel stilleliche : ey+tur of heom ane here
And bad heom bo+te for hire loue : +tat huy with heom as bere
And werie as twie o+tur +trie : eche woke +tere,
And heo wolde heom sende spense i-nov : +te +gwuyle huy at      #
scole were.
   +Tis children +geoden to scole +to : and duden heore moder   #
heste
And wereden +te here twie a wike : o+tur +trie at +te leste.
So longe huy woneden heom +tar-to : +tat huy nomen as ofture    #
+to,
<P 433>
So +tat no+tur ny+ght ne day : huy nolden heom for-go;
   huy woneden heom so wel +tar-to : +tat huy as wereden day    #
and
ny+ght.
+Tis was, for-so+te a guod Moder : for heo tei+ghte hire        #
children a-ri+ght!
And euere +gwane heo sende heom clo+tes : ase heo as mi+ghte    #
i-winne,
+Tare-with heo wolde herene sende : faste i-seuwede with-inne.  
   Seint Eadmund +te +gongue clerk : to eche guod-nesse drou+g,
+Tat euerech clerk +tat him i-knev+g : hadde of him Ioye        #
inov+g;
For ore louerdes swete grace : with him was wel riue:
And +tat ore louerd cudde him wel : al bi is +gongue liue.
   For ase +tis child +geode a day : in a Mede to pleie,
his felawes he bi-lefde ech-on : and +geode bi-side +te wei+ge,
And al one +geode up and doun : and is bedes seide.
+To cam +tere gon a fair +gwit child : to him in +tis mede,
"Felawe," he seide, "heil +tou beo : +tat +tus one gest         #
i-lome!"
Seint Eadmund stod in gret +tou+ght : fro +gwannes +tis child   #
come.
   "Ne knoust+tou me nou+ght?" quath +tis child. : seint        #
Eadmund
seide "no."
"Ich am +ti felawe," quath +tat child : "+gwodere +tou euere    #
go.
At scole ich sitte euere bi +te : euere on +ti ri+ght side,
And with +te ich go in euerech stude : ne go +tou no so wide,
   And +ti plei-fere, for-so+te, ich am - : and +gif +tou nost  #
nou+gt +gwat ich
beo,
   In mi fore-heued i-write : mi name +tou mi+ght i-seo.
And al-so ase mi name is : in mi fore-heued i-do,
Creoyce +tare-with +ti fore-heued : and +ti breoste al-so
Euereche ni+ghte are +tou slepe : in +te muynde of me,
   And +te deuel ne schal habbe no pouwer : for-to greui +te."
   Seint eadmund nuste mit +tusse worde : +gware +tis child     #
bi-cam.
he onder-stod +tat it was ore louerd : and gret Ioye to him he  #
nam;
And nolde fur-+gite neuere ane ni+ght : his lore forto do,
to creoici +tri+ges is fore-heued : and is breoste al-so
   And segge "ihesus of Nazareth" : ase he it sai+g i-write - 
with no-+ting ne scholde a man betere : fram +te deuel him      #
wite. - 
In penaunce, and in is lore : +tis child dude al is +tou+gt;
For godes loue he +tolede muche : +tat deore him hadde          #
a-bou+ght,
<P 434>
   In penaunce he was so wel i-woned : and +gong +tar-on        #
i-brou+ght,
+Tat, +to he was of grettore elde : it ne grefde him ri+ght     #
nou+ght.
At parys he was at scole longue : and at Oxenford al-so.
he ne dude neuere lecherie : ne ensentede +tar-to;
Ase is schrift-fader wolde telle : ofte in priueite,
he ne mi+ghte neuere finde man : of so gret chastete.
   Priueliche at oxenford : on a day he cam
To one ymage of ore lauedi : and bi +te hond hire nam
And bi-hiet bi-fore hire treweliche : fram eche wummanes imone
And with treu+te holden al is lif : clanliche to hire one.
   +Tulke ymage he weddede with a ring : ase a man dot+t is     #
wif,
Clanliche to holden in spoushod : to hire al is lijf;
(\"Aue Maria, gracia plena"\) : +teos four wordes weren i-do
And i-graued in +tis ring : for huy a-cordeden wel +tar-to.
   Wel he huld is treu+te set+te : and his weddingue al-so,
And trewe spouse was i-nov+g : nolde he nou+gt misdo.
Ich wot wel, +guyt men mi+ghten finde : ho-so sou+gte bliue,
Summan, +tei it sielde beo : untreowore to is wiue,
And al ful beo of +te Mariage : +ge and fayn it wolde un-binde!
+Gwe+tur ani of eou cou+te ou+gwere : ani swuch hosebonde       #
finde? - 
   His hostasse hadde one dou+gter : +tere he was at inne,
+Tat louede muche +tis holie child : +gif heo mi+ghte is loue   #
i-winne;
heo ne cou+te nei+gh non o+tur wit : ake heo fondede for-to do
Folie bi him ny+ght and dai : +gif heo mi+ghte bringue him      #
+tar-to.
   Heo bad him +tat heo moste a-ni+ght : to is bedde wiende.
+Tis holie clerk ne wernde hire nou+ght : and dude ase +te      #
hende.
+Tat Maide was +to glad i-nov+g : for erore heo bad wel         #
of[{te{] .
A-ni+ght, +to heo hire tyme i-sai+gh : to is bed heo cam wel    #
softe,
   hire clo+tes heo dude of a non : ase it is ri+ght of bedde,
And made hire naked, to creopen in. : ake febleliche hire       #
spedde:
For seint Eadmund hadde ane smarte +georde : and +te clo+tus    #
a-doun
spradde
And beot hire on +te nakede rug : +tat wel-nei+gh heo a-wedde;
he ne sparede rug ne side no+tur : are heo to grounde bledde - 
A-quenche he mi+ghte hire fole wille : mid blode +tat heo       #
schedde!
   And euere seide +tis holie Man : ase he leide on faste,
<P 435>
"Maide, +tou schalt leorni +tus : a-wei forto caste
+Ti fole wille of +ti flesch : with swuche discipline."
heo +tou+ghte wel luyte on folie : are +tis guode clerk wolde   #
fine!
   +Tis Maide wende softe a+gen : hire rug smert ful sore.
he bi-+gat so luyte +to : +tat hire ne longuede +tudere         #
nam-more;
Clene wumman heo bi-cam : with-oute flechsliche dede,
And clene Maide deide set+te : ase hire schriftfader seide.
   +Tis Maidenes +tat beot+t willesfole : folie forto do,
I-cholde huy founden swuche lefmanes : +tat wolden heom         #
chastie so! - 
+To Mabile, is swete moder : scholde of +tis liue go,
Seint Eadmund, hire guode sone : nei+gh hire was +to;
his Moder him +gaf hire blessingue : +to heo scholde of liue    #
fare.
"Blesse mine bro+tur," quath seint Eadmund : "+tei he beo       #
elles+gware."
   "Leoue sone," quath +tis wydewe : "bo+te +ge comen of me,
And he is, +gwane +ge beoth o blod : i-blessed i-nou+g with     #
+te.
Ake ich bidde +te for godes loue : and for seinte Marie
+Tat +tou sum-+gware +tine sostrene do : in-to ane nonnerie,
So +tat huy mouwen clene lif lede : in ore louerdes seruise;
And ne soffre +tou nou+ght +tat huy beon : i-weddet in none     #
wise.
+Te catel +tat ich heom bi-que+te : +tis dede for-to do,
Al ich bi-take in +tine warde : and heom +tare-with also."
   +Tis guode womman deide +tus : +tat of wydewene was flour;
And in a chapel at Abindone heo was i-bured : with swy+te gret
honour,
In a ston bi-fore +te croiz : in +te sout+t-side, i-wis;
A luyte with-inne +te churche-hei +gate : +tat chapel a-rerd    #
is.
A-boue hire is i-write : "here lijth+t in +tis ston
Mabile, flour of wudewene" - : and lesingue nis it non,
For heo was womman of guode liue : ase Men mi+ghten bi hire     #
i-seo;
And mani Miracle at Abindone : for hire hath seth+te i-beo.
   Ne for-+gat nou+ght seint Eadmund : +tat is moder him hadde  #
i-bede:
+To is power was i-woxe : he purueide him ane stude,
+Tat is sostren weren i-do : in one Nonnerie;
Ake wel vnne+te he it fond : with-oute symonie. - 
   Simonie so is i-cleoped : foreward for-to make
<P 436>
to bugge liflode of holie churche : and a certein catel take.
A-mansede beot+t alle swuche : +tat so wollez don;
Ake na+teles to religion : manie comiez so! - 
   +Tis guode sone sou+ghte wide a-boute : mani a Nonnerie,
Are he mi+ghte his sostren do : with-oute symonie;
At+te laste he cam to Catesbi : in Norehamptone-schire,
I-graunted him was +tare a-non : al +tat he wolde desire:
   bo+te his sustren a-godes half : Nounnes he made +tere;
+Tat leueden +tare al heore lijf : and holie wommen were,
+Te eldore was seth+te prioresse : of +te lauedies ech-on - 
For heom hauez set+te ore louerd i-do : miracles mani on;
And bi-fore +te hei+ge weuede : i-burede huy beoth +tere
In a chapele +tat huy leten : of seint Eadmund a-rere. - 
   Seint Eadmund, +tis holie man : werede strongue here;
In strengore manere heo was i-maud : +tane o+tur mannes were:
heo nas i-sponne ne i-weoue : ake i-broide strengus longue,
And seth+te ase man knut a net : i-knut swi+te harde and        #
stronge,
of harde horses here i-maud - : +te knottes deope wode,
+Tat muche del of is bodie orn : of quiture and of blode.
   +Tare-of he hadde schuirte and briech : fram necke to +te    #
hiele;
vn-ayseliche he mi+ghte ligge : o+tur ani ayse i-fele.
A strong rop +tere was +tanne : a-boue fram +te scholdre i-do
to is bottokes, of horse-here : to holden it faste to;
And set+te he was bi-neo+te is briech : i-gurd faste i-nov+g
with a strong corde a-boue : +tat +te here faste drou+g.
   So faste was in euerech side : +te here to him i-bounde,
+Tat vnne+t[{e{] he mi+ghte bie+ge is rug : o+tur stoupi        #
touward +te grounde;
And +gwan he stoupede ani-+ting : is flechs was so for-gnawe
+Tat wonder was hou he it +tolede : +tat he ne hadde to de+te   #
i-drawe.
   Fiet and hondene +tat neren nou+gt : i-tormentede with +tat  #
here
Necke and face and al is heued : +tat withoute were,
he roddede a-ni+ght with +te here : +gwane no man ne mi+ghte i  #
seo;
For he nolde +tat no lime : un-pined scholde beo.
   A dai he tok al priueliche : is Manne his olde here,
+Tat he as fur-brende stilleliche : for huy for-olde were.
he caste as in gret fuyr i-nov+g - : ac it ne cam nou+ght       #
+tare-nei+gh,
<P 437>
Ake euere huy weren i-liche sounde : ase +tis man i-sei+gh.
+To he i-sai+g +tat  huy ne brende nou+ght : he bond +ter-to    #
wel faste
heuie stones to drawe a-doun : and in-to a deop watur heom      #
caste.
+Tat fuyr nadde power non : to touchi +te holie here!
Ake na+teles he tolde is louerd fore : +tat huy i-brende were.  #
- 
   Seint Eadmund and is felawe : ase it was ofte heore wone,
In a day fram leukenore : wenden to Abindone.
Ase huy comen in a gret ualei+ge : blake foule huy sei+ge
Ase it crowene and rokes weren : fleon bi +te Eyr wel hei+ge;
A luyte blac sak ase +tei it were : +tis foules a-mong heom     #
bere,
huy casten it up fram on to o+tur : ase huy it al-to-drowe and  #
to-tere.
his felawe stod and bi-h=e=old : and was nei+gh wod for fere.
   Seint Eadmund him +gaf confort : ant tolde him +gwat it      #
were:
"Deuelene," he seide, "of helle it beoth : and +tat huy berez   #
so,
i-wis,
Ane Mannes soule here-bi-fore : of Chalgraue it is,
+Tat nou+te ri+ght deide late - : heo ne cometh neuere in blis,
he mai singue weylawei : +tat he euere dude amis."
  Forth huy wenden to chalgraue : +te so+te huy founden +tere:
+Te Man was ded a luyte bi-fore : and al hot ligge on bere.
Neuere +te gladdore ne mi+ghte he beo : +tat deuelene him so    #
to-tere;
he mi+ghte segge weilawey : +tat euere is lifdawes were! - 
   Seint Eadmund, +te holie Man : louede wel is lore,
And for is lore he louede +guyt : godes seruise +te more.
Mest he louede on oresoun : +tat was of ihesu crist
And of ore leuedi, is swete Moder : and of sein Ioan +te        #
Ewangelist,
+Tat (\".O. intemerata"\) : bi-gvynnez on latyn;
+Te bi-guynningue is wel guod : and al-so is +te fin.
Euereche dai bi custome : he seide +tis oresun,
he nolde bi-leue for no scole : ne for no lessoun.
   In a dai he it fur-+gat : he hadde so muche to done.
Seint Ioan +te Ewangelist to him cam : +te ni+ght aftur-ward    #
ful sone
And a paumerie bar on is hond : gret and strong i-nou+gh;
Seint Eadmund he nam bi +te hond : and is paumerie op drou+gh,
So hei+ge and with so gret Eyr : ase he him wolde al-to-driue.
Seint Eadmund lay and quakede : and drad was of is liue,
<P 438>
For, +gif he him smite ase he dunt drou+g : he were ded  a-non;

[\HERE A FOL. IS WANTING IN THE LAUD MS.; MS HARL. CONTINUES:\]
he quakede & cride dulfulliche : "louerd, merci, seint Iohn!"
   "Ich wole for-+geue +te," qua+t seint Ioh=a=n : "+tu         #
criest so sore;
& +tench bet on oure oreisoun : & nefor+get hit nomore!"
he nefor-+gat after +tulke tyme : nomore +tis oreisoun,
For no studie nefor no neode : nefor +to+gt of lessoun. - 
   So wel lurnede +tis holi man : & suche grace hadde,
+Tat he bigan at Oxenford : & of art +ter radde.
Of art he radde six +ger : contynuelliche ynou+g,
& si+t+te for-[{to{] beo more profound : to arsmetrike he       #
drou+g,
& arsmetrike radde in cours : in Oxenford wel faste
& his figurs  drou+g aldai : & his numbre caste. - 
   Arsmetrike is alore : +tat of figurs al is
& of drau+gtes as me drawe+t in poudre : & of numbre, i-wis. - 
   A ni+gt in avisioun : his moder to him wende,
"Sone," heo seide, "to what figurs : woltou nou entende?"
"Leoue moder," qua+t +tis o+ter : "suche as we iseo+t."
"Leoue sone," qua+t +te moder : "betere figurs +ter beo+t,
wherto +tu most +tin hurte do : & +tenche her-on nomore!"
heo nom for+t his ri+gt hond : & wrot +ter-on his lore:
+Treo rounde cerclen heo wrot : in +te paume amidde,
In +te tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holigost in +te +tridde;
"Sone," heo seide, "her-afterward : entende to +tis lore!"
To heuene a+ge +te moder wende : henese+g hire nomore.
   +To ise+g seint Edmund : +tat hit was al of +te Trinite,
& +tat god wolde +tat he schulde : ihure diuinite.
To diuinite, as god wolde : +tis gode man him drou+g;
+Ter nespedde non in Oxenford : so wel of ynou+g.
hit nas no+gt longe +ter-afterward : +tat +te Chanceler ne      #
sede,
& +te hexte maystres of +te toun : +tat he schulde bigynne &    #
rede.
he wi+tsede & longe seide : +tat he nas no+gt wor+ti +terto;
So +tat moche a+gen his wille : nede hi makede him hit do.
So +tat he bigan at Oxenford : of diuinite.
So noble alosed +ter nas non : in al +te vniuersite.
Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : +tat meni on to him drou+g;
his scolers +tat ihurde of him : gode men were ynou+g.
So pitousliche he wolde rede : & so gode grace hadde +ter-to,
+Tat his scolers +tat ihurde of him : nuste ofte what to do,
Ac sete as in ano+ter wordle : & ofte hudde here e+ge
<P 439>   
& wepe +tat +te teres vrne adoun : +tat men hit al-aboute       #
i-se+ge.
vne+te eni ihurde of him : +tat +te betere ne bicom,
& meni bileuede al +te wordle : & to religioun nom. - 
   A dai as +tis holi man : in diuinite
Desputede, as hit was his wone : of +te trinite,
In his chaire he sat longe : er his scolers come;
Alutel he bigan to swoudri : as a slep him nome.
+To +to+gte him in his swoudringe : +tat a whit coluere com
Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch : & +te wei to him nom,
& +tat swete flesch pulte in his mou+t : si+t+te fle+g vp       #
anhe+g;
heuene openede hire a+gen : as +tis gode man ise+g.
+Te sauour of oure louerdes flesch : him +to+gte, was in his    #
mou+te,
And al +te clergie, him +to+gte, of god : +to he awok, he       #
cou+te,
Of +te pure stat of crist : & of his mageste
As [{an{] angel him +to+gte he cou+te : & of his priueite.
   he bigan so deope desputi : of +te trinite,
+Tat  gret wonder me hadde : +turf al +te vniuersite;
+Tat +te gretteste clerkes +tat were : in Oxenforde +to
Ne +to+gte +tat eni vr+tlich man : so furfor+t mi+gte go
Ne wite so moche of godes stat : bote hit [{an{] angel were;
+Ter nere none maystres in Oxenford : +tat in gret wonder       #
+terof nere.
+Ac he mi+gte of ihesu crist iwite : more +tan was in boc,
whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch : & in his mou+te toc! - 
   Ne +to+gte no+gt +tis holi man : so moche in his lessoun
+Tat euere among his +to+gt nas mest : in godes passioun.
O tyme he was in grete studie : of his lessoun any+gt,
+Tat longe he sat +ter-aboute : forte hit was ne+g daili+gt.
+To hit was toward +te dai : a-napped he was sore,
he lynede adoun vpon his boc : +to he nemi+gte studie nomore;
So +tat he ful aslepe : & vnywar also,
& ne+to+gte no+gt on +te passioun : as he was iwoned to do.
+Te deuel com to him wel sone : no+ting to siche he nas.
Seint Edmund of him was iwar : in swoudring as he was
he wolde him blesci wi+t +te deuel : his ri+gt hond he gan      #
for+t drawe:
+Te deuel him nom +terbi anon : he nemi+gte him no+gt wawe.
+To nom he for+t his lift hond : to blesci him wi+t also:
+Te deuel him nom +terbi faste : +tat he nemi+gte no+ting do.
vpe him he lai as a sak : +tat he was al ouercome,
he nemi+gte him wawe fot ne hond : his poer him was binome.
Ac delyure he hadde al his +to+gt : so +tat he +to+gte sone
<P 440>
Of oure louerdes passioun : as he was woned to done.
   +Te deuel nemi+gte +to bileue : vpe him none +trowe,
For drede he ful sone adoun : bituene him & +te wowe.
   Seint Edmund aros vp anon : & +te deuel ouercom,
Strangliche & harde ynou : bi +te +trote he him nom.
"+turf oure louerdes passioun : tel nou," he seide, "me,
Ich axi +te hou cristene man : mai best him witie fram +te."
"Me neschal wi+t no+ting," qua+t +te deuel : "schulde fram mi   #
poer
So wel as +turf his passioun : +tat +tu nemnedest er."
   +ter lurnede +tis holi man : as we mowe ek echon,
In whiche manere we mowe best : +te deueles poer forgon,
For he hatie+t godes passioun : as man do+t his fon,
[^THE BOLD-FACE SQUARE BRACKETS IN THE EDITION WHICH DELIMIT    #
THE PRECEDING LINES 224-313 TAKEN FROM THE HARL. MS HAVE BEEN   #
OMITTED HERE; MS LAUD. CONTINUES:^]

And +gwane men it habbuth in muynde : he mot fleo a-non. - 
Euerech tyme of daye and ny+ght : seint Eadmund him gan bi-seo
+Tat he di+ghte wel to godes wille : +tat he nolde idel beo;
O+tur he was in oresones : o+tur at is bok,
O+tur he .Et. o+tur slep : o+tur to o+tur +tingus he him tok.
+Treo tymes him +tou+gte +tat he for les : +gwene he cam        #
+tar-to:
+Gwane he rod, and +gwane he slep : and +gwane he .Et. al-so;
For he nas +tanne in studie : ne in is beden no+te-mo;
Ech o+tur tyme, ase him +tou+gte : to sum prou him scholde go.  
   So longue +tat +tis guode man : to eche holienesse drou+g,
+Tat is guodnesse was wide couth : and men speken +tar-of       #
i-nov+g.
+Te beste prechur he was i-holde : +tat man ou+gware            #
under-stod - 
For ho-so hath with him godes grace : is dede mot nede beo      #
guod.
So +tat of +te Creoycerie : +te pope sente fram rome
To +te bischopus of Enguelond : +tat huy ane wise man nome
For-to prechi of +te creoycerie : ase ri+ght was for-to do.
Seint Eadmund, +te holie man : i-chose was +tare-to,
To prechi of +te creoicerie : a-boute in +te londe,
+Tat men wenden to Ierusalem : o+tur senden heore sonde.
   procracies huy +geuen him also : ase he wende a-boute,
Of persones to nime largeliche : +tat non nere with-oute.
bote +tat nolde he do for no+ting : of no man spence take;
And +gwane persones it boden him : he it wolde for-sake.
For +gwane he seruede ore louerd crist : to is owene spense he  #
tok;
<P 441>
Of persones and of o+tur men : +giftus he fur-sok.
   he ne ferde nou+gt ase +tis Ercedeknes : ne as o+ture        #
na-+te-mo,
+Tat persones and +teos pouere preostes : ouer-al doth ful wo!  
Ase he prechede a day : of +te creoiz wel longue,
A +gung man wende a-mong +te o+ture : +te creoiz for-to         #
a-fongue.
A womman +tat him louede : so heo i-sai+gh +tis,
heo hente him bi-hinde faste : and drov+g him a-+gein, i-wis.
   Also stif ase ani hard bord : hire hond bi-cam a-non,
+Tat heo ne mi+ghte as a-welde : no+tur senuwes ne bon;
And +te hond was al-so fur-crokud. : heo made revlich bere.
Seint Eadmund bi-heold a-boute : and axede +gwat it were.
"Sire, merci," quath +tis womman : "wrechchede ich am i-nov+g!
Ase +tis +gongue man wolde take +te croiz : a luyte ich him     #
with-drou+g:
And min hond is al for-croket : +gware-with ich him nam.
In alle wrechhede ich am i-brou+ght : alas, +tat ich here cam!"
   "Womman," quath +tis holie man : "wolt+tu +te croiz take?
"+Ge, louerd," he seide, "+gif ich mi+ghte : i-nelle hire       #
nou+gt for-sake."
+Tis wumman sat a-doun a-kneo : and of him +te creoiz he nam:
And hire crokede hond strei+ghte forth+t : and a-non-ri+ght     #
hol bi-cam;
heo cride and hered Ihesu crist. : +tis was couth a-non;
For +tis miracle +tare token +te creoiz : +te mo wel mani on.   
   In a time at+te gang-dawes : +tis holie man al-so
prechede a day at Oxenford : ase he ofte hadde i-do,
In alle halewene church-+gerd : In +te nor+ture side,
with +te Baneres at onderne : a-se men doth a-londe wel wide.
Ase +tis holie man with al +tis folk : in is prechingue was     #
best,
+Tat lodlokeste weder +tat mi+ghte beo : cam al fram bi west,
Swart and dreok and grislich : and ouer-caste al +tene toun;
+Te wynd blev+g al-so swi+te grisliche : ase +te world scholde  #
al a-doun;
So deork it was bi-come al-so : +tat men mi+ghte vnne+te i-se   
Lodlokur wedur +tane it was : ne mi+ghte neuere be.
   +Tat folk for drede of heore clo+tus : faste bi-gonne to     #
fleo.
"A-bidez," quath +tis holie man : "ore louerd is guod and freo.
+Te deuel it is +tat bringuth +tis wedur : for-to destourbi     #
godes lore;
Ore louerd is strengore +tane he : ne drede +ge eov nou+gt to   #
sore!"
he bi-heold upward toward god : and cride him milce and ore,
<P 442>  
+Tat he schilde hem fram +te deueles mi+ghte : +tat he ne       #
grefde hem
nammore.
+To he hadde i-seid +tis oresun : +tat wedur bi-gan to glide
In +te o+tur half of +te churche : al in +te sou+tere side;
+Tare it began to falle a-non : and nolde no leng a-bide,
+Tat vnne+te +toru+gh +te hey+ge stret : mi+ghte ani man go     #
o+tur ride - 
Ake in +te northhalf of +te churche : +tare +tis holie man      #
stod,
Ne fel neuere a reynes drope : for-to destourbi a mannes Mod;
In +te southhalf +toru+g al +te hei+ge strete : it leide on     #
for wod,
+Tat al +te stret a-watere orn : ase it were a gret flod.
   +Tat folk +tat fram +te prechingue : for drede of +te        #
wedere drov+g
And +tat wenden bi +te hei+ge strete : hadden +tar-of i-nov+g;
Ake huy +tat bi-lefden +tare : druy+ge and clene were - 
louerd, muche is +ti mi+ghte! : and fair miracle was +tere! - 
In +te toun of wyricestre : bi-tidde +tat selue cas,
Ase +tis holie man seint Eadmund : in is prechingue was;
Swuch wedur +tare cam ouer him : he drof it a-wey al-so.
Me +tinchez, ase bi is liue : fair miracle it was i-do! - 
   So wide sprong is guode los : a-boute, feor and ner,
+Tat men ne hulden nou+gt in engelonde : of guodnesse is per.
At salesburi he was i-maket : Canoun seculer;
prouendes of churches he hadde : and was tresurer.
+To he was auauncet so : he tolde +tar-of ful luyte,
he spendede a-boute on pouere Men : +tat o+ture duden in        #
pruyte;
he spendede so muche for godes loue : in is almes-dede
+Tat vnne+te he mi+ghte mid is rentes : half +ger is hous lede.
   To +te Abbeye of stanle : he wende swi+te i-lome
And suiournede +tare for defaute : for-to is crop him come - 
For Maister steuene of lexintone : +tat was +to Abbot +tere,
his desciple hadde i-be : +te +gwyle huy at scole were.
his fulle .net. he neuere mo : +tat ani Man mi+ghte i-seo,
bote ase muche ase he nede moste : +tet wolde in ani poynt be;
Of him wondrede euer-ech Man : +tat isai+g him ete,
hov he mi+ghte holde is lijf : with so luyte mete.
Of guode metes ne kepte he nou+gt : +tei men it wolde him       #
bringue;
+Gwat lutles it was, +tat he et : was al of grete +tingue.
<P 443>
   +Tat dai +tat he masse song : flechs nolde he non,
Ne +tat dai next bi-fore : for man +tat mi+ghte gon;
Fram +tat Men loke alleluya : for-to cam estur-day,
he ne .Et. nou+ght, +tat +tolede deth : ase muche folk isai+gh,
Ne in +te aduent na-+te-mo. : ake +tat was luyte i-nov+g
A-+gein is o+tur penaunce : +tat he al day forth drov+g. - 
   Hit bi-fel +tat +te Erchebischop : of caunterburi was ded:
Seint Eadmund +tar-to was chose : ase Commuyn nam heore red.
+To +te Eleccioun was i-maud : in +te chapitle at Caunterburi,
A-non huy senden heore messagers : to him to salesburi.
huy wenden toward salesbury : ake +tare nas he nou+gt;
huy founden him at Calne : +to huy longue hadden i-sou+gt.
   In is chaumbre he sat priueliche : at is boke ful stille:
No man ne dorste come him nei+gh : to letten him of is wille.
Ake na+teles on +tat was him next : ase it were is              #
chaumberlein,
Guode ti+tingue he +tou+ghte him bringue : and +tarof was wel   #
fain:
he tolde him +tat he was ichose : Erchebischop to beo.
+Tis holie man gan him chide faste : and hiet him fram him      #
fleo,
"Be stille, +tou fol! ich hote +te" : he seide, "and go out     #
heonne
a-non,
Make faste +te dore aftur +te : and ne lat +tou no man in gon
For-to lette me of mi studie : ake lat me in pays beo!"
Of +tat ti+tingue he tolde luyte : ase +tare men mi+gten i-seo.
   +Tis Messagers bi-lefden +tare oute : and carefole weren of  #
+tou+ght,
For +te day passede swi+te : and heore erinde ne duden [{huy{]  #
nou+ght.
huy wenden for heore guode ti+tingue : nobleliche beon          #
onder-fongue,
For +te muru+te of is semblaunt : +guyt +tare hem +tou+ghte     #
longue!
heore +giftus huy mi+ghten e+te a-bere : +tat +tis holie man    #
heom caste!
huy bi-menden, and it of-+tou+ghte heom sore : heore hi+gingue  #
+tuder so
faste.
   he ne a-ros nou+ght a fote fram is bok : are god +te tyme    #
sende,
Ase he was an o+tur day i-woned - : ake forth+t +to ful softe   #
he wende.
+To he cam out of is chaumbre : +te messagers come
And seiden heore erinde hou it was : +tar-of he tok luyte gome.
+To +te lettres weren i-radde : "beu freres," he sede,
"I-chulle loke +gwat mine felawes : of +tis +ting wollez rede
<P 444>
In +te chapitle of salesburi : ase ri+ght is +tat ich do."
huy nadden of him non o+tur word : +to it alles cam +tar-to.
   +Te chapitle at salesburi : i-holde was plener;
Alle +te chanouns of +te ordre : +tudere come fer and ner,
To conseili heom of +tis +ting. : +te red was sone i-take:
Gladliche at one worde : alle huy stoden +tare ate.
"buth stille!" quath +te guode man : "+gwat schal +tat i-sed?
wuyr+te nam ich nou+gt +tar-to : nimez an o+tur red!"
   "Certes," quath +te bischop +to : and +te Canones al-so,
"+Tov ne mi+ght nou+ght beo +tare-a-+gein : +tou most it nede   #
do."
Seint Eadmund seide euere nay : and bi-gan to wepe sore.
+Te Chanones wepen with him al-so : and criden cristes ore;
To is fiet huy fullen a-kneo : and heolden up heore honde
And beden him for +te loue of god : betere him under-stonde
And habbe reu+te of holie churche : and of him-sulf al-so,
And +tenche, +gwane holie churche it wolde : he moste it nede   #
do.  
   +Te bischop also weop on him : and on him cride faste,
And in vertue of obedience : hiet him at +te laste
+Tat he ne scholde it nou+ght bi-leue : godes wille to wurche
And beo bou+gsum to al +te lond : and nameliche to holie        #
churche.
+To bi-gan +tis holie man : to wepe and sike sore;
"Nov god," he seide, "us +giue is grace : is milce and eke is   #
ore!
   And ich take god to witnesse : and ore leuedi al-so
+Tat, +gif ich ne wende suneguy dedliche : i-ne scholde it      #
neuere do."
+To huy heorden +tis word of him : Ioyfole i-nou+g huy were,
And nomen him up with ioye i-nov : and to +te hei+ge autere     #
him bere,
And (\'Te deum laudamus'\) songuen : swy+te murie and hei+ge;
Euere wep +te holie Man : ase +te chanones i-sei+ge.
   So +tat he cam to caunturburi : and dude ase ri+gt was       #
+tere,
And Erchebischop was i-maud : is vn+tonkes +tei it were.
Ne +tarf no man +tar-of esche : +gwe+tur he toke on wel i-nou+g
And wel wissede holie churche : and to eche guodnesse drou+g!
+Gif is lyf was holi er : wel betere it was +to;
In strong penaunce he was i-nov+g : of fastingue and o+tur wo.
he hadde euere of selie bonde-men : pite and deol i-nov+g,
For him +tou+gte +tat +te hei+ge men : duden hem al day wou+g.  
<P 445>
   In a time on of is pouere Men : wende of lif-dawe,
And is beste best to heriet : men brou+gte him, ase it was      #
lawe.
+To cam +tis selie mannes wif : +tat careful widewe was,
And mette with +tis holie man : ase ore louerd +gaf +tat cas:
heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci and is ore,
And seide him, bote +tat o best : luyte guod heo hadde more;
heo nuste in +gwat manere : ne hou heo mi+ghte liue,
heo bad him for +te loue of god : +tat best a-+gein hire +giue.
   "Guode womman," seide +te holie man : "+tou wost wel hou it  #
is,
+Tat +tat chief louerd habbe +te beste ay+gte : +gwane is man   #
is ded, i-wis."
To is clerkes he seide a-latyn : +tat +te widewe it ne          #
under-stod:
"Me +tinchez it a lu+tur lawe : and no+tur ri+ghtful ne guod.
+Tis guode wif hath i-lore hire louerd : +tat al hire guod      #
forht+t drou+g,
And to leose +tare-aftur ire beste best : me +tinchez it is     #
wou+g;
In +tat on were lure i-nou+g : +tei heo ne lore +tat o+tur      #
al-so.
+Te deueles lawe it is of helle : and +toru+gh god neuere i-do.
   "Guode wif," he seide, "+gif ich [{+te{] take : a-+gein +ti  #
best to lone,
Wolt+tou it witie to mine bi-hof+te : for-to ich it axi         #
eft-sone?"
"+Ge, sire," quath +te widewe : "god +gelde +te +tin ore!"
+Te widewe nam hom hire best : and ne +geld it him nammore.
+Tis Auntur bi-fel ofte si+te : +gwane men him wolden bidde     #
ou+gt;
heriot of pouere men : he ne wilnede ri+ght nou+ght. - 
   We ne mowen rikeni nou+gt : alle is guode dedes.
For euere in strong penaunce i-nou+g : is lif he gan lede,
And treuliche heold up holi churche : and wuste hire fram ech   #
wou+g.
+Tare-fore hadde +te deuel of helle : to him onde i-nou+g:
he bi-gan for-to a-rere contek : bi-tweone him a-non
And +te king hanri +tat was +to : +te kingues sone Ioan.
+Te king and muche del of is folk : a+gein holie churche was,
Ase king henri, is graunt-sire : hadde a-+gein seint Thomas;
And +tat couent of caunturburi al-so : a-+gein him hul[{d{]     #
wel faste;
Ofte huy nomen louedai : ake +tet contek euere i-laste.
   A legat was +to in engelonde : +tat a-+gein him was al-so.
Ake studefast was euere +tis holie man : +tei he luyte help     #
hadde +tar-to.
huy ne mi+gten a-cordi for no-+ting : ake +te lengore +te       #
worse it was;
Ake euere nam +tis holie man : ensaumple of seint thomas.
<P 446>
Wel ofte he bad +te kingue and his : +gif it were heore wille,
+Tat huy ne weorreden nou+gt a-+gein holi churche : ake laten   #
hire beo
stille
In hire fraunchise and in pays : ase heo hadde i-beo +gare.
+Te king +tretnede +tene holie man : bote he bi-lefde is fare.
   "Of +ti +tretningue ich telle luyte" : seide +tis holie man,
"For +gif +tou me drifst out of +ti lond : an o+tur red ich     #
can:
Ich can rede at parys : ase ich are +tis habbe i-do,
And +tare-with winne me mete i-nov+g : and clo+tingue al-so.
+Gif +tou me dest to de+te bringue : +tou paist me wel i-nov+g;
+Tou ne mi+ghtest don me non more honour : +tane slen me        #
+toru+g +ti
wou+g."  
   +Guyt eft, ase he ofte dude : to +te king he sende;
And he answerede +te leng +te wors : and no-+ting nolde         #
a-mende.
+To +tis holie man i-sai+gh : +tat non-o+tur it nolde beo,
+Toru+gh holi churche he gan to fi+ghte : and a-corsede alle    #
+teo
+Tat weorreden a-+gein +te churche of caunturburi : and with    #
on-ri+ghte
duden schame;
And some +tat he gulti wuste : he a-mansede bi-name.
   To +te king and to is conseil : +tis word wel sone drou+g.
Ne +tarf no man esche : we+tur huy weren wro+te i-nov+g!
+Tare was +tretningue and bost i-nov+g : seint Eadmund heold    #
him stille,
And stifliche heold forth +te sentence : and liet heom speke    #
heore wille.
Seint Thomas cam and spak with him : and gostliche fram heouene
a-li+ghte,
And bad him beo stif and studefast : to holde up +te churches   #
ri+ghte,
And for non eor+telich anuy : ne for de+te, ne flechchie        #
nou+ght,
Ake nime ansaumple of him and o+ture : +tat so deore as hadde
a-bou+gt.
   Seint Eadmund feol a-doun a-kneo : and is hondene heold up   #
al-so
To cusse +tis holie mannes fiet. : ake he ne moste it nou+ght   #
do.
+To bi-gan he to weope sore i-nov+g : and seide "louerd, +tin   #
ore!"
"beo stille," quath seint Thomas to him : "and ne weop +tou so 
non-more!
+Gwi wilnest+tou to cusse mine fiet? : it nere +te no ri+ght    #
to do,
+Tou schalt newene +tine wille habbe : and cusse mine mouth     #
al-so."
<P 447>
   Seint Eadmund aftur +tulke tyme : studefast was i-nov+g,
To dei+ge ra+tur for holie churche : +tane men duden hire any   #
wov+g.
he +tou+ghte muche on seint Thomas : +tat out of londe wende
+Te +gwyle +te kyng was in mest wrath+te : +gif he wolde ou+gt  #
amende:
Of him he nam ensaumple : and priueliche i-nov+g
he wende out of Enguelonde : and into Fraunce he drou+g.
And +tou+ghte he was at pounteneye : swi+te faire under-fongue
And isusteyned in his anuy : +tat i-laste longue;
   Also steuene of languetone : +tat Erchebischop was,
Six +ger he was at pounteneye : in +tat sulue cas.
+To +tat seint Eadmund under-stod : of is Auncetres i-nowe,
+Gwane huy weren in contek for holie churche : to pounteneye    #
heom
drowe:
Also dude seint Eadmund - : to pounteneye he wende,
For-to a-bide +te stat of holie churche : +gwane ore louerd it  #
wolde
amende.
honoured he was faire i-nov : of alle +tat +tare were,
And euere a-bod a-mendement : fram +gere to +gere.
   Hit bi-fel, ase god wolde : +tat seint Eadmund at+te laste
Fielde is bodi heui i-nov+g : and fieblede swi+te faste;
So longue +tat he was so feble : +tat men ne radde him nou+ght
beo +tere,
Ake for-to soiorni elles-+gware : +tare betere eir to him were.
+Tis holie man is leue nam : elles-+gwodere to wiende;
+Te Monekes mauden so muche deol : +tat +tar-of nas non ende.
   "beth stille," quat +tis holie man : "for ichulle +toru      #
alle +ting
Comen hidere a+gein to eou : a-seint Eadmundes day +te kyng."
Louerd, in swuche siknesse : wuch a word +tat was i-seid!
Ake, +gwane he ne mi+ghte bi is liue : forewar[{d{] he heold    #
heom ded!
Forth he wende with is men : +tudere ase guod eir were:
To +te toun of Soysi : and bi-lefde +tere.
   So longue so it was, +tare he eode : in grete siknesse       #
i-nov+g,
So longue +tat he lay a-doun : and toward +te de+te drov+g.
So +tat he Axede ore louerdes flechs : and it was him           #
i-brou+ght.
he sat and bi-heold it faste i-nou+g : in gret studie and in    #
+tou+ght,
Longue are he seide ani word : and +to spak he wel inliche:
<P 448>
"louerd," he seide, "+tou it art : +tat ich habbe i-loued       #
treweliche,
   And treweliche on +te ich [{habbe{] bi-leue[{d{] : and       #
i-preched of +te
al-so,
And +tou treweliche at min ende-day : art i-come me to.
Ich take +te, louerd, to witnesse : +te +gwyle ich habbe on     #
vr+te i-beo,
+Tat i-ne wilnede neuere aftur no-+ting on vr+te : louerd, so   #
muche ase
aftur +te."
A,. louerd, +tat it was an hei+gh word : and he +tat so sede
Guod and holi moste he be : and swi+te holi lif lede!
+To he hadde i-nome ore louerdes flechs : he sat longue in      #
+tou+ghte,
And al lei+ghinde on Englichs : +teos wordes forth he           #
brou+ghte:
"Men seggez +tat game goth in wombe : ake i segge game goth in
heorte."
Of ore louerd +tat he hadde i-nome : wel Ioyful he was +to,
And al is game was in is heorte - : for is bodi was ful of wo.
+Te more is bodi i-pined was : +te ner he was +ten ende;
And +to is ende-day was i-come : he wuste +gwodere wiende.
   Euere +te more +tat he was : in sicknesse and in wo,
+Te gladdore he was, for he wuste : +gwodere he scholde go,
And +te more he was in Ioye : and +te muregore him gan like.
Men nuste him nou+ght enes ligge a-doun : to groni ne to siche,
Ake euere he sat glad i-nou+g : and lenede al-so wel ofte
Opon clo+tes o+tur opon is hond : and deide faire and softe.
Fair semblaunt he maude i-nov+g : ase he drov to +ten ende;
In +te moreweningue ase +te sonne a-ros : out of +tis world he  #
gan wiende.
   He deide twelf hundred +ger : and to and-fourti ri+ght
Aftur +tat ore swete louerd : in is moder was a-li+ght.
Men leten openi him a-non : & is gottus take
And burie heom +tare ase he was ded : in +te Munstre of seint   #
Iake;
Men nomen is holie bodi : and wel faire gunne it lede
To +te Abbeye of pounteneye : ase he him-sulf er sede.
A-seint Eadmundus dai +te king : +tudere he was i-brou+ght - 
he heold +te Monekes foreward : and ne failede heom nou+ght:
   For +to he ne cam nou+ght a-liue a+gein : ded he dude,       #
i-wis!
And +tare he was i-brou+ght on vr+te : and i-schrined al-so he  #
is;
he lith +tare faire i-nov+g : and with gret honour al-so.
<P 449>
Mani is +te faire Miracle : +tat god hath for him i-do.
Nou god for +te loue of him : and +tat us deore bou+ghte,
To +tulke blisse us bringue : +tat he is soule brou+ghte. Amen 



