Pearl, ed. by E. V. Gordon
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

PearlPearl Anonymous Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

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Pearl Anonymous created machine-readable version: Lou Burnard Conversion to TEI-conformant markup: University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center ca. 70 kilobytes : http://etext.virginia.edu/mideng.browse.html, AnoPear Available from: Oxford Text Archive, U-1686-A

1993

Note: First published in 1400

About the print version

Pearl edited by: E.V. Gordon final revision by: Ida L. Gordon 167 p. : Clarendon PressOxford 1953 Published: 1400

Middle English

Revisions to the electronic version November 1995 David Seaman, Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library. “s” changed to “so”, p. 13 ; reported by Fritz Kemmler, University of Tuebingen.:

February 18, 1994 Edward Gaynor,University of Virginia Library, Cataloging ServicesDept. TEI header revised:

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November 1993 Jamie L. Spriggs,University of Virginia Library Electronic TextCenter paginated:

August 1993 Allison M. Sleeman, University of Virginia Library, Cataloging Services Dept. TEI header completed :

July 1993 David Gants, University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center UVA header added:

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-1-

Perle, pleasaunte to prynces paye To clanly clos in golde so clere, Oute of oryent, I hardyly saye, Ne proued I neuer her precios pere. So rounde, so reken in vche araye, So smal, so smoţe her syde3 were, Quere-so-euer I jugged gemme3 gaye, I sette hyr sengeley in synglere. Allas! I leste hyr in on erbere; Ţur3 gresse to grounde hit fro me yot. I dewyne, fordolked of luf-daungere Of ţat pryuy perle wythouten spot.

Syţen in ţat spote hit fro me sprange, Ofte haf I wayted, wyschande ţat wele, Ţat wont wat3 whyle deuoyde my wrange And heuen my happe and al my hele. Ţat dot3 bot ţrych my hert ţrange, My breste in bale bot bolne and bele; 3et ţo3t me neuer so swete a sange As stylle stounde let to me stele. For soţe ţer fleten to me fele, To ţenke hir color so clad in clot. O moul, ţou marre3 a myry iuele, My priuy perle wythouten spotte.

-2-

Ţat spot of spyse3 mot nede3 sprede, Ţer such ryche3 to rot is runne; Blome3 blayke and blwe and rede Ţer schyne3 ful schyr agayn ţe sunne. Flor and fryte may not be fede Ţer hit doun drof in molde3 dunne; For vch gresse mot grow of grayne3 dede; No whete were elle3 to wone3 wonne. Of goud vche goude is ay bygonne; So semly a sede mo3t fayly not, Ţat spryngande spyce3 vp ne sponne Of ţat precios perle wythouten spotte.

To ţat spot ţat I in speche expoun I entred in ţat erber grene, In Augoste in a hy3 seysoun, Quen corne is coruen wyth croke3 kene. On huyle ţer perle hit trendeled doun Schadowed ţis worte3 ful schyre and schene, Gilofre, gyngure and gromylyoun, And pyonys powdered ay bytwene. 3if hit wat3 semly on to sene, A fayr reflayr 3et fro hit flot. Ţer wonys ţat worţyly, I wot and wene, My precious perle wythouten spot.

Bifore ţat spot my honde I spenned For care ful colde ţat to me ca3t; A deuely dele in my hert denned, Ţa3 resoun sette myseluen sa3t.

-3-

I playned my perle ţat ţer wat3 spenned Wyth fyrce skylle3 ţat faste fa3t; Ţa3 kynde of Kryst me comfort kenned, My wreched wylle in wo ay wra3te. I felle vpon ţat floury fla3t, Suche odour to my herne3 schot; I slode vpon a slepyng-sla3te On ţat precios perle wythouten spot.

Fro spot my spyryt ţer sprang in space; My body on balke ţer bod in sweuen. My goste is gon in Gode3 grace In auenture ţer meruayle3 meuen. I ne wyste in ţis worlde quere ţat hit wace, Bot I knew me keste ţer klyfe3 cleuen; Towarde a foreste I bere ţe face, Where rych rokke3 wer to dyscreuen. Ţe ly3t of hem my3t no mon leuen, Ţe glemande glory ţat of hem glent; For wern neuer webbe3 ţat wy3e3 weuen Of half so dere adubbemente.

Dubbed wern alle ţo downe3 syde3 Wyth crystal klyffe3 so cler of kynde. Holtewode3 bry3t aboute hem byde3 Of bolle3 as blwe as ble of Ynde; As bornyst syluer ţe lef on slyde3, Ţat ţike con trylle on vch a tynde.

-4-

Quen glem of glode3 agayn3 hem glyde3, Wyth schymeryng schene ful schrylle ţay schynde. Ţe grauayl ţat on grounde con grynde Wern precious perle3 of oryente: Ţe sunnebeme3 bot blo and blynde In respecte of ţat adubbement.

The adubbemente of ţo downe3 dere Garten my goste al greffe for3ete. So frech flauore3 of fryte3 were, As fode hit con me fayre refete. Fowle3 ţer flowen in fryth in fere, Of flaumbande hwe3, boţe smale and grete; Bot sytole-stryng and gyternere Her reken myrţe mo3t not retrete; For quen ţose brydde3 her wynge3 bete, Ţay songen wyth a swete asent. So gracios gle couţe no mon gete As here and se her adubbement.

So al wat3 dubbet on dere asyse Ţat fryth ţer fortwne forth me fere3. Ţat derţe ţerof for to deuyse Nis no wy3 worţé ţat tonge bere3. I welke ay forth in wely wyse; No bonk so byg ţat did me dere3. Ţe fyrre in ţe fryth, ţe feier con ryse Ţe playn, ţe plontte3, ţe spyse, ţe And rawe3 and rande3 and rych reuere3, As fyldor fyn her bonkes brent. I wan to a water by schore ţat schere3 — Lorde, dere wat3 hit adubbement!

-5-

The dubbemente of ţo derworth depe Wern bonke3 bene of beryl bry3t. Swangeande swete ţe water con swepe, Wyth a rownande rourde raykande ary3t. In ţe founce ţer stonden stone3 stepe, As glente ţur3 glas ţat glowed and gly3t, As stremande sterne3, quen stroţe-men slepe, Staren in welkyn in wynter ny3t; For vche a pobbel in pole ţer py3t Wat3 emerad, saffer, oţer gemme gente, Ţat alle ţe lo3e lemed of ly3t, So dere wat3 hit adubbement.

The dubbement dere of doun and dale3, Of wod and water and wlonk playne3, Bylde in me blys, abated my bale3, Fordidden my stresse, dystryed my payne3. Doun after a strem ţat dry3ly hale3 I bowed in blys, bredful my brayne3; Ţe fyrre I fol3ed ţose floty vale3, Ţe more strenghţe of ioye myn herte strayne3. As fortune fares ţer as ho frayne3, Wheţer solace ho sende oţer elle3 sore, Ţe wy3 to wham her wylle ho wayne3 Hytte3 to haue ay more and more.

More of wele wat3 in ţat wyse Ţen I cowţe telle ţa3 I tom hade, For vrţely herte my3t not suffyse To ţe tenţe dole of ţo gladne3 glade;

-6-

Forţy I ţo3t ţat Paradyse Wat3 ţer ouer gayn ţo bonke3 brade. I hoped ţe water were a deuyse Bytwene myrţe3 by mere3 made; By3onde ţe broke, by slente oţer slade, I hoped ţat mote merked wore. Bot ţe water wat3 depe, I dorst not wade, And euer me longed ay more and more.

More and more, and 3et wel mare, Me lyste to se ţe broke by3onde; For if hit wat3 fayr ţer I con fare, Wel loueloker wat3 ţe fyrre londe. Abowte me con I stote and stare; To fynde a forţe faste con I fonde. Bot woţe3 mo iwysse ţer ware, Ţe fyrre I stalked by ţe stronde. And euer me ţo3t I schulde not wonde For wo ţer wele3 so wynne wore. Ţenne nwe note me com on honde Ţat meued my mynde ay more and more.

More meruayle con my dom adaunt: I se3 by3onde ţat myry mere A crystal clyffe ful relusaunt; Mony ryal ray con fro hit rere. At ţe fote ţerof ţer sete a faunt, A mayden of menske, ful debonere; Blysnande whyt wat3 hyr bleaunt. I knew hyr wel, I hade sen hyr ere.

-7-

As glysnande golde ţat man con schere, So schon ţat schene an-vnder shore. On lenghe I loked to hyr ţere; Ţe lenger, I knew hyr more and more.

The more I frayste hyr fayre face, Her fygure fyn quen I had fonte, Suche gladande glory con to me glace As lyttel byfore ţerto wat3 wonte. To calle hyr lyste con me enchace, Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt. I se3 hyr in so strange a place, Such a burre my3t make myn herte blunt. Ţenne vere3 ho vp her fayre frount, Hyr vysayge whyt as playn yuore: Ţat stonge myn hert ful stray atount, And euer ţe lenger, ţe more and more.

More ţen me lyste my drede aros. I stod ful stylle and dorste not calle; Wyth y3en open and mouth ful clos I stod as hende as hawk in halle. I hoped ţat gostly wat3 ţat porpose; I dred onende quat schulde byfalle, Lest ho me eschaped ţat I ţer chos, Er I at steuen hir mo3t stalle. Ţat gracios gay wythouten galle, So smoţe, so smal, so seme sly3t, Ryse3 vp in hir araye ryalle, A precios pyece in perle3 py3t.

-8-

Perle3 py3te of ryal prys Ţere mo3t mon by grace haf sene, Quen ţat frech as flor-de-lys Doun ţe bonke con bo3e bydene. Al blysnande whyt wat3 hir beau biys, Vpon at syde3, and bounden bene Wyth ţe myryeste margarys, at my deuyse, Ţat euer I se3 3et with myn ene; Wyth lappe3 large, I wot and I wene, Dubbed with double perle and dy3te; Her cortel of self sute schene, Wyth precios perle3 al vmbepy3te.

A py3t coroune 3et wer ţat gyrle Of mariorys and non oţer ston. Hi3e pynakled of cler quyt perle, Wyth flurted flowre3 perfet vpon. To hed hade ho non oţer werle; Her here leke, al hyr vmbegon, Her semblaunt sade for doc oţer erle, Her ble more bla3t ţen whalle3 bon. As schorne golde schyr her fax ţenne schon, On schyldere3 ţat leghe vnlapped ly3te. Her depe colour 3et wonted non Of precios perle in porfyl py3te.

Py3t wat3 poyned and vche a hemme At honde, at syde3, at ouerture, Wyth whyte perle and non oţer gemme, And bornyste quyte wat3 hyr uesture.

-9-

Bot a wonder perle wythouten wemme Inmydde3 hyr breste wat3 sette so sure; A manne3 dom mo3t dry3ly demme, Er mynde mo3t malte in hit mesure. I hope no tong mo3t endure No sauerly saghe say of ţat sy3t, So wat3 hit clene and cler and pure, Ţat precios perle ţer hit wat3 py3t.

Py3t in perle, ţat precios pyece On wyţer half water com doun ţe schore. No gladder gome heţen into Grece Ţen I, quen ho on brymme wore. Ho wat3 me nerre ţen aunte or nece; My joy forţy wat3 much ţe more. Ho profered me speche, ţat special spece, Enclynande lowe in wommon lore, Ca3te of her coroun of grete tresore And haylsed me wyth a lote ly3te. Wel wat3 me ţat euer I wat3 bore To sware ţat swete in perle3 py3te!

‘O perle’, quod I, ‘in perle3 py3t, Art ţou my perle ţat I haf playned, Regretted by myn one on ny3te? Much longeyng haf I for ţe layned, Syţen into gresse ţou me agly3te. Pensyf, payred, I am forpayned, And ţou in a lyf of lykyng ly3te, In Paradys erde, of stryf vnstrayned.

-10-

What wyrde hat3 hyder my iuel vayned, And don me in ţys del and gret daunger? Fro we in twynne wern towen and twayned, I haf ben a joyle3 juelere.’

That juel ţenne in gemme3 gente Vered vp her vyse wyth y3en graye, Set on hyr coroun of perle orient, And soberly after ţenne con ho say: ‘Sir, 3e haf your tale mysetente, To say your perle is al awaye, Ţat is in cofer so comly clente As in ţis gardyn gracios gaye, Hereinne to lenge for euer and play, Ţer mys nee mornyng com neuer nere. Her were a forser for ţe, in faye, If ţou were a gentyl jueler.

‘Bot, jueler gente, if ţou schal lose Ţy ioy for a gemme ţat ţe wat3 lef, Me ţynk ţe put in a mad porpose, And busye3 ţe aboute a raysoun bref; For ţat ţou leste3 wat3 bot a rose Ţat flowred and fayled as kynde hyt gef. Now ţur3 kynde of ţe kyste ţat hyt con close To a perle of prys hit is put in pref. And ţou hat3 called ţy wyrde a ţef, Ţat o3t of no3t hat3 mad ţe cler; Ţou blame3 ţe bote of ţy meschef, Ţou art no kynde jueler.’

A juel to me ţen wat3 ţys geste, And iuele3 wern hyr gentyl sawe3.

-11-

‘Iwyse’, quod I, ‘my blysfol beste, My grete dystresse ţou al todrawe3. To be excused I make requeste; I trawed my perle don out of dawe3. Now haf I fonde hyt, I schal ma feste, And wony wyth hyt in schyr wod-schawe3, And loue my Lorde and al his lawe3 Ţat hat3 me bro3t ţys blys ner. Now were I at yow by3onde ţise wawe3, I were a ioyful jueler.’

‘Jueler’, sayde ţat gemme clene, ‘Wy borde 3e men? So madde 3e be! Ţre worde3 hat3 ţou spoken at ene: Vnavysed, for soţe, wern alle ţre. Ţou ne woste in worlde quat on dot3 mene; Ţy worde byfore ţy wytte con fle. Ţou says ţou trawe3 me in ţis dene, Bycawse ţou may wyth y3en me se; Anoţer ţou says, in ţys countré Ţyself schal won wyth me ry3t here; Ţe ţrydde, to passe ţys water fre — Ţat may no ioyfol jueler.

‘I halde ţat iueler lyttel to prayse Ţat leue3 wel ţat he se3 wyth y3e, And much to blame and vncortayse Ţat leue3 oure Lorde wolde make a ly3e,

-12-

Ţat lelly hy3te your lyf to rayse, Ţa3 fortune dyd your flesch to dy3e. 3e setten hys worde3 ful westernays Ţat leue3 noţynk bot 3e hit sy3e. And ţat is a poynt o sorquydry3e, Ţat vche god mon may euel byseme, To leue no tale be true to try3e Bot ţat hys one skyl may dem.

‘Deme now ţyself if ţou con dayly As man to God worde3 schulde heue. Ţou sayt3 ţou schal won in ţis bayly; Me ţynk ţe burde fyrst aske leue, And 3et of graunt ţou my3te3 fayle. Ţou wylne3 ouer ţys water to weue; Er moste ţou ceuer to oţer counsayle: Ţy corse in clot mot calder keue. For hit wat3 forgarte at Paradys greue; Oure 3orefader hit con mysse3eme. Ţur3 drwry deth bo3 vch man dreue, Er ouer ţys dam hym Dry3tyn deme.’

‘Deme3 ţou me’, quod I, ‘my swete, To dol agayn, ţenne I dowyne. Now haf I fonte ţat I forlete, Schal I efte forgo hit er euer I fyne? Why schal I hit boţe mysse and mete? My precios perle dot3 me gret pyne. What serue3 tresor, bot gare3 men grete When he hit schal efte wyth tene3 tyne?

-13-

Now rech I neuer for to declyne, Ne how fer of folde ţat man me fleme. When I am partle3 of perle myne, Bot durande doel what may men deme?’

‘Thow deme3 no3t bot doel-dystresse’, Ţenne sayde ţat wy3t. ‘Why dot3 ţou so For dyne of doel of lure3 lesse Ofte mony mon forgos ţe mo. Ţe o3te better ţyseluen blesse, And loue ay God, in wele and wo, For anger gayne3 ţe not a cresse. Who nede3 schal ţole, be not so ţro. For ţo3 ţou daunce as any do, Braundysch and bray ţy braţe3 breme, When ţou no fyrre may, to ne fro, Ţou moste abyde ţat he schal deme.

‘Deme Dry3tyn, euer hym adyte, Of ţe way a fote ne wyl he wryţe. Ţy mende3 mounte3 not a myte, Ţa3 ţou for sor3e be neuer blyţe. Stynt of ţy strot and fyne to flyte, And sech hys blyţe ful swefte and swyţe. Ţy prayer may hys pyté byte, Ţat mercy schal hyr crafte3 kyţe. Hys comforte may ţy langour lyţe And ţy lure3 of ly3tly fleme; For, marre oţer madde, morne and myţe, Al lys in hym to dy3t and deme.’

-14-

Thenne demed I to ţat damyselle: ‘Ne worţe no wrathţe vnto my Lorde, If rapely I raue, spornande in spelle. My herte wat3 al wyth mysse remorde, As wallande water got3 out of welle. I do me ay in hys myserecorde. Rebuke me neuer wyth worde3 felle, Ţa3 I forloyne, my dere endorde, Bot kyţe3 me kyndely your coumforde, Pytosly ţenkande vpon ţysse: Of care and me 3e made acorde, Ţat er wat3 grounde of alle my blysse.

‘My blysse, my bale, 3e han ben boţe, Bot much ţe bygger 3et wat3 my mon; Fro ţou wat3 wroken fro vch a woţe, I wyste neuer quere my perle wat3 gon. Now I hit se, now leţe3 my loţe. And, quen we departed, we wern at on; God forbede we be now wroţe, We meten so selden by stok oţer ston. Ţa3 cortaysly 3e carp con, I am bot mol and manere3 mysse. Bot Crystes mersy and Mary and Jon, Ţise arn ţe grounde of alle my blisse.

‘In blysse I se ţe blyţely blent, And I a man al mornyf mate; 3e take ţeron ful lyttel tente, Ţa3 I hente ofte harme3 hate.

-15-

Bot now I am here in your presente, I wolde bysech, wythouten debate, 3e wolde me say in sobre asente What lyf 3e lede erly and late. For I am ful fayn ţat your astate Is worţen to worschyp and wele, iwysse; Of alle my joy ţe hy3e gate, Hit is in grounde of alle my blysse.’

‘Now blysse, burne, mot ţe bytyde’, Ţen sayde ţat lufsoum of lyth and lere, ‘And welcum here to walk and byde, For now ţe speche is to me dere. Maysterful mod and hy3e pryde, I hete ţe, arn heterly hated here. My Lorde ne loue3 not for to chyde, For meke arn alle ţat wone3 hym nere; And when in hys place ţou schal apere, Be dep deuote in hol mekenesse. My Lorde ţe Lamb loue3 ay such chere, Ţat is ţe grounde of alle my blysse.

‘A blysful lyf ţou says I lede; Ţou wolde3 knaw ţerof ţe stage. Ţow wost wel when ţy perle con schede I wat3 ful 3ong and tender of age; Bot my Lorde ţe Lombe ţur3 hys godhede, He toke myself to hys maryage, Corounde me quene in blysse to brede In lenghe of daye3 ţat euer schal wage; And sesed in alle hys herytage Hys lef is. I am holy hysse: Hys prese, hys prys, and hys parage Is rote and grounde of alle my blysse.’

-16-

‘Blysful’, quod I, ‘may ţys be trwe? Dysplese3 not if I speke errour. Art ţou ţe quene of heuene3 blwe, Ţat al ţys worlde schal do honour? We leuen on Marye ţat grace of grewe, Ţat ber a barne of vyrgyn flour; Ţe croune fro hyr quo mo3t remwe Bot ho hir passed in sum fauour? Now, for synglerty o hyr dousour, We calle hyr Fenyx of Arraby, Ţat freles fle3e of hyr fasor, Lyk to ţe Quen of cortaysye.’

‘Cortayse Quen’, ţenne sayde ţat gaye, Knelande to grounde, folde vp hyr face, ‘Makele3 Moder and myryest May, Blessed bygynner of vch a grace!’ Ţenne ros ho vp and con restay, And speke me towarde in ţat space: ‘Sir, fele here porchase3 and fonge3 pray, Bot supplantore3 none wythinne ţys place. Ţat emperise al heuen3 hat3, And vrţe and helle, in her bayly; Of erytage 3et non wyl ho chace, For ho is Quen of cortaysye.

‘The court of ţe kyndom of God alyue Hat3 a property in hytself beyng: Alle ţat may ţerinne aryue Of alle ţe reme is quen oţer kyng,

-17-

And neuer oţer 3et schal depryue, Bot vchon fayn of oţere3 hafyng, And wolde her coroune3 wern worţe ţo fyue, If possyble were her mendyng. Bot my Lady of quom Jesu con spryng, Ho halde3 ţe empyre ouer vus ful hy3e; And ţat dysplese3 non of oure gyng, For ho is Quene of cortaysye.

‘Of courtaysye, as sayt3 Saynt Poule, Al arn we membre3 of Jesu Kryst: As heued and arme and legg and naule Temen to hys body ful trwe and tryste, Ry3t so is vch a Krysten sawle A longande lym to ţe Mayster of myste. Ţenne loke what hate oţer any gawle Is tached oţer ty3ed ţy lymme3 bytwyste. Ţy heued hat3 nauţer greme ne gryste, On arme oţer fynger ţa3 ţou ber by3e. So fare we alle wyth luf and lyste To kyng and quene by cortaysye.’

‘Cortaysé’, quod I, ‘I leue, And charyté grete, be yow among, Bot my speche ţat yow ne greue,

… … .

Ţyself in heuen ouer hy3 ţou heue, To make ţe quen ţat wat3 so 3onge. What more honour mo3te he acheue Ţat hade endured in worlde stronge,

-18-

And lyued in penaunce hys lyue3 longe Wyth bodyly bale hym blysse to byye? What more worschyp mo3t he fonge Ţen corounde be kyng by cortaysé?

‘That cortaysé is to fre of dede, 3yf hyt be soth ţat ţou cone3 saye. Ţou lyfed not two 3er in oure ţede; Ţou cowţe3 neuer God nauţer plese ne pray, Ne neuer nawţer Pater ne Crede; And quen mad on ţe fyrst day! I may not traw, so God me spede, Ţat God wolde wryţe so wrange away. Of countes, damysel, par ma fay, Wer fayr in heuen to halde asstate, Oţer elle3 a lady of lasse aray; Bot a quene! Hit is to dere a date.’

‘Ţer is no date of hys godnesse’, Ţen sayde to me ţat worţy wy3te, ‘For al is trawţe ţat he con dresse, And he may do noţynk bot ry3t. As Mathew mele3 in your messe In sothfol gospel of God almy3t, In sample he can ful grayţely gesse, And lykne3 hit to heuen ly3te. “My regne”, he sayt3, “is lyk on hy3t To a lorde ţat hade a uyne, I wate. Of tyme of 3ere ţe terme wat3 ty3t, To labor vyne wat3 dere ţe date.

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’”Ţat date of 3ere wel knawe ţys hyne. Ţe lorde ful erly vp he ros To hyre werkmen to hys vyne, And fynde3 ţer summe to hys porpos. Into acorde ţay con declyne For a pené on a day, and forth ţay got3, Wryţen and worchen and don gret pyne, Keruen and caggen and man hit clos. Aboute vnder ţe lorde to marked tot3, And ydel men stande he fynde3 ţerate. ‘Why stande 3e ydel?’ he sayde to ţos. ‘Ne knawe 3e of ţis day no date?’

‘“‘Er date of daye hider arn we wonne’, So wat3 al samen her answar so3t. ‘We haf standen her syn ros ţe sunne, And no mon bydde3 vus do ry3t no3t.’ ‘Gos into my vyne, dot3 ţat 3e conne’, So sayde ţe lorde, and made hit to3t. ‘What resonabele hyre be na3t be runne I yow pay in dede and ţo3te.’ Ţay wente into ţe vyne and wro3te, And al day ţe lorde ţus 3ede his gate, And nw men to hys vyne he bro3te Welne3 wyl day wat3 passed date.

‘“At ţe date of day of euensonge, On oure byfore ţe sonne go doun, He se3 ţer ydel men ful stronge And sade to hem wyth sobre soun,

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‘Wy stonde 3e ydel ţise daye3 longe?’ Ţay sayden her hyre wat3 nawhere boun. ‘Got3 to my vyne, 3emen 3onge, And wyrke3 and dot3 ţat at 3e moun.’ Sone ţe worlde bycom wel broun; Ţe sunne wat3 doun and hit wex late. To take her hyre he mad sumoun; Ţe day wat3 al apassed date.

‘“The date of ţe daye ţe lorde con knaw, Called to ţe reue: ‘Lede, pay ţe meyny. Gyf hem ţe hyre ţat I hem owe, And fyrre, ţat non me may reprené, Set hem alle vpon a rawe And gyf vchon inlyche a peny. Bygyn at ţe laste ţat stande3 lowe, Tyl to ţe fyrst ţat ţou atteny.’ And ţenne ţe fyrst bygonne to pleny And sayden ţat ţay hade trauayled sore: ‘Ţese bot on oure hem con streny; Vus ţynk vus o3e to take more.

‘“‘More haf we serued, vus ţynk so, Ţat suffred han ţe daye3 hete, Ţenn ţyse ţat wro3t not houre3 two, And ţou dot3 hem vus to counterfete.’ Ţenne sayde ţe lorde to on of ţo: ‘Frende, no waning I wyl ţe 3ete; Take ţat is ţyn owne, and go. And I hyred ţe for a peny agrete,

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Quy bygynne3 ţou now to ţrete? Wat3 not a pené ţy couenaunt ţore? Fyrre ţen couenaunde is no3t to plete. Wy schalte ţou ţenne ask more?

‘“‘More, weţer louyly is me my gyfte, To do wyth myn quat-so me lyke3? Oţer elle3 ţyn y3e to lyţer is lyfte For I am goude and non byswyke3?’ Ţus schal I”, quod Kryste, “hit skyfte: Ţe laste schal be ţe fyrst ţat stryke3, And ţe fyrst ţe laste, be he neuer so swyft; For mony ben called, ţa3 fewe be myke3.” Ţus pore men her part ay pyke3, Ţa3 ţay com late and lyttel wore; And ţa3 her sweng wyth lyttel atslyke3, Ţe merci of God is much ţe more.

‘More haf I of joye and blysse hereinne, Of ladyschyp gret and lyue3 blom, Ţen alle ţe wy3e3 in ţe worlde my3t wynne By ţe way of ry3t to aske dome. Wheţer welnygh now I con bygynne — In euentyde into ţe vyne I come — Fyrst of my hyre my Lorde con mynne: I wat3 payed anon of al and sum. 3et oţer ţer werne ţat toke more tom, Ţat swange and swat for long 3ore, Ţat 3et of hyre noţynk ţay nom, Paraunter no3t schal to-3ere more.’

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Then more I meled and sayde apert: ‘Me ţynk ţy tale vnresounable. Godde3 ry3t is redy and euermore rert, Oţer Holy Wryt is bot a fable. In Sauter is sayd a verce ouerte Ţat speke3 a poynt determynable: “Ţou quyte3 vchon as hys desserte, Ţou hy3e kyng ay pretermynable.” Now he ţat stod ţe long day stable, And ţou to payment com hym byfore, Ţenne ţe lasse in werke to take more able, And euer ţe lenger ţe lasse, ţe more.’

‘Of more and lasse in Gode3 ryche’, Ţat gentyl sayde, ‘lys no joparde, For ţer is vch mon payed inlyche, Wheţer lyttel oţer much be hys rewarde; For ţe gentyl Cheuentayn is no chyche, Queţer-so-euer he dele nesch oţer harde: He laue3 hys gyfte3 as water of dyche, Oţer gote3 of golf ţat neuer charde. Hys fraunchyse is large ţat euer dard To Hym ţat mat3 in synne rescoghe; No blysse bet3 fro hem reparde, For ţe grace of God is gret inoghe.

‘Bot now ţou mote3, me for to mate, Ţat I my peny haf wrang tan here; Ţou say3 ţat I ţat com to late Am not worţy so gret fere.

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Where wyste3 ţou euer any bourne abate, Euer so holy in hys prayere, Ţat he ne forfeted by sumkyn gate Ţe mede sumtyme of heuene3 clere? And ay ţe ofter, ţe alder ţay were, Ţay laften ry3t and wro3ten woghe. Mercy and grace moste hem ţen stere, For ţe grace of God is gret inno3e.

‘Bot innoghe of grace hat3 innocent. As sone as ţay arn borne, by lyne In ţe water of babtem ţay dyssente: Ţen arne ţay boro3t into ţe vyne. Anon ţe day, wyth derk endente, Ţe niy3t of deth dot3 to enclyne: Ţat wro3t neuer wrang er ţenne ţay wente, Ţe gentyle Lorde ţenne paye3 hys hyne. Ţay dyden hys heste, ţay wern ţereine; Why schulde he not her labour alow, 3ys, and pay hem at ţe fyrst fyne? For ţe grace of God is gret innoghe.

‘Ino3e is knawen ţat mankyn grete Fyrste wat3 wro3t to blysse parfyt; Oure forme fader hit con forfete Ţur3 an apple ţat he vpon con byte. Al wer we dampned for ţat mete To dy3e in doel out of delyt And syţen wende to helle hete, Ţerinne to won wythoute respyt. Bot ţeron com a bote astyt. Ryche blod ran on rode so roghe,

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And wynne water ţen at ţat plyt: Ţe grace of God wex gret innoghe.

‘Innoghe ţer wax out of ţat welle, Blod and water of brode wounde. Ţe blod vus bo3t fro bale of helle And delyuered vus of ţe deth secounde; Ţe water is baptem, ţe soţe to telle, Ţat fol3ed ţe glayue so grymly grounde, Ţat wasche3 away ţe gylte3 felle Ţat Adam wyth inne deth vus drounde. Now is ţer no3t in ţe worlde rounde Bytwene vus and blysse bot ţat he wythdro3, And ţat is restored in sely stounde; And ţe grace of God is gret innogh.

‘Grace innogh ţe mon may haue Ţat synne3 ţenne new, 3if hym repente, Bot wyth sor3 and syt he mot hit craue, And byde ţe payne ţerto is bent. Bot resoun of ry3t ţat con not raue Saue3 euermore ţe innossent; Hit is a dom ţat neuer God gaue, Ţat euer ţe gyltle3 schulde be schente. Ţe gyltyf may contryssyoun hente And be ţur3 mercy to grace ţry3t; Bot he to gyle ţat neuer glente And inoscente is saf and ry3te.

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‘Ry3t ţus I knaw wel in ţis cas Two men to saue is god by skylle: Ţe ry3twys man schal se hys face, Ţe harmle3 haţel schal com hym tylle. Ţe Sauter hyt sat3 ţus in a pace: “Lorde, quo schal klymbe ţy hy3 hylle, Oţer rest wythinne ţy holy place?” Hymself to onsware he is not dylle: “Hondelynge3 harme ţat dyt not ille, Ţat is of hert boţe clene and ly3t, Ţer schal hys step stable stylle”: Ţe innosent is ay saf by ry3t.

‘The ry3twys man also sertayn Aproche he schal ţat proper pyle, Ţat take3 not her lyf in vayne, Ne glauere3 her nie3bor wyth no gyle. Of ţys ry3twys sa3 Salamon playn How Koyntise onoure con aquyle; By waye3 ful stre3t ho con hym strayn, And scheued hym ţe rengne of God awhyle, As quo says, “Lo, 3on louely yle! Ţou may hit wynne if ţou be wy3te.” Bot, hardyly, wythoute peryle, Ţe innosent is ay saue by ry3te.

‘Anende ry3twys men 3et sayt3 a gome, Dauid in Sauter, if euer 3e sy3 hit: “Lorde, Ţy seruaunt dra3 neuer to dome, For non lyuyande to ţe is justyfyet.”

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Forţy to corte quen ţou schal com Ţer alle oure cause3 schal be tryed, Alegge ţe ry3t, ţou may be innome, By ţys ilke spech I haue asspyed; Bot he on rode ţat blody dyed, Delfully ţur3 honde3 ţry3t, Gyue ţe to passe, when ţou arte tryed, By innocens and not by ry3te.

‘Ry3twysly quo con rede, He loke on bok and be awayed How Jesus hym welke in areţede, And burne3 her barne3 vnto hym brayde. For happe and hele ţat fro hym 3ede To touch her chylder ţay fayr hym prayed. His dessypele3 wyth blame let be hem bede And wyth her resoune3 ful fele restayed. Jesus ţenne hem swetely sayde: “Do way, let chylder vnto me ty3t. To suche is heuenryche arayed”: Ţe innocent is ay saf by ry3t.

‘Iesus con calle to hym hys mylde, And sayde hys ryche no wy3 my3t wynne Bot he com ţyder ry3t as a chylde, Oţer elle3 neuermore com ţerinne. Harmle3, trwe, and vndefylde, Wythouten mote oţer mascle of sulpande synne,

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Quen such ţer cnoken on ţe bylde, Tyt schal hem men ţe 3ate vnpynne. Ţer is ţe blys ţat con not blynne Ţat ţe jueler so3te ţur3 perré pres, And solde alle hys goud, boţe wolen and lynne, To bye hym a perle wat3 mascelle3.

‘This makelle3 perle, ţat bo3t is dere, Ţe joueler gef fore alle hys god, Is lyke ţe reme of heuenesse clere: So sayde ţe Fader of folde and flode; For hit is wemle3, clene, and clere, And endele3 rounde, and blyţe of mode, And commune to alle ţat ry3twys were. Lo, euen inmydde3 my breste hit stode. My Lorde ţe Lombe, ţat schede hys blode, He py3t hit ţere in token of pes. I rede ţe forsake ţe worlde wode And porchace ţy perle maskelles.’

‘O maskele3 perle in perle3 pure, Ţat bere3’, quod I, ‘ţe perle of prys, Quo formed ţe ţy fayre fygure? Ţat wro3t ţy wede, he wat3 ful wys. Ţy beauté com neuer of nature; Pymalyon paynted neuer ţy vys, Ne Arystotel nawţer by hys lettrure Of carped ţe kynde ţese properté3. Ţy colour passe3 ţe flour-de-lys; Ţyn angel-hauyng so clene corte3. Breue me, bry3t, quat kyn offys Bere3 ţe perle so maskelle3?’

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‘My makele3 Lambe ţat al may bete’, Quod scho, ‘my dere destyné, Me ches to hys make, alţa3 vnmete Sumtyme semed ţat assemblé. When I wente fro yor worlde wete, He calde me to hys bonerté: “Cum hyder to me, my lemman swete, For mote ne spot is non in ţe.” He gef me my3t and als bewté; In hys blod he wesch my wede on dese, And coronde clene in vergynté, And py3t me in perle3 maskelle3.’

‘Why, maskelle3 byrd ţat bry3t con flambe, Ţat reiaté3 hat3 so ryche and ryf, Quat kyn ţyng may be ţat Lambe Ţat ţe wolde wedde vnto hys vyf? Ouer alle oţer so hy3 ţou clambe To lede wyth hym so ladyly lyf. So mony a comly on-vunder cambe For Kryst han lyued in much stryf; And ţou con alle ţo dere out dryf And fro ţat maryag al oţer depres, Al only ţyself so stout and styf, A makele3 may and maskelle3.’

‘Maskelles’, quod ţat myry quene, ‘Vnblemyst I am, wythouten blot, And ţat may I wyth mensk menteene; Bot “makele3 quene” ţenne sade I not.

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Ţe Lambes vyue3 in blysse we bene, A hondred and forty fowre ţowsande flot, As in ţe Apocalyppe3 hit is sene; Sant John hem sy3 al in a knot. On ţe hyl of Syon, ţat semly clot, Ţe apostel hem segh in gostly drem Arayed to ţe weddyng in ţat hyl-coppe, Ţe nwe cyté o Jerusalem.

‘Of Jerusalem I in speche spelle. If ţou wyl knaw what kyn he be, My Lombe, my Lorde, my dere juelle, My ioy, my blys, my lemman fre, Ţe profete Ysaye of hym con melle Pitously of hys debonerté: “Ţat gloryous gyltle3 ţat mon con quelle Wythouten any sake of felonye, As a schep to ţe sla3t ţer lad wat3 he; And, as lombe ţat clypper in hande nem, So closed he hys mouth fro vch query, Quen Jue3 hym iugged in Jerusalem.”

‘In Jerusalem wat3 my lemman slayn And rent on rode wyth boye3 bolde. Al oure bale3 to bere ful bayn, He toke on hymself oure care3 colde. Wyth boffete3 wat3 hys face flayn Ţat wat3 so fayr on to byholde.

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For synne he set hymself in vayn, Ţat neuer hade non hymself to wolde. For vus he lette hym fly3e and folde And brede vpon a bostwys bem; As meke as lomp ţat no playnt tolde For vus he swalt in Jerusalem.

‘In Jerusalem, Jordan, and Galalye, Ţer as baptysed ţe goude Saynt Jon, His worde3 acorded to Ysaye. When Jesus con to hym warde gon. He sayde of hym ţys professye: “Lo, Gode3 Lombe as trwe as ston, Ţat dot3 away ţe synne3 dry3e Ţat alle ţys worlde hat3 wro3t vpon. Hymself ne wro3t neuer 3et non; Wheţer on hymself he con al clem. Hys generacyoun quo recen con, Ţat dy3ed for vus in Jerusalem?”

‘In Ierusalem ţus my lemman swete Twye3 for lombe wat3 taken ţare, By trw recorde of ayţer prophete, For mode so meke and al hys fare. Ţe ţryde tyme is ţerto ful mete, In Apokalype3 wryten ful 3are; Inmyde3 ţe trone, ţere saynte3 sete, Ţe apostel Iohn hym sa3 as bare, Lesande ţe boke with leue3 sware Ţere seuen syngnette3 wern sette in seme; And at ţat sy3t vche douth con dare In helle, in erţe, and Jerusalem.

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‘Thys Jerusalem Lombe hade neuer pechche Of oţer huee bot quyt jolyf Ţat mot ne masklle mo3t on streche, For wolle quyte so ronk and ryf. Forţy vche saule ţat hade neuer teche Is to ţat Lombe a worthyly wyf; And ţa3 vch day a store he feche, Among vus comme3 nouţer strot ne stryf; Bot vchon enlé we wolde were fyf — Ţe mo ţe myryer, so God me blesse. In compayny gret our luf con ţryf In honour more and neuer ţe lesse.

‘Lasse of blysse may non vus bryng Ţat beren ţys perle vpon oure bereste, For ţay of mote couţe neuer mynge Of spotle3 perle3 ţat beren ţe creste. Alţa3 oure corses in clotte3 clynge, And 3e remen for rauţe wythouten reste, We ţur3outly hauen cnawyng; Of on dethe ful oure hope is drest. Ţe Lombe vus glade3, oure care is kest; He myrţe3 vus alle at vch a mes. Vchone3 blysse is breme and beste, And neuer one3 honour 3et neuer ţe les.

‘Lest les ţou leue my tale farande, In Appocalyppece is wryten in wro:

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“I seghe”, says John, “ţe Loumbe hym stande On ţe mount of Syon ful ţryuen and ţro, And wyth hym maydenne3 and hundreţe ţowsande, And fowre and forty ţowsande mo. On alle her forhede3 wryten I fande Ţe Lombe3 nome, hys Fadere3 also. A hue from heuen I herde ţoo, Lyk flode3 fele laden runnen on resse, And as ţunder ţrowe3 in torre3 blo, Ţat lote, I leue, wat3 neuer ţe les.

‘“Nauţeles, ţa3 hit schowted scharpe, And ledden loude alţa3 hit were, A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe, To lysten ţat wat3 ful lufly dere. As harpore3 harpen in her harpe, Ţat nwe songe ţay songen ful cler, In sounande note3 a gentyl carpe; Ful fayre ţe mode3 ţay fonge in fere. Ry3t byfore Gode3 chayere And ţe fowre beste3 ţat hym obes And ţe aldermen so sadde of chere, Her songe ţay songen neuer ţe les.

‘“Nowţelese non wat3 neuer so quoynt, For alle ţe crafte3 ţat euer ţay knewe, Ţat of ţat songe my3t synge a poynt, Bot ţat meyny ţe Lombe ţat swe; For ţay arn bo3t fro ţe vrţe aloynte As newe fryt to God ful due, And to ţe gentyl Lombe hit arn anioynt, As lyk to hymself of lote and hwe;

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For neuer lesyng ne tale vntrwe Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse. Ţat moteles meyny may neuer remwe Fro ţat maskele3 mayster, neuer ţe les.”’

‘Neuer ţe les let be my ţonc’, Quod I, ‘My perle, ţa3 I appose; I schulde not tempte ţy wyt so wlonc, To Kryste3 chambre ţat art ichose. I am bot mokke and mul among, And ţou so ryche a reken rose, And byde3 here by ţys blysful bonc Ţer lyue3 lyste may neuer lose. Now, hynde, ţat sympelnesse cone3 enclose, I wolde ţe aske a ţynge expresse, And ţa3 I be bustwys as a blose, Let my bone vayl neuerţelese.

‘Neuerţelese cler I yow bycalle, If 3e con se hyt be to done; As ţou art gloryous wythouten galle, Wythnay ţou neuer my ruful bone. Haf 3e no wone3 in castel-walle, Ne maner ţer 3e may mete and won? Ţou telle3 me of Jerusalem ţe ryche ryalle, Ţer Dauid dere wat3 dy3t on trone, Bot by ţyse holte3 hit con not hone, Bot in Judee hit is, ţat noble note. As 3e ar maskele3 vnder mone, Your wone3 schulde be wythouten mote.

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‘Ţys motele3 meyny ţou cone3 of mele, Of ţousande3 ţry3t so gret a route, A gret ceté, for 3e arn fele, Yow byhod haue, wythouten doute. So cumly a pakke of joly juele Wer euel don schulde ly3 ţeroute, And by ţyse bonke3 ţer I con gele I se no bygyng nawhere aboute. I trowe alone 3e lenge and loute To loke on ţe glory of ţys gracious gote. If ţou hat3 oţer bygynge3 stoute, Now tech me to ţat myry mote.’

‘That mote ţou mene3 in Judy londe’, Ţat specyal spyce ţen to me spakk, ‘Ţat is ţe cyté ţat ţe Lombe con fon To soffer inne sor for mane3 sake, Ţe olde Jerusalem to vnderstonde; For ţere ţe olde gulte wat3 don to slake. Bot ţe nwe, ţat ly3t of Gode3 sonde, Ţe apostel in Apocalyppce in theme con take. Ţe Lompe ţer wythouten spotte3 blake Hat3 feryed ţyder hys fayre flote; And as hys flok is wythouten flake, So is hys mote wythouten moote.

‘Of motes two to carpe clene, And Jerusalem hy3t boţe nawţeles — Ţat nys to yow no more to mene Bot “ceté of God”, oţer “sy3t of pes”: In ţat on oure pes wat3 mad at ene; Wyth payne to suffer ţe Lombe hit chese;

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In ţat oţer is no3t bot pes to glene Ţat ay schal laste wythouten reles. Ţat is ţe bor3 ţat we to pres Fro ţat oure flesch be layd to rote, Ţer glory and blysse schal euer encres To ţe meyny ţat is wythouten mote.’

‘Motele3 may so meke and mylde’, Ţen sayde I to ţat lufly flor, ‘Bryng me to ţat bygly bylde And let me se ţy blysful bor.’ Ţat schene sayde: ‘Ţat God wyl schylde; Ţou may not enter wythinne hys tor, Bot of ţe Lombe I haue ţe aquylde For a sy3t ţerof ţur3 gret fauor. Vtwyth to se ţat clene cloystor Ţou may, bot inwyth not a fote; To strech in ţe strete ţou hat3 no vygour, Bot ţou wer clene wythouten mote.

‘If I ţis mote ţe schal vnhyde, Bow vp towarde ţys borne3 heued, And I anende3 ţe on ţis syde Schal sve, tyl ţou to a hil be veued.’ Ţen wolde I no lenger byde, Bot lurked by launce3 so lufly leued, Tyl on a hyl ţat I asspyed And blusched on ţe burghe, as I forth dreued, By3onde ţe brok fro me warde keued, Ţat schyrrer ţen sunne wyth schafte3 schon.

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In ţe Apokalypce is ţe fasoun preued, As deuyse3 hit ţe apostel Jhon.

As John ţe apostel hit sy3 wyth sy3t, I sy3e ţat cyty of gret renoun, Jerusalem so nwe and ryally dy3t, As hit was ly3t fro ţe heuen adoun. Ţe bor3 wat3 al of brende golde bry3t As glemande glas burnist broun, Wyth gentyl gemme3 an-vnder py3t Wyth bantele3 twelue on basyng boun, Ţe foundemente3 twelue of riche tenoun; Vch tabelment wat3 a serlype3 ston; As derely deuyse3 ţis ilk toun In Apocalyppe3 ţe apostel John.

As John ţise stone3 in writ con nemme, I knew ţe name after his tale: Jasper hy3t ţe fyrst gemme Ţat I on ţe fyrst basse con wale: He glente grene in ţe lowest hemme; Saffer helde ţe secounde stale; Ţe calsydoyne ţenne wythouten wemme In ţe ţryd table con purly pale; Ţe emerade ţe furţe so grene of scale; Ţe sardonyse ţe fyfţe ston; Ţe sexte ţe rybé he con hit wale In ţe Apocalyppce, ţe apostel John.

3et joyned John ţe crysolyt Ţe seuenţe gemme in fundament;

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Ţe a3tţe ţe beryl cler and quyt; Ţe topasye twynne-hew ţe nente endent; Ţe crysopase ţe tenţe is ty3t; Ţe jacynght ţe enleuenţe gent; Ţe twelfţe, ţe gentyleste in vch a plyt, Ţe amatyst purpre wyth ynde blente; Ţe wal abof ţe bantels bent O jasporye, as glas ţat glysnande schon; I knew hit by his deuysement In ţe Apocalyppe3, ţe apostel John.

As John deuysed 3et sa3 I ţare: Ţise twelue degres wern brode and stayre; Ţe cyté stod abof ful sware, As longe as brode as hy3e ful fayre; Ţe strete3 of golde as glasse al bare, Ţe wal of jasper ţat glent as glayre; Ţe wone3 wythinne enurned ware Wyth alle kynne3 perré ţat mo3t repayre. Ţenne helde vch sware of ţis manayre Twelue forlonge space, er euer hit fon, Of he3t, of brede, of lenţe to cayre, For meten hit sy3 ţe apostel John.

As John hym wryte3 3et more I sy3e: Vch pane of ţat place had ţre 3ate3; So twelue in poursent I con asspye, Ţe portale3 pyked of rych plate3,

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And vch 3ate of a margyrye, A parfyt perle ţat neuer fate3. Vchon in scrypture a name con plye Of Israel barne3, folewande her date3, Ţat is to say, as her byrţ-whate3: Ţe aldest ay fyrst ţeron wat3 done. Such ly3t ţer lemed in alle ţe strate3 Hem nedde nawţer sunne ne mone.

Of sunne ne mone had ţay no nede; Ţe self God wat3 her lombe-ly3t, Ţe Lombe her lantyrne, wythouten drede; Ţur3 hym blysned ţe bor3 al bry3t. Ţur3 wo3e and won my lokyng 3ede, For sotyle cler no3t lette no ly3t. Ţe hy3e trone ţer mo3t 3e hede Wyth alle ţe apparaylmente vmbepy3te, As John ţe appostel in terme3 ty3te; Ţe hy3e Gode3 self hit set vpone. A reuer of ţe trone ţer ran outry3te Wat3 bry3ter ţen boţe ţe sunne and mo

Sunne ne mone schon neuer so swete As ţat foysoun flode out of ţat flet; Swyţe hit swange ţur3 vch a strete Wythouten fylţe oţer galle oţer glet. Kyrk ţerinne wat3 non 3ete, Chapel ne temple ţat euer wat3 set; Ţe Almy3ty wat3 her mynster mete, Ţe Lombe ţe sakerfyse ţer to refet.

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Ţe 3ate3 stoken wat3 neuer 3et, Bot euermore vpen at vche a lone; Ţer entre3 non to take reset Ţat bere3 any spot an-vnder mone.

The mone may ţerof acroche no my3te; To spotty ho is, of body to grym, And also ţer ne is neuer ny3t. What schulde ţe mone ţer compas clym And to euen wyth ţat worţly ly3t Ţat schyne3 vpon ţe broke3 brym? Ţe planete3 arn in to pouer a ply3t, And ţe self sunne ful fer to dym. Aboute ţat water arn tres ful schym, Ţat twelue fryte3 of lyf con bere ful sone; Twelue syţe3 on 3er ţay beren ful frym, And renowle3 nwe in vche a mone.

An-vnder mone so great merwayle No fleschly hert ne my3t endeure, As quen I blusched vpon ţat bayle, So ferly ţerof wat3 ţe fasure. I stod as stylle as dased quayle For ferly of ţat frelich fygure, Ţat felde I nawţer reste ne trauayle, So wat3 I rauyste wyth glymme pure. For I dar say wyth conciens sure, Hade bodyly burne abiden ţat bone, Ţa3 alle clerke3 hym hade in cure, His lyf were loste an-vnder mone.

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Ry3t as ţe maynful mone con rys Er ţenne ţe day-glem dryue al doun, So sodanly on a wonder wyse I wat3 war of a prosessyoun. Ţis noble cité of ryche enpryse Wat3 sodanly ful wythouten sommoun Of such vergyne3 in ţe same gyse Ţat wat3 my blysful an-vnder croun: And coronde wern alle of ţe same fasoun, Depaynt in perle3 and wede3 qwyte; In vchone3 breste wat3 bounden boun Ţe blysful perle wyth gret delyt.

Wyth gret delyt ţay glod in fere On golden gate3 ţat glent as glasse; Hundreth ţowsande3 I wot ţer were, And alle in sute her liuré3 wasse; Tor to knaw ţe gladdest chere. Ţe Lombe byfore con proudly passe Wyth horne3 seuen of red golde cler; As praysed perle3 his wede3 wasse. Towarde ţe throne ţay trone a tras. Ţa3 ţay wern fele, no pres in plyt, Bot mylde as maydene3 seme at mas, So dro3 ţay forth wyth gret delyt.

Delyt ţat hys come encroched To much hit were of for to melle Ţise aldermen, quen he aproched, Grouelyng to his fete ţay felle.

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Legyounes of aungele3 togeder uoched Ţer kesten ensens of swete smelle. Ţen glory and gle wat3 nwe abroched; Al songe to loue ţat gay juelle. Ţe steuen mo3t stryke ţur3 ţe vrţe to helle Ţat ţe Vertues of heuen of joye endyte. To loue ţe Lombe his meyny in melle Iwysse I la3t a gret delyt.

Delit ţe Lombe for to deuise Wyth much meruayle in mynde went. Best wat3 he, blyţest, and moste to pryse, Ţat euer I herde of speche spent; So worţly whyt wern wede3 hys, His loke3 symple, hymself so gent. Bot a wounde ful wyde and weete con wyse Anende hys hert, ţur3 hyde torente. Of his quyte syde his blod outsprent. Alas, ţo3t I, who did ţat spyt? Ani breste for bale a3t haf forbrent Er he ţerto hade had delyt.

The Lombe delyt non lyste to wene. Ţa3 he were hurt and wounde hade, In his sembelaunt wat3 neuer sene, So wern his glente3 gloryous glade. I loked among his meyny schene How ţay wyth lyf wern laste and lade; Ţen sa3 I ţer my lyttel quene Ţat I wende had standen by me in sclade. Lorde, much of mirţe wat3 ţat ho made Among her fere3 ţat wat3 so quyt! Ţat sy3t me gart to ţenk to wade For luf-longyng in gret delyt.

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Delyt me drof in y3e and ere, My mane3 mynde to maddyng malte; Quen I se3 my frely, I wolde be ţere, By3onde ţe water ţa3 ho were walte. I ţo3t ţat noţyng my3t me dere To fech me bur and take me halte, And to start in ţe strem schulde non me stere, To swymme ţe remnaunt, ţa3 I ţer swalte. Bot of ţat munt I wat3 bitalt; When I schulde start in ţe strem astraye, Out of ţat caste I wat3 bycalt: Hit wat3 not at my Prynce3 paye.

Hit payed hym not ţat I so flonc Ouer meruelous mere3, so mad arayde. Of raas ţa3 I were rasch and ronk, 3et rapely ţerinne I wat3 restrayed. For, ry3t as I sparred vnto ţe bonc, Ţat brathţe out of my drem me brayde. Ţen wakned I in ţat erber wlonk; My hede vpon ţat hylle wat3 layde Ţer as my perle to grounde strayd. I raxled, and fel in gret affray, And, sykyng, to myself I sayd, ‘Now al be to ţat Prynces paye’.

Me payed ful ille to be outfleme So sodenly of ţat fayre regioun, Fro alle ţo sy3te3 so quyke and queme. A longeyng heuy me strok in swone,

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And rewfully ţenne I con to reme: ‘O perle’, quod I, ‘of rych renoun, So wat3 hit me dere ţat ţou con deme In ţys veray avysyoun! If hit be ueray and soth sermoun Ţat ţou so styke3 in garlande gay, So wel is me in ţys doel-doungoun Ţat ţou art to ţat Prynse3 paye.’

To ţat Prynce3 paye hade I ay bente, And 3erned no more ţen wat3 me gyuen, And halden me ţer in trwe entent, As ţe perle me prayed ţat wat3 so ţryuen, As helde, drawen to Godde3 present, To mo of his mysterys I hade ben dryuen; Bot ay wolde man of happe more hente Ţen mo3te by ry3t vpon hem clyuen. Ţerfore my ioye wat3 sone toriuen, And I kaste of kythe3 ţat laste3 aye. Lorde, mad hit arn ţat agayn ţe stryuen, Oţer proferen ţe o3t agayn ţy paye.

To pay ţe Prince oţer sete sa3te Hit is ful eţe to ţe god Krystyin; For I haf founden hym, boţe day and na3te, A God, a Lorde, a frende ful fyin. Ouer ţis hyul ţis lote I la3te, For pyty of my perle enclyin, And syţen to God I hit byta3te In Kryste3 dere blessyng and myn,

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Ţat in ţe forme of bred and wyn Ţe preste vus schewe3 vch a daye. He gef vus to be his homly hyne Ande precious perle3 vnto his pay. Amen.