The Siege of Jerusalem by anon
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Corpus of Middle English Prose and VerseTitle:The siege of Jerusalem Author:Anonymous Editor:E. Kölbing and Mabel Day Extent:xxxi, 133 p. : front. ; 22 cm. Publisher: Published for the Early English Text Society by H. Milford, Oxford University Press City:London Date:1932 Series:Early English Text Society (Series). Original series ; 188 Note: The printed text contained illustrations which are not noted in the electronic text.

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The siege of Jerusalem [Lines 1 through 100]

Page 1 In Tiberyus tyme ţe trewe emperour Sir Sesar hym sulf seysed in Rome Whyle Pylat was prouost vnder ţat prince riche & Iewen iustice also in Judeus londis Herodes vnder his emperie as heritage wolde Kyng of Galile ycalled whan ţat Crist deyed Ţey Sesar sakles wer ţat oft synne hatide Ţrow Pylat pyned he was & put on ţe rode A pyler pyt was doun vpon ţe playn erţe His body bonden ţer to beten with scourgis Whyppes of quyrboyle by-wente his white sides Til he al on rede blode ran as rayn [i]n ţe strete Suţ stoked hym on a stole with styf Mannes hondis Blyndfelled hym as a be & boffetis hym rate

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if ţou be prophete of pris prophecie ţey sayde Whiche [beryn] her aboute bolled ţe laste A ţrange ţornen croune was ţraste on his hed Vmbe-casten hym with a cry & on a croys slowen For al ţe harme ţat he hadde hasted he not On hem ţe vyleny to venge ţat his veynys brosten Bot ay taried ouer ţe tyme if ţey tourne wolde af hem space ţat hym spilide ţey hit spedde lyte Forty wynter as y fynde & no fewer yrys Or princes presed in hem ţat hym to pyne wrot Til hit tydde on a tyme ţat Tytus of Rome Ţat alle Gascoyne gate & Gyan ţe noble Whyle noye noyet hym in Neroes tyme He hadde a malady vn-meke a-myd[dis] ţe face Ţe lyppe lyţ on a lumpe lyuered on ţe cheke So a canker vnclene hit cloched to gedres Also his fader of flesche is ferly bytide A biker of waspen bees bredde on his nose

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Hyued vpon his hed he hadde hem of ouţe And Waspasian was caled ţe waspene bees after Was neuer syknes sorer ţan ţis sir ţoled For in a liter he lay laser at Rome Out of Galace was gon to glade hym a stounde For in ţat cuţe he was kyng ţey he car ţolede Nas ţer no leche vpon lyue ţis lordes couţ helpe Ne no grace growyng to gayne her grym sores Now was ţer on N[a]than Neymes sone of Grec[e] Ţat sout oft ouer ţe se fram cyte to oţer Knewe contreys fele kyngdomes manye & was a marener myche & marchaunt boţe Sensceus out of Surye sent hym to Rome To ţe athel Emperour an eraunde fram ţe Jewes Caled Nero by name ţat hym to noye wrot Of his tribute to telle ţat ţey withtake wolde Nathan toward Nero nome on his way Ouer ţe Grekys grounde myd ţe grym yţes

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An heye setteţ ţe sayl ouer ţe [salte] water & with a dromound on ţe deep drof on faste Ţe wolco[n] wanned anon & ţe water skeweţ Cloudes clateren gon as ţey cleue wolde Ţe racke myd a rede wynde roos on ţe myddel & sone sette on ţe se out of ţe souţ syde Blewe on ţe brode se bolned vp harde Nathannys naue a-non on [ţe] norţ dryueţ So ţe wedour & ţe wynd on ţe water metyn Ţat alle hurtled on an hepe ţat ţe helm emyd Nathan flatte for ferde & ful vnder hacchys Lete ţe wedour & ţe wynde worţe as hit lyked Ţe schip scher vpon schore schot froward Rome Toward vncouţ costes keuereţ ţe yţes Rapis vnradly vmbe ragged tourres Ţe brode sail at o brayd to-bresteţ a twynne Ţat on ende of ţe sschip was ay toward heuen

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Ţat oţer doun in ţe deep as alle drenche wolde Ouer wilde wawes he wende as alle walte scholde St[a]rke stremes ţrow yn stormes & wyndes With mychel langour atte laste as our lord wolde Alle was born at a by[rre] to Burdewes hauene By ţat wer bernes atte banke barouns & knytes & [citezeins] of ţe syt selcouţ [hem] ţot Ţat euer barge oţer bot or berne vpon lyue Vnpersched passed hadde ţe peryles wer so many Ţey token hym to Titus for he ţe tonge couţe & he [hem] fraynes how fer ţe flode hadde yferked Sir out of Surre he seide y am come To Nero sondis-man sent ţe [seygnour] of Rome Ffram Sensceus his seriant with certayn leteres Ţat is iustise & iuge of Jewen lawe Me wer leuer at ţat londe le[ngede] ţat y wer Ţan alle ţe gold oţer good ţat euer god made Ţe kyng in to conseyl calleţ hym sone

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& saide Canste ţou any cur or craft vpon erţe To softe ţe grete sore ţat sitteţ on my cheke & y schal ţe redly rewarde & to Rome sende Nathan nyckes hym with nay sayde he non couţe Bot wer ţou kyng in ţat kuţţe ţer ţat Crist deyed Ţer is a worlich wif a womman ful clene Ţat haţ softyng & salue for eche sore out Telle me tyt quoţ Titus & ţe schal tyde better What medecyn is most ţat ţat may vseţ Wheţer gommes oţer graces or any goode drenches Oţer chauntementes or charmes y charge ţe to say Nay non of ţo quoţ Nathan bot now wole y [telle] Ţer was a lede in our londe while he lif hadde Preued for a prophete ţrow preysed dedes & born in Bethleem one by of a burde schene

[Lines 101 through 200] & o a mayde vnmarred ţat neuer man touched As clene as clef ţer cristalle sprynges Without hosebondes helpe saue ţe holy goste A kyng & a knaue child o conceyued at ere

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A touche of ţe trinyte touched hir hadde Ţre persones in o place preued to gedres Eche grayn is o god & o god bot alle & alle ţre ben bot one as eldres vs tellen Ţe first is ţe fader ţat fourmed was neuer Ţe secunde is ţe sone of his sede growyn Ţe ţridde in heuen myd hem is ţe holy goste Neţer merked ne made bot mene fram hem passyţ Alle ben ţey endeles & euer of o myt & weren endeles euer [er] ţe world was bygonne As sone was ţe sone as ţe self fader Ţe holy goste with hem hadde ţey euer Ţe secunde persone ţe sone sent was to erţe To take careynes kynde of a clene mayde & so vnknowen he came caytifes to helpe & wrot wondres ynowe ay tille he wo driede Wyne he wrot of water at o word ene Ten lasares at a logge he leched at enys Pyned myd p[ar]il[sye] he putte to hele & ded men fro ţe deţ eche day rered Croked & cancred he keuered hem alle

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Boţ ţe dombe & ţe deue myd his der wordes Dide myracles mo ţan y in mynde haue Nis no clerk with countours couţe aluendel rekene Fyf ţousand of folke is ferr to here With two fisches he fedde & fif ber loues Ţat eche freke hadde his fulle & it ferre leued Of brede & of broken mete bascketes twelue Ţer suwed hym out of an cite [seuenty] & twey To do what he dempte disciples wer hoten Hem to citees he sende his sawes to preche Ay by two & by two til hy wer a-twynne Hym suwed of an-oţer cite semeliche twelue Pore men & not prute aposteles wer hoten Ţat of cay[ti]fes he ches holy churche to encresche Ţe out-wale of ţis worlde ţis wer her names Peter James & Jon & Jacob ţe ferţe & ţe fifţe of his felawys Phelip was hoten Ţe sixte Symond was caled & ţe seueţ eke

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Bertholomewe ţat his bone neuer breke nolde Ţe eyt man was Mathu ţat is myche yloued Tadde & Tomas her ben ten euen & Andreu ţe elleueţ ţat auntred hym myche Byfor princes to preche was Petrus broţer Ţe laste man was vnlele & luţer of his dedis Judas ţat Jesu Crist to ţe Jewes solde Suţ hymsulf he slowe for sorow of ţat dede His body on a balwe tree to-breste on ţe myddel Whan Crist hadde heried helle & was [to] heuen passed For ţat mansed man Mathie ţey chossyn it vnbaptized wer boţe Barnabe & Poule & not knewen of Crist bot comen sone after Ţe princes & ţe prelates aen ţe paske tyme Alle ţei hadde hym in hate for his holy werkes Hit was a doylful dede whan ţey his deţ caste Ţrow Pilat pyned he was ţe prouost of Rome & ţat worliche wif ţat arst was ynempned Haţ his visage in hir veil Veronyk o hatte Peynted priuely & playn ţat no poynt wanteţ

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For loue he left hit hir til hir lyues ende Ţer is no gome [o]n ţis [grounde] ţat is grym wounded Meselry ne meschef ne man vpon erţe Ţat kneleţ doun to ţat cloţ & on Crist leueţ Bot alle hapneţ to hele in [ane] hand whyle At Rome reyned ţe emperour quoţ ţe kyng riche ţan Cesar synful wrecche ţat sent hym fram Rome Why nadde ţy lycam be leyd low vnder erţe Whan Pilat prouost was made suche a prince to jugge & or ţis wordes wer [wel] wonne to ţe ende Ţe canker ţat ţe kyng hadde clenly was heled With out faute ţe face of flesche & of hyde As newe as ţe nebbe ţat neuer was wemmyd A corteys Crist seide ţe kyng riche ţan Was neuer worke ţat y wrot worţy ţe to telle Ne dede ţat y haue don bot ţy deţ mened Ne neuer sey ţe in sit goddis sone der Bot now [be] bayne [to] my bone blessed lord

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To stire Nero with noye & newen his sorowe & y schal buske me boun hem bale to wyrche To do ţe deueles of dawe & ţy deţ venge Telle me tit quoţ Titus what tokne he lafte To hem ţat knew hym for Crist & his crafte leued Nempne ţe trinyte by name quoţ Nathan at ţries & ţer myd baptemed be in blessed water Forţ ţey fetten a font & foulled hym ţer Made hym cristen kyng ţat for Crist werred Corrours in to eche coste ţan ţe cours nomen & alle his baronage brot to Burdewes hauen Suţ with ţe sondes-man he [s]out to Rome Ţe ferly & ţe fair cure his fader to schewe & he gronnand glad grete god ţanked & loude criande on Crist carped & saide Worţy wemlese God in whom y byleue [Als] ţou in Bethleem was born of a bryt mayde Sende me hele of my hurt & heyly y a-fowe To be ded for ţy deţ bot hit be der olden

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[Lines 201 through 300] Ţat tyme peter was pope & preched in rome Ţe lawe & ţe lore ţat our byleue askeţ Folowed faste on ţe folke & to ţe fayţ tourned & crist wrot for ţat wye wondres ynow Ţer of waspasian was war ţat ţe waspys hadde Sone sendeţ hym to & ţe soţe tolde Of crist & ţe kerchef ţat keuered ţe sike As nathan neymes sone seide ţat [was to nero] come Ţan to consayl was called ţe knytes of rome & assenteden sone to sende messages Twenti knytes wer cud ţe ker[ch]yf to fecche & asked trewes of ţe emperour ţat erand to done Ac without tribute or trewes tenfulle wyes Ţe knytes with ţe kerchef comen ful blyue Ţe pope af pardoun to hem ţat passed ţer aens With processioun & pres princes & dukes & whan ţe womman was war ţat ţe wede owede [of] seint peter ţe pope o platte to ţe grounde Vmbefelde his fete & to ţe freke saide Of ţis kerchef & my cors ţe kepyng y ţe take

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Ţan bygan ţe burne biterly to wepe For ţe doylful deţ of his der mayster & longe stode in ţe stede or he stynte myt Whan he vnclosed ţe cloţe ţat cristes body touched Ţe wede fram ţe womman [he] warpe atte laste Receyued hit myd reuerence & rennande teris Out of ţe place myd pres ţey passed on swyţe & ay held hit on hey ţat alle byhold myt Ţan twelf barouns bolde ţe emperour bade wende & ţe pope departe fram ţe pople faste Veronyk & ţe vail waspasian ţey brot & seint peter ţe pope presented boţe Bot a ferly byfelle forţ myd hem alle In her temple bytidde tenful ţynges Ţe mahound & ţe mametes tomortled to peces & al tocrased as ţe cloţ ţro ţe kirke passed Into ţe palice with ţe printe ţan ţe pope ede Knytes kepten ţe cloţe & on knees fallen A flauour flambeţ ţer fro ţey felleden hit alle

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Was neuer odour ne eyr vpon erţe swetter Ţe kerchef clansed hit self & so cler wexed Myt no lede on hit loke for lit ţat hit schewed As hit aproched to ţe prince he put vp his hed For comfort of ţe cloţ he cried wel loude Lo lordlynges her ţe lyknesse of crist Of whom my botnyng y bidde for his bitter woundis Ţan was wepyng & wo & wryngyng of hondis With loude dyn & dit for doil of hym one Ţe pope availed ţe vaile & his visage touched Ţe body suţ al aboute blessed hit ţrye Ţe waspys wenten away & alle ţe wo after Ţat er lasar was longe lytter was neuere Ţan was pypyng & play his pyne was awey Ţey elden grace to god ţis two grete lordes Ţe kerchef arieţ fram alle & in ţe eyr hangyţ Ţat ţe symple myt hit se in to soper tyme Ţe veronycle after veronyk waspasian hit called

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Garde hit gayly agysen in gold & in seluere it is ţe visage in ţe vail as veronyk hym brot Ţe romaynes at rome a relyk hit holden Ţis whyle nero hadde noye & non nytes reste For his tribute was [tynt] as nathan told hadde He commaundiţ knytes to come consail to holde Erles & alle men ţe emperour aboute Assembled ţe senatours sone vpon haste To iugge who jewes myt best vpon ţe jewys take & alle demeden by dome ţo dukes to wende Ţat wer cured ţrow crist ţat ţey on croys slowen Ţat on waspasian was of ţe wyes twey Ţat ţe trauail vndertoke & titus an oţer A bold burne on a blonke & of his body comyn No ferţer sib to hymself bot his sone der Crouned kynges boţe & mychel crist loued Ţat hadde hem [g]euen of his grace & her grem stroyed

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Moste ţei hadde hit in hert her hestes to kepe & her forwardis to fulfille ţat ţei byfor made Ţan was rotlyng in rome robbyng of brynnyes Schewyng of scharpe [stele] scheldes ydressed Laute leue at ţat lord leften his sygne A grete dragoun of gold & alle ţe [g]yng folwed By ţat schippis wer schred yschot on ţe depe Takled & atired on talterande yţes Ffresch water & wyn wounden yn faste & stof of alle maner store ţat hem strengţe scholde Ţer wer floynes a flot farcostes many Cogges & crayers ycasteled alle Galees of grete streyngţe with golden fanes [ţe brede] on ţe brod se aboute four myle Ţey tyten vp tal-sail whan ţe tide asked Hadde byr at ţe bake & ţe bonke lefte Soute ouer ţe se with soudeours manye & [ioyned in to] port jaf in judeis londys

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Suree cesaris londe ţou may seken euer Ful mychel wo m[o]n be wrote in ţy [w]lonk tounes Cytees vnder s[yon] now is our sorow uppe Ţe deţ of ţe dereworţ crist der schal be olden Now is bethleem ţy bost ybrot to an ende Jerusalem & ierico forjuggyd wrecchys Schal neuer kyng of our kynde with croune be ynoyntid Ne jewe for jesu sake [i]ouke in ou more

[Lines 301 through 400] Ţey setten vpon eche side surrie withyn Brente ay at ţe bak & [all] bar laften Was not bot roryng & r[u]th in alle ţe riche tounnes & red laschyng lye alle ţe londe ouer Token toun & tour teldes ful fele Brosten ates of brass & many borwe wonnen Holy ţe heţen here hewyn to grounde Boţ in bent & in borwe ţat abide wolde Ţe jewes to ierusalem ţ[ere] josephus dwelde Flowen as ţe foule doţ ţat faucoun wolde strike A cite vnder syon sett was ful noble With many toret & tour ţat toun to defende

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Princes & prelates & poreil of ţe londe Clerkes & comens of contrees aboute Wer schacked to ţat cite sacrifice to make At paske tyme as preched hem prestes of ţe lawe Many swykel at ţe sweng to ţe swerd ede For penyes passed non ţo he pay wolde Bot diden alle to ţe deţe & drowen hem after With engynes to jerusalem ţer jewes wer ţykke Ţey sette sadly a sege ţe cite alle aboute Piten pauelouns doun of pallen webbes With ropis of riche silk raysen vp swyţe Grete tentis as a toun of torke[is] cloţys Choppyn ouer ţe cheuentayns with charboklis four A gay egle of gold on a gilde appul With grete dragouns grym alle in gold wrote Lyk to lyouns also lyande ţervnder Paled & paynted ţe paueloun was vmbe Stoked ful of storijs strayned myd armys Of quaynte colour to know kerneld alofte An hundred stondyng on stage in ţat stede one

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Toured with torettes was ţe tente ţanne Suţ britaged aboute brit to byholde Er alle ţe sege was sette it of ţe cite comyn Messengeres wer made fram maistres of ţe lawe To ţe chef cheuentayn ţey chosen her wey Deden mekly by mouţe her message attonys Sayen ţe cite haţ [vs] sent to serche our wille To here ţe cause of our comyng [& what] e coueyte wolde Waspasian no word to ţe wyes schewed Bot sendeţ sondismen aen twelf siker knytes [gert hem greithely] to go & ţe gomes telle Ţat alle ţe cause of her com[e] was crist forto venge Sayţ y bidde hem be boun bishopes & oţer Tomorow or [mydday] [alle modur-nakyd] Vp her ates to elde with erdes an hande Eche whit in a white scherte & no wede ellys Jewyse for iesu crist by juggement to take & make hem come ţat iesu crist ţro conseil bytrayede

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Or y to ţe walles schal wende & walten alle ouere Schal no ston vpon ston stonde by y passe Ţis sondismen sadly to ţe cite ede Ţer ţe lordes of ţe londe lent weren alle Tit tolden her tale & wonder towe made Of crist & of cayphas & how ţey come scholde & when ţe knytes of crist carpyn bygonn Ţe jewes token alle twelf without tale mor Her hondis bounden at her bak with borden stauys And of flocken her fa[x] & her fair berdis Made hem naked as a nedel to ţe neţer houe Her visages blecken with bleche & al ţe body after Suţ knyt with a corde to eche knytes swer A chese & charged hem her chyuentayn to ber Sayţ vnbuxum we beţ his biddyng to ete Ne not dreden his dom his deţ haue we atled He schal vs fynde in ţe felde ne no ferr seke Tomorowe pryme or hit passe & so our prince telliţ Ţe burnes busken out of burwe bounden alle twelf

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Aen message to make fram ţe maister jewes Was neuer waspasian so wroţe as whan ţe wyes come Ţat wer scorned & schende vpon schame wyse Ţis knytes byfor ţe kyng vpon knees fallen & tolden ţe tale as hit tid hadde Of ţy manace ne ţy myt ţey make bot lyte Ţus ben we tourned of our tyre in tokne of ţe soţe & bounden for our bolde speche ţe batail ţey willeţ Tomorowe prime or hit passe ţey put hit no ferre Hit schal be satled on ţy-self ţe same ţat ţou atlest Ţus han ţey certifiet ţe [to saye] & sende ţe ţis cheses Wode wedande wroţ waspasian was ţanne Layde wecche to ţe walle & warned in haste Ţat alle maner of men in ţe morowe scholde Be sone after ţe sonne assembled in ţe felde He streyt up a standard in a stour wyse Bild as a belfray bretful of wepne Whan ot fauted in ţe folke ţat to ţe feld longed Atte ţe belfray to be botnyng to fynde

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A dragoun was dressed drawyn a lofte Wyde gapande of gold gomes to swelwe With arwes armed in ţe mouţe & also he hadde A fauch[ou]n vnder his feet with four kene bladdys Ţerof ţe poyntes wer pit in partyis four Of ţis wlonfulle wor[l]de ţer ţei werr fondyn In forbesyn to ţe folke ţis fauchoun hengeţ Ţat ţey hadde wonnen with [werre] al ţe world riche A bal of brennande gold ţe beste was on sette His taille trayled ţer aboute ţat tourne scholde he neuere Whan he was lifte vp[his liche] ţer ţe lord werred Bot ay lokande on ţe londe tille ţat al laute wer

[Lines 401 through 500] Ţer by ţe cite myt se no setlyng wolde rise Ne no trete of no trewes bot ţe toun elde Or ride on ţe romayns for ţey han her rede take Ţer britned to be or ţe [burghe] wynne His wynges [brighte wer & brade] boun forto flee

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With belles bordored aboute al of brit seluere Redy whan oute runnen to rynge ful loude With eche [wap] of a [wynde] ţat to ţe wynges sprongyn Ibrytaged aboute ţe belfray was ţanne With a tenful tour ţat ouer ţe toun gawged Ţe b[est] by ţe britnesse burnes myt knowe Four myle ţer fro so ţe feldes schonen & on eche pomel wer pyt penseles hye Of selke & sendel with seluere ybetyn Hit glitered as gled fur ful of gold riche Ouer al ţe cite to se as ţe sonne bemys Byfor ţe four ates he formes to lenge Sixtene ţousand by somme while ţe sege lasteţ Sette ward [to] ţe walles ţat not awey scaped Sixe ţousand in sercle ţe cite alle aboute Was not while ţe nyt laste bot nehyng of stedis Strogelyng in stele wede & stuffyng of helmes

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With armyng of olyfauntes & oţer arwe bestes Aen ţe cristen to come with castels on bake Waspasya[n] in stele wede & his wyes alle Weren dit forţ by day & drowen to ţe vale Of josophat ţer jesu crist schal juggen alle ţinges Bigly batayled hym ţer to bide[n] ţis oţer Ţe fauward titus toke to telle vpon ferste With six ţousand soudiours assyned for ţe nones & mony in ţe mydward wer merked to lenge Ţer waspasian was with princes & dukes & sixtene ţousand in ţe ţridde with a ţryuande knyt Sir sabyn of surrie a siker man of armes Ţat prince was of prouynce & michel peple ladde Fourty hundred in helmes & harnays to schewe & ten ţousand atte tail at ţe tentis lafte Hors & harnays fram harmyng to kepe By ţat bemys on ţe burwe blowen ful loude & baners beden hem forţ now blesse vs our lorde Ţe jewes assembled wer sone & of ţe cite come An hundred ţousand on hors with hamberkes atired Without folke vpon fot at ţe four ates Ţat preset to ţe place with pauyes on hande Fyf & twenti olyfauntes defensable bestes With brode castels on bak out of burwe come & on eche olyfaunte armed men manye Ay an hundred an hey an hundred withyn Ţo drowen dromedarius doun deuelich ţicke [an] hundred ţousand & yheled with harnays of mayle Eche beste with a big tour ţer bold men wer ynne Twenty told by tale in eche tour euene Cameles closed in stele comen out ţanne Faste toward ţe feld a ferlich nonbr Busked to batail & on bak hadde Echon a toret of tre with ten men of armes Chares ful of chosen charged with wepne A wonder nonbr ţer was who so wite lyste Many douti ţat day ţat was adradde neuer

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Wer fond fey in ţe feld er ţat fit endid An olyfaunt yarmed came out at ţe laste Keuered myd a castel was craftily ywrot A tabernacle in ţe tour atyred was riche Pit as a paueloun on pileres of seluere A which of white seluere wal[w]ynde ţer-ynne On four goions of gold ţat hit fram grounde bar A c[h]osen chayr ţerby on charbokeles twelfe Betyn al with barn[d] gold with brennande sergis Ţe chekes of ţe chayr wer cha[r]-bokles fyue Couered myd a riche cloţe ţer cayphas was sette A plate of pulsched gold was pit on his breste With many preciose perle & pured stones Lered men of ţe lawe ţat loude couţe synge With sawters seten hym by & ţe psalmys tolde Of douty david ţe kyng & oţer der storijs Of joseph ţe noble jewe & judas ţe knyt Cayphas of ţe kyst kyppid a rolle & radde how ţe folke ran ţro ţe re[d]e wa[ters] Whan pharao & his ferde wer in ţe floode drouned & myche of moyses lawe he mynned ţat tyme Whan ţis faiţles folke to ţe feld comen & batayled after ţe bent with many burne kene For baneres ţat blased & bestes yarmed Myt no man se ţrow ţe sonne ne ţe cite knowe Waspasian dyuyseţ ţe vale alle aboute Ţat was with baneres ouer[brade] to ţe borwe wallis To barouns & bold men ţat hym aboute wer Seiţ lordlynges aloude lestenyţ my speche Her nys king noţer knyt comen to ţis place Baroun ne burges ne burne ţat me folweţ Ţat ţe cause of his come nys crist forto venge Vpon ţe faiţles folke ţat hym fayntly slowen Byholdeţ ţe heţyng & ţe harde woundes Ţe betyng & ţe byndyng ţat ţe body hadde Lat neuer ţis lawles ledis lau at his harmys Ţat bout vs fram bale with blod of his herte

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[i] quyckeclayme ţe querels of alle quyk burnes & clayme of euereche kyng saue of crist one Ţat ţis peple to pyne no pite ne hadde Ţat preueţ his passioun who so ţe paas redeţ

[Lines 501 through 600] Hit nediţ not at ţis note of nero to mynde Ne to trete of no trewe for tribute ţat he askeţ Ţat querel y quikcleyme [qweţer] he ne wilneţ Of ţis rebel to rome bot resoun to haue Bot mor ţing in our mynde myneţ [vs] today Ţat by resoun to rome ţe regnance fallyţ Boţe ţe myt & ţe mayn [&] mais[trie] on e[rţe] & lord[chipe] of eche londe ţat liţe vnder heuen Lat neuer ţis faiţles folke with fit vs wynne Hors ne harnays bot ţey hit hard byen Plate ne pesan ne pendauntes ende While any lyme may laste or we ţe lif haue For ţei ben feyn[t] at ţe fit fals of byleue & wel wenen at a wap alle ţe wo[r]ld quelle

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Noţer grounded on god ne on no grace tristen Bot alle in st[erynne]s of stour & in strengţ one & we ben dit today driten to serue Hey heuen kyng [take] hede to his owne Ţe ledes louten hym alle & aloude sayde Today ţat fleţe any fote ţe fende haue his soule Bemes blowen anon blonkes to nee Stedis stampen in ţe felde stif steil vnder Stiţe men in stiropys striden alofte Knytes croysen hemself cacchen her helmys With loude clarioun cry & alle kyn pypys Tymbris & tabourris tonelande loude euen a schillande schout schrynken ţe jewes As womman [welter solde in swounn] whan hir ţe water neeţ Lacchen launces anon lepyn to-gedris

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As fur out of flynt ston ferde hem bytwene Doust drof vpon lofte dymedyn alle aboute As ţonder & ţicke rayn ţrowolande in skyes [ţei] beren burnes ţrow brosten launces Knytes crosschen doun to ţe cold erţe Ffout faste in ţe felde & ay ţe fals vnder Doun swowande [one] swelt with out swar more Tytus tourneţ hym to tolles of ţe beste Forjustes ţe jolieste with joyn[yng] of werr Suţ with a brit bronde he betiţ on harde Tille ţe brayn & ţe blod on ţe bent ornen Sout ţro an oţer side with a sore wepne Bet on ţe broun stele while ţe bladde laste An hey breydeţ ţe brond & as a bore lokeţ How hetterly doun hente who so wolde Alle britned ţe bent as bemys of sonne Of ţe gilden ger & ţe goode stones

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Ffor schyueryng of sche[l]des & schynyng of helmes Hit ferde as alle ţe firmament vpon a fur wer Waspasian in ţe vale ţe fanward byholdeţ How ţe heţyn her heldiţ to grounde Cam with a fair ferde ţe fals men to mete As greued griffouns girden in samen Spakly her speres on sprotes ţay eden Scheldes as schidwod on scholdres tocleuen Schoken out of schepes ţat scharpe w[ere] ygrounde & mallen metel ţro vnmylt hertes Hewen on ţe heţen hurtlen togedr Forschorne gilt schroud sch[o]dered burne[s] Baches woxen ablode aboute in ţe vale & goutes fram gold wede as goteres ţey runne Sir sabyn setteţ hym vp whan hit so ede Rideţ myd ţe rereward & alle ţe route folweţ

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Kenely ţe castels came to assayle Ţat ţe bestes on her bake out of burwe ladden Atles on ţe olyfauntes ţat orible wer Girdiţ out ţe guttes with grounden speres R[o]ppis rispen forţ ţat redles an hundred Scholde be busy to burie ţat on a bent lafte Castels clateren doun cameles brosten Dromedaries to ţe deţ drowen ful swyţe Ţe blode fomed hem fro in ţe flasches aboute Ţ[at] knedepe in ţe dale dascheden stedes Ţe burnes in ţe bretages ţat aboue wer For ţe doust & ţe dyn as alle doun ede Al forstoppette in stele storteblynde wexen Whan hurdis & hard erţe hurtled togedre & vnder dromedaries doun diten hem sone Was non left vpon lyue ţat a lofte standeţ Saue [ane] olepy olyfaunt at ţe grete ate Ţeras cayphas ţe clerke in castel rideţ

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He say ţe wrake on hem wende & away tourneţ With twelf maystres made of moyses lawe An hundred helmed men hien hem after Er ţey of castel myt come cauten hem alle Bounden ţe bischup on bycchyd wyse Ţat ţe blode out barst eche band vnder & broten [to] ţe [berfraye] alle [ţo] bew clerkes Ţer ţe standard stode & stadded hem ţer Ţe beste & ţe britage & alle ţe brit ger Chair & chaundelers & charbokel stones Ţe rolles ţat ţey redden [on] & alle ţe riche bokes Ţey brote myd ţe bischup ţou hym bale ţoute Anon ţe feyţles folke fayleden herte Tourned toward ţe toun & tytus hem after Ffe[l]de of ţe fals ferde in ţe felde lefte An hundred in her helmes myd his honde one Ţe fals jewes in ţe felde fallen so ţicke As hail froward heuen hepe ouer oţer

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So was ţe bent ouerbrad blody byrunne With ded bodies aboute alle ţe brod vale

[Lines 601 through 700] Myt no stede doun stap bot on stele wede Or on burne oţer on beste or on brit scheldes So myche was ţe multitude ţat on ţe molde lafte Ţer so many wer mar[red] mereuail wer ellis it wer ţe romayns as rest as ţey fram rome come [vnrevyn] eche a renk & not a ryng brosten Was no poynt perschid of alle her pris armur So crist his knytes gan kepe tille complyn tyme An hundred ţousand helmes of ţe heţen syde Wer fey fallen in ţe felde [ţat no freke skapide] Saue seuen ţousand of ţe somme ţat to ţe cite flowen & wy[nn]en with mychel wo ţe walles with-ynne Ledes lepen to a-non louken ţe ates Barren hem bigly with boltes of yren Brayden vp brigges with brouden chaynes

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& portecolis with pile picchen to grounde Ţei wynnen vp whytly ţe walles to kepe Fr[e]sche vnfonded folke & grete defence made Tyeţ in-to tourres tonnes ful manye With grete stones of gret & of gray marble Kepten kenly with caste ţe kernels alofte Quar[r]en qu[a]rels out with quart[ote]s attonys Ţat oţer folke at ţe fote freshly assayled Tille eche dale with dewe was donked aboute With-drowen hem fro ţe diche dukes & oţer [for] ţe caste was so kene ţat come fram ţe walles Comen forţe with ţe kyng clene as ţey ede W[ant]ed not o wye ne non ţat wem hadde Princes to her pauelouns passen on swyţe Vnarmen hem as tyt & alle ţe nyt resten With wacche vmbe ţe walles to many wyes sorowe Ţey wolle not ţe heţen her so harmeles be lafte

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Sone as ţe rede day ros [o]n ţe schye Bemes blowen anon burnes to aryse Ţe kyng comaundeţ a cry ţat comsed was sone Ţe ded bodies on ţe bonke barforto make To spoyle ţe spilt folke spar scholde none Geten girdeles & ger gold & goode stones Byes broches bryt besauntes riche Helmes hewen of gold hamberkes manye Kesten ded vpon ded was deil to byholde Made wide weyes & to ţe walles comen Assembleden at ţe cite saut to bygynne Ffolke ferlich ţycke at ţe four ates Ţey broten toures of tre ţat ţey taken hadde A-en euereche ate arken hem hey Bygonnnen at ţe grettist a garrite to rer Groded vp fro ţe grounde on twelfe grete postes [it] was wonderlich wide wrot vpon hyte

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Ffyue hundred in frounte to fiten at ţe walles Hardy men vp-on haste hyen at ţe grecys & bygonnnen with bir ţe borow to assayle Quarels flambande of fur flowen out harde & arwes [vn]arwely with attyr enuenymyd Taysen at ţe toures tachen on ţe jewes Ţro kernels cacchen her deţ many kene burnes Brenten & beten doun ţat bilde was wel ţycke Brosten ţe britages & ţe brode toures By ţat was many bold burne ţe burwe to assayle Ţe hole batail boun a-boute ţe brode walles Ţat wer byg & brode & bycchet to wynne Wonder heye to byholde with holwe diches vnder Heye bonked a-bou[t]e vpon boţe sydes Rit wicked to wynne bot if wyles helpe Bow-men atte bonke benden her ger Schoten vp scharply to ţe schene walles With arwes & arblastes & alle ţat harme myt To affray ţe folke ţat defence made

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Ţe jewes werien ţe walles with wyles ynowe Hote [p]l[ay]ande picche a-monge ţe peple eten Brenn[a]n[d] leed & brynston barels fulle Schoten schynande doun rit as schyr water Waspasian wendeţ fram ţe walles wariande hem alle Oţer busked wer boun benden engynes Kesten at ţe kernels & clustred toures & monye der daies worke dongen to grounde By ţat writes han wrot a wonder stronge pale Alle aboute ţe burwe with bastiles manye Ţat [no freke in myt fonde with-owttyn fethyrhames] [ne] no segge vnder sonne myt fram ţe cite passe Suţ dommyn ţe diches with ţe ded corses Crammen hit myd karayn ţe kirnels vnder Ţat ţe stynk of ţe steem myt strike ouer ţe walles To coţe ţe corsed folke ţat hem kepe scholde

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Ţe cors of ţe condit ţat comen to [ţe] toun Stoppen euereche a streem ţer any str[ande] ede With stockes & stones & stynkande bestes Ţat ţey no water myt wynne ţat weren enclosed Waspasian tourneţ to his tente with titus & oţer Commaundeţ consail anon on cayphas to sitte W[hat] deţ by dome ţat he dey scholde With ţe lettered ledes ţat ţey laute hadde Domes-men vpon de[y]s demeden swyţe Ţat ech freke wer quyk fleyn ţe felles of clene Ţen to be on a bent with blonkes to-drawe & suţ honget on an hep vpon heye galwes Ţe feet to ţe firmament alle folke to byholden With hony vpon ech [halfe] ţe hydeles anoynted Corres & cattes with claures ful scharpe Ffour kagge[d] & knyt to cayphases ţeyes

[Lines 701 through 800] Twey apys at his armes to angren hym mor

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Ţat renten ţe rawe flesche vpon rede peces So was he pyned fram prime with persched sides Tille ţe sonne doun sout in sommere-tyme Ţe lered men of ţe lawe a litel bynyţe Weren tourmented on a tre topsail walten Knyt to euerech clerke kene corres twey Ţat alle ţe cite myt se ţe sorow ţat ţey dryuen Ţe jewes walten ouer ţe walles for wo at ţat tyme Seuen hundred slow hemself for sorow of her clerkes Somme hent her heer & fram ţe hed pulled & somme [down] for deil dasch[e]de to grounde Ţe kyng lete drawen hem a-doun whan ţey dede wer Bade a bole-fur betyn to brennen ţe corses Kesten cayphas ţer-yn & his clerkes twelf & brenten euereche bon in-to ţe browne askes Suţ went to ţe walle on ţe wynde syde & alle a-brod on ţe burwe blewen ţe powder

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Ţer is doust [to] our drynke a du[ke] to hem crieţ & bade hem bible of ţat broţ for ţe bischopes soule Ţus ended coursed cayphas & his clerkes alle Al to-brused myd bestes brent at ţe laste In tokne of tresoun & trey ţat he wrot Whan crist ţrow his conseil was cacched to deţ By ţat was ţe day don dym[m]ed ţe skyes Merked [ţe] montayns & mores a-boute Foules fallen to fote & her feţres r[y]s[t]en Ţe nyt-wacche to ţe walle & waytes to blowe Bryt fures a-boute betyn a-brode in ţe oste Ţe kyng & his consail carpen to-gedr Chosen chyuentayns out & chiden no mor Bot charged ţe chek-wecche & to chambr wenten Kynges & knytes to cacchen hem reste Waspasian lyţ in his logge litel he slepiţ Bot walwyţ & wyndiţ & waltreţ a-boute

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Ofte tourneţ for tene & on ţe toun ţynkeţ Whan schadewes & schir day scheden attwynne Leuerockes vpon lofte lyften her steuenes Burnes busken hem out of bedde with bemes loude Boţe blowyng on bent & on ţe burwe walles Waspasian bounys of bedde busked hym fayr Fram ţe fote to ţe fourche in fyne gold cloţes Suţ putteţ ţe prince ouer his pal[l]e[n] wedes A brynye browded ţicke with a brest-plate [ţe] gra[te was] of gray steel & of gold riche Ţer-ouer he casteţ a cote colour[ede] of his armys A grete girdel of gold without ger oţer Layţ vmbe his lendis with lacchetes ynow A bryt burnesched swerd he belteţ alofte

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Of pur purged gold ţe pomel & ţe hulte A brod schynande scheld on scholdir he hongiţ Bocklyd myd brit gold abou[t]e at ţe necke Ţe glowes of gray steel ţat wer with gold hemmyd Hauleţ [ouer] harnays & his hors askeţ Ţe gold hewen helme haspeţ he blyue With viser & with a-vental deuysed for ţe nones A croune of clene gold was closed vpon lofte Rybaunde vmbe ţe rounde helm ful of riche stones Pyt prudely with perles in-to ţe pur corners & so with saphyres sett ţe sydes a-boute He strideţ on a stif stede & strikeţ ouer ţe bente Lit as a lyoun wer loused out of cheyne His segges se[y]en hym alle & echon sayţ to oţer Ţis is a comlich kyng knytes to lede He boweţ to ţe barres or he bide wolde Betynge on with ţe brond on ţe bras rynges

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Comeţ caytifes forţ e ţat crist slowen Knoweţ hym for our kyng or e cacche mor Wayteţ doun fro ţe walle what wo is on hande May e fecche ou no fode ţo e fey worţe & ţo e waterles wede wynne e not o droppe Ţo e deţ scholde dey daies in our lyue Ţe pale ţat i pit haue passe hit who myt Ţat is so byg on ţe bonke & haţ ţe burowe closed Ffourty to fyten aens fyue hundred Ţo e wer etnes echon in scholde []e [tourne] & more manschyp wer hit it mercy byseche Ţan metles marr ţer no myt helpys Was non ţat warpiţ a word bot waytes her poyntes if [any] stertis on st[r]ay with stones hem to kylle Ţan wroţ as a wode bore he wendeţ his bridul if e as dogges wol dey ţe deuel haue ţat recche & or i wende fro ţis walle e schul wordes schewe

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& efte spakloker speke or y our speche owene By ţat a jewe josophus ţe gentyl clerke Hadde wrot a wonder wyle whan hem water fayled Made wedes of wolle in wete for to plunge Water-waschen as ţey wer & on ţe walle hengen Ţe wedes dropeden doun d[r]yed erne Rich rises hem fro ţe romayns byholden Wenden wel her wedes hadde wasschyng so ryue Ţat no wye in ţe wone water schold fayle Waspasian ţe wile wel ynow knewe Loude law[eţ] ţer-at & lordlynges byddis No burne abasched be ţo ţey ţis bost make Hit beţ bot wyles of werr for water hem fayleţ Ţan was no-ţyng bot a newe note to bygynne Assaylen on eche a side ţe cite by halues Merken myd manglouns ful vn-mete dyntes

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& myche of masouns note ţey marden ţat tyme

[Lines 801 through 900] Ţer-of was josophus war ţat myche of werr couţe & sette on ţe walle side sakkes myd chaf Aens ţe streyngţe of ţe stroke ţer ţe stones hytte Ţat alle dered not a dys bot grete dy[n] made Ţe romayns runne to a-non & on roddes knytte Siţes for ţe sackes ţat selly wer kene Raten to ţe ropis rent hem in sonder Ţat alle dasschande doun in-to ţe diche flatten Bot josophus ţe gynful her engynes alle Brente with brennande oyle & myche bale wrot Waspasian wounded was ţer wonderlich sore Ţrow ţe hard of ţe hele with an hande-darte Ţat boot ţrow ţe bote & ţe bone nayled Of ţe frytted fote in ţe folis syde Sone assembled hym to many sadde hundred

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Ţat wolden wrecken ţe wounde oţer wo habben Ţey bowyn to ţe barres bekered erne Fout rit felly foyned with speres Jo[k]ken jewes ţro engynes by ţanne Wer manye bent at ţe bonke & to ţe burwe ţrewen Ţer wer selcouţes sen as segges mowe here A burne with a balwe-ston was ţe brayn cloue Ţe gretter pese of ţe panne ţe pyble forţ strikeţ Ţat hit flow in-to ţe feld a forlong or more A womman bounden with a barn was on ţe body hytte With ţe ston o[f] a staf[-slyng] as ţe storyj telleţ Ţat ţe barn out brayde fram ţe body clene & was born vp as a bal ouer ţe burwe walles Burnes wer brayned & brosed to deţ Wymmen wide open walte vnder stones Frosletes fro ţe ferst to ţe flor ţrylled

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& many toret doun tilte ţe temple a-boute Ţe cite had ben seised myd saut at ţat tyme Nad ţe folke be so fers ţat ţe fende serued Ţat kilden on ţe cristen & kepten ţe walles With arwes & arblastes & archers manye With speres & spryngoldes sponnen out hard Dryuen dartes a-doun euen depe woundes Ţat manye renke out of rome [by] rest[ing] of ţ[e] s[o]nne Was mychel leuer a leche ţan layke myd his ton Waspasian stynteţ of ţe stour steweţ his burnes Ţat wer for-beten & bled vnder bryt yren Tyen to her tentis myd tene ţat ţey hadde Al wery of ţat werk & wounded ful sore Helmes & hamberkes hadden of sone Leches by torche-lit loken her hurtes Waschen woundes with wyn & with wolle stoppen With oyle & orisoun ordeyned in charme

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Suţ euereche a segge to ţe soper ede Ţo ţey wounded wer was no wo nempned Bot daunsyng & no deil with dynnyng of pipis & ţe nakerer noyse alle ţe nyt-tyme Whan ţe derk was doun & ţe day spr[o]ngen Sone after ţe sonne sembled ţe grete Comen forţ-with ţe kyng conseil to her Alle ţe knythod clene ţat for crist werred Waspasian waiteţ a-wide his wyes byholdeţ Ţat wer frescher to fit ţan at ţe furst tyme Prayeţ princes on ernest & alle ţe peple after Ţat eche wye of ţat werr schold his wille specke For or ţis toun be tak & ţis toures heye Michel tor[fere] & tene vs tides on hande Ţay tourned alle to titus & hym ţe tale scheweţ Of ţe cite & ţe sege to seyn for hem alle Ţan titus tourneţ hem to & talkyng bygynneţ

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Ţus to layke with ţis les[e folke] vs lympis ţe worse For ţey ben fel[l]e of defence ferce men & noble & ţis toured toun is tenful to wynne Ţe worst wrecche in ţe wone may on walle lygge Strike doun with a ston & stuny many knytes Whan we schul houe & byholde & litel harme wirche & ay ţe loţe of ţe layk lit on vs-selue Now mowe ţey ferke no ferr her fode forto wynne Wolde we stynt of our strif whyle ţey her stor ma[r]-den We scholde with [hunger] hem honte to hoke out of toun [with-owttyn weme or wounde or any wo ells] For ţer as fayleţ ţe fode ţer is feynt strengţe & ţer as hunger is hote hertes ben feble Alle assenteden to ţe sawe ţat to ţe [sege] longed Apaied as ţe prince & ţe peple wolde

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To ţe kyng wer called constables ţanne Marchals maser[s] men ţat he to tristiţ He chargeţ hem che[f]ly for chaunce ţat may falle With wacche of waled men ţe walles to kepe For we wol hunten at ţe hart ţis heţes aboute & hur racches renne a-monge ţis rowe bonkes Ride to ţe reuer & rer vp ţe foules Se faucouns fle fole of ţe beste Ech segge to ţe solas ţat hymself lyked Princes out of pauelouns presen on stedes Torn[ei]en trifflyn & on ţe toun wayten Ţis lyf ţey ledde longe & [lord] yue vs grace In rome nero haţ now mychel noye wrot To deţ pyned ţe pope & mychel peple quelled Petr apostlen prince & seint poule [also]

Page 52

Senek & ţe senatours & alle ţe cite fured His modir & his my[l]de wif murdred to deţe Combred cristen fele ţat on crist leued Ţe romayns resen a-non whan ţey ţ[i]s rewţe seyen To quelle ţe emperour quyk ţat hem vnquemed hadde

[Lines 901 through 1100 (lines 998-1097 missing)] Ţey pressed to his paleys porayle & oţer To br[it]ten ţe bold kyng in his burwe riche Ţe cite & ţe senatours assented hem boţe Non oţer dede was to doun ţey han his dome olden Ţan flowe ţat freke frendles alone Out at a pore posterne & alle ţe peple folwed With a tronchoun of tre toke he no more Of alle ţe glowande gold ţat he on grounde hadde On ţat tronchoun with his teţ he toggeţ & byteţ Tille hit was piked at ţe poynt as a pokes ende Ţan abideţ ţat burne & biterlych spekeţ To alle ţe wyes ţat ţer wer wordes aloude Tourneţ traytours aen schal neuer ţe tale rise

Page 53

Of no karl by ţe coppe how he his kyng quelde Hymself he strykeţ myd ţat staf stret to ţe hert Ţat ţe colke to-clef & ţe kyng deyed Six monţe after & no mor ţis myschef bytydde Ţat waspasian was went to werry on ţe jewes Four mettyn myle out of rome to mynde for euere Ţat erst was emperour of alle ţus ended in sorow Ţe grete togedres ţan [gete] hem an-oţer On gabba a gome ţat mychel grem hadde Ţro othis l[ucy]us a lord ţat hym longe hated & at ţe last ţat lord out of lyf hym brot Amydde ţe market of rome ţe[y] mette togedres Othis falliţ hym fey af hym fale woundes Ţat four monţes & [no] mor hadde mayntened ţe croune & ţo deyed ţe duke & ţe diademe lefte & whan ţat gabba was gon & to grounde brot Othis entriţ on ernest & emperour was made

Page 54

Ţe man in his maieste was monţes bot ţre Ţan he eldeţ sathanas ţe soule & hymself quelled Ţe romayns risen vp a renk rome for to kepe A knyt ţat vitel was calde & hym ţe croune raute Bot for sir sabyns sake a segge ţat was noble Waspasian broţer of blode [ţat] he brytned hadde Waspasian vpon vitel to vengen his broţer S[en]t out of surrie segges to rome Ţat [a]s naked as an nedul ţe newe emperour For sir sabyns sake alle ţe cite drowe hym Suţ gored ţe gome ţat his guttes alle As a bowe[l]ed beste in-to his breche felle Doun er[m]ande he ede & eldeţ ţe soule & [ţey] kayt ţe cors & kast in-to tybre Seuen monţes ţis [segge] hadde septre on hande & ţus loste he ţe lyf for his luţer dedes An oţer segge was to seke ţat septre schold haue

Page 55

For alle ţis grete ben gon & neuer agayn tournen Now of ţe cite & of ţe sege wolle y sey mor How ţis comelich kyng ţat for crist werreţ Haţ holden yn ţe heţen men ţis oţer half wynter Ţat neuer burne was so bold ţe burwe for to passe As he to dyner on a day with dukes was sette Comen renkes fram rome rapande swyţe In bruneys & in bryt wede with bodeworde newe Louten alle to ţe lord letres hym rauten Sayn comelich kyng ţe knythod of rome Ţro ţe senatours assent & alle ţe cite ellis Han chosen ţe her chyuentayn her chef lord to worţe And riche emperour of rome ţus redeţ ţis letres Ţe lord vnlappeţ ţe lef ţis letres byholdeţ Ouer-lokeţ ech a lyne to ţe last ende Bordes born wer doun & ţe burne riseţ Calleţ consail a-non & kyţeţ ţis speche

Page 56
e ben burnes of my blod ţat y best wolde My sone is next to my-self & oţer sib manye Sir sabyn of surrie a segge ţat y triste & oţer frendes fele ţat me fayţ owen Now is me bodeword of blys brot froward rome To be lord ouer ţat lond as ţis letres spekeţ Sir sabyn of surrie sey ţe by-houyţ How y myt sauy my-self & i so wrot Ffor y haue heylych heyt her forto lenge [tille] me ţe ates ben et & olden ţe keyes [and] i ţis toured [t]oun ha[ue] taken at wille & suţ houshed on hem ţat ţis hold kepyn Brosten & betyn doun ţis britages heye Ţat neuer ston in ţat stede stond vpon oţer Kyţe ţ[i] consail sir knyt ţis kyng to hym sayde For y wol worche by ţy witt if worschip may folowe

Page 57

Ţan seiţ sir sabyn a-non semelich lord We ben wyes ţe with ţy worschup to furţer Of longe tyme bylafte & ledes ţyn owen Ţat we doun is ţy dede may no man demen elles Ţe dom demed was ţer who so doţ by anoţer Schal be soferayn hymself sein in ţe werke For as fers is ţe freke atte ferr ende Ţat of fleis ţe fel as he ţat foot holdeţ Bytake tytus ţy sone ţis toun for to kepe & to ţe douti duke domyssian his broţer Her i holde vp myn honde myd hem for to lenge With alle ţe here ţat i haue while my herte lasteţ & ţou schalt ride to rome & receyue ţe croune In honour emperour to be as ţyn eure schapiţ So may ţy couenaunt be kept ţat ţou to crist made Ţy-self dest ţat ţy soudiours by ţyn assent worchen Ţan with a liouns lote he lifte vp ţe eyen note.1

Page 64

To voiden alle by vile deţ ţat vitelys destruyed Wymmen & weyke folke ţat weren of olde age Myt not stonde in stede bot her stor mardyn

[Lines 1101 through 1200] After [ţay] touche of trewe to trete with ţe lord Bot Titus graunteţ not for gile ţat ţe gomes ţenke For he is wise ţat is war or hym wo hape & with falsede a-fer is fairest to dele To worchyn vnder ţe wal w[a]yes ţey casten Whan Tytus nold no trewe to ţe toun graunte With mynours & masouns myne ţey bygonne Grobben faste [i]n ţe grounde & god yue vs joye As Tytus after [on] a tyme vmbe ţe toun r[i]deţ Wyţ sixty speres of ţe sege segges a fewe

Page 65

Alle outwith ţe ost out of a kaue Vp a buschment brake alle of brit hedis Fyf hundred fityng men fellen hem aboute In jepouns & jambers Jewes ţey wer Hadde wrot hem a wey & ţe wal myned & Titus tourneţ hem to without tale mor Schaftes schedred wer sone & scheldes yţrelled [And many schalke thurghe schotte with ţe scharpe ende] Brunyes & brit wede blody byrunne & many segge at ţat saute soute to ţe grounde Hacchen vpon hard steel with an herty wylle Ţat fur out flowe as of flynt stonys Of ţe helm & ţe hed hewen attonys Ţe stompe vnder stede feet in ţe steel leueţ Ţe ong duk Domycian of ţe dyn herde And issed out of ţe ost with ete hundred speres

Page 66

Ffel on ţe fals folke vmbe-feldes hem sone As bestes bretnes hem alle & haţ his broţer holpen Ţan Titus toward his tentis tourneţ hym sone Makeţ mynour[s] & men ţe myne to stoppe After profreţ pes for pyte ţat he hadde Whan he wist of her wo ţat wer withyn stoken Bot Jon ţe jenfulle ţat ţe Jewes ladde An oţer Symond of his assent forsoke ţe profre Sayn leuer in ţis lif lengen hem wer Ţan any renke out of Rome [re]joycid her sorowe Sale in ţe cite was cesed with ţanne Was not for besauntes to bye ţat men bite myt For a ferţyng-worţ of fode floryns an hundred Princes profren in ţe toun to pay in ţe fuste Bot alle was boteles bale f[or] who so bred hadde Nold a goet haue [g]ouen for goode vpon [erţ]e Wymmen falwed faste & her face chaungen

Page 67

Ffeynte & fallen doun ţat so fair wer S[ome] swallen as swyn som swart wexen Som lene on to loke as la[n]terne-hornes Ţe morayne was so myche ţat no man couţe telle Wher to burie in ţe burwe ţe bodies ţat wer ded Bot wenten with hem to ţe walle & walten [hem o]uere In-to ţe depe of ţe diche ţe ded doun fallen Whan Titus told was ţe tale to trewe god he vouched Ţat [he] hadde profred hem pes & grete pite hadde Ţo praied he Josophus to preche ţe peple [to en-forme] [For] to saue hemself & ţe cite elde Bot Jon forsoke ţe sawe so for to wyrche With Symond ţat oţer segge ţat ţe cyte ladde Myche peple for ţe prechyng at ţe posterne atis Tyen out of ţe toun & Tytus bysecheţ

Page 68

To for[g]yue hem ţe gult ţat ţey to god wrot & he graunteţ hem grace & gaylers bytaut Bot whan ţey metten with mete vnmyty ţey wer Any fode to defye so faynt was her strengţe Fful ţe gottes of gold eche gome hadde Lest fomen fongen hem schold her floreyns ţey eten Whan hit was brot vp abrode & ţe bourd aspyed [Wiţou]ten leue of ţat lord ledes hem slowen [G]oren euereche a gome & ţe gold taken Ffayn[ere] of ţe floreyns [ţan of] ţe frekes alle Ay wer ţe ates vn[]et tille two eres ende So longe ţey [s]out hit by sege or ţey ţe [cite] hadde Eleuen hundred ţousand Jewes in ţe mene whyle Swalten while ţe sweng last by swerd & by hunger Now Titus conseil haţ take ţe toun to assayle To wynne hit on eche [wise] of warwolues handes

Page 69

Neuer pyte ne pees profre hem more Ne gome ţat he gete may to no grace taken [ţei] armen hem as tyt alle for ţe werr Tyen euen to ţe toun with trompis & pypys With nakerers & grete noyce neen ţe walles Ţer many styf man & stour stondiţ alofte Sir Sabyn of Surrye on a syde ede Ţe ong duke Domycian drow to an oţer XV ţousand [fitynge] men eche freke hadde With many maner of engyne & mynours ynowe Tytus at ţe toun ate with ten ţousand helmes Merkeţ mynour[s] at ţe wal wher ţey myne scholde On ech side for ţe assaute setteţ engynes & bold-brayned men in belfrayes heye Was not bot dyn & dyt as alle deye scholde So eche lyuande lyf layeţ on oţer

Page 70

At eche kernel was cry & quasschyng of wepne & many burne atte brayd brayned to deţ Sir Sabyn of Surrye whyle ţe saute laste Leyţ a ladder to ţe wal & alofte clymyţ Wendeţ wytly ţeron ţo hym wo happned & vp stondiţ for ston[es] or for steel gere Syx he slow on ţe wal sir Sabyn alone Ţe seueţ hitteţ on hym an vnhende dynte Ţat ţe brayn out brast at boţ nose-ţrylles & Sabyn ded of ţe dynt in-to ţe diche falleţ

[Lines 1201 through 1300] Ţan Tytus wepyţ for wo & warieţ ţe tyme Syţ he ţe lede haţ lost ţat he loue scholde Ffor now is a duke ded ţe doutiest y trowe Ţat euer stede bystrode or any steel wered Tytus on ţe same side setteţ an engyne A sowe wrot for ţe werr & to ţe wal dryueţ

Page 71

Ţat alle ouerwalte ţer he went & wyes an hundred Wer ded of ţat dynt & in ţe diche lyten Ţan Tytus heueţ vp ţe honde & heuen kyng ţonkeţ Ţat ţey ţe dukes deţ han so der boute

Page 25 Ţe Jewes praien ţe pees ţis was ţe paske-euene & ţe comelich kyng ţe keyes out rauten Nay traytours quoţ Tytus now take hem ourselfen Ffor schal no ward on our wal vs ţe way lette We han geten vs a gate a[g]en our wille Ţat schal be satled sour on our sory kynde Or ţe ates wer olden ţre er byfore Ouer ţe cyte wer seyn selcouţe ţynges A bryt bren[n]yng swerd ouer ţe burwe henged Without hond oţer helpe saue [of] heuen one Armed men in ţe ayer vpon ost-wyse Ouer ţe cyte wer seyn sundrede tymes

Page 72

A calf aen kynde calued in ţe temple & eued an ewe-lombe at [ţe] offryng-tyme A wye on ţe wal cried wonder heye Voys fram est & fram west & fram ţe four wyndis & sayd Wo wo wo worţ on ou boţe Jerusalem ţe Jewen toun & ţe joly temple if sayţ ţe wye on ţe walle o word mor Wo to ţis worldly wone & wo to my-selue & deyd whan he don hadde ţrow dynt of [a] slynge & haplich was had away how wyst I neuere & ţan ţey deuysed hem & vengaunce hit helde & wyten her wo ţe wronge ţat ţey wrote Whan ţey brutned in ţe burwe ţe byschup seint Jame Not wolde acounte hit for Crist ţe car ţat ţey hadde Bot vp eden her ates [ţey] elden hem alle Without brunee & brit wede in her bar chertes

Page 73
fram none tille ţe merke nyt neuer ne cesed Bot man after man mercy bysout Tytus into ţe toun takeţ his way Myt no man st[e]ken [i]n ţe stret for stynke of ded corses Ţe peple in ţe pauyment was pite to byholde Ţat we enfamy[n]ed for defaute whan hem fode wanted Was not on ladies lafte bot ţe lene bones Ţat wer fleschy byfor & fayr on to loke Burges with balies as barels or ţat tyme No gretter ţan a grehounde to grype on ţe medil Tytus tarieţ not for ţat bot to ţe temple wendiţ Ţat was rayled ţe roof with rebies grete With perles & peritotes alle ţe place ferde As glowande gledfur ţat on gold st[r]ikeţ Ţe dores ful of dyemauntes dryuen wer ţicke & made merueylous lye with margeri perles

Page 74

Derst no candel be [ky]nde whan clerkes scholde rise So wer ţey lemaunde lyt & as a lampe schonen Ţe Romayns wayten on ţe werke warien ţe tyme Ţat euer so precious a place scholde persche for her synne Out ţe tresour to take Tytus commaundyţ Doun bete ţe bilde brenne hit in-to grounde Ţer was plente in ţe place of precious stonys Grete gaddes of gold who-so grype lyste Platis pecis of peys pulsched vessel Bassynes of brend gold & oţer bryt ger Pelours masly made of metals fele In cop[r]e craftly cast & in clene seluere Peynted [with] pur gold alle ţe place was ouer Ţe Romayns renten hem doun & to Rome ledyn Whan ţey ţe cyte han sout vpon ţe same wyse

Page 75

Telle couţe no tonge ţe tresours ţat ţei ţer foundn Jewels for joly men je[mewes] riche Ffloreyns of [fyne] gold no freke wanted Riche pelour & pane princes to wer Besantes bies of gold broches & rynges Clene cloţes of selke many carte-fulle Wele wanteţ no wye bot wale[ţ] what hym lykeţ Now masouns & mynours han ţe molde soute With pykeyse & ponsone persched ţe walles Hewen ţrow hard ston hadde hem to grounde Ţat alle derkned ţe diche for doust of ţe pouder So ţey wrouten at ţe wal alle ţe woke-tyme Tille alle ţe cyte was serched & sout al aboute Maden wast at [a] wappe ţer ţe walle stode Boţe in temple & in tour alle ţe toun ouer Nas no ston in ţe stede stondande alofte Morter ne m[o]de walle bot alle to mulle fallen

Page 76

Noţer tymbr ne tre temple ne oţer Bot doun betyn & brent into blake erţe & whan ţe temple was ouertourned Tytus commaundys In plowes to putte & alle ţe place erye Suţ sow hit with salt & seide ţis wordes Now is ţis stalwourţe stede distroied for euere Tytus suţ sett hym on a sete riche As juge Jewes to jugge justise hymself Criour[s] callen hem forţ as hy ţat Crist slowen & beden Pilat apere ţat prouost was ţanne Pilat proffriţ hym forţ apered at ţe bar & he frayneţ ţe freke alle with fair wordis Whan Crist of dawe was don & to ţe deţ ede Of ţe he[ţ]yng ţat he hadde & ţe hard woundis

[Lines 1301 through 1334] Ţan melys ţe man & ţe matere tolde How alle ţe ded was don whan he deţ ţoled

Page 77

For ţritty penyes in a poke his postel hym solde So was he bargayned & bout & as a beste quelled Now corsed be he quoţ ţe kyng ţat ţe cate made He wexe marchaunte amys ţat ţe money fenged To sille so precyous a prince for penyes so fewe [Thoghe ilke a ferthynge had bene ful florence an hundrethe] Bot I schal marchaundise make in mynde of ţat oţer Ţat schal be heţyng to hem or I hennes passe Alle ţat here bodyes wol by or bargaynes make By lower pris for to passe ţan ţey ţe prophete solde He made in myddel of [ţe] ost a market to crye Alle ţat cheffare wolde chepe chepis to haue Ay for a peny of pris who-so pay wolde Ţrytty Jewes in a ţrom ţrongen in ropis So wer ţey bargayned & bout & brot out of londe Neuer suţ [on] ţat syde cam segge of hem after Ne non ţat leued in her lawe scholde in ţat londe dwelle

Page 78

Ţat tormented trewe God ţus Titus commaundyţ Josophus ţe gentile clerke a-jorneyd was to Rome Ţer of ţis mater & mo he made fayr bokes & Pilat to prisoun was do to pyne for euere At Viterbe ţer he veniaunce & vile deţ ţoled Ţe wye ţat hym warded wente on a tyme Hymself fedyng with frut & feffyt hym with a per & forto paren his pere he praieţ hym erne Of a knyf & ţe kempe kest hym a trenchour & with ţe same he schef hymself to ţe herte & so ţe kaytif as his kynde corsedlich deied Whan alle was demed & d[on]e ţei drow vp tentis Trossen her tresour & trompen vp ţe sege Wenten syngyng away & han her wille forţred & hom riden to Rome Now rede ous our lord

Notes note.1 [return to reference] Lines 998-1097 are missing

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