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1    Avdi filia & uide & inclina aurem tuam. &
2obliuiscere populum tuum. & domum patris tui.
3Dauið þe psalm-wruhte spekeð i þe sawter towart
4godes spuse. ꝥ is euch meiden ꝥ haueð. meiið
5þeawes. & seið. Iher me dohter. bihald & bei
6þin eare. & for-ȝet ti folc & tines feader hus.
7Nim ȝeme hwet euch worð beo sunderliche
8to seggen. Iher me dohter he seið. dohter he
9cleopeð hire. for-þi ꝥ ha understonde. ꝥ he hire
10luueliche liues luue leareð. as feader ah his
11dohter. Ant heo him as hire feader. þe bliþeluker
12lustin. I-her me deore dohter. ꝥ is ȝeornne lustne.

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13me wið earen of þin heauet. Ant bihald. ꝥ is.
14opene to understonde me; þe. ehnen. of þin heorte.
15Ant bei þin eare. ꝥ is. beo buhsum to mi
16lare; Ant hwet is nu þis lare. ꝥ tu nimest. se
17deopliche. & learst me se ȝeone?. low þis. forȝet
18ti folc. & tines feader hus. þi folc he cleopeð
19dauið. þe ȝederunge inwið þe of fleschliche
20þonkes þe leaðieð þe & dreaieð wið har procunges;
21to flesliche fulðen. to licomliche lustes.
22ant eggið þe to brudlac. & to weres cluppunge.
23ant makieð þe to þenchen hwuch delit were.
24þrin. hwuch eise i þe richedom ꝥ þeos leafdis
25habbeð. Hu muche mahte of inker streon
26a-wakenin. A fals folc of swikel read as þi
27muð uleð. as þu schawest forð al ꝥ god þuncheð.
28ant helest al ꝥ bittri bale ꝥ is þerunder.
29& al ꝥ muchele lure ꝥ ter of ariseð. forȝet
30al þis folc mi deorewrðe dohter seið dauið
31þe witege. ꝥ is þes þonkes warp ut of þin heorte.
32þis is babilones folc þe deofles here of helle.
33ꝥ is umbe forte leaden in-to þe worldes þeowdom.
34Syones dohter. Syon wes sumhwile icleopet
35þe hehe tur of ierusalem. & syon ase muchel
36on englische ledene; ase heh sihðe & bitacneð
37þis tur; þe hehnesse of meiðhad. þe bi-hald as

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38of heh; alle widewen under hire ant weddede
39baðe. for þeos ase. Flesches þrealles. beoð i worldes
40þeowdom & wunieð lah on eorððe. Ant meiden
41stont þurh heh lif i þe tur of ierusalem. Nawt
42of lah on eorðe; ah of þe hehe in heouene.
43þe is bitacnet þurh þis; of ꝥ syon ha bihalt al
44þe worlt under hire. & þurh englene lif-lade
45& heouenlich ꝥ ha lead þah ha licomliche wunie
46up-on eorðe. ant is as i syon þe hehe tur of
47heouene. freo ouer alle from worldliche weanen.
48Ah babilones folc ꝥ ich ear nempnede
49þe deofles here of helle. ꝥ beoð flesches lustes.
50& feondes. eggunge weorrið & warpeð eauer
51towart tis tur forte keasten hit adun & drahen
52into þeowdom. ꝥ stont se hehe þerin. & is icleopet
53for þi Syones dohter; Ant nis ha witerliche akeast
54& in-to þeowdom idrahen? þe of se swiðe heh stal
55of se muche dignete. & swuch wurð-hchipe as hit
56is to beo godes spuse. iesu cristes brude þe lauerdes
57leofmon ꝥ alle þinges buheð. of al worlt leafdi.
58as he is of lauerd. ilich him in halschipe. Vnwemmet
59as he is. & ꝥ eadi meiden his deorrewurðe
60moder ilich his hali engles & his heste halhen.
61se freo of hire seoluen; ha nawhit ne
62þearf of oðer þing þenchen. bute ane of hire

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63leofmon. wið treowe luue cwemen. for he
64wule carie for hire. þet ha haueð itake to;
65of al ꝥ hire bihoueð. hwil ha riht luueð him
66wið soðe bileaue. Nis ha þenne sariliche
67as ich seide ear akeast. & into þeowdom idrahen;
68þe of se muchel hehschipe. & se seli freodom.
69schal lihte se lahe in-to a monnes þeowdom swa
70ꝥ naueð nawt freo of hire-seoluen; & trukien
71for a mon of lam; þe heouenliche lauerd;
72& lutlin hire leafdi-schipe ase muchel
73as hire leatere were is leasse wurð & leasse haueð;
74þen hefde ear hire earre? & of godes brude
75& his freo dohter. for ba to-ȝederes ha is. bikimeð
76þeow under mon. & his þrel to don al; & drehen
77ꝥ him likeð. ne sitte hit hire se uuele. & of se seli
78sikernesse. as ha wes & mahte beon under godes
79warde. deð hire in-to drechunge. to dihten hus
80& hinen. & to se monie earmden. to carien for
81se feole þing. teonen þolien & gromen. & scheomen
82umbe stunde. drehen se moni wa. for se wac
83hure. As þe worlt for-ȝelt eauer ed ten ende. Nis
84þeos witerliche akeast? Nis þis þeowdom inoh.
85Aȝein ꝥ ilke freolec ꝥ ha hefde hwil ha wes
86Syones dohter. Ant þah nis inempnet her nawt
87of heouenliche luren þe passið alle wið-uten
88euenunge. Sikerliche swa hit feareð. Serue
89godd ane. & alle þing schule þe turne to gode.
90& tac þe to him treowliche. & tu schalt beo

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91freo from alle worldliche weanen. Ne mei nan
92uuel hearmi þe. for as seinte pawel seið. alle
93þing turneð þen gode. to gode. ne mei na þing
94wonti þe. þe berest him ꝥ al wealt in-wið þi
95breoste. & swuch swettnesse þu schalt ifinden
96in his luue & in his seruise & habbe se muche
97murhðe þrof & licunge i þin heorte, ꝥ tu
98naldest changin. ꝥ stat ꝥ tu liuest in; forte
99cwen icrunet. Se hende is ure lauerd. ꝥ nule
100he nawt ꝥ his icorene. beon her wið-ute mede.
101for se muchel cunfort is in his grace; ꝥ al ham
102sit ꝥ ha seoð. Ant þah hit þunche oþre men.
103ꝥ ha drehen hearde. hit ne derueð ham
104nawt. Ah þuncheð ham softe & habbeð
105mare delit þrin; þen ei oðer habbe i licunge
106of þe worlt. þis ure lauerd ȝeueð ham her as
107on earnnesse of eche mede. ꝥ schal cume þrefter.
108þus habbeð godes freond al þe frut of þis
109worlt ꝥ ha forsaken habbeð o wunderliche wise.
110& heouene ed ten ende. Nu þenne on oðer
111half. nim þe to þe worlde. & eauer se þu mare
112hauest se þe schal mare trukien. & seruin
113hwen þu naldest godd; þes fikele worlt ant
114frakele. & schalt beo sare ideruet under hire
115as hire þreal. on a þusent wisen. Aȝeines

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116an licunge; habben twa ofþunchunge. &
117se ofte beon imaket earm of an eðlich mon
118ꝥ tu list under. for nawt oðer for nohtunge;
119ꝥ te schal laði þi lif. & bireowe þi sið ꝥ tu eauer
120dudest te in-to swuch þeowdom. for worldliche.
121wunne. ꝥ tu wendest to bi-ȝeotene. ant
122hauest ifunden weane þrin & wontreðe riue.
123Al is ꝥ tu wendest golt; iwurðe to meastling.
124Al is nawt ꝥ ti folc of hwam ispeci specEdition: ispec þruppe.
125biheten þe to ifinden. Nu þu wast ꝥ ha habbeð
126bichearret te as treitres. for under weole
127iwunnesi wunnesEdition: iwunnes stude; þu hauest her ofte helle.
128ant bute ȝef þu wiðbreide þe; þu bredest te
129ꝥ oðer. as doð þes cwenes. þes riche cuntasses.
130þeos modie leaf-dis of hare liflade. Soðliche
131ȝef ha biþencheð ham riht. & icnawlecheð soð;
132ich habbe ham to witnesse. Ha lickið honi of
133þornes. ha buggeð al ꝥ swete; wið twa dale of
134bittre. & ꝥ schal forðre i þis writ beon openliche
135ischawet. Nis hit nower neh gold al ꝥ ter
136schineð. Nat þah na mon bute ham-seolfen
137hwet ham sticheð ofte. Hwen þus is of riche;
138hwet wenest tu of þe poure. þe beoð wacliche
139iȝeuen ant biset on vuele. as gentile wummon

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140meast alle nu on worlde. þe nabbeð hwer-wið
141buggen ham brudgume o-nont ham. & ȝeoueð
142ham to þeowdom of an eðeluker mon. wið al
143ꝥ ha habbeð. weilawei iesu godd hwuch unwurðe
144chaffere. wel were ham were ha on hare
145brudlakes dei iboren to biburien. for-þi seli
146meiden. for-ȝet ti folc as dauið bit. ꝥ is. do
147awei þe þonckes þe prokieð þin heorte. þurh
148licomliche lustes. & leaðieð & eggið towart
149þullich þeowdom. for flecsliche fulðen. forȝet
150ec þi feader hus. as dauið read þrefter. þi feader
151he cleopeð ꝥ unþeaw þet streonede. þe of þi moder.
152ꝥ ilke unhende flesches brune ꝥ bearninnde
153ȝeohðe of ꝥ licomliche lust. biuore ꝥ wleatewile
154werc. ꝥ bestelich gederunge. ꝥ scheomelese sompnunge.
155ꝥ ful of fulðe stinkinde. & untohe dede.
156Hit is þah i wedlac summes weies to þolien as me schal
157efter iheren. ȝef þu easkest hwi godd scheop
158swuch þing to beonne; Ich þe ondswerie. Godd
159ne scheop hit neauer swuch. Ah adam & eue turnden
160hit to beo swuch. þurh hare sunne. & merden
161ure cunde. ꝥ is unþeawes hus & haueð mare hearrm
162is. al to muche lauerdom & meistrie þrinne.
163þis cunde merreð us. ꝥ dauið cleopeð þi feadres hus.
164ꝥ is þe lust of lecherie. ꝥ rixleð þerwið-innen:
165for-ȝet & ga ut þrof wið wil of þin heorte. & godd

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166wule efter þe wil; ȝeoue strengðe sikerliche of
167his deore grace. Ne þearf þu bute wilnin; & leote
168godd wurchen. haue trust on his help. Ne schalt
169tu na þing godes bisechen ne luuien. ꝥ he hit
170nule endin. Eauer bidde his grace. & ouerkim wið hire
171help; þe ilke wake cunde. þe draheð in-to þeowdom
172& in-to fulðe fenniliche akeasteð se monie
173Et concupiscet rex decorem tuum . ant þenne
174wule seið dauið. þe king wilni þi wlite. þe king
175of alle kinges. desiri þe to leofmon. Ant tu
176þenne eadi meiden ꝥ art iloten to him. wið meidhades
177merke. ne brec þu nawt ꝥ seil; ꝥ seileð inc
178to-gederes. Hwalt þi nome þurh hwam þu art
179to him i-weddet. Ne leos þu neauer for a lust. & for
180eðelich delit. of an hondhwile; ꝥ ilke þing þe ne
181mei neauer beon acoueret. Meiðhad is ꝥ tresor. ꝥ beo
182hit eanes forloren; ne bið hit neauer ifunden. Meiðhad
183is þe blostme. ꝥ beo ha fulliche eanes forcoruen,
184ne spruteð ha eft neauer. Ah þah ha falewi sumchere.
185mid misliche þonkes; ha mei eft grenin.
186neauer þe leatere. Meiðhad is þe steorre. ꝥ beo ha eanes
187of þe est; igan adun i þe west; neauer eft ne ariseð
188ha. Meiðhad is ꝥ an iȝettet te of heouene. do þu
189hit eanes awei; ne schalt tu neauer nan oðer swuch
190acourin. for meiðhad is heouene cwen. & worldes alesendnesse.
191þurh hwam we beoð iborhen. Mihte ouer
192alle mihtes. & cwemest crist of alle. for-þi þu. Ahest

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193meiden se deorliche witen hit. for hit is se heh
194þing & se swiðe leof godd. & se licwurðe. & ꝥ an lure
195ꝥ is wit-uten couerunge. ȝef hit is godd ꝥ is him
seolf himseolf
Edition has line divisionswa ilich. hit na wunder. for he is leoflukest
196þing. & buten eauer euch bruche & wes eauer & is; cleane
197ouer alle þing. & ouer alle þinge luueð cleainnesse.
198& hwet is lufsumre þing & mare to herien
199bi-mong eordlich þing; þen þe mihte of meiðhad
200bute bruche & cleane. ibrowden on him seoluen
201þe maked of eordlich mon & wummon; heouene
202engel. of heame. hine. of fa; freont. help; of
203ꝥ te hearmið. Vre flesch is ure fa. & heaneð
204us. & hearmið se ofte as ha us fuleð. Ah ȝef
205ha wit hire wið-ute bruche cleane; ha is us swiðe
206godd freond. & help of treowe hine. for in
207hire & þurh hire. þu of-earnest meden to beon
208englene euening. i þe eche blisse of heouene.
209& wið goð rihte. hwen þu hare liflade i þi bruchele
210flesch bute bruche leadest. Engel & meiden
211beoð euening i uertu. i meidhades mihte.

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212þah eadinesse ham twinni ȝetten & totweame.
213Ant þah hare meiðhad beo ed-ure nuðe.
214þin is þe mare strengðe to halden.
215& schal wið mare mede beo þe for-ȝolden.
216þis mihte is ꝥ an. ꝥ is þe deadliche lif. schaweð.
217in hire an estat of þe blisse undeadlich
218i ꝥ eadi lond. as brude ne nimeð gume. ne
219brudgume brude & teacheð her on eorðe in
220hire liflade; þe liflade of heouene. ant i þis
221worlt ꝥ is icleopet. lond of unlicnesse. edhalt
222hire burde in cleannesse of heouenlich cunde.
223þah ha beo ut-lahe þreof. & i licome of lam.
224& i bestes bodi neh liueð heouene engel. Nis
225þis mihte of alle swiðe to herien? þis is ȝet þe
226uertu þe halt ure bruchele ueat. ꝥ is ure feble
227flesch as seinte pawel leareð. In hal halinesse.
228& as ꝥ swote smirles. ant deorest of oþre. ꝥ
229is icleopet basme. wit ꝥ deade licome. ꝥ is þer-wið
230ismiret. from rotunge. Al swa deð meidenhad.
231meidenes cwike flesch wið-ute wemmunge.
232halt alse hire limen. & hire fif wittes. Sihðe.
233& herunge. Smechunge. & smellunge. & euch
234limes felunge. ꝥ ha ne merren ne ne mealten
235þurh licome luftest i fleschliche fulðen þe godd
236haueð þurh his grace se muche luue i-vnnen.

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237ꝥ ha ne beoð of þe ilich; bi hwam hit is i-writen
238þus þurh þe prophete. ꝥ ha in hare wurðinge as eaueres
239forroteden. ꝥ is. eauer-euch wif ꝥ is hire were þreal
240& liueð i wurðingewurdinge. he & heo baðe. Ah nis nawt
241bi þeos iseid. ꝥ ha forrotieð þrin; ȝef ha hare wedlac
242lahe-liche haldeð. Ah þe ilke sari wrecches þe
243i þe fule wurðinge. vnwedde waleweð,waleweð; beoð þe deofles
244eaueres. ꝥ rit ham & spureð ham to don al ꝥ he
245wule. þeos walewið i wurdinge & forrotieð þrin.
246a-þet ha arisen þurh bireowsunge. & healen ham
247wiðwid soð schrift & wið deadbote. Eadi meiden understont
248te in hu heh dignete. þe mihte of meidhad
249halt te. Ah se þu herre stondest; beo sarre offeaaret
250to fallen. for se herre degre; se þe fal is
251wurse. þe ontfule deouel bihalt te se heh istihe
252towart heouene. þurh meiðhades mihte ꝥ him
253is mihte laðest. for þurh hire leafdi meiðhad þe
254hit bigon earst. þe meiden marie; he forleas þe
255lauerdom on moncun on eorðe. & wes helle irobbet.
256& heouene bið ifullet. sið þe folhin hire troden
257Meiden gan as heo dude. þe offrede hire meiðhad;
258earst to ure lauerd for hwon ꝥ he cheas hire bimong
259alle wummem. forte beon his moder & þurh hire

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260meið-had moncun alesen. Nu bihalt te alde
261feond. & sið i þis mihte stonde se hehe ilich hire. &
262hire sune. as engel in heouene. i meiðhades menske.
263& to-swelleð of grome. & scheoteð niht & dei his
264earewen idrencte of an attri healewi towart tin
265heorte. to wundi þe wið wac wil. & makien to fallen
266as crist te forbeode. & eauer se þu strengeluker stondest
267aȝein him; se he o teone. & o grome wodeluker
268weorreð. for swa muche þe hokerluker him
269þuncheð to beon ouercumen. ꝥ þing se feble as flesch
270is. & nomeliche of wummon; schal him ouerstihen.
271Euch fleschlich wil & lust of leccherie. þe ariseð
272i þe heorte, is þes feondes fla. Ah hit ne wundeð
273þe nawt; bute hit festni in þe. & leaue se longe.
274ꝥ tu waldest ꝥ ti wil; were ibroht to werke. hwil
275þi wit ed-stont. & chastieð þi wil; þah þi lust beore.
276to ꝥ te leof were: ne hearmeð hit te nawiht
277ne suleð þi sawle. for wit is hire scheld under godes
278grace. Hwil hwil þe schledscheld is ihal ꝥ is þe wisdom of
279þi wit. ꝥ hit ne breoke ne beie. þah þi fleschliche
280wil fals beo þer-under. & walde as hire luste.
281þes feondes flan beod aȝein alle on him-seoluen.
282& loke wel hweruore. Vre licomes lust is þes
283feondes foster. Vre wit is godes dohter. & ba beoð

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284us inwið. forþi her is aa feht. & mot beon aa nede.
285for ne trukeð neauer mare hwil we her wunieð;
286weorre ham bi-tweonen. Ah wel is him ꝥ folheð.
287wit godes dohter; for ha halt wið meidhad. ꝥ
288is ure suster. Ah þi wil on oder half. of þet
289licomliche lust. halt wið leccherie. ꝥ is þe deofles
290streon; as heo is. & sunne hire moder
291leccherie o meiðhad wið help of fleschlich wil;
292weorreð o þis wise. hire forme fulst is sihðe. ȝef
293þu bihaldest ofte. & stikelunge on ei mon;
294leccherie anan-riht greideð hire wið ꝥ. to weorrin
295o þi meiðhad. & secheð erst up-on hire nebbe
296to nebbe. Speche is hire oþer help ȝef ȝe þrefter
297þenne sweoked to-gedere folliche. & talkið
298of unnet; leccherie seið scheome. þe menske
299of þi meiðhad. & tukeð hire al to wundre. Ant
300þreat to don hire scheome. & hearmin þrefter. & halt
301hire forewart. for sone se cos kimeð forð; ꝥ is
302hire þridde fulht. þenne spit leccherie to scheome
303& to schendlac; meiðhad o þe nebbe. þe feorðe fulst
304to bismere. & to merren meiðhad. ꝥ is un-hende felunge
305wite hire þenne. for ȝef ȝe þenne hondlið ow in
306ei stude untuliche. þenne smit leccherie o þe mihte
307of meiðhad. & wundeð hire sare. ꝥ dreori dede
308on ende. ȝeueð ꝥ deaðes dunt. weila ꝥ reowðe. Ne

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309acwikeð neauer meiðhad efter ꝥ wunde. wei þe sehe
310þenne. hunu þe engles beoð isweamet. þe seoð hare
311suster se seorhfuliche aueallet. & te deoflen hoppin.
312& kenchinde beaten honden. to-ȝederes. Stani were
313his heorte; ȝef ha ne mealte i teares. wite þe
314seli meiden. Me seið ꝥ eise makeð þeof. flih alle
315þe þing. & forbuh ȝeorne. ꝥ tus unbotelich lure
316mahe of arisen. ꝥ is on alre earst. þe stude. & te
317time. þe mahten bringe þe on; mis forte donne.
318wið oþre unþeawes me mei stondinde fehten. Ah
319aȝein lecherie; þu most turne þe rug ȝef þu
320wult ouercumen. & wið fluht fehten. & soðes ȝef
321þu þenchest & bihaldest on heh towart te muchele
322mede ꝥ meiðhad abideð þu wult leote liht-liche
323& a-beoren bliðeliche þe derf ꝥ tu drehest onont.
324ti fleschliche wil; & ti licomes lust. ꝥ tu forberest her.
325
326    & ane hwile leauest for blisse ꝥ kimeð þreof. wiðuten
327eani ende. ant hwuch is þe blisse? low godd
328him-seolf seið þurh þe prophete. þeo þe habbeð from
329ham forcoruen flesches lustes. & haldeð mine sabaz.
330ꝥ is haldeð ham i reste from ꝥ fleschliche werc.
331& haldeð me forewart. Ich bihate ham he seið i mi
332kineriche. to ȝeouen ham stude & betere nome; þen
333sunen & dehtren. Hwa mahte wilni mare. Eunuchus.
334Qui seminauerunt sabata mea. & cetera. hwa mei þenche

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335þe weole. þe wunne. & te blisse. þe hehschipe of þis
336mede ꝥ tes ilke lut word bicluppeð abuten? Ich chulle
337he seið. ȝeouen ham stude. ant nome betere.
338þen sunen & dehtren. Sulli biheste. Ah hit is ilich
339ꝥ. ꝥ ham is bihaten. to singen wið engles. hwas feolahes
340ha beoð þurh liflade of heouene. þe ȝet þer
341ha wunieð fleschliche on eorðe. to singe ꝥ swete song.
342ant ꝥ englene drem Vtnume murie. ꝥ nan habbe
343ne mei. bute meiden ane; singen in heouene. & folhin
344godd al-mihti. euch godes ful hwider-se he eauer
345wendeð. as þe oþre ne mahe nawt. þah ha alle beon
346his sunen. & alle hise dehtren. ne nan of þes oþres
347crunen. ne hare wlite. ne hare weden. ne mahen
348euenin to hare. se vnimete brihte. ha beoð. & schene
349to bi-seon on. Ant hwet bid hare anes song.
350ant efter godd hare anes ȝong. hwider-se he eauer
351turneð. & hare fare se feier biuoren alle þe oþre. Vnderstond.
352& nim ȝeme. al hare song in heouene; is forte
353herien godd of his grace. & of his goddede. þe i-weddede
354þonkið him. ꝥ ha lanhure hwen ha alles walden fallen
355dunewart; ne feollen nawt wið alle adun; for wedlac
356ham i-kepte. þe ilke lahe þe godd haueð istald
357for þe unstronge. for wel wiste ure lauerd. ꝥ alle ne
358mahten nawt halden ham i þe hehe; of meiðhades mihte.
359Ah seide þa he spec þrof. Non omnes capiunt uerbum
360istuð. Ne underuoð nawt qð he þis ilke word alle.
361Quis potest capere capiat. Hwa-se hit mei underneomen;
362underneome ich reade. qð he. oþer is ꝥ godd
363hat. & oþer is ꝥ he reat. þe ilke þinges godd hat;

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364ꝥ mon mot nede halden. þe wule beon iborhen. & þeo
365beoð to alle men o liue iliche imeane. His reades
366beoð of heh þing. & to his leoueste freond þe lut
367i þisse worlde. & derue beoð to fullen & lihte þah hwa-se
368haueð riht luue to him. & treowe bileaue. Ah
369hwa-se halt ham. earneð him. ouerfullet ful. & ouereorninde
370met of heouenliche mede. Swuch is meiðhades
371read ꝥ godd ne hat nawt; ah reat. Hwuch-se
372wule beon of þe lut of his leoueste freond. & al
373his deorling deore; don his read. & earnin him crune
374up o crune; al-swa seinte pawel ȝeueð read to meidnes.
375þe meidnes beoð as he wes. & seið ꝥ wel is ham
376ꝥ swa ham mahen halden. Ne hat he hit nan oþer
377weis. for eauer se deorre þing. se is derure to biwitene.
378ant ȝef hit were ihaten. & nawt tenne ihalden; þe
379bruche were deadlich sunne. for-þi wes wedlac ilahet
380in hali chirche. as bed te seke to ihente þe unstronge.
381þe ne mahen stonden i þe hehe hul. & se neh heouene.
382as meiðhades mihte. þis is þenne hare song.
383þe beoð i lahe of wedlac; þonki godd & herien. þet
384he greiðede ham lanhure. þa ha walden of meidnes
385hehschipe; a swuch stude in-to lihten. ꝥ ha neren nawt
386ihurt. þah ha weren ilahet. Ant hwet-se ha þrin
387hurten ham; wið ealmes deden healden. þis singeð
388þenne iweddede. ꝥ ha þurh godes milce & merci of his
389grace. þa ha driuen dunewart i wedlac etstutten. &
390i þe bed of his lahe; softeliche lihten. for hwa-se swa
391falleð of meiðhades menske. ꝥ wedlakes heuel-bedd
392nawt ham ne ihente; se ferliche ha driueð dun
393to þer eorðe; ꝥ al ham is to-limet lið ba. & lire.
394þeos ne schulen neauer song singen in heouene. Ah

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395schulen weimeres leo. a mare in helle bute ȝef bireowsunge
396areare ham to liue. & heale ham wið
397soð schrift & wið deadbote. for ȝef ha þus beoð acwiket.
398& imaket hale; ha beoð iwidewenei widewene reng & schulen
399i widewene ring biuore þe iwedde. singen in heouene.
400ꝥ is þenne hare song to herien hare drihtin
401& þonkin him ȝeorne ꝥ his mihte heolt ham i cleanschipe
402chaste; efter ꝥ ha hefden ifondet flesches
403fulðe. & ȝettede ham i þis worlt to beten hare sunnen.
404Swete beoð þeos songes. Ah al meidenes song
405unilich þeose. wið engles i-meane dream ouer alle
406þe dreames in heouene. In heore ring. þer godd
407seolf. & his deore moder. þe deorewurðe meiden. þe
408heouenliche cwen leat i ꝥ eadi trume. of schimminde
409meidnes. ne meten nane buten heo hoppin
410ne singen. for ꝥ is aa hare song. þonki godd & herien.
411ꝥ he on ham se muche grace; ȝef of him-seoluen.
412ꝥ ha forsoken for him euch eorðlich mon
413& heolden ham cleane. aa from fleschliche fulðen
414i bodi & i breoste. & i stude of mon of lam;
415token liues lauerd. þe king of hehe blisse. for hwi
416he menskeð ham se muchel biuoren alle þe
417oðre as þe brudgume deð his weddede spuse.
418þis song ne muhen nane buten heo singen. al
419as ich seide ear folhið ure lauerd. & tah nawt
420ouer al. for i þe menske of meiðhad & in hire

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421mihte ne muhten nane folhin him. ne ꝥ
422eadi meiden englene leafdi & meidenes
423menske. bute meidnes ane. ant for-þi is
424hare aturn se briht & se schene biuoren alle
425oþre: ꝥ ha gad eauer nest godd hwider-se
426he turneð. & alle ha beoð icrunet þe blissið in
427heouene wið kempene crune. Ah þe meidnes
428habbeð up-o þeo þe is to alle iliche imeane; a gerlondesche
429schenre þen þe sunne. an-urle ihaten
430o latines ledene. þe flurs þe beoð idrahe þron. ne
431þe ȝimmes þrin. ne tellen of hare euene; Nis
432na monnes speche. þus feole priuileges schawið ful
433sutelliche. Hwucche beoð þer meiðnes. & sundrið
434ham from þe oðre wið þus feole mensken world buten
435ende. ȝef of þes þreo-hat. Meiðhad & widewehad.
436& wedlac is þe þridde; þu maht bi þe degrez
437of hare blisse i-cnawen. hwuch & bi hu muchel;
438þe an. passeð þe oþre. for wedlac haueð frut. þrittifald
439in heouene. widewehad; sixti-fald. Meiðhad; wið
440hundret-fald. ouergeað baþe. loke þenne her-bi.
441hwa-se of hire meiðhad; lihteð in-to wedlac; bi hu
442monie degrez ha falleð dunewardes. Ha is an
443hundret degrez ihehet towart heouene; hwil ha
444meiðhad halt as þe frut preoued. & leaped in-to
445wedlac. ꝥ is dun neoðer to þe þrittuðe ouer þrie
446twenti & ȝet ma bi tene. Nis þis ed en-cherre.

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447a muche lupe dunewart? & tah hit is to þolien.
448& godd haued. ilahet hit. as ich ear seide. leste
449hwa-se leope. & þer ne ed-stode lanhure. nawt nere
450ꝥ kepte him. & driue adun swireuorð wið-uten ikepunge
451deope into helle. of þeos nis nawt to speokene.
452for ha beod iscrippet ut of liues writ in heouene.
453Ah schawi we ȝet witerluker as we ear biheten hwet
454drehen þe iweddede. ꝥ tu icnawe þer-bi hu murie þu
455maht libben meiden i þi meiðhad. ouer ꝥ heo libbeð. to
456eche. þe murhðe. & te menske in heouene ꝥ muð ne
457mei munnen. Nu þu art iweddet. & of se heh se lahe
458iliht. of englene ilicnesse. of iesu cristes leof-mon. of
459leafdi in heouene; in-to flesches fulðe. into beastes
460liflade. in-to monnes þeowdom. & into worldes weane.
461Sei nu hwet frut. & for hwuch þing meast. IsisEdition: IS hit
462al for þi oðer ane dale þer-uore beo nu soð-cnawes
463for teforte keli þi lust wið fulðe of þi licome? for gode
464hit is speatewile forte þenche þron. & forte speoken
465þrof? ȝet speatewilre. loke þenne hwuch
466beo ꝥ seolue þing. & ꝥ dede to donne. al ꝥ fule
467delit. is wið fulðe aleid. as þu turnest þin hond. ah
468ꝥ ladliche beast leafeð & lest forð. & te of-þunchunge
469þrof; longe þrefter. Ant te vnseli horlinges
470þe vnlaheliche hit hantið in inwarde helle. for ꝥ

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471hwilinde lust; Endelese pine. bute ȝef heo hit
472leauen. & hit on eorðe under schrift bitterliche beten.
473forhohe forte don hit. ꝥ te þuncheð uuel of
474& eil forte heren. for hwen hit is þullich; & muchele
475ladluker. þen ei wel itohe muð for scheome
476mahe seggen. Hwet makeð hit iluuet bituhhe
477beasteliche men. bute hare muchele vnþeaw. ꝥ
478bereð ham ase beastes to al ꝥ ham lusteð. as þah
479ha nefden wit inhamin ham ne tweire schad as mon
480haueð ba of god. & of vuel. of kumelich. & vnkumelich;
481na mare þen beastes. & dumbe neb habbeð.
482Ah leasse þen beastes ȝet for þeos doð hare
483cunde. bute wit þah ha beon; in a time of þe ȝer.
484Moni halt him to a make. ne nule efter ꝥ lure;
485neauer neomen oþer. Ant mon ꝥ schulde habbe
486wit. & don al ꝥ he dude efter hire wilnunge; foheð
487ꝥ fulðe. in eauer-euch time. & nimeð an efter an.
488& moni ꝥ is wurse; monie to-ȝederes. Lo nu hu þis
489vnþeaw ne eueneð þe nawt ane to wittlese beastes.
490dumbe & broke-rugget ibuhe towart eorðe.
491þu ꝥ art iwit wraht to godes ilicnesse. & iriht bodi
492up. & heaued towart heouene. for-þi ꝥ tu schuldest
493þin heorte heouen þiderwart. as þin eritage
494is. & eorðe forhohien. Nim ȝeme hu þis vnðeaw
495ne makeð þe nawt ane euening ne ilich ham;
496Ah deð muchel eateluker. & mare to witen. þe forschuptest

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497te-seolf willes & waldes in-to hare cunde.
498þe leoseð þenne se heh þing þe mihte & te biheue
499of meidhades menske. for se ful fulðe. as is ischawet
500þruppe. Hwa-se of engel lihteð to iwurðen. lahre
501þen a beast. for se ladli cheaffere; loki hu ha
502spede. Nai þu wult seggen. for ꝥ fulðe nis
503hit nawt. Ah monnes elne is muche wurð. &
504me bihoueð his help to fluttunge & te fode
505of wif & weres gederunge worldes weole awakeneð.
506& streon of feire children. þe gleadieð
507muchel þe ealdren. Nu þu hauest iseid tus. &
508þuncheð. ꝥ tu hauest iseid soð; Ah ich chulle
509schawin hit. al wið falsschipe ismeðet. Ah on
510alre earst. hwet weole oðer wunne se þer eauer
511of cume. to deore hit bið aboht. ꝥ tu þe-seolf
512sulest fore. & ȝeuest þin beare bodi to tukin
513swa to wundre. & feare wið se scheomeliche. wið
514swuch uncouerlich lure. as meiðhades menske is.
515& te mede for worldlich biȝete. wa wurðe þet
516cheaffeare. for ei hwilinde weole. sullen meiðhad
517awei þe cwen is of heouene. for al-swa as of þis
518lure. nis nan acouerunge; al swa is euch wurð;
519unwurð her towart. þu seist. ꝥ muche confort haueð
520wif. of hire were. þe beoð wel igederet. & eiðer
521is allesweis. ipaiet of oðer. ȝe. ahi hit is seltscene
522on eorðe. Beo nu þah swuch. hare cunfort
523& hare delit. Hwer-in is hit al meast buten i flesches

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524fulðe? oðer in worldes vanite. þe wurðeð
525al to sorhe. & to sar on ende? Ant nawt ane on
526ende; Ah eauer umbe hwile. for moni þing schal
527ham wreaðen. & gremien. & makie to carien.
528& for hare oþres uuel; sorhin. & siken.
529Moni þing ham schal twinnin ant tweamen.
530ꝥ lað is luuie men. ant deaðes dunt on ende;
531eiðer from oðer. swa ꝥ ne bið hit nanes
532weis. ꝥ tet elne ne schal endin in earmde.
533ant eauer se hare murhðe; wes mare to-ȝederes;
534se þe sorhe is sarre ed te twinununge. Wa is
535him for-þi as seint Austin seið. ꝥ is wið to muche
536luue to ei eorðlich þing iteiet. for eauer
537bið ꝥ swote aboht; wið twa dale of bittre. ant
538a fals wunne. wið moni soð teone. Ah wel is
539hire ꝥ luueð godd. for him ne mei ha nanes
540weis. bute ȝef ha lihe him. & his luue leaue;
541neauer mare leosen. Ah schal ifinden him aa;
542swetture & sauurure. from worlde in-to worlde.
543aa on ecnesse. þu speke þruppe of monnes
544help to flutunge & to fode. wala lutel
545þerf þu carien. for þin anes liueneð. A meoke
546meiden as þu art. & his deore leofmon
547þe is alre þinge lauerd. ꝥ ȝe ne mahe lihtliche.
548ꝥ he nule gleadliche. ifinde þe largeliche;
549al ꝥ te bihoueð. ant tah þu wone hefdest.
550oðer drehdest eani derf for his deorewurðe

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551luue. as þe oðre doð for monnes; to goder-heale.
552him; þe hit þoleð to fondi þe hweðer þu beo
553treowe. & greiðeð þi mede monifald in heouene.
554vnder monnes help þu schalt; sare beon ideruet.
555for his. & for þe worldes luue þe beoð ba swikele. &
556wakien i moni care. nawt ane for þe-seolf; ase þerf
557godes spuse; ah schalt for monie oþre. ase wel
558for þe laðe; ofte as for þe leoue. & mare beon idrechet;
559þen ei driuel i þe hus. oðer ei ihuret hine.
560& tin anes dale. bruken ofte wið bale & bitterliche
561abuggen. lutel witen her of þe selie godes spuses.
562þe i þe swote eise wið-ute swuch trubuil i gastelich
563este. & i breoste reste. luuieð þe soðe luue. & in
564his anes seruise hare lif leaðeð. I-noh wel ham
565is her. Ah unlich elles hwer. alle worldes weole ham
566is inoh riue. Al ha habbeð þer-of ꝥ ha wel wilnið.
567Al ꝥ eauer godd isið ꝥ ham wule freamien. Ne
568mei na worldliche un-hap bireauin ham hare weole.
569for ha beoð riche. & weolefule. in-wið i þe heorte.
570as þe este. & al þe eise is. þer as þe oþre. beoð godlese.
571& ignahene; nabben ha neauer se muchel
572wið-uten i þe worlde; for ꝥ ha beoð offearet eauer
573forte leosen. & ȝiscið þah efter muchel; muche
574deale mare. wið earmðe bi-winneð hit. wið fearlac
575biwiteð hit. for-leoseð hit wið sorhe Swinkeð

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576to biȝeotene. Biȝeoteð forte leosen. leoseð
577forte sorhin. þus þis worldes hweol warpeð ham
578abuten. þeoues hit steoled ham. reauers hit
579robbið. Hare ouerherren witið ham ant
580wreaðeð. Mohðe fret te clades. & cwalm sleað
581þet ahte. ant tah nane of þeos ne makie to
582forwurden. weole þer ase muchel is. Eauer se þer
583mare is. se ma beoð ꝥ hit wastið. Ant nat ich
584neauer hwi me seið. ꝥ heo hit al weldið. ꝥ wullen
585ha nullen ha. biwinneð & biwiteð hit to se monie
586oþre. nawt ane to hare freond; ah to hare
587fan fulle. ne habben ne mahen þrof. þah ha
588hit hefden isworen; bute hare anes dale. þis is
589nu for-þi iseid. ꝥ tu seidest þruppe. ꝥ ter walde
590wakenin of wif. & weres somnunge; richesce. &
591worldes weole. ꝥ tu understonde hu lutel hit
592freameð ham ȝet her i þis worlt. teke ꝥ hit reaueð
593ham þe hehe riche of heouene. bute ha
594poure beon þer-in; wið halinesse of heorte. þus
595wummon ȝef ꝥ. hauest were efter þi wil. & wunne
596ba of worldes weole; þe ne schal itiden. ant
597hwet ȝef ha beoð þe wone. ꝥ tu nabbe þi wil.
598wið him. ne weole nowðer. & schalt grenin godles
599in-wið westi wahes. & te breades wone brede
600þi bearn-team. & teke þis liggen under laðest
601mon; þet þah þu hefdest. alle weole; he went
602hit te to weane. for beo hit nu. ꝥ te beo richedom
603riue. & tine wide wahes wlonke & weolefule
604& habbe monie vnder þe. hirdmen in halle. & ti
605were beo þe wrað. oðer iwurðe þe lað. swa þet

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606inker eiþer heasci wið oþer. Hwet worltlich weole
607mei beo þe wunne? hwen he bið ute. hauest aȝein
608his cume. sar care & eie. Hwil he bið et hame,
609alle þine wide wanes. þuncheð þe to nearewe. his
610lokunge on ageasteð þe. his ladliche nurð. & his
611untohe bere; makeð þe to agrisen. Chit te & cheoweð
612þe. & scheomeliche schent te tukeð þe to bismere.
613as huler his hore beateð þe & busteð þe as his ibohte
614þrel. & his eðele þeowe. þine banes akeð þe. &
615ti flesch smeorteð þe. þin heorte wið-inne þe swelleð
616of sar grome. & ti neb utewið tendreið ut of
617teone. hwuch schal beo þe sompnunge bituhen ow
618ibeddei bedde? Me þeo þe best luuieð ham; to-beoreð ofte.
619þrin. þah ha na semblant ne makien ine marhen.
620ant ofte of moni nohtunge ne luuien ha ham
621neauer swa; bitterliche bi ham-seolf teonið eiðer.
622heo schal his wil muchel hire unwil wið muche
623weane ofte. alle his fulitohchipes. & his unhende
624gomenes. ne beon ha neauer swa wið fulðe bifunden.
625nomeliche ibeddei bedde. ha schal wulle ha nulle ha. þolien
626ham alle. Christ schilde euch meiden to freinin
627oþer to wilnin. forte witen hwucche ha beon.

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628for þeo þe fondið ham meast; ifinðeð ham forcuðest.
629& cleopieð ham selie iwiss; þe nuten neauer
630hwet hit is. ant heatieð ꝥ ha hantið. ah hwase
631lið ileifeni leifenEdition: ileifen deope bisuncken. þah him þunche
632uuel þrof, he ne schal nawt up acouerin hwen he
633walde. bisih þe seli wummon. beo þe cnotte icnut
634eanes of wedlac. beo he cangun oðer crupel beo
635he hwuch-se eauer beo; þu most to him halden.
636ȝef þu art feier. & wið gleade chere. bi-cleopest
637alle feire; ne schalt o nane wise. wite þe wið unword;
638ne wið uuel blame. ȝef þu art unwurðliche ilatet,
639þu maht ba to oþre & to þi were iwurðen
640þe unwurðre. ȝef þu i-wurðest him unwurð. &
641he as unwurð þe; oðer ȝef þu him muche luuest.
642& he let lutel to þe; hit greueð þe se swiðe
643ꝥ tu wult inohreaðe ase monie doð; makien
644him poisun. & ȝeouen bale ibote stude. oðer
645hwa-se swa nule don; medi wið wicchen & forsaken
646forte drahen his luue towart hire. crist
647& hire cristendom & rihte bileaue. Nu hwet blisse
648mei þeos bruken. þe luueð hire were wel. &
649ha habbe his laððe. o-þer cunqueari his luue o
650þulliche wise; Hwenne schulde ich al habben
651irikenet. ꝥ springeð bituhe þeo þe þus beoð
652iȝederet. ȝef ha ne mei nawt temen; ha is icleopet
653gealde. hire lauerd luueð hire. & wurðgeð þe
654leasse. & heo as þeo ꝥ wurst is þrof; bi-wepeð hire
655wurðes. & cleopeð ham wunne. & weolefule, þe temeð

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656hare teames. Ah nu iwurðe hit al. ꝥ ha
657habbe hire wil of streon ꝥ ha wilneð. & loki we
658hwuch wunne þrof hire iwurðe. I þe streonunge
659þrof,þrof; is anan hire flesch. wið ꝥ fulþe ituket. as hit
660is ear ischawetishawet. I þe burðerne þrof; is heuinesse
661heard sar eauer umbe stunde. In his iborenesse;
662alre stiche strengest. & deað oðer hwiles. in his fosttrunge
663forð; moni earm hwile. Sone se hit lihteð
664i þis lif; mare hit bringeð wið him; care þen
665blisse. nomeliche to þe moder. for ȝef hit is misboren;
666as hit ilome ilimpeð. & wonti ei of his limen.
667Oðer sum mis-feare; hit is sorhe to hire.
668
669    & to al his cun scheome. upbrrud in uuel muð. tale
670bimon alle. ȝef hit wel iboren is. & þuncheð wel
671forlich; fearlac of his lure; is anan wið him
672iboren. for nis ha neauer bute care leste hit misfeare.
673A-þet owðer of ham twa, ear leose oþer.
674ant ofte hit itimeð. ꝥ tet leoueste bearn. & iboht
675bitterlukest. sorheð & sweameð meast his ealdren
676on ende. Nu hwet wunne haueð þe moder þe
677haueð of ꝥ for-schuppet bearn. sar. & scheome
678baðe. & fearlac of ꝥ forðlich aꝥ ha hit leose. for
679gode þah hit nere neauer for godes luue. ne for hope of
680heouene. ne for dred of helle; þu ahtest wummon
681þis werc for þi flesches halschipe. for þi licomes

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682luue. & ti bodies heale. ouer alle þing to schunien.
683for ase seinte pawel seið. Euch sunne ꝥ me deð;
684is wið-ute þe bodi. bute þis ane. alle þe oþre sunen.
685ne beoð bute sunnen. ah þis is sunne. &
686ec uncumelecheð þe. & unwurdgeð þi bodi. suleð
687þi sawle & makeð schuldi towart godd. & fuleð þi
688flesch ec. gulteð o twa half. wreaðest þen al-wealdent
689wið ꝥ suti sunne. & dest woh to þe-seolf. & tu
690al willes se scheomeliche tukest. Ga we nu forðre.
691& loki we hwuch wunne ariseð þrefter i burþerne
692of bearne. hwen ꝥ streon in þe awakeneð & waxeð.
693& hu monie earmðen anan awakeneð þerwið. þe
694wurcheð þe wa inoh; fehteð o þi seolue flesch. &
695weorrið wið feole weanen; o þin ahne cunde. þirudie
696neb schal leanin. ant ase gres grenin. þine
697ehnen schule doskin. & underneoðe wonnin. &
698of þi breines turnunge; þin heaued aken sare.
699Inwið i þi wombe swel in. þi butte þe bereð þe forð
700as a weater bulge. þine þearmes þralunge & stiches
701i þi lonke. & i þi lendene; sar eche riue.
702heuinesse in euch lim. þine breostes burþerne;
703o þine twa pappes. & te milc strunden þe þe of strikeð.
704Al is wið a weolewunge. þi wlite ouerwarpen. þi
705muð is bitter. & walh al ꝥ tu cheowest. ant hwet
706se þi mahe hokerliche underueð; ꝥ is wið unlust;

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707warpeð hit eft ut. In-wið al þi weole. & ti weres wunne;
708forwurðest a wrecche. þe carest aȝein þi
709pinunge þraen. bineomeð þe nahtes slepes. Hwen
710hit þenne þer-to kimeð; ꝥ sore sorhfule angoise.
711ꝥ stronge & stinkinde stiche. ꝥ unroles uuel.
712ꝥ þine. ouer pine. ꝥ wondrinde ȝeomerunge. hwil
713þu swenchest ter-wið. & þine deaðes dute. scheome
714teke ꝥ sar wið þe alde wifes scheome creft.
715þe cunnen of ꝥ wa-sið. hwas help þe bihoueð. ne
716beo hit neauer se uncumelich & nede most hit þolien.
717ꝥ te þer-in itimeð. Ne þunche þe nan uuel
718of. for we ne edwiteð nawt wifes hare weanen. ꝥ
719ure alre modres drehden on us-seoluen. Ah we
720schawið ham forð. forte warni meiðnes. ꝥ ha
721beon þe leasse efterwart swuch þing. & witen herþurh
722þe betere; hwet ham beo to donne. Efter al
723þis kimeð of ꝥ bearn ibore þus; wanunge. & wepunge.
724þe schal abute midniht. makie þe to
725iwakien. oðer þeo þe hire stude halt. þe þu most
726for carien. & hwet þe cader fulðen. & bearmes
727umbe stunde. to feskin & to fostrin hit. se moni
728earm hwile. & his waxunge se let. & se slaw his
729þriftre. & eauer habbe sar care. & lokin efter al þis;
730hwenne hit forwurðe. & bringe on his moder sorhe.

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731þah þu riche beo. & nurrice habbe; þu most
732as moder carien for al ꝥ hire limpeð to donne.
733þeose & oþre earmðen þe of wedlac a-wakenið;
734Seinte pawel bilukeð in ane lut wordes. Tribulaciones
735carnis. & cetera. ꝥ is on englisch. þeo
736ꝥ þulliche beoð,beoð; schulen derf drehen. Hwa-se
737þencheð on al þis. & o mare ꝥ ter is. & nule
738wiðbuhe ꝥ þing ꝥ hit al of awakeneð; ha
739is heardre iheortet. þen adamantines stan.
740& mare amead ȝef ha mei; þen is meadschipe
741seolf. hire ahne fa. & hire feont. heateð hireseolfen.
742lutel wat meiden of al þis ilke weane.
743of wifes wa wið hire were. ne of hare were se
744wleateful þe ha wurcheð imeane. ne of ꝥ sar
745ne of ꝥ suti. i þe burþerne of bearn. & his iborenesse.
746of nurrices wecches. ne of hire wa-siðes.
747of ꝥ fode fostrunge. hu muchel hit is ed eanes.
748In his muð famplin. nowðer to bigan hit.
749ne his cader clutes. þah þis beon of to speokene
750vnwurðliche þinges; þes þe mare ha schawið i hwuch
751þeodom wifes beoð. þe þullich mote drehen.
752ant meidnes i hwuch freodom. þe freo beiðbeoð from
753ham alle. ant hwet ȝef ich easki ȝet þah hit þunche
754egede. hu þet wif stonde. þe ihereð hwen ha kimeð
755in; hire bearn schreamen. sið þe cat et te

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756fliche. & ed te hude þe hund. hire cake bearnen o
757þe stan. & hire kelf suken. þe crohe eornen i þe fur.
758& te cheorl chideð. þah hit beo egede isahei sahe; hit
759ah meiden to eggi þe swiðe þer-frommart. for nawt
760ne þuncheð hit hire egede ꝥ hit fondeð. Ne þerf
761ꝥ seli meiden ꝥ haueð al idon hire ut of þullich þeowdom
762as godes freo dohter & his sunes spuse. drehe nawiht
763swucches. for-þi seli meiden. for-sac al þulli
764sorhe. for utnume mede. ꝥ tu ahtest to don wið-vten
765euch hure. for nu ich habbe ihalden min biheaste
766þruppe. ꝥ ich walde schawin wið falschipe ismeðet.
767& te moni an seið. & þuncheð ꝥ hit soð beo of
768þe selhðe & te sy ꝥ te i-weddede habbeð. ꝥ hit ne
769feareð nawt swa; as weneð ꝥ sið utewið. ah feareð
770al oðer weis. of poure ba. & riche. of laðe ba. &
771leoue. ꝥ te weane ihwer passeð þe wunne. & te
772lure ouer al; al þe biȝete. Nu þenne seli meiden
773ꝥ dauið cleopeð dohter. iher þi feader. & hercne
774his read. ꝥ he þe i þe frumðe of þis writ
775readde. forȝet ti folc ꝥ liheð þe. of weres & worldes
776wunne. ꝥ beoð þine þohtes þe swikelliche. leaðieð
777þe towart alle weane. & forsac þi feader hus as
778hit is þruppe iopenet. & tac þe to him treowliche
779wið him þu schalt wealden. as wið þi were iweddet;
780worlt buten ende. heouenliche wunnen. Eadi is þis

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781spuse hwas meiðhad is unwemmet. hwen he on hire
782streoneð. & hwen ha temeð of him; ne swinkeð ne
783ne pineð. Eadi is þe were hwen nan ne mei beo meiden;
784bute ȝef heo him luuie. ne freo; bute ȝef heo
785him serui. hwas streon is undeaðlich. & hwas marheȝeue
786is; þe kinedom of heouene. Nu þenne seli meiden.
787ȝef þe is weole leof; nim þe him to lauerð. ꝥ wealdeð
788al ꝥ is & wes & eauer schal iwurðen. for þah he beo
789richest him ane ouer alle. þe alre measte poure þe
790him to were cheoseð; is him wel i-cweme. ȝef ꝥ tu wilnest
791were. þeþu muche wlite habbe; nim him of hwas
792wlite beoð awundret of; þe sunne & te mone. up-o hwas
793nebscheft; þe engles ne beoð neauer fulle to bihalden.
794for hwen he ȝeueð feirlec to al ꝥ is feier
795in heouene & in eorðe. Muchele mare he haueð
796wið-uten ei etlunge; ethalden to him-seoluen. &
797þah hwen he þus is. alre þinge feherest. he underueð
798bliðeliche. & bicluppeð swoteliche þe alre
799ladlukeste. & makeð ham seouesiðe schenre
800þen þe sunne. ȝef þe were leof streon; nim þe
801to him under hwam þu schalt i þi meiðhad temen
802dehtren & sunen of gasteliche teames. þe
803neauer deie ne mahen. ah schulen aa biuore þe pleien
804in heouene. ꝥ beoð þe uertuz ꝥ he streoneð
805in þe þurh his swete grace. as rihtwissnesse & warschipe
806aȝeines unþeawes. Mesure & mete & gastelich
807strengðe to wiðstonde þe feond. Ant aȝein
808sunne. Simplete of semblant. buhsumnesse & stilðe.
809þolomodnesse. & reowfulnesse of euch monnes

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810sorhe. gleadschipe i þe hali gast. & pes i þi breoste
811of onde & of wreaððe. of ȝisceunge. & of euch
812unþeawes weorre. Metelec. & miltschipe. & swotnesse
813of heorte. þe limpeð alre þinge best to meihades
814mihte. þis is meidenes team. godes sune
815spuse. ꝥ schal aa libben & pleien buten ende biuoren
816hire in heouene. Ah þah meiden beo
817wið unbruche of þi bodi. & tu habbe prude. onde
818oðer wreaððe. ȝisceunge oðer wac wil inwið
819heorte; þu forhorest te wið þe unwiht of helle. &
820he streoneð on þe. þe team ꝥ tu temest. Hwen þi
821were al-wealdent ꝥ tu þe to weddest. sið & understont
822tis. ꝥ his fa forlið þe. & ꝥ tu temest of him. ꝥ
823him is teame laðest; he forheccheð þe anan. as
824hit nis na wunder. & cweðeð þe al cwite; him ꝥ
825tu of temest. Ne kepeð he wið na mon & hure
826wið his famon; nan half dale. þe luuieð eawiht
827buten him. ant hwet-se ha for him luuieð; hawreaðeðha wreaðeðEdition: hawreaðeð
828him swiðe. Ouer alle þing wite þe ꝥ tu ne temi
829prude. bi þes deofles streonunge. for heo of alle
830unþeawes is. hiss ealdestealdeste dohter. Earst ha wakenede
831of him þe ȝet he wes in heouene. for neh wið
832him euenald. & swa hire keaste ure feader sone
833se ha ibore wes. from þe heste heouene; into helle

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834grunde bute couerunge. & makede of heh-engel;
835eatelukest deofel. þe þus adun duste hire heouenliche
836feader. hwet wule he don bi hire eorðliche
837modres þe temeð hire in horedom of þen
838laðe unwiht þe hellene schucke. Hwen godd se
839wracfulliche fordemde his heh-engel þe streonede
840hire in heouene; hwet wule he don bi ꝥ lam & wurmene
841mete. þe of þe deofel temeð hire in eawbruche
842on eorðe. ȝef þu hauest wið meiðhad,
843meokelec. & mildschipe; godd is i þin heorte. ah ȝef
844þer is ouerhohe. oðer ei prude in; he is utlahe þrof;
845for ne muhen ha nanes weis; beddin in a breoste.
846ne ne maken nawt somet eardin in heouene. þeonne
847godd weorp hire sone se ha iboren wes. & as
848þah ha nuste hwuch wei ha come þeonewart. ne
849con ha neauer mare ifinden nan wei aȝeinwart.
850ah earmðe her on eorðe. bihalt eche wununge.
851alle hire modres al beon ha meidnes wið hare aweariede.
852feader in inwarde helle. wite þe meiden wið
853hire. ha cwikede of cleane cunde as is in engles euene.
854& cleaneste breosten bredeð hire ȝeten. þe beste
855ha asaileð. & wel ha der hopien to beo kempe ouer
856mon; þe ouercom engel. Nis ha nawt i claðes. ne i feahunge
857utewið. þah hit beo merke þrof & makunge
858oðer hwiles. ah under hwit oðer blac. & ase wel under
859grei; ase under grene. & aa ha luteð i þe heorte.
860Son se þu telest te betere þen an oðer. beo hit

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861hweruore se hit eauer beo. & hauest of ei ouerhohe. &
862þuncheð hofles & hoker of eawt ꝥ me seið þe oðer
863deð ȝetten; þu merrest þin meiðhad. & brekest ti wedlac
864towart godd. & of his fa temest. ne tele þu
865nawt eðelich al beo þu meiden; to widewen. ne to
866iweddede. for alswa as a charbuche is betere þen a
867iacinct. i þe euene of hare cunde. Ant þah is betere
868abrihta brihtEdition: abriht iacinct. þen a charbucle won; al swa passeð
869meiden onon te mihte of meiðhad; widewen & iweddede.
870& tah is betere. a milde wif. oðer a meoke
871widewe, þen a prud meiden. for þeos for hare
872sunnen ꝥ ha i flesches fulðe folhið oþer fulieð;
873leoteð ham lahe & eðliche. & beoð sare of-dret.
874of godes luðere eie. Ant al þe eadi sunegilt Marie
875magdaleine. wið bittre wopes bireowseð hare
876gultes. & inwarðluker luuieð godd alswa as heo
877dude. for hare forȝeuenesse. & te oðre þe haldeð
878ham unforgult. & cleane; beoð ase sikere unlusti
879& wlecche unneaðe i godes luue. wið-uten euch
880heate of þe hali gast þe bearneð se lihte. wið-vte
881wastinde brune in alle his icorene. & te oþre in

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882an heate of an honthwile; beoð imelt mare. &
883iȝotten i godd; þen þe oþre in a wlechcunge al
884hare lif-siðen. for-þi eadi meiden godes sunes
885spuse ne beo þu nawt trust ane to þi meidhad
886wið-uten oðer god. & þeawfule mihtes & ouer al
887miltschipe & meokeschipe of heorte. þe forbisne of
888ꝥ eadi meiden oueralleouer alle oðre. Marie godes moder. for
889þa þe heh-engel Gabriel grette hire. & brohte hire to
890tidinge of godes akennesse. Loke hu þah ha lette hire.
891þa ha ontswerede þus. bi hire-seoluen. Efter þi word qð
892ha mote me iwurðen. low her mi lauerdes þrel.
893ant tah ha ful were of alle gode. þea-wes. ane
894of hire meokelec ha seide. & song to elizabeth.
895for mi lauerd biseh þis þuftenes meokelec; me
896schulen cleopien qð ha eadi alle leoden. Nim ȝeme
897meiden & understont her-bi. ꝥ mare for
898hire meokelec. þen for hire meiðhalmeiðhadEdition: meiðhal; ha lette
899ꝥ ha ifont swuch grace ed ure lauerd. for al meiðhad
900meokelec is muche wurð. & meiðhadEdition: meiðhað wið-uten hit;
901is eðelich & unwurð, for alswa is meiden i meiðhad bute
902meokeschipe; as is wid-ute liht eolie in a lampe. Eadi
903godes spuse haue þeos ilke mihte. ꝥ tu ne þunche
904þeostri; ah schine ase sunne & ti weres sihðe feahi
905þi meiðhad wið alle gode þeawes þe þuncheð him
906feire. Haue eauer i þin heorte þe eadieste of meidnes.

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907& meiðhades moder. & bisech hire aa. ꝥ ha þe lihte.
908& ȝeoue luue & strengðe forte folhin i meiðhad
909hire þeawes. þench o seinte Katerine. o seinte Margarete.
910seinte Enneis. Seinte Iuliene. & seinte cecille
911& o þe oþre hali meiðnes in heouene. hu ha nawt
912ane ne forsoken kinges sunes. & eorles wið alle worldliche
913weolen. & eorðliche wunnen; ah þoleden stronge
914pinen. ear ha walden neomen ham; & derf
915deað on ende. þench hu wel ham is nu. & hu ha blissið
916þeruore bituhe godes earmes cwenes of heouene.
917Ant ȝef hit eauer timeð. ꝥ tu licomes lust.
918þurh þe false feont leaðie towart flesliche fulðen.
919ontswere i þi þoht þus. Ne geineð þe nawt
920sweoke. þullich ich chulle beon in meidenes
921liflade. ilich heouene engel. Ich chulle
922halde me hal þurh þe grace of godd.
923as cunde me makede. ꝥ paraise selhðe underuo
924me al swuch. as weren ear ha a gulten;
925his eareste hinen. Allunge swuch ich chulle beon.
926as is mi deore leofmon mi deorewurde lauerd.
927& as ꝥ eadi meiden. þe he him cheas to moder.
928al swuch ich chulle wite treowliche unwemmet;
929as ich am him iweddet. ne nulle ich nawt
930for a lust of ane lutle hwile. þah hit þunche delit;

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931awei warpe ꝥ þing. hwas lure ich schal biremen
932wið-vten couerunge & wið eche brune
933abuggen in helle. þu wrenchfule ful wiht al
934for nawt þu prokest me. to for-gulten & forgan
935þe blisse up-o blisse. þe crune up-o crune;
936of meidenes mede. & willes & waldes warpe me as
937wrecche i þi leir-wite. & for ꝥ englene song of meidhades
938menske. wið þe & wið þine greden aa. &
939granin i þe eche grure of helle. ȝef þu þus ontswerest
940to þi licomes lust. & to þe feondes fondunge;
941he schal fleo þe wið scheome. ant ȝef he
942alles efter þis; inohreaðe et-stonde; & halt on to
943eili þi flesch. & prokie þin heorte. & ti lauerd
944godd hit þeaueð him to muchli þi mede. for
945as seinte pawel seið. ne bið nan icrunet; bute
946hwa-se treoweliche i þulli feht fehte. & wið strong
947cokkunge. ouercome hire-seolf. for þenne
948is þe deofel wið his ahne turn scheomeliche
949a-warpen. hwen þu as þe apostle seið. ne schalt
950tu beon icrunet bute þu beo asailet. ȝef
951godd wule cruni þe; he wule leote ful wel þe
952unwiht asaili þe. ꝥ tu earni þer þurh; kempene
953crune. for-þi hit is þe meast god; ꝥ hwen
954he greueð þe meast. & towart te wið fondunge

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955wodeluker weorreð. ȝef þu wel wrist te
956under goder wengen. for þurh his weorre he
957ȝarkeð þe unþonc in his teð; þe blisse. & te
958crune of cristes icorene. Ant iesu crist leue
959hire þurh þi blescede nome alle þeo þe leaueð
960luue of lami mon. forte beon his leofmon. & leue
961ham swa hare heorte halden to him; ꝥ hare
962flesches eggunge. ne þe feondes fondunge. ne
963nan of his eorðliche limen;
964ne wori hare heorte wit. ne wrenche ham ut
965of þe wei; ꝥ ha beoð in iȝongen. & helpe ham
966swa in him to hehin towart heouene; aꝥ ha
967beon istihe þider as hare brudlac schal in
968al ꝥ eauer sel is wið þene seli brudgume. ꝥ siheð
969alle selhðe of sitten buten ende
970Amen.