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3Seint Eadmund þe confessour : þat lythþ at pounteneye,
4Of guode men and trewe he cam : þei huy neren nouȝt ful heiȝe;
5In Engelonde he was i-bore : in þe toun of Abindone.
6Glad miȝhtte þe moder beo : þat bar swuch a sone!
7Mabile þe riche is moder het : þat guod womman was i-nouȝ,
8For boþe wif and wydewe : to holie lif heo drouȝ.
9Lustniez nouþe and i may telle : hou and in ȝwat manere
10Seint Eadmund was i-bore : ȝif ȝe it wollez i-here.
11A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þis guode child was i-bore;
12So clene he cam fram is moder : with-oute ech-manere hore,
13And so clene, þat no cloth : þat neiȝh þe moder was
14Ne neiȝh þis ȝoungue child, þo it was i-bore : no-þing þe foulere it nas.

15A-seint Eadmundes dai he was i-bore : riȝht ase it was day;
16Fram erne morewe þat it was eue : ase a ded þing he layȝ,
17Riȝht ase he were ded-bore : for no þing on him lif ne saiȝ;

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18Þe mide-wyues him wolden habbe i-bured : ac þe moder seide euere
19nay.
20A-ȝein eue he cudde furst is lif. : to churche he was i-bore,
21And for seint Eadmundes day : he was Eadmund i-cleoped þare-fore.

22Þis child wax and wel i-þev - : elles wonder it were.
23Þo it was of ani elde : þe moder it sette to lere,
24And Robert al-so, hire oþur sone - : for sones heo hadde to,
25And tweye maydenes clene i-nouȝ : hire douȝhtren were al-so,
26Dame Margerie and dame Alis : þat at catesbi weren i-do
27And þare in religion Nonnes huy weren : and ȝuyt liggez þare boþe-to.

28Dame Mabile, heore guode moder : þeos children heo louede i-nouȝh,
29And wissede heom to clene liue : and to alle guodnesse heom drouȝh.
30Þe ȝwyle þe children ȝongue weren : heo ȝaf heom ofte mede
31For-to faste þane friday : to watur and to brede.
32Þoruȝ mede and þoruȝ ire faire bi-heste : huy weren so þar-on i-brouȝt,
33Þat, þo huy weren of grettore elde : it ne grefde heom riȝht nouȝht.

34Þe moder werede þe strongue here : for ore louerdes loue,
35Fram þe scholdre to þe hele : and on haubark þare-a-boue -
36In swuche manere he ladde hire lif : þe widewe þat was so wis.
37wel ȝongue heo sende boþe hire sones : to scole to paris,
38And bi-tok heom spense luyte i-nouȝ : ase heo it miȝhte bi-seo.
39huy senden hire word þat huy ne miȝhten : with so luyte beo.
40"leoue sones," quath þe moder : "ichulle beon a-ȝein eov hende;
41Ȝif ȝe wollez aftur me do : ich can eou more sende,
42And it schal eov like swiþe wel : bi þat ȝe wyteth þe ende;
43Ne spariez nouȝht, mi leoue sones : out of londe to wende."

44"Leoue Moder," queþen þe sones : "we schullen do aftur þi lore;
45Ake wel þou wost þat we ne mouwen nouȝt libbe : bote þou us
46sende more."

47Þe moder tok wel stilleliche : eyþur of heom ane here
48And bad heom boþe for hire loue : þat huy with heom as bere
49And werie as twie oþur þrie : eche woke þere,
50And heo wolde heom sende spense i-nov : þe ȝwuyle huy at scole were.

51Þis children ȝeoden to scole þo : and duden heore moder heste
52And wereden þe here twie a wike : oþur þrie at þe leste.
53So longe huy woneden heom þar-to : þat huy nomen as ofture þo,

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54So þat noþur nyȝht ne day : huy nolden heom for-go;

55huy woneden heom so wel þar-to : þat huy as wereden day and
56nyȝht.
57Þis was, for-soþe a guod Moder : for heo teiȝhte hire children a-riȝht!
58And euere ȝwane heo sende heom cloþes : ase heo as miȝhte i-winne,
59Þare-with heo wolde herene sende : faste i-seuwede with-inne.

60Seint Eadmund þe ȝongue clerk : to eche guod-nesse drouȝ,
61Þat euerech clerk þat him i-knevȝ : hadde of him Ioye inovȝ;
62For ore louerdes swete grace : with him was wel riue:
63And þat ore louerd cudde him wel : al bi is ȝongue liue.

64For ase þis child ȝeode a day : in a Mede to pleie,
65his felawes he bi-lefde ech-on : and ȝeode bi-side þe weiȝe,
66And al one ȝeode up and doun : and is bedes seide.
67Þo cam þere gon a fair ȝwit child : to him in þis mede,
68"Felawe," he seide, "heil þou beo : þat þus one gest i-lome!"
69Seint Eadmund stod in gret þouȝht : fro ȝwannes þis child come.

70"Ne knoustþou me nouȝht?" quath þis child. : seint Eadmund
71seide "no."
72"Ich am þi felawe," quath þat child : "ȝwodere þou euere go.
73At scole ich sitte euere bi þe : euere on þi riȝht side,
74And with þe ich go in euerech stude : ne go þou no so wide,

75And þi plei-fere, for-soþe, ich am - : and ȝif þou nost nouȝt ȝwat ich
76beo,

77In mi fore-heued i-write : mi name þou miȝht i-seo.
78And al-so ase mi name is : in mi fore-heued i-do,
79Creoyce þare-with þi fore-heued : and þi breoste al-so
80Euereche niȝhte are þou slepe : in þe muynde of me,

81And þe deuel ne schal habbe no pouwer : for-to greui þe."

82Seint eadmund nuste mit þusse worde : ȝware þis child bi-cam.
83he onder-stod þat it was ore louerd : and gret Ioye to him he nam;
84And nolde fur-ȝite neuere ane niȝht : his lore forto do,
85to creoici þriȝes is fore-heued : and is breoste al-so

86And segge "ihesus of Nazareth" : ase he it saiȝ i-write -
87with no-þing ne scholde a man betere : fram þe deuel him wite. -
88In penaunce, and in is lore : þis child dude al is þouȝt;
89For godes loue he þolede muche : þat deore him hadde a-bouȝht,

90In penaunce he was so wel i-woned : and ȝong þar-on i-brouȝht,
91Þat, þo he was of grettore elde : it ne grefde him riȝht nouȝht.
92At parys he was at scole longue : and at Oxenford al-so.
93he ne dude neuere lecherie : ne ensentede þar-to;
94Ase is schrift-fader wolde telle : ofte in priueite,
95he ne miȝhte neuere finde man : of so gret chastete.

96Priueliche at oxenford : on a day he cam
97To one ymage of ore lauedi : and bi þe hond hire nam
98And bi-hiet bi-fore hire treweliche : fram eche wummanes imone
99And with treuþe holden al is lif : clanliche to hire one.

100Þulke ymage he weddede with a ring : ase a man dotþ is wif,
101Clanliche to holden in spoushod : to hire al is lijf;
102"Aue Maria, gracia plena" : þeos four wordes weren i-do
103And i-graued in þis ring : for huy a-cordeden wel þar-to.

104Wel he huld is treuþe setþe : and his weddingue al-so,
105And trewe spouse was i-novȝ : nolde he nouȝt misdo.
106Ich wot wel, ȝuyt men miȝhten finde : ho-so souȝte bliue,
107Summan, þei it sielde beo : untreowore to is wiue,
108And al ful beo of þe Mariage : ȝe and fayn it wolde un-binde!
109Ȝweþur ani of eou couþe ouȝwere : ani swuch hosebonde finde? -

110His hostasse hadde one douȝter : þere he was at inne,
111Þat louede muche þis holie child : ȝif heo miȝhte is loue i-winne;
112heo ne couþe neiȝh non oþur wit : ake heo fondede for-to do
113Folie bi him nyȝht and dai : ȝif heo miȝhte bringue him þar-to.

114Heo bad him þat heo moste a-niȝht : to is bedde wiende.
115Þis holie clerk ne wernde hire nouȝht : and dude ase þe hende.
116Þat Maide was þo glad i-novȝ : for erore heo bad wel ofte .
117A-niȝht, þo heo hire tyme i-saiȝh : to is bed heo cam wel softe,

118hire cloþes heo dude of a non : ase it is riȝht of bedde,
119And made hire naked, to creopen in. : ake febleliche hire spedde:
120For seint Eadmund hadde ane smarte ȝeorde : and þe cloþus a-doun
121spradde
122And beot hire on þe nakede rug : þat wel-neiȝh heo a-wedde;
123he ne sparede rug ne side noþur : are heo to grounde bledde -
124A-quenche he miȝhte hire fole wille : mid blode þat heo schedde!

125And euere seide þis holie Man : ase he leide on faste,

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126"Maide, þou schalt leorni þus : a-wei forto caste
127Þi fole wille of þi flesch : with swuche discipline."
128heo þouȝhte wel luyte on folie : are þis guode clerk wolde fine!

129Þis Maide wende softe aȝen : hire rug smert ful sore.
130he bi-ȝat so luyte þo : þat hire ne longuede þudere nam-more;
131Clene wumman heo bi-cam : with-oute flechsliche dede,
132And clene Maide deide setþe : ase hire schriftfader seide.

133Þis Maidenes þat beotþ willesfole : folie forto do,
134I-cholde huy founden swuche lefmanes : þat wolden heom chastie so! -
135Þo Mabile, is swete moder : scholde of þis liue go,
136Seint Eadmund, hire guode sone : neiȝh hire was þo;
137his Moder him ȝaf hire blessingue : þo heo scholde of liue fare.
138"Blesse mine broþur," quath seint Eadmund : "þei he beo ellesȝware."

139"Leoue sone," quath þis wydewe : "boþe ȝe comen of me,
140And he is, ȝwane ȝe beoth o blod : i-blessed i-nouȝ with þe.
141Ake ich bidde þe for godes loue : and for seinte Marie
142Þat þou sum-ȝware þine sostrene do : in-to ane nonnerie,
143So þat huy mouwen clene lif lede : in ore louerdes seruise;
144And ne soffre þou nouȝht þat huy beon : i-weddet in none wise.
145Þe catel þat ich heom bi-queþe : þis dede for-to do,
146Al ich bi-take in þine warde : and heom þare-with also."

147Þis guode womman deide þus : þat of wydewene was flour;
148And in a chapel at Abindone heo was i-bured : with swyþe gret
149honour,
150In a ston bi-fore þe croiz : in þe soutþ-side, i-wis;
151A luyte with-inne þe churche-hei ȝate : þat chapel a-rerd is.
152A-boue hire is i-write : "here lijthþ in þis ston
153Mabile, flour of wudewene" - : and lesingue nis it non,
154For heo was womman of guode liue : ase Men miȝhten bi hire i-seo;
155And mani Miracle at Abindone : for hire hath sethþe i-beo.

156Ne for-ȝat nouȝht seint Eadmund : þat is moder him hadde i-bede:
157Þo is power was i-woxe : he purueide him ane stude,
158Þat is sostren weren i-do : in one Nonnerie;
159Ake wel vnneþe he it fond : with-oute symonie. -

160Simonie so is i-cleoped : foreward for-to make

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161to bugge liflode of holie churche : and a certein catel take.
162A-mansede beotþ alle swuche : þat so wollez don;
163Ake naþeles to religion : manie comiez so! -

164Þis guode sone souȝhte wide a-boute : mani a Nonnerie,
165Are he miȝhte his sostren do : with-oute symonie;
166Atþe laste he cam to Catesbi : in Norehamptone-schire,
167I-graunted him was þare a-non : al þat he wolde desire:

168boþe his sustren a-godes half : Nounnes he made þere;
169Þat leueden þare al heore lijf : and holie wommen were,
170Þe eldore was sethþe prioresse : of þe lauedies ech-on -
171For heom hauez setþe ore louerd i-do : miracles mani on;
172And bi-fore þe heiȝe weuede : i-burede huy beoth þere
173In a chapele þat huy leten : of seint Eadmund a-rere. -

174Seint Eadmund, þis holie man : werede strongue here;
175In strengore manere heo was i-maud : þane oþur mannes were:
176heo nas i-sponne ne i-weoue : ake i-broide strengus longue,
177And sethþe ase man knut a net : i-knut swiþe harde and stronge,
178of harde horses here i-maud - : þe knottes deope wode,
179Þat muche del of is bodie orn : of quiture and of blode.

180Þare-of he hadde schuirte and briech : fram necke to þe hiele;
181vn-ayseliche he miȝhte ligge : oþur ani ayse i-fele.
182A strong rop þere was þanne : a-boue fram þe scholdre i-do
183to is bottokes, of horse-here : to holden it faste to;
184And setþe he was bi-neoþe is briech : i-gurd faste i-novȝ
185with a strong corde a-boue : þat þe here faste drouȝ.

186So faste was in euerech side : þe here to him i-bounde,
187Þat vnneþe he miȝhte bieȝe is rug : oþur stoupi touward þe grounde;
188And ȝwan he stoupede ani-þing : is flechs was so for-gnawe
189Þat wonder was hou he it þolede : þat he ne hadde to deþe i-drawe.

190Fiet and hondene þat neren nouȝt : i-tormentede with þat here
191Necke and face and al is heued : þat withoute were,
192he roddede a-niȝht with þe here : ȝwane no man ne miȝhte i seoi-seoEdition: i seo;
193For he nolde þat no lime : un-pined scholde beo.

194A dai he tok al priueliche : is Manne his olde here,
195Þat he as fur-brende stilleliche : for huy for-olde were.
196he caste as in gret fuyr i-novȝ - : ac it ne cam nouȝht þare-neiȝh,

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197Ake euere huy weren i-liche sounde : ase þis man i-seiȝh.
198Þo he i-saiȝ þat huy ne brende nouȝht : he bond þer-to wel faste
199heuie stones to drawe a-doun : and in-to a deop watur heom caste.
200Þat fuyr nadde power non : to touchi þe holie here!
201Ake naþeles he tolde is louerd fore : þat huy i-brende were. -

202Seint Eadmund and is felawe : ase it was ofte heore wone,
203In a day fram leukenore : wenden to Abindone.
204Ase huy comen in a gret ualeiȝe : blake foule huy seiȝe
205Ase it crowene and rokes weren : fleon bi þe Eyr wel heiȝe;
206A luyte blac sak ase þei it were : þis foules a-mong heom bere,
207huy casten it up fram on to oþur : ase huy it al-to-drowe and to-tere.
208his felawe stod and bi-h^eold : and was neiȝh wod for fere.

209Seint Eadmund him ȝaf confort : ant tolde him ȝwat it were:
210"Deuelene," he seide, "of helle it beoth : and þat huy berez so,
211i-wis,
212Ane Mannes soule here-bi-fore : of Chalgraue it is,
213Þat nouþe riȝht deide late - : heo ne cometh neuere in blis,
214he mai singue weylawei : þat he euere dude amis."

215Forth huy wenden to chalgraue : þe soþe huy founden þere:
216Þe Man was ded a luyte bi-fore : and al hot ligge on bere.
217Neuere þe gladdore ne miȝhte he beo : þat deuelene him so to-tere;
218he miȝhte segge weilawey : þat euere is lifdawes were! -

219Seint Eadmund, þe holie Man : louede wel is lore,
220And for is lore he louede ȝuyt : godes seruise þe more.
221Mest he louede on oresoun : þat was of ihesu crist
222And of ore leuedi, is swete Moder : and of sein Ioan þe Ewangelist,
223Þat ".O. intemerata" : bi-gvynnez on latyn;
224Þe bi-guynningue is wel guod : and al-so is þe fin.
225Euereche dai bi custome : he seide þis oresun,
226he nolde bi-leue for no scole : ne for no lessoun.

227In a dai he it fur-ȝat : he hadde so muche to done.
228Seint Ioan þe Ewangelist to him cam : þe niȝht aftur-ward ful sone
229And a paumerie bar on is hond : gret and strong i-nouȝh;
230Seint Eadmund he nam bi þe hond : and is paumerie op drouȝh,
231So heiȝe and with so gret Eyr : ase he him wolde al-to-driue.
232Seint Eadmund lay and quakede : and drad was of is liue,

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233For, ȝif he him smite ase he dunt drouȝ : he were ded a-non;

235HERE A FOL. IS WANTING IN THE LAUD MS.; MS HARL. CONTINUES:
236he quakede & cride dulfulliche : "louerd, merci, seint Iohn!"

237"Ich wole for-ȝeue þe," quaþ seint Ioh^an : "þu criest so sore;
238& þench bet on oure oreisoun : & neforȝet hit nomore!"
239he nefor-ȝat after þulke tyme : nomore þis oreisoun,
240For no studie nefor no neode : nefor þoȝt of lessoun. -

241So wel lurnede þis holi man : & suche grace hadde,
242Þat he bigan at Oxenford : & of art þer radde.
243Of art he radde six ȝer : contynuelliche ynouȝ,
244& siþþe for-to beo more profound : to arsmetrike he drouȝ,
245& arsmetrike radde in cours : in Oxenford wel faste
246& his figurs drouȝ aldai : & his numbre caste. -

247Arsmetrike is alorea loreEdition: alore : þat of figurs al is
248& of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre : & of numbre, i-wis. -

249A niȝt in avisiouna visiounEdition: avisioun : his moder to him wende,
250"Sone," heo seide, "to what figurs : woltou nou entende?"
251"Leoue moder," quaþ þis oþer : "suche as we iseoþ."
252"Leoue sone," quaþ þe moder : "betere figurs þer beoþ,
253wherto þu most þin hurte do : & þenche her-on nomore!"
254heo nom forþ his riȝt hond : & wrot þer-on his lore:
255Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot : in þe paume amidde,
256In þe tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holigost in þe þridde;
257"Sone," heo seide, "her-afterward : entende to þis lore!"
258To heuene aȝe þe moder wende : heneseȝhe ne seȝEdition: heneseȝ hire nomore.

259Þo iseȝ seint Edmund : þat hit was al of þe Trinite,
260& þat god wolde þat he schulde : ihure diuinite.
261To diuinite, as god wolde : þis gode man him drouȝ;
262Þer nespeddene speddeEdition: nespedde non in Oxenford : so wel of ynouȝ.
263hit nas noȝt longe þer-afterward : þat þe Chanceler ne sede,
264& þe hexte maystres of þe toun : þat he schulde bigynne & rede.
265he wiþsede & longe seide : þat he nas noȝt worþi þerto;
266So þat moche aȝen his wille : nede hi makede him hit do.
267So þat he bigan at Oxenford : of diuinite.
268So noble alosed þer nas non : in al þe vniuersite.
269Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : þat meni on to him drouȝ;
270his scolers þat ihurde of him : gode men were ynouȝ.
271So pitousliche he wolde rede : & so gode grace hadde þer-to,
272Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him : nuste ofte what to do,
273Ac sete as in anoþer wordle : & ofte hudde here eȝe

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274& wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun : þat men hit al-aboute i-seȝe.
275vneþe eni ihurde of him : þat þe betere ne bicom,
276& meni bileuede al þe wordle : & to religioun nom. -

277A dai as þis holi man : in diuinite
278Desputede, as hit was his wone : of þe trinite,
279In his chaire he sat longe : er his scolers come;
280AlutelA lutelEdition: Alutel he bigan to swoudri : as a slep him nome.
281Þo þoȝte him in his swoudringe : þat a whit coluere com
282Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch : & þe wei to him nom,
283& þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ : siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ;
284heuene openede hire aȝen : as þis gode man iseȝ.
285Þe sauour of oure louerdes flesch : him þoȝte, was in his mouþe,
286And al þe clergie, him þoȝte, of god : þo he awok, he couþe,
287Of þe pure stat of crist : & of his mageste
288As an angel him þoȝte he couþe : & of his priueite.

289he bigan so deope desputi : of þe trinite,
290Þat gret wonder me hadde : þurf al þe vniuersite;
291Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were : in Oxenforde þo
292Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man : so furforþ miȝte go
293Ne wite so moche of godes stat : bote hit an angel were;
294Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford : þat in gret wonder þerof nere.
295Æc he miȝte of ihesu crist iwite : more þan was in boc,
296whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch : & in his mouþe toc! -

297Ne þoȝte noȝt þis holi man : so moche in his lessoun
298Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest : in godes passioun.
299O tyme he was in grete studie : of his lessoun anyȝt,
300Þat longe he sat þer-aboute : forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt.
301Þo hit was toward þe dai : a-napped he was sore,
302he lynede adoun vpon his boc : þo he nemiȝtene miȝteEdition: nemiȝte studie nomore;
303So þat he ful aslepe : & vnywar also,
304& neþoȝtene þoȝteEdition: neþoȝte noȝt on þe passioun : as he was iwoned to do.
305Þe deuel com to him wel sone : noþing to siche he nas.
306Seint Edmund of him was iwar : in swoudring as he was
307he wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel : his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe:
308Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon : he nemiȝtene miȝteEdition: nemiȝte him noȝt wawe.
309Þo nom he forþ his lift hond : to blesci him wiþ also:
310Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste : þat he nemiȝtene miȝteEdition: nemiȝte noþing do.
311vpe him he lai as a sak : þat he was al ouercome,
312he nemiȝtene miȝteEdition: nemiȝte him wawe fot ne hond : his poer him was binome.
313Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt : so þat he þoȝte sone

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314Of oure louerdes passioun : as he was woned to done.

315Þe deuel nemiȝtene miȝteEdition: nemiȝte þo bileue : vpe him none þrowe,
316For drede he ful sone adoun : bituene him & þe wowe.

317Seint Edmund aros vp anon : & þe deuel ouercom,
318Strangliche & harde ynou : bi þe þrote he him nom.
319"þurf oure louerdes passioun : tel nou," he seide, "me,
320Ich axi þe hou cristene man : mai best him witie fram þe."
321"Me neschalne schalEdition: neschal wiþ noþing," quaþ þe deuel : "schulde fram mi poer
322So wel as þurf his passioun : þat þu nemnedest er."

323þer lurnede þis holi man : as we mowe ek echon,
324In whiche manere we mowe best : þe deueles poer forgon,
325For he hatieþ godes passioun : as man doþ his fon,
326THE BOLD-FACE SQUARE BRACKETS IN THE EDITION WHICH DELIMIT THE PRECEDING LINES 224-313 TAKEN FROM THE HARL. MS HAVE BEEN OMITTED HERE; MS LAUD. CONTINUES:

328And ȝwane men it habbuth in muynde : he mot fleo a-non. -
329Euerech tyme of daye and nyȝht : seint Eadmund him gan bi-seo
330Þat he diȝhte wel to godes wille : þat he nolde idel beo;
331Oþur he was in oresones : oþur at is bok,
332Oþur he .Et. oþur slep : oþur to oþur þingus he him tok.
333Þreo tymes him þouȝte þat he for les : ȝwene he cam þar-to:
334Ȝwane he rod, and ȝwane he slep : and ȝwane he .Et. al-so;
335For he nas þanne in studie : ne in is beden noþe-mo;
336Ech oþur tyme, ase him þouȝte : to sum prou him scholde go.

337So longue þat þis guode man : to eche holienesse drouȝ,
338Þat is guodnesse was wide couth : and men speken þar-of i-novȝ.
339Þe beste prechur he was i-holde : þat man ouȝware under-stod -
340For ho-so hath with him godes grace : is dede mot nede beo guod.
341So þat of þe Creoycerie : þe pope sente fram rome
342To þe bischopus of Enguelond : þat huy ane wise man nome
343For-to prechi of þe creoycerie : ase riȝht was for-to do.
344Seint Eadmund, þe holie man : i-chose was þare-to,
345To prechi of þe creoicerie : a-boute in þe londe,
346Þat men wenden to Ierusalem : oþur senden heore sonde.

347procracies huy ȝeuen him also : ase he wende a-boute,
348Of persones to nime largeliche : þat non nere with-oute.
349bote þat nolde he do for noþing : of no man spence take;
350And ȝwane persones it boden him : he it wolde for-sake.
351For ȝwane he seruede ore louerd crist : to is owene spense he tok;

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352Of persones and of oþur men : ȝiftus he fur-sok.

353he ne ferde nouȝt ase þis Ercedeknes : ne as oþure na-þe-mo,
354Þat persones and þeos pouere preostes : ouer-al doth ful wo!
355Ase he prechede a day : of þe creoiz wel longue,
356A ȝung man wende a-mong þe oþure : þe creoiz for-to a-fongue.
357A womman þat him louede : so heo i-saiȝh þis,
358heo hente him bi-hinde faste : and drovȝ him a-ȝein, i-wis.

359Also stif ase ani hard bord : hire hond bi-cam a-non,
360Þat heo ne miȝhte as a-welde : noþur senuwes ne bon;
361And þe hond was al-so fur-crokud. : heo made revlich bere.
362Seint Eadmund bi-heold a-boute : and axede ȝwat it were.
363"Sire, merci," quath þis womman : "wrechchede ich am i-novȝ!
364Ase þis ȝongue man wolde take þe croiz : a luyte ich him with-drouȝ:
365And min hond is al for-croket : ȝware-with ich him nam.
366In alle wrechhede ich am i-brouȝht : alas, þat ich here cam!"

367"Womman," quath þis holie man : "woltþu þe croiz take?
368"Ȝe, louerd," he seide, "ȝif ich miȝhte : i-nelle hire nouȝt for-sake."
369Þis wumman sat a-doun a-kneo : and of him þe creoiz he nam:
370And hire crokede hond streiȝhte forthþ : and a-non-riȝht hol bi-cam;
371heo cride and hered Ihesu crist. : þis was couth a-non;
372For þis miracle þare token þe creoiz : þe mo wel mani on.

373In a time atþe gang-dawes : þis holie man al-so
374prechede a day at Oxenford : ase he ofte hadde i-do,
375In alle halewene church-ȝerd : In þe norþure side,
376with þe Baneres at onderne : a-se men doth a-londe wel wide.
377Ase þis holie man with al þis folk : in is prechingue was best,
378Þat lodlokeste weder þat miȝhte beo : cam al fram bi west,
379Swart and dreok and grislich : and ouer-caste al þene toun;
380Þe wynd blevȝ al-so swiþe grisliche : ase þe world scholde al a-doun;
381So deork it was bi-come al-so : þat men miȝhte vnneþe i-se
382Lodlokur wedur þane it was : ne miȝhte neuere be.

383Þat folk for drede of heore cloþus : faste bi-gonne to fleo.
384"A-bidez," quath þis holie man : "ore louerd is guod and freo.
385Þe deuel it is þat bringuth þis wedur : for-to destourbi godes lore;
386Ore louerd is strengore þane he : ne drede ȝe eov nouȝt to sore!"
387he bi-heold upward toward god : and cride him milce and ore,

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388Þat he schilde hem fram þe deueles miȝhte : þat he ne grefde hem
389nammore.
390Þo he hadde i-seid þis oresun : þat wedur bi-gan to glide
391In þe oþur half of þe churche : al in þe souþere side;
392Þare it began to falle a-non : and nolde no leng a-bide,
393Þat vnneþe þoruȝh þe heyȝe stret : miȝhte ani man go oþur ride -
394Ake in þe northhalf of þe churche : þare þis holie man stod,
395Ne fel neuere a reynes drope : for-to destourbi a mannes Mod;
396In þe southhalf þoruȝ al þe heiȝe strete : it leide on for wod,
397Þat al þe stret a-watere orn : ase it were a gret flod.

398Þat folk þat fram þe prechingue : for drede of þe wedere drovȝ
399And þat wenden bi þe heiȝe strete : hadden þar-of i-novȝ;
400Ake huy þat bi-lefden þare : druyȝe and clene were -
401louerd, muche is þi miȝhte! : and fair miracle was þere! -
402In þe toun of wyricestre : bi-tidde þat selue cas,
403Ase þis holie man seint Eadmund : in is prechingue was;
404Swuch wedur þare cam ouer him : he drof it a-wey al-so.
405Me þinchez, ase bi is liue : fair miracle it was i-do! -

406So wide sprong is guode los : a-boute, feor and ner,
407Þat men ne hulden nouȝt in engelonde : of guodnesse is per.
408At salesburi he was i-maket : Canoun seculer;
409prouendes of churches he hadde : and was tresurer.
410Þo he was auauncet so : he tolde þar-of ful luyte,
411he spendede a-boute on pouere Men : þat oþure duden in pruyte;
412he spendede so muche for godes loue : in is almes-dede
413Þat vnneþe he miȝhte mid is rentes : half ȝer is hous lede.

414To þe Abbeye of stanle : he wende swiþe i-lome
415And suiournede þare for defaute : for-to is crop him come -
416For Maister steuene of lexintone : þat was þo Abbot þere,
417his desciple hadde i-be : þe ȝwyle huy at scole were.
418his fulle .net. he neuere mo : þat ani Man miȝhte i-seo,
419bote ase muche ase he nede moste : þet wolde in ani poynt be;
420Of him wondrede euer-ech Man : þat isaiȝ him ete,
421hov he miȝhte holde is lijf : with so luyte mete.
422Of guode metes ne kepte he nouȝt : þei men it wolde him bringue;
423Ȝwat lutles it was, þat he et : was al of grete þingue.

424Þat dai þat he masse song : flechs nolde he non,
425Ne þat dai next bi-fore : for man þat miȝhte gon;
426Fram þat Men loke alleluya : for-to cam estur-day,
427he ne .Et. nouȝht, þat þolede deth : ase muche folk isaiȝh,
428Ne in þe aduent na-þe-mo. : ake þat was luyte i-novȝ
429A-ȝein is oþur penaunce : þat he al day forth drovȝ. -

430Hit bi-fel þat þe Erchebischop : of caunterburi was ded:
431Seint Eadmund þar-to was chose : ase Commuyn nam heore red.
432Þo þe Eleccioun was i-maud : in þe chapitle at Caunterburi,
433A-non huy senden heore messagers : to him to salesburi.
434huy wenden toward salesbury : ake þare nas he nouȝt;
435huy founden him at Calne : þo huy longue hadden i-souȝt.

436In is chaumbre he sat priueliche : at is boke ful stille:
437No man ne dorste come him neiȝh : to letten him of is wille.
438Ake naþeles on þat was him next : ase it were is chaumberlein,
439Guode tiþingue he þouȝhte him bringue : and þarof was wel fain:
440he tolde him þat he was ichose : Erchebischop to beo.
441Þis holie man gan him chide faste : and hiet him fram him fleo,
442"Be stille, þou fol! ich hote þe" : he seide, "and go out heonne
443a-non,
444Make faste þe dore aftur þe : and ne lat þou no man in gon
445For-to lette me of mi studie : ake lat me in pays beo!"
446Of þat tiþingue he tolde luyte : ase þare men miȝten i-seo.

447Þis Messagers bi-lefden þare oute : and carefole weren of þouȝht,
448For þe day passede swiþe : and heore erinde ne duden huy nouȝht.
449huy wenden for heore guode tiþingue : nobleliche beon onder-fongue,
450For þe muruþe of is semblaunt : ȝuyt þare hem þouȝhte longue!
451heore ȝiftus huy miȝhten eþe a-bere : þat þis holie man heom caste!
452huy bi-menden, and it of-þouȝhte heom sore : heore hiȝingue þuder so
453faste.

454he ne a-ros nouȝht a fote fram is bok : are god þe tyme sende,
455Ase he was an oþur day i-woned - : ake forthþ þo ful softe he wende.
456Þo he cam out of is chaumbre : þe messagers come
457And seiden heore erinde hou it was : þar-of he tok luyte gome.
458Þo þe lettres weren i-radde : "beu freres," he sede,
459"I-chulle loke ȝwat mine felawes : of þis þing wollez rede

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460In þe chapitle of salesburi : ase riȝht is þat ich do."
461huy nadden of him non oþur word : þo it alles cam þar-to.

462Þe chapitle at salesburi : i-holde was plener;
463Alle þe chanouns of þe ordre : þudere come fer and ner,
464To conseili heom of þis þing. : þe red was sone i-take:
465Gladliche at one worde : alle huy stoden þare ate.
466"buth stille!" quath þe guode man : "ȝwat schal þat i-sed?
467wuyrþe nam ich nouȝt þar-to : nimez an oþur red!"

468"Certes," quath þe bischop þo : and þe Canones al-so,
469"Þov ne miȝht nouȝht beo þare-a-ȝein : þou most it nede do."
470Seint Eadmund seide euere nay : and bi-gan to wepe sore.
471Þe Chanones wepen with him al-so : and criden cristes ore;
472To is fiet huy fullen a-kneo : and heolden up heore honde
473And beden him for þe loue of god : betere him under-stonde
474And habbe reuþe of holie churche : and of him-sulf al-so,
475And þenche, ȝwane holie churche it wolde : he moste it nede do.

476Þe bischop also weop on him : and on him cride faste,
477And in vertue of obedience : hiet him at þe laste
478Þat he ne scholde it nouȝht bi-leue : godes wille to wurche
479And beo bouȝsum to al þe lond : and nameliche to holie churche.
480Þo bi-gan þis holie man : to wepe and sike sore;
481"Nov god," he seide, "us ȝiue is grace : is milce and eke is ore!

482And ich take god to witnesse : and ore leuedi al-so
483Þat, ȝif ich ne wende suneguy dedliche : i-ne scholde it neuere do."
484Þo huy heorden þis word of him : Ioyfole i-nouȝ huy were,
485And nomen him up with ioye i-nov : and to þe heiȝe autere him bere,
486And 'Te deum laudamus' songuen : swyþe murie and heiȝe;
487Euere wep þe holie Man : ase þe chanones i-seiȝe.

488So þat he cam to caunturburi : and dude ase riȝt was þere,
489And Erchebischop was i-maud : is vnþonkes þei it were.
490Ne þarf no man þar-of esche : ȝweþur he toke on wel i-nouȝ
491And wel wissede holie churche : and to eche guodnesse drouȝ!
492Ȝif is lyf was holi er : wel betere it was þo;
493In strong penaunce he was i-novȝ : of fastingue and oþur wo.
494he hadde euere of selie bonde-men : pite and deol i-novȝ,
495For him þouȝte þat þe heiȝe men : duden hem al day wouȝ.

496In a time on of is pouere Men : wende of lif-dawe,
497And is beste best to heriet : men brouȝte him, ase it was lawe.
498Þo cam þis selie mannes wif : þat careful widewe was,
499And mette with þis holie man : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas:
500heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci and is ore,
501And seide him, bote þat o best : luyte guod heo hadde more;
502heo nuste in ȝwat manere : ne hou heo miȝhte liue,
503heo bad him for þe loue of god : þat best a-ȝein hire ȝiue.

504"Guode womman," seide þe holie man : "þou wost wel hou it is,
505Þat þat chief louerd habbe þe beste ayȝte : ȝwane is man is ded, i-wis."
506To is clerkes he seide a-latyn : þat þe widewe it ne under-stod:
507"Me þinchez it a luþur lawe : and noþur riȝhtful ne guod.
508Þis guode wif hath i-lore hire louerd : þat al hire guod forhtþ drouȝ,
509And to leose þare-aftur ire beste best : me þinchez it is wouȝ;
510In þat on were lure i-nouȝ : þei heo ne lore þat oþur al-so.
511Þe deueles lawe it is of helle : and þoruȝh god neuere i-do.

512"Guode wif," he seide, "ȝif ich þe take : a-ȝein þi best to lone,
513Woltþou it witie to mine bi-hofþe : for-to ich it axi eft-sone?"
514"Ȝe, sire," quath þe widewe : "god ȝelde þe þin ore!"
515Þe widewe nam hom hire best : and ne ȝeld it him nammore.
516Þis Auntur bi-fel ofte siþe : ȝwane men him wolden bidde ouȝt;
517heriot of pouere men : he ne wilnede riȝht nouȝht. -

518We ne mowen rikeni nouȝt : alle is guode dedes.
519For euere in strong penaunce i-nouȝ : is lif he gan lede,
520And treuliche heold up holi churche : and wuste hire fram ech wouȝ.
521Þare-fore hadde þe deuel of helle : to him onde i-nouȝ:
522he bi-gan for-to a-rere contek : bi-tweone him a-non
523And þe king hanri þat was þo : þe kingues sone Ioan.
524Þe king and muche del of is folk : aȝein holie churche was,
525Ase king henri, is graunt-sire : hadde a-ȝein seint Thomas;
526And þat couent of caunturburi al-so : a-ȝein him huld wel faste;
527Ofte huy nomen louedai : ake þet contek euere i-laste.

528A legat was þo in engelonde : þat a-ȝein him was al-so.
529Ake studefast was euere þis holie man : þei he luyte help hadde þar-to.
530huy ne miȝten a-cordi for no-þing : ake þe lengore þe worse it was;
531Ake euere nam þis holie man : ensaumple of seint thomas.

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532Wel ofte he bad þe kingue and his : ȝif it were heore wille,
533Þat huy ne weorreden nouȝt a-ȝein holi churche : ake laten hire beo
534stille
535In hire fraunchise and in pays : ase heo hadde i-beo ȝare.
536Þe king þretnede þene holie man : bote he bi-lefde is fare.

537"Of þi þretningue ich telle luyte" : seide þis holie man,
538"For ȝif þou me drifst out of þi lond : an oþur red ich can:
539Ich can rede at parys : ase ich are þis habbe i-do,
540And þare-with winne me mete i-novȝ : and cloþingue al-so.
541Ȝif þou me dest to deþe bringue : þou paist me wel i-novȝ;
542Þou ne miȝhtest don me non more honour : þane slen me þoruȝ þi
543wouȝ."

544Ȝuyt eft, ase he ofte dude : to þe king he sende;
545And he answerede þe leng þe wors : and no-þing nolde a-mende.
546Þo þis holie man i-saiȝh : þat non-oþur it nolde beo,
547Þoruȝh holi churche he gan to fiȝhte : and a-corsede alle þeo
548Þat weorreden a-ȝein þe churche of caunturburi : and with on-riȝhte
549duden schame;
550And some þat he gulti wuste : he a-mansede bi-name.

551To þe king and to is conseil : þis word wel sone drouȝ.
552Ne þarf no man esche : weþur huy weren wroþe i-novȝ!
553Þare was þretningue and bost i-novȝ : seint Eadmund heold him stille,
554And stifliche heold forth þe sentence : and liet heom speke heore wille.
555Seint Thomas cam and spak with him : and gostliche fram heouene
556a-liȝhte,
557And bad him beo stif and studefast : to holde up þe churches riȝhte,
558And for non eorþelich anuy : ne for deþe, ne flechchie nouȝht,
559Ake nime ansaumple of him and oþure : þat so deore as hadde
560a-bouȝt.

561Seint Eadmund feol a-doun a-kneo : and is hondene heold up al-so
562To cusse þis holie mannes fiet. : ake he ne moste it nouȝht do.
563Þo bi-gan he to weope sore i-novȝ : and seide "louerd, þin ore!"
564"beo stille," quath seint Thomas to him : "and ne weop þou so
565non-more!
566Ȝwi wilnestþou to cusse mine fiet? : it nere þe no riȝht to do,
567Þou schalt newene þine wille habbe : and cusse mine mouth al-so."

568Seint Eadmund aftur þulke tyme : studefast was i-novȝ,
569To deiȝe raþur for holie churche : þane men duden hire any wovȝ.
570he þouȝhte muche on seint Thomas : þat out of londe wende
571Þe ȝwyle þe kyng was in mest wrathþe : ȝif he wolde ouȝt amende:
572Of him he nam ensaumple : and priueliche i-novȝ
573he wende out of Enguelonde : and into Fraunce he drouȝ.
574And þouȝhte he was at pounteneye : swiþe faire under-fongue
575And isusteyned in his anuy : þat i-laste longue;

576Also steuene of languetone : þat Erchebischop was,
577Six ȝer he was at pounteneye : in þat sulue cas.
578Þo þat seint Eadmund under-stod : of is Auncetres i-nowe,
579Ȝwane huy weren in contek for holie churche : to pounteneye heom
580drowe:
581Also dude seint Eadmund - : to pounteneye he wende,
582For-to a-bide þe stat of holie churche : ȝwane ore louerd it wolde
583amende.
584honoured he was faire i-nov : of alle þat þare were,
585And euere a-bod a-mendement : fram ȝere to ȝere.

586Hit bi-fel, ase god wolde : þat seint Eadmund atþe laste
587Fielde is bodi heui i-novȝ : and fieblede swiþe faste;
588So longue þat he was so feble : þat men ne radde him nouȝht
589beo þere,
590Ake for-to soiorni elles-ȝware : þare betere eir to him were.
591Þis holie man is leue nam : elles-ȝwodere to wiende;
592Þe Monekes mauden so muche deol : þat þar-of nas non ende.

593"beth stille," quat þis holie man : "for ichulle þoru alle þing
594Comen hidere aȝein to eou : a-seint Eadmundes day þe kyng."
595Louerd, in swuche siknesse : wuch a word þat was i-seid!
596Ake, ȝwane he ne miȝhte bi is liue : foreward he heold heom ded!
597Forth he wende with is men : þudere ase guod eir were:
598To þe toun of Soysi : and bi-lefde þere.

599So longue so it was, þare he eode : in grete siknesse i-novȝ,
600So longue þat he lay a-doun : and toward þe deþe drovȝ.
601So þat he Axede ore louerdes flechs : and it was him i-brouȝht.
602he sat and bi-heold it faste i-nouȝ : in gret studie and in þouȝht,
603Longue are he seide ani word : and þo spak he wel inliche:

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604"louerd," he seide, "þou it art : þat ich habbe i-loued treweliche,

605And treweliche on þe ich habbe bi-leued : and i-preched of þe
606al-so,
607And þou treweliche at min ende-day : art i-come me to.
608Ich take þe, louerd, to witnesse : þe ȝwyle ich habbe on vrþe i-beo,
609Þat i-ne wilnede neuere aftur no-þing on vrþe : louerd, so muche ase
610aftur þe."
611A,. louerd, þat it was an heiȝh word : and he þat so sede
612Guod and holi moste he be : and swiþe holi lif lede!
613Þo he hadde i-nome ore louerdes flechs : he sat longue in þouȝhte,
614And al leiȝhinde on Englichs : þeos wordes forth he brouȝhte:
615"Men seggez þat game goth in wombe : ake i segge game goth in
616heorte."
617Of ore louerd þat he hadde i-nome : wel Ioyful he was þo,
618And al is game was in is heorte - : for is bodi was ful of wo.
619Þe more is bodi i-pined was : þe ner he was þen ende;
620And þo is ende-day was i-come : he wuste ȝwodere wiende.

621Euere þe more þat he was : in sicknesse and in wo,
622Þe gladdore he was, for he wuste : ȝwodere he scholde go,
623And þe more he was in Ioye : and þe muregore him gan like.
624Men nuste him nouȝht enes ligge a-doun : to groni ne to siche,
625Ake euere he sat glad i-nouȝ : and lenede al-so wel ofte
626Opon cloþes oþur opon is hond : and deide faire and softe.
627Fair semblaunt he maude i-novȝ : ase he drov to þen ende;
628In þe moreweningue ase þe sonne a-ros : out of þis world he gan wiende.

629He deide twelf hundred ȝer : and to and-fourti riȝht
630Aftur þat ore swete louerd : in is moder was a-liȝht.
631Men leten openi him a-non : & is gottus take
632And burie heom þare ase he was ded : in þe Munstre of seint Iake;
633Men nomen is holie bodi : and wel faire gunne it lede
634To þe Abbeye of pounteneye : ase he him-sulf er sede.
635A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þudere he was i-brouȝht -
636he heold þe Monekes foreward : and ne failede heom nouȝht:

637For þo he ne cam nouȝht a-liue aȝein : ded he dude, i-wis!
638And þare he was i-brouȝht on vrþe : and i-schrined al-so he is;
639he lith þare faire i-novȝ : and with gret honour al-so.

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640Mani is þe faire Miracle : þat god hath for him i-do.
641Nou god for þe loue of him : and þat us deore bouȝhte,
642To þulke blisse us bringue : þat he is soule brouȝhte. Amen

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Anonymous: The Life of St. Edmund (7 253 words)

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63 EADMUND CONF.