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Secundus liber
1
Afftyr that owr Sovereyn Savyowr had take the persone whech wrot first the tretys
aforn seyd to hys manyfold mercy, and the preiste of whom is beforn wretyn had
copiid the same tretys aftyr hys sympyl cunnyng, he held it expedient to honowr of the
blisful Trinité that hys holy werkys schulde be notifyid and declaryd to the pepil, whan
it plesyd hym, to the worschip of hys holy name. And than he gan to writyn in the yer
of owr Lord 1438 in the fest of Seynt Vital Martyr sweche grace as owr Lord wrowt in
hys sympyl creatur yerys that sche levyd aftyr, not alle but summe of hem, aftyr hyr
owyn tunge. And first her is a notabyl mater the whech is not wretyn in the forseyd
tretys. It befel sone aftyr that the creatur beforn wretyn had forsakyn the occupasyon
of the worlde and was joynyd in hir mende to God as meche as frelté wolde suffyr.
The seyd creatur had a sone, a tal yong man, dwellyng wyth a worschepful burgeys in
Lynne, usyng marchawndyse and seylyng ovyr the see, whom sche desyryd to a drawyn
owt of the perellys of this wretchyd and unstabyl worlde yyf hir power myth a teynyd
therto. Nevyrthelesse sche dede as meche as in hir was, and, whan sche myth metyn
wyth hym at leyser, many tymys sche cownselyd hym to leevyn the worlde and folwyn
Crist in so meche that he fled hyr cumpany and wolde not gladlych metyn wyth hir. So
on a tyme it happyd the modyr to metyn wyth hir sone thei it wer ageyns hys wille and
hys entent as that tyme. And, as sche had don beforn tyme, so now sche spak to hym
ageyn that he schulde fle the perellys of this world and not settyn hys stody ne hys
besynes so mech therupon as he dede. He not consentyng but scharply answeryng
ageyn, sche, sumdel mevyd wyth scharpnes of spiryt, seyde, "Now sithyn thu wil not
leevyn the world at my cownsel, I charge the at my blissyng kepe thi body klene at the
lest fro womanys feleschep tyl thu take a wyfe aftyr the lawe of the Chirche. And, yyf
thu do not, I pray God chastise the and ponysch the therfor." Thei partyd asundyr, and
sone aftyr the same yong man passyd ovyr the see in wey of marchawndyse, and than,
what thorw evyl entisyng of other personys and foly of hys owyn governawnce, he fel
into the synne of letchery. Sone aftyr hys colowr chawngyd, hys face wex ful of
whelys and bloberys as it had ben a lepyr. Than he cam hom ageyn into Lynne to hys
maistyr wyth whech he had ben dwellyng befor tyme. Hys maistyr put hym owt of
hys servyse for no defawte he fond wyth hym, but peraventur supposyng he had ben a
lazer as it schewyd be hys visage. The yong man telde wher hym likyd how hys
modyr had bannyd hym, wher thorw, as he supposyd, God so grevowsly ponyschyd
hym. Sum persone, havyng knowlach of hys compleynt and compassyon of hys disese,
cam to hys modyr, seying sche had don ryth evyl, for thorw hir prayer God had takyn
venjawns on hir owyn childe. Sche, takyng lityl heed of her wordys, let it passyn forth
as sche had mad no fors tyl he wolde comyn and preyin for grace hys self. So at the
last, whan he sey non other bote, he cam to hys modyr, tellyng hir of hys
mysgovernawns, promittyng he schulde ben obedient to God and to hir and to amende
hys defawte thorw the help of God enchewyng al mysgovernawnce fro that tyme
forward upon hys power. He preyid hys modyr of hir blissyng, and specialy he preyd
hir to prey for hym that owr Lord of hys hy mercy wolde forgevyn hym that he had
trespasyd and takyn awey that gret sekenes for whech men fleddyn hys company and
hys felaschep as for a lepyr. For he supposyd be hir preyerys owr Lord sent hym that
ponischyng, and therfor he trustyd be hir preyerys to be deliveryd therof yyf sche
wolde of hir charité preyn for hym. Than sche, havyng trust of hys amendyng and
compassyon of hys infirmyté, wyth scharp wordys of correpcyon promysyd to fulfillyn
hys entent yyf God wolde grawntyn it. Whan sche cam to hir meditacyon, not forgetyng
the frute of hir wombe, askyd forgevenes of hys synne and relesyng of the sekenes
that owr Lord had govyn hym yyf it wer hys plesawns and profite to hys sowle. So
longe sche preyid that he was clene delyveryd of the sekenes and levyd many yerys
aftyr and had a wife and a childe, blissyd mote God ben, for he weddyd hys wife in
Pruce in Dewchelonde. Whan tydyngys cam to hys modyr fro ovyr the see that hir
sone had weddyd, sche was ryth glad and thankyd God wyth al hir hert, supposyng
and trustyng he schulde levyn clene and chast as the lawe of matrimony askith. Sithyn,
whan God wolde, hys wife had a childe, a fayr mayde child. Than he sent tydingys to
hys modyr into Inglond how gracyowsly God had visityd hym and hys wife. Hys
modyr, being in a chapel of owr Lady thankyng God of the grace and goodnes that he
schewyd to hir sone and havyng desyr to sen hem yyf sche myth, anon it was answeryd
to hir mende that sche schulde seen hem alle er than sche deyid. Sche had wondyr of this
felynge how it schulde be so as sche felt, in as meche as thei weryn beyowndyn the see
and sche on this halfe the see, nevyr purposyng to passyn the see whil sche levyd.
Nevyrthelesse sche wiste wel to God was nothyng impossibyl. Therfor sche trustyd it
schulde be so as sche had felyng whan God wolde.
2
In fewe yerys aftyr that this yong man had weddyd he cam hom in to Inglond to hys
fadyr and hys modyr al chongyd in hys aray and hys condicyonis. For afor tyme hys
clothys wer al daggyd and hys langage al vanyté; now he weryd no daggys, and hys
dalyawns was ful of vertu. Hys modyr, havyng gret merveyl of this sodeyn chongyng,
seyd unto hym, "Benedicité, sone, how is it wyth the that thu art so chongyd?" "Modyr,"
he seyd, "I hope that thorw yowr preyerys owr Lord hath drawyn me, and I purpose be
the grace of God to folwyn yowr cownsel mor than I have don beforn." Than hys
modyr, seyng this mervelyows drawte of owr Lord, thankyd God as sche cowde,
takyng good heed of hys governawns for dred of symulacyon. The lengar that sche
beheld hys governawns, the mor sadde sche thowt he was and the mor reverent to owr
Lordward. Whan sche knew it was the drawt of owr Lordys mercy, than sche was ful
joyful, thankyng God ful many timys for hys grace and hys goodnes. Sithyn, for he
schulde be the mor diligent and the mor besy to folwyn owr Lordys drawyng, sche
openyd hir hert to hym, schewyng hym and enformyng how owr Lord had drawyn hir
thorw hys mercy and be what menys, also how meche grace he had schewyd for hir,
the whech he seyd he was unworthy to heryn. Than he went many pilgrimagys to
Rome and to many other holy placys to purchasyn hym pardon, resortyng ageyn to
hys wife and hys childe as he was bowndyn to do. He enformyd hys wife of hys
modyr in so meche that sche wolde leevyn hir fadyr and hir modyr and hir owyn
cuntré for to comyn into Inglonde and seen hys modyr. He was ful glad therof and
sent word into Inglond to hys modyr to certifyin hir of hys wyfys desyr and to wetyn
whedyr hys modyr wolde cownselyn hym to comyn be lond er be watyr, for he trustyd
meche in hys moderys cownsel, levyng it was of the Holy Gost. Hys modyr, whan
sche had lettyr fro hym and knew hys desyr, went to hir preyer to knowyn owr Lordys
cownsel and owr Lordys wyl. And, as sche preyid for the sayd mater, it was answeryd
to hir sowle that whedyr hir sone come be lond er be watyr he schulde comyn in safwarde.
Than wrot sche letterys to hym, seying that whedyr he come be londe er be watyr he
schulde come in safté be the grace of God. Whan he was certifiid of hys moderys
cownsel, he speryd whan schippys schulde come into Inglond and hiryd a schip er ellys
a part of a schip in whech he putt hys good, hys wife, hys childe, and hys owyn self,
purposyng alle to comyn into Inglond togedyr. Whan thei weryn in the schip, ther
resyn swech tempestys that thei durstyn not takyn the see, and so thei comyn on lond
ageyn, bothyn he, hys wife, and her childe. Than thei left her childe in Pruce wyth her
frendys, and he and hys wife comyn into Inglond be lond wey to hys fadyr and to hys
modyr. Whan thei wer come thedir, hys modir ful meche enjoiid in owr Lord that hir
felyng was trewe, for sche had felyng in hir sowle, as is wretyn beforn, that whedyr
thei come be lond er be watyr thei schulde comyn be safté. And so it was in dede,
blissyd mote God ben. Thei come hom on the Satyrday in good heele, and on the next
day that was the Sonday, whil thei wer at mete at noon with other frendys, he fel in
gret sekenes that he ros fro the tabyl and leyd hym on a bed, whech sekenes and
infirmité ocupiid hym abowte a monyth, and than in good life and ryth beleve he
passyd to the mercy of owr Lord. So gostly and bodily it myth wel ben verifiid he schal
comyn hom in safté, not only into this dedly lond but also into the lond of levyng men,
wher deth schal nevyr aperyn. In schort tyme aftyr, the fadyr of the sayd persone folwyd
the sone the wey whech every man must gon. Than levyd stille the modyr of the sayd
persone, of whom this tretys specyaly makyth mencyon, and sche that was hys wife, a
Dewche woman, dwellyng wyth hys modyr a yer and an halfe unto the tyme that hir
frendys whech wer in Duchelond, desyryng to have hir hom, wretyn lettrys to hir and
steryd hir to resortyn to hir owyn cuntré. And so sche, desiryng the benevolens of hir
frendys, utteryd hir conseyte to hir eldmodyr, declaryng to hir the desyr of hir frendys,
preying hir of good lofe and leve that sche myth resortyn to hir owyn cuntré. And so
thorw hir eldmodrys consentyng sche purveyid hir to gon as sone as any schippys
wentyn into that lond. So thei speryd a schip of that same lond and hir owyn cuntremen
schulde seylyn thedyr, and hem thowt it was goodly that sche schulde rathyr seylyn wyth
hem in her schip than wyth other men. Than sche went to hir confessowr for to be
schrevyn, and, whil sche was in the schryvyng, the sayd creatur, hir eldmodir, went up
and down in the qwer, thynkyng in hir mende, "Lord, yyf it wer thi wille I wolde
takyn leve of my confessowr and gon wyth hir ovyr the see." Owr Lord answeryd to
hyr thowt, seying, "Dowtyr, I wote wel, yf I bode the gon, thu woldist gon al redy.
Therfor I wyl that thu speke no word to hym of this mater." Than was sche ryth glad
and mery, trustyng sche schulde not gon ovyr the see, for sche had ben in gret perell on
the see afor tyme and was in purpos nevyr to comyn theron mor be hir owyn wille.
Whan hir dowtyr in lawe was schrevyn, the good man whech was confessowr to hem
bothyn as that tyme cam to hir and seyd, "Ho schal gon wyth yowr dowtyr to the see
syde tyl sche come at hir schip? It is not goodly that sche schulde gon so fer wyth a yong
man alone in strawnge cuntré wher her neithyr is knowyn," for a strawnge man was
come for hir and her neithyr was but lityl knowyn in this cuntré, wher for hir confessowr
had the mor compassyon of hir. Than the sayd creatur seyd ageyn, "Syr, yyf ye wele
biddyn me, I schal gon wyth hir my self tyl sche come at Yepiswech, ther lyth the schip
and hir owyn cuntremen that schal ledyn hir ovyr the see." Hir confessowr seyd, "How
schulde ye gon wyth hir? Ye hirtyd but late yowr foote, and ye ar not yet al hool, and
also ye arn an elde woman. Ye may not gon." "Sir," sche seyd, "God, as I trust, schal
helpyn me ryth wel." Than he askyd ho schulde gon wyth hir and brynge hir hom ageyn.
And sche seyd, "Ser, her is longyng to this chirch an ermyte, a yong man. I hope he
wil for owr Lordys lofe gon and comyn wyth me, yef ye wil gevyn me leve." So sche
had leve to brynge hir dowtyr to Yepiswich and than comyn ageyn to Lynne. Thus thei
passyd forth in her jurné in tyme of Lenton, and, whan thei weryn five er six myle
fro Lynne, thei comyn forby a cherch, and so thei turnyd in for to heryn messe. And,
as thei wer in the chirche, the forseyd creatur, desiryng teerys of devocyon, non myth
purchasyn at that tyme but evyr was comawndyd in hir hert for to gon ovyr the see
wyth hir dowtyr. Sche wolde a putt it owt of hir mende, and evyr it cam ageyn so fast
that sche myth not rest ne qwiet han in hir mende but evyr was labowryd and
comawndyd to gon ovyr the see. Sche thowt it was hevy to hir to takyn sweche labowr
upon hir and excusyd hir self to owr Lord in hir mende, seying, "Lord, thu wost wel I
have no leve of my gostly fadyr, and I am bowndyn to obediens. Therfor I may not do
thus wythowtyn hys wil and hys consentyng." It was answeryd ageyn to hir thowt, "I
bydde the gon in my name, Jhesu, for I am abovyn thy gostly fadyr and I schal excusyn
the and ledyn the and bryngyn the ageyn in safté." Sche wolde yet excusyn hir yf sche
myth in any wey, and therfor sche seyd, "I am not purveyd of gold ne of sylver suffi
ciently for to gon wyth as I awt to be, and, thow I wer and wolde gon, I wote wel my
dowtyr had levar I wer at hom, and peraventur the schip maistrys schulde not receyvyn
me into her vessel for to gon wyth hem." Owr Lord seyd ageyn, "Yf I be wyth the, ho
schal ben ageyns the? I schal purveyin for the and getyn the frendys to helpyn the. Do as
I bydde the, and ther schal no man of the schip sey nay unto the." The creatur say ther
was non other help but forth sche must at the comawndyng of God. Sche thowt that
sche wolde fyrst gon to Walsyngham and offeryn in worschep of owr Lady, and, as
sche was in the wey thedir ward, sche herd tellyn that a frer schuld seyin a sermown in
a lityl village a lityl owt of hir wey. Sche turnyd into the cherch wher the frer seyd the
sermown, a famows man, and a gret audiens had at hys sermown. And many tymys he
seyd thes wordys, "Yyf God be wyth us, ho schal be ageyns us?" thorw the whech
wordys sche was the mor steryd to obeyn the wil of God and parformyn hir entent. So
sche went forth to Walsingham, and sithyn to Norwich wyth hir dowtyr in lawe, and
the ermyte wyth hem. Whan thei cam at Norwich, sche mett a Grey Frer, a worschepful
clerk, a doctowr of divinyté whech had herd of hir levyng and hir felyngys befor
tyme. The doctowr schewyd hir gret cher and dalyid wyth hir as he had don befor
tyme. Sche, many tymys syhyng, was hevy in cher and in cuntenawnce. The doctowr
askyd what hir eylyd, "Sir," sche seyd, "whan I cam owte of Lynne wyth the leve of
my confessowr, I purposyd to ledyn my dowtyr to Yepisweche, wher is a schip in the
whech sche be the grace of God schal seylyn to Deuchelond, and I than to turnyn hom
ageyn as sone as I myth goodly to Lynne wyth an ermyte whech cam wyth me for the
same entent to ledyn me hom ageyn. And he wenyn fully that I schulde don so. And, ser,
whan I was abowtyn six myle owt of Lynne in a chirch to makyn my preyerys, I was
comawndyd in my sowle that I schulde gon ovyr the see wyth my dowtyr, and I wote
wel sche wolde I wer at hom, and so wolde I yf I durst. Thus was I mevyd in my sowle
and no rest myth han in my spiryt ne devocyon tyl I was consentyd to do as I was
mevyd in my spiryt, and this is to me gret drede and hevynes." The worschipful clerk
seyd unto hir, "Ye schal obey the wil of God, for I leve it is the Holy Gost that spekyth
in yow, and therfor folwyth the mevyng of yowr spiryt in the name of Jhesu." Sche
was meche comfortyd wyth hys wordys and toke hir leve, goyng forth to the see syde
wyth hir felaschip. Whan thei were comyn thedir, the schip was redy to seilyn. Than
sche preyid the maistyr that sche myth seilyn wyth hem into Duchelond, and he goodly
receyvyd hir, and thei that weryn in the schip seyd not onys nay. Ther was non so
meche ageyn hir as was hir dowtyr, that awt most to a ben wyth hir. Than sche toke hir
leve of the ermyte that was come thedyr wyth hir, rewardyng hym sum deel for hys
labowr and preying hym to excusyn hir to hir confessowr and to hir other frendys
whan he come hom to Lynne, for it was not hir wetyng ne hir entent whan sche partyd
fro hem to a passyd the see nevyr whil sche had levyd, but, sche seyd, "I must abeyn
the wil of God." The ermyte partyd fro hir wyth hevy cher and cam hom ageyn to
Lynne, excusyng hir to hir confessowr and to other frendys, tellyng hem of her sodeyn
and wondirful partyng and how it was not hys knowyng that thei schulde a partyd so
sodeynly asundyr. The pepil that herd therof had gret wondyr and seydin as thei woldyn.
Sum seyd it was a womanys witte and a gret foly for the lofe of hir dowtyr in lawe to
putte hir self, a woman in gret age, to perellys of the see and for to gon into a strawnge
cuntré wher sche had not ben beforn ne not wist how sche schulde come ageyn. Summe
heldyn it was a dede of gret charité for as meche as hir dowtyr had beforn tyme left hir
frendys and hir cuntré and cam wyth hir husbond to visityn hir in this cuntré that sche
wolde now halpyn hir dowtyr hom ageyn into the cuntré that sche cam fro. Other
whech knewe mor of the creaturys levyng supposyd and trustyd that it was the wille
and the werkyng of almythy God to the magnifying of hys owyn name.
3
The sayd creatur and hir felawschip entryd her schip on the Thursday in Passyon
Weke, and God sent hem fayr wynde and wedyr that day and the Fryday, but on the
Satirday owr Lord, turnyng hys hand as hym likyd, and the Palme Sonday also, prevyng
her feith and her pacyens, wyth the two nyghtys, sent hem swech stormys and tempestys
that thei wendyn alle to a ben perischyd. The tempestys weryn so grevows and hedows
that thei myth not rewlyn ne governe her schip. Thei cowde no bettyr chefsyawns than
comendyn hem self and her schip to the governawns of owr Lord; thei left her craft
and her cunnyng and leet owr Lord dryvyn hem wher he wolde. The sayd creatur had
sorwe and care inow; hir thowt sche had nevyr so mech beforn. Sche cryid to owr
Lord for mercy and preservyng of hir and alle hir felaschep. Sche thowt in hir mende,
Lord, for thi lofe cam I hedyr, and thu hast oftyn tyme behite me that I schulde
nevyr perischyn neithyr on londe ne in watyr ne wyth no tempest. The pepil hath
many tyme bannyd me, cursyd me, and wariid me for the grace that thu hast wrowt in
me, desiryng that I schulde deyin in myschef and gret disese, and now, Lord, it is lyke
that her bannyng comyth to effect, and I, unworthy wretche, am deceyvyd and
defrawdyd of the promys that thu hast mad many tyme onto me, whech have evyr
trostyd in thi mercy and thi goodnesse, lesse than thu the sonar wythdrawe thes
tempestys and schewe us mercy. Now may myn enmyis enjoyin, and I may sorwyn yf
thei have her intent and I be deceyvyd. Now, blisful Jhesu, have mende of thy many
fold mercy and fulfille thi behestys that thu hast behite me. Schewe thu art sothfast
God and non evyl spiryt that hast browte me hedyr into the perellys of the see, whoys
cownsel I have trustyd and folwyd many yerys and schal don thorw thi mercy yf thu
delyvyr us owt of this grevows perellys. Help us and socowr us, Lord, er than we
perischyn er dispeyryn, for we may not long enduryn this sorw that we ben in
wythowtyn thi mercy and thi socowr." Owr mercyful Lord, spekyng in hir mende,
blamyd hir of hyr feerdnes, seying, "Why dredist the? Why art thu so aferd? I am as
mythy her in the see as on the londe. Why wilt thu mistrostyn me? Al that I have hite
the I schal trewly fulfillyn, and I schal nevyr deceyvyn the. Suffyr paciently a while and
have trost in my mercy. Wavyr nowt in thy feith, for wythowtyn feith thu maist nowt
plesyn me. Yyf thu woldist verily trostyn in me and no thyng dowtyn, thu maist han
gret comfort in thi self and mythist comfortyn al thy felaschep wher ye ben now alle in
gret drede and hevynes." Wyth swech maner of dalyawns and meche mor hy and holy
than evyr I cowde writyn owr Lord confortyd hys creatur, blissyd mote he ben. Holy
seyntys whech sche preyid onto daliid unto hir sowle be the sufferawns of owr Lord,
gevyng hir wordys of gret comfort. At the last cam owr Lady and seyd, "Dowtyr, be of
a good comfort. Thu hast evyr fowndyn my tydingys trewe, and therfor be no lengar
aferd, for I telle the trewly thes wyndys and tempestys schal sone sesyn and ye schal han
rith fayr wedyr." And so, blissyd mote God ben, it was in schort tyme aftyr her schip
was drevyn into Norwey coost, and ther thei londyd on Good Fryday and abedyn ther
Estern Evyn, and Estern Day, and the Monday aftyr Estern. And on that Monday thei
weryn howselyd wythinne the schip alle that longyd to the schip. On Estern Day the
maistyr of the schip and the sayd creatur and other for the most partye of the schipgynge
went on lond and herdyn her servyse at the chirche. Aftyr the use of the cuntré the cros
was reisyd on Estern Day abowte noon tyme, and sche had hir meditacyon and hir
devocyon wyth wepyng and sobbyng as wel as yf sche had ben at hom. God drow not
hys grace fro hir neithyr in cherch, ne in schip, ne in the see, ne in no place that sche
cam to, for evyr sche had hym in hir sowle. Whan thei had receyvyd the sacrament on
Estern Monday, as is wretyn beforn, owr Lord sent hem a fayr wynde that browte hem
owt of that cuntré and drofe hem hom into Duchelond as thei desiryd. The forseyd
creatur fond swech grace in the maistyr of the schip that he ordeynd for hir mete and
drynke and al that was necessary unto hir as long as sche was wythinne the schip, and
was as tendyr to hir as sche had ben hys modyr. He curyd hir in the schip wyth hys
owyn clothys, for ellys sche myth a deyd for colde, sche was not purveyd as other
weryn. Sche went at the biddyng of owr Lord, and therfor hyr maistyr whech bad hir
gon purveyid for hir so that sche ferd as wel as any of hir felawschep, worschep and
preysyng be to owr Lord therfor.
4
The seyd creatur abood in Danske in Duchelond abowt five er six wekys and had
ryth good cher of meche pepil for owr Lordys lofe. Ther was non so meche ageyn hir
as was hir dowtyr in lawe, the whech was most bowndyn and beholdyn to a comfortyd
hir yf sche had ben kende. Than the creatur enjoyid in owr Lord that sche had so gret
cher for hys lofe and purposyd to abydyn ther the lengar tyme. Owr Lord, spekyng to
hir thowt, monischyd hir to gon owt of the cuntré. Sche was than in gret hevynes and
diswer how sche schulde do the byddyng of God, whech sche wolde in no wey
wythstondyn, and had neithyr man ne woman to gon wyth hir in felawschep. Be the
watyr wolde sche not gon as ny as sche myth, for sche was so afrayd on the see as sche
cam thedirward; and be lond wey sche myth not gon esyly, for ther was werr in the
cuntré that sche schulde passyn by. So what thorw o cawse and other sche was in gret
hevynesse, not wetyng how sche schuld be relevyd. Sche went into a chirche and mad
hir preyerys that owr Lord, liche as he comawndyd hir for to gon, he schulde sendyn
hir help and felaschip wyth the which sche myth gon. And sodeynly a man, comyng to
hir, askyd yf sche wolde gon on pilgrimage a fer cuntré fro thens to a place clepyd
Wilsnak wher is worschepyd the Precyows Blod of owr Lord Jhesu Crist whech be
miracle cam of thre oostys, the sacrament of the awter, the whech three oostys and
precyows blood ben ther onto this day had in gret worschip and reverens and sowt fro
many a cuntré. Sche wyth glad cher seyde that sche wolde gon thedyr yf sche had
good felaschep and yf sche wist of any honest man that myth sithyn bryng hir into
Inglond. And he behestyd hir that he wolde gon on pilgrimage wyth hir to the forseyd
place on hys owyn cost, and sithyn, yf sche wolde al qwite hys coste into Inglond, he
schulde comyn wyth hir tyl sche wer in the costys of Inglond that sche myth han good
felaschep of hir nacyon. He purveyd an heeke, a lityl schip, in the which thei schulde
seylyn to the holy placewarde, and than myth sche han no leve to gon owt of that lond,
for sche was an Englisch woman, and so had sche gret vexacyon and meche lettyng er
sche myth getyn leve of on of the heerys of Pruce for to gon thens. At the last, thorw
the steryng of owr Lord, ther was a marchawnt of Lynne herd tellyn therof, and he
cam to hir and comfortyd hir, behestyng hir that he schulde helpyn hir fro thens, eythyr
prevyly er apertly. And this good man thorw gret labowr gate hir leve to gon wher
sche wolde. Than sche, wyth the man whech had provydyd for hir, tokyn her vessel,
and God sent hem calm wynde, the whech wynde plesyd hir ryth wel for ther ros no
wawe on the watyr. Hir felaschep thowt thei sped no wey and weryn hevy and
grutchyng. Sche preyid to owr Lord, and he sent hem wynde anow that thei seylyd a
gret cowrse and the wawys resyn sor. Hyr felaschep was glad and mery, and sche was
hevy and sory for dred of the wawys. Whan sche lokyd upon hem, sche was evyr
feryd. Owr Lord, spekyng to hir spirit, bad hir leyn down hir hevyd that sche schulde not
seen the wawys, and sche dede so. But evyr sche was afeerd, and therfor was sche
oftyn tymys blamyd. And so they seylyd forth to a place whech is clepyd Strawissownd.
Yf the namys of the placys be not ryth wretyn, late no man merveylyn, for sche stodyid
mor abowte contemplacyon than the namys of the placys, and he that wrot hem had
nevyr seyn hem, and therfor have hym excusyd.
5
Whan thei wer comyn to Strawissownd, thei toke the lond, and so the sayd creatur
wyth the forseyd man went toward Wilsnak in gret drede and passyd many perellys.
The man the which was hir gyde was evyr aferd and wold evyr a forsakyn hir cumpany.
Many tymys sche spak as fayr to hym as sche cowde that he schulde not forsakyn hir in
tho strawnge cuntreys and in myddys of hir enmyis, for ther was opyn werr betwix the
Englisch and tho cuntreys. Therfor hir drede was meche the mor, and evyr among owr
Lord spak to hir mende, "Why dredist the ther schal no man don non harm to the, ne to
non that thu gost wyth. Therfor comforte thi man and telle hym ther schal no man hurte
hym ne harmyn hym whil that he is in thi cumpany. Dowtyr, thu wist wel a woman
that hath a fayr man and a semly to hir husbonde, yyf sche love hym, sche wyl gon
wyth hym wher evyr he wil. And, dowtyr, ther is non so fayr and so semly ne so good
as I. Therfor, yf thu love me, thu schalt not dredyn to gon wyth me wher that evyr I wil
havyn the. Dowtyr, I browte the hedyr, and I schal bryngyn the hom ageyn into Inglond
in safwarde. Dowte it not, but leve it ryth wel." Swech holy dalyawns and spechys in
hir sowle cawsyd hir to sobbyn ryth boistowsly and wepyn ful plentyuowsly. The mor
sche wept, the yrkar was hir man of hir cumpany and the rathyr besyn hym to gon fro
hir and leevyn hir alone. He went so fast that sche myth not folwyn wythowtyn gret
labowr and gret disese. He seyd that he was aferd of enmyis and of thevys that thei
schulde takyn hir awey fro hym peraventur and betyn hym and robbyn ther to. Sche
comfortyd hym as wel as sche cowde and seyde sche durst undirtakyn that ther schulde
no man neythyr betyn hem ne robbyn hem ne seyn non evyl worde to hem. And sone
aftyr her dalyawns ther cam a man owt of a wode, a tal man wyth good wepyn and wel
arayd for to fyten as hem semyd. Than hir man, beyng in gret drede, seyd to hir, "Lo,
what seyst thu now?" Sche seyd, "Trust in owr Lord God and drede no man." The man
cam by hem and seyd non evyl worde to hem, so thei passyd forth to Wilsnakward
wyth gret labowr. Sche myth not enduryn so gret jurneys as the man myth, and he had
no compassyon of hir ne not wolde abydyn for hir. And therfor sche labowryd as long
as sche myth tyl that sche fel in sekenes and myth no ferther. It was gret merveyl and
myracle that a woman dysewsyd of goyng and also abowtyn three scor yer of age schuld
enduryn cotidianly to kepyn hir jurney and hir pase wyth a man fryke and lusty to gon.
On Corpus Cristi Evyn it lukkyd hem to comyn to a lityl ostage fer fro any towne, and
ther myth thei getyn no beddyng but a lityl strawe. And the sayd creatur restyd hir
therupon that nyght and the next day tyl it was ageyn evyn. Owr Lord sent leevyn,
thundyr, and reyne ny al the tyme that thei durst not labowryn owtward. Sche was ful
glad ther of, for sche was ryth seke, and sche wist wel, yf it had ben fayr wedyr, the
man that went wyth hir wolde not abedyn hir, he wolde a gon fro hir. Therfor sche
thankyd God that gaf hym occasyon of abydyng thow it wer ageyns hys wille. And in
the mene tyme becawse of hir sekenes ther was ordeynd a wayne, and so sche was
cariid forth to the Holy Blood of Wilsnak wyth gret penawns and gret disese. The
women in the cuntré as thei wentyn, havyng compassyon, seydyn many tymys to the
forseyd man that he was worthy gret blame for he labowryd hir so sor. He, desiryng to
be delyveryd of hir, chargyd not what thei seydyn ne nevyr sparyd hir the mor. Thus
what wyth wel and wyth woo thorw the help of owr Lord sche was browt to Wilsnak
and saw that Precyows Blod whech be myracle cam owt of the blisful sacrament
of the awtere.
6
They beed not long in the sayd place, but in schort tyme thei tokyn her wey to
Akunward, ryding in waynys tyl thei comyn to a watyr wher was meche concowrs of
pepil, sum to Akunward and sum to other placys, among whech was a monke, a ful
rekles man and evyl governyd, and in hys cumpany weryn yong men, chapmen. The
monke and the chapmen knewyn wel the man that was gyde to the sayd creatur and
clepyd hym be hys name, schewyng hym rith glad cher. Whan thei wer passyd the
watyr and went on the lond, the monke wyth the chapmen and the seyd creatur wyth
hir man alle in felaschep togedyr in waynys, thei comyn forby an hows of Frer
Menowrys havyng mech thrist. Thei bodyn than the seyd creatur gon into the frerys
and getyn hem sum wyne. Sche seyd, "Serys, ye schal have me excusyd, for yf it wer an
hows of nunnys I wolde al redy gon, but for as meche thei arn men I schal not gon be
yowr leve." So went on of the chapmen and fette to hem a potel of wyne. Than cam
frerys to hem and preyid hem that thei wolde comyn and seen the blisful sacrament in
here chirche, for it was wythinne the utas of Corpus Cristi, and it stod opyn in a cristal
that men myth se it yf thei wolde. The monke and the men went wyth the frerys to
seen the precyows sacrament. The sayd creatur thowt sche wolde se it as wel as thei
and folwyd aftyr, thow it wer agens hir wille. And, whan sche beheld the preciows
sacrament, owr Lord gaf hir so mech swetnes and devocyon that sche wept and sobbyd
wondyr sor and not myth restreyn hir self therfro. The monke was wroth and al hir
felaschip for sche wept so sor, and, whan thei wer comyn ageyn to her waynys, thei
chedyn hir and rebukyd hir, clepyng hir ypocrite and seyd many an evyl worde unto
hir. Sche for to excusyn hir selfe leyd scriptur ageyn hem, versys of the Sawter, "Qui
seminant in lacrimis" and cetera "euntes ibant and flebant" and cetera, and swech
other. Than wer thei wel wrothar, and seyd that sche schulde no lengar gon in her
cumpany, and procuryd hir man to forsakyn hir. Sche mekely and benyngly preyid
hem that thei wolde for Goddys lofe suffyr hir to gon forth in her cumpanye and not
letyn hir alone wher sche knew no man ne no man hir whidyr sche schulde gon. Wyth
gret preyer and instawns sche went forth wyth hem tyl thei comyn at a good town in
the utas of Corpus Cristi. And ther thei seydyn uttyrly for no thyng sche schulde no
lengar gon wyth hem. He that was hir gyde and had behite hir to a browt hir into
Inglond forsoke hir, deliveryng hir gold and swech thyng as he had of hir in kepyng,
and proferyd to a lent hir mor gold yf sche had wolde. Sche seyd to hym, "John, I
desiryd not yowr gold; I had levar yowr felaschep in these strawnge cuntreys than al
the good ye han, and I leve ye schulde mor plesyn God to gon wyth me as ye hite me at
Dansk than yf ye went to Rome on yowr feet." Thus thei putt hir owt of her cumpany
and leet hir gon wher sche wolde. Sche seyd than to hym that had ben hir gyde, "John,
ye forsakyn me for non other cawse but for I wepe whan I se the sacrament and whan
I thynke on owr Lordys passyon. And, sithyn I am forsakyn for Goddys cawse, I
beleve that God schal ordeyn for me and bryngyn me forth as he wole hym selfe, for he
deceyvyd me nevyr, blissyd mote he be." So thei went her wey and letyn hir ther
stille. The nyght fel upon, and sche was ryth hevy, for sche was alone. Sche wist not
wyth whom sche myth rest on that nyght ne wyth whom sche schulde gon the next
day. Ther cam preistys to hir ther sche was at oste of that cuntré. Thei clepyd hir Englisch
sterte and spokyn many lewyd wordys unto hir, schewyng unclenly cher and
cuntenawns, proferyng to ledyn hir abowtyn yf sche wolde. Sche had mech drede for
hir chastité and was in gret hevynes. Than went sche to the good wife of the hows,
preying hir to han sum of hir maydenys that myth lyn wyth hir that nyght. The good
wife assygnyd tweyn maydenys, the whech weryn wyth hir al that nyght, yet durst
sche not slepyn for dred of defilyng. Sche woke and preyid ny al that nyght that sche
myth be preservyd fro al unclennes and metyn wyth sum good felaschep that myth
helpyn hir forth to Akun. Sodeynly sche was comawndyd in hir sowle for to gon to
chirche betymys on the next day, and ther schuld sche metyn wyth felaschep. On the
next day betyme sche payd for hir lodgynge, speryng at hir oostys yf thei knewe of
any felaschep to Akunward. Thei seyd, "Nay." Sche, takyng hir leve of hem, went to
the chirche for to felyn and prevyn yf hir felyng wer trewe er not. Whan sche cam ther,
sche saw a cumpany of powr folke. Than went sche to on of hem, speryng whidyr
thei wer purposyd to gon. He seyd, "To Akun." Sche preyid hym that he wolde suffyr
hir to gon in her cumpany. "Why, dame," he seyd, "hast thu no man to gon wyth the?"
"No," sche seyd, "my man is gon fro me." So sche was receyvyd into a cumpany of
powr folke, and, whan thei comyn to any towne, sche bowte hir mete and hir felaschep
went on beggyng. Whan thei wer wythowtyn the townys, hir felaschep dedyn of her
clothys, and, sittyng nakyd, pykyd hem. Nede compellyd hir to abydyn hem and
prolongyn hir jurné and ben at meche mor cost than sche schulde ellys a ben. Thys
creatur was abavyd to putte of hir clothis as hyr felawys dedyn, and therfor sche thorw
hir comownyng had part of her vermyn and was betyn and stongyn ful evyl bothe day
and nyght tyl God sent hir other felaschep. Sche kept forth hir felaschep wyth gret
angwisch and disese and meche lettyng unto the tyme that thei comyn to Akun.
7
Whan thei wer come to Akun, the seyd creatur met wyth a monke of Inglond, the
whech was to Romeward. Than was sche mech comfortyd in as mech as sche had a
man that sche cowde undirstonden. And so thei abedyn ther togedyr ten er ellys eleven
days for to seen owr Ladys smokke and other holy reliqwiis whech wer schewyd on
Seynt Margaretys Day. And in the mene tyme that thei abedyn ther it lukkyd that a
worschepful woman cam fro London, a wedow wyth meche meny wyth hir, to seen
and worschepyn the holy relikys. The sayd creatur cam to this worthy woman,
compleynyng that sche had no felaschep to gon wyth hir hom into Inglond. The wor
thy woman grawntyd hir al hir desyr, and dede hir etyn and drynkyn wyth hir, and
made hir ryth good cher. Whan Seynt Margaretys Day was comyn and gon and thei
had seyn the holy relikys, the worschepful woman sped hir fast owt of Akun wyth alle
hir mené. The seyd creatur, wenyng to a gon wyth hir and thus defrawdyd of hir
purpose, was in gret hevynes. Sche toke hir leve of the monke whech was to Romeward,
as is wretyn beforn, and sithyn gate hir a wayne wyth other pilgrimys and pursuyd
aftyr the forseyd worthi woman as fast as sche myth to lokyn yf sche cowde ovyrtakyn
hir, but it wolde not be. Than it happyd hir to metyn wyth tweyn men of London
goyng to Londonward. Sche preyid hem to gon in her cumpany. Thei seydyn, yf sche
myth duryn to gon as yerne as thei, sche schulde be wolcome, but thei myth not han no
gret lettyng; nevyrthelesse thei wolde helpyn hir forth in hir jurné wyth good wyl. So
sche folwyd aftyr hem wyth gret labowr tyl thei comyn at a good town wher thei
mettyn pilgrimys of Inglond wer comyn fro the cowrt of Rome and schulde gon hom
ageyn into Inglond. Sche preyid hem that sche myth go wyth hem, and thei seydyn
schortly that thei woldyn not lettyn her jurné for hir, for thei weryn robbyd and haddyn
but lityl mony to bryng hem hom, wherfor thei must nedys makyn the scharpar jurneys.
And therfor, yf sche myth duryn to gon as yern as thei, sche schulde be wolcome and
ellys not. Sche saw non other socowr than to abydyn wyth hem as long as sche myth,
and so left tho other tweyn men and abood stille wyth this men. Than thei wentyn to
her mete and madyn mery. The sayd creatur lokyd a lityl besyden hir and sey a man
lyn and restyn hym on a benchys ende. Sche enqwiryd what man that was. Thei seydyn
it was a frer, on of her felaschep. "Why etith he not wyth yow?" "For we wer robbyd
as wel as he and therfore ych man must help hym self as wel as he may." "Wel," seyd
sche, "he schal have part of swech good as God sendith me." Sche trustyd wel that owr
Lord schuld ordeyn for hem bothyn as wer nedful to hem. Sche dede hym etyn and
drynkyn and comfortyd hym ryth meche. Sithyn thei wentyn alle in fer togedyr. The
sayd creatur cam sone behyndyn; sche was to agyd and to weyke to holdyn foot wyth
hem. Sche ran and lept as fast as sche myth tyl hir myghtys failyd. Than sche spak
wyth the powr frer whom sche had cheryd beforn, proferyng to aqwityn hys costys tyl
he come at Caleys, yf he wolde abydyn wyth hir and latyn hir gon wyth hym tyl thei
comyn ther, and yet gevyn hym reward besyden for hys labowr. He was wel content
and consentyd to hir desyr. So thei letyn her felaschep gon forth, and thei tweyn
folwyd softly as thei myght enduryn. The frer, beyng evyl for thryst, seyd to the
creatur, "I knowe thes cuntreys wel anow, for I have oftyn tymys gon thus to Romeward,
and I wote wel ther is a place of recreacyon a lityl hens. Late us gon thedyr and
drynkyn." Sche was wel plesyd and folwyd hym. Whan thei cam ther, the good wife
of the hows, havyng compassyon of the creaturys labowr, cownselyd that sche schulde
takyn a wayne wyth other pilgrimys and not gon so wyth a man alone. Sche seyd that
sche was purposyd and fully trustyd for to a gon wyth a worschepful woman of London,
and sche was deceyvyd. Be than that thei had restyd hem a while and dalyid wyth
the good wife of the hows, ther cam a wayn forby wyth pilgrimys. The good wife,
havyng knowlach of the pilgrimys in the wayne, whan thei wer passyd hir hows, sche
clepyd hem ageyn, besechyng hem that this creatur myth rydyn wyth hem in her wayne
for the mor sped of hir jurné. Thei, goodly consentyng, receyvyd hir into her wayn,
rydyng alle togedyr tyl he comyn at a good towne wher the sayd creatur parceyvyd the
worschepful woman of London of whom is beforn seyd. Than sche preyid the pilgrimys
that weryn in the wayne thei schulde heldyn hir excusyd and latyn hir payn for the tyme
that sche had ben wyth hem as hem lykyd, for sche wolde gon to a worschepful woman
of hir nacyon that sche parceyvyd was in the towne, wyth the whech sche had mad
forward whan sche was at Akun for to gon hom wyth hir into Inglond. Sche had good
lofe and leve and partyd fro hem. Thei redyn forth, and sche went to the worschepful
woman, wenyng to a be receyvyd wyth a rith glad cher. And it was evyn ryth contrary;
sche fonde rith schort cher and had rith scharp langage, the worschepful woman seying
to hir, "What wenyst thu for to gon wyth me? Nay, I do the wel to wetyn I wyl not
medelyn wyth the." The creatur was so rebukyd that sche wist not what to do. Sche
knew no man ther ne no man knew hir. Sche wist not whedir to go. Sche wist not wher
the frer was whech schulde a ben hir gyde ne whedyr he schulde comyn that wey er no.
Sche was in gret diswer and hevynes, the grettest, as hir thowt, that sche had suffyrd
syn sche was comyn owt of Inglond. Nevyrthelesse sche trustyd in owr Lordys promysse
and abood stille in the towne tyl God wolde sendyn hir sum comfort. And, whan it
was ny evyn, sche saw the frer comyng into the towneward. Sche hyid hir to spekyn
wyth hym, compleynyng how sche was deceyvyd and refusyd of the good woman that
sche trustyd so meche to. The frer seyd thei schulde don as wel as God wolde gevyn
hem grace and comfortyd hir into hys power, but he seyd he wolde not abydyn in that
towne that nyth, for he wost wel it was a perlyows pepil. Than went thei forth togedyr
owt of the towne ageyn the evyn wyth gret drede and hevynes, mornyng be the wey
wher thei schuldyn han herborwe that nyth. Thei happyd to comyn undyr a wodys syde,
bisily beheldyng yf thei myth spyin any place wherin thei myth restyn. And, as owr
Lord wolde, thei parceyvyd an hows er tweyn, and in hast thedir thei drowyn ther was
dwellyng a good man wyth hys wife and tweyn childeryn. Than heldyn thei non hostel
ne not wolde receivyn gestys to her herborw. The seyd creatur saw an hep of
brakys in an hows, and wyth gret instawns sche purchasyd grace to restyn hir on the
brakys that nyth. The frer wyth gret preyer was leyd in a berne, and hem thowt thei
wer wel esyd that thei haddyn the hows ovyr hem. On the next day thei made aseth for
her lodgyng, takyng the wey to Caleysward, goyng wery weys and grevows in dep
sondys, hillys, and valeys tweyn days er thei comyn thedyr, sufferyng gret thrist and
gret penawns, for ther wer fewe townys be the wey that thei went and ful febyl herberwe.
And on nyghtys had sche most dreed oftyn tymys, and peraventur it was of hir gostly
enmy, for sche was evyr aferd to a be ravischyd er defilyd. Sche durst trustyn on no
man; whedir sche had cawse er non, sche was evyr aferd. Sche durst ful evyl slepyn
any nyth, for sche wend men wolde a defylyd hir. Therfor sche went to bedde gladlich
no nyth les than sche had a woman er tweyn wyth hir. For that grace God sent hir,
wher so sche cam for the most party maidenys wolde wyth good cher lyn be hir, and
that was to hir gret comfort. Sche was so wery and so ovyrcomyn wyth labowr to
Caleysward that hir thowt hir spiryt schulde a departyd fro hir body as sche went in the
wey. Thus wyth gret labowrys sche cam to Caleys and the good frer wyth hir, the
which ful goodly and honestly had ben governyd to hirward the tyme that thei went
togedyr. And therfor sche gaf hym reward as sche myth ateyn so that he was wel
plesyd and content and departyd asundyr.
8
In Caleys this creatur had good cher of divers personys, bothyn of men and of
women, whech had nevyr seen hir beforn. Ther was a good woman had hir hom to hir
hows, the whech wesche hir ful clenly and dede hir on a newe smok and comfortyd hir
rith mech. Other good personys had hir to mete and to drynke. Whil sche was ther
abydyng schepyng three or four days, sche met ther wyth dyvers personys whech had
knowyn hir beforn that spokyn fayr to hir and govyn hir goodly langwage. Other
thyng thei gaf hir non, the whech personys abedyn schepyng as sche dede. Sche desiryng
to seylyn wyth hem to Dovyr, nowt thei wolde helpyn hir ne latyn hir wetyn what
schip thei purposyd to seylyn in. Sche speryd and spyid as diligently as sche cowde,
and evyr sche had knowlach of her intent o wey er other tyl sche was schepyd wyth
hem, and, whan sche had boryn hir thyng into the schip wher thei wer, supposyng thei
schulde a seylyd in hast sche wist not how sone, thei purveyd hem another schip redy to
seilyn. What the cawse was sche wist nevyr. Thorw grace, sche, havyng knowyng of
heer purpos how redy thei wer to seylyn, left al hir thyng in the vessel that sche was in
and went to the schip ther thei weryn, and thorw owr Lordys help sche was receyvyd
into the schip. And ther was the worschepful woman of London that had refusyd hir as
is beforn wretyn. And so thei seilyd alle togedyr to Dovyr. The seyd creatur, parceyvyng
thorw her cher and cuntenawnce that thei had lityl affeccyon to hir persone, preyid to
owr Lord that he wolde grawntyn hir grace to holdyn hir hevyd up and preservyn hir
fro voidyng of unclene mater in her presens, so that sche schulde cawsyn hem non
abhominacyon. Hir desyr was fulfillyd so that, other in the schip voydyng and castyng
ful boistowsly and unclenly, sche, her alderys mervelyng, myth helpyn hem and do
what sche wolde. And specialy the woman of London had most of that passyon and
that infirmité, to whom this creatur was most besy to helpyn and comfortyn for owr
Lordys love and be charité, other cawse had sche non. So thei seilyd forth tyl thei
comyn at Dovyr, and than eche on of that cumpany gat hym felaschep to gon wyth yf
hym likyd, safe sche only, for sche myth getyn no felawe to hir ese. Therfor sche toke
hir wey to Cawntyrberyward be hir self alone, sory and hevy in maner that sche had
no felaschep ne that sche knew not the wey. Sche was up betymys in the morwenyng
and cam to a powr mannys hows, knokkyng at the dor. The good powr man, hogelyd
in hys clothys unsperd and unbotenyd, cam to the dor to wetyn hir wille. Sche preyid
hym, yf he had any hors, that he wolde helpyn hir to Cawntyrbury, and sche schulde
aqwityn hys labowr. He, desiryng to do hir plesawnce in owr Lordys name, fulfillyd
hir intent ledyng hir to Cawntyrbury. Sche had gret joy in owr Lord, that sent hir help
and socowr in every nede, and thankyd hym wyth many a devowt teer, wyth meche
sobbyng and wepyng, ny hand in every place that sche cam in, of al that it be not
wretyn, as wel on yen half the see as on this halfe, on the watyr as on the lond, blissyd
mote God ben.
9
Fro thens sche went to London, clad in a cloth of canvas as it wer a sekkyn gelle as
sche had gon beyondyn the se. Whan sche was comyn into London, mech pepil knew
hir wel anow; in as mech as sche was not clad as sche wold a ben for defawte of mony,
sche, desiryng to a gon unknowyn into the tyme that sche myth a made sum chefsyawns,
bar a kerche befor hir face. Not wythstondyng sche dede so, sum dissolute personys,
supposyng it was Mar. Kempe of Lynne, seydyn that sche myth esily heryn thes wordys
into repref. "A, thu fals flesch, thu schalt no good mete etyn." Sche, not answeryng,
passyd forth as sche had not an herd. The forseyd wordys wer nevyr of hir spekyng,
neythyr of God ne of good man, thow so wer that it wer leyd to hir, and sche many
tymys and in many placys had gret repref therby. Thei wer fowndyn of the devyl,
fadyr of lesyngys, favowryd, maynteynd, and born forth of hys membrys, fals invyows
pepil, havyng indignacyon at hir vertuows levyng, not of powyr to hyndryn hir but
thorw her fals tungys. Ther was nevyr man ne woman that evyr myth prevyn that sche
seyd swech wordys, but evyr thei madyn other lyars her autorys, seying in excusyng
of hem self that other men telde hem so. On this maner wer thes fals wordys fowndyn
thorw the develys suggestyon. Sum on person er ellys mo personys, deceyvyd be her
gostly enmy, contrivyd this tale not long aftyr the conversyon of the sayd creatur,
seying that sche, sittyng at the mete on a fisch day at a good mannys tabyl, servyd
wyth divers of fyschys as reed heryng and good pyke and sweche other, thus sche
schulde a seyd, as thei reportyd, "A, thu fals flesch, thu woldist now etyn reed heryng,
but thu schalt not han thi wille." And ther wyth sche sett awey the reed heryng and ete
the good pike. And swech other thus sche schuld a seyd, as thei seydyn, and thus it
sprong into a maner of proverbe agen hir that summe seydyn, "Fals flesch, thu schalt ete
non heryng." And sum seydyn the wordys the whech arn beforn wretyn, and al was
fals, but yet wer thei not forgetyn; thei wer rehersyd in many a place wher sche was
nevyr kyd ne knowyn. Sche went forth to a worschepful wedows hows in London,
wher sche was goodly receyvyd and had gret cher for owr Lordys lofe, and in many
placys of London sche hily was cheryd in owr Lordys name, God rewarde |