f. 25ra
& liued in dedeli sinne
Seyn patrike hadde rewþe·
Of hir mis bileue & vn trewe·
Þat þai weren inne·
¶ Oft he proued sarmoun to make
Þat þai schuld to god take
& do after his rede
Þai were ful fild of felonie·
Þai no held it bot ribaudie
Of no þing þat he sede
¶ & al þai seyd commounliche·
Þat non of hem wold siker liche·
Do bi his techeing
Bot õif he dede þat noman·
Into helle wente þan·
To bring hem tiding·
¶ Of þe pain & þe wo·
Þe soulen suffri euer mo·
Þai þat ben þer inne
& elles þai seyd þat nolden hye· ["þai" inserted later]
Of her misdede nouõt repenti
No her folies blinne·
¶ When sein patrike herd þis·
Michel he card for soþe y wis·
& sore he gan des may·
Oft he was in afliccoun
In fasting & in orisoun·
Ihesu crist to pray·
¶ Þat he him schuld grace sende·
Hou he miõt raþest wende·
Out of þe fendes bond·
& do hem com to amendement·
& leue on god omnipotent·
Þe folk of yrlnod
¶ & als he was in holy chirche·
Godes werkes for to wirche·
& made his praier·
& bad for þat ich þing·
Sone he fel on slepeing·
To forn his auter·
¶ In his chapel he slepe wel swete·
Of fele þinges him gan mete·
Þat was in heuen blis·
As he slepe for soþe him þouõt·
f. 25rb
Þat ihesu þat ous dere bouõt·
To him com y wis·
¶ & õaf him a bok þat nas nouõt lite·
Þer nis no clerk þat swiche can write·
No neuer no schal be·
It spekeþ of al maner god spelle
Of heuen & erþe & of helle·
Of godes priuete·
¶ More hem þouõt þat god him õaf·
In his lond a wel feir staf·
In slepe þer he lay·
& godes staf ich vnder stond
Men clepeþ þat in yrlond·
Õete to þis ich day·
¶ When god him þis õif hadde·
Him þouõt þat he him ladde
Þennes þe way ful riõt
In to an gret desert·
Þer was an hole michel apert
Þat griseliche was of siõt·
¶ Rounde it was about & blak·
In alle þe warld no was his mack
So griseliche entring
When þat patrike y seye þat siõt
Swiþe sore he was a fliõt·
In his slepeing·
¶ Þo god al miõten him schewed & seyd
Who þat hadde don sinful dede
Oõaines godes lawe·
& wold him þer of repenti·
& take penaunce hastily·
& his foliis wiþ drawe·
¶ So schuld in þis ich hole·
A parti of penaunce þole·
For his misdede
A niõt & a day be her inne·
& al him schuld for õiue his sinne·
& þe better spede·
¶ & õif he ben of gode creaunce·
Gode & poure wiþ outen dotaunce
& stedfast bileue·
He no schuld nouõt be þer in ful long
Þat he ne schal se þe paines strong
Ac non no schal him greue·
25va
¶ In wiche þe soules ben y do·
Þat haue deserued to com þer to·
In þis world y wis·
& also þan sen he may
Þat ich ioie þat lasteþ ay·
Þat is in paradis·
¶ When ihesu had y seyd al out·
& y schewed al about·
Wiþ wel milde chere·
God þat bouõt ous dere in heuen·
Fram him he went wiþ milde steuen·
& patrike bi left þere·
¶ When seyn patrike o slepe he woke
Gode token he fond & vp hem toke·
Of his sweuening·
Bok & staf þer he fond·
& tok hem vp in his hond·
& þonked heuen king·
¶ He kneld & held vp his hond·
& þonked ihesu cristes sond·
Þat he him hadde y sent·
Whar þurch he miõt vnder stond·
To turn þat folk of yrlond·
To com to amendement·
¶ In þat stede wiþ outen lett·
A fair abbay he lete sett·
Wiþ outen ani dueling·
In þe name of godes glorie·
Seyn patrike & our leuedy·
For to rede & sing·
¶ Seyn patrike maked þe abbay·
Þat wite wele men of þe cuntray·
Þat non is þat y liche
Regles is þat abbay name·
Þer is solas gle & game·
Wiþ pouer & eke wiþ riche·
¶ White chanounes he sett þer ate·
To serue god arliche & late·
& holy men to be·
Þat ich boke & þat staf·
Þat god seyn patrike õaf·
Õete þer man may se·
¶ In þe est ende of þe abbay·
Þer is þat hole for soþe
to say·
f. 25vb
Þat griseliche is of siõt
¶ Wiþ gode ston wal al abouten·
Wiþ locke & keye þe gate to louken·
Patrike lete it diõte·
¶ Þat ich stede siker õe be·
Is y cleped þe riõt entre·
Of patrikes purgatorie·
For in þat time þat þis bi felle·
Mani a man wente in to helle·
As it seyt in þe storie·
¶ & suffred pein for her trespas·
& com oõain þurch godes gras·
& seyd alle & some
Þat þai hadde sen sikerliche·
Þe paines of helle apertliche·
When þai were out y come·
¶ & also þai seyd wiþ heye·
Apertliche þe ioies þai seiõe·
Of angels singing·
To god almiõti & to his·
Þat is þe ioie of paradys
Ihesu ous þider bring·
¶ When alle þe folk of yrlond
Þe ioies gan vnder stond·
Þat seyn patrike hem sede·
To him þai com euer ichon
& were y cristned in fonston·
& leten her misdede·
¶ & þus þai bi com lasse & more
Cristen men þurch godes lore·
Þurch patrikes preier·
Now herknes to mi talking
Ich il õou tel of oþer þing
Õif õe it wil y here·
Bi steuenes day þe king ful riõt·
Þat Inglond stabled & diõt·
Wel wiselich in his time
In norþ humber land was a kniõt
A douhti man & swiþe wiõt·
At it seyt in þis rime·
¶ Vweyn he hiõt wiþ outen les·
In cuntre þer he born wes
As õe may y here·
Wel michel he couþe of batayle
f. 26ra
& swiþe sinful he was saunfayle
Oõain his creatour·
¶ On a day he him bi þouõt·
Of þe sinne he hadde y wrouõt·
& sore him gan adrede
& þouõt he wold þurch godes grace
Ben y schriue of his trispas
& leten his mis dede·
¶ & when he hadde þus gode creaunce
He com as it bi fel a chaunce·
To þe bischop of yrlond·
Þer he lay in þat abbay·
Þer was þat hole for soþe to say·
Penaunce to take an hond·
¶ To þe bischop he bi knewe his sinne
& prayed him for godes winne
Þat he him schuld schriue·
& legge on him penaunce sore·
He wold sinne he seyd no more· ["i" in "sinne" corrected from "e"]
Neuer eft in his liue·
¶ Þe bischop þer of was ful bliþe·
& for his sinne blamed him swiþe·
Þat he him hadde y told·
& seyd he most penaunce take·
Õif he wald his sinne for sake·
Hard & mani fold·
¶ Þan answerd þe kniõt owayn·
Don ichil he seyd ful feyn·
What god me wil sende·
Þei þou me wost comandy·
Into patrikes purgatori·
Þider ichil wende·
¶ Þe bischop seyd nay owain frende
Þat ich way schaltow nouõt wende·
& told him of þe pine
& bede him lete be þat mischaunce·
& take he seyd sum oþer penaunce· [?suspension mark over "a" of "take"?]
To amende þe of sinnes þine·
¶ For nouõt þe bischop couþe say·
Þe kniõt nold nouõt leten his way·
His soule to amende·
Þan ladde he him in to holy chirche·
Godes werkes forto wirche·
& þe riõt lawe from
him kende·
f. 26rb
¶ Fiften days in afliccoun· [?suspension mark over "o" of "affliccoun"?]
In fasting & in orisoun·
He was wiþ outen lesing·
Þan þe priour wiþ processioun·
Wiþ croice & wiþ gonfanoun·
To þe hole he gan him bring·
¶ Þe priour seyd kniõt oweyn·
Her is þi gate to go ful gain·
Wende riõt euen forþ·
& when þou a while y gon hast·
Liõt of day þou al for last
Ac hold þe euen norþ·
¶ Þus þou schalt vnder erþe gon·
Þan þou schalt finde sone anon·
A wel gret feld a pliõt·
& þer in an halle of ston·
Swiche in world no wot y non·
Sum dele þer is of liõt
¶ Namore liõtnesse nis þer y founde
Þan þe sonne goþ to grounde·
In winter sikerly·
In to þe halle þou schalt go·
& duelle þer tille þer com mo·
Þat schul þe solaci·
¶ Þritten men þer schul come·
Godes seriaunce alle & some·
As it seyt in þe stori·
& hye þe schul con seily·
Hou þou schalt þe con teyni
Þe way þurch purgatori·
¶ Þan þe priour & his couent·
Bi tauõt him god & forþ hy went
Þe gate þai schet anon·
Þe kniõt his way haþ sone y nome·
Þat into þe feld he was y come·
Þer was þe halle of ston·
¶ Þe halle was ful selly diõt·
Swiche can make no erþeliche wiõt
Þe pilers stode wide
Þe kniõt wonderd þat he fond·
Swiche an halle in þat lond·
& open in ich side
¶ & when he hadde long stond þer out·
& deuised al about
f. 26va
Completed to here
In he went þare·
Þritten men þer come·
Wisemen þai war of dome
& white abite þai bere·
¶ & al her crounes wer newe schorn·
Her most maister õede beforn·
& salud þe kniõt
Adoun he sat so seyt þe boke·
& kniõt owain to him he toke·
& told him resoun riõt·
¶ Ichil þe conseyl leue broþer·
As ichaue don mani anoþer·
Þat han ywent þis way·
Þat þou ben of gode creaunce·
Certeyn & poure wiþouten dotaunce·
To god þi trewe fay·
¶ For þou schalt se when we ben ago·
A þousend fendes & wele mo·
To bring þe into pine·
Ac loke wele bi se þe so·
& þou aniþing bi hem do·
Þi soule þou schalt tine·
¶ Haue god in þine hert·
& þenk opon his woundes smert·
Þat he suffred þe fore
& bot þou do y þe telle·
Bodi & soule þou gos to helle
& euermore for lore·
¶ Nempne godes heiõe name·
& þai may do þe do þe no schame·
For nouõt þat may bifalle·
& when þai hadde conseyld þe kniõt·
No lenge bileue he no miõt·
Bot went out of þe halle·
¶ He & alle his fellawered·
Bitauõt him god & forþ þai õede
Wiþ ful mild chere·
Owein bileft þer in drede·
To god he gan to clepi & grede·
& maked his preier·
¶ & sone þer after sikerly·
He gan to here a reweful cri·
He was aferd ful sore·
Þei alle þe warld falle schold·
f. 26vb Fram þe firmament to þe mold·
No niõt haue ben no more·
¶ & when of þe cri was passed þe drede
Þer com in a grete ferrede·
Of fendes fifti score·
About þe kniõt into þe halle·
Loþly þinges þai weren alle·
Bihinde & eke bifore·
¶ & þe kniõt þai õeden abouten·
& grenned on him her foule touten·
& drof him to hepeing·
& seyd he was comen wiþ flesche & fel·
To fechen him þe ioie of helle·
Wiþouten ani ending
¶ Þe most maister fende of alle·
Adoun on knes he gan to falle·
& seyd welcome owein·
Þou art ycomen to suffri pine
To amende þe of sinnes tine·
Ac alle gett þe no gain
¶ For þou schalt haue pine anouõ·
Hard strong & ful touõ·
For þi dedli sinne·
No haddestow neuer more meschaunce
Þan þou schal haue in our daunce
When we schul play biginne·
¶ Ac no for þan þe fendes sede·
Õif þou wilt do bi our rede
For þou art ous leue & dere·
We schul þe bring wiþ fine amour·
Þer þou com in fram þe priour·
Wiþ our felawes yfere
¶ & elles we schul þe teche here·
Þat þou has serued ous mani õer·
In pride & lecherie
For we þe haue so long yknawe·
To þe we schul our hokes þrawe·
Alle our compeynie·
¶ He seyd he nold wiþouten feyle
Ac y forsake õour conseyle·
Mi penaunce ichil take·
& when þe fendes yherd þis·
Amidward þe halle ywis
A grete fer þai gun make
f. 27ra
¶ Fet & hond þai bounde him hard·
& casten him amidward·
He cleped to our driõt·
Anon þe fer oway was wened·
Cole no spark þer nas bileued·
Þurch grace of god almiõt·
¶ & when þe kniõt yseiõe þis·
Michel þe balder he was ywis·
& wele gan vnderstond·
& þouõt wele in his memorie·
It was þe fendes trecherie·
His hert for to fond·
¶ Þe fendes went out of þe halle·
Þe kniõt þai hadde wiþ hem alle·
Vntil an vncouþe lond·
Þer no was no maner wele·
Bot hunger þrust & chele·
No tre no seiõe he stond·
¶ Bot a cold winde þat blewe þere·
Þat vnneþe ani man miõt yhere·
& perced þurch his side·
Þe fendes han þe kniõt ynome·
So long þat þai ben ycome·
Into a valay wide·
¶ Þo wende þe kniõt he hadde yfounde
Þe deppest pit in helle grounde·
When he com neiõe þe stede
He loked vp sone anon·
Strong it was for þer to gon·
He herd schriche & grede·
¶ He seiõe þer ligge ful a feld·
Of men & wimen þat wern a queld·
Naked wiþ mani a wounde·
Toward þe erþe þai lay deueling·
Allas allas was her brocking·
Wiþ men bendes ybounde·
¶ & gun to striche & to wayly·
& crid allas merci merci·
Merci god almiõt
Merci nas þer non forsoþe·
Bot sorwe of hert & grinding of toþe
Þat was a griseli siõt·
¶ Þat ich sorwe & þat reuþe·
Is for þe foule sinne of slewþe
f. 27rb
As it seyt in þe stori·
Who þat is slowe in godes seruise·
Of þat pain hem may agrise·
To legge in purgatori·
¶ Þis was þe first pain apliõt·
Þat þai dede owain þe kniõt
Þai greued him swiþe sore·
Alle þat pain he haþ ouer schake
Vntil anoþer þai han him taken·
Þer he seiõe sorwe more·
¶ Of men & wimen þat þer lay·
Þat crid allas & waileway·
For her wicked lore·
Þilche soules lay vpward·
As þe oþer hadde ly donward
Þat ytold of bifore
¶ & were þurch fet & hond & heued
Wiþ iren nailes glowe and red·
To þe erþe ynayled þat tide·
Owain seiõe sitt on hem þere·
Loþli dragrouns alle ofer
In herd is nouõt to hide·
¶ On sum sete todes blake·
Euetes neddren & þe snake·
Þat frete hem bac & side·
Þis is þe pain of glotoni·
For godes loue be war þerbi·
¶ It rinneþ al to wide·
Õete him þouõt a pain strong·
Of a colde winde blewe hem among
Þat com out of þe sky·
So bitter & so cold it blewe·
Þat alle þe soules it ouerþrewe·
Þat lay in purgatori
¶ Þe fendes lopen on hem þare·
& wiþ her hokes hem al totere·
& londe þai gun to crie·
Who þat is licchoure in þis liif·
Be it man oþer be it wiif·
Þat schal ben his bayli·
¶ Þe fendes seyd to þe kniõt·
Þou hast ben strong lichoure apliõt
& strong glotoun also·
Into þis þain þou schalt be diõt·
f. 27va Bot þou take þe way ful riõt·
Oõain þer þou com fro·
¶ Owain seyd nay satan·
Õete forþermar ichil gan·
Þurch grace of god almiõt
Þe fendes wald him haue hent·
He cleped to god omnipotent·
& þai lorn al her miõt·
at ladde him forþer into a stede·
Þer men neuer gode no dede·
Bot schame & vilanie·
Herkneþ now & ben in pes·
In þe ferþ feld it wes
Al ful of turmentrie·
¶ Sum bi þe fet wer honging·
Wiþ iren hokes al brening·
& sum bi þe swere
& sum bi wombe & sum bi rigge·
Al oþerwise þan y can sigge·
In diuers manere
¶ & him in forneise wern ydon·
Wiþ molten ledde & quic brunston·
Boiland aboue þe fer & sum bi þe tong hing
Allas was euer her brocking·
& no noþer preiere
¶ & sum on grediris layen þere·
Al glowand oõains þe fer·
Þat owain wele yknewe
Þat whilom were of his queyntaunce
Þat suffred þer her penaunce·
Þo chaunged al his hewe·
¶ A wilde fer hem þurchout went·
Alle þat it of tok it brent·
Ten þousend soules & mo·
Þo þat henge bi fet & swere·
Þat were þeues & þeues fere·
& wrouõt man wel wo·
¶ & þo þat henge bi þe tong·
Þat allas euer song & so londe crid
Þat wer bacbiters in her liue·
Be war þerbi man & wiue·
Þat lef beþ for to chide·
f. 27vb
Alle þe stedes þe kniõt com bi·
Were þe paines of purgatori
For her werkes wrong·
Whoso is lef on þe halidom swere
Or ani fals witnes bere·
Þer ben her peynes strong
??wain anon him biwent·
& seiõe where a whele trent·
Þat griseliche were of siõt
Michel it was about it wond·
& brend riõt as it were abrond·
Wiþ lokes it was ydiõt·
¶ An hundred þousand soules & mo·
Opon þe whele were longing þo·
Þe fendes þertil ourn·
Þe stori seyt of owain þe kniõt
Þat no soule knowe he no miõt
So fast þai gun it tourn·
¶ Out of þe erþe com a liõting·
Of a blo fer al brening·
Þat stank foule wiþalle·
& about þe whele it went·
& þe soules it forbrent·
To poudre swiþe smal·
¶ Þat whele þat renneþ in þis wise·
Is for þe sinne of couaitise·
Þat regnes now ouer al·
Þe coueytous man haþ neuer anouõ
Of gold & siluer no of plouõ·
Til deþ him do doun falle·
¶ Þe fendes seyd to þe kniõt
Þou hast ben couaitise apliõt·
To win lond & lede·
Opon þis whele he schal be diõt·
Bot õif þou take þe way ful riõt·
Intil þou owhen þede
¶ Her conseyl he haþ forsaken·
Þe fendes han þe kniõt forþ taken·
& bounde him swiþe hard·
Opon þe whele þat arn about·
& so loþly gan to rout·
& cast him amidward
¶ Þo þe hokes him torent·
& þe wild fer him tobrent·
f. 28ra
On ihesu crist he þouõt
Fram þat whele an angel him bare
& al þe fendes þat wern þare
No miõt him do riõt nouõt·
ai ladde him forþer wiþ gret pain·
Til þai com to a mounteyn·
Þat was as rede as blod·
& men & wimen þer on stode·
Him þouõt it nas for non gode
For þai cride as þai were wode·
¶ Þe fendes seyd to þe kniõt þan·
Þou hast wonder of þilche man·
Þat make so dreri mode·
For þai deserued godes wreche·
Hem schal sone com a beuereche·
Þat schal nouõt þenche hem gode·
¶ No hadde he no raþer þat word yseyd·
As it is in þe stori leyd Þer com a windes blast·
Þat fende & soule & kniõt vp went
Almest in to þe firmament·
& seþþen adon him cast·
¶ Into a stinkand riuer·
Þat vnder þe mounteyn ran o fer·
As quarel of alblast·
& cold it was as ani ise
Þe pain may no man demise·
Þat him was wrouõt in hast·
¶ Seyn owain in þe water was dreynt
& wer þer in so mad & feynt·
Þat neiõe he was for lore·
Sone so he on god miõt þenchen ouõt·
Out of þe water he was ybrouõt·
& to þe lond ybore·
¶ Þat ich pain ich vnderstond·
Is for boþe niþe & ond·
Þat was so wick liif·
Ond was þe windes blast·
Þat into þe stinking water him cast·
Ich man be war þerbi
??orþ þai ladde him swiþe wiþ alle
Til þai com to an halle·
He no seiõe neuer er non swiche·
Out of þe halle com an hete·
f. 28rb
Þat þe kniõt bigan to swete·
He seiõe so foule a smiche
¶ Þo stint forþer for to gon·
Þe fendes it a perceiued anon·
& were þer of ful fawe·
Turu oõain þai gun to crie·
Or þou schalt wel sone dye·
Bot þou þe wiþdrawe·
¶ & when he com to þe halle dore·
He no hadde neuer sen bifore·
Haluendel þe care·
Þe halle was ful of turmentri·
Þo þat were in þat bayly·
Of blis þai were ful bare·
¶ For al was þe halle grounde·
Ful of pittes þat were rounde
& were ful yfilt
To þe brerdes gret & smal·
Of bras & coper & oþer metal·
& quic bronston ymelt·
¶ & men & wimen þeron stode
& schrist & crid as þai wer wode
For her dedeli sinne·
Sum to þe nauel wode·
& sum to brestes õode·
& sum to þe chin·
¶ Ich man after his misgilt·
In þat pein was ypilt·
To haue þat strong hete·
& sum bere bagges about her swere
Of peus gloweand al of fer·
& swiche mete þer þai ete
¶ Þat were gauelers in her liif
Be war þerbi boþe man & wiif·
Swiche sinne þat õe lete·
& mani soules þer õede vp riõtes·
Wiþ fals misours & fals wiõtes·
Þat fendes opon sete·
¶ Þe fendes to þe kniõt sede·
Þou most baþi in þis lede·
As þan þou hennes go·
For þine okering & for þi sinne·
A parti þou most be wasche herinne·
O cours or to·
f. 28va
¶ Owain drad þat turment·
& cleped to god omnipotent
& his moder marie·
Yborn he was out of þe halle·
Fram þe paines & þe fendes alle
Þo he so loude gan crie·
non þe kniõt was war þer·
Whare sprang out a flaumme o fer
Þat was stark & store
Out þe erþe þe fer aros·
Þo þe kniõt wel sore agros·
As cole & piche it fore
¶ Of seuen maner colours þe fer out went
Þe soules þer in it forbrent·
Sum was õalu & grene
Sum was blac & sum was blo·
Þo þat were þerin hem was ful wo·
& sum as nadder onto sene·
¶ Þe fende haþ þe kniõt ynome·
& to þe pit þai weren ycome·
& seyd þus in her spelle·
Now owain þou miõt solas make·
For þou schalt wiþ our felawes schake·
Into þe pit of helle·
¶ Þis ben our foules in our caghe
& þis is our courtelage
& our castel tour
Þo þat ben herin ybrouõt·
Sir kniõt hou trowestow ouõt·
Þat hem is ani þing sour·
¶ Now turn oõain or to late·
Ar we þe put in at helle gate·
Out no schaltow neuer winne·
For no noise no for no crie
No for no clepeing to marie·
No for no maner ginne·
¶ Her conseil þe kniõt forsoke·
Þe fendes him nom so seiþ þe boke·
& bounde him swiþe fast·
Into þat ich wicke prisoun·
Stinckand & derk fer adoun·
Amidward þai him cast·
¶ Euer þe neþer þat þai him cast·
Þe hatter þe fer on him last·
f. 28vb Þo him gan sore smert·
He cleped to god omnipotent·
To help him out of þat turment·
Wiþ gode wille & stedefast hert·
¶ Out of þe pit he was yborn
& elles he hadde ben forlorn·
To his ending day
Þat is þe pine þat ich of rede·
Is for þe soule sume of prede
Þat schal lasten ay·
¶ Biside þe pit he seiõe & herd·
Hou god al miõten him had ywerd
His cloþes wer al torent·
Forþer couþe he no way·
Þer him þouõt a diuers cuntray·
His bodi was al forbrent·
¶ Þo chaunged owain rode & hewe·
Fendes he seiõe ac non he no knewe·
In þat diuers lond Sum sexti eiõen bere·
Þat loþeliche & griseliche we·
& sum hadde sexti hond·
¶ Þai seyd þou schalt nouõt ben alon·
Þou schalt hauen ous to mon·
To teche þe newe lawes·
As þou hast ylernd ere·
In þe stede þer þou were·
Amonges our felawes
¶ Þe fendes han þe kniõt ynome·
To a stinkand water þai ben ycome
He no seiõe neuer er non swiche·
It stank fouler þan ani hounde
& mani mile it was to þe grounde
& was as swart as piche
¶ & owain seiõe þer ouer ligge·
A swiþe strong naru brigge·
Þe fendes seyd þo·
Lo sir kniõt sestow þis·
Þis is þe brigge of paradis
Here ouer þou most go·
¶ & we þe schul wiþ stones prowe·
& þe winde þe schal ouer blowe
& wirche þe ful wo·
Þou no schalt for al þis midnerd·
f. 29ra
Bot õif þou falle amidwerd·
To our fewes mo·
¶ & when þou art adoun yfalle·
Þan schal com our felawes alle
& wiþ her hokes þe hede·
We schul þe teche a newe play·
Þou hast serued ous mani a day·
& into helle þe lede·
¶ Owain biheld þe brigge smert·
Þe water þer vnder blac & swert·
& sore him gan to drede·
For of oping he tok õeme
Neuer mot in soune heme·
Þicker þan þe fendes õede
¶ Þe brigge was al heiõe as a tour·
& as scharpe as a rasour·
& naru it was also
& þe water þat þer ran vnder·
Brend o liõting & of ponder·
Þat þouõt him michel wo·
¶ Þer nis no clerk may write wiþ ynke
No no man no may biþinke
No no maister deuine·
Þat is ymade forsoþe ywis
Vnder þe brigge of paradis·
Haluendel þe pine·
¶ So þe dominical ous telle·
Þer is þe pure entre of helle·
Sein poule berþ witnesse·
Whoso falleþ of þe brigge adoun·
Of him nis no redempcioun·
Noiþer more no lesse·
¶ Þe fendes seyd to þe kniõt þo·
Ouer þis brigge miõt þou nouõt go·
For noneskines nede·
Fle peril sorwe & wo·
& to þat stede þer þou com fro·
Wel fair we schul þe lede·
¶ Owain anon him gan biþenche·
Fram hou mani of þe fendes wrenche·
God him saued hadde·
He sett his fot opon þe brigge·
No feld he no scharp egge
No no þing him no drad·
f. 29rb
¶ When þe fendes y seiõe þo·
Þat he was more þan half ygo
Loude þai gun to crie·
Allas allas þat he was born·
Þis ich kniõt we haue forlorn·
Out of our baylie·
¶ When he was of þe brigge ywent·
He þonked god omnipotent·
& his moder marie·
Þat him hadde swiche grace ysent·
He was deliuerd fro her turment·
Intil a better baylie·
¶ A cloþ of gold him was ybrouõt·
In what maner he nist nouõt·
Þo god him hadde ysent
Þat cloþ he dede on him þere·
& alle woundes hole were·
Þat er þen was forbrent
¶ He þonked god in trinite·
& loked forþer & gan yse·
As it were a ston wal·
He biheld about fer & neiõe
Nou ende þeron he no seiõe·
O red gold it schon al·
¶ Forþer more he gan yse·
A gate non fairer miõt be·
In þis world ywrouõt·
Tre no stel nas þeron non·
Bot rede gold & precious ston·
& al god made of nouõt·
¶ Jaspers topes & cristal·
Margarites & coral·
& riche saferstones·
Ribes & salidoines·
Onicles & causteloines·
& diamaunce for þe nones·
¶ In tabernacles þai wer ywrouõt
Richer miõt it be nouõt·
Wiþ pilers gent & smal·
Arches ybent wiþ charbukel ston·
Knottes of rede gold þer opon·
& pinacles of cristal·
¶ Bi as miche as our saueour·
Is queinter þan goldsmitþe oþer paintour·
f. 29va
Þat woneþ in ani lond·
So faire þe gates of paradis·
Er richer ywrouõt forsoþe ywis
As õe may vnderstond
¶ Þe gates bi hemselue vndede·
Swiche a smal com out of þat stede
As it al baume were·
& of þat ich swetenisse
Þe kniõt tok so gret strengþe ywis
As õe may forþeward here·
¶ Þat him þouõt he miõt wel·
More bi a þousand del S
uffri pain & wo·
& turn oõain siker a pliõt
& ogani alle fendes siõt·
Þer he er com fro·
¶ Þe kniõt õode þe gate ner·
& seiõe þer com wiþ milde chere·
Wel main processioun·
Wiþ tapers & chaundelers of gold
Nou fairer no miõt ben on mold·
& croices & goinfainoun·
¶ Popes wiþ gret diginite·
& cardinals gret plente·
Kinges & quenes þer were·
Kniõtes abbotes & priours
Monkes chanouns & frere prechours·
& bischops þat croices bere·
¶ Frere menours & jacobins·
Frere carmes & frere austines
& nounes white & blake·
Al maner religioun·
Þer õede in þat processioun·
Þat order hadde ytake·
¶ Þe order of wedlake com also·
Men & wimen mani & mo·
& þonked godes grace·
Þat haþ þe kniõt swiche grace ysent
He was deliuerd from þe fendes turment·
Quic man into þat plas
¶ & when þai hadde made þis melody·
Tvay com out of her compeyne·
Palmes of gold þai bere
f. 29vb
To þe kniõt þai ben ycome·
Bitvix hem hem tvay þai han him nome
& erchebischopes it were
¶ Vp & doun þai ladde þe kniõt
& schewed him ioies of more miõt
& miche melodye
Mirie were her carols þere·
Non foles among hem nere·
Bot ioie & menstracie·
¶ Þai õede on carol al biliue·
Her ioie may no man deuine
Of god þai speke & song·
& angels õeden hem to gy·
Wiþ harpe & fiþel & sautry
& belles miri rong·
¶ No may þer no man caroly inne·
Bot þat he be clene of sinne
& leten alle foly·
Now god for þine woundes alle·
Grant ous caroly in þat halle
& his moder marie·
¶ Þis ich ioie as õe may se
Is for loue & charite·
Oõain god & mankinne
Who þat lat erþely loue be·
& loueþ god in trinite·
He may caroly þerinne·
þer ioies he seiõe anouõ·
Heiõe tres wiþ mani a bouõ·
Þeron sat foules of heuen·
& breke her notes wiþ miri gle
Burdoun & mene gret plente·
& hautain wiþ heiõe steuen·
¶ Him þouõt wele liue þeramong
Til þe worldes ende·
Þer he seiõe þat tre of liif·
Wharþurch þat adam & his wiif
To helle gun wende·
¶ Fair were her erbers wiþ floures·
Rose & lili diuers colours·
Primrol & paruink·
Mint feþerfoy & eglentere·
f. 30ra
Colombin & mo þer were·
Þan ani man mai biþenke·
¶ It beþ erbes of oþer maner·
Þan ani in... [erþe groweþ here]
Þo þat is lest of priis·
Euermore þai greue springeþ
For winter no somer it no clingeþ
& swetter þan licorice·
¶ Þer beþ þe welles in þat stede·
Þe was is swetter þan ani mede
Ac on þer is of priis
Swiche þat seynt owain seiõe þo·
Þat foure stremes vrn fro·
Out of paradis·
¶ Dison men clepeþ þat o strem·
Þat is of swiþe briõt lem·
Gold is þer in yfounde·
Fison men clepeþ þat oþer ywis·
Þat is of miche more priis·
Of stones in þe grounde
¶ Þe þridde strem is eufrates·
Forsoþe to telle wiþouten les·
Þat rinneþ swiþe riõt·
Þe ferþ strem is tigris·
In þe world is make nis·
Of stones swiþe briõt·
¶ Who loueþ to liue in clenesse·
He schal haue þat ich blisse·
& se þat semly siõt·
& more he þer yseiõe·
Vnder godes glorie an heiõe·
Yblisced his miõt·
¶ Sum soule he seyõe woni bi selue·
& sum bi ten & bi tvelue·
& euerich com til oþer
& when þai com togiders ywis·
Alle þai made miche blis·
As soster doþ wiþ þe broþer
¶ Sum he seiõe gon in rede scarlet·
& sum in pourper wele ysett·
& sum in sikelatoun·
As þe prest ate masse wereþ·
Tonicles & aubes on hem þai bereþ·
f. 30rb
& sum gold bete al doun·
¶ Þe kniõt wele in alle þing·
Knewe bi her cloþeing·
In what state þat þai weren·
& what dedes þai hadde ydo·
Þo þat were ycloþed so·
While þai were mannes fere·
¶ Ichil õou tel a fair semblaunce
Þat is a gode acordaunce·
Bi þe sterres clere
Sum ster is briõter onto se·
Þan is bisides oþer þre
& of more þou were
¶ In þis maner ydelt it is·
Bi þe ioies of parabis
Þai no haue nouõt al yliche·
Þe soule þat haþ ioie lest·
Him þenkeþ he haþ aldermest·
& holt him also riche·
¶ Þe bischopes oõain to him come·
Bitven hem tvay þai him nome·
& ladde him vp & doun·
& seyd broþer god herd he be·
Fulfild is þi volente·
Now herken our resoun·
¶ Þou hast yse wiþ eiõen þine·
Boþe þe ioies & þe pine
Yherd be godes grace
We wil þe tel bi our comun dome·
What way it was þat þou bi come·
Er þou hennes pas·
¶ Þat lond þat is so ful of sorwe·
Boþe anen & a morwe·
Þat þou þus com bi·
Þou suffredes pain & wo·
& oþer soules mani mo·
Men clepeþ it purgatori
¶ & þis lond þat is so wide·
& so michel & so side·
& is ful of blis·
Þat þou hast now in y be·
& mani ioies here y se Paradis is cleped ywis·
f. 30va
¶ Þer mai no man comen here·
Til þat he be spourged þere
& ymade al cleue·
Þan comeþ þai hider þe bischop sede·
Into þe ioie we schul hem lede·
Sumwhile bi tvelue & tene·
¶ & sum ben so hard ybounde·
Þai schul suffri þat hete·
Bot õif her fendes do godenisse·
Õif mete or do sing messe·
Þat þai han in erþe ylete
¶ Oþer ani oþer almosdede·
Alle þe better hem may spede·
Out of her missays
& com into þis paradis·
Þer ioie & blis euer is·
& libbe here al in pays·
¶ As hye comeþ out of purgatori·
So passe we vp to godes glori·
Þat is þe heiõe riche·
Þat is paradis celestien·
Þerin com bot cristen men·
No ioie nis þat yliche
¶ When we comen out of þe fer·
Of purgatori ar we com her·
We no may nouõt anon riõt·
Til we han her long ybe·
We may nouõt godes face yse·
No in þat stede aliõt·
¶ Þe child þat was yborn toniõt·
Er þe soule be hider ydiõt·
Þe pain schal ouer fle·
Strong & heui is it þan·
Here to com þe old man·
Þat long in sinne haþ be·
¶ Forþ þai went til þai seiõe·
A mounteyn þat was swiþe heiõe
Þer was al gamen & gle·
So long þai hadde þe way ynome·
Þat to þe cop þai weren ycome·
Þe ioies for to se·
¶ Þer was al maner foulen song·
Michel ioie was hem among·
f. 30vb & euer more schal be·
¶ Þer is more ioie in a foules mouþe·
Þan here in harp fiþel or crouþe
Bi lond oþer bi se·
¶ Þat lond þat is so honestly·
Iis ycleped paradis terestri·
Þat is in erþe here·
Þat ouer is paradis godes riche
Þilke ioie haþ non yliche·
& is aboue þe aire·
¶ In þat þat is in erþe here·
Was owain þat y spac of here·
Swiche þat les adam·
For hadde adam yhold him stille·
& wrouõt after godes wille·
As he oõain him nam
¶ He no his ofspring neuermo·
Out of þat ioie no schuld haue go·
Bot for he brac it so sone·
Wiþ pike & spade in diche to delue·
To help his wiif & himselue·
God made him miche to done·
¶ God was wiþ him so wroþ·
Þat he no left him no cloþ·
Bot a lef of a tre
& al naked õede & stode·
Loke man õif hye ner wode
At swiche a conseil to be·
¶ Þo com an angel wiþ a swerd o fer·
& wiþ a stern loke and chere·
& made hem sore aferd·
In erþe to ben in sorwe & wo·
Þer while þai liued euermo·
He drof hem to midnerd·
¶ & when he dyed to helle he nam·
& al þat euer of him cam
Til godes sone was born·
& suffred pain & passioun·
& brouõt him out of þat prisoun·
& elles were al forlorn·
¶ Here of spekeþ dauid in þe sauter
Of a þing þat toucheþ here
Of god in trinite·
Opon men þat ben in gret honour·
f. 31ra
& honoureþ nouõt her creatour·
Of so heiõe dignite·
¶ Alle þat ben of adames
kinne
{Here are fourteen lines missing over three paragraphs, beginning with the current paragraph and ending in the next paragraph, due to a miniature having been cut from the manuscript.}
¶ ...
B...
In þe paine...
& bot he haue þe better chaunce·
At domesday he is in balaunce·
Oõaines god in glorie·
¶ Þe bischopes þe kniõt hete·
To tellen him þat he no lete
Wheþer heuen were white or biis
Blewe or rede õalu or grene·
Þe kniõt seyd wiþouten wene·
Y schal say min aviis·
¶ Me þenkeþ it is a þousand fold·
Briõter þan euer was ani gold·
Bi siõt opon to se·
Õa seyd þe bischop to þe kniõt·
Þat ich stede þat is so briõt·
Nis bot þe entre·
¶ & ich day ate gate o siþe·
Ous comeþ a mele to make ous bliþe·
Þat is to our biheue·
A swete smal of al gode·
It is our soule fode·
Abide þou schalt ous leue·
¶ Anon þe kniõt was war þere·
Whare sprong out a flaumbe o fer·
Fram heuen gate it fel·
Þe kniõt þouõt al fer & neiõe·
Þat ouer al paradis it fleiõe·
& õaf so swete a smal·
f. 31rb
¶ Þe holy gost in fourme o fer·
Opon þe kniõt liõt þer·
In þat ich place·
Þurch vertu of þat ich liõt·
Heles þer al his erþelich miõt·
& þonked godes grace·
¶ Þus þe bischop to him sede·
God set ous ich day wiþ his brede·
Ac we no haue noure neiõe·
So grete likeing of his grace·
No swiche a siõt opon his face·
As þo þat ben on heiõe
¶ Þe soules þat beþ at godes fest·
Þilche ioie schal euer lest·
Wiþouten ani ende·
Now þou most bi our comoun dome·
Þat ich way þat þou bicome·
Oõain þou most wende·
¶ Now kepe þe wele fram dedli sinne
Þat þou neuer com þerinne·
For nonskines nede·
When þou art ded þou schalt wende·
Into þe ioie þat haþ non ende·
Angels schul þe lede·
¶ Þo wepe seynt owain swiþe sore
& prayd hem for godes ore·
Þat he most þer duelle·
Þat he no seiõe neuer more·
As he hadde do bifore·
Þe strong paines of helle·
¶ Of þat praier gat he no gain·
He nam his leue & went oõain·
Þei him were swiþe wo·
Fendes he seiõe ten þousand last·
Þay flowe fram him as quarel of alblast
Þat he er com fro·
¶ No nere þan a quarel miõt fle·
No fende no miõt him here no se·
For al þis warld to winne·
& when þat he com to þe halle·
Þe þritten men he fond alle·
Oõaines him þerinne·
¶ Alle þai held vp her hond·
& þonked ihesu cristes sond·
f. 31va A þousand times & mo·
& bad him heiõe þat he no wond·
Þat he wer vp in yrlond·
As swiþe as he miõt go·
¶ & as ich finde in þis stori·
Þe priour of þe purgatori·
Com to kening þat miõt·
Þat owain hadde on comen his sorwe
& schuld com vp on þe morwe·
Þurch grace of god almiõt
¶ Þan þe priour wiþ processioun·
Wiþ croice & wiþ goinfainoun·
To þe hole he went ful riõt
Þer þat kniõt owain in wende·
As a briõt fere þat brende·
Þai seiõe a lem of liõt·
¶ & riõt amiddes þat ich liõt
Com vp owain godes kniõt·
Þo wist þai wele bi þan·
Þat owain hadde ben in paradis·
& in purgatori ywis·
& þat he was holy man·
¶ Þai hadde him into holi chirche·
Godes werkes for to wirche·
His praiers he gan make·
& at þe ende on þe fiften day
Þe kniõt anon forsoþe to say·
Scrippe & burdoun gan take·
¶ Þat ich holy stede he souõt·
Þer ihesus crist ous dere bouõt·
Opon þe rode tre·
& þer he ros fram ded to liue·
Þurch vertu of his woundes fiue·
Yblisced mot he be·
¶ & bedlem þer þat god was born·
Of mari his moder as flour of þorn·
& þer he stiõe to heuen·
& seþþen into yrlond he come·
& monkes abite vndernome·
& liued þere õeres seuen
¶ & when he deyd he went ywis·
Into þe heiõe ioie of paradis·
Þurch help of godes grace·
Now god for seynt owains loue·
Graunt ous heuenblis aboue·
Bifor his swete face·amen·
Explicit