Þe barouns þat were of miche pris · bitven him þai weren ywild·
Alle þe lond þat euer was his · biforn him alle õoung & old·
He madde his soster chef & piis · þat mani siõeing for him ded sold·
¶ & bitauõt hir þe kniõt · þat trewe was in tong & tale·
To kepe þat leuedi ariõt· wiþ blisse & wiþ eueriche hale·
Þer was ferly sorwe & siõt · when þai schuld a sondri fare·
Þerl wald ney dyen vpriõt ·to no man couþe he telle his care·
¶ Þe kniõt toke leue & went his way · wiþ hir þat was briõt so blosme on brere·
No stint he for no clot in clay · al what to his owen were·
Þer cam a leuedi briõt so day · oõeines him wiþ glad chere·
& seyd sir welcom be þou ay ·mi trewe lord & õour fere
¶ Wel feir he hir vnderstod · þan sche was of hors aliõt·
& serued hir wiþ glad mode · as he was trewe & gentil kniõt·
Bi þe riõt hond his wiif he toke · to a chaumber sche went ariõt·
& told his wiif & nouõt forsoke · what treweþe þat he hadde hir pliõt·
¶ He told his wiif word & oþer · hou it was falle of þat dede·
Wiþ child sche goþ wiþ hir broþer we moten hir help ac þis nede·
Also þou louest þi reutes riif · for noþing þat may be·
Ne lete þou no born liif þer of wite bot we þre·
¶ No man in lond child no wiif astow art leuedi gent & fre·
Þat ich no here þer of no striif · of þat þou schalt here & se·
Þe leuedi him answerd sone · Iihesu hir wele vnbinde· ["i" = cancelled]
Also he made sonne & mone · blosme on brere lef on linde·
¶ Ich am glad of hir coming · sori þat ich hir sike finde·
Þurch þe help of heuen king · we schul ben hir wel kinde·
Þan þe time ycomen was · þe leuedi schuld deliuerd be·
A sone sche hadde þurch godes grace · ycomen he was of kin fre·
Þe leuedi seyd as sche was won · to hir þat was white so blosme on tre·
Þou hast sche seyd a lefli sone · as ani sinful man may se·
¶ At þat bereing of þat wiõt · was no liues þing in lond·
Bot þat leuedi & þat kniõt · þe king of heuen sent his sond·
Þe stori y can rade ariõt · wiþ tong speke & stille stond·
Seyn gregori was born þat niõt · þat seþþen was pope in lond·
¶ Þat niõt þat he was born to man his moder was in gret þouõt·
Hou he was biõeten & or wham · hou dere sche him hadde y bouõt·
Wiþ tong alle on wiþ outen man · wiþ care icham alle þurch souõt·
Helpe leuedi for y no can · hou þis child schal forþ be brouõt·
¶ Õif þis childe duelle stille here · men wil þer of speke & wite·
Þe word schal spring fer & ner · hou he was born & biõete·
Bot men wil don as ich hem lere no schal y neuer ete mete·
In oþer londes þan ben here · help & socour he may gete·
¶ Sche bad anon men schuld take · a tonne þat was newe ywrouõt·
A bot on þe brim make þat ·
þe winde it miõt bere aloft·
Þo gun ?we ??? ?for? hir sake · ?& ?d ? ?ri weren in hir þouõt·
¶ Þe kniõt ?? ?re wold dye · he seyd hir þat it schuld be so·
A bot ?þat ???i bi þe weye · hir wille þai fonden for to do·
Þai ?toke ?wriõtes of werkes sleye · al for to grant hir bone·
& a cradel þat sche þer seye · hir wille þai fonded for to done·
¶ Þer sche on hir bed sat · hir child sche held in armes to·
Þe first word þat sche þer spak · sche seyd mi gamen is al go·
Now ihesu crist þat sitt in trone · rade me wele for to do·
& sende me þi grace sone · no was me neuer er so wo·
¶ Þan sche hadde õouen him souke ·& in þe cradel fast him fest·
Wiþ riche cloþes sche gan him louke · þe croice sche made opon his brest·
Markes four of gold prout · vnder þe heued sche had yfest·
Ten mak of siluer þer wiþ out · vnder þe fet sche hadde y prest·
¶ Tables sche toke sone riche · of yuori layen hir bi fore·
Wiþ honden sche wrot & sore gan sike · hou he was biõeten & bore·
Sche seyd wale way wel õare · mi joie ichaue alle for lore·
No may no tong telle þe care · þat is me now riõt bifore·
¶ For no þing sche no lett in þe tables wrot sche þanne·
Þat men him schuld to scole him sett · & õif him name of cristen manne·
Õif auentour bitide euer more · he com to liue & were a man·
He miõt se þe sinnes sore · hou he was õeten & of wham·
¶ A cloþ of silk sche wond him inne · þat was of swiþe feir ble·
Þe tables sche leyd vnder his chinne · þat men miõt hem boþen y se· ["men" inserted above]
Þan was he don þe tonne wiþ inne þe bot was feir made of tre·
& bar him doun to þe brim · bi tauõt him god & þe salt se·
¶ Þan þai come to hir wel sone · þer sche lay wel sike in þouõt·
& tolden hou þai hadden done of þat hye hadde hem bisouõt·
Þe bot feir y made wiþ brome · vp þe water newe ywrouõt·
Þe tonne & þe litel grome
· In to þe see we han ybrouõt·
Þat oþer
day on þe morwe · þan herd sche a reuful red·
a messanger com wiþ sorwe & teld hir þat hir broþer was ded·
Þe kniõtes þat wer to hir swore · brouõt hir word & to hir seyd·
Þat he was to deþ y drore · & vnder erþe schuld be leyd·
¶ Þo was hir care newe sche tok sikeinges þre·
& war al wan of hir hewe · þat was wite so blosme on tre·
Þan seyd þe kniõt was to hir trewe · y wot no gameþ þe no gle·
No helpeþ it no þing for to rewe · as god wil so schal it be·
¶ Þou schalt graiþe þe ful õare · õif þou dost after mi þouõt·
& to þi broþer biriing fare · are he be in erþe y brouõt·
No helpeþ it no þing to care · y not no gayneþ it þe nouõt·
Þi feir rode to make it bare · & sle þi self wiþ idel þouõt·
¶ Þo sche held hir stille & milde · hir for we was strong & sterne·
Þe þridde day of hir childe ·
to chirche sche õede of hir berne·
Þat he ne mot be milde · & soffre godes wille·
¶ Þai bosked to þe biriing · þe kniõt þat couþe of þe roune·
Þe þridde day of hir childing · no lenge hadde sche so ioure·
Wel arliche in a morwening · opon a palfrey broune·
Wiþ dreri hert & wiþ morning · þe leuedi went out of þe toune·
¶ Þan sche com to hir halle · þer was sikeing & wayle way·
Sche fel adoun toforn hem alle · biforn hir broþer þer he lay·
Þan sche seye him vnder palle · sche seyd allas þat ilke day·
Þe kniõtes on hir gun calle ·
& fram þe bare token hir oway·
Þo he was in erþe
y brouõt · & leyd vnder cloudes cold·
Þe
leuedi was wiþ sorwe þurch souõt · hir kniõtes
were stark & bold·
Wiþ riõt þe tale it was y wrouõt · þe kniõtes þe tale hir told·
Þe leuedi þat dreri was in þouõt · hir tounes wer take in hir hold·
¶ Þo was sche knowen þat leuedi · bi alle þe londes side·
& maiden clene hold of hir bodi · þer of þe word wide sprong wide
Princes proud þat weren y sene · to hir þai busked hem to ride·
No was þer non so lef ich wene · þat sche þouõt to his loue abide·
¶ Alle loued hir wild & tame · þat wiþ mouþe herd hir speke·
Sche halpe þe pouer & þe lame · þe deuel fram hir for to wreke·
Chirches chapels boþe y same · werche sche dede þurch godes wille·
Þe riche of hir hadde game · þe pouer loued hir loude & stille·
¶ A riche douke of miõt strong · of rome he was as õe may here·
For coueitise of hir lond · he wald hir wedde & haue to fere·
Þan gan sche sike & sorwe among · & dreri was in hir chere·
Ywis sche seyd he haþ wrong · y loue him nouõt in hert dere·
¶ He seye he miõt no þing spede · no nouõt wiþ hir his wille do·
Bateyle on hir he gan bede · wiþ alle þat miõt ride & go·
& seyd he wald oway hir lede · õif þat he miõt comen hir to·
Abouten hir he sett his segge hir tounes þan brent he þo·
¶ Sche swore sche schuld hir neuer õeld · bot he wiþ strenge hir wonne·
Til þat þe child were comen to eld · þat sche lete fasten in þe tonne·
Õete may god swiche grace sende · þat made boþe mone & sonne·
Õete he may liue & wele ende ·
þat þe douk him haþ bi gonne·
Now lete we þis
leuedi be · & telle we hou þe child was founde·
listeneþ now alle to me y wot it sanke nouõt to þe grounde·
Al þat god wil haue don þan schal be · riõt as his moder him hadde y wounde
Þe winde him drof fer in þe se · swiþe fer in þilke stounde·
¶ To fischers weren out y sent þat breþeren were boþe y wene·
Out of an abbay þai weren ysent · wiþ nettes & wiþ ores kene·
To lache fische to þat couenr · þe monkes þai þouõt to queme·
Þat day was hem no grace y lent · for stormes þat were so breme·
¶ Erlich in a morning · er liõt com of þe day·
Þai seye a bot cum waiueing · wiþ þe child þat in þe cradel lay·
Þe fischers miri gun sing · & þider þai tok þe riõt way·
¶ Þe tonne anon to hem þai nome · þat was swiþe wel ywrouõt·
Þai no rouõt whider þe bot y com · þat þe tonn þider br?rouõt· [second "r" subpuncted?]
To rist riõt as õede þe mone · þer risen stormes gret aloft·
To lache fische hadde þai no tome · to toun to nim was al her þouõt·
¶ Fast þai drowen to þe lond · wiþ ores gode y made of tre·
For stormes wald þai no þing wond · drenched wende þai wele to be·
Þa bot com opon þe strond · þe fischers õif he miõt se·
Also god sent his sond · þat child schuld y saued be·
¶ Þe abot þat was þider sent · biheld þe tonne was made of tre·
Þer on were his eyõen ylent · anon seyd þat abot fre·
Whare haue õe þis tonne y hent · & what may þer in be·
No seyõe y neuer swiche a present ·
in fischers bot in þe se·
Þe fischers answerd
boþe y liche · to þe abot þai speken anon·
Bi þe king of heuen riche · our þinges be þer in ydon·
Þat child þan bigan to scriche · wiþ steuen as it were a grome·
Þe fischers were a drad of wreche · þai nist what þai miõt done·
¶ Þabot bad wiþ outen wouõ · vndo þe tonne þat he þer say·
Þe fischers were radi anouõ · to don his wille þat ich day·
A cloþ of silk þabot vp drouõ · þat on þe childes cradel lay·
Þo lai þat litel child & louõ · opon þabot wiþ eyõen gray·
¶ Þabot held vp boþe his hond · wiþ hert gode to crist y went·
& seyd lord y þank þi sond · þat þou me hast õouen & lent·
Of yuori tables long · þabot fond þer in pressent·
Þer to he gan sone fong · & seyõe what þer was writen & dent·
¶ Þabot bad þe fischers boþe · ten mark & þe cradel take·
& bad þai schuld nouõt be wroþ for þat litel childes sake·
Þo was þat siluer alle her owe · þe tresore to hem þai gun take·
Anon þai were alle bi knowe · hou þai fond þat litel knape·
¶ Þat ot fischer was riche of wele · & hadde halle of lim & ston·
Þat oþer was pouer & had children fele · gold no siluer hadde he non·
Þabot toke wiþ him to bere · ten marke & þe litel grome·
& bad him telle for non auõt · in what maner he was y come·
¶ Bot sigge his douhter þat ich nauõt · to bere þat child for god aboue·
& bid þe abot õif he mauõt · cristen him for godes loue·
He tok þat child wiþ outen hete · & bar it hom wiþ 0uten wrake·
A wiman had he sone y gete · him to bere cristen to make·
¶ When þe fischer y eten hadde · no wold he no lenger late·
To þabot sone he ladde · & fond him redi atte gate·
Þabot wist þer of anouõ · it no was him no þing loþ·
Þe fisher þan þechild forþ drouõ · wiþ salt & wiþ þe crisme cloþ·
¶ Mi douhter sent õou þis child · to cristen it wiþ outen oþ·
Þabot louõ þat was milde
· & wiþ hem to chirche he goþ·
Prest & clerk stode þer bi · wiþ tapers liõt & holy boke·
¶ & þe child feir & sleye · he cristned in þe salt flod·
& seþþen baren it vp an heyõe · offred it to þe holy rod· ["it" inserted above]
Þabot dede so he schuld · þe cloþ he tok wele to hold·
? ?? four mark of gold · & þe tables þat ich of told· ["s" inserted above]
? ?????????????????????????? mode · In cloþe fast þai gun him fold·
? ????????????????? & god · þe child he tok wele to hold·
? ???????????? men toõares fiue · wel hende it was þat child to lok·
? ????????? þat it gan þriue · he nam & sett it to boke·
? ???? him lere fast & swiþe · y schal þe finde anouõ y wis·
Who so wil þe stori liþe · wordes he may heren of blis·
What helpeþ it long for to drawe · gregorij couþe wele his pars·
& wele rad & song in lawe · & vnder stode wele his ars·
¶ ? ?? went he on aday to plawe as children don atte bars
? ????????? toke wiþ his felawe · ac gregorij þe stronger was·
? ????????? s he were wode · to him fast sone he lepe·
? ????????? as of vnmild mod for hert tene sore he wepe·
? ????????? to his moder sone · wiþ grim hert & wiþ gret·
? ??????????nþe anon· hou gregorij him hadde y bede
? ??????? is awonder þing· no can sche nouõt hir wordes lete·
Wiþ outen aniskines duelling· sche gan gregori to þrete·
¶ & seyd þou treytour fondling · whi hastow mi sone y bete·
In þis world is man liuiing · þat wot hou þou was biõete·
Gregorii stod stille so ston· wiþ dreri hert hom he nome
O word spac he þer non· til he to þabot come·
? ??? hert fre he made his mone · þan seyd þabot leue sone·
? ?????? artow comen so dreri hom· who haþ þe seyd don ouõt bot loue· ["don" inserted above]
? ?????? yd þe child wiþ outen lesing · þe fischers wif is vnhende
? ???????? ed me traitour fondling· & seyd y ne am nouõt of þi kende·
? ????? þabot be stille · swiche þouõt lete þou be·
? ??????? ade & sing schirlle· þer fore þis hous his graunted þe·
? ??????????? schal ful fille· wiþ alle þe monkes her in be·
When god of me haþ don his wille· þou schalt ben abot after me·
¶ Nay for soþe quaþ he sone· þi þouõt is now fro min riõt·
Ac õif þou wilt ouõt for me don· õif me order to be kniõt·
To þat mister ichil gon· helme to bere & brini briõt·
Oþer mister wil y non· þer whiles icham so õong & liõt·
¶ Bi him þat made þe water· & lef to spring on grene tre· ["þe"jinserted above ?erasure]
Til ich wite who be mi fader· no schal y neuer bliþe be·
& who me õaf cloþ & hater· til þat y mi moder se·
Þer fore to drenche in salt water· fro þis schame y wil now fle·
¶ Þabot no miõt þat child lett· for no bode of pans rounde·
Þe cloþ of silke he þer
fet· þat gregori was in y wounde·
His tables in his hond he sett · þat bad him rede þat he þer founde·
Þe kniõt answerd soneoõein· þe tables þer held an hond·
Bitven hem wiþ outen sweyn· he radde alle þat he þer fond·
Õif it be soþe þe letters seyn· michel it is opon mi þouõt·
Of aõong child adouõti sweyn· of what lond he is no telleþ he nouõt·
Þan he hadde þe letters rad· þat in þe tables were y w?????
Whar was þe child he seyd bi stad· þat in tonne was y le????
& whider þe water haþ him lad· telle me õif þat õe wite·
Þabot biheld þe child & bad· þat he schuld bi him site·
He told him wel sone anon· in what maner he was y founde
þe cloþ of silk þou hast opon· þat þou were in õong y wounde·
Fiue markes of gold euerichon · lo hem here hole & sounde·
& þine tables of yuori bon· þat feir ben & eke rounde·
¶ Now is þe time comen to þende· y swere bi ihesu heuene king·
Þat y nam nouõt of þi kende· bot y hold for a fondling·
Now ihesu leue me grace to wende· þer nu schame may be hed
& seþþen after mi riõt hende· þat ich was of comen & bred·
¶ Þabot present him a schip· þer þat mani stode a rouwe·
Þe child was hende & þerin lip· at her parting he wepe aþ rouwe
Þe ropes wer fast y knett· to þe se þai gun drawe·
Þe winde on her seyl was sett· & hard hi gan for to blowe·
¶ & drof him to þe londes side· þat wasin his moder hond·
Gregorij com wiþ michel pride· as kniõtof vncouþe lond·
Mani man wendeþ fer & wide· moche may heren & sen among·
Atte last hon schal bitide· his auentour be it neuer so strong·
¶ Þan gregorij cam out of þe bargge· he hade awel gode stede·
Helme & brini & briõt targge· kniõt he semed gode at nede·
Þis felle in þe time of marche· þat ich of sing & rede·
He tok his in as kniõt large· to þe portrenes hous he õede·
¶ Þe portrene seyõe þat he was hende· & wel feir him vnder stode·
Him þouõt he þouõt
he was of gode kende· & eke amilde man of mode· ["he
þouõt" struck through]
Bot at þe þridde dayes ende· als so þai saten atte bord·
His ost seyd wider wiltow wende· & gregori no spac no word·
¶ Ac bleþeliche wite he wold· haþ her ben ani wer long·
Oþer ani man þat dorst hold· akniõt vncouþe þat wer strong·
His ost wel sone him told· what wer was hem among·
Our bestes ben robbed&sold· our
tounes brent al wiþ wrong·
Gregorij seyd what ayleþ
þat· whi ne drawe õe to acord & loue·
his ost seyd sone for what· bi ihesu þat sitt ous al aboue·
Þurch amaiden hende of pris· is þis were al y come·
& þurch adouk þat vnhende is· þat wold hir haue to wiue ynome·
¶ So trewe in lond y not no may· of bodi so feir & so fre·
To morwe sone when it is day· þe leuedi þou schalt at chirche se·
Reseyued bestow sone anon· õif þou wilt serue & wiþ hir be· ["wilt" inserted above]
¶ Gregori was feir wiþ alle· of bodi forto bi hold·
Schred he was in gode palle· when day com þat he go schold·
Ariseþ he seyd õif õe be õare· redy icham to chirche y wold
His ost spac & õaf answare· & õede forþ wiþ þe bird so bold·
¶ When he was to chirche y come· to se þe leuedi hende & gode·
Wel gentil was þat feir gome· & gret his moder þer sche stode·
Þe leuedi þat was so trewe of loue· þer sche lay bi for þe rode·
Þe cloþ of silk sche knewe aboue· þat sche him õaf in to þe se flode·
¶ Þe comely leuedy feir of hewe· loked on him wiþ eyõen to·
Bot no þing sche him knewe· so long he hadde ben hir fro·
Hir eyõen on him fast sche þrewe· & seyõe wele sche loued him þo·
Þe cloþ of silk sche seyõe al newe· þat sche him õaf þan hir was wo·
¶ Þe leuedi sone anoþer þouõt· þat o cloþ was oþer y liche·
Sche loked on him þat ous bouõt· þe kniõt of kin sche þouõt riche· ["sche" inserted above]
Þe steward þer sche õaf þe dome· vnder fong him queyntliche ["sche inserted above]
Þo hadde þe strong douke of rome· al bisett hir castel diche·
¶ Ytiõt he hadde his pauiloun· his tentes sprad ful wide·
Baners vp sett & gomfeynoun· about þe castel wiþ pride·
Þe kniõtes þat loked þe toun· to þe castel gun ride·
To wite conseyl & resoun· õif þai schuld þe douk abide·
¶ Gregori was feir of teyle· strong & stef in eueri liþ·
Schame it is he seyd saun feyle· forto libbe in sorwe & siþ·
Ariue we ous & take bateyle & ich me self schal wende õou wiþ
Þe doukes ost we schal aseyle· þat ne loueþ no peys no griþ
¶ Þe kniõt alle in feir schroude· him gan ariue swiþe wel·
At a postern þai wenten out· wiþ scharpe speres & swerdes of stiel·
Þe waites wer stille & no þing loude þai schoten out of þe castel
Gregori was of hert proude· þe doukes ost he bi held eueridel
¶ Ich wot a stede he bi strode· he toke alaunce holle & sounde
Þer þe doukes ost him rode· þe erþe diued & þe grounde·
As he þe stori wrot me seyd· he was þer worþ a hundred pounde·
Wiþ spere scharp & swerd he leyd· adoun al þat he þer founde·
¶ Þe folk out of þe castel cam· wiþ launces heye & gomfeynoun·
Þe douk was wele ywar of ham· wiþ grete route vnder þe toun·
A litel wiõt after þe none þer was y craked mani a croun·
Mani a kniõt þer died sone· er þan þe sonne õede a doun·
¶ Strong it were me to telle· þe folk þat þer was y slawe·
Also þou sest þe water of welle· þe blod ofþe hille gan doun drawe·
Y wot y schuld long duelle· alle þat soþe for to saye·
So men may here speke & spelle· þer no was no childes playe·
¶ After þe douk souõt gregorij · þurch his ost & þurch his here
Wiþ grim noise he made a cri·
a launce ichil to þe bere·
He bar þe douk o ver his hors teyl· þat he groned as a bere·
¶ Þo was þe douk wiþ strengþe ytake & brouõt to þe conteise sone·
Sche bad men schuld him kepe & wake· for him þat made sonne & mone·
& seyd men schuld neuer slake· his bondes for no mannes bone·
Bot õif he wald hir peys make· of þat he hadde hir misdone·
¶ Þei he war proude & prince beld· raunsoun for his body sche toke·
Wiþ grim eyõen sche him biheld· & dede him swere opon aboke·
To pay þe ransoun at þe time· wiþ outen ani kines striif·
Þe þridde day at heye prime oþer he schuld lese his liif·
¶ Þo was þer pays wel gode in lond· & þer no was no more striif·
Þai þonked alle godes sond· & liued in pes alle her liif·
Fram hir went þe douke þo· to his lond &to his hous·
Bateyls no loued he no mo· for he was
þer al confous·
Gregori was michel of
mounde· bot he was wonderliche pouer·
Into oþer londe he wald founde· grace more forto couer·
To win wele & pans rounde· bot of the gan sike sore·
When he þouõt on þe hard stounde· hou he was biõeten & bore·
¶ He seyd he wold oway fare· more of armes for to do·
Þe cuntas þo hadde care· & seyd sir schal õe nouõt so·
To hir steward spac sche þare· what may we õeuen him er he go·
He no may nouõt wende oway so bare· he haþ y wroken ous of our fo·
¶ Þe steward hir answerd þare· swiche kniõt no wot y non·
Y wot þou dost þi selue care· õif þou lest him fro þe gon·
For he is trewe in ich a tale· strong & stef in ich a bon·
Mani man he haþ don bale· on him þou miõt þi loue wele don·
¶ Þe conseyl was õeuen & sonedon· þe kniõt schuld hir moder wedde·
To chirche þai went swiþe sone· tvay barouns þe leuedi ledde· ["e" inserted above]
Alle þat men schuld to spouseing don· þe prest song þe clerk redde·
Als men schuld wiif vnder fon· &
holden hir to bord & bedde·
Þo was he erl
of gret anour· y knowen in alle aquiteyne·
boþe of castel & of tour· þe folk of him was ful feyne·
Of alle þe gode men of þat lond· manred he toke þat is to seyn·
To be boxsom to his hond· boþe kniõt & eke sweyn·
¶ Gregory forõat him nouõt· of þat sorwe was in his hold·
On his tables was al his þouõt· þer þai were in toun i fold·
Þider he went & sone souõt· þer þai wer in toun to hold·
Markes of gold wele y wrouõt· he õaf þe portrene redi told·
¶ After þat he went wel sone· as prince proude in pride·
& þouõt what he miõt don· & wher he miõt his tables hide·
To a chaunber he õede alon· þat dern was in somers tide·
& leyd hem vnder a ston· þat noman seye þat stode biside·
¶ Þer after wel oft it was his wone· Into þat chaunber for to wende·
Þer in most noman come· no of his sorwe wite non ende·
Þerfore wel oft it was his wori· his bodi forto pine strong·
¶ Þer nis non so dern dede· þat sum time it schal be sene·
Þider in wald he nouõt lede· for soþe noiþer king no quene·
A woman þer of toke hede· þat it was þe lawe ogeyn·
Þat he so oft þider in õede· wiþ outen kniõt oþor sweyn·
¶ On hunting on a day he fore· wiþ in a dale in a forest·
Wiþ houndes þat were liõt on more· for to take þe wilde best·
Þe leuedi at hom so briõt so flour· alone left wiþ outen chest·
Þan was hir told a tiding stour· þer of sche hadde wondermest·
¶ Hou þat þerl him selue alon· a wiman told hir þe tale·
Into þe chaunber was won to gone· wiþ outen felawe gret & smale·
Þer in he makeþ reweli mone· leuedi leue þou wele mi tale·
Þe hewe þat he haþ þan opon it is boþe wan & pale·
¶ Þe leuedi wonder hadde þo· for diol sche wald dye·
What wil he in þat chaunber do· me to sorwe & to treye·
Sche bad hir maidens þer outgo ·a stounde forto pleye·
& þai deden also out of þe chaunber þai toke þe way·
¶ Þan alon sche lest þer inne· non wist what sche ment·
Þe cuntasse nold neuer blinne· þe chaunber dore of hokes sche hent·
Sche souõt & fond wiþ hert vn mild· þe tables þat wiþ hir sone sche sent·
& knewe it was hir owhen child·
þat in hir armes a niõt sche went·
Þo þe leuedi
hadde þe latters radde· þat sche wrot ich wene·
sone sche bi com al mad & wex boþe pale & grene·
Sche fel aswon on hir bed· & loude bi gan for to reme·
Hir steward herd hou sche was bi sted· sone he cam hir to queme·
¶ Sche bad anon men schuld hir fett· hir lord þerl hir bi fore·
& þat noman schuld him lett· as he was hende & to hir swore·
A kniõt on o pal frey him sett· þe lord he fond vnder a tre·
& teld hou þe leuedi gret· & non wist whi it miõt be·
¶ Þerl nold no lenge a bide· at þe wode he lete his houndes alle·
Þe stede he smot bi þe side· al he com to his owhen halle·
Þurch chaumbers boþe heyõe & wide· to ihesu he herd hir calle·
On bed he fel hir biside· y sprad it was wiþ grene palle·
¶ Þe leuedi briõt so blosme on bouõ· hir sone sche kist swiþe sone·
Sori sche was & no þing louõ· sche crid to god þat sitt in trone·
Oft sche hadde ioie anouõ· bitvene þe prime & þe none·
Anoþer þing to sorwe hir drouõ· þe sinnes þat sche hadde done·
¶ When sche waked of þat res· hir sone sche seye hir bifore·
Sche bad him telle wiþ outen les· in what lond he was y bore·
Be stille he seyd & haue þi pes· & lete swiche wordes be for lore·
For loue leuedi þou me ches· icham þine & to þe swore·
¶ Þe tables riche of ynori þe leuedi tok out of hir sleue·
Of whom sche seyd is þis stori·
telle me õif y may þe leue·
Y wot þou art wel dreri· þine sorwes ben euer aliche newe·
¶ He answerd at þat sawe· wiþ hert cheld so ani ston·
& seyd icham wele bi knowe þat in þe se ich was y don·
Biõeten ich was oõaines þe lawe· to god & to þe y sigge·
& out of ioie icham y blawe· mi
soule is brouõt lowe to ligge·
Sche seyd allas mi foule
won· so sinful no was neuer no noþer
now icham wedded to mi sone· þat on me bi õat mi broþer·
Wete ihesu þat sitt aboue· þou wost fram ende to oþer·
Þi michel merci & þi loue· þat sinful man may help & frouer·
¶ Þo seyd þerl y se & finde þat ich long haue ysouõt·
Þat y schal þus knowe mi kinde· y wis no likeþ it me nouõt·
He þat was bi fore schal be bi hinde· þat haþ ous in sorwe brouõt·
& care ful he schal oway winde· as he was glad of our þouõt·
¶ Sone what schal me to rede· y sike for our boþer sake·
Mi blisse schal ben euer guede· mi strong sorwe schal neuer slake·
He bad hir loue almose dede· penaunce al forto take·
To heuen blis it wil þe lede· & of þi soule a gode seynt make·
¶ Moder now we schul part atvinne· & neuer oþer in þis lond se·
He haþ ous cleped & cald of sinne· þe holy gost & persones þre·
Bi for þe dom of alle man kin· bi for godes face so schal it be·
Better is lat þan neuer blinne· our soules to maken fre·
¶ Robes riche hadde he þan· as prince þat was miche of miõt·
He toke cloþes of pouer manne· þe loue of god was on him liõt·
At his moder leue he nam· ar þe day was vp briõt
Out of his lond þan he cam· a penaunt he semed pouer apliõt·
¶ A pike he made of his spere· so palmer þat walkeþ wide·
Þe þridde niõt to a fischer· he cam bi þe se side·
Gregory wold duelle stille· al þat ich niõtes tide
& õif it war his wille· til day þat he most a bide·
¶ Þe fischer answerd wiþ wordes vn milde· me þenk he seyd þou art a spie·
Þi bodi is white þi flesche is wilde· þis liif mauõtow nouõt long dreye·
Õif þou al niõt wer me hende· þou wost do me vilainie·
Bi him þat schal ous alle amende·
in mine hous schal tow nouõt lye·
Gregori couþe
nouõt nouõt preye· no lenger he nold
biseche· [first "nought" crossed
out]
bot õede forþ alle in his way· barfot his sinnes forto leche·
Þe fischers wiif ich õou say for him bigan to wepe·
For him þan sche wald dye· bot he miõt in hir hous slepe·
¶ Þe fischer seye his wiif þouõt· þe penant he lete clepe oõein·
Þat niõt he was to rest y brouõt· out of þe winde & þe reyn·
Þe wiif him bedded wel soft in a chaunber þer he schuld leyn·
To crist he cleped swiþe oft· þat miõtful is of miõt & main·
¶ Þo it was time for to soupe· þe cloþ was leyd þe bord y sett·
Þe winde blewe schille & loude·
þe fer bi forn hem was bett·
Þe housbond was stern & stout· þe penant hadde hard gret·
¶ Gregorij was simple of sawe· In he com wiþ resoun·
He wesche his honden as it was lawe & bi þe fer sett him adoun·
A cloþ biforn him was drawe· & õaf him win of maser broun·
Bred wel white of what y slawe· þe best þat was in alle þe toun·
¶ Þe penaunt seyd mi leuedi schene· mi bodi askeþ no swiche mete·
Bot barly brede & water clene· õif ich it miõt finde & gete·
Þe fischer seyd þou þeues fere· þou makest ous of þe to speke·
Þis gret fische to for me here· bodi & heued þou wost it ete·
¶ Õif þou bi þi selue were· anouõ þou wost ete & drink·
No mete þe to dere no were· & þou no semest nouõt to swinke·
Þis treytour sitt among ous here· to þe water he ginneþ blenke·
Þou schost haue ben ermite or frere· in wode oþer in roche brinke·
¶ Õa quaþ he þer after ich haue souõt· þe place is nouõt õete y founde·
To swiche astede ich wald be brouõt· þat y miõt huen in a stounde·
Õis quaþ þe fischer drade þe nouõt· y knowe a roche al rid?i rounde·
Þer in þer is an hous y wrouõt· wel depe at þe se grounde·
¶ Gregorij seyd for loue of on· þat dyed on þe rode tre·
Bring me to þat roche of ston· fischer õif þi wille be·
Þe fischer seyd bi seyn Ion· when y liõt of day may se·
Feters ichil cast þe opon· & to þat roche bring y þe·
¶ Þe penaunt lay & nouõt no slepe· bot þouõt on god þat sitt in trone·
Þat he him sende gode hap· his penaunce wele for to done
His tables he þer for õat· amorwe when he schuld go·
& when þat he was war of þat· y wis him was swiþe wo·
¶ Þanne he was to þe roche y come· y fetred & fast y bounde·
Þe keye was wel raþe y nome· & cast In to þe se grounde· ["e" inserted above]
Gregorij bi souõt crist· þat þe keye schuld neuer be founde·
Til for soþe þat he wist· his soule wer out of sinne y bounde·
¶ Þer in was his woniing· to seuenten winter weren a gon·
Wiþ penaunce & gret fasting· to god of heuen he made his mone·
Wiþ outen mete wiþ outen drink· bot dewe þat fel on þe marbel ston·
¶ Þe stori seyt wiþ outen lesing· oþer liif no ladde he non·
Now schal we lete gregorij· bi take we him god þat made man· ["w" inserted above]
Herkeneþ alle þat beþ hendi of þe pope þat dyed þan·
His frendes were for him sori· þo his liif days wer don·
Ded he was so seyt þe stori·
his soule wente to heuen son·
Þe bischopes þat
were of þat lond ·& of grete autorite·
to rome wer comen þurch godes sond· in to þat holi cite·
A cardinal spac þer among ·& seyd schortliche att wordes þre·
Wite õe wele it may nouõt long· cristendom vn loked be·
¶ Anoþer spac for to spede· þat wele couþe are soun telle·
& bad þat men schuld min hede·
þat cristen dom nouõt doun felle·
Þe pope is in stede at nede þe cardinals be þe apostles tvelue·
¶ Bot now of him is don þe dede· lowe he liþ loken in ston·
Who may þat folk wisse & rede· now pope in rome haue we non·
Biseche we god wele to spede· our electioun wele to don·
Also þe warld haþ alle nede· to help & ward cristendom·
¶ Þe cardinals al to gider come· ensembled þai were alle þo·
& bi souõt god þat made mone· an holi man to vnder fo·
Þat digne were to ben in rome her lectioun wele to do
Þat to þe world toke õeme· & holi chirche w loke to· ["w" subpuncted]
¶ Þai layen alle in afflictioun· þe cardinals euerichon·
Þe bischopes alle of þe toun· wiþ hem weren y gon·
An angel cam fram heuen adoun· briõter þan þe rouwel bon·
& seyd made is þis alectioun· þe king of heuen haþ chosen õou on·
¶ Ich bid õou õe seche anon· it comeþ õou to miche frame·
In þe world is swiche non· to be pope wiþ outen blame·
He woneþ in a roche of ston· gregorij it is his name·
Þe salt se is a bout him gon· wiþ penaunce he is waschen clane·
¶ Þan þai hadde herd þe steuen· of þe angel þat is so briõt·
Anon þai þonked god of heuen· of alle his michel holy miõt·
Messangers þai senten seuenen· þe way token þai wel riõt· [repeated "en" subpuncted]
To þe toun þai õede wel euen· þer gregorii was herberd aniõt·
¶ Þurch þe grace of ihesu crist þat sent vertu in ston & gras·
To þe fischers hous þai went wiþ list· þe gregori herberwed was·
Þai asked him herberwe sone· spending þai hadde anouõ a pliõt·
Þer fore him þouõt it was to done· & herberwed hem þat ich niõt·
¶ Þe fischer had de al day y be· in þe se wiþ nettes strong·
& þer he toke fisches þre· þat were boþe gret & long·
Þe fischer bad hem com & se· wat fische þai wold fond·
Wel feir it schuld y diõt be· & y opened to her hond·
¶ Þer þe fisches alle lay· þe best of alle þai chosen to·
& bad men schuld hem seþe & play· & boile hem in water þo·
Þe fischer fond þer in a keye when þe wombe was vndo·
& þouõt þat gregori
was faye· & þer fore him was ful wo·
Þan þai
hadde soped euerichon· & were glad of þat niõt·
þe fischer asked hem anon· to what lond þai hadden tiõt·
Þai seyden long haue we gon· after a penaunt y souõt riõt·
Þat woneþ in a roche of ston· we not where he is aliõt·
¶ In rome pope is þer non· loue of god on him is liõt·
We schuld wiþ ous bring him hom· õif we miõt of him haue siõt·
Þe fischer swore bi seyn Ion· þider y can õou wisse ariõt·
Y brouõt him to þat roche of ston· o liue no wot ich him no wiõt·
¶ Þer ich him feterd fast & bond he me suffred & stille lay·
& þe keye wiþ mi riõt hond· in to þe se y cast away·
Stub (numbered folio 6a) follows. The conclusion is missing because of the page being cut out for probably the miniature. parts of the left (inner) margin (at most about an inch wide) appears: the edges of an initial (Þ, apparently) at line 15, parts of (seven) paraphs (lines 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, and 39) and the initial letters of the last eleven lines (lines 30-40) which may be: B, Þ, H/K, L, Õ, Þ, N, A, Þ, Þ, and Þ. The verso strip is completely empty.