¶ Prologue  
HEre beginneth the life of the three kings of Colein fro that time there ●ought our lord god almighty & came to Bethlehem 〈◊〉 shipped him and offied to him. unto the time of their death/ As it is drawn out of divers bolles and put in one/ And how they were traulla●e fro place to place/ ¶ The matter of these three kings fro the beginning of the prophecy of Balaam priest of Madians & prophet that prophesied & said O●●● stella et jacob et erurger homo de israel et ipe d●abitur oim gen●…ū That is to say a slew shall sp●●…ge of jacob and a man shall rise up of Israel and shall be lord of all folk. as is contained in the old Testament/ ¶ Of this Balaam is altercation in ye●est parties betwixt the jews & the christian men/ for jews say in their books that Balaam was no prophet but an enchanter. and through which craft & the devils help he prophesied/ Wherefore in Iewes writing they call him an enchanter and no prophet ¶ Again the jews christian men allege & say that Balaam was a paynim and the first prophet & no jew and he prophesied to they in that were no jews/ And he prophesied right gloriously of the incarnation of our lord and of the coming of these three kings/ for if his prophecy had been by the devils craft. the devil would not have foreboden to curse Israel/ But god by great love showed to Balaam by an angel by great tokens or that he grieved god by his evil counsel/ ¶ Also in the jews books is a great question of job whom god with his own mouth commendeth/ of whom the jews took but little heed or none. for he was a paynim & none Hebrew/ furthermore they say that job was before Moses' law. and that time he dwelled in Mesopotania. notwithstanding the scripture saith he was of the land of Hus in Sirie. and dwelled in a town that now is called Sabob. that is fro Damask a days journey. where his sepulture is seen unto this day/ And beside that same town saint Paul was cast down in the field & there recovered again by christ Ihu/ ¶ Also the jews keep right nought of the prophecies of Balaam ne of his words. but in their books set him at nought. of which it were long to tell/   


WHEN the children of Israel were gone out of Egypte & had won Iherusalem & all the land lienge there about. and no man was hardy in all that country to set against them for dread that they had of them/ That time in Ind was an hill that was called Vaws. and also they called it that hill of victory/ And on this hill the ward and the keeping of them of Ind was ordained & kept by divers aspyes by night and day for the children of Israel and afterward for the romans/ So that if any people purposed with strong hand to entry in to the land of the kingdom of Ind. anon aspyes of other hills about by tokens showed and warned the keepers of the hill of Vaws/ As by night they made great fire. and by day great smoke/ For that hill of Vaws passed of height all other hills of Ind and in all the east/ And so when any such tokens were seen by night or day. then anon all manner of men of that country made them ready for to withstand if any enemies came/ ¶ Wherefore in the time of Balaam that gloriously prophesied of the incarnation of our lord and of the star and said) Orietur stella & c̈ (then all the great lords and all the people of Ind and in the east desired greatly to see that star/ And they promised for to give great gifts to the keepers of the hill of Vaws/ And hired them with great rewards and gifts that at such time as they should see by night or by day far or near any light or star in the firmament other wise formed than hath be accustomed to be seen. that incontinent they should show light and send them word/ And so long time that comen fame and prognostifying of the star was greatly desired and bore thorough all the lands of the east and also the name of the hill of Vaws/ ¶ Moreover of the same hill rose up a great kindred in Ind and in the Eest. that is called the progeny of Vaws unto this day/ And there is not a more worshipful kindred ne more noble and mighty in all the lands and all the kingdoms in the east. as it shall be showed more plainly afterward/ And the kindred came first of the kindred of the worshipful kings blood that was called Melchior that offered gold to Tryste Ihesu/   

IN the year of our lord a thousand two hundred when the city of Akon that is called Acrys stood in joy and prosperity and was enhanced richly with princes and lords and also with divers orders of men of religion of all manner of divers nations & tongues, in so much that the name & the praising of the city of Akon or Akers was borne thorough the world? And moreover all nations and tongues came thither both by land and see of all manner of merchandise of the world/ So there was no city like thereto of nobles ne of worthiness and of might/ then for the great name and many fold praisings and marvels that were there. the greatest of birth of the progeny & kindred of Vaws came out of Ind in to Akon/ And when they saw all things there habunde in more worship than in Ind and in all the countries of the east/ then by cause of so many playsures they tarried there and builded a fair tour & a strong castle in Akon for any lord or king/ And they brought with them out of Ind & of the east many rich ornaments & jewels/ And among all other jewels they brought a costly diadem of gold arrayed with pearls & precious stones/ And in the hyhest place of the diadem stood letters of gold and a star like the star that appeared to the three kings when they saw Cryst with a sign of a Cross beside him/ And that diadem was Melchiors' king of Nubie & of Arabia that offered gold to christ/ For thorough that diadem and the merits of the three blessed kings god almighty heeled & saved both man & be'st of divers sicknesses/ & what man was take with the fallyngevyll. when the diadem was laid on him anon he was hole/ therefore after the master & thorder of the Templars gate that diadem with many precious jewels. of which crown they had great offerings/ But after that the order of the Templars were destroyed where that Diadem and many other right precious ornaments became. it was never known unto this day/ Wherefore great sorrow and lamentation was then made in all that country about/ ¶ Moreover the foresaid princes of Vaws brought also with them out of Ind books which were written in Hebrew and Chaldee language bearing witness of the life & of the deeds of those three renowned kings/ The why the books were after translated in to french/ And so of those books and of hearing and of sight and of sermonns and of Omelies that been drawn out of diverse books. this present treatise is thus written together and comprised in one libel or little book/ ¶ Also the old kindred of this Progeny of Vaws bearen alway in their banners unto this day a star with a sign of a Cross on the same manner and in like form as it appeared to the three kings in time of the birth of our saviour christ Ihesu/ ¶ And so alway after that the prophet Balaam had prophesied of that star. the more the fame and desiring of the star increased. and the more greatly it was had in remembrance thorough out all the land of Ind and of Chaldee. and also the more the people desired to see it in their live days/   

When Ezecheas reigned and was king and sovereign of the land of jews/ Thenne isaiah the prophet prophesied gloriously of our lady saint Mary and of her son. and said) Ecce virgo concipiet & pariet filium & c̈ (Loo said the prophece a maid shall conceive and bear a child/ ¶ In the time of isaiah king Ezecheas was grieved with an infirmity unto the death/ And isaiah the prophet in the name of god told him that he should die wherefore Ezecheas turned to the wall and wept & sorrowed. as holy writ telleth/ And not for dread of death only. but for he had no air. and for the behest of Abraham and of David and also the prophecy of Balaam and of isaiah should fail and perish in him/ Wherefore our lord had mercy on him. And increased and prolonged his life: xu-yeres longer/ And Ezecheas asked a token of god thereof/ The which token was this/ That the son should go backward or withdraw him against his kind/ And so god suffered it to be/ ¶ And when the Caldees saw this marvelous and wonderful token in the son & in the air. they marveled right greatly thereof/ And when they understood that this token was showed for Ezecheas the king. then they sent him many gifts. and were in purpose & will to come and worship him/ For the king Ezecheas of very innocency of heart made dissimulation & would knowledge that this token was showed for him/ And also he would not thank god thereof but had a little pride in his heart/ Wherefore god was somedeal wroth with him/ And therefore god sent to Ezecheas by his prophet isaiah. that all those gifts which were sent to him by the Caldees should be borne in to Babilonie. as is written in the Bible/ For though Ezecheas were king of the jews borne. and that wonderful token was showed for him. yet he was not that man that should arise up of Iherusalem and be lord of all folk as Ballaam prophesied/ ¶ And in that time the Caldees and the Greeks gave them moche to astronomy and had great delight therein/ In so much that every maid and child in men's houses known the course of the stars and of the planets And yet always they give them thereto. & specially kings & princes/ For they have masters of that science and give them great wages to teach them/   

AFter Ezecheas reigned Manasses. and slew isaiah the prophet/ And after Manasses reigned Amon. and after him josias/ And in his time prophesied Iheremy. and then joachim/ The same time the Caldees byfeged Iherusalem and destroyed if. and bore away all the vessel and the ornaments that were in the temple of god and in the kings house. and bare them in to Babilonie. as isaiah had prophesied before/ And they led many jews prisoners in to Babilonie the which is fro Iherusalem. l. days journey/ And they were in captivity and in prison. l. year. to whom jeremy sent many books of the law & of prophecies. that they should not be forget. as the book telleth/ ¶ And in this captivity of jews Danyel prophesied under Tyrus king of pierce of the incarnation of Ihesu christ. and said) De lapide absciso de monte sine manibus conscidencium (As ye may here after/ ¶ Among all other Danyel said to the jews) Cum venerit sanctus sctōrum sessabit unctio vestra (: That is to say. when he that is most holy of saints cometh. then shall your unction sesse/ ¶ After this the king of pierce & the Caldees commanded and died write and translate out of Hebrew in to Chaldee all the books of the jews laws and the prophecies of isaiah. chore jeremy Danyel Mychie. & Balaam & other prophecies/ Among all these books & prophecies they fond the many things should be fulfilled by the Caldees & them of pierce. & specially by the Caldees & them of pierce. & specially after the prophecy of Balaam. that said) Oriet stella ex jacob (And for these prohecyes and books of the jews and for other causes the Caldees & the men of pierce were the more fervent and studying after the star/ ¶ Whereby we shall understand that all this is by God's ordinance & of his habundannte mercy. and also to the strengthening of our faith/ ¶ Balaam that was the first prophet and was no jew prophesied by a star the first calling & cleping of them that were no jews. when he said) Orietur stella ex jacob & exurget homo & c̈ (And this calling of the people god first began & performed by his birth & by these glorious kings/ And how be it that they of pierce and of Chaldee were Paynemes. yet by these prophecies and books of the jews they found and wist well that what so ever god had promised by his prophets he was mighty to fulfil and perform it/ ¶ So they ordained twelve of the greatest clerks of astronomy that were in all the countreee. and gave them great rewards to keep the hill of Vaws aforesaid. for because of the star that was prophesied by Balaam ¶ And the cause that there were twelve men ordained. was this/ That if so were that one man died another should be put in his stead/ And neither cause was that some of them should keep the hill one time/ And some another time to look after the star that Balaam prophesied/ Nevertheless the people looked not only after the star but after the man that it betokened. which should be lord of all folk/ ¶ And they of Ind and Chaldee came often times to Iherusalem by cause of merchandises and also for pleasure/ And they for the most part be learned in astronomy/ For in Ind and in other places about been many stars in the firmament which may not be seen and perceived by night plainly/ ¶ But on the hill of Vaws in a bright weather and clear been seen & perceived many diverse & strange stars/ This hill of Vaws passeth of height all the hills of the east/ And above it is no more of breed than a little chapel that is made thereupon/ The which the three kings died make of stone & timber/ And there been about this hill many steps for to go up to the chapel/ And there grow trees and good herbs and divers spices about this hill/ for else men might not go up to the hill it is so high & narrow/ There is also a pillar of stone above that chapel of a wonder height/ On the heed of this pillar standeth a star guilt & well made & fair. and tornyth with the wind as a fane/ And through the light of the son by day & of the moan by night the same star giveth light a great way in to the country about/ And many other marvels been told of this hill of Vaws/   

When the time of mercy & grace was come that god would have mercy on mankind/ when the father of heaven sent down his son to take flesh & blood of our lady saint Mary & to be borne of her for our salvation/ In that time the Emperor of Rome Octavian held the empire of all the world/ In the year of his empire xlij as saint Luke telleth he sent out a commandment to describe all the world (Exiit edictum & c̈) And the discriving was first under Cirinus that was bishop of Syrie/ And every man went home to his own country/ then go joseph out of Galilce in to Nazareth in the jewrie. and that was king David's land. the which city was called Bethlehem. By cause joseph was of the house & of the main of king David. therefore he go in to his country with his wife our lady saint Mary great with child/ So when they were there. the time was come that our lady should be delivered/ And so she was delivered by goddies own might & ministration of angels. she wrapped him in clothes & laid him in a manger. for there was none other place ¶ And ye shall understand that Bethlehem was never of great reputation nor place of great quantity. but it hath a good fundament/ For there been many caves under the earth/ And Bethlehem is fro Iherusalem but two miles/ It is but a castle. but it is called a city by cause king David was borne there/ And in that town was sometime an house of isaiah that was father to king David. in the which house king David was borne & anointed to be king of Israel by Samuel the prophet/ And in the same place christ was born God's son of heaven/ And that place was sometime in the end of a street that was called the covered street/ And this was the cause why it was so called. for the great heat & brenning of the son it was so covered with black clothes & other clothes to keep away the heat of the son. and so it is yet to this day/ And in that street was wont to be a market once in the week of old clothes and other things. and specially of timber/ In that street stood sometime an house. and isaiah king David's father left a little house before a den under the either. and it was shapen like a little cellar/ isaiah the father of David and other after them put in that cave certain necessaries that longed to household for heat of the son/ It is also the mane●e in all the country both in cytces and towns to be certain houses that been called there Alchan. which we call here Hostrees. and in those houses been mules. horse's asses. and camels alway ready if so be that any pilgrim. merchant or other man that travail by the way if him need any be'st for him or for his merchandise. then he gooth to such an house as is called Alchan and there he may hire what be'st that he will have/ And then he gooth forth to city or town where he will abide. and there he dischargeth him of his horse or be'st and sendyth him in to such an house that is called Alchan/ And there been beasts on that manner to hire/ And the master of the house taketh the be'st and giveth it meet. and when he may he sendyth him home again there he came fro/ And if so be that no man go in to that city or town in long tyme. he taketh the same be'st and ledyth him out of the town and settyth him in the way homeward/ And so the be'st gooth forth home with out any leading even to his masters house without peril of beasts or of thieves/ So every man that hath any such beasts. every man knoweth other beasts been they never so far asunder/ And of such houses lords of the ground have great winning & tolle of such beasts hyting/ And such a manner house was that house a little before or christ was borne in/ ¶ But about the birth of Ihu that house was all destroyed. so that there was no thing left but broken walls on every side and a little cave under the earth. and a little unthrifty house tofore that cave/ & there men sold breed in the same ground ¶ It is also the usage in all the country that all the breed that shallbe sold shall be brought in to a certain place/ And of the breed that is sold in the day the king & the lord of the ground at night shall have a certain money/ And when David was made king of Israel by process of time Iherusalem was destroyed and all the country about No man took heed of this house by cause it was all destroyed & no thing left but that broken house & the cave/ And bred & timber that might not be sold on the day should be put in that house to the next market day/ Ass'. horse. & other beasts that came to the market were tied about this broken house/  

FOr to speak again of the matter/ When Octavian Emperor of Rome had scnte out his commandment that each man should go to the same town that he was borne in/ then went joseph. and our lady road upon an ass. they came so late within night to Bethlehem as it is afore said. therefore all the Inns & hostries were stuffed with pilgrims & other men. And by cause they came in poor array they went about the city & no man would receive them/ & specially for they saw that our lady was a young woman sitting upon an ass heavy sorrowful & full weary. great with child and nigh the time of her deliverance of her child/ then joseph lad her in to this foresaid place that no man took heed of down in to the little dark den/ And there our lord Ihesu christ that same night was borne of our lady without any disease of her body/ In that house of old time was left a maynger of the length nigh of a fathom made in the wall/ And by the same maynger was an ox of a poor man's tied. And beside the ox joseph tied his ass/ And in the same-mainger our lady wrapped her blessed son in such clothes as she had. & laid him upon the hay tofore thox & thass For there was none other place in that country/ In ostryes' all the mayngers been of three or four feet of length. that an horse or else another be'st may have his meet by himself/ And such a maynger was that that our lady lay in/    

THe place where the angel appeared to the shepherds that night that christ was borne is but half a mile from Bethlehem/ And in that same place David kept sheep in his chyldhede & defended them from beers & lyens & other wild beasts/ So me books say that the shepherds of that conntree keep their sheep twice in oon year/ And those times are when the days & nights been both of a length And that land about Bethlehem is called the land of behest/ And that place in the east is mnost part mountains. for in some place a man shall not well know Winter fro Summer/ And in some place there it is right cold. & in some place is both Winter & Summer. as it is in this country after that the places been plain or full of hills/ For about some of the hills a man may find snow in August. & that snow men of that country gather then & lay it in their caves under the ground/ And afterward it is borne to the markets. and that will the lords of the country buy to set it in basons on their board to make their drink cold/ And the poor men that gather it carry it in chaff that the heat should not melt it. and the lords that buy it uncoveren it out of that chaff. then anon it is resolved & molte to water For commonly in that country of the east is alway snow in Septembre & Octobre/ When the son cometh a little low in that country all seeds & herbs begin to spring and were as they done in this country in March & April/ And in some parties of the east men reap corn in March & April. but most in May. after the place or ground lieth high or low/ But by Bethlehem been many more good fat pastures & hot than in other places. in so much that at christmas barley beginneth to were ripe. and thenne men of diverse countries send thither their horses & mules to make them fat/ And the time that we call here christmas. it is called there time of herbs/ ¶ And for asmuch as when christ was borne peace was in all the world. therefore the angel said Par hominibus bone voluntatis (And for the heat of that country about Bethlehem. that is the cause that shepherds kept their beasts there that time of the year. as they done yet unto this day/   

IN those days when the commandment went out from Cezar August as it is aforesaid/ then was Herod ordained & made king of the land of jews by the emperor & by the romans: & yet was Herod no jew ne king of jews borne/ But by cause the same emperor & the Romans had made subject to them the land of Jewry & many of the provinces about them unto Ind pierce & Chaldee. so by strong hand they made him king/ And all that country knew well that He road was but a lion & never came of king's blood. ne of jewry bore. but made king by th'emperor & romans. so that the prophecy of daniel should be fulfilled in the tymen of the birth of christ. when he said) Cum venerit sanctus sactonrum & c̈ (as it is aforesaid/ Yet the jews continuing in their malice & falseness said. that long time after the nativity of christ their unction ceased not. but that they had many kings after/ But yet the false jews forsake not that Herod came of a jew on the father side & of a paynim of the moders side. & so he was no very jew Wherefore christian men make the jews utterly confuled of the prophecy of jacob their patriarch. the said thus) Non auferetur ceptrum de iuda nec dux de femore cius doner veniat qui mittendus est et ipse erit expectacō gencium) that is to say/ The septie of juda shall not be borne away ne the stock of lineage till he come that shall be sent. and he shall be that folk shall abide/ ¶ And many other questions of the jews to the christian men of the unction of their kings/   

When god was borne of our lady as it is afore said then this star that was prophesied by Balaam. and long time abiden and looked after by the twelve Astronomers of the said hill of Vaws/ ¶ The same night and the same hour that god was borne. the same star began to rise in manner of the son shining bright/ And after that form of an eagle ascended above the hill/ And all the day in the highest place of the air it abode with out any moving/ So when the son was most hot and most high there was no difference in shining betwixt the star & the son/ Nevertheless some books say. that in the same day when god was borne. were seen many sons. but when the day of christmas was passed. the star ascended up in to the firmament/ And the star that thus was showed was no thing like the stars that been painted here in diverse places/ For it had right many streaks and beemies more bright brenning than a brand of fire/ And as an Eagle fleeing & beating the air with his wings. right so the streaks & the beemes of that moved themself about/ And the star had in himself the form & the likeness of a young child. and above him the sign of a Cross/ And a voice was herd in the star saying) Natus est nobis hody rex judeorum qui est expectacō gencium & dominator eorum ite ad inquirendum eum & adorandum) that is to say/ This day is borne to us king of the jews that folk have abiden and he is lord of them god forth and seek him and do him worshypp/ Therefore for strengthing of our faith & to affirm this matter foresaid almighty god whose providence in his ordinance fayllyth not/ ¶ And saint Paul saith) Vocatea que non sunt tanquam ea que sunt) that is to say/ God calleth those that been not aswell as those that been of his providence/ Thus he died and disposed. as he died in the old Testament. when he gave a language to an ass. and made an ass to speak to Balaam/ He would in the begynnning of the new Testament give a voice to speak out of a sterie that the same Balaam prophesied of/ ¶ When all the people of that country abowtesawe this wonderful and marvelous star. and also heard the voice of the star. they were greatly afraid. and had great wonder thereof/ But they knew well that it was the same star that was prophesied of by Balaam. and long time was desired and abiden of all the people of that country theraboute.   

Thus when these three Kings that the time reigned in Ynde. Chaldee and perfidy weren informed and well assured by the Astronomers and by the prophecies of this star/ They were right glad that they had grace to see that star in their days that was long time prophesied afore. and all the people had so long looked after/ Wherefore though each of these three kings weren far from other. and none of them knew of others purpose. yet in one hour the star appeared to them all three/ And then they ordained and purposed them anon with great and rich gifts and many diverse ornaments that were belonging unto the degree & array of kings. and also with mules & camels and horses charged with precious treasures & with great number and multitude of people to go seek in their best array and to worship our lord Ihesu christ that was borne to be Saviour of all the world and the king of jews that was born that tyme. as the voice of the star spoke and preached/ And furthermore they arrayed them moche the more honestly and worthily/ For they knew well and understood that he was a more worthier king than any of all the world/ ¶ furthermore each of these three blessed kings had with them great carriage of oxen and sheep and other beasts that long to man's living and sustenance. and other manner things necessary belonging to the office of a chamber. kechen and to all other offices belonging to a kings estate. & also both food for man & be'st they carried with them/ In so much that they ordained so great plenty that should suffice them well both outward & homeward/ And every king had people as it had be an host/ ¶ It is the manner in that country of the Eesst out take cities. that in other towns been many fair Ostries. and for the most party all maneze victuals both for man & best is enough for the common people. but not for such kings & such great lords that ride with so great multitude. Bedding & such other necessaries of chambers. neither of chapel. ne of kitchen is not sufficient ne honest & therefore lords have such cariaage with them/ And in the country for the most party men ride or go by night for brenning of that son & in heat of the day they rest/ Ye shall understand that there been three Indes. of whom these three lords were kings/ And all those lands for the most party been isles/ There been also three great waters and three great deserts or wildernesses full of wild & perilous beasts and horrible serpent's/ And in that country done grow also these long great reeds that been brought in to England. and some been so great that men make houses and ships of them/ And each isle is divided and departed each from other/ And each land is full of wild beasts/   

IN the first Ynde is the land of Nubie. and thereof Melchior was King when christ was born/ And there is also the land of Arabia/ And in that land is the mount Sinai/ A man out of the red see may lightly sail out of Egypte and Syrie in to Ynde/ ¶ And pilgrims & merchants that from Ynde passen the red see. sayen that all the ground of the red see is so red that the water above seemeth as it were red wine. notwithstanding that water is as other water is of colour. and it is marvelously salt/ And it is so clear that in the deppest of all the water men may see fishes and discern all things by the bottom of the see And that water is three cornered. and it ebbyth and floweth in to the great see of Ocean. and is four or five miles of breed where it is brodest/ And there the children of Israel go through with dry feet when Pharaoh & his host pursued them. and all were drowned man & be'st/ Out of that see sourdeth a great flood that runneth in to a river of paradise terrestre. & that river is called Nilus'/ And this Nilus passeth by Egypte, and by it cometh much rich merchandise out of Ynde and so passeth in to Egypte. Syrie. Babilonie. & alexander. and so thorough all the world/ And all the earth of the land of Arabia there the mount Sinai is. is marvelously red/ Stones & trees. herbs and all other things that grow there been red for the most party/ And there is found gold wonderfully red in manner of thin & small roots. and that is the best gold of the world ¶ There is also an hill that is called Bona. and in that hill is found the stone that is called Smaragdus/ And that is cut out with great craft and great travail of the hill. And that hill is busily & strongly with the sultans main/   

IN the second Ynde was the land of Godolie and thereof was Balthasar king when Criste was borne/ And he offered incense to Ihesu/ And there was also of old time in that land that kingdom of Saba/ And in that land groweth more plenty of good spices than in all the lands of the east after/ And in especial incense more than in all the world/ And it droppeth out of certain trees in manner of gum/   

IN the third Ynde was the kingdom of Taars. and in the time of Christ's birth jasper was king thereof/ And he offered to god Myrrh/ And that land is called thyle of Egris will/ In that isle groweth more myrrh than in all the world after/ And it wexyth like eeres of corn that were brent with the weather and it groweth right thick And when it is ripe it is so soft that it cleaveth on men's clothes as they gone by the way/ And then men take small cords & girdles and draw them all about the eeres. and so the myrrh cleaveth on the cords and on the girdles. and afterward the myrrh is wrong out of the cords and girdles/ ¶ Wherefore we may understand that this was done of a great providence of the great mercy of god: that these three kings Melchior Balthasar and jasper of these lands in whom these good and rich gifts waxed and-growyd that should be offered to god by the old prophecies/ Rather they may be called kings than kings of other great lands. whereof saith David the prophet) Beges tharsis & insule munera offerent reges arabum & saba dona domino deo adducent) that is to say/ Kings of Taars and of the isle shall offer gifts kings of Arabia & of Saba shall bring gifts to our lord god/ ¶ Sometime these kings had other names/ Melchior was called king of Nubie & of Arabia/ Balthasar was called king of Golie & Saba. & jasper was called king of Taars & of thyle of Egris will/ & it was called the kingdom of Taars because it was nexed to the same isle/ And so the names of their kingdoms been specified in special for difference of other cities and isles of the country/   

TO show again of these three worshipful kings. of the array and ordinance with rich treasure and ornaments and with great multitude of people as it is aforesaid/ And when they road forth out of their kingdoms none of them wist ne knew of others purposes by cause of the long way that was betwixt each kingdom. yet the star went evenly tofore these three kings & all their mey ne/ And when theistode still or rested then the star stood still. & when they go or road the star always go forth tofore them in his virtue & strength & gave light to all the●r ways/ And the time was peace in all the world. wherefore in all cities & towns the they ye the by was no gate shut night nor day. but it seemed to those three kings & to all their people that it was ever day & never night in all those xiij days/ wherefore all men of cities & towns that these three kings came by were wonderly afeard & marveled thereof For they saw kings with so much people & beasts & carriage that passed by them in great haste in the night/ But they knew not what they were ne from what place they came. ne whither they should go/ But on the morrow they saw the waygretely defoiled and traced with horse feet & other beasts/ Wherefore they were in great doubt what it should be and great altercation was among them in that country long time after/ ¶ So furthermore when these three kings had ridden through divers lands kingdoms. cities. and towns. they road over hills waters. valleys. plains. and many other divers perilous places without any disease or letting/ For all the way that they road were it high or low all seemed to them even and plain and fair way/ ¶ They took never herberough by the way night nor day ne never rested themselves but to make water neither their beasts that were in their company. ne neither eat nor drank after the time that they had take their way till they came in to Bethlehem/ And all these xiij days journeys seemed them but one day/ And thus thorough the great might of god & the leading of the star they came in to Iherusalem the thirteenth day after that christ was borne in the uprising of the son. whereof this is no doubt/ For they found our lady and her son in the same place and in the cave that Criste was borne in/ & he was laid in an old maynger ¶ Also many books tell that they came in to Iherusalem and to Bethlehem in the in the mids of the day. whereof saint Gregory saith thus in an Omelie) Si dimna operacio humana racione comprehendi posset non esset admirabilis. nec haberet fides meritum cui humana racon prebet experimentum) that is to say/ If the works of god might be comprehended in man's wit or reason it were no wonder: for faith hath no meed where kind reason showeth if to man/ ¶ For our lord god that in the old Testament led Abakuc the prophet by one here of his heed out of jury in to Babilonie & Chaldee. that was a hundred days journey between going & coming to Danyel the prophet that was in a pit among wild lyens. and anon restored the same Abakuc in to his own place again/ The same lord god in the new Testament was mighty to lead & bring these three worshipful kings out of their kingdoms in the east in to the land of Jewry in twelve days without any disease or letting/ ¶ Also our lord Ihesu Cryst after his resurrection go to his disciples in to an house without opening of gate or lock/ And as the fire brent not ne died none harm to the three children when they were put in the furnace of fire. ne no savour of smoke was found in them/ Right so in the time of these three glorious kings our lady saint Mary bore our lord Ihesu Cryst that was and is very god & man/ And yet she was tofore and ever after a clean maid/ God almighty might harue brought these three kings & all their folk out of the east in to jewerye in a moment as he brought Abakuc the prophet foresaid/ But though god almighty made himself low and was borne in great poverty and took upon him manhood & man's frailty. yet he would marvelously show his birth to all the world. in heaven & in earth with the might of his godhead & of his high majesty/   

When these three kings each in his way with his host & company were almost come to Iherusalem save two mile/ then a dark & a great cloud covered them & all the earth/ And in that dark cloud they lost their star as the prophecy of isaiah said) Surge illuminare Ihrlm quia venit lumen tnun et gloria dni super te orta est quia ecce tenebre operient terram & caligo populos) that is to say/ Iherusalem arise and take light for thy light is come to the & the joy of god is sprungen upon the. for loo. darkness shall cover the earth and a cloud the people/ ¶ When these three kings were nigh Iherusalem. then Mechior king of Nubie & of Arabia with his people was fast by the hill of calvary there Cryst was done on the cross by the will of god. there he abode in the cloud & in darkness/ And that time the hill of calvary was a roche of twelve grease of height/ And on this hill thieves and other men for divers trespasses were put to their death/ There was also beside this hill an high way. and to that high way were three high ways meeting together/ And so for darkness of the cloud. and for they knew not the way they abode there & go no ferther at that time/   

AFter that Melchior was thus come. then next him a little under the cloud came king Balthasar that was king of Godolie and of Saba with all his host. and abode beside the mount of calvary in a little town which is called Galilee/ And holy writ speaketh moche of that town/ For the disciples of god almighty before his resurrection and after also were wont alway to come thither togider/ In that town god almighty appeared to his disciples after his resurrection/ As it is written in the gospel (Precedet vos in galileam ibi eum videbitis) that is/ He shall go tofore you in to Galilee and there ye shall see him ¶ But there is a land that is called Galilee. and that is a great lordshypp. and it is three days journey from Iherusalem/   

ANd when these two kings Melcheor & Balthasar were come & tarried in these places for said in the cloud & darkness. then the cloud waxed clear. but the star appeared not/ So when these two kings saw that they were nigh Ihrlm though neither of them knew other. they took their way to ward the city/ And-they met together beside the mount of calvary there as three ways were meeting together/ Thenne came the king jasper king of Taars & of the isle of Egryswyll with all his host. And so these three glorious kings with all their main. carriage & beasts met together in this high way/ And notwithstanding that none of them never before had seen other. ne none of them knew others persons. ne knew of others coming. yet at their meeting each of them anon right with great joy & reverence kissed other/ And though they were of divers languages. yet each of them to their seeming spoke one manner of speech/ So when they had spoken together. & each of them had told his journey & the cause of his way/ Alle their causes were according in to one/ then were they much the gladder & the more fervent in their way. & so they road forth/ And suddenly at the uprising of the son they came in to the city of Iherusalem/ And when they knew that Iherusalem was the kings city the which their predecessors & the Caldees of old time had besieged & destroyed. they were full glad. supposing to have found the king Ihesu there borne in the same city/ ¶ And that time was Herod in Iherusalem/ & he & all the city were greatly dies troubled of their suddenly coming/ For their company & their beasts were of so great number & so great multitude that the city might not receive them/ But for the most party lay without the city all about/ Whereof Ysayas prophesied & said) Eortitudo gencium venerit tibi inundacio camellorum operiet te dromedarij madian & effa. omnes de saba venient aurum & thus deferentes & laudem dno annunciantes) that is to say/ The strength of folk cometh to the Iherusalem great plenty of camels shall cover. the dromedaries of Madian & of Effa shall come to the. many folk shall come fro Saba bringing gold & incense and giving laud to god/   

THis Herod was ordained king by the emperor & by the Romans. and he was but young of age. and was that time in his palace in Iherusalem/ And thenne these three kings asked in that city of the people where that child was borne. whereof speaketh in the gospel th'evangelist) Cum natus esset ihuns & c̈) that is to say/ When god was born in Bethlehem in the city of Jewry in the days of Herod king of the same land. three kings came out of the east & said) Where is he the is borne the king of jews. we saw his star in the east and we be come to worship him (And Herod heard this and he was dystourbled & all Iherusalem with him/ And he gathered together all the princes & the priests. and asked of them where christ should be borne/ And they said. in Bethlehem of jewry. thus it is written by the prophet) Thou Bedieem land of Jewry thou art not lyfyll among the princes of Jewry. of the shall go out a duke that shall rule my people of Israel (then Herode privily called to him the three kings & learned of them the time of the star that appeared to them. and so sent them forth in to Bethlehem. & said) Go and enquyte busily of this child. and when ye have found him come tell me that I may go & worship him (when they had heard the king they go the yr way/ And the star that they saw in the east go before them till they came there the child was And when they saw the star they were right glad And they go in to the house and opened their treasures. and offered to him. gold. incense. & myrrh/ All this is the gospel/ And in their sleep an angel came fro god & bad them that they should not go again to Herode/ And so they turned home to their country by another way/ ¶ Of these three kings why they came first in to Iherusalem rather than in to Bethlehem many books in divers manner declare/ and many causes been written which were to long to tell/ But among all other causes one is. that king Herod & the Cyteyzyns were so distrowbled for their sudden coming. and also they seeing that these lords were kings. and their host came out of Chaldee & out of the east. the which of old time through sufferance of god had oft times pursued their king and besieged & destroyed the city of Ihrlm & that land about/ Another for they came fro so far countices to worship the king of jews that was lately borne/ And by cause that Herod was but an stranger and was made king by the emperor & the Romans. he was afeard least he should have lost his kingdom by cause that christ was borne/ Also another cause was chise three kings of God's ordinance came so to Iherusalem without advisement when they had lost their star/ For Iherusalem was the kings city. and alway the kings of the land were most abiding there. and doctors of the law & the scribes with their scriptures and prophecies were evermore present in that city/ So the Jews and the scribes knew well long time before. christ should be borne in that place/ ¶ Wherefore jews may never show cause to excuse them of their false believe/ Of this saith saint Gregory in his Omelie) judeos profecto. bene isaac cum jacob tilium suum benediceret presignavif. qui caligans oculis & prophetizans in presenti filium non vidit cui tamen in posterum multum previdit & c̈) that is to say/ By this we may understand the jews. for Ysaac when he was blind and might not see he blessed jacob his son and prophesied of him/ And moreover when he had him in his presence before him he saw him not/ And yet he saw in spirit many things which should fall to him afterward/ In like manner so the jews were greatly full of the spirit of prophecy/ But him that they prophesied of when they had him among them they knew him not. For they despised him when he was born/ And long time tofore they prophesied of his birth. and not only that he should be borne. but in what place he should be borne they told to Herode/ ¶ So their knowing & their prophecy shall bear witness to their damnation and us help of our believe & cause of our salvation/   

When these three kings were informed by Herod & by the doctors of the law of the birth of christ. and of the place where he was borne & were passed out of the city of Iherusalem/ then the star appeared to them again as it died before. and so it go forth before them till they came in to Bethlehem. which is but two miles fro Iherusalem/ And fast by that place as it is afore said were the shepherds to whom the angel appeared with great light & showed to them the birth of christ/ And these three kings road by the same place there the shepherds were and spoke with them/ And when the shepherds saw the star they ran together. and said that in such a light & such a clearness an angel appeared to to them & told them of the birth of christ and all that the angel said to them/ And all that they had herd & seen they told the kings. whereof the kings were right glad. and with good cheer took great consideration of the shepherds words/ And so of witness of the shepherds & of the voice of the angel that appeared in the star and was heard the kings had doubt of no thing/ ¶ Some books in the east say that voice that was herd out of the star was the voice of the same angel that showed the birth of christ both to the shepherds and to the kings/ ¶ They say also in the east that the jews believe in that the angel that go beforethe children of Israel with a pylar of fire when they go out of Egipte. that same angel it was whose voice was herd in the star. and that go so forth with the star before the three kings/ For when the three kings spoke with the shepherds. the star more & more began to shine brighter & brighter ¶ these three kings were the first of miscreants that believed on christ. and the shepherds were the first of jews that believed on christ/ And all though the kings were no jewewes yet they said that they came to worship the king of jews/   

When the kings had spoken with the sheep herds. then they gave them great gifts and so road forth to Bethlehem/ then anon as they were come unto Bethlehem they lighted down of their horses & changed their array. and clothed them in the best and richest clothes that they had/ And as kings should be arrayed they arrayed themself/ And always the star go forth tofore them/ And the nearer that they came to the place the more the star shined brighter and brighter/ And then they road thorough the covered street as it is told afore till they came to the little house where in Crste was borne/ And the star stood still upon the ground tofore the door/ And anon after the star departed himself in so great light. that the little house & the cave within was full of light/ And so anon the star ascended up in to the air. and there stood still alway in the same place. as it is said in the gospel tofore (Et intrantes domum & c̈) And entering in to the house they found our lady & her child. and fell down and worshipped him and offered to him gifts. Gold. Myrrh. and incense/ ¶ Of this came afterward an use in that country of the east/ There shall no man come in the presence of the Sultan. or of a king to speak with him but he have gold or silver or some other richesse in his hands/ And also or he speak with the Sultan he shall kiss the ground/ And this is used in that country unto this day/ ¶ furthermore frere Minours when they shall come to the Sultan or to a king they must offer to him peers or apples/ For they may touch no gold nor silver/ And the Sultan receiveth the peers or apples with reverence & meekness/ ¶ And that time that these three kings offeed thus to christ. he was in his manhood. a little child of xiij days of age/ And he lay wraped in clothes of little value in his mothers lap/ ¶ As it is written in diverse books she was in person fleshly. and somewhat brown/ And in presence of these three kings she was covered with a poor white mantel. and that she held close tofore her with her lift hand/ And her heed was covered all together save her face with a linen cloth/ And she sat upon the maynger/ And with her right hand she held up god almighty's heed/ So after these three kings had worshipped god & kissed his hands right devoutly. and laid their gifts beside Christ's heed. what was done with these gifts ye shall here afterward/   

MElchior king of Nubie and of Arabia that offered gold to god: he was least of stature & of person/ And Balthazar that was king of Godolie & of Saba that offered incense. he was of a mean stature/ And jasper that was king of Taars and of thyle of Egriswill that offered myrrh he was most of stature. and he was a black Ethyopye without doubt/ ¶ For the prophet said) Coram illo procident ethiopes & inimici eius terram lingent venient ad te qui detrahebant tibi & adorabunt vestigia & c̈) that is to understand/ Before him shall fall and bow down Ethiopies. and his enemies shall lick the earth. they shall come to the that dethrahyd the. and they shall worship the steps of thy feet/ ¶ But having regard to the persons that were that time they were but little persons those three kings. in so much that all manner of people had moche marvel thereof/ And that seemed well that they were come from fierce countries/ For the nearer the Eeest and the uprising of the son that men been born the less they been of stature. and the more feeble & tender. and herbs been the hotter and serpents and such worms and perilous beasts been the greater and the more venomous/ And all other beasts & fowls been there more great than here/ ¶ Also these kings brought with them many rich gifts & ornaments that king Alisaunder which conquered all the world left in Ynde and in Chaldee and in pierce. and all the ornaments that the queen of Saba found in salamon's Temple. and diverse vessel that were of the kings house and of the Temple of god in Iherusalem/ The which in the time of destruction of Iherusalem were borne in to the countries & lands by them of pierce & of Cal●dee/ And many other jewels both of gold & silver and precious stones these kings brought with them & offered to god/  

But when they found our lord Cryst Ihesu laid in that Crib & in poor clothes. and the star had give so great light in all the place there Cryst was that it seemed as they had stand in a furnaces of fire. they were so sore afeard. that of all those rich jewels and ornaments that they brought with them they took no thing out of their coffres but that came next their hands. as it was the will of our lord/ ¶ And Melchior took out of his tresory a round apple of gold as much as a man might hold in his hand & xxx guilt pence. & that he offered to god/ Bathazar king of Godolie & of Saba took out of his treasure incense as it came next to his hand & he offered that to god/ jasper as it came to his hand offered myrrh to god with weeping tears/ So these three kings were so afeard & so devout in their offering. that of all the words that our lady said that time they took but little consideration/ Save only to every king as they offered to god she bowed down with her heed. and said meekly) Deo gracias) that is to say/ thankings be to god/ ¶ Thapple of gold that Melchior offered with the xxx pence was sometime king Alysaunders the great conqueror/ And he died make the same apple of small pieces of gold that he had gathered of the tribute of all the world/ And that he bore always in his hand/ And this apple was left in Ynde when he was comen fro Paradyse with many other rich jewels/ ¶ moreover it is the manner of that country of the east when a Sultan or a king passeth through a city. then every man after his power is tofore his own door hall cast incense and myrrh in a fire/ & what man doth it not he is hold a rebel against the Sultan or king. for thereto is take good heed/ And this usage in all the east betokeneth new subjection & daily obedience both to god & to their mammets. or to a king whether if is do ne to/ Also in old time Martyrs were not only constrained to worship mammets. but also to worship them with incense & fire/ And this manner Sarrazyns ask. always of christian men that been in their prison for to come in to their Temple of their gods. & worshipfully to do sacrifice to their mammets with fire & incense/    

When almighty god lowed & meeked himself & became man for our salvation. & was borne of the blessed mother Mary. yet he had no need of gifts of the three kings/ Nevertheless the round apple of gold that was offered to hymanone as king Melchior had offered it. it was in a moment all broken in to dust/ ¶ So we shall understand in figure as the stone that was cut out of the hill without man's hand or any Instrument and broke an horrible mawmette unto dust & powder. the which the king Nabugodonosar saw in his sleep/ Right so that stone. that is to say. our lord Ihesu Cryst with out any corruption of sin was borne in to this world/ The appyll that betokeneth the world through his meekness & his virtue & the strength of his godhead in a moment he broke all to nought/ ¶ What befell of these yefts ye may here afterward/   

AS these three kings had thus performed their way & their offering & done all thing that they came fore. then as mankind axeth & would they & their main. & their horses & beasts began to eat & drink & sleep. and all that day they took their rest & playsur in that town of Bethlehem/ For as it is told before they ne eat ne drank. in all those xiii. days/ And then they told meekly to men of Bethlehem of their countries. & how marvelously they came thither by leading of the star fro the farthest part of the world/ & furthermore as the gospel saith Et responso accepto in sompnis ne redirent ad herodem per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem svam) that is to say The angel of god warned the three kings in their sleep that they should not torn again to Herode. & so by another way they go home to their kingdoms/ But that star that go afore them appeared no more after/ And so these three kings go all homewards together in to their own countries with grief joy & honour. & they road forth with all their carriage & people through all the lands & provinces that Olifernes had of old time/ And for the company of people men of the country deemed the Olifernes to be come thither again. & when they came in to any town or city they were received worshipfully of all the people/ ¶ And moreover they preached & told to the people as they road all that they had seen and heard. And so well paid for their victuals and spoke so meekly and goodly that their names and their praising was never after forgotten/ ¶ But the way that they had ridden to Bethlehem ward in xiij days thorough leading and conduyting of the star. they might uneath ride and go again in two years/ And that was done for men should know what difference was be between goddies might & man's power & working/   

When Herod and all the scribes and other people heard tell that these three kings were gone home again and were not come to him as he bad them. then with great envy & malice he pursued after them a great way/ And all way as he road after the kings he heard all the people bless them & praise them. and speak of their noblesse/ Wherefore this Herod brent & destroyed all all the land that the three kings had road by. & specially them of Taars & Silicie. For he put upon the 〈◊〉 that they had suffered them privily to pass there over the see. & therefore he brent all their ships & to he all their good/ Also he & his Scribes pursued these kings with great envy. for they heard the people tell how wonderly they came out of their lands in xiij days through leading of the star/ And how they go home again without star or guides or Interpreters/ For all manner of men that these three kings passed by sufficed not to tell how wonderfully they passed by them night & day/ And thereof jews that dwelled in divers lands & places bare witness her of to Herod & to all the Scribes and to all the jews And so for the wonderful doing the paynims that had no knowing of holy writ. ne of the birth of christ called these three kings Magos. that is to say. witches/ And the jews that knew the scripture & the birth of christ. and the places of envy & falseness excited the paynims all about to call them witches. and so it was brought in to usage that they call these three kings so yet unto this day and thereof beareth many divers books witness/ But to put away all manner of doubts and in reproving of all the false jews. almighty god that is ever wonderful in his working & glorious in his saints would have the privity of his birth to be know to all the people/ So that this glorious name that was only hid in the land of Jewry unto his birth/ That same name all manner of nations through all the world should worshypp know & praise/   

AFter these three kings were come with great travail to the hill of Vaws afore said then they made there a fair chapel in worship of the child that they had sought/ And they made covenant to meet together all three at that same chapel once in the year at a certain day assigned/ & there they ordained their sepultures/ ¶ Then a little while after all the princes & the lords and the worshipful knights of their lands & kingdoms hearing of the coming home of these three kings. anon they road to them with great solemnity and met with them at the said chapel/ And with great meekness & reverence they received them/ And when the princes & lords heard how marvelously god had wrought by these three kings/ then they had them in more reverence & love and dread ever after/ ¶ So when these three kings had ordained their Testaments & done what they would. then they took leave each of other/ And each of them with his own people road home unto his own land with great joy & solemnity. and thus each king departed from other in their persons/ but never in their hearts/ And when they were rested in their own lands. then they told and preached to all the people all that they had seen and done in their way/ And they died make in their Temples a star after the same form and likeness as it appeared to them/ Wherefore the paynims left their errors and their mammets and worshipped the child which the kings had sought/ ¶ And thus these three kings dwelled in their lands and kingdoms in worshipful and honest conversation till after the ascension of our lord Ihesu christ/ And within short time after then came saint Thomas th'apostle in to their countries/   

AFter the time that these three kings were to me from Bethlehem in to their own countries again/ then began to rise & spring a great fame of our lady and of her child and of the three kings abvote all the country of Iherusalem Wherefore our lady for dread of the jews fled out of that little house that god was borne in & go in to another dark cave under the earth/ And there she abode with her child to the time of her Purification/ And as God's will was divers men & why men loved our lady saint Mary and her son. and found them all manner necessaries that them needed/ ¶ And after when the faith began to wax and increase. then was edified there a chapel in the same cave in worship of the three kings and of saint Nicholas/ ¶ And in that chapel there is a stone which our lady was wont to sit on when she gave her child our lord Ihesu christ suck/ And on a time as she sat upon that stone in giving to her sweet child suck. there happened to fall down from her teete a little drop of that most purest and most clean virginal milk on the foresaid stone. the which most precious and purest milk that fell from that blessed virgin is remaining and seen there unto this day/ And the more it is scraped with knives. the more wexyth the milk/ And it is borne in to many divers places by pilgrims ¶ Also when our lady was gone out of the little house in to the cave she had forgot her smock behind her in the hay of the maynger there our lady lay in/ And so both hay & smock were hole & fressh in the same place unto the time that saint Eleyn that holy queen that was mother to king Constantyn came to the place/ For the jews of malice & of envy held that place that Criste was borne in a foul cursed place/ In somoche-that they would suffer no man nor woman ne child ne be'st go in to that place/ ¶ furthermore when our lady had offered up her child in to the temple with the turtles & doves after Moses' law. as holy writ telleth/ And simeon took him in his arms & said) Nunc dimittis servum tuum dne & c̈) that is to say/ Now lord let thy secuaunt be in peace after thy word/ The same time simeon & Anne the holy woman in presence of the Scribes & Pharisees prophesied many things of our lord Ihesu christ as holy writ telleth/ And so great a name was sprung of our lady & of her son among the jews that she might not ne durst not no longer abide in that place for dread of Herod & of the jews/ And the Gospel saith (Angelus dni apparuit in sompnis joseph dicens Surge & accipe puerum & c̈ that is for to say/ a angel of god appeared to joseph in his sleep & said Rise and take the child and his mother and i'll in to Egypte. and be there till I tell thee/ For Herod shall seek the child to destroy him/ then joseph rose & took the child and his mother & go in to Egypte by night and dwelled there till Herod was deed/ Our lady & her son were in Egypte dwelling vij years. and it is from Bethlehem twelve days journey/ And in this way as our lady went in to Egypte she saw grow dry roses. the which been called the roses of Jericho. and they grow in no place of all the country but only in the same way/ And these roses the shepherds of the same country done gather in time of year & selltheym to pilgrims for bred & to other men of that countries about. and so they ben-borne in to divers lands/ ¶ And in the same place there our lady dwelled with her son in Egypte is now a garden therein groweth balm. and it is allong & broad as a man may cast stone/ And in that garden been seven. wells in whom our lady wish her son & bathed him. and washed her clothes & her sons clothes/ And in that garden been many bushes of balm. & they been like bushes of roses. and been but little higher than a fathom. and the leaves been like to Trayfoylles/ And to every bush a christian man one of the soudan's prisoners is assigned to keep it & to make it clean/ And there is a great wonder & a marvelous of these bushes. for there may no man keep them ne dress them but he be a christian man and that hath oft times be proved/ For when a jew or paynim keepeth them anon they wax dry & grow no more/ And in the month of March that Sultan is alway abiding in that gardyne/ And then the rods of the bushes been cut like a vine. and then they been bound about with cotton. and under the kytting of the rods & the cotton been set dishes of silver. & so the balm runneth down in to the vessels through the cotton as water runneth out of a vine/ & out of these dishes this balm is put into a great pot of silver. & that pot is more than vi. gallons/ And the Sultan taketh all this balm in to his own keeping specially. but when any messenger is sent from a king for balm. the Sultan giveth him a little vial full/ And when this baw me is all gathered & dropped out of the rods. thenne every christian man that hath a bush to keep taketh the rods that been left & set them in water in a clean pot. & the balm swimmeth above as it were fatness of flesh/ And this balm is gathered & is good for all manner of bruising/ And if a man be wounded it will make him hole anon/ And this balm is sold to pilgrims of divers countries/ And so it is borne thorough divers lands about/ But this bame is no thing so virtuous ne so good as the balm that droppeth out of the reeds/ For that can not be bought of the Sultan by no manner of wise For and a man take a drop of that balm and lay it on a man's hand anon it runneth & thyr let thorough on that other side. and that place shall never corrupt ne rote after/ And that is called raw balm. of which balm it were over long a matter to tell the virtue thereof/ But all the people in the east believe that that place is such a virtue of growing of balm by cause our lady dwelled there vij years and washed there her clothes and her sons and also bathed him in those wells as it is aforesaid/  

furthermore as it is aforesaid. that Melchior king of Nubie and of Arabia offered to god an apple of gold and xxx pence guilt ¶ Of these xxx pence ye may here the beginning and the last end/ ¶ Thara that was father to Abraham died make these xxx guilt pence in the name of the king of Mesopotania. which king was called Nilus'/ And so by process of tyme. this Abraham when he should take his journey to go on pilgrimage out of the land and country of Chaldee in to the country which was called Ebron which atte that time hent Arabia. he took these foresaid xxx pence that his father Thara had do make with him/ And for those xxx pence guilt he purchased and bought then a place for his sepulture & for his two sons Isaac and jacob/ afterward by process of time joseph was sold of his brethren in to Egypte by merchants of Ismalie for those same xxx pence sent in to the land of Saba for divers spices & ointments for the sepulture of jacob & so they were put in to the-kynges tresory/ then by process of time in king salomon's time that queen of Saba offered these xxx pence with many other rich jewels in the temple of god in Iherusalem/ ¶ So afterward in the time of Roboam king salomon's son when Iherusalem was destroyed & the temple of god spoylled. then these xxx pence guilt were brought to the king of Arabia & were put in to his treasury with many other rich ornaments that were brought out of the temple of god/ ¶ Thenne afterward when christ was borne. then Melchi or king of Nubie & Arabia took these xxx pence with him and many other rich jewels. by cause they were of the best & finest gold that he had in his treasury/ Therefore he took those with him & offered them to god in Bethlehem when he was born/ Then after when our lady saint Mary go out of Bethlehem in to Egypte for dread of-king Herode. she left those yefts that were offered to her son as she went by the way knit all together in a cloth/ It happened after that a shepherd that kept sheep in the same country. the which had so great infirmity & disease that no leech might heel him/ And all the good that he had he gave to divers leches to make him hole. but if would not be/ And as he go with his sheep in that field he found those xxx pence with incense and myrrh in a cloth together/ And those gifts he kept to himself privily. till a little afore the time that christ went to his passion/ And when the shepherd heard speak of such an holy prophet that heeled all men of their. infirmities with a word Thenne-he came to god & prayed him of grace and of help. & thenne our lord Ihesu christ heeled him anon at a word. and informed him in the faith then the shepherd offered to god with good devotion the xxx pence with incense. & myrrh. as they were both all together in the cloth/ And god knew those gifts well enough/ And god bad the sheep heard go in to the temple & offer all these things on the altar. & so he died goddies bidding & offered them up to the altar with great devotion/ And when the priest of the temple that kept the offering saw such an oblation offered on the altar. in the worship thereof he revest him & incensed the altar because such oblations were but selden seen in that temple. he took with great reverence the rich offerings & put them in to the common tresory/ ¶ And a little while after. that is to say the third day tofore Christ's passion judas Scarioth came in to the temple to the princes of the law & to the jews & made covenant with them to betray his master god almighty/ And for his labour the princes of the law and the jews took out of the treasury those xxx pence/ ¶ Thenne when this was done & christ was betrayed through his disciple and should be deed for all mankind as his sweet will was/ then judas repented him. and go in to the temple again to the princes of the jews & cast down again to them these xxx pence/ And then as the gospel saith he went & hang himself/ then the Jews bought with xv. of those pence a field for the sepultures of pilgrims as the gospel telleth/ And the other xu pence the jews gave to the knights that kept the sepulchre of christ/ ¶ Ye shall understand that the likeness of these xxx pence was used in all the country. both in name & in money from Abraham's time unto the destruction of Iherusalem. the which was by Titus & Daspasianus days destroyed/ But from the time of Abraham unto the time of Christ's passion these xxx pence were never dyscevered ne departed but evermore were boar hole together/ And when christ was sold for them. anon they were departed & sparpled about in divers places/ ¶ And the cause why these xxx Pence were called silver in the gospel. not withstanding they were fine gold/ For it is the common usage in all the country so for to call them/ As men call of this country gold of beyond the see. as Scutes. motenes. or florins/ And yet in the east the same print is made both in gold & silver and copre. and is kept among great lords of that country/ And the print of these pence is on the one side a kings heed crowned. and on that other side it is written with letters of Chaldee. the which writing men can not red now/ And one of them is work ten shillings. or better than three florins/ And many more merueylies been told of these thirty pence. of whom it were a long process to tell/ ¶ Also when our lady and joseph were warned to come out of Egypt by an angel as the gospel telleth/ then they were bidden to go in to Galilee. and there they dwelled in a city which was called Nazareth/ And so the prophecy was fulfilled (Quoniam nazarenus vocabitur) that is to say He shall be called a man of Nazareth/ ¶ And what christ died work in earth from that time till the third year afore his passion. the Evangelists openly declare not in their gospels/    

When our lord Ihesu Criste was stied up in to heaven. after that he sent saint Thomas th'apostle in to Ynde to preach there God's word/ In which Ynde as it is aforesaid these three kings the time reigned & were lords of those lands And though it so were that saint Thomas against his will go in to the lands of Ynde. yet it was done of great providence of god. that the same apostle the put his hand in to God's side to know the he was very god the was risen fo death to life for salvation of man should go & preach the Passion of Cryst. his resurrection. & his ascension to those worshipful kings that sought our lord in Bethlehem in his birth. and there with yefts worshipped him/ ¶ And as saint Gregory saith) Quod omnibus nobis ꝓfuit ꝙ hij tres reges eiusdem dni nostri ih̄u xpi infanciam que sierunt et oculis viderunt et devotissime muneribus adoraverunt & probaverunt) that is to say/ It was profit to us all that these worshipful kings & their people sought the childhede of christ. & with their eyen died see him. and with their gifts worshipfully & devoutly honoured him and soothly proved it/ ¶ Also the saint Barthylmew. Simon & Jude that were Cristis apostles were sent in to Ynde to preach the faith among all the people/ For there been many parties of Ynde/ And one part of Ynde is more than all the party of the world on this half of the see/ For this party of Cristendom on this half the see is no more accounted in all theest but an hundred days journey/   

AFter that saint Thomas th'apostle had preached in the kingdom of Ynde God's word & had gone about all the Yndes & the provinces & done many miracles thorough the sign & token of the Cross & of God's word/ As he go about in the temples he found a star painted in every temple after the star that appeared to the three kings when christ was borne. in which star was the sign of a cross & a child above/ And when saint Thomas saw the star he asked of bishops of the temple what is was/ And bishops told saint Thomas how such a star appeared of old time upon the hill of Vaws in tokening of a child the was borne & should be king of jews. as it was herd out of the same star/ And for that cause these three kings go out of their lands in to Bethlehem worshipfully through leading of the star & came in to Bethlehem in xiij days. and there offered to the child that was boar. but with great travail afterward they came home in to their own lands in two year/ And as those three kings had done & seen the bishops of the temple told to saint Thomas th'apostle/ When saint Thomas heard all this he thanked god. & with great joy he preached to the bishops & to all the people the chyldhede of god. his passion. his resurrection & his ascension. and all the works of christ while he was in earth/ Where thorough the bishops of the temples & many other folk were converted to christ & were christened/ furthermore saint Thomas meekly declared and died expone to all the people the understanding of this star & of the Cross/ And he casted out of the Temples all mammets/ And he hallowed them in the name & in the worship of that child christ Ihesu/ And thenne such a fame began to rise in all that country about of saint Thomas for the great miracles that he wrought. that all folk that had infirmities or any other tormenting of wicked spirits they came to saint Thomas/ And he in the name of god and by the sign of the Cross heeled them. and converted them to Christ's faith. and christened them. and they that were so converted to christ died many miracles thorough the virtue & sign of the Cross afterward in divers places there as saint Thomas had not visited ne been/   

SO when saint Thomas had thus preached and taught the people/ then he go to the kingdoms of those three kings & found them hole of body and of great age/ And as simeon had answer of the holy ghost. that he should not die till he had seen christ God's son. and so he abode him till he was brought in to the temple and there he took him in his arms/ So in like wise these three kings prayed to god that they should not die till they were renewed with the holy ghost & with the sacrament of Baptym/ So when they heard that a man that was disciple of Cryst was come in to their lands that was called Thomas. & preached to the people of the childhood of christ and of his Passion. resurrection. and ascension. and of those works that christ died here in earth. and specially of the sacrament of baptism/ Anon notwithstanding that they were of great age and feeble. yet they arrayed them and came all three kings to saint Thomas with other lords and great multitude of people/ And saint Thomas with great joy and reverence received them. and declared to them all that christ taught here in earth to his disciples. and also his passion/ And how he rose from death to life the third day. and also how he stied up to heaven And how he sent down the holy ghost to the apostles. and many other articles of the faith/ And specially he told them of the sacrament of Baptym without which sacrament there may no man come-to the kingdom of heaven/ And when they were thus informed and Instruct in the faith. then saint Thomas christened them and more over all the people that came with them/ And anon these three kings were replete and fulfilled of the holy ghost/ And began tp preach with saint Thomas God's word/ And also they told the people how they had sought christ goddies son in Bethlehem in his nativity as it is told before/ So when all this was done these three kings went with saint Thomas & all their people to the hill of Vaws/ And there saint Thomas died hallow the chapel that those three kings had done made and edified upon that hill And there saint Thomas & those three kings preached again to all the people of Cristen believe. and of the star that apppered to the three kings/ And such a joy and gladness was among the people. and such a name was risen in all the lands about of saint Thomas and of these three kings christened that all manner of people both men and women came from diverse and far countries with great devotion to visit that chapel that was made on the hill of Vaws/ And for that great concourse and devotion that was made to the chapel. those three kings died make under that hill a great and a rich city/ And is called the city of Seuyll/ And that is the richest and the best city of all Ynde/ And yet unto this day in that city is the habitation of Prethyr john that is lord of Ynde/ And there dwelleth also the patriarch of Ynde. that is called patriarch Thomas/ ¶ And why the Patriarch of Ynde is called Thomas. and why the lord of Ynde is called Iohn ye shall here afterward/   

when saint Thomas the apostle had preached and converted the people to the laws of our saviour christ Ihesu. then he sacred and made these three kings unto th'order of priesthood and afterward unto archbishops/ And when they were put in this degree. then they ordained under them bishops. priests and clerks to serve god/ And thenne these foresaid three kings and bishops hallowed all the Temples in that country in-worshippe & honour of our lady. and casted out all the mammets that were in the temples in that country about/ And to bishops & priests and These three kings and archbishops gave many great possessions to maintain & increase God's service/ Also saint Thomas taught these kings & archbishops & other bishops and priests the manner & the form to say a mass. and informed them also of the words that christ said to his disciples. when he made his supper that night that he was betrayed. through which words he made & ordained the Sacrament of the altar/ And also he taught them the Pater noster & many other things he told them/ Also the form of crystning & specially charged them that they should not forget that And when saint Thomas had informed them thus of the christian faith. then afterward he took martyrdom for the law of christ. as it is contained more fully in the story that is written of his passion/ There it telleth how he was slain & in what place/ But soothly in all that country about there saint Thomas was slain both men & women have visages shapen after hounds. but they been not heery. and so they been yet unto this day/   

AFter the death of saint Thomas these three kings archbishops go about cities & towns & other divers places and ordained many churches and put in them bishops priests & clerks & other ministers of holy church to do divine seruyte/ And moche richesse & great possessions And then the three kings archbishops forsook the vanity of the world. and ordained them to abide in the city of Seuyll. the which they had do build/ And they assigned certain lords to govern & rule their kingdoms & lands both in spyritualtie & temporalte/ And all people of great love & charity were obedient to them. as the son to the father/ Thenne the second year tofore their death these three kings & archbishops made a Convocation of all the people both spiritual and temporal/ And had them all to a certain place/ And they warned & counseled the people that they should be perseverant in the christian faith as saint Thomas had taught them And counseled the people that they should be all of one accord and of one will to choose a man among them that were able and discrete that had love and desire to maintain the faith of christendom. And that man should be chief tofore all other men. as in spiritualty in saint Thomas stead/ And to him all manner of men shall obey as to their ghostly father Which man in worship of saint Thomas th'apostle should be called the Patriarch Thomas for ever lasting memory/ And when the Patriarch were de de then they should come together all in one place & in his stead cheese another. to whom as it is aforesaid they should obey as to their ghostly father/ Thenne when this matter was thus-spoke among the people they assented thereto. And of one accord & will they chose a man that was called jacob. the which was come out of the country of Anchioche. and he had always followed saint Thomas the apostle into Ynde/ And this jacob the people chose and took him for their Patriarch/ And changed his name and called him Thomas/ And this man jacob was the first Patriarch that was in that country/ And so alway they of Ynde be obedient to the patriarch Thomas as we been to the Pope of Rome yet unto these days/ And to this Patriarch and so all his successors these three kings gave for evermore who the assent of all the people the Tithes of all their lands and kingdoms/ When all this was done and the patriarch Thomas then chosen to be lord of all the people in spiritualty/ then these iij. kings archbishops & other bishops of coming assent of all the people chose another man the was discrete to be lord & governor of all the people in temporalty/ And for this cause. that if any man would rise or tempt against the Patriarch Thomas or against the law of god. if so were that the Patriarch might not rule him by the spiritual law. then should this lord of temporal law chastise him by his power/ So this lord should not be called a king or emperor. but he should be called Prethir john/ And the cause is this For the three kings were priests and of their possessions they made him lord/ For there is no degree so high as priesthood is in all the world. nor so worthy/ Also he is called Prethyr john in worship of saint john the evangelist that was a priest. the most special chosen and loved of god almighty/ ¶ When all this was done these three kings assigned the Patriarch Thomas & Prethyr john th'one to be chief governor in spirituality. and the other chief lord in temporalty for ever more/ And so these same lords & governors of Ynde been called unto these days/   

When all thing was thus disposed & ordained by these three worthy kings. then they went in to the city of Seuyll foresaid. and there they lived two years/ And a little tofore the feast of the nativity of our lord Ihesu christ there appeared a wonderful star above the city/ By the which star they understood that their time was nigh that they should die & pass out of this world unto everlasting joy in heaven/ then of one assent they ordained a large & a fair tomb for their sepulture in the same church that they had do make in that city/ And in the feast of christmas these kings & archbishops died solemnly God's service. so in the feast of the Circumsition. Melchior king of Arabia & of Nubie said his mass solemnly in the church/ And when he had said mass tofore all the people he laid him down. and without any disease or heaviness he yield up his spirit to the father of heaven And so died in the year of his age. c. and xvi  

THenne came those two other kings & took up his body & arrayed it in bishops clothes and with kings ornaments & bore him to his tomb/ And then in the feast of the epiphany Bathazar king of Godolie & of Saba said devoutly his mass & when he had done. without grievance of disease or sickness. as the will of god was he died & passed to god in the year of his age. c. & xvi. then jasper the third king took up his body & arrayed it as the first Kings body was. and with great solemnity laid & buried it in the tomb by Melchiors' body/ The sixth day after this jasper king of Taars & of thyle of Egriswill. when he also with solemnity & great devotion said his mass. then christ took his spirit to him & to his bliss/ And then came other bishops & priests with moche people & took his body & arrayed it worthily as the other kings bodies were. & bore it to the tomb there tother kings lay. And Cryst showed there this wonder tofore all the people/ ¶ When the body of the third king was then brought and should be buried & laid in the same tomb between the other kings. anon each of the other two kings departed asunder & gave place to their third fellow. & so received him to lie in the mydyll betwixt them both/ And so it may be said of these three kings as it is read in holy writ (Gliosi principes terre qmo in vita sua dilexerunt se isa & in morte non sunt seperati & c̈) that is to say/ As these glorious kings & archbishops loved together in their life. right lo they been not departed in their death/ And that star that appeared over the city tofore their death abode alway still till their bodies were translated unto Colayne as men of Ynde say/    

Long after the death of these three kings. when christian faith stood in prosperity in the worshipful city of Seuyll & in all the kingdoms of the east. then the devil that of all goodness & virtues is dystroyer through his wickedness. excited & brought up among the people divers opinions of heresy/ And the persecution of he resye greatly increased in divers lands about. & also in the city of Ceuyll that these three kings rested in. In so much that Prethir john and Patriarch Thomas might not rebuke the people from their heresies by no spiritual correction nor temporal. And so the people turned again to their old law and wretched false mammets & falls God's/ And forsook the laws of god in so much that these three kings bodies were had at no reverence. but almost forgotten of the people/ And so the people that inhabited in the city of Seuyll that were come out of the lands & kingdoms of these three kings. every party took his kings body out of the tomb. and closed them in divers chests honestly. each by himself and bore them home in to their own lands & kingdoms/ And with great worship every land veceyved the body of their king. and there they abode long time after/   

When this glorious Emperor Constantyn thorough the grace of god & divers miracles was converted to christ by saint Silvester and he was made clean of his leprehede & was changed both in life & in manners in to a new man. that is to say in to the law of christ/ And the same time saint Elyne which was mother of Constantyn the emperor aforesaid was dwelling among the jews/ And she was all infect & defoiled with the jews laws and with their believe/ But wonderfully she was converted to the laws of christ. as it is written in the story of her life & of the finding of the holy Cross it is more plainly showed/ And fro thenceforth that blessed saint Elyne of as mighty strength as she was first in the jews law occupying & drawing to it. so much more busily she burned afterward in the new law and gospel of Cryst Ihesu/ And all the holy places that our lord hallowed there & in other party's 〈◊〉 his manhood as she had defoiled by counsel of the jews. she afterward to the laud of our lord I●esu devoutly visited. honoured and enlarged richly with great yefces to the confusion of the jews/ Wherefore afterward by miracle when saint Eleyne had found the cross & nails by the will of our lord Ihesu. then upon that same place & upon the mount of calvary & upon the sepulture of christ. and the place that christ appeared to Mary Mawdeleyne in likeness of a gardener. all these places & many other that were holy the queen saint Eleyne builded churches on/ And made rial & worshipful churches above all those places. & also she go in that place where th'angel appeared to our lady. & there th'angel appeared to the shepherds that night that god was borne/ And in that same she died build a rial church & named it (Glias in excelsis (& so it is called unto this day/ And this church was sometime a great Colage of Canons. which of special privilege began all the Hours of the day with Glia in excelsis (as we do in this country with (Deus in adiutorium (& some men use that same yet this day in the same church/ When saint Elyne had made the church. then she went in to Bethlehem in to the same place where christ was borne/ And as it is told before the jews of envy would suffer no man child ne be'st to go in to that place. for they held it a cursed place/ And fro that time that our lady saint Mary was gone out of that place that she bore in her child till saint Elyne came in to that place. came never man child ne be'st/ And when saint Elyne came in to that dark place. she fond the same hay that christ was laid in & the maynger and that clothes that our lord Ihesu was wrapped in. & our lady's smock/ All these things our lady had left behind her when she go out of that place in to Egypte. which saint Elyne found both fair & whole wound to guider in the maynger/  

ALl these things that be relics saint Elyne took away with her. safe the maynger. & bore them in to Constantynople/ And there with great reverence & solemnity she put them in to a worshipful church. that is called the church of saint sophy/ And therein the relics were kept unto the time that a king of France that hight Carolus came unto Iherusalem. and there died many great battles against the Sarrasins/ And delivered out of prison all the christian men that long time had lived there/ & when he had done. he go home again by Constantynople. & he saw all these relics/ And with great prayer he had all these relics. and bare them home with him in to France. & put them in a worshipful church that is called our lady church of Akon/ And there is our ladies smock & other relics that been worshipped of christian men there unto this day/ ¶ When saint Elyne had made these churches. then she went in to the cite of Nazareth. and there she made also a fair church/ And ordained to them bishops. priests & clerks to maintain therein divine service/ And in the city of Nazareth than gell greeted our lady. & it is in the land of Galilee/ And beside Galilee is an hill that is called Thabor/ Upon that hill our lord Ihesu Criste transfigured him tofore three of his disciples. Peter. john. & jamys. as the gospel telleth/ And this hill is but little of breed. but it is wonder high/ And it is from jerusalem three days journey & an half/ And bitwyx Iherusalem & this hill Thabor was all the way the Cryst go here in earth with his disciples & preached & taught and died miracles. & farther go he not in his manhood than between these two places & other places that were between them but right little of breed and largeness/    

When this queen saint Elyne had visited all these holy places. & had ordained churches & God's ministers for to serve. and all thing performed after her own will to the worship of god/ then began she to think greatly on these three kings that had worshipped god in his chyldhede/ And she arrayed her with a certain people & go in to the lands of Ynde/ When she was there she destroyed all the synagogues & false mammets. & died make churches & monasteries/ & ordained in them priests & clerks of the christian faith/ And she preached the crysted faith among the people. the which was taught by saint Thomas th'apostle and the three kings. which faith through heresies was destroyed. & she renewyd it thorough her preaching/ For all the people when they heard what miracles our lord Ihesu christ had wrought by that worshipful queen saint Elyne. of the finding of the cross & of the nails & of our ladies smock & of the hay. and of the clothes that christ was wrapped in. in his childhood/ then they came to her & worshipped her and forsook their false law & took them to the law of god as saint Elyne taught them/ And then she began to inquire of the relics of the three kings/ And with great travail go about to have them/ So our lord Ihesu christ that evermore is ready to all men that cry to him in truth & rightwiseness/ As he showed to this holy queen the cross & the nails that were hid deep in the earth. right so he showed the bodies of the three kings to her/ So this lady had such a name among the people. that the Patriarch Thomas & Preter john by counsel of the lords gave to saint Elyne the two bodies of these two kings. Melchior & Balthasar to the worship of god & of the holy kings/ The body of the third king jasper. the Nestorynes had borne it in to the isle of Egriswill/ And by cause the saint Elyne would not that these three kings should be departed. she made great means & great prayers. and gave great gifts to the chief lords of they'll. and so she gate the third body. that is to say of jasper/ And for that body she gave to them the body of saint Thomas the apostle which she had that time in her keeping. And the body of saint Thomas hath been twice born away from the isle. & ever restored again for certain causes/ ¶ And christian men that have been in the isle say that they might never see the body of saint Thomas/ For it is a common prophecy in all the country that the body of saint. Thomas the apostle shall be translated to the city of Coleyne & put to the three kings/ And in what manner this shall be done they tell & say/ ¶ In time coming when god will there shall be an archbishop of Coleyne that shall be so wise & prudent & so mighty. that he shall make a contract of matrimony between the emperors son of Rome & th'emperors daughter of Tartarin/ And with this contract & friendship the holy land shall be yelden in to christian men's hands/ And in the time shall the body of saint Thomas be translated & born to Coleyne & laid by the three kings. & therefore the Heretics of this isle that been called Nestorines taken but little heed of saint Thomas body ne do but little reverence thereto by cause of prophecy. ¶ And then saint Elyne put the bodies of these three kings together in a chest/ & arrayed it with great richesse & then brought it to Constantynople with great joy and reverence/ And laid them reverently in a church that was called saint Sohpie/ and that same church king Constantyn died make/ And he alone with a little child set up all the pylars of marble of the same church/ And therein was sometime the crown of thorn that Cryst was crowned with/ And when the Turks & Sarrasyns came down to Constantynople & destroyed a great party thereof. then th'emperor sent to saint allows that was then king of France for succour & help. & then king allows came with strength to the th'emperor. & recovered again the most party of that lands the th'emperor had lost/ And for his labour th'emperor gave him the crown of thorn. wherefore the Greeks made moche sorrow/ And so came the holy crown of thorn in to France out of Constantynople. and the cy●e is the chief city of all the land of Grece ¶ And when these three knges were brought unto Constantynople all the people of the country about came & visited them & with great devotion worshipped them/ And there they were long time/   

AFter the these three worshipful kings bodies were brought unto Constantynople. king Constantyn & his holy mother saint Elyne died/ And against the faith of christian men began to rise a new heresy. & also persecution of death against all those the would maintain the christian faith & the law of christ/ But in this persecution the Greeks though it were that they had many worshipful doctors & bishops of the same country of Grece borne Yet they forsook the law of holy church & the faith and chose them a Patriarch by themselves. to whom they obey yet unto this day as we do to the pope/ & in this persecution the bodies of these three kings were had in no reverence. nor none of the other relics but utterly set at nought/ And the Sarrasyns & Turks in this time wan with strong hand & battle the lands of Grece & harmony. & destroyed a great part of those lands/ And then came th'emperor of Rome Mauricius. & through him & the help of them of Melayne recoveryd-all these lands again ¶ And as it is said among them there in the country. through counsel of the same emperor these iij kings bodies were translate in to Melayne/ ¶ furthermore it is in many books in that country. that there was an emperor of Grece which was called Ginamiell. & he sent unto a religious man that was called Gustorgius in to Melayne upon a certain message. & thenne the religious man asked of th'emperor to have these three kings bodies/ And by cause the emperor loved well this man & also he was a wise man. th'emperor granted him the bodies of these kings/ And so this man Gustorgius sent the bodies to Melane. & laid them there in a fair church of frere Prechours with great solemnity/ And there our lord showed many fair miracles/  

¶ And so at yet we shall leave to speak of the translation of these holy kings bodies & speak of another matter in usage of the lands of Ynde/  
PReter john that is lord of Ynde & of all the kings that been under him on the xii. day. the is called the epiphany. they array them as kings should with their crowns on their heads & with rich ornaments. so they go to their temple & here mass/ & three times that day they offer at mass The first offering in the beginning of the mass the second after the gospel. & the third at that Postcomyn of the mass/ And they offer gold. incense. & myrrh. and that with great devotion & meekness. and also other lords of less degree offer thrice after their power/ furthermore all other men of christian faith that been divided in divers parties & sects. & hold divers opinions of heresies. as Nubiani. Soldani. nestorini. Indi. Grecy. Simani. Ifymum Nycholaite & Mandopoly. of these each party hath a devotion to the three kings & to the feast of the Epyphanie. as ye may here afterward/ But first or we proceed any further we shall speak of the three kings bodies left at Melayne/    

THenne after by process of time the city of Melane began to rebel against the Emperor their sovereign lord. which emperor was called Fredericus/ And this emperor sent to the bishop of Loleyne that was called Reynolde for help of divers lords of the land. for divers lords that were his enemies took the city of Melane & destroyed a great part thereof/ And in that time the great men of the city took the bodies of these three kings & hid them privily in the earth/ Among all other there was a lord in that city that hight Asso. & themperor hated this Asso more than all the people of that city/ And so it happened that in the destruction of the city the archbishop of Colayn won this lords place thorough strong hand. & lay therein a great while/ And this Asso was take and put in prison/ then this Asso sent privily by the keepers of the prison to th'archbishop of Coleyne & prayed him that he would come & speak with him/ And so when he was come before th'archbishop he promised him if he might & would get him grace of th'emperor & his love & lordship. he would give him the bodies of the three kings/ And when the bishop heard this anon he go to th'emperor & prayed for him. and gate him grace & good love of the emperor/ When this was done this lord Asso brought privily the bodies of the three kings to th'archbishop of Colayn/ And then the archbishop sent privily these three bodies by his privy main a great way out of Melayne/ And thenne he go to the Emperor & prayed him that he would grant him the bodies of the three kings/ & th'emperor granted them to him/ And then the archbishop openly with great procession & solemnity brought these holy saints in to Coleyne. & there laid them in a fair church of saint Peter worshipfully/ And all the people of the country with all reverence that they might received these holy relics/ there they been worshipped of all manner of nations unto this day/   
And thus endeth the translation of these three kings. melchior. balthazar. & jasper/   

NOw to speak of thusages in Ynde that we have begun before aswell of christian as Heretics & Sysmatykes. each of them both religious & seculars fasten on christmas day unto it be night/ And each man spredyth his table & settith on it asmuch meet & drink as may suffice for his living fro Cristmas day till the twelve day/ And so of the that is set on the board they eat & drink with their wives. children & main with all joy & mirth the they can in that time/ Also they light a candle or a lamp. & that shall burn both night & day fro christmas night unto the twelve night beside the same board/ And in the Vigil of the epiphany at night every friend gooth to others house/ & when he cometh to the door he saith (Bona dies) that is to say Good day/ For if he said (Bona nox) that is to say Good night. then would he accuse him tofore the justice of the law as he had done to him a great trespass/ And so they wake all the night & go fro house to house. and eat. drink & dance. and bear candles light in their hands. in tokening that the star appeared when christ was born & led these three kings in these days to Bethlehem. & there was no night in this tyme. but it was all one day to them/ Also the xii. day all manner christian of that country of what sect ever they been. come fro far countries with their bishops & priests. with other religious with crosses of silver & sensers. & gone to the water of flom jordan which is fro Ihrlm .v. miles/ And when all the people is come to that water. thenne every sect standeth together in a certain place by themselves/ And then every sect taketh his cross & layeth it down on the ground. & redyth a gospel every sect in his own tongue (Cum natus esset john's in bethlehem & c̈ (And when this gospel is read. every sect with great devotion worshippeth his cross & offryth thereto as every man is of power/ And this is done in tokening & mind of the three kings that offered yefts to almighty god After this they gone all in procession to the place where christ was christened of saint john Bapcyst. and there they read in latin the gospel (In illo tempore venit john's a galilea ad ioh̄em ut baptizaret ab illo in jordan in isto loco & c̈) that is to say/ On a time our lord came fro Galilee to saint john to be christened of saint john in this jordan in this place/ And when the gospel is read. they bless the water and wash their cross in the water/ And seek men and blind men gone in to the water naked. and wash them. & after ward been heeled/ And when this is done every sect gone home again in to their owne-countree/ ¶ And between this jordan & Ihe/ rusalem is a little wilderness that is called Montost. and therein dwelled saint john Baptist. and there he preached/ And there our lord Ihesu Cryst came to saint john to be christened of him/ And in that same desert god almighty fasted xl days & xl nights/ ¶ Also bishops & other priests of what tongue or sect that they been. every day after their mass they say this gospel) Cum natus esset ihuns (as we in this country say (In principio) after our mass. But each sect saith in his own tongue & not in latin. safe on the twelve day only/ But it is read diversly right as it was done/ For in Iherusalem it is read thus) Aum natus esset john's in bethlehem in diebus herodis. hic regis ecce magi venerunt ab oriente hic dicentes (And in Bethlehem and in all the dyocecyse about it is read thus) Aun natus esset john's in diebus herodis hic & Jude regis & c̈ (Also other christian men by whose places these three kings in their going out and coming home again passed by/ for a special devotion that they have to the three kings they red this gospel after this manner of four me (Cum natus esset john's in bethlehem Jude in ●ebus herodis regis ecce magi regis gloriosi cum marima festinacione & excercitu ab oriente venerunt & per nos transierunt (And thus all divers sects read this gospel as it was done among them/ ¶ Also the saracens the believe on Machomites law & Turks have these three kings in special reverence in all temples of the country. they were sometime christened. & forsook it. & destroyed all the images in their temples. & cut of their noses & disfigured them for despite/ But the images of the three kings they suffer alway stand still without any despite/  
furthermore touching the sects of Heretics aforesaid/ The first sect is called Nubiani. & those been of the kingdom of Araby & Nubie. whereof Melchior was king. & these been christian men/ And they have a special prerogative tofore all other christian men. for worship of their king/ And the priests of the country when they go to thaltar have crowns of gold or overgylt on their heeds And the they do in tokening the the three kings with crowns on their heeds offered yefts to god almighty in Bethlehem/ & with crowns & miters sing their masses/  
There is also another sect that is called Soldini. and they been of the kingdom of Godolie & Saba there Balthasar was king/ They were a party corrupt in the faith. & they took their names of an heretic that was called Solodinis/ But these men been not hold in so great reverence as the Nubiani. for they keep not the faith so truly as they done/ And their priests when they go to mass they beer gold in their hands to the altar. & the deacon be cryeth incense & the subdeaken myrrh/ And this they beer in tokening of the three kings that offered to our lord Ihesu Cryst god almighty in his birth. gold. myrrh & incense/  
Also there is another sect that is of the kingdom of Taars & of thyle of Egriswill there as jasper was king. & they been called Nestorini/ And they been the worst & the cursedest Heretics of the world. & for the most party they been black Ethyopies/ And all men of other sects hate them greatly/ And when the preestis go to sing mass. they curse all men that were of council. or helping to do away the body of jasper that was their king/ ¶ furthermore these Nestorines forsook Preter john & Thomas their Patriarch & were rebel against them & against the laws of holy church/ So afterward as the will of god was on a time there died arise in the same land a great multitude of people. as of shepherds & labourers & bond men against their own nations. the which called themselves Tartarines. & they made a Smythe their capitain & cheyf-lorde/ And so thorough strong power they destroyed all the kingdom & lands of Nestorines. & slew all the people with out any mercy as the will of god was/ And took castles. cities & great towns & all their goods/ And when the Tartarynes had thus conquered the lands & kingdoms of the Nestorines. then the Nestorines go to Preter john & promised him that they would torn again to their first law & faith of god & be trybutory to him so the he would help them/ And thenne Preter john was in good will to help them The next night as Preter john lay in his bed & slept the three kings appeared to him. & spoke to him & charged him the he should not in no manner help ne succour the Nestorines. for it is God's will that they should utterly be destroyed for their wickedness and malice/ And when the Nestorines heard tell that Preter john had such a vision of the three kings. they go about to the great lords that were about Preter john & gave them great yefts to speak to their lord the they might have help of him/ And then divers lords counseled Preter Iohn to take no heed of dreams nor of such visions. but to hold his purposes & promise. & to help these Nestorines/ And then Preter john assented to their counsel & sense his eldest son David with a strong host in helping of the Nestorines/ And when these two hosts met together the Tartarines had the victory. and slew David & all his host. so that there escaped none alive/ And also they destroyed many lands. cities & castles that were longing to Preter john/ And when preter john heard thereof then he was sorry therefore that he died against the commandment of the three kings that appeared to him in his sleep/ And then with great sorrow of heart he asked god mercy & forgiveness. and the three kings he prayed of grace & help/ then on a time the three kings appeared to th'emperor of Tartaryn as he lay in his bed and charged him that he should do no more harm to Preter john/ And bad he should send to him and make a final peace with him for evermore. but the lands & castles the th'emperor had won of Preter john to keep them still to himself. for by cause Preter john was inobedient to our commandment/ then th'emperor anon though he were a paynim. yet he was sore adread of his vision/ Anon he sent messengers to Preter john & made a final peace between them for ever more In so much that the eldest son of these two lords should wed the tother daughter ever more after to the worlds end & so it is yet continued unto this day/ ¶ So afterward this emperor inquired of the three kings & of their lives & deeds/ then in mind & in worship of them th'emperor ordained that his first son & all the children of his successors should beer the names of these three kings for evermore after/ And thus the Nestorines were destroyed & put out of their lands & kingdoms/ And after ward were fugytyf and dwelling about in divers countries alway under tribute. as jews & other nations that been always dwelling under tribute/ But yet some of them dwell in thyle of Egriswyll. & pay therefore every year great tribute/  
Also there is another sect that is called India. and they been of Preter johnns land. & they been good christian men/ Add the priests of that land when they go to mass they hang a crown of gold on the altar And the priest. deacon & subdeaken meet together in three parties. & so they go to the altar/ And this they do in tokening of the three kings that met suddenly together in an high way. which was departed in three ways/ & so through leading of the star they go unto Bethlehem & offered yefts to god almighty the twelfth day after his birth/  
There is also another sect which is called Grecij & there priests have wives/ And they believe on the father & on the son. but not in the holy ghost/ & also they believe & say there is no purgatory/ And when they sing mass they cut a piece of breed. & that is made four square/ And this breed they put in a dish of gold or of silver. & above that they lay a star & that is covered with a fair white cloth/ And at the Offetory of the mass they take the dish with thost & with the star & set it above on their heeds. & so with sencers and candles they go about the church with great worship & reverence. and so again to the altar/ And then all the people fallen down to the ground & done great worship to the sacrifice/ And thus they do in tokening of the three kings that sought god almighty in Bethlehem. and offered to him rich yefts. & through leading of a steer came to the maynger there Cryst lay/ And there they fell down & worshipped him/  
Also there is another manner of sect. which is called Simiani/ & they been men of Yndore. for that land about Ihrlm. which of old time was called Pude is now called Symis/ But these men have but little of heresy among them/ & they do great worship to saint Barbara. & watch all her night. as men do in this country on midsummer night/ And so thenne every friend gooth to other and beareth aboute-dyvers seeds which shall be sown in gardens ¶ And these men when they shall swear afore justices for any cause. then they swear by the gospel. and by the three kings/ And that they done in tokening of the three kings that sought god in the land of jews/  
There is also another sect which is called Maronice. and they dwell in divers lands about/ And their priests & their deacons and their Subdeakens have wives/ And they say no mass in all the year but at the feast of christmas & Ester/ And they say mass of saint Thomas the apostle & of the three kings/ And this they use yet unto this day/ Also there is another sect which is called Ysimij/ And when the priests go to mass. they bliss the people. and prayed god rule them & lead them. as he led the three kings by a star in to Bethlehem to do him worship/  
Also there is another sect that is called Maronijs/ And these men when they begin any thing. thenne they say in the name of god & the three kings/  
Also there is another sect that is called Nicholaite And those men use to give every day three manner of alms in the worship of god & the three kings to poor men there about/  
Another there is. and they been called Mandopoles And they hold no special faith. they are in heresy. ne they have no priests among them/ And ones in the year they gone together in procession to the church fasting/ And that shall be on a Sunday. & there they will here mass in the worship of god & the three kings/ And all those diverse sects & other christian men have many other special devotions to these three worshipful kings. which were long to tell/ And in all the countries of Ynde & in the east and in all the lands and kingdoms there these three kings were lords all manner of people have thyle three kings in reverence moche more than men have in this country/ ¶ And our lord Ihesu Cryst showeth many miracles about in divers places in the east through the merits & prayers of these worshipful kings. which three kings now regne in eternal bliss in heaven/ To which bliss by the merits & Intercessions of those three blessed kings. he the sitteth above all saints bring us all/ AMEN   

And thus we make an end of this most excellenct treatise of those three glorious kings. whose corpse rest in the cyce of Coleyne/ imprinted at Westmester by Wynkyn the word/  
 printer's or publisher's device