-1 .•^'^ BERKELEY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFO«NIA ^1 TITUS AND VESPASIAiN OR THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM 'trmr le u^cu5 2t\ia ate a? w(m t) U\ mo ct MItf" m ^^*r^. m y^*r^. m m m m m m m >p<^%K^K"^^ €ttUSi Wtfimainn OR THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM IN RHYMED COUPLETS Edited from the London and Oxford MSS. BY J. A. HERBERT PRINTED FOR THE LONDON . 1905 =«kS ®i^ ®yt^® ®yl^ ®yl^ ^vb® ®^ ®jb® ^"1^ M. ••'"-'r-"'^- .^wf. .'Wiw'- .'WiiWf, .* Bulletin, p. 53. ^ Ibid. p. 5 1 ; it is described, and compared with the Catalan and French prose versions, on pp. 52-61. * The British Museum possesses two undated editions (i. La des^r\uction de iherusalem [1480?], Press-mark C. 32. m. 17; 2. La destruction de iherusalem et la mart depilate [1485 ?], IB. 42294), besides one printed at Lyon, 151 7. Introduction. xvii Vespasian, Emperor of Rome, is a leper, and his face is devoured by cancer; the plague of wasps does not occur. His seneschal Gay' tells him of the miracles and passion of Jesus,^ and obtains his leave to go to Jerusalem in search of a remedy. From this point onward there is a marked agreement with our present poem : — Gay's host in Jerusalem is Jacob, father of one of the three Maries (cf. below, 11. 1 755- 1 820) ; Jacob introduces him to Verone, who consents to go to Rome with him, taking the Portrait (Jb. 11. 195 1-2046) ; before starting he has a stormy interview with Pilate, and his life is only saved by the intervention of Barabbas (11. 1843- 1934) ; at Rome Verone meets St. Clement,' who accompanies her into Vespasian's presence and assists at the miraculous cure (11. 2215-2544), and baptizes Vespasian and Titus when they return victorious (11. 4971- 4998). It would be tedious to enumerate all the incidents of the war which occur in both versions. Enough has been said to prove that the two are closely related ; but the differences are such as to make a common ancestry more likely than direct use of the chanson by our versifier. Some of these discrepancies {e.g. the seneschal's name) might be accounted for by the fact that our author must have used other sources in addition, viz. for the lives of Pilate and Judas, the mission of Nathan, and other passages which have no place in the chanson. But there are other variations not easily explained in this way, e.g. in Veronica's story no mention is made of an issue of blood. While Christ hung on the cross she drew near, being leprous ; Mary the Mother of Christ took a ^ This is his name, spelt in various ways (Jais, Gais, Gayus, etc.), in most MSS. of the chanson and MSS. and early prints of the Romance prose versions ; Gui also occurs {Hist. Htt., xxii. 412), but the Latin original is more likely to have had Gaius than Guido. * The chanson does not say how Gay came to know the Gospel-story. According to the prose versions it was through hearing St. Clement preach in Rome. ' This is the earliest mention of St. Clement, so far as I know, in connection with the story. xviii Introduction. wimple (" guinple " or " toalle ") from her head, held it up before our Lord's face, and returned it to her with His likeness stamped upon it, and immediately her leprosy departed.* This is altogether different from our version, except for the mediation of the Virgin.' Again, the chanson makes Marie, the woman who eats her own child, Queen of Africa ; ^ but here she is only *' A riche lady of )>at contre," sc. of Judaea (1. 3409). These instances could easily be added to. But enough has been said to show that in all proba- bility the lost Latin original of the chanson was one of the sources from which our author drew his materials. Of the other sources, it is hardly possible to avoid the con- clusion that the principal one was the Legenda Aurea of Jacobus de Voragine. This work is practically nothing but a compila* tion — a series of extracts, generally abridged, from lives of saints, apocryphal gospels, ecclesiastical and other chronicles, and monastic collections of tales ; but its convenient arrangement helped to give it enormous vogue, and our author cannot have been unacquainted with it. At all events, he is much more likely to have been familiar with it than with some of the more recondite vtritings which Jacobus cites, and which he and Jacobus have both used (directly or indirectly) — and used, moreover, to just the same extent and in the same connection. The following are the passages from the Legenda Aurea* -which, concern us : — (i) Cap. 45, De S. Mathia apostolo. As Mathias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, Jacobus gives here the legendary life * of 1 Dobschiitz, p. 288*; Add. 10289, f. 86. * See above, p. xv. note 3. * Add. 10289, f- 107b. So too the French prose : see Add. 32090, f. 72, and the printed editions. * I refer always to Graesse's edition, 1846. * For the literature of this curious adaptation of the Oedipus-legend, see Du Meril, op. cit. pp. 315-340, and Alessandro d'Ancona, La Leggenda di Vergogna e la Leggenda di Giuda (Bologna, 1869). See too Furnivall, Early Engl. Poems, for an English rhymed version. Introduction. xix the latter, introducing it (p. 184) with the phrase * Legitur enim in quadam hystoria licet apocrypha.' The story, which has not been traced back, so far as I know, beyond the Legenda, is reproduced in our poem (11. 4487-4864) with almost slavish fidelity. After the concluding words ' in agre cum daemonibus sociaretur,' the Legenda goes on ' Cum igitur inter Ascensionem et Penthecosten apostoli in coenaculo simul essent, videns Petrus," etc., and describes the election of Mathias. This is perfectly appropriate here, but its inclusion in the poem (II. 4865-4884) is quite uncalled-for and can hardly be a mere coincidence. Indeed, it falls little (if at all) short of positive proof of our author's indebtedness to Jacobus de Voragine. (2) Cap. 53, De passione Domini. Here Jacobus e?q)lains how he has divided the punishments of the murderers of Christ into three sections (p. 231) : 'Sed de poena et origine Judae iftvenies in legenda sancti Matthiae, de poena et excidio Judaeorum in legenda sancti Jacobi minoris, de poena autem et origine Pylati in quadani historia licet apocrypha legitur.' Then follows the story of Pilate's birth and early life, down to the reconciliation with Herod, as in the Latin prose text ptiblished by Mone, but slightly abridged and so nearer to the version contained in this poem (11. I493'i578). After a short digression on the quarrel betxveen Herod and Pilate, Jacobus says briefly that after the crucifixion Pilate sent ' quendam sibi familiarem ' to excuse him to Tiberius, and then goes on (leaving this emissary's adventures for cap. 67) : " Interea cum Tyberius morbo gravi teneretur, nuntiatur eidem, quod Hierosolimis quidam medicus esset," etc., and narrates the mission of Volusian, the healing of Tiberius and the punish- ment of Pilate. For the most part he follows Mone's text, and so does not directly inspire our author here ; but he introduces the incident of Pilate wearing Christ's tunic and thus securing immunity for a time against the Emperor's wrath, in substantial though not XX Introduction. exact agreement with 11. 4295-4336 of our poem. At the end, after describing Pilate's final burial-place " in quodam puteo montibus circumsepto," etc., he adds : " Hucusque in praedicta historia apocrypha leguntur." Probably, then, he used a later version (now lost) of Mone's text, into which the story of the holy tunic had been interpolated.^ (3) Cap. 67, De S. Jacobo apostolo^ contains (pp. 295 seq^ an account of the ministry and martyrdom of St. James the Less, chiefly drawn from Hegesippus as quoted by Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. ii. 23, and agreeing in the main with 11. 917-1004 of this poem. The concluding sentence points decidedly towards a direct con- nection : " Cum autem populus vellet ejus mortem vindicare et malefactores capere et punire, protinus aufugerunt" (cf. 11. 987-990). A little further on comes a passage which may well have furnished suggestions for our author, though he might, no doubt, have found the same matter elsewhere. Beginning " Sed quoniam non vult Dominus mortem peccatoris et ut ipsi excusationem non haberent," Jacobus goes on to say how God spared the Jews for forty years (cf. 11. 291-8, 815-828), and sent the apostles, especially St. James, to call them to repentance (11. 922-940), and warned them by portents, viz. (i) a sword-like star, flaming above the city for a whole year (11. 106 1-8) ; (2) a bright light in the Temple, at the ninth hour of the night, on the feast of unleavened bread (11. 1033-8) ; (3) a heifer, brought for sacrifice at the same feast, giving birth to a lamb (11. 1023-1032) ; (4) an apparition of chariots and soldiers in the clouds (11. 1069- 1086) ; (5) voices heai'd in the Temple at Pentecost, saying "Transeamus ab his sedibus" (11. 1049- 1 This whole passage, from " Intereacum Tyberius morbo gravi teneretur" to the end of the story of Pilate, is identical, practically word for word, with the " Mors Pilate qui Jesum condemnavit " printed by Tischendorf, p. 432, from a fourteenth century MS., which was unquestionably copied from an earlier text (see Tischendorfs introd. p. Ixxix.) and is probably only an extract, to judge from the opening words, "Cum autem Tiberius," etc. Introduction, xxi 1060) ; (6) the prophecy of Jesus, son of Ananias (11. 1087-1124). The authority cited for these portents is Josephus (Jewish War, vi. 5), who mentions one more, the Temple-gate bursting open (11. 1039-1048), between Nos. 3 and 4 of the series in the Legenda. Our author enumerates ten divine warnings in all, reckoning the death of St. James as the first, a murderous strife at a feast (11. 1005-1022, cf. Josephus, Ant. xx. 5) as the second, and the apparitions of soldiers and chariots as eighth and ninth respectively; he also varies the order considerably. For this passage, therefore, he must have used some other source ; but he may have borrowed from the Legenda the device of recounting the warnings before the beginning of the siege, ^ instead of putting them, as Josephus does, into a sort of appendix. Despite these warnings, continues Jacobus, the Jews remained obdurate ; so God sent Vespasian and Titus to destroy Jerusalem. " Haec autem fuit causa adventus ipsorum in Jerusalem, sicut in quadam hystoria invenitur, licet apocrypha." He now takes up the narrative which was interrupted in cap. 53 : " Videns Pylatus, quia Jesum innocentem condemnaverat, timens offensam Tyberii Caesaris pro se excusando nuntium nomine Albanum ad Caesarem destinavit," etc. Alban is driven by the winds to Vespasian's kingdom of Galatia, and so on as in M one's text, down to the point where Vespasian after his cure obtains leave from Tiberius to punish the Jews. The "hystoria apocrypha" is now laid aside, and an account of the Jewish war follows, for the most part " secundum chronicas," i.e. abridged from Josephus. The follow- ing points of difference from Josephus, and agreement with our poem, are to be noted : — the fleeing of the faithful, warned by the Holy Spirit, across the Jordan to Pella (11. 2809-2824 ; Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. iii. 5) ; — the corruption of Jotapata into Jonapata (it ^ It is true that Vincent de Beauvais, Spec. Hist. ix. 59-60, does the same ; but I see no reason for supposing our author to have used his work. d xxii Introduction. occurs only in the accusative, " Jonapatam," which is still nearer the Jonoporam of 1. 3852)^; — the sale of captive Jews at thirty for a penny (11. 4205-4215). The story of the mysterious ailment which seized Titus on hearing the news of his father's accession, and the ingenious remedy applied by Josephus (11. 3181-8, 3940-4026), is also inserted by Jacobus, though with reserve : he introduces it by the phrase " ut in eadem hystoria apocrypha legitur," and appends the semi-apologetic note " Utrum autem haec hystoria narranda sit, lectoris judicio relinquatur." Another addition is the discovery by Titus of the imprisoned Joseph of Arimathaea (11. 4105-41 38), with a reference to the Gospel of Nicodemus on the subject of his imprisonment. After this we are told of the liberality of Titus as Emperor, how he used to say " O amici, diem perdidi," whenever he had let a day go by unmarked by an act of beneficence (11. 5057- 5070).^ In conclusion Jacobus recounts the miracle of the Jews who tried to rebuild Jerusalem, and who, after disregarding two warning apparitions of crosses, were destroyed by fire springing up from the earth (11. 5075-5130). This last tale is an unusual one,' to such a degree that its presence in the Legenda Aurea and in our poem would alone go far towards establishing a connection between them. There is no reason for supposing our author to have been influenced by any of the other English versions. Of those now extant, the Anglo-Saxon translation of the ** Vindicta Salvatoris" has already been mentioned (above, p. xii.). In the same volume, p. ix., Goodwin printed an Anglo-Saxon version, entitled " Nathanis Judsei Legatio," of the mission of Nathan without the story of ^ The capture of the town and of Josephus is, however, put in its right place before the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. * Jacobus cites Eusebius and Jerome for this anecdote, which is derived from Suetonius, Tit. 8 {Opera, Delphin ed. vol. ii. p. 950). ' Jacobus cites " Miletus in chronica," an authority whom I have not had the good fortune to identify. Introduction. xxiii Veronica. A poem in about 1,300 lines of alliterative verse, usually with the title " Sege of Jerusalem," exists in six MSS. of the fifteenth century,^ and I understand that an edition is being prepared for the Early English Text Society/ It covers a good deal of the same ground as our poem ; but the differences are considerable, and the points of resemblance not so striking as to suggest any close connection between the two settings. An edition in prose. The Dystruccyon of Iherusalem by Vespazian and Tytus, was printed by Wynkyn de Worde about 1507,' but it is merely a translation of the French prose version noticed above (p. xvi.). In 11. 7-12 our author names some of his sources, viz. the Gospels, " the passioun of Nichodeme " and " the geestes of emperoures." The same three authorities are also cited at the end, 11. 5 1 59-5 1 70, with the explicit acknowledgment " Of all fis fe werke is wroght, And in her bokes oute ysoght." Reference is also made, in 11. 5 147-5 152, to " Maister Josephus, \e gode clerc " ; and in 11, 1229, 4391, to "the Sept Sages." It is not difficult to assign the extent to which the first, second and fourth of these sources have been used. The Gospels supply material for the greater part of the first four hundred lines. The extracts from the Gospel of Nicodemus* begin at 1. 395, and end at 1. 670 with the ' See Ferdinand Kopka, The Destruction of Jerusalem, Inaugural-Dissertation, Breslau, 1887 ; Ward, Cat. of Romances, i. pp. 180-186, 928. ^ The text of the Oxford MS. was published by G. Steffler, The Sege of Jerusalem, Marburg, 1891. ^ A copy is exhibited in the King's Library, British Museum, where the descriptive label states that " the woodcuts are copied from French cuts used at Paris by Jean Trepperel." * A lengthy discussion of this well-known book would be out of place here. Its history has been concisely summed up by G. Paris and A. Bos, Trois versions rimkes de r Evangile de Nicodeme, Soc. des anc. textes frangais, 1885, p. ii., and its diffusion throughout Western Europe has been sketched by R. P. Wiilcker, Dcts Evangelium d 2 xxiv Introduction. departure of Joseph of Arimathaea from Jerusalem, after telling the chief priests of his miraculous release. His second imprisonment, when he was shut up within the thickness of the town-wall (11. 671-684), is perhaps derived from cap. 67 of the Legenda Aurea, p. 303, where it is introduced somewhat vaguely by the words "Potest dici." Next follows another passage (11. 685-814) based on the Gospels. I have not succeeded in discovering the source of the passage on the threefold punishment of Israel by pilgrimage, servage and dispersion (11. 829-888) ; it is probably to be found in some patristic homily or commentary. After this comes the prophecy of " J3e noble clerc, Maister Josephus " (11, 889-914), predicting the fall of Jerusalem and the promotion of her conqueror Vespasian to be emperor, which is obviously evolved from the prophecies at Jotapata (Jewish War, iii. 8 ; above, p. vii.), perhaps with some suggestion from the ambiguous oracle found in the sacred writings at Jerusalem {ib. vi. 5). Pilate's letter to the Emperor (11. 1385-1460) is an expanded translation of cap. 29 of the " Evan- gelium Nicodemi " ^ ; it occurs, as we have seen (above, p. xi,), in the " Cura Sanitatis Tiberii," but not in most of the settings of the Titus-and-Vespasian story, so probably our author had recourse once more to " the passioun of Nichodeme." The narrative of the war, though heavily loaded with legendary superstructure, is founded on the history of Josephus (see above, pp. vi.-viii.), or perhaps more directly on the Christianized Latin version which commonly goes under the name of Hegesippus ^ ; the accretions, Nicodemi in der Abendldndischen literaiur, Paderbom, 1872. For the Greek and Latin texts see Tischendorf, pp. 203-410 ; and for an Anglo-Saxon version see W. H. Hulme, Tke Old English version of the Gospel of Nicodenms, Baltimore, 1898, in vol. xiii. No. 4 of the Publications of the Modern Language Association of America. ^ Tischendorf, p. 392. '^ Hegesippis qui dicitur, sive Egesippus, De Bella Judaico, ed. C. F. Weber, Marburg, 1858-64; also printed in Migne, Patrol. Lot. xv. 1961, among the doubtful works of St. Ambrose. Introduction. xxv as we have seen (above, pp. xvii. seq^^ are mostly due, in all probability, partly to the lost Latin original of the chanson de geste and partly to the Legenda Aurea. " Geestes of emperoures " is a title which might be applied to any compilation of Roman history, and it would be useless to attempt to identify the particular work referred to by our author. He certainly made but little use of it. Vespasian is made to succeed Nero (11. 3 1 66-3 1 76), so that Galba, Otho and Vitellius are left out of the roll of emperors ; the account of Vespasian's reign and character (11. 5045-5056) reads more like hagiology than history ; and the account of Titus, which follows (11. 5057-5072), almost certainly owes its presence here to the fact that Jacobus de Voragine selected it for inclusion in the Legenda Aurea (see above, p. xxii.). In fact, the utmost that we could assign to the "geestes of emperoures" would be the succession of emperors from Tiberius to Nero (11. 1231-1273) ; and for that "AUe J>e Sept Sages" are expressly cited. What this last reference means I have no idea, either here or in the other place where it occurs (1. 4391), in the description of the death of Pilate. So far as I know, there is only one point at which the famous romance of the Seven Sages ^ approaches the subject of the present poem ; and that is, in the framework of one single version, viz. that in Old French, edited by H. A. Keller, Li Romans des Sept Sages, Tubingen, 1836. The opening stanzas tell us that Vaspasianus, son of Matusales, who had lived 910 years, reigned at Rome ; he was a handsome man, until he was seized by leprosy, which made him blind. A voice from heaven spoke to Cilofida, the woman who had woven, and now possessed, the 1 For a rhume of the literature of this subject see Ward, ii. 190-234 ; for fuller treatment see especially Comparetti, Researches respecting the Book of Sindib&d, 1882 (No. 9 of the Publications of the Folk-Lore Society), and for the English versions Killis Campbell, A Study of the Romance of the Seven Sages, 1899, in vol. xiv. No. i of Publications of the Mod. Lang. Assoc, of America. xxvi Introduction. shroud in which Christ's body was wrapped, bidding her go to Rome to Vespasianus' help ; she obeyed promptly, crossing the sea without wetting her shoes ; told him of the passion, touched his sores with the shroud, and cured him. He crossed the sea with an army, inflicted dire chastisement on the Jews, and returned to his own country. This curious corruption of the Veronica- legend breaks off here : the king marries the daughter of the Duke of Carthage, who bears him a son and dies some years later ; the young prince is entrusted to the care of the Seven Sages of Rome, his father marries again, and so on, as in the usual forms of the romance. This does not solve our difiiculty ; but it suggests, as a possible solution, that a variant of this " Romans des Sept Sages " may have existed and been read by our author, which named Vespasian's predecessors on the imperial throne and included the story of Pilate's death. As to the title of our poem, with its inversion of the natural order of father and son, the following extract from the fifteenth century prose commentary on Godfrey of Viterbo's "Speculum Regum," lib. ii. cap. ii, is of interest :^ " Et quamvis [Titus] filius sit Vespasiani et successor ejus in imperio, ante patrem tamen nominatur propter suas excellentes virtutes. Unde dicimus : Titus et Vespasianus, et non : Vespasianus et Titus." The MSS. used for this edition are as follows : — A. British Museum, Add. 36523, ff. 1-71. A vellum MS., probably written in the second quarter of the fifteenth century. The leaves measure 10^ by 7 inches, and the number of lines on a page varies from 34 to 40. The quires are of eight leaves, but the first four leaves of the first quire have been cut away, so that the poem begins on what was originally the fifth leaf. There are ^ Pertz, Mon. Germ. Hist., Script xxii. p. 73. Introduction. xxvii catchwords on every leaf, the ends of quires being marked by red and black enclosing lines round the catchwords. A seven- line ornamental L at the beginning, otherwise no ornament beyond touches of red to the initial letter of each line; red paragraph- marks, and proper names sometimes underlined in red. The whole MS. has been described in the official Catalogue of Additional MSS. now in course of publication. Besides this poem, it contains two other pieces in English verse, viz. (f. 71b) the Seven Penitential Psalms, in eight-line stanzas, and (f. 88) the Treatise on the Mass, in rhymed couplets, usually known as The Lay Folks Mass Book (ed. T. F. Simmons, Early Engl. Text Soc, 1879). It was acquired by the Museum in June, 1900 (J. B. Inglis sale, Sotheby's, lot 694). This MS. forms the basis of the present edition. It is perhaps I worth noting that the word " usque " has been written several times in the margins at irregular intervals, in diiferent ink from the text but apparently by a contemporary hand, as though to mark succes- sive stages in collating this copy with its archetype. There are also a few trifling corrections {e.g. in 1. 2285, on f. 31b, wile has been altered to while), probably made in the course of collation. Occasional notes have been inserted in the margins, summarizing the contents of the text {e.g. " how \e ost gaten hem water," opposite 1. 2987), but of no special value or interest. The poem is followed, at the foot off. 71, by the quatrain " Whan wille over wyt wryes pan gothe wille witte byfom. Mony a man to his harme hyes pan ha the wille wit forlorn." Below this is the mysterious word "Anamjapta," perhaps a crypto- gram of the scribe's name. B. British Museum, Add. 10036, fF. 2-6 ib. Vellum, written about the beginning of the fifteenth century, in a good regular xxviii Introduction. hand, leaf-measurements 6 by 3f inches, 24 lines to a page, except the recto and verso of f. 16, an inserted leaf,^ which contain 20 and 18 lines respectively. In quires of 8 leaves, with signatures d-1 at the beginnings of quires, and catchwords at the ends, beginning with f. 4 ; before that the MS. is very imperfect, wanting many leaves before f, 2, and a smaller number after f, 3. Large red initials are used to mark the divisions, which do not agree with those of A. Ordinary capitals are touched with red, and the rhyming couplets are connected by red brackets. The contents of the whole MS., which has been briefly described in the List of Additions to the MSS. in the British Museum in the years 1836-40, and (with special reference to our poem) in Ward's Cat. of Romances^ i. p. 187, are as follows, all in English : — i. The poem now under consideration (f. 2) ; — 2. The Assumption of Our Lady, in octosyllabic rhymed couplets (f. 62), printed by J. R. Lumby, King Horn, etc., Early Engl. Text Soc. 1866, p. 75 ; — 3. The Vision of St. Paul, in prose, entitled "A questioun of }?e peynes of helle and how soules desire)? to have rest in ]?at place" (f. 81), printed by E. Kolbing, Englische Studien, xxii, 1896, p. 134; — 4. " t>e J^re arowis J^at God schal schete at domysdaie," in prose (f. 85), printed from an Oxford MS. by C. Horstmann, Richard Rolle of Hampole,u. 1896, p. 446 ; — 5. The "seven askynges" in the Lord's Prayer, the Ave Maria, etc. in prose (wanting two leaves after f. 92) (f. 91b) ; — 6. Psalm li. in 8-line stanzas, the same version as that in Add. 36523 (see description of MS. a above) (f. 96b), printed by F. J. Furnivall, Political, Religious and Love Poems, E. E, T. S. 1866, p. 279. ^ Apparently the original copyist omitted 38 lines by inadvertence, perhaps through skipping a page of his archetype, and the owner of the MS. afterwards had the omitted lines copied by another scribe on a leaf of the right size, and inserted so as to complete his copy of the poem. The writing on f. 16 does not seem much later than the rest of the MS. Introduction. . xxix The volume, which was acquired by the Museum in 1836, contains the book-plate of the antiquary Thomas Sharp, of Coventry and Leamington {pb. 1841). It is much to be regretted that this MS. is so imperfect, for it is one of the two earliest extant copies of the poem, and the text, though abridged (see below), seems fairly good. The scribe is exceptionally uniform in his orthography and inflections. For instance, he always uses the forms sche^ schal, schulde, etc., where the other MSS. have she, shall, shulde, etc. Infinitives never have the en suffix, except where the rhyme demands it, as in 1. 2051 (f- 5b) : " jif I lyve Pilat schal abeyen For he wolde me have sleyen." Past participles usually have the y prefix, and often omit the en suffix if not required for the rhyme. Present participles always end in tng, never and, as in some of the MSS. In its present state the MS. begins with 1. 1345 of our text : " He bad hem go in evereche londe To preche his name )>orw his sonde. Of alle yvelis he jave hem myjt To hele fe sike fat bilevyd aryjt. And fei fat woUef noujt to him wende Schulle be lore withoute ende." f. 2. The last two lines on f. 3b answer to 11. 1439-40 : " Hit was here dede and alle here foujt And ferfore sire leve hem noujt." After the lacuna the MS. goes on with 1. 1977 : " Than seide Velosian him to Al fat sche wol I wol also." f. 4. XXX Introduction. The following extract may be taken as a sample of the orthography, etc., of this MS. as compared with the others. It corresponds to 11. 2743-2756 of this edition : "Thei drow up seil byfore and bihynde And God hem sent a ful redy wynde So in six wikes over )>ei come And ])0 atte Acrys up ))ei nome That fe toun wondred ferfore And wexed agast of hem ful sore Thei dide anone as ]>ei schulde Withoute strif fe toun J>ei guide Vaspasian lefte fer his wardeyn And in })e morwe ]>ei went feyn Thei went for])e into fe londe Slow and brent alle fat f ei fonde And drof bestes with hem gret rowte That fei purveiede al abowte." f. 20. The legendary life of Judas, which follows the account of Pilate's death in our text (11. 4487-4884), is omitted, but not through a lacuna. The next line naturally omits the reference to Judas which occurs in the other MSS., and reads : " Lete we nowe Pil?it duelle.''^ f. 5sb. The concluding lines are : "Iblyssed mote fei alle ybfs Of Jhesu Cryst in Trynyte That fus wel his dej> haj? awreke As I have here bifore yspeke I trowe ])at alle f ei have I wis To here mede hevene ryche blis God graunt us alle so J)er to be Amen amen pur charyte. Explicit." c. British Museum, Harl, 4733, flf, 40b- 1 27. Outside and innermost sheets of each quire vellum, the rest paper ; fifteenth century, probably circ. 1460, 8 by 5 inches, 26 to 34 lines to a Introduction. Kxxi page ; ff. 113b, 119b left blank, the text running oh in the former case, 28 lines (11. 4730-4757) being omitted in the latter case. In quires of 12 leaves, except the second and last (ff. 52-61, 122-127), which have 10 and 6 respectively; catchwords at the ends of most of the quires. Large red initials at the beginning and at 11. 685, 2569, 4487. In the margins are notes of the contents, in red ink, at irregular intervals, sometimes in English and sometimes in Latin (!), e.g. "How Vaspasyan welcumyt dam Veron and seynt Clement " (f. 78, at 1. 2323), " Coronacio Tytus " (f. 76, at 1. 2203), " De tunica domini inconsutilis " (f. iii, at 1. 4307). The whole MS., which was briefly described in the Cat. of the Harleian MSS., iii. 1808, p. 197, contains :— i. Disticha Catonis, with a paraphrase in English verse, f. 3* Colophon, " [Ejxplicit liber Catonis com- positus per Magistrum Benedictum Burgh vicarium de Maldon et cetera," i.e. Lydgate's disciple Benedict Burgh, vicar of Maldon 1440, ob. 1483.^ This version was printed by Caxton (West- minster, 148 1 ? Brit. Mus., IB. 55034), and again by Coplande, Lond. 1558 ; — 2. Moral sentences in English rhymed couplets, in divisions of four, six or eight lines, each division headed by the name of the author (David, Jeremias, Seneca, etc.) from whom the sentence is taken, f. 30 ; — 3. The present poem. f. 40b. A vellum fly-leaf at the end (f. 128) contains a fragment (late thirteenth century) of a French paraphrase, in octosyllabic verse, of the Hist. Reg. Brit, of Geoffrey of Monmouth : cf. Wace, Li Romans de Brut, ed. Le Roux de Lincy, 11. 9386 seq. On ff. 1-3, 127, 127b, are scribbled inscriptions of former owners* names, among which John Bland and " Jhon Pygyn " are prominent, both apparently sixteenth century ; somewhat earlier is the inscription " Master John Penyngton, schole maister of Wurcesture, ys possessesor {sic) of thys booke " on f. 2b. ' See Lydgate and Burgh's Secrees of old Philisoffres, ed. R. Steele, E. E. Text Soc. 1894 (Extra Series, No. 66), pp. xvii.-xviii. e 2 xxxii Introduction. The poem begins as follows : — " Lesteneth alle fat ben alyve Bope cristen men and wyve I shal yow tellen a wondur cas How Jhesu Crist yhated was Al of fe Jewes fel and kene And fat was sefen on hem ysene pe holy gospel y take to wytnesse Of fis matere bofe more and lesse And of fe passion and eke of Nichodeme Whoso wyl ferto taken goode yeme." f. 40b. The lines corresponding to the sample given from b are : — " They drowen up sayle byfore and behynd And hem sende a full redy wynde So that in syx wokys with hast fey comen And at Acres upon the lond fe nomen And the town wondred what they wore And were adrad of hem full sore And they of the cyte deden as they shold Withouten stryff the town up they jolde And Vaspasian laft there his wardeyn And on the morow went forth theyn And he went tho all in that lound And slow and brend all that he found And dryven bestus with gret rout That fey founden there all about." ff. 84b-85. The last eight lines are : — " Iblessyd mot they all now be Of Jhesu Crist in Trinite pat his deth have now iwroken As I have before ispoken And eke I hope fat fey have I wys All to heore mede hevyn blysse And God graunt us all there to be Amen amen per Charite." Colophon {in red) : " Explicit hie sedes vel obsidium de Civitate Jerusalem." Below this, " Jhesus est amor meus." f. 127. Introduction. xxxiii The orthography differs greatly from that of a and b, and is by no means consistent. The scribe was evidently careless,^ and varied his forms a good deal. For instance, on f. Ii6, the pronoun she is written in three different ways within four consecutive lines (11. 4557-4560), viz. she, shea, and heo. Among other features may be noted the — us plural termination, which is usually indi- cated by a contraction mark(^), but is sometimes written in full, e.g. "fendus" for fiends on f. 114 (1. 4433). Variations in the text, as compared with the earlier MSS., are frequent, and mostly of little value. They tend especially to undue lengthening of lines by the insertion of explanatory phrases ; e.g. 11. 4299, 4300 are drawn out into " For as me thynketh I con sey none othere But J>at y myjt hym love as he were my brothere." f. 111. For Other examples, see below, p. 36, note 12, p. 37, note 2, etc. In quite a fair number of cases, however, the readings of this MS. help to correct errors, or to clear up obscurities and ambiguities, in the other copies. D. Bodleian Library, Digby 230, ff. i95-223b. Vellum, finely written, towards the middle of the fifteenth century, 15^ by 10^ inches, in double columns of 45 lines. In quires of 8 leaves, with catchwords at the end of each quire. The first page has an illuminated border, well executed in the style characteristic of English art of the time. Gold initials, on blue and purple grounds, at the beginnings of sections. The whole MS. has been described by W. D. Macray, Cat. Codd. MSS. Bibl. Bodl. pars nona, 1883, col. 242. Besides the present poem, it contains 1 See 1. 9 in the first extract, for instance, which he has turned into nonsense by inserting a superfluous of and and eke ; or the omission of God in 1. 2 of the second extract. xxxiv Introduction* Lydgate's " ^ege of Thebes " and " Sege of Troye." the opening lines are \'^^ " Lystneth alle that ben alyve Bothe cristen man and wyve And I wole jow telle a wonder c&s Howe Jhesu Crist byhated was Of the Jewes fel and kene That was on hem sithen sene. The gospelles I drawe to witnesse Of this mater more and lesse And the passioun of Nicodeme tie that takith therto goode jeme." f. 195. The passage chosen as a sample reads as follows : — " Thei drowen up saille bifore and bihinde And God hem sent ful redy wynde So fat in sixe wekis overe fei comen And at Acres up they nomen The toun wondred what they wore And weren adrad of hem ful sore Thei diden anoon as they shulde Withouten strif the toun they jolde Vaspasian lefte there his wardeynes And on the morwen ]>ei wente feines He wente hym forthe into the londe He slowe and brente al fat he fonde And dryven forthe ]>e bestis with gret route That fei founden thereaboute." f. 210. The last eight lines are :-^ " Iblessed mote thei alle be Of Jhesu Criste in Trinite That thus algate his dethe haf wroken As I have bifore spoken I hope they it have I wys To here mede hevene blis God graunte us also ther to be Amen Amen pur charite." Colophon {in red) : " [H]ere endith the Sege of Jerusalem." f. 223b. Introduction. xxxv The above extracts, together with the collations in the foot- notes to the text, will give a fair idea of this MS. The text is good on the whole ; it resembles A more closely than b, L. Bodleian Library, Laud Misc. 622, flF. 7ib-72b, 1-21. Thick vellum, circ. 1400,^ iif by loj inches ; in double columns of 54 or 55 lines, each line on flf. 7ib-72b comprising two lines of verse. In quires of eight, misbound, the last quire in the volume (ff. 65-72) being properly the first. Initials in blue, with red flourishes, at the beginnings of sections. The whole MS. has been fully described by H. O. Coxe, and again by Dr. Furnivall, who has printed many of the shorter pieces contained in it. Only " Adam Davy's Dreams " (ff. 26b-27b) and "The Geste of Alisaunder " (ff. 27b-64) need be mentioned here. We shall return to them presently, when dis- cussing the question of authorship. The poem has the rubric-heading " J7e Bataile of Jerusalem," and begins : — " Listnef alle fat bej) alyve Bofe cristen men and wyve I wil 50U telle a wonder cas Hou Jhesus Crist bihated was Of }»e Jewes felle and kene pat was on hem siffe isene Gospelles I drawe to witnesse Of fis matere more and lesse And fe passioun and {sic) Nichoderae Who )>at taketb rist good jeme." f- 7Jb- ^ H. O. Coxe, Cat. Codd. MSS. Bibl. BodL, pgrs secunda, 1858-85, col. 447, dates this MS. " sec. xv. ineuntis." Dr. F. J. Furnivall, in his Forewords to Adam Davy's j Dreams, etc., E. E. Text Soc. 1878, calls it "seemingly before 1400 — 1380-1400, says Mr. Macray." Mr. Bradley says {Did. of Nat. Biogr., xiv. 1888, p. 183) "The manu- script, in the judgment of palaeographical experts, was written in the last quarter of the fourteenth century." This last statement, however, is somewhat too positive ; the less restricted and slightly later dating circ. 1400 has the authoritative support of Mr. F. Madan, Sub-Librarian of the Bodleian, who kindly looked at the MS. with me. xxxvi Introduction. The sample passage is as follows : — " pay droujen up sayl bifome and bihynde God hem sent ful redy wynde So in sexe wekes over ]jai comen And at Acres up fai nomen. pe toun had wonder whoo fai wore And weren adrad of hem ful sore pai duden onon as fai sholde Wijjouten strijf fe toun fai jolde Vaspasian lefte J^ere his wardeyn And on \& morowen fay wenten fen He went forf into ]>e londe And slou5 and brent alle }>at fai fonde And dryven beestes wij» grete route pat fai prayden al aboute." f. lob. The last eight lines are : — " Yblissed moten fai alle be Of Jhesu Crist in Trinite pat fus gate his dej) han wroken As I have bifome spoken I hope fat fai have I wys To her mede hevene blys God graunte us alle fere to be Amen Amen per charite." Colophon : " Here endef fe vengeaunce of Goddes deth." f. 21b This is unquestionably the oldest of the complete MSS., and ought strictly, on that ground, to have been taken as the basis rather than A. But the variations between the two MSS. are comparatively few and unimportant, and by no means always in favour of l. In fact, l, a and d have substantially the same text, and any one of them would have served equally well as basis. Due weight has of course been given in the collations to Introduction. xxxvii the importance of l on the score of antiquity. It is interesting to note that L and a agree in using the northern present participle ending — and in a few passages, viz. : — 1. 777- A sekand, L sekande. Csechyng, D sekjTige. 1. 1258. A comand, Z comande. CD comyng. 1. 2009. AL berand. BCD beringe. 1. 2021. AL swetande. BCD swetyng. 1. 4449. A fletand, L floterande. BD fletinge, C fletyng. 1. 4535. A pleyand, Z pleyeande. D pleiynge. 1. 4540. A fletande, Z seilande. CD fletyng. On the other hand, sometimes they disagree :— 1.2025. .,4 wepand. Z.5C and wepte. Z? wepinge. 1.3422. .(4 dwellande. ZZ* duellen. .5 dwelle. Cdwelden. 1. 3541. A liggeand. LD liggeyng, C lyggyng. 1. 3542. Z Bitande. A Bityng, D Bitynge. The Bodleian possesses another MS. of the poem, in Douce 78,^ IF. i9-75b, but a cursory inspection was enough to convince me that it would be useless to collate it for this edition. It is a late fifteenth century MS. on paper, and is very imperfect, containing less than half the poem ; moreover, in what remains the text has been so freely handled in many places as to make it practically another work, or at all events another edition. Its variations, therefore, in those parts which show no obvious signs of re-handling are of no authority, and cannot be used with confidence in an ^ For description see Catalogue of the Printed Books and MSS. bequeathed by Francis Douce, Esq., to the Bodleian Library, 1840, pt. ii. p. 9 ; also F. Madan, Summary Catalogue of Western MSS, in the Bodleian Library, iv. 1897, p. 513. / xl Introduction. already in type. It is now numbered Add, 36983, and is described in the Catalogue of Additional MSS. for 1904. The volume, which formerly belonged to the Bedford Literary Institute, con- tains nineteen English pieces, almost all in verse, on paper, written in or about the year 1442 (art. 5, the prose Life of the Three Kings, bearing that date) ; including the Cursor Mundi, Chaucer's ABC and Balade of Truth, Speculum Guidonis de Warwick, Abbey of the Holy Ghost, etc. Our poem is art. 6, and occupies ff. 216-255, in double columns of 29 to 37 lines. No heading. Begins — " Herknef all ^t bef alyve, BoJ) Cristen man and wyve. Y wolle 50W tell a wondyr cas. How Jhesu Crist hatyd was." The life of Judas is headed "Vita Jude Scariothis," and begins, " Now woll y tell an aventour Of Judas, Godys traytour." f. 249b. Ends, The poem ends, " pus come Judas to fe ende, To dampnacioun wife oute ende." fo. 352b. " Blessyd mote fay alle be Of Jhesu Cryst in Trenite That f us hys defe haf wroke As I have byfore of spoke I hope fat fay have y wisse To her mede hevyn blysse. God graunt ous alle fere to be Amen amen pur charite." ff. 25411-255. Colophon : " Here endif fe Vengaunce of Godys defe.' Introduction. xU In Bernard's Catalogi Lihrorum MSS. Angliae et Htberniae, i6()7, ii. p. 33, No. 1457 (No. 12 of the Coventry School MSS.) is described by Humphrey Wanley as containing "John Lydgate's Poems. This is written, painted, and gilded very well, and (as I suppose) whilst Lydgate was alive, or presently after. It contains not all his Poems, but only these that follow." The last three articles in his list are " Sir John Mandevile's Travels (much differ- ent from the printed Books). The Siege of Jerusalem by Vespasian. The Siege of Thebes." This MS., I regret to say, has disappeared.^ I have made no attempt to construct what is commonly called a " critical edition " of the text, but have followed MS. a through- out, except in those comparatively few places where a was plainly wrong and one or more of the other MSS. showed equally plainly what was the right reading ; and in such cases I have always been careful to quote the readings of a in the footnotes. Nor have I attempted to print a complete collation of the other MSS. ; but I have tried to include in my selection all the really significant variants, besides many which, though not in themselves of direct textual importance, may help to show the characteristics of the several MSS., and so to determine their relations to one another. In printing a variant in which two or more of the MSS. agree verbatim but not literatim^ the spelling adopted is that of the MS. named first. There are one or two points to be noticed with regard to the relations of the MSS. to one another and to the original text. First, the omission of the Life of Judas (11. 4487-4884) by b alone, out of the six MSS. (for Add. 36983 is included here), raises the question whether this formed part of the original poem, or was inserted in a later and expanded version. The former supposition 1 Miss Dormer Harris, who was kind enough to ransack the School Library in search of it, drew my attention to a note on p. 175 of Sharp's Antiquities of Coventry^ ed. Fretton, 1871, showing that the MS. was still there shortly before 1871. xlii Introduction. is, I think, the more probable one. It has been shown (above, p. xix.) that our author took the Life of Judas from the Legenda Aurea, to which he is almost certainly indebted for other materials, e.g. Pilate's birth-story, the incident of the holy tunic, and the miraculous burning of the would-be rebuilders of Jerusalem. What could be more likely, then, than that he borrowed the Life of Judas at the same time ? True, it is not strictly relevant, and does not usually occur in versions of the story of Titus and Vespasian ; but the account of the other " wicked bird," Pilate, would very naturally suggest it, and in the Legenda Aurea both are referred to the same authority, or at all events introduced by the same phrase, " Legitur in quadam hystoria licet apocrypha." An exami- nation of what remains of b confirms the view that it is an abridg- ment. Apart from the Life of Judas, and the two lacunae at the beginning of b, 2904 lines are left in the present edition ; and of those 2904, B omits no less than 40, viz. sixteen separate couplets and two passages of four lines each.^ All the omitted lines are in A, c, D and L ; and though some of them might conceivably have been inserted for an expanded version, others are necessary to complete the sense {e.g. 11. 21 15-6, 3773-4). The conclusion is, then, that b represents an abridged version of the original text. Of the other MSS. c is the latest, and represents to a large extent a modernised and paraphrased version. All the additional lines which it supplies are quoted, usually in the foot-notes ; but on two occasions (11. 1491-2, 3489-90) lines found in it, and in no other MS., have been incorporated in the text, the sense clearly requiring them. It is evident, even from the selected variants printed in the foot-notes, that c is not derived from either a, l, or d' ; it must therefore descend (with how many intervening ^ See foot-notes, pp. 91-228, /aw/w. 2 Its independence of a is obvious. The names in 11. 412-414, or the variants in 11. 465, 602, 1 184, 1797, may serve as examples of its independence of l and d respec- tively, or better still, see 11. 395-6, 2292-6. Introduction. xliii generations it is impossible to say) from an older MS. than any of them, and its readings are often useful to confirm those of one or other of the remainder when they disagree. The relations of a, l, and d remain to be considered. The foot-notes are full of instances of d agreeing with l as against a. The cases in which d agrees with a as against l are just about equally numerous ; they are not, of course, expressly mentioned in the foot-notes, but whenever a variant is printed from l and nothing is said about d, it may be inferred that d agrees with A. D alone omits 11. 2202, 2295-6, 4087-8, 4579-80, 5026, inserts two lines after I. 2241, and two more after 1. 2292,^ and puts 11. 2423-4 before II. 2421-2. These differences suffice to prove d independent of I. and A. No formal proof is needed here of the mutual inde- pendence of L and A. It may be well, however, to call attention to the omission by L of 11. 395-6, 1988-9, 3021-2, 3371-4, 3911-12, 4465-6, 5095-6, the transposition of 11. 3571-2, 5039-40, and the removal of 11. 1871-2 to after 1. 1894, as indicating how far l is removed from the original text. It is quite clear, then, that many copies must have been made before the date of l, and we shall probably not be far wrong in assigning the composition of the poem to the middle of the fourteenth century. As to the metre, there is not much to be said. It is intended to be octosyllabic, of course, but our author cannot have had a very fine sense of rhythm, nor can he even have been careful in counting syllables, unless the copyists have done him grave injustice. The rhymes, on the other hand, are scrupulously preserved — some- times even to the detriment of the sense, as in 1. 1099, where werde is substituted for world, in order to rhyme with yherde. I make no attempt to deal with the question of dialect, but ^ These two lines ought to have been incorporated in the text. xliv Introduction. leave that to specialists, who will, I trust, find enough material in the foot-notes, and in the extracts given above, to form their own conclusions as to the dialects of the various MSS., if not of the original work. The authorship has been ascribed to Lydgate* on the strength of his " Sege of Thebes" being included in the Digby MS. But the fact that Lydgate was not born until about 1370^ makes this ascription all but impossible on chronological grounds, and the absence of any resemblance in style puts it out of the question. For the sake of brevity I have frequently alluded to the present metrical composition as a poem, but the justice of Dr. Brandl's description of it as " void of artistic aspiration " ' cannot be gain- said ; and Lydgate's verse certainly does not merit quite so harsh a phrase. The attribution to Adam Davy* rests on a similar insecure foundation. He used to be looked upon as the author of the whole contents of the Laud MS.; but it has long been recognised* that the " Alisaunder " is not by him, and Dr. Furnivall has shown* that there is no evidence for his authorship of anything in the volume except the Dreams about King Edward, in which he names himself repeatedly. Indeed, the anxiety he displays in that short poem that his name should not be overlooked raises somewhat of a presumption against his having written any of the anonymous pieces, especially a long one like this. Davy's latest biographer, Mr. Henry 1 Bernard, Catalog, 1697, i. p. 88 ; Tanner, Bibliotheca Brit.-Hib., 1748, p. 491; Ritson, Bibliotheca Poetica, 1802, p. 71. 2 Schick, introd. to Lydgate's Temple of Glas, E. E. T. S. extra series 60, 1891, p. Ixxxvii. * H. Paul, Grundriss der germanischen Fhilologie, ii. i. 1893, p. 658. * Tanner, p. 221; Warton, History of English Poetry, 1840 ed., ii. pp. 1-4; Ritson, pp. 23, 24. ' See Price's note in Warton, ii. p. 6. * Adam Davy's ^ Dreams about Edward II., etc., E. E. T. S. 1878, p. 7. Introduction. xlv Bradley/ after pointing out that the Dreams were written about 1308 or 1328 (according as the king referred to is Edward II. or III.), says that the other poems in the MS. (apart from the " Ali- saunder") " certainly belong to Davy's period, and in diction and metrical qualities they closely resemble his undoubted work." It is with great diffidence that I venture to question the judgment of so competent a critic; but my opinion is that the resemblances between the present work and the Five Dreams are sHght, and that the former is probably by some monkish or at any rate clerical versifier, who wrote about the middle of the fourteenth century. The plates have been executed by Mr, W. Griggs. They are taken from Egerton MS. 2781 in the British Museum,^ a Book of Hours written and illuminated in England in the first half of the fourteenth century, so that they are practically contemporary with the poem which they are here used to illustrate. The frontispiece is inscribed " Coment Titus et Vaspezianus lemperour de Rome destruit le Juzeus en la cite de Jerusalem pur la mour de Dieu . et coment le femmes mangeront lour fiz et le fiz lour pere . e le pere lour fiz." It represents a vigorous assault on the city by the Romans, whose archery is rapidly thinning the ranks of the defenders, and also depicts the horrors of the siege vividly by the figures of two women eating their children. The second plate has two inscriptions, "Comment le Cristiens geterent le Jueus hors a lez mangunelz" at the top and "Pur le encheysoun que Judas vendi Dieu pur . xxx, denirz Titus vendi . xxx, Jueus pur , i, diner . quant Jerusalem fust ganhee " at the bottom. It is in three com- partments : the two upper ones represent various tortures inflicted on the captive Jews after the fall of Jerusalem (cf. 11. 4225-4244, where, however, nothing is said of hurling from mangonels), and the subject of the lowest is the sale at thirty for a penny (11, 4197- 1 Bia. of Nat. Biogr. xiv. 1888, p. 183. 2 Described in the Cat. of Additions, 1888-93, p. 473- xlvi Introduction. 4224). It maybe mentioned here, h propos of pictorial representa- tions of the story, that the Siege of Jerusalem formed the subject of " seven pece of Arras " among the tapestries at Windsor Castle in Henry VIII.'s time/ I am greatly indebted to Miss A. F. Parker for her careful transcripts and collations of the Oxford MSS. ; and I wish to record my grateful thanks to Dr. G. F. Warner, Keeper of the MSS. in the British Museum, for his ever-ready help and advice in difficulties. J. A. H. 27 May^ 1905- ^ Harl. 1419, f. 298, in an inventory taken by virtue of a commission dated 14 Sept. I Edw. VI. Noted by Warton, i. p. 205. CORRIGENDA. 277. For pan read\&n. 299. „ opur „ ofur. 1 546. „ ynone „ ynome. 4626. „ zonge „ songe. 2965 is wrongly numbered 2665. . 160, note 6. For LD Bitande read L Bitande. D Bitynge. M tuu0uca&i.X/«Ct^ metis /.toittcrquricdbfiUt SIEGE OF JERUSALEM. Egerion MS. 2781,/.190i. XlVth cent. 4- TITUS AND VESPASIAN OR, THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. rvi- I- pE^ BATAILE OF JERUSALEM. Listeneth alle Jiat ben in live, Bothe Cristen man and wive, I wil 30U tellen a wonder caas, How Jesu Crist byhatede was 5 Of fe Jewes felle and kene ; pat was on hem sithen seene. Th'e Gospelles I drawe to witenesse Of ]7is matere more and lesse ; And the passioun of Nichodeme, 10 If Jjat je take J'ereto good ^eme ; And of the geestes of emperoures That tellen of J>ese aventures : How Jhesu Crist was doon to deed Thurgh ]pe Jewes false reed. 15 Firste they deden hym grete despyt Er |7at he dyede, I telle 30U get. I trow J^at ]?ei bilogh hit noght ; 1 So L. No title in A, C, or D. B Listen how Jesus was done to death by the Jews, witness the Gospels, Passion of Nichodeme, and Gestes of Emperors. Titus and Vespasian ; They hated Him for His teaching, and because He exposed their hypocrisy. For after they hit dere aboght, As 36 may heereafterward lere. 20 Listeneth lordes and je shall here,^ ge wite well, and sooth it is, That many man gylteles hangede is. Right soo byfell on Jesu Criste, As us shewed the Evangeliste ; 25 For oure trespas, and noght for his, He soffrede here grete shame, I wys, ^ Firste they were wrothe with hym, As false men and ful of venym, For he prechede and taght gode lore^ 30 Amonge \t Jewes lesse and more ; And much \& more \t\ gan hym greve For he had of hem noo leve. And ofte he tolde hem in his sawe Whan' j^ei trespassede agayn ]?e lawe, 35 And J'at \t\ deden* in fele manere. He chargeth noght, J^ogh J^ei it heere ;° He provede it wel by holy wryt, pat \q\ couthe not agayne seyen it. Also he tolde everywhere 40 pat \t\ ypocrites were ; For j^ei maden right such chere As* \q\ lyveden in gode manere ; fo. \b. 1 C And ye wyl lesten wyth goode chere. 2 L For he preched everewhore (Z> hem everywhere). C For cause he preched everowhare. s LCD Where. ♦ C And fat right. L omits fei deden. * C For fei shulden yt weel yhere. LD He foujt {D roujte) never feij fai it here. 6 C As fough. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 3 The pore they deden robben and reve.' For^ all her lawes J^ei nolde noght leve. 45 The grettest maistres werst it' kepeth. Her wronge with hem to* longe slepeth. get hem he tolde her owne thoght,* pat \&\ ne might withseye it noght. This was noo maistry to Jhesu Crist, 50 They wondrede all * how he it wist ; Graceles J^ei were and dym of sight To knowen \q strength of God allmyght ; Al '\V they hym in manhode sawe, His Godhed myght \t\ noght knawe. 55 They sheweden after here mysdede. Forth anoon * they fell in drede For the wondres * jjat \t\ sawe. Of his Godhed J^an had \€\ awe, For no man myghte such maistries kythe 60 As he dede for hem ofte sithe ; As NichodemuS'witenesseth right, Jesus visited by That come to Jhesu Criste by nyght And seide, " Jesu, we witen hit wel Thou art moost mayster of Israel, 65 And \2X knoulachest ^^ J-ou noght to be 1 C But yf fei )>e pore dede robbe and reve. L Hou fai J>e pouere robben and reve. « CYn. ^ C here lawe kept. * LD nojt ne slepef . C perfore J?e venjaunce ferof not longe slept. ^ C Also Jhesus tolde hem here owene wykked fought. ^ LD Nafeles fai wondred. C And yet Jiei wondred. ' CD Alfough. L Alpeij. 8 C And ferfore ferafter. ^ LCD wondres. A wordes. '" C fou knoulechest weel J>at yt so be. B 2 Titus and Vespasian ; For all the mervailles we seen of the. Amonges couthe we never fynde ^ Any soo worch by mannes kynde, Neither lewede man ny clerk, 70 But God were with hym in his werk. Forthy [we] wolde * som token see, To shew if j^ou Goddes sone be." ' CThan seide Jesus to Nichodeme, " je taken of me ful litell geme. fo. 2. 75 Thogh I 30U all \& aventures telle Of ]?is worlde j^at je in dwelle, pat beth goon and shull byfalle, ge ne bileveth a worde of alle ; For thogh * I of heven 30U tolde, 80 Of all ]7ing \zX. je wyten wolde. How shulde ge J-erof trowe ^ oght, Whan ge \2X other troweth noght ? Nevertheles the aventures alle pat* I say 30U shull bifalle." 85 Nichodemus hym trowede well, And privelich heelde with hym everydell. 1 C And amonge us can we non fynde, pat so can werche be mankynde. L Among us ne coupe we never fynde On to wirche by mannes kynde. 2 C Wherfore we wolden. L perfore we wolde. 8 C Yf fat fou now God almyghti be. L Schewe sif }>ou God almijtty be. D To shewen if ])ou God almisty be. * C And f erfore yf. D Forthy of hevene ))0U5 I 50U tolde. L For])! of heven jif I tolde. 5 C leven. LD trowe me. « C pat Jhesus seyde shulde befalle, Nichodeme hem leved weel And helde yt pryve echeadel. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. And in J^e gospell as men reede, The Jewes Crist temptede oft indede ; pei askede hym mony a wonder sawe, 90 And ofte opposede hym in her lawe,' That J>ei myght by som juggement In som manere have hym yhent/ Ageynes hym J^ei wroght in vayn, pat al unbyndeth and byndeth agayn, 95 This worlde it nys ' but folye Agaynes Goddes grete maistrye. COnes Jjei askede hym, " Maister dere, To whom shuU we geelden every gere All \t truage of oure lande ? " 100 How he unswarede, now understande : " Of whom joure monee hath ymage With name iwriten, geldeth hym truage." This was askede of hym in skorne For the wordes he seide biforn, 105 That he was God and Jewes kyng. In hym J^ei had noo trewe levyng.* " Oure money, sire, we make \& war. Is made aftur oure kynge Cesar." " pan," seide he, "gelde Cesar his right, 1 10 And J'at is Goddes to God almight." Here thei were confoundet anoon ; Concludet they were everychon. fo. 2b. ^ C For to have atteynte hym be )>er lawe. LD For to ateint hym bi her lawe. 2 C yshent. L schent. D shent. 2 C And al f is worldes wytte ys. L pis werldes wytt is. D The worldis wit nys. * This line supplied in margin. C And fanne answerid fei to )>is fing. LD po ansuered J'ai to pis fing. The Jews tempt Jesus. Tribute to Caesar. 6 Titus and Vespasian ; Woman taken in • By a womman \t\ temptede hym get. ^^"^'^'^' From peyne of stonyng ^ fair he hit quyt 1 1 5 For avowtrie, J^at foule synne ; J7ei accusede hir to hym Jjcrinne.* Jhesu stoupede doun right anoon ; These ' wordes he wroot J'e erthe upon : " This wrecched erthe \\s, oj^ur biwriede,* ISO But God forgaf ]7at mercy cryede." poo he had unswared * what he wolde, " Goth je^ >e lettres for to biholde." Whan \€\ had seien it as he bad,' I sey to 30U, J'ei were adradde: 125 " Taketh J?is womman \z.\. hath do mys ^ Whosoo withouten synne now is, And casteth on hir Jjc firste stoon." pan \€\ stale out everychon, All but J^is womman l^at stode alone. 130 And Jesus sat and lokede hir one ; " Where ben j^ese men, wymmen," he seide, " pat ]^is blame soo on the leide ? " 1 D Shulde have ben stonid. C pat shulde have be stoned and fanne was she quyt. Z pat schulde be stoned fair he quit. 2 C pat fei tolde hym fei founden here ynne. LD pai tolde hym fai fonde hire ferinne. ' C And certein. ■* C For f e false acusours fat here hadde bewreyed And wolde fe woman also have stroyed. ^ LD writen. C And whanne he hadde wrytten. ^ C pei gon. L Hy gon. '' C And whanne fei sey fat he hadde made. 8 C And Jhesus seyd to hem, y wys, " Now whiche of yow withoute synne ys, Do cast on fe woman fe ferst stone." or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 7 •[" Sire, I not noght^ sikerly." " Dame," he seide, " no more wot I. 135 Goo now, J70U dame, with joie and wynne. And kepe thy ^ wyl from dedely synne." Alwey thus on hym J'ei soght. But evermore J^ei fonde it vaillede noght. For Goddes myght ' and mannes witte 140 Mow not wel togeder syt. J^an J^ei gan * hym to diflfame, They defame Him, And lyede on hym and dede hym shame. Tho j^at myght spede with no resoun ° With falsehed J^ei J'Oght to brynge hym doun, 145 And seide, " Thou seist amys we leven Ajeynes the lawe \zX is us geven." They seide, " Sire, we have the lawes That Moyses taghte us by his dawes, fo. 3. citing Moses and pat he of Messias godelich toke, Abraham. 150 Alsoo' we fynden in oure booke. Soo heelde oure fader Abraham And hiderward'' J>at after hym cam. pat we can wite* we breke it noght In werk, in worde, ny in noo J»oght." 155 He° wyst ful wel J^at \€\ mystolde, 1 D nevere. C She seyde, " Sir, y not sykerly." 2 D the forfewarde. C ))e hensorward weel fro synne. L fe forjjward fro synne. * 6'wytte. ♦ C Natheles fei wenten. 5 C And whanne \€\ myghte not spede in here resoun. « ZC as. T D alle tho. C al fat hyderward after cam. 8 C And to oure wytshepe. 9 Z He. A We. C And J>ei seyden filke hadde nought mystolde. 8 Titus and Vespasian ; pat made J^e lawes newe and olde." His answer. pan Spake Jesus \q Jewes unto : " Moises and Abraham I sawe alsoo.^ To Moises \t lawes I bitaght, 1 60 pat fro me to gou hit broght. I sawe Abraham and he me ; He was joiefull me to see. je ben wel harder J^an \t stone, pat of 30U wil knowe me none.* 165 Thwey' dombe beestes, the ox and asse, pei segh me and wist what I wasse, And )?e bestes wilde under lynde,* They knewe me all but mannes kynde." The Jewes seide j^at he mystolde ; 1 70 He was not fifty wynter olde : " Moises and Abraham J^ou hast seen ? This may in no wise ben. Thou ne semest but a ^onge man. How myghtes j^ou have seen hem J^an ? " 175 "Forsoth," he seyde, "I telle 30U can. I was longe er J?e worlde bigan. I shall be withouten ende Thogh all ]?inges in" sundry wende. I am Jesus, Goddes sone. 180 I segh Abraham and Salamon. 1 C Of Moyses and Abraham y sey yow so. 2 C pat non of yow me knowen can. 8 L Tueie. D Tweie. C Sithen fat tweye. * D wode lynde. C And bestes so wylde under fe wode lynde, Me knoweth al sauf mankynde. L And bestes wilde under wood lynde. Me knowef al bet mankynde. 5 C asoundre. L asondri. D asondry. death and resurrection. or, The Destruction of /erusalem. I come the lawes to fulfille, Not oon poynt J^erof to spille, Ny of the prophecies alle That han ibe or shuU bifalle. fo. 3<5. 185 And also trewely I 30U telle, He foretells His 30ure mychel temple I may doun felle And reisen hit up the thrid day." " \>at myght not be," >ei sweren' ay. ; In al J-is woorde^ he hem blent, 190 For by his owne body he hit mente, - J7at he shulde dyen and ' assaye To* risen up J>e thridde day. For J?is worde they were negh mad, For ever fiei founden hym trewe and sad. 195 Nevertheless they unswarede this right : " Er )7at oure temple were all ydight geres were sex and fourty fulle. How J>an J^e trowe we shull ? " Cursede folke men ' myght hem call, 200 For ' the miracles he shewede hem all. ^ C seyden. * C And yn alle fese wordes. LD In alle J>ise wordes. ^ C as y yow say. * CAnd. .> „ , .. 8 ^ Natheles fei answerid fus aplyt : " And oure temple were now al to-dyt, Yeres wolde be sex and fourty fulle Er we ageyn reren yt shulle." 8 Z he. C me. T C pat for. Between II. 200, 201, C has two additiotiallines : pei wolde not leven on hym be no wey, But evere dured forth yn here false lay.' \ lo Titus and Vespasian ; But all Jiat Jhesus wold and thoght Most som tyme to ende be broght. That folke was ordeyned ^ to doo )7at dede ; perfore J^ei myght ]>& more drede. ? F 205 He blamede hem for her bileve, And seide it shulde hem sore agreve. He myght sone suche thynges han wroght, pat maked all \e worlde of noght. They charge Him And for he kepte ^ not her Sabaot ' day, bJSklng^'^" 210 To doon miracles everyday, The seke to heele of evell and synne, For her lawe he nolde not blynne. Worldes ^ werkes were J?ei none, But God almighty * dedes aloone. 215 pei askede hym why he wroght ]?an ; And he unswared, as ' God and man, " Is there noon of 30U alle, If ]?at joure beest were ifalle Doun in a pyt or in a lake, 220 Whe]:'ur* hit shulde ben up y take, » L loked. C But fat folk fat holpen hym to fat dede. 2 LCD held. 3 C Sabot. Z Sabath. D Sabat. * C fanne away. L alway. D al the day. « C has two additional lines here, the following lines answering to II. 213-14: Suche werkes to don fat gracious were. perfore fei nolde hym alyve yhere. And yut worldes werkes wrought he none, But fat were almesse dedes everychone. 6 LD almistties. A almiyhty, 7 Z als a good man. 8 LD sif. C pat nolde nought yt shulde up be take. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. II Er hit were lorne je wolde updrawe fo. On \t Sabot day, for all goure lawe ? " pei stode abashed everychon, J?at \t\ ne couthe unsware hym none. 225 Anoon \t\ askede hym with grete tene What his miracles wolde ' bymene • j:^at was whan * he heelede \q seke, Or seide or dede wondres ^ eke. Ofte J^us \tx come hym to, 230 And askede why J)at he dede soo. He unswarede aftur her thoght, That >ei ne couth withsey him noght. The grettest of >e princes bolde * Agaynes Jhesu ful harde >ei holde, 235 And ichon makede oj-ur present For to ben * at oon assent. But smale folkes there aboute Folweden hym with grete route ; Wonder thicke >ei fell hym to 240 For the miracles >ei sawe hym doo, pat >ei despyt doon * hym ne might ; J?at made ^ Jjei token hym by night. Whan Jesus segh >e tyme >erto/ J?at it most nedes ben ydoo, 245 He bad >ei shulde hem sone amende, ^ C shulde mene. Z wolden mene. D myjte mene. ^ C And of fat fat. 3 £CD wondres. A wordes. * C But fe princes fat weren so bolde * Cbealle. ^ C ne don hym myghte. Z For fai no spyt do hym ne migt. ^ C And ferfore. ® C was to. C 2 They question Him as to His miracles. Their princes conspire against Him, but fear the people who follow Him. He warns them of their impending fate. 1 2 Titus and Vespasian ; Or stronge vengeance he shulde hem sende. He byhight to fordoon hem all,^ And her citee it shulde doun fall, Jerusalem, J^at was stronge and hye. 250 Tho gan waxe Jiere grete envie f But whil it stode ])ti had no doute. Hit was soo riche and strong aboute. Nevertheles of his' grete sawe All J'ei were in muchell awe. but they hate 255 For his prophecies J^ei hatede hym sore, Him the more. ^^ , . . , , ror pel were trewe wei pe more ; And for his witte j^at was soo grete, fo. 46. For his unsware and for his threte. And for he bare so noble a fame 260 l?at men honurede hym all by name. And clepede hym Jesus J>e verrey propphete. Where he walkede in toun or strete. Oft ]?ei waitede hym to sloon,** And for drede ])ti let hym goon. 265 By day J'ei myght hym not hent For the folke j^at with hym went. Wei mony thousandes for his sake Wolde han dyede er he were take ; ' C He seyde J)ei shulde be fordon alle. 2 C panne beganne to waxen here envye. L po gan to waxen her envie. 8 Z fis. C Nevertheles for alle here grete lawe Yut were fei brought yn ful grete awe. * C And eke for he was. LD And for he was. * Z sle . . . . lete hym be. C But often hys enemys wayted hym to slen, And evermore for doute fei lete hym ben. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 13 If \t\ had toforn all wiste' 270 pei wolde soo foule have pynede Criste, Alle \& princes \t\ wolde have slayn And all J'e contrey have brent ful fayn. God wolde noght J^at hit were soo, But oJ>erwise it moste goo, 275 Whan tyme and terme was ycome pat he sofFrede to ben ynome. Ful wel pan" he toke is merke What manere men' shulde doo \\^ werke ; And sithen it shulde nedes* be doo 280 Somme manere of folke most" go J^erto. get was it better \q\ had \q gylte pan any oJ>ur nacioun had be spylte ;' For in the booke thus we it fynde, They were out-castynges' of all mankynde. 285 He* preiede for hem on rode tree, He prayed for " Forjeve hit hem >at it shulde soo be," Si'S?'''' °" In ensaumple of all' Cristen men ^ C But and fei beforhand hadde ywyst pat \€\ wolde so foule ban ferd with Crist. L jif J)ai hadden biforehonde wist pai scholde so foule have faren with Crist. - Z he had taken his merk. C hadde he taken hys marke. ' L Whan men. * C algate be so. LD alway be do. C muste nede yt do. LD most nedes J>erto. C panne fei many o)>er hadden be spylt. L omits nacioun. ZC fe outcast. C And yut he. C us. LD omit all. s i 1 4 Titus and Vespasian ; J)at here in^ any envye ben, That we forjeve as he forgave, 290 And michell made J^an shull we have ;* For he is soo greet' of curtesye He nyl noo synfull man dye,* But space and grace he wil hym sende And* he wil hymselfe amende. 295 Soo myght ]>q Jewes have hade grace Of her grevose" and grete trespas. fo. 5. and spared them Thesus soffrede ' a longe stounde, for forty years. :i^ /, • • 1 r j \ r ourty gere (hit is wel lounde) ; For * token ny for noon opur sight 300 Repentede )7e[i] never by day ny nyght. Their plots But in the passioun as we rede, As ° \q\ were gadrede in every ^° stede, Ofte biforn J»ei spake J^is " deed, How to doon J^ei couthe ^' no reed. 305 l?ei " seide, " Whan shull we us wreke Of J^is prophete J?at J^us can speke ? For if we leten hym J^us goon I C often yn envye bren. L in envie ne brenne. * C pat we ferfore gret mede myght have. » Cful. * Z> ne dye. C pat he wyl fat no man to helle deye. » CYffat. * Z CD vileynous trespas. 7 c For Jhesus sufifred hem. 8 C And yut for. » C Where. ZZ» pere. 10 Cony. II A is (altered to fis). LD his ded. C Often before er he were ded. 1* C token here reed. 13 CAnd. r or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. \ 5 He shall fordoon us everychon.^ The Romaynes and o\\xx shul come us on, 310 And all oure lawes \t\'^ wil fordoon." J3ei seiden sother J^an J^ei wende ; For Jiei were never in wille to mende. Ofte J^ei soghte ' wey to fonde, How \&\ myght drive hym out of londe 315 Thurgh her lawes by juggement 0\ux thurgh coyntise * have hym shent. Ones Jjei had hym hem bytwene ; Than ]?ei thoght to wreke her tene. In a place ° at an hegh hille 320 pei wolde have slayn hym by ® her skylle ; They wolde have doon ' hym to * sterte, But quyt awey he went and' quert. And ones J^ei wolde have stonede hym, And al to-drawen hym every lyme. 325 J3ei seide he blasphemede hymself ]?an : He made hym God, and was a^° man. And ofte her" boyes after hym lepen For to take hym with her wepen ; 1 C transposes IL 308-9. * Che. ^ C caste for to fonde. LD casten and wolden fonde. * CLD Or prow pryve quantise. * C stede upon. L stede on. Z> At a stede at " C ful styll. L withoute skill. D by her wille. ^ C made. ^ LC })ere to. 9 C onhurte. LD from hirt, ^^ L no man. ^^ L afterward J»ai lepen. J 1 6 Titus and Vespasian ; But for men^ Jiat jede him by 330 Durste noon of hem ley hand hym nye. And ones at fleme^ Jordane, There hym' baptized seint Jon, There l^ei wolde* hym have slayn; Qwyt he went^ with myght and mayn. fo. z^b. 335 And whan \&\y\ sawe J^ei might not spede t>ei J'oght to doon an* evell dede. Thei made J^ere a conspiracy Amonges the poeple with vileny/ That ones Messias seide 340 (J)at is Jesus in oure tonge leyde) Out* of her synagoge he shulde be doo, And for a cursede man iholde alsoo. This was to hym noo vileny, All were hit doon with grete envie.* 345 Allweyes J^ei failede of her cast ; Till Jesus wolde sofFre at \& last J?at J^e certeyn day were set, pei had no myght hym to let.^" ^ C fe pepel. 2 C flom Jurdon. L flum Jurdon. D the flom Jordan. * C peras hym. Z pere he. * L waited to have hym sleyn. CD wayted hym to han slayn. * C But sauf he scaped. LD Bot quyt he went. ^ LCD a lifer dede. 7 LD felonye. C Amonge hem alle with felonye And tolde fat Messias onys yn fey pat Jhesu on hem fe wronge wolde ley. 8 C And oute. D But oute. 9 C For yt was don for gret envye. w ZC get. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. n Whan^ he wist hit most nedes be, 350 pan wolde he hem nothing flee. Caiphas propheciede Jjere, As in the passioun men may here, }?at a man shulde dye hym^ bifore. So I'at J'e poeple ne were forlore. 355 The Holy Goost had broght hym J^is, But he was never J^e better, I wis ; Thogh it were seide with gode resoun Hit turnede hym all to confusioun. For thurgh hym and his felonye 360 Encresed fast l^e Jewes envye ; For Jiat J?is woorde was seide on hye* J>at* in all maner he shulde dye. ' ?8? Her eyen were blynde, J^at noght hym knewe ;' J7ei mow J^at now evermore rewe. 365 Therefore* he went anoon hem froo ; Amonges hem more nolde he not goo. He went a litell here^ biside, Out of her sight hym to huyde. A.*^ ' Nogth for drede toke he J^is wey ; 370 But for to stable us in the fay, .% To* abiden his tyme wel and faire. Caiphas' counsel. Jesus hides, to await His due time, 1 C But whanne. 2 LCD hem. * ' C So fat for fat worde so seyd yn hye. * L Fro fat fis werld was seide on heije. * LC omit \3X. ' C pey were so blynde fat f ei hym ne knew. L Her eijen were holden and noujt hym knewe. « CNatheles. ^ LCD\txt. 8 C And for to. fiy.;.' Jt ^ D i8 Titus and Vespasian; He* was to us soo gode saumplaire, fo. 6. To* prelates and to* other men pat in any anguysh here ben, 375 To kepen us out of her way pat oure enemys us ne say. Whan men hem seen, J^e more j^ei synne ; If they be fer, Jie more \t\ blynne.^ pus turnede Jesus from hem )?e* bake, 380 pat J^ei not mychel of hym ne spake. Into desert he passede ° streght in a city called To a citee J^at J^ere was neghste^ ^^'^y""- (The story clepeth' hit Effraym), A litell wey from Jerusalem. 385 With his disciples he dwellede J^ere, Noght for drede* J-ei myght hym dere, But for J»e poynt I seide' byforn. And get were somme*" of hem forsworn, pan all the company," Jr'ere J?ei gede, 1 C And fus he was a goode ensamplayre Bofe to prelates and to ofer men pat yn anguysse yn ])is world ben pat fei shulde kepe hem oute of fe wey From here wykked enemys yn goode fey. 2 AL two. * C And whanne fei be from hem J>e more J)ei wynne. ♦ Chys. ^ LCD held })e sty. 6 LCD ney. 1 CD seyth yt hyght Effraym. L self it hat Effreem. ^ LCD drede. A deede. ^ C fat y seyde. LD I seide. A he seje. 1'' C fe Jewys oftetyme forswore. u D Tho weren the Jewes. C And were sore angred feras fei yede. L po seiden }>ai ]>ere )>ai jede. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 390 Pei seiden^ he was fled for drede. But truely J^ei lyede everychon ^ pei ne wyst not whi" he was goon. J7ei were not worthy his counseill to wyte pat thoghten to doon hym despyt. 395 Byhynde' his bak >ei on hym lyede, After his kynde \q\ aspyede,* get ofte J-e shrewes were forsworn, In leccherye J^ei helde hym born. J^ere were twelve ' >at herden >is ; 400 pei tolde hem \q\ seiden * amys. t>ei witnessede all, with con sawe, pat he was born with ' right lawe. pei seiden \€\ sawe Joseph wedde Mary, >at clene Hfe ay ledde.^ 405 They holden hym Josepes sone right ■ (A Wryghtes sone he was yplyght:' His Fader made all thynges of noght. pere is noon o>ur >at soo hath wroght). These twelve names tellen I can 19 In His absence He is maligned. Twelve men , defend Him, 1 C And seiden. Z ])at. 3 LCD whi. A til. ' L omits II. 395-6. * C And hym to betray fei evere aspyed. * Csumme. " C And seyden fat fei tolden. 7 ZCin fe. D by. 8 C Marie, fat mayde fat clene lyf ledde. 9 C pat was a carpenter forsof e aplyt. Instead of I. 407, C has: But Jhesus right fader forsothely Ys a carpenter of gret ferly, For he made al finge of nought. D 2 20 Titus and Vespasian ; and so do two rich men, Nicodemus and Joseph of Aramathie. 410 That with Jesu heelden ]pan : fo. 6b. Lazarus, Asterius, and Antonius, Ysaac, Finees/ and eke Cripais,* Jacob/ Samuel, and Joras,* ' Agrippata/ Amos, and Judas. 415 Twey riche men there were alsoo That holden wel with Jesu [t]hoo,* Ever in wordes and dedes bothe ; perfore J^e Jewes wern wrothe. And for her wrath ])ei nolde not leve 420 For drede for love ne Jesu to greve/ Nichodemus was J'at oon, Prince of j>e Jewes everychon.* At his dome and at his dede ' He preisede hym ^° in every stede. 425 perfore J^ei enprisonede hym sone, And wolde hym to deth have done. And soo Jiei wolde his ojiur felawe For J^at werk and for that sawe : pat was Joseph of Aramathie," 430 A riche man of ^'^ kynde wel hye. I C Fines. * C-D Crispus. Z Cripus. s Z Joab. * CJeras. * ZC Agripta. 6 LCD J>o. T C Ne Jesu for hate fei wolde not greve. Z Ne for her love Jhesu greve. 8 C many on. 9 C pat al day yn dom and evere at nede. 10 C Jhesu. II C Armathye. 12 C and of kynred hye. Z> and of kyn ful hye. or. The Destruction of Jerusalem. 21 These men [|^ei] thoght ^ to have slayn, As je shall hereafter heere me sayn." t)ese were j^e poyntes of her envie Wherfore \€\ deden * hym to dye, 435 Withouten oj^er * many thynges, Upbraides, assaies, and skornynges.' But love berst ' Jesu Cristes hert. And noon oj^ur pynes smert. Love hym droof and love hym broght ' 440 For to fynden \'3X he soght. Whan love thyrlede ' heven Kynge pan love passeth alle ^ J'inge. Love is hevede ' and love is ende. Loveth love as ge ben hende ! 445 But whan Jesus was broght of ^" live pan fell wondres als bylive." Centurio byhelde and seide J^us, " This is Goddes sone Jesus." fo. 7. As also dede Longens \t knyght 450 After )?at he had is sighte. 1 LCD Jjai foujt. 2 C As hereafter y shal yow sayn. LD As I schal hereafter seyn. ^ C dyte hem. * C also moche ojier finge. L any ofer fing. D many other thynges. * C As of onbraydynge and scornynge. L Assaies, upbraides and cursyng. 8 C brak. L brast. "^ Cperced. * C al oJ)er J»ing. 9 L hede. C hed. Z> heed. 10 Coutoflyve. ^1 L bHfe. D Ther byfillen wondres as blyve. C per fellen grete woundres as blyve. The Jews are inspired by envy, Jesus by love. Miracles at the death of Jesus. i 22 Titus and Vespasian ; Her^ grete temple in'' two to-cleef; And buryede men, dede and deef, Risen and walkede all aboute From town to town, a grete route, / 455 t)at wel were knowen out and inne^ With* men j^at wer[e]n of her kynne. pei tolde why j^ei risen J^ore For Jhesu J^at diede hem byfore/ J?e Sonne also leste * all his lyght, 460 And stones and trees lest^ her myght; And every thynge in his kynde Only man is Of Jesu dethe had a mynde,* Out-taken man, Jjat shulde be chief, t)at ® moost shulde be to Jesu leef ; 465 The shrewes shewede ^^ moost unkyndenes Agaynes all his godenesse. All Jjis was wittenes agaynes man J7at he had " ytrespassede J^an. Sithen all qwhoke, but mannes hert,^^ 470 Was he not Jjan worthy to smert ? Adam J'at firste bigan the shame j " 1 CAndfe. L^&. * C ato yt clef. L atwo to-clef. D al to-cleef. * C pat knewen weel withoute and withynne Wheche manere men weren of here kynne. < Zof. 6 Cfore. fi C lese here lyght. LD les her lijt. T C lesen. L loren. D lees. 8 C For Jhesus dethe \€\ morned yn mynde. 9 LC And. "^^ LC pai schewed hym. D He shewed. " C hadde to God. 1* C Now sythen al jjinge morned sauf mannes hert. 1' C But Adam beganne ferst fis game. LD Adam bigan first fe game. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 23 I^e Jewes endeth hit with blame.^ But God ' Lorde, J^at curteys is, Dede J'is labour * for mannes blys, 475 And also for the Jewes, for why ? If \q\ had soght his mercy.* J?ese deede men bigan to telle Why Jjei risen in flessh and fell. And Jesus wolde rise J>e thrid day." 480 The Jewes were in grete affray ; But l^ei ne dredde not on right, In her purpos * hem failede myght. Tho ^ he was risen f-e )^ridde morn (As his passioun seith toforn), 485 Aggeus, Fines, and Astadas,* fo. ^b. Witnesses of the pese thre tolde hem how it was. 1 Two clerkes witnesseth hit alsoo, pat seint Michell shewede hym° to, Caryne and eke Leuteyn ; ^" ^ LCD schame. - C oure Lord God. L oure Lorde. D goode Lorde. ^ C He dyd yt al for oure blys. L Dude it al. D Dede al. * C And fei wolde han asked mercy. * C For to telle fat Jhesu wolde rysen f e iij day. *' LD As fai scholden. C As fei shulde, for fei faylleden myght. ' C And whanne. ■* C And Ageus, Fynees and Estaddas. L Aggeus, Phinees and Estaudas. D Augeus, Fynees and Estadas. 9 ZC it. 1° Instead of II. 489-493, CLD have only three lines : C And J>at was Carrianus and Eleuthyus Dombe fei were tyl swete Jhesus From dethe aros and styed to hevene. LD Carianus and Elyntheus (Z> Carisius and Eleutherius) Doumbe fai weren til swete Jhesus Fro jjat he ros and stije to heven. ^ tj 24 Titus and Vespasian ; 490 Bothe l^ese in certeyn Doumbe j^ei were til swete Jesus Was risen from deth, I tell 30U J^us, From ]?at he roos and stye to heven ; And ]7an tolde J^ei full even 495 Al ^ l^at was doon everydel Of^ J^e lore of seint Michell, In erthe, in helle, in paradys What Jesus Crist had doon, I wis. Also it witnesseth ' in oj^ur stede 500 pere * men of \& stories rede. Nichodemus J:)oo * spake Nichodemus anoon rebukes the Jews. tt.it t. Unto Je Jewes everychoon : " ge wickede men, what have ge wroght ? To mykel sorwe ^e have us broght. 505 All fat Joseph and I 30U seide Hit niijt not standen^ in no stede." Joseph declares pan gan Joseph to speken hem to : himself a ... -, , • , Christian. Agaynes Jesu ^e have misaoo, For gylteles je have hym slawe ; 510 perfore 30 luay be unfawe." ^ Upon Joseph hit was borne ^ pat he was to Jesu sworn. "ge," quod Joseph, "to hym I take, And all ^oure lawes I forsake. 1 LC Al. A And. 2 Z omits Of. C prow. ' C As yt ys wytnessed. 4 Cperas. Z> That. * C And fanne. * L stonde jou. 7 C ful onfawe. 8 CD Anon fe Jewes on Joseph born L Onon J)e Jewes on Josep borne. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 25 515 I wot wel je be wroth with me, For I buryed his body free. And I ne recche, so Crist me save, If I gour wrathe ]^erfore have. I warne 30U wel, je shul abye '" , 520 ]?at 36 dede hym such vilenye." J7an were \t Jewes wel negh wode. The Jews are And J^ogh ^ he seide it for her gode. He nys not my freende, je have herd tolde, pat seith alP so myn herte hit wolde. fo. 8. 525 Joseph, withouten more sake,^ Sone on hast* \q\ gan hym take. and imprison him. pei put hym in a stronge prisone With double lok, all " for tresone. Botha Anne and Caiphas,* J^ese two, 530 Beren the keyes \q dore to undoo. The hous was hool ' withouten hole ; For \t\ Jjoght hym * to a stole, t)at never freende ne shulde have wiste' Where ny how he had be ^" myste. 535 But Crist, \zX is curteys at nede, 1 C But nafeles. 2 C all as myn owene hert wolde. LD as myne hert wold. ^ C But Joseph fanne wythoute ony slake. • * C Wol sone anon. L Sone onon. * C And double fetred hym. ^ C And Annas and eke Cayphas. L Annas and Cayphas. 7 Cbyld. ^ C so hym to have ystole. L so have hym stole. D so to have hym stole. 9 C pat non of hys frendes shulde nevere han ywyste. ^^ C ben ymyste. LD ben myst. E 26 • •Titus and Vespasian ; Christ releases him. Consternation of Annas and Caiphas. The Resurrection of Christ, reported by the sentries. At nyght J>er come hym out to lede.^ The Jewes senten ^ hym on the morwen ; His deth \>ti had amonges hem sworn. Anna and Caiphas unclosede ^ ]>t dore. 540 J)ei clepede and soght and haveth hym lore ; * pei wepen and were {^an sory men, Out of lande j^ei thoght to fleen. Body for body j^ey maynprisede ^ hym To kepen hym upon life and lyme. 545 And as^ \)e.\ stode in alF )?is care, Where* J)ei shulden dwell or fare, Amonges all }?ese* come ]>q knyghtes pat woken Jesu by dales and nyghtes. The whiles |jat he in toumbe lay, 550 Till it was on the thrid day pat he out of J'e toumbe aroos ; pei were negh wode, soo hem agroos," And" tolden \>e Jewes ]?at he was risen, 1 C pat nyght ganne hym fens oute lede. L pat nijt com hym out to lede. 2 LCD soustten. 3 C ondede. L undeden. D undiden. * C pe soughte and cleped and hadde hym lore And fei wepte and weren ful drery men. L And soustten and clepeden fai hadden hym lore pai wepden and weren sory men. D pei soujten him cleped him fei ban lore pei wepten and weren ful sory men. * C hadde taken. L token. D undirtoke. « C so. Z also fai hadden mychel care. 1 C ful gret care. 8 Z> Wheper. C Whoder })ei myghte fie or fare. L Whefer ))ai wolden gon or fare. 9 C And yn J>e mene tyme fanne. i« C Whanne fei )>erof ful sore agros. " Cpei. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. m And for^ an aungell J>ei' were agrisen, 555 t'at put adoun ]je grete stoon . j' \ f And set hymselfe )>ereiipon. ■ "" c8? For drede, ]>ei seide, |jat J^ep] had' They fell adoun as J^ei were mad/ W Alsoo wymmen comen ])ere thre ' i^^YY 560 That soghten Jesu for to see. fo. 85. The aungell tolde hem where' he is, '^^t rM^ " Into Galile goon, I wis." " r.r( ]:»an unswared J)e Jewes blake, '/' " Why ne had je pt wymmen take ? ' W 565 Were ^e not armed swithe welle " iiH f\ Alle foure in eiren and in Steele f^ Incl o^? The knyghtes seiden, " Blame' us noght. We had noo myght hem to have broght." }7an askede Pilate hem anoon, , i 570 " Why lete ge >an' Jhesu goon ? " .J ' t'an unswared J>e knyghtes bolde, 'I ?.ns " Why ne had ge Joseph withholde ? We have bothe failede of our pray : T Jhesus and Joseph ben goon her way. T 575 Deliver us Joseph nowe, ;'vq;;;u,;/ And we shul take' gou Jesu. For he is arisen as'" ful of myght. 1 Cof. ^ C how j)ei. ^ C And for }>e fere fat Jiei per hed. * Cded. ** C forsofe y wys. * C How ynto Galyle ygon he ys. ^ C a wyteth. Z ne witej>. Z> witef. ^ C Jhesu from yow goon. 9 C delivere. ^^ Cpat is risen so. . ,, ^. Z He is risen of God. E 2 w 28 .wvMi Titus and Vespasian; We drede hym ever both day and nyght. ^ pare cam no man hym to stele, 580 pogh he be risen with gode heele ; And jet we mowe drede \>e more We shull abye his deth ful sore." Than wex the Jewes all as mad ; To make her gree^ pei were ful glad. 585 pan ]?ei jaf hem grete tresore' J>at l^ei ne* shulde speke no* more. All helpede nogt j^at" Ipd tolde, Where j^ei come with wordes bolde ; Hit myght in noon wise ben hydde, 590 But hit most nedes be kydde.' The Jews send pan seide ]>e knyghtes, " Seerche je, Set ''^" For Joseph is now in his« citee." pan sente \>e Jewes Joseph unto Lettres of pees to come and goo. 595 Joseph come and spake hem with fo, 9. Alle \)e Jewes in pees an* gryth. They went ageynes hym with honour ; They kysten hym, grauntede hym her socour. Anoon J^ei put^" hym in resoun 1 C Evere we mowen hym drede aplyt. Z Evere we mowen dreden hym rijt. 2 C But to green with hem. s C And yeven fe knytes mochel tresore Z pai javen hem michel tresore. * Cferof. 5 .<4 no no (sic). « C for evere \>ei tolde. Z£> fat fai ne tolde. 1 C For yt muste nede algate ben kydde. LD It most nedes alway be kyd. * C hys owene. 9 ZC and. 1" Z axed hym pe resoun. or, The Destruction of Jeriisalevi. 29 600 How^ he come out of strong prisoun. ^ " Sires," he seyde, " I telle to ryght, He tells them ^ ^ r ^ ^ 9 1 r 1 how he was Cryst me fat out' \q, firste nyght. released by Christ, Whan he come J^at ' firste stounde, l7e hous roos, me semede,* from \& grounde 605 Up into \q eyre agaynes hym right, For he is verrey God almyghte. Ful the hous, me thoght, he * spradde J With \q grete light \dX he hadde. > ' ■ For drede of hym I fell adoun 610 As a man J^at lith* in swone. But sone he toke me by the hand And bade me )>at I shulde up stande. My face^ he wipte and sithen me* kyste ; 3et what he was I* ne wiste. 615 ' Drede not, I am Jesus,' he seide, ' J)at Jjou buriedest in f>at stede. X>o\x madest my grave in 3one^" orchard. By |)at token be not aferd.' Anoon he ledde me to ]?at grave ; 620 Ful gode mynde J>erof I have. ' Joseph," here J^ou buriedest me, ^ C And asked hym how. 2 LC Jhesus me fet. D Cryst me fette. 2 C al yn fat stounde. LD me Jwujt fat stounde. * C Me Jjoughte \& hous ros. LD pat fe hous ros. ^ C was spred. ' LC was. 7 Z nebbe. 8 Cyt. » C tyl fat I. 10 Can. Z»).in. , 11 C Joseph he seyd. 3° Titus and Vespasian ; And f)at I shall wel jelde^ >€.' ■ ' - ^ And whan I had \t grave seen I ne wist how he° com j^enne. 625 In myn owne hous he me sette, XldX noon of 30U might hym lette. In pees he bad me dwelle ]?ere, And bade me come out no more Unto sexty' daies were come and goon. 630 He bade I shulde drede of* 30U noon ; fo. <^b. And at the Ix* daies ende >■'^ i- ' Wheder I wolde he bad me wende. who ascended to Upon" the mounte of Olivete og j.m) pere my Lord, )jat is so swete, 635 Stihede to heven faire and wel, Almighty God in flessh and fell. He shall come at domesday^ To geelde f>e gode and wicke her pay. There was a swete companye •} ffr u. C' 640 Firste his dere moder Mary,' And his apostles and o\^^x moo, J7at were wonede with hym to goo ; And somme rysen^" whan he aroos, 1 C quyten yt })e. ,,..; ^^.^^ ;.^>. -, ■■ ^ Cy. 3 LCD Til forti. ♦ ^ of of (sic). C drede no man. L And bad I ne schulde drede joure non. D And bad me I shulde drede 30U noon. 5 LCD fourty. ^ C And fanne upon. '' C pat J)e]>er ageyn shal comen a domysday. LD And efte shal comen at domesday. 8 C And at hys styynge was a swete companye. ' C For ferst fer was hys dere moder seynte Marie. ^^ LC fat arisen. D J>at risen. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 31 To here witnes tofore his foos. 645 I hope 36 have herde of this/ And but je have je shul, I wys." Whan Joseph had al J-is seyde :^ "Jesus upon myn' heed he leyde, Er he stye up, I understande, 650 Wei faire and wel his right hande ; He me kyste and blessede alsoo, And faire he toke his leve to goo, And bad me drede noght for no Jewe. By J'is I wyst hit was Jesu. 655 And in J^is manere I come 30U fro.* Sires, what can je seye J^erto ? By this, me thinketh, it may acorde That he is God ahnighty Lorde. Til \q Ix^ dales were went 660 I nolde not come ]?ogh ge'' had sent." Anoon he thoght hoom to goo ; ' Joseph returns He toke his leve and dede alsoo. Whan Joseph had ytolde hem J'is pan ]:'Oght hem J?ei had doon amys, 665 And seide, " What chaunse is this byfalle Of J^is prophete amonges us all ? " fo. 10. 1 C Naf eles, quod he, y hope ye han herde of fis. - C How atte hys styynge, as y yow say, Jhesus leyde his honde on my hede yn fay. s Zhis. * A pat in )>is manere come jou fro. C And yn fis wyse y come yow fro. LD And fus gate {D algate) I com jou fro. ' ' ^ LCD fourty. « LCD see. A he. ' C And whanne Joseph hadde seyd hem so Anon he dede hym hom to go. 32 Titus and Vespasian ; and preaches the Trinity. The Jews take him again and imprison him in the town-wall. 670 675 680 Christ's gracious- ness to the Jews. 685 690 Joseph went into his contree, And prechede and tagte J'e Trinite. Michell poeple he tumede and lerede With Jje wordes \t\ of hym herde. And whan J>e Jewes herden this They were sore agrevede, I wys. Eftesones f>ei toke^ hym coynteliche, And sperede hym up ful priveliche ; In her toun wall f»ei shetten hym In an close ^ ]pat was ful dym, And ]?ere he dwellede vij jere. Our Lorde hym kepte leef and dere ; pat nede was he had every day' Of Jesu, ]?e whiles he f>ere lay. But wel I wot, at \& laste With michell honour he was outcaste, And his foomen hit boght* ful dere, As ge shull sone hereafter heere. Listeth and I shall 30U rede : I shall 30U telle a wonder dede, How curteys Jesus Crist was To hem J^at dede hym \2X trespas. And SCO he is get every day Unto US all, I* telle jou may. We wrathen hym with many synne ; Gode hit were som tyme to blynne. All \dX he may' for us he doth, 1 CD kaughte hym queyntly. L laujtten hym queyntlich. - C K\ yn a voute. Z In a vaujtth. Z) In a vaute. * C For fat hym nedeth he hadde eche day. ■* C aboute. L aboujtten. D iboujte. * C as y yow say. * C For full mony goodnessus. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 33 1 1 -: All day we' may seen \t sooth, 695 In mony manere^ he us fondeth. To wrathen hym J^erfore withstandeth. For in his hande he hath j?e knyfe Bothe of oure deth and of oure life. Alsoo we redoun of |jis resoun 700 Thre jere bifore j^e passioun With his disciples hou he cam Toward \t citee of Jerusalem; fo. \ob. And how he wepe'' ge shull see, And spake \w% toward \q citee : 705 " If fiou wist as myche* as I J^ou most' wepe, I seye \& why. The day bigynneth faste to hye (But al fjat is hyd' fram J>in eye), Such a day shall come \t on 710 Thou shalt have enemyes many on pat al aboute )?e* shull becaste And destruye jje at j^e laste. Michell sorwe mow" je have 30U thar noo mercy of hem crave. '" 715 There shall noo stoon on oj^er bi leve, ^ LC ■^ee. 2 C And in mony a good dede. ^ C all in a resoun. * C wepte. ' C mykell. Z mychel. D mochel. ^ C woldest. L mestest. 7 C But jit hit is hyd all. 8 C shull the bycast. Z shullen ])ee bicast. ' C fen shull. Z mowen. C For aftur mercy is not to crave. There shall none stone then on other leve. Z jou dare no mercy of hem crave. pere shal no ston on ofere leve. How He wept over Jerusalem, foretelling its destruction 10 34 Titus and Vespasian ; But doun \t\ shul \t^ to-dreve." Foure ^ prophetes seiden right >us Longe byforn oure Lorde Jesus : Bothe Moyses and Ysaie 720 And Ely and eke Jeremye. He' stode on j^e mounte of Olivete Whan he toward J?e cite gan* grete. But his disciples wenden ay J7at he had spokene" of domesday. 725 Petre unswared for hem alle : "Lorde," he seide, "whan shall >is byfalle?" Jhesus wist what he wolde' mene. and the portents He seide to hem,' " je shull ^et scene ^^^"^^^^^ Many a token upon hye 730 Of Sonne and mone in the skye. Londe shall werren ajeynes londe, pe fader agayne {je childe shall stonde, The childe* agaynes kynde alsoo ; Manslaght' shal be, honger and woo ; 735 Moreyne^" of beestes and of o\\xr kynde purgh every londe men shal hit" fynde ; The fruyt shall in erthe faille ; Men shall live^^ in tene and travaille. fo. 11, 1 Call. * C And eke foure. s C Oure Lord hym. * Cdyd. ' C mened. 6 Cdede. 7 Chym. « C And the chyld the fader. " LD Manqualme. 10 LD Qualme. " LCD omit hk. 12 L Men lyven. C And men shull lyve. AD Men to live. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 35 ge shull be drawen more' an lesse 740 Bifore tyrandes in' distresse, And fele* for my love [J^ei] shulle* sleen And somme al qwyt° J?ei shulle Seen. Greta tribulaciones men shall see Mony men soffre for ]?e love of me ; 745 And I myself shall goo to deed Bothe beten, bounde, bak and heved,^ Arysen' up \q thridde day To glade all myne* Jjat I may. And many o\\xx tokenes shull byfall, 750 I may not nowe sayn hem all. get Cometh not \& day so sone pat >e grete dome shall be done. Heveth up joure hevedes from slepe ! Here may ge for j^is mater wepe.* 755 The dome shall come with grete ire, As a theef fat steleth, or wildefuyre ; And all \t\ shull to joye wende pat trewely kepen hem to \& ende. By tokenes >at have be seyen tofore " the persecutions of His disciples, .10 His own death and Resurrection 1 C with gret dystresse. 2 C more and lasse. ' C mony one. * CD they shullen. Z shullen flen. » LC quyk. ^ C Beten and bownden both bak and hed. L Ybeten and bounden bak and hede. '' ZC And risen. * ZC To gladen myne al. 9 C And out of syn clene ))at je you kepe. LD And out of synne clene jou kepe. ^^ C as a wyldfyre. 11 C And therefore by tokenus }>at ben sene before. r 3 36 Titus and Vespasian ; 760 Drede J?at^ is to come J^e more. Heven and erthe shall passen both, All but my wordes, j^at^ ben soth." Whan j^is was seide, to towne ]?e' drogh, fJere he wrathede somme* ynogh. how He purged 765 In the temple he gan byholde ^'"^^' How \q Jewes boght an soolde. He wex on hem ful wroth and' jare For Jjei solden Jjere her chafFare, Oxen, kyn, and other stoor, 770 Withinne ]?e temple, and" o]?ur tresour. As' golde and silver, J?ere J>ei soolde To alle men ]iz.t biggen wolde. And all for usure to make chevaunce* To men j^at comen out of Fraunce. 775 Nevertheles J?ei shulde not sella noo thynges* fo. lib. But jjinges )5at shulde to^** oflfrynges. To pilgrimes sekand" l^at cite, That comen from diverse contree. Hym thoght )?at j^ei gan apaire ^^ 1 C Dredeth that that. 2 C shull not passe forsothe. 8 Cfey. Zfai. Z* fei. * C sum of hem. » CfuU. Zals. Z>al. * C with muche store. T Z omits As. C And. ^ LC chaunce. 9 LCD Nafeles fai solden non o))ere Jjing. I*' C goo unto offeryng. 11 C sechyng. Z> sekynge. Z sekande. " C And Jhesus thoujt hit was a grete dyspayre. or, The Destruction of Jerusaletn. 37 780 Of ^ holy chirche to make a faire. " A chepynge " he seide " be ]?ere it is/ J)is hous is for bedes, I wys." A roope he broght' j^at he fonde With many knottes full* his honde ; 785 He droof out all |7at \tx& stode. pei were all dred" as j^ei were wode ; Hem thoght his lokyng was as a fyre. And fius he seide I'erto" with ire : " je maken ]pis hous a gret' denne 790 pat firste was set* for Cristen men. An hous of oresoun' dight it is ; I wil noon ofur hit be, I wys." The beestes from hym )?ei gan to flee And fallede^" doun boordes with her monee 795 And ojjur |jinges \2X stode to selle. Noon durste abide ny longere dwelle." J>ere ful faire he hem techede, 1 CIn. 2 C A chepyng place he seyd is noujt to be thus, For an hows of prayeres hit shuld ben I wys. L Lete chepyng he seide be J)ere it is pis hous for bedes alone I wys. * L lau5th. D caujte. * C hit (sic) toke hit in his hounde. ^ C And they flowen for drede. LD pai weren so drad fai weren neij wode. « ZCZ> to hem. T LCD ))eves. 8 Cordeyned. 9 C preyoure. LD orisouns. '" D felden. C And fellen adown the bordys with the mone. L And felden boordes wif monee. 11 C There durst fey byde no lengore to dwelle. L Ne durst abide ne lenge to duelle. 38 Titus and Vespasian ; how the Jews conspired and took Him. His murderers reject the grace offered them. And sithen ful oft he hem prechede, Til \t\ toke hit ^ to envie 800 And conspirede "^ his deth with vilenye. Wherfore sithen whan * \t\ hym toke (Alsoo we reden in the booke "), Fifty knyghtes with Judas came With her meyne Jjat hym name, 805 By ]?at enchesoun \dX he everychone ® Out of J>e temple droof aloone/ Nevertheles whan they hym toke For bis woorde so sore J^ei qwhoke pat \€\ fellen all adoun 810 As dede men o]7ur men in swone.* He reisede' up as \t. hende ; fo. 12. For Jjat dede ^" most be broght to ende, To saven \tr\iy all mankynde, As we in prophecies fynde. 815 Gode men, understandeth nowe, And I shall telle 30U all and how " J?e Jewes, J^at dede Jesus to deed 1 C to hym envye. Z it wij) envie. ^ C speken. LD bispeken. ^ LC felonye. * C And aftur that. * C And as we fynde wryten in boke. « C And much for the cause fat he hem uchone- L By fe resoun fat he uchone. ' Canone. ^ C As they had be all in a sowne. 9 C And then he raysed hem. L He reised hem. 1' C For his passyon. 1^ C I shall sikerly tellen hit to yew. L And I shal telle jou alle how. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 39 purgh counseill ^ and J'urgh false reed, J)ei were in soo grate combraunce. 820 Tofore * \€\ hadden all meschaunce ; |7at had Jesus tofom hem hyght, And ay J^ey token it full light, But sithen it fell in her owne necke ; ]7ei wolde noon ojjur who thar recke ' 825 3et fourty gere he jaf hem space, To assaye * if |7ei wolde seke grace ; ' To vengen hym wolde he not sende * If jjat j^ei wolden hem amende. Thre ]jinges Jjere were in Israel 830 (Whech J7ei were, hereth ' hem wel, As in stories we rede and fynde), ' J3at fellen on |je Jewes kynde : The firste was cleped pilgrinage,* pat o]7ur' thraldam and servage, 835 Dispersion J)e thridde was tolde, pat is to-drevynge jonge ^^ and olde. pus bygan her pilgrinage,* Israel's three-fold punishment : pilgrimage, 1 LCD feble conseil. 2 LD perfore. C And also eke in so gret grevaunce That of that he had beforen hem hyght. ' C For bycause fey wold not fereof rekke. L pai nolden non ofer who dar rek. * C loke where. LD see jif. ® LD his grace. * C For and they wolden hem have mendyd On hem he nold not have ben vengyd. ^ C I woll sew tell. * Z pylgrynage. C pylgrimage. D pilgrimage. ^ C The seconde. " ZCZ> of 5onge. 40 Titus and Vespasian ; pan ^ Jacob went with his lynage Into Egipte for mychell nede ; 840 Longe J^ei livede f>ere in grete drede. pan ^ Jacob myght no lenger lyven His kynde was out of londe ' ydryven purgh |?e Rede See, as je han herde, pere Pharao and is folke forferde 845 (Moises was her loder^ J)an), Into \t lande of Canaan ; That was the lande ]?at^ he hem hight, fo. i2h. Soo he kepte is heeft® aplyght. With aungeles mete he fed hem. 850 Her clothes lastede without wem Fourty wynter in desert, pat was a myracle faire and pert;^ get* for all his curtesy e pei wroght* agayn hym with grete foly. 855 They maden hem goddes of metall And honurede and worshepede hem all.^" pan gelde J^ei to" Jesu for his godenesse • Right ^^ full mychell unkindenesse. I CWhen. ZZ»poo. is CAnd when. LD poo. s C that lond. * LD leder. C ledar. 5 C And into fat lond. * CThereas he kepte hem well. L And fere he kepte hem wel. D There he kepte hem wele. 7 L aperte. C And there he shewed hem myraclys apert. 8 LC And jut. A fat. D ^it. ' C gruyjten. LD omit with. ^o C And honowred hem with gret reverens at all. L And honoured hem wif worschippe al. II L omits to and for. C omits to. D omits for. 12 Z Wif. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. Now shall I touchen^ of her servage, 860 J7at ever shall lasten l^e worldes age ; Ne shull J^ei never dwell in toun Withouten truage oj^er raunsoun. In Babiloyn firste j^is thraldam Upon her forme* fadres cam, 865 For^ they dwellede fifty jere Er J'e[i] most goo qwyt and skere. t»e fifti* jere was her solace, For)>i it is now* J»e ^ere of grace. J7an were J^ei let out of prison 870 Soo is ]?at gere to us pardon." Dispersion was \q J-ridde J^ing, Of Jewes kynde \& droving,' pat is now fallen* in J^is case : purgh Vaspasian and Titus it was, 875 As Jesus seide J^urgh prophecie " I shall deliver hem for her envie Under* lordeshep and such honde." fJere J^ei shull dwelle, I understande, Withouten any scapyng of prisoun ; 880 For golde, ny fee, ny noo raunsoun, 1 Ctell. Z>techen. ^ L former. C fom. ^ C For there. LD pere. * LCD fiftij>e. * C That was for hem. fi C And so is the jere of cure gret pardon That is igraunted at the court of Rome To alle maner men of Cristendome. LD So is fat oure (Z) other) jer of gret pardoun. T C drevyng. LD to-drevyng. 8 C And that byfell all. 9 C To ben under. 41 servitude, and dispersion. 42 Titus and Vespasian ; For noo mercy quyt shulde' wende Hethen to J'e worldes ende. Mesure ne mercy was noon in hem, fo. 13. Suche shall J^ei have in^ her barnetem ; 885 For \t\ Maries Sone forsoke pat was right heire, soo seith \& book, For Mary come of J^at linage pat she^ shulde here J'e heritage. Prophecy of Of J^is chaunce* was spoken and fonde 890 Er Jjan it fell a longe stounde. pe noble clerc, Maister Josephus, Amonges \q Jewes he seide J?us : " The day wil come J^is toun shall falle And \q Jewes ben confoundet^ alle. 895 pis citee shall ben overthrowe, The hegh paleys shall be' ful lowe. Messias shall sende 30U amonge Sorwe, meschaunce and wrech stronge/ From Rome shul come prynces two, 900 The fader and J^e sone alsoo ; pei shuU destruye al j^at j^ei fynde. This toun with all \t Jewes kynde. pis shalle falle by* her werkes. Take J?ei never so wel her merkes ; ' 1 L schulde fai. C Ne they shuU not quyte for mersy wende. 2 D and alle here ken. C And such shall ben on heore barnteem. L And swiche shullen fai have and her barnetem. 3 LCD he. * Cease. ^ LC ben confounded. AD omit ben. 6 L lye. ^ LCD Sorou5 and shame and werre stronge. 8 C for heore cursyd werkys. 9 Z> Ne take they nevere so wise clerkis. or. The Destruction of Jerusalem. 43 905 For \€\ slogh Jesu Crist, I wys, pat God almightefull ' sone is. And Jjis is her rightefull juggement, But if \&\ come to amendement, t'e fader gat J^ere suche honour' 910 J)at he shalle be emperour. Another tyme witnesse ge Whan J^at ge sothenes' see." Thus wroot he in the Jewes booke pere \&\ may * it alwey loke. 915 After Jhesus deth fellen^ wondres thicke, Faire and gode and somme wicke.^ Sithen Jjci slogh ^onge Seint Jame, Martyrdom of St. T-, , ,1 r /"< • James the Less : i* or he prechede of Cristes name, first warning to Seven ^ere aftur Jesu was deed. ^^e Jews. 920 Soo dyede Seint Jame in ]?at stede ; For whech deth God was wroth also. For amendement' he was sent hem too With counseill, bedes and gode preching, fo. 133. In token of \t firste warnyng 925 To amende hem J^at^ J^ei dede hym dye. Me semeth J^is was grete curtesye, For it was \t hyest trespas ^ L almijtty. D almyjty Goddes. C pat bothen Goddys sone and Maryes ys. 2 C And thylke princes shull here geten gret honoure And that one shall of Rome ben emperoure. * C hereof doth. LD pe sofe. * L mi^tten. CD myjt. « LC fellen. AD omit fellen. ^ CD Bothe feyre and foule, goode and wykke. L Faire and foule, gode and wyk. 1 C hem to amend. L to amende hem. D To amenden. ^ C ])at maden Jhesus dye. L of fat fai deden hym dye. G 2 44 Titus and Vespasian ; pat ever in erthe yherde^ was; Forthy skile it is non^ reuthe to have 930 Of hem J^at ne' kepte hemself to save. pei ogh to make bothe* joy and game pat* hem bifell bothe sorwe and shame. Jesus he graunt, for his mercy," pat eche synfuU be quyt Jierby ! 935 God sent \\\% James to Jerusalem, As I seide ere, to prechen hem To repenten of her grete synne^ pat \€\ were acombrede inne ; And 800 he dede J^ere^ alwey, 940 He sparede noght \q sothe to saye. He wex so grete of renoun, ;■( -jo'"? pei made hym bisshop of J^e toun. He was a man of grete penance, And dede his body grete grevance : 945 He werede never wolle ny lynnen cloth, Ny ete never fisshe ny flesshe J^at goth ; " For chaungyng, waschyng ny^° o\mx: J'ing ^ C idone. L jarked. D ywroujt. 2 C Therefore hit ys not skylle. L Forfi it is no skyl. D For this skile it is no. ^ C nold not hemselff save. * C But evur maden murth. L Forj>i we owen make. D For they owe to make neifer joie ne game. 6 CTyll. ^ C Now Jhesus fat is so full of myjt and of mercy Graunt fe synful grace to beware hereby "> C jif they wold repent of heore syn. 8 C prechen. 9 Z Ne brede ne fysshe ete ne flesshe fat goof. C Ne ete bryd ne flesh ne fysh that goth. 10 LD ne bafing. C Nere used bathyng nere washyng. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 45 But a gowne of heer to his clothyng ; And kneled soo to God alday* 950 For \& poeple, nyght and day, With his knees bare upon J^e stoon, t)at his huyde wex harde hym upon,^ His knees semede hym biforn ^ ■■'■? As cameles knees, J^at ben of horn. 955 This come hym of grete charite, > ^>nr%. If \€\ myght \t better have be. H Wicked \t\ were ay, and J^an * pat prevede * J^ei in J^at gode man. Hit was upon a Paske * day, 960 J7e Jewes assemblede ^ in grete array And seiden Jjus to Seynt Jame, fo. 14. All in ernest and with ^ grete grame : ■ i " Out of J^is contre, fer and hende, Michell folk wil ]?ider ^ wende 965 For to heren j^i prechyng. We bydde J^e speke of ^" noo thing Agaynes our lawe with Jesus, 1 LCD alway. ^ C pat fe hyde was hardende hem on. L pat fe hide wexe hard hem upon. 8 C That hit semyd his knes byforn. L So fat fai semeden biforne. D That fei seraed his knees hym biforn. * ZC wicked fan. D wicked were fan. » LC kidden. D kidde. ^ C^estur. 7 C weren gedered. D gadrid. L gadered wif grete deray. 8 C with no game. D noujt in game. 9 LD hider. C Mykell pepuU with the wuU wende. 1" LD non of ere f ing. 46 Titus and Vespasian ; If ]70u wilt any thanke of us. For if \>e ^ folke after J>i sawe 970 purgh j?i prechyng fram us drawe, Michell peyne ]>2in shalte J^ou have, pat'* grete lorde shal J^e not save." pei bad hym J)at he shulde despise Jesu Whan he prechede, and ^ his vertu. 975 And if he preisede hym well tofore, He preised hym Jian * michell more. And as he prechede upon a day In the temple ajeynes her pay,^ Oon went to hym J^ere * he stode 980 And drowe hym doun as he were wode ; Another caght '' a fullyng * staflF And in the heved a ' strook hym gaf. He smote hym J»ere with grete ^* mayn, pat in the temple " shed his brayn. 985 And )7us Jiei jelden hym his mede For his travaill and his gode dede. pere arisen up fele, J»at lovede Seint Jame, To take )?ese men to ^' doon hem shame ; 1 A fi. LD )>e . C fat. 2 CZ»Thy. L pe. 3 LC of. * Cafturward. 6 Clay. 6 Cthereas. 1 L laujtte. 8 Cfuayle. 9 LCD ferwij) hym jaf. 1" LC so gret. " ZCchirche. CD he shed. 12 ZCand. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem, 47 t)oo ^ex sawe Jiis, \e.i fledde anoon,^ 990 And at )»at tyme quyt ]>Qi goon. But Jjei abiden J^e grete vengeance For Cristes deth and for ]7is * chaunce. Alwey J:'ei were ylike wicke Til Jje wreche' come unto }>e pricke ; 995 For Goddes right hit wil noo wronge,* J7at dampnede hem sithen to pyne stronge. t?ei \dX wolde seint Jame socour, They buryed his body with grete honour. The Jewes clepede hym, oon ' and o]7er, fo. 146. 1000 Noght but Jhesu Cristes brother. Of body, of face and of feete He was liche hym evere jete. For the firste token he was sente, To turne J^e poeple was" his entent. 1005 Listeneth now, I wil 30U telle, Second warning: g^r J J 1 ^1 T 117 strife at a feast. Ui wondres and seicouthes 1 may gou spelle. Another token Jiat * cam J^ere ]?an To showen amonges J^e Jewes J^er gan.* J)ere were ygaderede at a fest 1 C But then the traytours flowen anon, So that quite away they gon. ^ C thys wykked. L his. * C wrechys. * C And Goddys ryjwysnes loveth no wrong, Therefore they were dampnyd to peynus strong. * C nore on nore othur. ^ C to betur entent. '' C And of mo wonders I woll jew spell. Z Of wondres I may jou spelle. D Of wordes selcoufe I may jow telle. * C ther. LD pat ofere tokne fat. 9 C That Jhesus shew among hem can. L pat shewen among fe Jewes gan. 48 Titus and Vespasian ; Third warning: cow gives birth to lamb. loio All J^e Jewes, moost and lest, pat grettest^ were of J-at citee, And riche men fele of J^at contree.^ At jpe morwe, whan ])ei dede ryse, pei deden to her goddes grete sacrefise, 1015 Soo Jiat noo J^ing ne shulde hem greve ; Soo hit bifell, as fei bileve,' For ])e pruyde ]7at pei were inne, All encombrede pei* were in synne. At Jjat fest roos such a stryfe 1020 pat echon slogh oj^ur with his knyfe ; Wei thrytty thousand j^ere were slayn. pat made many a Jewe unfayn. The thridde token nexte was |jis (Agaynes kynde it fell, I wis) : 1025 Into j?e temple an* oxe forth was broghte, pat to pe sacrefice was soghte. All sodeynlich aforn hem all, Er men it wiste, it gan^ to fall, pere come out of pe beestes wombe 1030 In stede of a calf a lombe ; pat abashed all' J^at J»ere stode, ZC richest. C And eken of all fat fayre contra. L And also fele of fo cuntre. C But myscheff befell hem er hit were eve. Z So bifel hem as Jjai bileve. C And for they encomberyd. Z And encombred. C a cow was broujt. Z an hekester was brougth. £D it gan. AC omit it. C That they weren aferd. 0^, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 49 fo. 15. pat^ J-ei were all welnere wode. The firj»e^ token bifell on nyght, pat in \t temple was suche a light 1035 pat' allj^e Jewes J^at hit saye Wend hit had ben ]?e Hght of day, On Paske-day withinne ]je nyghte ; Hit was J^e nyente houre ful righte. And as I rede of J^is caas 1040 This \t fifte token was : Another nyght bifell at cockes crowe pat all \& gates gan up blowe * pat wern of iren ysperede faste,' With a grete dene* J^ei upbraste. 1045 Thurgh J>e toun was such a dyne pat pei wende, Jiat ]?ere were inne/ pat her toun wall was fallen doun pat all enclosede up* and doun. ~~ The sexte token :' \€\ herden a cry 1050 In the temple all on hye, pei seide " Goo we hethen, goo we hethen."^" All J^ei hit herde and no3te ne seyen. Hit was upon J»e Witsonday 1 Z So ))at. 2 CD ferth. L fierfe. A firste {sic). * C omits II. 1035-8. * C pat all the jatus of the cyte weren up flow. • C And with such a done up they barst. • L Wij) swice a dyne fat. D With suche a dene that. C That weren with yren ibarryd ful fast. ^ C As they the devyll had be thereinne. 8 ZCal fe toune. 9 C And the .vj. token was fat. Z pe sexte token was. 1" C pat sayde " Gaw heyne, gawe heyne." Z* That seide " Go we hen, go we hen." H Fourth warning : light in the temple on Easter night. Fifth warning : the gates burst open with a din. Sixth warning : voice in the temple, crying " Go hence." so Titus and Vespasian ; Seventh warning sword-like star. Eighth warning : armed horsemen in the air. Withinne )»e even, I^ telle may. A 'tn^ 1055 The preestes comen \t, temple unto, Als \t\ were ywonte to doo, For to doon her service ; But ful sone \t\ gan'* to grise For J>e cry ]?at was by fore, 1060 pei flowen out, all J^at j^ere wore. The vij. token : aftur j?at cry pei seyen a sterre* lighte in \q sky ; Shapen as a swerd it heng, pe poynt doun righte as a stryng. IC65 Right soo it henged til it was day, pat all \q citee wel it say. And soo it hengede J^ere all a gere pat alwey it semede yliche nere. The viij. token sithen \&x kem 1070 Over ]?e citee of Jerusalem : pei seyen in \q eyre hem above Men on horse all armede hove, pat sometyme faght and somtyme reste. What j^at bitokenede ofte )?ei keste. 1075 They seiden hit bitokeneth werre strong, Bothe manqualme and honger long.* pei seiden sother J?an \€\ wende ; get wolde j^ei nogt hem amende. Had \t\ tho turnede to penaunce 1080 pan had \t\ scapede her vengeance.* 1 C as I jew say. 2 C weren agryse. LD gonnen agrise. 3 LCD a sterre. A aftur. * C Other ellys moreyn or hongur strong. L Manqualme oiJ>er hunger stronge. * C They myjt have ben from that vengeance. L pai hadden ben from fe vengeaunce. fo. ish. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. m The ix. token after J)is, 3e shulle here which it is. Chares and weynes also J^ei say Comyng in cloudes, hem thoght ay. 1085 Righle now alle Jjei it sawe ;^ Er l^ei it wist, away was blowe. The X. token was Jje last, pat made J^e Jewes sore agast: The forthe^ gere er J^e sege bigan 1090 Of Juwery' J^ere was born a man, His name was hoten Ananus* sone. For alle ]pe Jewes he nolde shone. Ones upon an Witsonday, When Jewes gaderede on her lay 1095 For to maken her joie moost, As hit fell to J-at hye fest, He stode up amonges hem all. On Jjis worlde" he can* loude call : " From'' )je est soo over* all J>is werde, 1 C And when they had ben all hit for to see Sodenly from hem hit can fle. 3 Z>fifthe. ' CJudee. ZZ> Jude. * Zljhesu a mannes sone. C They callyd hym Jhesu, Ananias sonne. Z On Jhesus fat was Godys sone. ' C And on these wordys. Z> Uppon fis worde fi Z£> gan. T In C, II. 1099- 11 04 are: — And seyd " From est and west of this werd And from south and north I have herd That from foure wyndys a blast kem Apon the gret cyte of Jerusalem And afrays weren oure Tempull withinne For oure peple weren so foule in synne." 8 L From est and overe. D and overe al the worlde. H 2 Ninth warning : chariots in the clouds. Tenth warning ; prophecy of Ananus' son. 52 Titus and Vespasian ; ■) I lOo From south and north ich have yherde Of \& iiij. wyndes a voice cam Upon Jiis citee of Jerusalem And on our temple for grete synne And on the poeple Jiat were J^erinne. 1 105 Me thinketh J^at it bitoken may Us wil bifall a greet affray. Come whan it come shall, Ful sore I drede me of \zX. fall, pus me mette by a visioun^ 1 1 10 pat shall bifalle of \\% toun." pe Jewes token hym for J>is, Beten hym, bounden hym harde, I wis, Biforn Pilate l^ei broght J^is man. fo. 16. As he seide ere, soo seide he J'an. 1 1 15 And \o \t\ beten hym fele at ones, pat men mighte seen his nakede bones, Nevertheles' he criede for* )>is caas " On° Jerusalem alias, alias ! " Of Jjis myghte noo man hym stynte 1 1 20 For betyng, thretyng, ny for noo dynte. But seide alwey* thus anoon. pan J^ei soflFrede '' hym all to goon, For )>ey^ ne might hym not at holde, 1 Z Fro. ^ C And all thys I mett in a visyon. * C And evur. LD NaJ>eles. * LCD for al. ^ C A. L omits On. * C But evur he cryed. 7 C lett hym away gone. 8 Z he. D fey myjte hym nougt with holde. C For all that ever they dede hym hold Allwey he sayd as he jer told. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 53 But alwey seye as he erst tolde. 1 125 Of )iese tokenes had \&\ none awe, But mayntenede faste^ her false lawe. Of her synne J^ei nolde byknowe/ Whatsooever Jiat \€\ sawe' In toun, in felde, oJ»er* in place ; 1 130 For J^ei had noo better grace. Nevertheles her lawes fast gan blynne And the newe lawes to bygynne Whan Jesus his' hed doun laide And " Consummatum est " he seyde, 1 135 J?is tokenede " pe olde lawe is* went And )?e newe I' have gou sent, And my purpos is broght to ende* For man, J>at is my dere freende." Her owne bokes witnes )>is ; 1 140 pei were |?e more to blame, I wys. For alle J'inges ' J^at were done Sir Pilate dede writen'" echon. And Jjat was sithen agaynes kynde," As men may nowe in stories fynde. 1 L Bot meynted forJ>. ^ C ben knaw. ^ C Whatevur fey syen be nyj or daw. * C nore in other place. * C on the rode his. L on rode his. ^ Cwas. ^ C to hem he had sent. 8 C And his porpose, he seyde, was brought to an ende For mon, he sayd, fat was his dere frende. * C the thynges fat amonges hem were done. 10 Chemwryteassone. Z hem writen onon. Z» hem writen echon. " D ajein here kynde. C So that they han sethen done ageynus thys kynde As men in the story thereof hit fynde. The Jews take no heed of all these warnings, though Pilate had them recorded. 54 Titus and Vespasian ; i \3 1 145 Whan^ seint Elene )>e croys fonde '■ Sithen longe in that ilke lande/ Agaynes^ hir \&\ hit forsooke, f'ei levede neither woorde ny booke;* get wolde noghte hem repent 1 150 Whan God all J>ese tokenes sent, (il Ny ones of mercy J^ei hym bysoght fo. \bb. For [that] they" hym to dethe broght, But all his wrath ° turnede to vayn For all \& tokenes J)at \€\ sayn. 1 155 I)ei J^at will noo mercy crave, Thei be not worthy for to hit have. aJ^ J7ei deden foly to hurtle with hym pat kepeth \^ soule, lif and leme. J?e erthen vessell lasteth noght 1 160 To hurtell with J^at' of metall is wroght ; No more may mannes kynde fight Agaynes \t power of God almight. Here begins the Lete we now \& Jewes dwelle. vengeance°on'the Here* gynneth her wrech for to telle. Jews. 1 C Untyll that. * C They helden heore own law in that londe. ^ In C, II. 1147-50 are: — And the new law ageyn they forsoke Tyll seynt Elene overcom hem with heore boke. And jit for all these tokenus fat God hath sent pey nold by no wey hem repent. ■* LD Til she overcom hem by her book. LD trufispose 11. 1149, 1150. * C Of that J>ey had. LD For fat fai. * C But alltogedur they. L Bot al his wraffe hadden in veyne. 1 C that fat. ^ In C, II. 1 164-6 are: — And I shall of heore wrech now tell, How Jhesus Crist a messyngere sent, That blyve on his ernde went. / or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. re 1 165 Jesus a messager hath sent, , [ Leprosy of pat swith upon his message^ went, Vespasian. To >e kynge sire Vaspasian J?at was a swithe noble man. In meselrye sooMepe hym cast ,•; 1 1 70 I'at body and face foule out to-brast And in his nose a cancre smot' l^at bothe is lippes^ al to-bote ; ;■ [ And for no cost Jjat he couth laye r:J He sawe noon' o>ur but >an to dye. ' , y: , 1 1 75 NeverthelesMn his nose wore ' ' wasps in his nose,' Waspes sithen J?at he was bore ; Out of >e holes >ei hem fedde,^ Bothe hevedes and wynges out >ei spred. And for >ese waspes he was clepede J^us ^<,i whence his name. 1 180 By right name Vaspasianus ; For tho was to man* noo name jeven Til men segh" >e childe shulde liven. Of ])ese waspes his name he toke. As clerkes it fynden in her" boke, 1 185 This meselrye God hym sent,^^ 1 ZD erande. ^ C he was so depe icast. I) he dothe hym cast. C hym smote. * C That bothen the lyppys he. * C no bote but he must dey. L non ofer bote but daye. ^ C And eken allso. 7 C And out at his nesefrullys J)ey hem fled Hem to fede that within were bred. ^ C For that tyme was. ^ C Til ])ey wyst whether. u ? f !^''u°^'- ^^ ^^ ^^ fy^def iC hit fynde) ywriten in book. C And this was the messenger fat God hym sent. 56 Titus and Vespasian ; "to pat all his body over hit went. Fele geres soo on hym it lefte fo. 17. Til Jesus wolde it were hym birefte ; For ge witen it well all, ■■'>\ 1 190 Of all jjing J?at shulde bifall '"" ' From the bigynnyng to J^e dome He hath set whan it shalle come In werkes, in wordes, and in kynde,^ In holy wryt as men hit fynde. Why he was thus 1 195 The resoun, as** I 30U tellen can, '^ i afflicted. _-„ ^ , , . ■, ■ - « . W ny God sent pis on this man, God doth nothing ajeynes ' skyll. Who it understande will ; * But as Jewes with false reed 1200 Deden hym \2X is God to deed Of heven, of erthe, and also of helle,* pat weldeth all J>at ]?ereinne dwelle, As God is Lorde of alle J'inges, Soo is the Emperour * kynge of kynges, 1205 And alle londes J'urgh righte resoun' Soo ben all* his handes subjectioun ; Forthy by grete skile it was kest 1 i? in al kynde. C As in werkes, wedurs, and all other kynde. L In workes, in wedres, in al kynde. 2 C thereof. LD omit a.s. 3 ZC wifouten. * C Whoso that understondeth hit wyll. L Whoso understonde it wil. * C The Lxjrd of heven, urth and hell. * C emperoure of Rome. 7 C And all Cristen londus by reson Shuld ben in his subjection Wherefore by skyll fys was hit kest. 8 L£> at his subjeccioun. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem ; SJ To wreken Jhesu bycarn hym best : The grettest lorde in erthe right I2IO Bicam to wreken God almyght. And soo he dede ful faire and well, I shall 30U shewen ilkadell. get had he noght J^e empire in hande, But afterward sone Jjurgh Goddes sande.' 1 2 15 The evell was on hym ^ soo ranke He lived in pat on his folke ' so foule stanke * of jjia disease. From " amonges his men ' he flegh, And helde is ' chambre biside negh, J)at ^ unnethe his men for his stynke, 1220 Mighte hym brynge mete or drynke ; At a vice ^ J^ei turnede in his mete Whan he shulde anythyng ete. And J^us in his bed he lay, That he ne might out, nyght ny day, fo. I'jb. 1225 To* ]?e tyme come atte laste pat Jesus Crist hym wolde outcast/" All eveles comen" of Goddes sonde ; Righte soo dede his,^^ I understonde. ^ C But sone aftur he had hit throw Goddus sonde. 2 LCD hjfm. A hem. * C meyne. * C hit stanke. LD he stank. « C That from. * C hym i a chambur there nyej. T C And. L omits pat. * C But with a vice. L Wi]> a vijs. 9 CDTyll. >" C pat Jhesu wold hit from hym cast. 11 C All his evelus fat com. ^^ C As fey all deden. 58 Titus and Vespasian ; The Seven Sages say Tiberius was Emperor when Christ died. The Jews sent him a letter denouncing Pilate. Alle^ Jje Sept Sages us tellen 1230 pat clerkes in her stories spellen, Whan Jesus dyede amonges us Was the Emperour sire Tyberius.* Of dughtynesse he bare* the fame And J^erfore men writen his name. 1235 For in his tyme Jesus dyede, As men J^at tyme* wel aspiede ; In tyme of his eghtene gere' Jesus toke his dethe here. Of Rome he bare \q dignite, 1240 Thre and xxx*' jere regnede he. In his tyme J»e Jewes sent A lettre enditede bv one assent, pereinne J^ei biwriede* sire Pilate His grete pruyde to abate ; 1245 For hem thoghte in werke and sawe pat he trespassede agayn the^ lawe. Of his misberyng J»ei writen \\i% To ]?e Emperour sire Tiberius : pat he gaf counseill agaynes J^e pees 1250 To slee J^e* children gylteles, And in the temple with grete rages 1 L Also. D Also as the bookes us tellen. C And as the Sett Sagez us doth tell, As clerkus in the story can spell. 2 C The Emperoure of Rome hyjt sir Tyberyus 3 L had. C That had of doujtynes full gret fame. As men byforen have wryten of hys name * LCD As men it han. * C And in his tyme the .xviij. jere. * C wryten of. L biwrayed. 7 Cheore. 8 C heore childerys. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem ; 59 Of false goddes set up ymages, And of her temple the tresoure, J^at was of offrynge J^e store, ^ 1255 Withouten her allere assent In his owne nedes hem^ spent ; He made a conduyt wel merveylous With pipes comand' unto his hous ; And other fele wickede outrages 1260 He dede agaynes her usages. fo. 18. And ]7urgh his"* sonde and \\% pleynt In these defautes he was ateynt ; He was yjuggede to exile For his trespas, J^at was soo vile. 1265 Of J?is Pilate herde wel telle* J7at he ne myghte not' dwelle ; He ordeynede a riche present And with his lettre he hath it sent, J7at was enditede fell an' harde, 1270 As je mown heren here afterward. After hym regnede sire Gayus, And aftur hym sire Glaudius,* And sithen sire Nero, }jat cursede sowle, l?at slogh bothe Petre and Poule ; Pilate, hearing of this, sent a present and letter to propitiate the Emperor. After Tiberius reigned Caius, then Claudius, then accursed Nero, ^ C And all the offeryng that was in store. 3 Z it. C he hit. * CD comyng. L comande. * LD J>is. C So that throw thys lettur and fus complaynt. » C And when Pilat of thys hard tell That he ne shuld no lengoure dwell. ^ LD noujth ])ere duelle. 7 LCD and. 8 C Glaudaynus. L Claudyus. D Claudius. I 2 6o Titus and Vespasian ; and after him Vespasian, previously King of Galice and Gascoigne. Titus, son of Vespasian, sees a ship from Jerusalem come into Burdeux. He sends for the master, Nathan, who says he is bound for Rome 1275 And aftur hym cam sire Vaspasian, f)at was an honurable man. God grantede hym thorgh his sonde To wreken ^ his deth with his honde. Of Galice ^ and Gascoigne J^e kyngedome 1280 Was his er ))at he come to Rome. And get ' \q stories telleth me ]7us, He had a sone ]?at hight Titus. . In the citee of Burdeux * on a day Sire Titus out ' a wyndow lay ; 1285 And as he lokede in the streem A shipp \tx come from Jerusalem. He segh where \-aX. \& shippe went In the see, as Crist hit sent. Anone he sent a messagere 1290 To come to hym )?at J^ereinne were. The maister come tofore his knee. " Felawe," quod Titus, " wel >ou be ! Felawe," he seide, "what hattes" thou ? And fro whethen comest Jjou nowe ? " 1295 " Sire," he seide, " I hat ^ Nathaan. Of Jude ^ I am a borne man. Leve sire," he seide, " I prey 30U telle me fo. i%b. Whel^ur I now at Rome be ? " 1 Cavengen. 2 CGalis. ZGalile. 3 C eken. D the storie telleth us. * C Bordowys. * C out of. LD out at. 6 C hettyst. D hy^tes. Z hattestou. ' Chote. Zhatte. 8 CJudee. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem ; 6i " Nay," quod Titus, " withouten ^ any soigne 1300 pis is Burdeaux* in Gascoigne. Hethen ' to Rome, for sothe to say. Men holden it a * wel fer way. Have ydoo ' and telle me sone What haves }?ou* at Rome to done ? " 1305 " Sire, Jjider me sent sir Pilate (A wynde me hath driven anojjur gate) ' To sire Tiberius, soo is his sonde,** To beren hym truage of her' lande." " Felawe," he seide, " Tiberius is deede ; 13 10 There have ben sithen^" in his stede. r Natheles, my freend " Nathaan, I schall doo bryng \t to j^at ^^ man Upon my custages I shall fonde,^' pat hath j^e empire in his hande 131 5 (For us, I hope, and oure lettre pou shalt spede wel \q bettere), In a covenant Jjou " shewe me with tribute from Pilate to Tiberius. Titus tells him Tiberius is dead, but offers to speed him to the present Emperor, 1 Z wijjouten eufoyne. C all in certoyne. D by goode resoun. ^ C Burdews. L Burdeux. D Burdeus. ^ C And hen. L From hefen. D Hens. * C ryjt a ferre way. * CNow have done, felow. « C What fu hast. LD What hastou. ' C But the wynt hath dryve me out of the gate. * C And unto Tyberius was my sonde. L To Tiberius is his sonde. ' LCD oure. '' LD two sij>en. C And other twayn seth fat were in his stede. '^ C leve brother. LD leve frende. 12 Ca. C That on my costage shall the fond To hym that the empyre hath now in bond. " CZ)J)atJ)u. 13 6a Titus and Vespasian ; if he will cure How my fader myght hoole ^ be Of a sekenes j^at hym greveth, 1320 For we hopen here and bileveth Men* ]7at in Jiat' contree wone Of all manere sekenes* j^at J'ei cone, OJier with gres^ ojper with stoon, And o)»ur medicynes many oon." Nathan says he is 132S " Sir," he seide, " I am noo leche, no leech, but tells -n. r t -. i. Titus of the But of oon 1 can pe teche, miracles of Jesus. jjat highte Jesus of Nazareth ; The Jewes deden hym to ])e deth," He tellede hym aplight* 1330 pat Jesus sofFrede'' with unright. " He was* a prophete over all ; He seide alwey ]>e soth as it is fall ; ' He clensed men of evell and synne With his woorde to hem l^at levede^** hym inne ; 1335 He reisede Lazare, ])at was a knyght," fo. 19. pat foure dayes lay dede yplight." ^ Cholpen. 2 C That J)e men. Z pat men. Z> The men. ' C jewre. Z fe. * C evyll help they coneth. Z yvel fai conen. D eveles and sicknesse konne. * Z gras. C Both with gras and eke with stone. * LD He tolde hym fe despyt aplijth. C And forth he told hym the dispyte applyjt. 7 C had sufferd. Z foled. 8 C And seyd how he was. ® C For he told ever as sethen hath byfall. Z He seide alwayes as soof is falle. 1" LD WiJ) his word (Z> wordes) fat bileved. C Of all thilke fat levyd. " C And he raysed allso syre Lazare the kny^t. Z He arered Lazar )>e knijth. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem ; 63 All he tolde hym of Jesu^ deed, As men in the gospell rede, And of his deth and his uprist ; 1340 And of his apostles ]?at he wyst. And how he J^e Holy Goost hem^ sent Aftur J^at fourty dales were went. " Sexty and ten langages I herde * pat )»ei of her maister lered." 1345 He" bad hem goon into every lande To prechen his name J'urgh is sonde. Of all eveles he ^af hem myght. To hele ]>e seke J^at bilevede righte ; And Jjo ]>dX will not to hem' wende 1350 Shull be lorne withouten ende. I wot^ well fele of hem get liven, In what lande J'at* J^ei be dryven. And I am siker and wel' bilev© Noon evell shall J^i fader grave ; 1355 pat if he wil bileven^" aright I dar byhoten hym hele upright." " His fader steward," sire Velosian, pat was a welle crafty^' man, ^ C Jhesus dedys. 2 LCD hem. A hym. * C Ten and syxty langages, he say, I hard. * C That fe postelys fen of hym hed lerd. ^ BC He. ALD And. 6 BC him. "> B Jhesus wote. ^ C soevur. Z so. * C in God. ZD omit wel. " B lyve. C levyn. 11 BCZD apHst. ^* C And Vaspasyanus stuward. 1' B trusty. 64 Titus and Vespasian ; He stode and herde her^ wordes alle, 1360 And fayn he wolde hit might bifalle. Nathan goes on They toke and gafe hym^ his mede his way to Nero. ^^^ ^^ ^^ Emperour' dede hym lede, Sire Nero, \2X cursede man,* pat slogh hymselfe sone J'an.* 1365 poo he had hymselfe slayn The courte^ of Rome was ful fayn ; Anoon J^ei chosen sire Vespasian To ben her Emperour J'an, For the noblest man of \& worlde/ 1370 And nexte^ of blode, as ge have herd. Aftur Nathaan was comen and goon Hit was two gere er hit were doon. Thus fell it hym for' J^is wonder caas, fo. i^b. Right as God wolde, it^" was. 1375 But all J>at knewe hym," more and lesse, Maden grete moon for his sekenes, On aventure if he shulde amende " All his empire for to defende ; But J^ei hopeden and well J^ei kest 1 C these. 2 C this mon. D Nathaan. 3 C And unto Rome they. * C Thereas Nero was Emperoure than. * C That was holden so cursed a man. « C All the cyte. 7 BCL werd. 8 L heijest. 9 C And thus byfell. 10 LCD so it was. B puts I. 1374 after II. 1375-6. 11 CVaspasyan. 12 C For drede lest he shuld not amende. B A faire aventure fat he schulde amende. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 65 1380 His sone shulde doon hit with^ Jje best. Whan Nathaan come to \&'^ Emperour, And shewede his nedes with honour,' He broght truage of fele jere And Pilates lettre, as je may here : 1385 " Sire, I grete \& as my freende. Understande \z.\. I the seende (I have perceivede and provede well) Of Cristes dethe every dell, What wondres han sithen bifalle In Jerusalem amonges us* alle. The elde Jewes kynde° byhight t'at Jesus' shulde to >e erthe alight' Into a maiden of her kynde, As we in oure bokes fynde |?at of a maiden [he] shulde « be borne l^at \& poeple ne were forlorn ; And seide he shulde be" kynge of hem And eke of alle her barneteem/" And soo he come as he" seide. Agaynes him^' alle they^* gunne plede 1390 1395 He pays the tribute and pre- sents Pilate's letter, which narrates the judgment and death of Christ, 1400 1 BCL atte. ^ C syre Vaspasian. ' C He shewyd hym all his nedys than. * ^Chem. * B here kynde hyjt. C in heore tyme were hyrt «^Z Crist. CJhesu Crist. ^ ^ aply^t. * BCL he schulde. ^ B o( hem be kynge. 1" B ofsprynge. C barentem. Z barnetem. D ligemen. ^^ B£ )>ei. ^^ BZZ> him. AC hem. 18 Che. K 66 Titus and Vespasian ; pe prophetes^ whan he seide hem to, As her eldres hadden ydoo ; And for he withtoke hem in her lawe pei^ wratthede hem sore with his sawe. 1405 All Ipat he seide J^ei toke^ in vayn ; pus they heelde* hym longe agayn, Soo they token hym at J^e last, Beten hym, bounden hym wel fast, And come and deliverede hym to me, 1410 And demede hym to hange on tree. I durste noght agaynes hem be, fo. 20. But if I shulde out of lande flee. I sat as^ justice in domes stede, I had noo gylte of his dede. 1415 Riche and pore jaf up J^e tale And made hym foul,* both gret and smale. I drad and verrailich ' lovede the, And durste noght agaynes hem be ; And J^eig V fonde in hym noo gylte, 1420 Wherfore J^at he shulde be spylte, In my pretory and in my mote-halle The princes of ]>& Jewes alle pere 'pei geven hym J^e dome. 1 ^ prophet. ZC prophecies. C omits whan. 2 D He. B Thei vvrefed with him for his sawe. 3 A toke it. BCDL omit it. * Cwere. ^ LB as. CD as a. A at, altered to as in different ink. ^ BD gulti. C And dempned hym. ' B levyd fe comunte. LD loved fe communalte. C knew the comynte. 8 A And fei ne. L And feij I. C But ^it I. D And I. B And gut on him fonde I no gilt. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 67 pat tyme I wolde hit had be^ undone, 1425 For he dede noon oj^ur wicke But shewede wondres^ fele and thicke : Doumbe to speken, blynde to seen, Deaf to heeren, feendes to fleen Fro' wode men many oon, 1430 And crokede men also to goon ; Full fele* miracles dede ]jat man. Moo J^an I tellen can. Wherfore, sire, by noo resoun Haveth me in noon suspectioun 1435 pat* it was noon oJ»er way, Whatsooever \q Jewes say ; For peraventure hit may so be pat J»ei wolde pytte J^e^ werk on me, And forthy, sire, leve hem noght. 1440 Hit was her dede and her thoght.' Hit was her dede, and noght myn ; pat wil I prove by all her' kyn. pei buryede hym and dede hym kepe With her knyghtes, J>at fell on slepe. 1445 In the thridde day he aroos, and His resurrec- Almighti God amonge his foos. ' L ben come. D wolde I had ben at Rome. C They hed be bettur the while betome. A be undone (the un interlined). ^ EC wondres. ALD wordes. 3 L Fro. BCD From. A For. * B many. C mony. 6 CFor. 6 BCLD this. ^ B transposes II. 1439, 1440, and wants II. 1441-1976, several leaves being lost. * C maner sygne. K 2 tion. 68 Titus and Vespasian ; Pilate's excuses are vain, for he had full warning. The knyghtes comen hoom anoon, And seide he was risen and goon. They geven the knyghtes made J^oo 1450 To seye J^at he was stolen hem froo ; And J^ei ne myght not hem ^ withholden, Where \t\ were ^ J^at J^ei ne tolden. All ]?e soth and all \& caas Of \\% prophete, also ' it was, 1455 I have doon writen, grete and smal,* fJat \\s, matere toucheth all, Soo \zX. of hym J^at ^ story Ever may last in memory. Holdeth me excusede, sire, herby 1460 For any tale o\-\xx for any cry." He was never" the better excusede j^an Agaynes'' God and agaynes^ man, For all his feithe ^ was al in wynde And noght in herte ny in mynde. 1465 He ne myghte excuse hym, in noo wise, Of J^at falsehed in noo gyse.° For" many miracle he say. And hymself wytnesseth ay. fo, 20b. 1 A hym. LCD hem. 2 L comen. CD come. ^ L als. C and how. D howe so. ^ C And I have let wryte hit, bothe lasse and more. That to fys mater towcheth idone here byfore. 5 C the hoU. D the rijtfulle. * C But jit he was not. ^ C Anendus. 8 A ferthe. C feyth. LD fef. 9 LD Of fat ilche {D omits ilche) false inwyse. C For he was fals in feyth with all his gyse. C And jit. 10 or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 69 And Joseph hym warned of Aramathie, 1470 And Nichodemus with curtesye, And alsoo dede Centurio, Fele other men and wymmen alsoo, pat' all J?at Jesus dede echadele Hit was truely doon and well. 1475 Nevertheles he toke aP to lyght l?at he shulde ben God almyght. He was warnede alsoo by his wyfe pat he ne rafte Jesu ^ his life ; So bad hire the feende in a vision, 1480 For to han lettede his * passion. Feende and man bothe ^ God blent, Soo J^at \t prophecye forth went. Wost ]?ou why he dede soo ? ° For \zX. his deth shulde forthe goo. 1485 Elles the feend wolde have hade alle pat hadden ben in synne falle. But Jesus rather \q deth wolde chese, fo. 21. pan he shulde mannes soule leese. Any man J^at ' hath not herde 1490 How Pilate came into J^is worlde^ Life of Pilate: [jif ]?at je wyll lysten now I shall tell 3ew where and how.] ^ Hit was a kjmge J^at highte Tyrus, son of King Tyrus of Spain 1 C That seyden. 2 Chit all. Z'ital. ^ C pat he shuld not rave Jhesus of. * L Jhesus passioun. " C both were blent. D beth bothe blent. ^ C But wyte je well fat God dede so. ' C Now jif any mon. LD And any man be fat. » LCD werd. ^ These two lines are from C. ALD omit them. 70 Titus and Vespasian ; and a miller's daughter named Pila. He murdered his half-brother, and was sent to Rome, Of Spayne, I understande ]>\xs. 1495 A mylners^ doghtur of his lande He knowlached, I understande. She hight Pila, her fader Atus. Her sone was sithen merveillous ; Pilatus Jiei clepede hym J:'oo 1500 Aftur hem hd\>Q^ two. The kynge on his wife dere Gate a sone the selve^ jere. This Pila sithen broght hoom hir sone, With his fader the kynge to wone. 1505 These children were togedre longe, Til J^at \ei were bigge and stronge. In alle dedes, thurgh kynde, Pilat was alway byhynde ; This agrevede Pilate sore, 1 5 10 He slogh hym* privelich J^erfore. J?e kyng it herde, and sorwe he made. To sleen Pilate men hym bade ; The kynge wolde not doon her reed, He sent Pilate to another stede. 1 5 15 He shulde by lawe and by dome Uch gere sende a childe to'^ Rome. J:?ere l^oght J^e kynge to° make a sonde, And soo to delivere hym of his honde ;^ 1 C myllenarus. L millers. 2 LD bofe. A wern ofur. C Afftur his moder and fader also. ^ C same. * C the child. ^ C to the Emperoure of Rome. * C fat by that sond. LD by fis sonde. '' C Of hym he shuld best delyver his lond. LD May I {D Thus may I) best delyver myne honde. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 71 In truage he sent hym^ for ]iis chaunce. 1520 For truage also \t kynge of Fraunce To Rome alsoo^ sent his sone ; He and Pilat, togedre \q\ wone. The kynges sone was michell praisede, More Jjan Pilat, and upreisede 1525 For genterye,^ thewes, and curtesye. Pilate had oi\\% envie ; fo. 2\b. In prive stede togeder J-ei drogh, And tere te kynges sone he slogh. where he killed 1, -r. ,1 -11 1 1 the King of pe Komaynes token her counseiU f 00 France's son. 1530 What J^ei myghte with hym doo : " Biforn he slogh his owne brother, And now he hath slayn anojjur." Oon spake of j^at assemble : " Wickede and fell man he wil be ;* 1535 He wil be bolde* man of thewes For to daunte fele shrewes, For he hath doon to dethe twayne. He were worthy to dyen in peyne ; Ne can I geven' noo better rede 1540 But senden hym on anojjur stede, Into Peyntes,* J^at wickede ilde, 1 C And send hym for all. ^ C To the Emperoure of Rome he. 3 ZCZ> gentyle. * C The Emperoures concell seyden the " What mo[w] we best with hym do ? " ^ C A vyle and a fell man shall he be. *> LD mody man. C a slyj mon. ' C Natheles I con jeve jew. * C Pounce. L Pounthes. D Pouns that wicked ile. 72 Titus and Vespasian ; The Romans made him governor of Pontus, whence his name Pontius. Herod sent him gifts To abaten Jiat^ is soo wylde,'' To kepen )»at wickede contree. The folke is fell and so is he ; * 1545 Other he shall hem* overcome, Q\\xx he shall be** sone ynone. And J»ere hym may soo ben gelde t>e pyne J^at he to shulde." pei setten hym to commission * 1550 To holde \dX ilde' under his bandon. What with peynes, what with geftes All J^at ilde^ at* wille he shiftes ; Alsoo he dede her' pruyde abate, pat men clepeth hym Pontes Pilate. 1555 He was kyd soo koynt^" in pruyde purgh J^at ilde,' on every side, pat men dred hym fer and nere For to comen in his daungere, Tho Heraudes" herd of Pilate J^is fame, 1560 And of his qoyntenesse^^ and of his name, He sente hym gyftes and messageres 1 LCD his blood fat. 2 D vile. 8 C For there ben wykked folke as well as he. * C ben there. D be sone. ■^ C Other ellys to fe deth. * C Then was he send with a comission. LD pai senten hym wif commissioun. 7 Cyle. Z>ile. 8 C to his will. LD to wille. 9 LD her. A his. C And then was he clepyd Pounce Pylate, For he dede heore pruyde so abate. '^'^ LC queynte wif pride. D hije wij) pride. " CHerodes. ZZ> Heroudes. 12 LCD queyntise. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 'j-i And prayde hym to ben' with hem cheres ; And Pilat anoon to hym cam, fo. 22. And he made hym keper of Jerusalem and made him 1 565 And justice of all bat cuntree governor of , ' Judaea. Pat now men clepeth Jude. He pynede hym longe with hym to dwell,' For they wern bothe fell ;' But Pilate wex soo riche |jan 1570 Of J7e tresour fjat he wan, And for they ne partede her wynnynges bothe,* ]?erfore Heroudes was with hym wrooth. And soo \t\ liveden in ire* and onde Til Crist come thurgh* his holy sonde, 1575 And was taken and to Heroudes was sent • Herodes was glad of j^at present,^ And \w% \t\ weren bothe dere, As i& mown in the passioun here. Every man J^at liveth in hate 1580 May be likenede to sire Pilate, That wes ^ hondes and noght his herte ; ^ D done hem chers. Z ben wif hym chers. C To com to hym in all maners And forth anon then he kem Into the cyte of Jerusalem He made hym justice of that contra. * C With Herode long he can dwell. ' C sly and fell. * C That Herod wox with hym full wroth, For to part with hym he was loth. * C envye. * C into that lond. ^ C As Pylat thyder had hym isent. LD As Pilate hym {D had hym) fider sent. * C wosshe hys. LD wesshe his. L 74 Titus and Vespasian ; pat dede ^ hym sithen sore to smerte. And get smerte Pilate noght allone, But jpe Jewes everychone ; 1585 For jpei bad his blood ^ shulde falle On hem and on her children alle. The Jews suffer I shall shewen tou, it is sooth, every Friday for _, 1 t- • t • 1 1 Christ's death. Everych Friday so it doth : A flour' of blode cometh hem on 1590 And holdeth hem til pe day be goon, And namelich on pe Gode Friday Wei harder j^an ]?ei have hit ay pan ]>ei have it thurgh ]>e gere ; pat day durste pei noght stere, 1595 But whan j^ei taken our Cristes lawe pat ivyl bygynne * to withdrawe. pat i[vyl] * shall no more hem greve, So longe as J^ei wil bileve. By this token pei ben clene.' 1600 pis is a faire miracle, I wene. For all )7at wil hym mercy crave fo. 2 25. He is soo full J^at ]?ei shulF have. And also mighte sithen* sire Pilate ; He " bode to longe and bade to late, ^ C And fat hath made. 2 LCD his blood. A fei. 3 Cflux. Z>flix. * Z bygynne)). Z> fanne gynnef. C Then begynneth the evyll. « A I (sU). C hit. ZZ> yvel. 8 C Thus throw thys token they mow ben clene. ^ C mow hit have. Z> shuUe it have. * C And so my^t have had hit. Z> And so myjle. 9 C£ But he. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. IS 1605 1610 1615 1620 perfore he it aboghte full dere, Als ^e shullen hereafter here. DnA God come to seken j^at was forlorn, 1 To gladen J^oo J^at to deth worne.^ I Lucifer first, sithen Adam Maden >at he into >e erthe cam ; \ For he wolde >urgh his grace Fulfyllen agayn J^at empty place' From >ennes ]7at >e aungeP felle Into \& deppest pytte of helle. Forthy* Adam and all his kynde He wolde have theder,^ as we fynde, For to beren hym* company. This gyle Godus' sone aspye; And for J^at he fonde noon of us >an , [For J^is siker he bicom man And dyed on >e rode tre]* For to maken us alle free. And sithen he aroos and helle brast. Christ came to earth because of the fall of Lucifer and of Adam. ' C And to gedur that to-dryven wore. L And to gadre foo fat to-dreved worne. D To gaderen foo ])at to-dreven worne. ^ C wace. * Cangelys. ZZ? aungels. * C Whyder Lucyfer. "> C Wold have had thyder. D Shulde bene undir Sathan ^ Chem. ^ LCD God gan sone aspye. From LD. A has only one line to correspond: Sone fereafter us he name. For II. 1619-21, C has And for the fende of us shuld wyn non Therefore Crist, Goddus sone, bycom men, .- , And dyed apon the rode tre. L 2 76 Titus and Vespasian ; Nathan asks leave to return. Nero dismisses him with a letter to Pilate. And his owne out he cast, 1625 And ledde hem^ to \q joye thoo ; In helle, I hope, ne comen noo moo, But goostes, ]>2it kepen ay J^at stede. And Jjo )jat deden hym^ to deede. Heere may we seen God was our* freende. 1630 Agayn to J^e story wil we wende. Whan Nathaan had is erand idoo, "Sire," he seide, "geve me leve to goo. The day is gan, sothe to sayn, pat I shulde have ben at home agayn. 1635 I have soo be lettede by the weye* pat I not what is best to saye." poo seide Nero, " Drede Jie noo dell.' I shall J^e excuse faire and well." fo. 23. In his lettre* he dede to write 1640 To witnesse Nathaan, and aquyte Of all )>at fell sithen he out went,' And of the tresour J?at Pilate sent. He 3af hym jyftes grete alsoo. And Jierwith leve for to goo. 1645 Now wendeth hoom Nathaan ; Now hereth of sire Vaspasian.* 1 CLD hem. A hym. 2 CJhesu. ' C oure. LD howre. A his. * C And I not what is best to say That I have thys be lettyd by the way. ' C " Nay," quod Tytus, " ne drede the never a dell." « C And a lettur fen. ^ C Of all that he had don seth he went. * C Now speke we of the Emperoure Vaspasyan. or. The Destruction of Jerusalefn. 77 Sithen bithoght sire Velocian What Titus had herde of Nathaan ; Of his lorde he had grete care, 1650 And sore byment ' his evell fare. Bifom his lorde he gan doun falle, And tolde hym Nathaans* wordes alle (Titus* upon a day and he Rehersede J-is,* as ge may see). 1655 For rewth* of hym sore he* grette, And seide he^ wolde his bale* bette, Thogh he shulde of his body take, If he wiste bis peynes slake : " For lif ny deth wolde' I lette To wenden ful fer f-i body" to fette ; For Titus and I )?is oj'ur" day Herden wordes to oure pay. Sire, hereth me, I wil gou telle What in Cesares tyme byfelle. 1665 ITThere was a prophete in Jude, pat prechede in" J-at contree ; Of all sekenes J?e poeple he helede, 1660 Velocian tells Vespasian Nathan's story of the miracles of Christ, * C bemenyd hym of his fare. * A Nathnaas. * C How )«t Tytus. * C byfore the Emperoures kne. * Csorow. * C dede grete. D gan grete. ^ Cthey. « LCD bales. * C he seyd, wul I not let. LD ne wolde I lette i» LCD bote. " Cendur. " LC in al. D aboute in. r 78 Titus and Vespasian ; of His betrayal, death and resurrection. And [J'us] ^ Jje Jewes with hym delede. He ne dede but greet curtesye/ 1670 And toward' hym ]>ei had envie. His owne dissiple his traitour was, • A wickede thefe )7at hight Judas ; His maister to )?e Jewes he solde For thritty penyes f>at jjei * hym tolde. 1675 pat ilke theef hymself dede henge Upon a tree with a grete strynge ; His grace was noo better to spede, For he dede j^at wickede dede. And j^an \])q Jewesj ^ with felonous rede 1680 Pursuede \>& gode man* to j^e deede Byforn |)e shrewe^ sire Pilate, A false traitour,* al for hate. With wronge,* all at oon voice, pei naylede hym fast upon ]7e cros. 1685 He dyede, and roos )?e thridde day. pat dethe we may rewen ay. If he had lyvede, and forth went, get myght we for hym have sent, Weyther je" myght have hool be. fo. 235. 1 LCD And J>us. * C7 He dede much good of his curtesy. 8 C therefor to. * LCD pai. A he. •> LD ])e Jewes wif feloun (Z> felynous) red. C the Juwys with heore fals red. 8 LCD Duden fat gode man. ^ Cjustyse. * C creature all full of hate. 9 C The Juwys with wrong. 1" A he. L porouj hym fou. CD And throuj hym ^e. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 79 1690 Loketh here now grete pite ^ Sire, was noght Pilate to blame, t>at dede hym gylteles all \\s, shame ? J:?is prophete, |jat J^ei deden to deth, Hight Jesus of Nazareth. 1695 And all j?is nyght me met a dreem pat I was at Jerusalem ; Me thoght I stode witerly Byside J?e temple^ of Kyng Davy, And ]?ere bothe I herde and say 1700 Fele thynges to my pay. And, sire, if 36 wil doon aftur me, I shall doo wenden to ]?at citee. And brynge 30U tij?inges,' if I can, If I may heren oght of ]jat man, 1705 And if oght of hym might be founde t'at myght make 30U hool and sounde. And eke also speken I wolde With sire Pilate, ]?at traitour bolde, For he was * shirreff, and longe had be, 1 7 10 Of Jerusalem, Jjat riche citee. And if he aske whennes P come, I shall tell y come from Rome, From Vaspasian, ];at hath powere Of Rome, and is Neros vikere. 1 71 5 If he aske aftur Nero oght, Whef'ur he be seek or doun ybroght, Velocian's dream. He offers to go to Jerusalem to find a cure for Vespasian, and to see Pilate i fo. 24. ' C Loke where this be not a gret pyte. .'jnvt'Z? Loke here now, sir, is greet pyte. * So LCD. A has kyng of sire Davy. ^ CD tydynges. L tidyng. ^ LCD is shirreve (C shreve) and longe haf ybe. « LCD I. A he. J 8o Titus and Vespasian ; on pretext of demanding arrears of tribute. Vespasian consents to his I shall seye Nay, but he grauntede J?ee^ late To unsware for hym and for his state. Thurgh ]?e prophetes helpe it may be soo 1720 pat we may seen the come |jerto. To knowen Pilate, sire, have I thoght, pat I ne faille of hym noght ; Soo f»at we may oon of the* dawes gelde hym all his false lawes. 1725 I wil seye he holdeth of gou despyt, Sithen he doth 30U noo profyt ;* Als men in registre^ fynde Of longe tyme it" is byhynde. And \2X wil be a grete raunsoun 1730 pat wil come of such a toun. I wil wende to' heren and sayn Why he hath* of 30U despyt ]7an. Gladnesse in herte ne gete I noon Til ]?at I be comen and goon. 1735 Me liketh Jiis wey to fulfylle.* Seye me, sire, what is thy wille ?" pan seide Vaspasian hym to : " I prey J^e goo and doo right soo, 1 Z fee. C xew. A to. D tho. 2 ZZ>})ise. Cthis. 8 C all in despyte. * C Thynges that shuld to Nero is profite. ^ C regester. L registre. D the registre. A legistre. 8 C his truage. ^ C and to hym sayn. LD to heren hym seyne. * C halt hit so of disclaym. LD holdej) {D halte) of jou disdeyne. ^ C And say now, syre, what ys thy wyll ? For y am yn purpose this to fulfyll. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 8i And hye J-e swithe' and come agayn, 1740 I be noght glad til Jjou come J^enne. And loke J^at \ion noo tresour spele To have som crafte me* to hele. To have myn heele jeve I wolde More perry' and more golde, 1745 Z^ more* >an I can of telle [So sore I smerte and foule smelle],* I wolde fayn be holpen >erfore,' fo. 2^b. For me smerteth swithe sore. And >erfore for )>& love of me 1750 Hye the fast to >at citee." pe steward dight hym as the hende, And to Jerusalem he gan wende. An aventure fell ' faire and well Aftur his dreem * every dell. 1755 For his in was taken fast by Neghste >e temple of Kyng Davy. The lorde of >at in Jacob hight ; He was a Jewe, but I the pli^t He was a prive Cristen man. 1760 Full fair he gret sire Velocian ; Jacob hym askede whennes he cam, ^ C fast with all fyne mayne. L swij>e wij) al fi mayne. * Z fat mi^th me hele. 8 LCD perre. * L And more tresore. C je much more fan I can telle. ^ From L. C For to ben all holl both flesch and fell. D So sore me smerte and ful of smelle. « LCD omit 11. 1747.8. ^ L So fel hym aventure. D Hym byfel an aventure. C And the aventure bothe. * LD sweven. C sweven com. M Velocian goes to Jerusalem, and stays at an inn kept by Jacob, a Christian, 82 Titus and Vespasian ; And what he soght J^ere, and whom.^ in whom he " Jacob," quod sire Velocian, confides. ,, _ • i • tt ' I am with sire Vaspasian; 1765 Gascoigne and Galys [he] hath'' in honde. From hym I come into J^is londe, For he hath an evell stronge pat hath holden hym ful longe. He roght never what he gave 1770 Soo J'at he myghte his hele have ; And it was tolde both hym and me pat oon was deed in J)is citee, A noble prophete, J^at' hight Jesu, Thurgh sire Pilates and [thurgh] 30W,* 1775 pat he heelede all seke and soore In J^is contre everywhore ; And now, if he were* unslayn, My lorde wolde* of hym be fayn. Now sire, I preye \q, seye me this, 1780 Where^ anythyng be lefte of his, 1 C has the following five lines instead of II. 1762-4. And seyd then " Syre, I com from Rome, From syre Nero, that hath powere Of mony a lond both there and here ; And also, syre," quod sir Velosyan, " I am with Vaspasyan." 2 C That Gascoyn and Galys hath. L Galice and Gascoyne he ha]>. D Gascoygne and Galys he haf. 8 D Jhesus he hijte. * ZC forouj 50U. D That thoruj Pilate to dethe was dijte. ^ C had ben. ^ C of hym wold have byn fayn. L of hym wolde be ful feyn. ' C Whether. Z sif. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 83 And where' it is, and in whech stede, And Jiou shalt have full riche mede." pan spake Jacob, the gode man : " je be welcome,, sire Velocian, 1785 Ful wel I shalle counseille ]?e. But loke J^at* J^ou ne wrye me;" " Nay, hardelich, arst wolde I dye ' Er to any I shulde the wrye." Jacob seide " Now I am glad. 1790 Hit is ful lange J-at* I hit bad, pat 1 shulde J^at tyme heere pat Jesus deth yvengede were ; And get I hope shall come }>at day, pat ich \troi here wel may. 1795 3et hope I, thurgh J»i lorde and \q, pat I shall \zX. tyme see. Sire, hereth now a* mervaillous, I telle, l^at is amonges us:* Sire, a fole walketh in )?is toun 1800 Al day with children^ up and doun. He seith wel ofte on his game fp. 25. Jacob promises to help him, and tells him that a fool has foretold the fall of Jerusalem. 1 ZC what. "^ C fat hit be ryjt preve. L fou fat it conseil be. D fat fou noujt bewrye me. ' C " sis," quod Velosyan, " rathur wold I dye pen I the to any mon wold wrye." Z 5US hardilich er wolde I deye pan I to any man shulde fee Wreye. * Csethen. ^ Z a wonder merveillous. Z> a f ing merveillous. C And herken now, sir, a thyng metvelous, That is byfall among us. ^ D That ofte it fallith amonge us. ' C Mony tyme with childers. M 2 84 Titus and Vespasian ; Jacob witnessed the death of Christ, and his daughter was one of the Three Maries. pat J^is toun shall goo to shame ; And ])e more we dreden hym all, For as he seith wel ofte is ^ fall. 1805 Sire, I wil y>e tellen, as I can, How Jesu dyede, Jiat gode man, Als I sawe it with myn eyen, How J^ei deden hym to dyen. They bounden, beten hym as a theef 1 8 10 All a nyght in paynes greef, And on \e moru with oon voice t)ei nailede hym fast upon ]?e croys. He dyede, and roos ])q thridde day Out of J'e grave there * he lay. 1 8 15 Mary my doghter, I telle it j^e, Was oon of the Maryes thre, pat to Jesus toumbe went With buystes ' full of oynement, To have alithede * his body with, 1820 pere he was soore in lyme and lith.* And if j^i lorde bileve hym upon, I dar warant hym hool anoon ; And to his feith [if he] " wolde swere, Litell while shall his evell hym dere. 1825 Trowe je, sire, he wil soo doo ? " fo. 2sb. A his fall. Z is falle. JD dothe bifalle. C For of sum fat he sayd hit hath fall. C thereas. C boxis. L boistes. D boistons. C bawmed. Z> aleied. C Thereas he lay bothe lyme and lyth. C jif he. L And he wolde to his feif hym swere. D And to his feith he wolde do swere. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 85 *' Nay," he seide, " I trowe not soo.^ Ere he wolde be deed and [in] grave, But if he wist his heele to have. Soo J^at he myght have heele sone 1830 He roght nevere what^ to doone." pan spake Jacob as a kynde man He offers to send To Jje steward, sire Velocian : ^"^ eroyn. " Sire," he seide, " I knowe a wife, A curteys lady of clene life ; 1835 I hope she be my grete freende. I shall tomorue for hir sende, J)at under hire and under me We shall doo soo counseill the, Soo Jjat \\ nedes shull be spedde. 1840 pe thar no more ben adredde."' And whan the steward j^is herde With myche joye f>at nyght he ferde. He seide to Jacob \oq) anoon " Tomorwen |jou most with me goon, 1845 To leden me to sire Pilate. I hope we shull his pruyde abate. My lorde me hath to hym ysent To fecche from hym Neroes rent." " Sire," quod Jacob, " per ma fay 1850 I graunte hit well tomorwn day." On morwn hym roos J>e gode knyght. Next day he takes Armede prively and wel ydight : Velocian to the ir J J S 1 synagogue, 1 C " Nay sir," quod Velosyan, " I wot well he woll hit do. For he wold rather ben ded and done in grave. * Z He ne roujth what men duden hym. ' C Thereof fu shall not ben adred. Z And fan far fee no more ben dred. Z) Than darst f ou no more ben adred. 86 Titus and Vespasian ; He and Jacob, bothe two, To \t synagoge gan goo, 1855 pat was by J-at ilke dawe The chirche of J>e Jewes lawe. fo. 26. Sire Pilate \t\ fonden ]?ere, pat stode his service for to here, And all aboute^ enviroun i860 Stode J^e grettest of )»e toun. Jacob drowe hym out of J>e weye To heren hem bothe what J?ei gan seye.'^ where Velocian , Sire Velocian forth spronge accosts Pilate, r\ \.- ^ j ^ r 1 ^ On his stede, styf and stronge, 1865 But doun wolde he noght aligte Til he come to Pilate right. " Sire," he seide, " wel >ou' be ! My lorde \& greteth wel by me, The Kynge of Galys, Vaspasian. 1870 He holdeth J>e oon* of his man, And askes wher^ Jjou wilt ben aknowe claiming tribute Of I'c truage ]70u' shuldest owe. espasian. ^^ ^^ truage is byhynde pat \o\x shuldest Vaspasian the Kynge. 1875 Under hym ]?ou boldest j^is citee, ^ ZC abouten hym. 2 C To heren what they wolden sey. 8 ZC])ee. * Z as for his man. D for his ligeman. C And seyth thu owest to ben his man. ® C whether. Z omits II. 187 1-2 here, but inserts them below after I. 1894. ^ C fat fu dost hym owe. D thou doste hym owe. LCD omit II. 1873-4. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 87 I understande, ]>i lorde is he. All ]>e truage is byhynde Of his tyme, all soo we fynde. In^ ])z.t wil ben a greet raunsoun, 1880 ]7at shulde falle^ of such a toun. And Jjerfore gladlich wyte I wolde Why ^po^x hast his right withholde. I rede, if J^ou wilt ben his freende, By me )>e truage J^at )jou seende, 1885 But he it have, he wil it fatte ;' Thou ny noon ojjur shall hym lette. Have doon, and unsware me anoon, For hoomwardes agayne most I goon." " What," quod Pilate, " is Nero deed ? Piiate questions 1890 How longe hath he* hade J>e lordehede ? " ^'' authority, "Sire [he is]' bycome his lieutenant, fo. 26b. And ]7at I dar j^e wel warant ; And if jjou wilt noght leve me, jet somtyme ))ou shalt hym see."^ 1 895 " Perfoy," ' quod Pilate, " fou seist amys. And hit were soo, I had wist er jjis." Thus seide Velocian the^ while Sire Pilate for to bigyle, » LCD And. ^ Z come. 8 LCD fette. * C Vaspasyan fat lordshyp hedde. ' C Syre, quod Velosyan, he is. LD Sif he is. ® L here inserts two lines {cf. II. 187 1-2) : And asken jif fou wilt ben aknowe Of fe trowage f ou shuldest hym owe. ' LD Mafay. C Sey felow. « L farwhile. D there fat while. C for a wyle. 88 Titus and Vespasian ; That he ne sholde another throwe 1900 Faillen of his visage to knowe. I byhete 30U, he went j^is viage To knowen Pilates visage ; He forgat hym never a dell, Soo he toke his merk full well. 1905 Pilate starede, as he were wode, Upon Velocian, there ^ he stoode. and is about to " What?" he seide, "have P noo men? ' pis knyght is comen me to sleen. Helpeth me, J^at I vengede were 1 9 1 o Of J'c ^ theef ]?at hoveth here.' ' but Barabbas J)an spake a knyght hight Barabas, intervenes. r^^^^ ^^^ ^^ prisone delivercde was That ilke tyme J^at Jesus dyede. Forth he sterte and loude criede : 1915 " Sire," he seide, "]:'is knyght is one.* Hit were shame to us echone To doon hym any vilenye. I bihete J>e, he nys noon aspye. He semes to ben a doghty knyght, 1920 For he seith his erande aryght. But sire, be J^ou of hardy chere ! For thou art moost maister heere. [Vaspasyan drede \o\x no)?ing. For we shullen make J^ee oure kyng.]^ 1925 And if he come the oght to lete 1 Cthereas. ^ LCD have \. A\ have. » ZCDfis. * C but one. » From LCD. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 89 I hope he shall ful wel be mete ; And er )jat he have of us maistrye • He shall hymself wel dere abye. [And late we now J^is gode man go, 1930 And grete hym wel and seie hym so."]' Velocian grette hym" )7at \qxq stode, Velocian with- And out he spronge as he were wode ; fo. 27. ^'""^^ '° "^^ '""" Unto his inne he come full ryght, 1 And of his stede adoun he lyghte. 1935 Tho Jacob segh hym lighte adoun He come to hym, as was resoun, And seyde "Sire, welcome hiderward!" " 3o> Jacob freende,^ I am ascaped hard ; But nowe I wot J'at I hym knowe, 1940 Well I holde bysot* \\s throwe. Whan tyme cometh sewen° I can | To knowen hym from anoj^ur man," | " Sire," seide Jacob, "I have seen . How ge have agrevede ben. 1945 And Jhesu ne lete me never dye Er l^at I may seen hym dere abye !° Sire, be now glad, I preye jje, And welcome be j^ou to me ! Comforte pe, and drede \t noght ! 1950 J7at I \t bight I have j^e broght. 1 From LCD. 2 Z alle. CD hem. ' Z he seide I am passed hard. C he seyd I am scapyd of harde. * LC bisett. Z> My journe is wel beset fat hider I drowe. " C tellen. D shewen. Z I hope. ^ Z pis despijt er he abye. Z> For this dispit that he ne abye. N 90 Titus and Vespasian ; Jacob introduces Veroyn. Velocian asks her to go with him and cure Vespasian. Sire, take dame Veroigne here ; She oweth well to be J^i ^ dere, For she wyl shew J>e every dell How J?i lorde shall have his heele. 1955 Pilate hateth hir and me, For we have longe freendes be. Whan she is grevede she cometh me to, And* I wende to hir alsoo. For we ben cristenede pryvely. i960 And upon us he setteth grete spy, For soo he weneth witterly To doon us grete vileny." }3an they eten and made hem gladde. Velocian grete joy made, 1 965 For he hath J>is womman founde. pus |?ei soupede in J>at stounde ; After he shewede hir al his caas, fo. 27(5. Of his lorde al how hit was, And seyde "Jacob, I prey hit the 1970 pat l^is lavedy goo with me Unto my lorde, seeke and sore, And she shall have grete tresore." " Sire," seide Jacob tho, " I prey hir J>at she with J^e goo. 1975 I hope ge wil hir savely lede. And alsoo gelden hir wel hir mede." pan seide Velocian hym to " All ]?at she wyl I wyl alsoo. Dame," he seide, " I prey Jje 1980 pat J»ou wilt graunte to goo with me, 1 LCyee. D%ovr. 2 D And ofte. C And when y am grevyd I goo to heore allso. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 91 1985 1990 1995 2000 And saye me alsoo som dele How my lorde may have his heele." " Sire," she seide, " ne drede jje noght, perto shall it wel be broght, Als fer forthe as we coon, If he ^ wil bileve in Goddes Sone ; Als Jhesu Crist helede me, Soo shall I nowe shewe the.* I dwellede fer byside ]?e see In {>e lande of Galile. With ]>& flux I was smyten,' As Jacob and o|7er wel it wyten.* Jhesu Crist I lovede and dredde, And Jjerfore my hele I hadde. The evell astynt " evere, me thoght. To speke with Jesu hider y soght. Whan I was to towne icome pan had l^e Jewes hym ynome ; Whan I hit herde, it " was me looth. Anoon I toke a pece of cloth ; Toward a peyntour I gan ' goon, To peynte his ymage " j^erupon. That I mighte every day hit seen, She undertakes to cure him if he will believe in Christ. She tells how Christ cured her of a flux ; fo. 28. 1 BCLD he. A je. '^ Z> As I wele shewen unto the. L omits II. 1988-9. ' B forw soujte. * B Jacob, fou wost fat I lye noujt. B omits II. 1993-4. * B last longe. C had last full long. L lasted longe. D it laste wel longe. * C then was I full wroth. ^ L ))0U5th to gon. C dede me to gon. * BD visage. N 2 92 Titus and Vespasian ; And ever in my mynde to been ; 2005 For I was, my sire, wonder woo ^ Whan I had my Lorde forgoo. how she met Him And als I toward J)e peyntour come, bearing the cross, j ^^^^ ^^ l^^.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ . ^^^^ Upon his shulder berand ' \ie crois. 2010 I cryede to hym with loude vois ' Me reweth, Jesu, for ^i pyne, [And] |?at* I shall J?e soo sone tyne. I had grete nede to speke with jjc. Swete Lorde, loke ones on me, 2015 For I have lovede j^e herebifore, Forthy I triste ^ on ^e the more.' A litell biside went Marye, how Mary wiped And herde me so lowde crye ; His face with her . -l i ^i. r u 1 ^ (,1qjj^ Anoon pe clooth irom me she kypte, 2020 [And]^ j?erwith Jesus visage wipte,' Soo harde swetande ^ fian was he For the burthen of J^e tree. ^ B For I wiste I had him forgo, Therfore in herte me was wo. C But when y wyst y had forgo, Then was my hert full wondur woo. L For I wyst I had hym forgoo. And fan was me, sir, wonder woo. D Whan I wyst I had hym forgoo Sir, fan was me wonder woo. 2 CZ)hys. ^ AL berand. BCD beringe. * BCDL And fat. ^ B trust. C trusten. L trost. 6 BCDL And. ^ A was wipte. B sche wepte. C she wypt. * AL swetande. BCD swetyng. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 93 I sewede aftur, also he gede, And handlede a litell of his wede ; ^ 2025 I knelede wepand,^ and kyste his fete. He blessede me and j^ere me lete.' Mary bekenede me, soo * gode, Als she went under }>e rode ; My cloth me ' toke, and I hit kyste. 2030 Anoon I felde me hoo) and ' tryste And in my cloth, {jurgh his grace, Lefte J7e ymage ' of his face. In my coolFre I have hit sperede. And sithen I have \e better ferede ; 2035 And every day I knele j^erto, As I was wonte to Jesu doo. The more certeyn ^ )?at I hit see, Muche the better fele I me. fo. 2%b. And ay sithen dwellede I thus here, 2040 l)at hoom agayn wolde I not stere. Nevertheles, sire, I the telle, Here might ' I not longe dwelle, For Pilate is my stronge foo ; t'erfore me is lever with ]?e to goo. 2045 To fecche jjat ymage ^^ I wil goon, and returned it to her with His portrait imprinted on it. * C And hopyd of hym to have goode mede. ^ LBC and wepte. D wepinge. ^ C And he blessyd me full fayre and swete. * BD fat is so goode. ^ Z£C she me. * C in trust. '' LBD semblaunt. C semeland. * LBCD And evere fe more. 9 LBCD may. ^^ LBD semblaunt. C cloth. 94 Titus and Vespasian ; I shall me hast^ and come anoon." Velocian was swithe glad pat he hath sped of ]>^.t he bad. Velocian vows " Jacob,'' he seide, " here |?ou me, vengeance on ^^^^ A tithyng ^ I wyl telle j^C. f If I live, Pilate shall abye ' For ]7at he wolde do * me so dye. If my lorde be hool and fere Hederward he^ shall hym stere, 2055 And on Pilate he shall be wroken For the wordes j^at he hath spoken. Wei may he be a shrewe agaynes us, J)at gylteles slogh swete Jesus. Hoolde \>Q covert til l^ou it see ; 2060 I bihote \)& wel, it shall soo be." "^e, sire," quod Jacob, " Criste graunte I may Abide to seen J>at ilke day, And alsoo sende hym heele sone, pat ]>t viage myghte be done ! " 2065 " Lorde," seide sire Velocian, He asks Jacob " Jacob, knowest |5ou any man, for witnesses of 1. ^ • t ■ 1 • ^ Christ's passion. t'at is on live in f?is toun, That were* at Cristes passioun ?" "36, sire," quod Jacob, " forsothe I wys 2070 Many of hem on live is ; 1 may hem seen every day 1 BC dijt. L di^tten. 2 X Oo tidynge. I> A goode tidynge. C Of a thyng that. * £ abeyen. * ^ me have sleyen. Z> do me to dye. L have don me dye. C han don me to dye. ^ Z I. D He shal come hedirwarde jit to jeere. 6 LCD was. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 95 Goo tofore me in the way. If 30 will, I shall for hem sende, And l^ei wil seye 30U woorde and ende. 2075 Her dede^ nyl ]>ei nothyng hyde, fo. 29. But make jjerof gelpe^ and pruyde ; To speke ]?erof |?ei be' wel glad, And Jjerof be j^ei nevere sad." * And ]?an to Jacob seide Velocian 2080 " My leve freend, for hem sende j^an. I prey \>e, sire, J>at I had herd With Jesu Crist how ]?ei ferd." " Sire," quod Jacob, " jjis graunte I the. Ful sone, sire, |?ou shalt hem see." 2085 He sent prively for hem alle, Jacob invites A J 1 • .. u* 1- 11 them to the inn. And sone ]?ei comen to his halle. He* welcomede hem® and dede hem° glade And greet semblant unto hem* made. " Lordynges, welcome mot ge be 2090 Here until my gest and me ! This is my freende, he wolde fayn lere How Jesu Crist ' dyede here ; pat were to hym grete joye and game That myghte here telle* of his shame."* 1 B Of here dede. 2 B host and pryde. C and jelpen gret pryde. ' B ben glad and meri. * B That pei ferof ben never weri. C For they were never jit thereof adrade. "> A And. BL£> He. C And Jacob. 6 LBCD hem. A hym. ^ LCD fe prophete. » C Too here tell mykell. B That he myjt here telle. LD He (Z> And he) mijth here tellen. * D name. 96 Titus and Vespasian ; They boast of 2095 Anoon bei sette hem doun and logh, their share. aju-u ,.-,j- u And perwitn were pei glad inogh. " Sire," seide two, " we hym bounde To a peler^ of marbell rounde. pare we hym beten and [sore]^ hyrte 2100 With longe scourges and' with smerte, Tyl |;at he fomede* all on blode ; And sithen we dede^ hym on J?e rode." Forth sterten Jian of»ur two : " Wilt ])o\x heer what we have doo ? 2105 We blent and buffet^ hym all nyght, get reweth it us he had soo light. Biforn Pilate we herd hym telle pat he myght oure temple felle, And make it rise' on the thrid day ; 21 10 Amonges us we seiden ' Nay.' For why* we shewde Pilate j^is pleynt ; Amonges |?e Jewes he was ataynt," He was ]>\xs holden* by oon and oon, fo. 29^. Til ]jat ]>ei had knowlechede everychon 21 15 All f»e peynes j^at ])ti dede hym^" 1 LBD pilar. C pyler. * Z sore hyrte. C sore hym hert. D grevously hyrte. B him herte. ^ LBCD felle and smerte. * B ran. 8 B nailed. 6 LD buffetted. B bete. ^ B And arere it. LC And raisen it. D And areisen it. 8 B Therfore. CD Wherefore. 9 LBCD And fus fai tolden. LBC omit by. i» B omits n. 21 15-6. or, The Destruction of Jeriisalem. gy At all tymes^ in every lyme. Ever sat jje steward to byholde, Til all was seide j^at \t\ wolde. "Lordynges," [he seide] '" bothe grete and smale, Vdocian thanks 2 1 20 I thanke 30U of J>is faire tale ''^^™- pat 36 have tolde me of j^is man. I shall rehersen hit, if I can, In another stede, all hou hit was. Where men desiren to here ]jis cas." 2125 Than were \&\ [alle]' swithe glade flat \& gode man suche joye made ; For ]?ei wende wel to have ydoo.* Mikell myrthe j^ei made' hym to ; But" I hope ]?at suche' game 2130 Turnede hem sithen unto shame. pei token her leve and went her wey ; ' He thankede hem of her faire play. " Now," seyde sire Velocian, "Jacob, jet \i\z.\. I can, 2135 And* J3ou live and here dwelle. Of )jis thyng \on shalt here telle. ^ Z At one tyme. 2 LBCD he seide. ^ B J)ei alle. L And fan weren fai. C And then were this traytourys full glad. * In C, II. 2127-2130 are : — For they wenden that they well had doo Of the mykell host fat they maden tho. But jit forsoth all that game Turned hem to mykell shame. * LED maden foo. « A Bothe. BDL But. ^ L mychel. BD ilke. » CYfthat. 98 Titus and Vespasian ; He and Veroyn depart to Gascoigne. Grete wondres^ shall fall and be Amonges j^e poeple in j^is citee. For hit was never in noo stede, 2140 In all l^e stories j^at men rede, pat wrech^ ne cam of mannes deed. Soo wil falle of jjis, V drede." " ^e," quod Jacob, " Crist graunte hit ay- pat I may seen j^at ilke day ! 2145 A freende of ]7e I hope to have." " Per fay, Jacob, I shal Jie save Whan tyme cometh |70U art in nede ; pan oghmen frenshep to shewe in dede."* Forth anoon dame Veroyn cam. 2150 pei token her leve and forth \)t\ nam ; Hem' lyst not stynte withouten® oon soine fo. 30. Til ]7at \>e\. comen to Gascoigne. Velocian was of hir gelous. And bad hir hoom' unto his hous, 2155 pere* he hopede to esen her best, Aftur her travaill to' have gode rest. He wente hym als swythe '" fan Unto his lorde Vaspasian : 1 B vengeaunce. 2 C wrath. * C withouten drede. L in fis stede. * £ Than wol I fee of frenschip hede. C I shall the frenshyp preve in dede. » A Hym. LBD hem. C They nold not stynte. * Z wijjouten assoyne. B in no towne. C by none essoyne. D withoute ensoigne. ' BL That he hure hadde (Z ledde). C Tyll he had brou5t heore. D And ladde hir home. 8 LBCn For fere. 8 LB hire to rest. C to make heore rest. 10 BC blyve. or, The DtstzucHon of Jertisalem. ^99 " Sire," he seide, " be nojt adred ; Velocian makes 2160 For well, I hope, \\ nedes be sped. Vespasian. Have now gladnes in |?in hert, Forjete \\ penance of sorwe smert/ A womman I have broght )?e of \& best ; She is at myn hous to rest. '" 2165 pi bote she hath broght, I understande, From Crist, ]?at saveth mankynde^ in lande. Alsoo I spake with sire Pilate, Soo )7at I knowe hym by his state ; From hym I skapede, I am ful fayn, 2170 For I had almoost be slayn. Sire, all ]?is is sooth verrement pat I tolde ]7e, er jjat I went ; Of Cristes deth I have soght Of hem ]7at f>e dede wroght, 2175 Byfore Jacob, my gode freende, In myn in er I woide wende."* And Jjus he* tolde hym^ in rowe Of all fiat he* had herd and sawe. Thoo \q Kynge^ is arme out caste, Vespasian thanks 2180 And byclipte* Velocian faste, ' And kyste hym ofte, mouth to mouth,' 1 C And forjete thu all thy sore smerte. LB And forjate bofe {B also) sorouj and smerte. 2 LB alle. C all thyng. B Whan pat he aftur hem sende. BC fei. B ox\a. rowe. C all a row. L hym for]) arawe. D hym arowe. B fer was ysowe. C they hed herd and know. C Emperoure- B dipt. C callyd to. L enbraced. C And speken togedur, mouth with mouth. O 2 lOO Titus and Vespasian ; and vows devotion to Christ and vengeance on His murderers. And michell J^anke he hym couth.^ " pese woordes |)at ]>o\x hast me broght, They steren myn hert and my thoght.'' 2185 pese^ wonder wordes herebiforn Ne herde I nevere, sithen I was born. Whe]7er I live or dye,* I most prove Somtyme |jat prophete for to love, That I to hym )5us am cast ; * fo. 3o5. 2190 A lorde he bysemeth ful studefast, Sithen he doth all dedes at wille And ]?at hym likes to fulfylle. By this hit semede,* Velocian, pat he was pereles, Jiat eche^ man. 2195 Thy wordes I have in recorde, pat if I be hool j^urgh jjat lorde I shall bringen hem to confusioun, po j^at deden hym jjat passioun." " Sire," quod Velocian, " have noo care, 2200 For I am siker ]?ou shalt wel fare ; And jjat, I hope, shall be tomorwe pou* shalt be quyt of all j?i sorwe." 1 C " Now mykell thank," he seyd, " I the couth." * B Steref me muchel in my foujt. 8 BLD Suche. * B Lyve I or deie. C And leve y, dye y. LD Lyve I, dye I * C That J)us sone on hym myn hert is cast. Z transposes II. 2189-90. In B, II. 2189-90 are : That I fus sone am yeast To fat lorde fat is stedfast « BCZ semef. "> L ilche. C ylke. D iche. B That he is a wel perillous man. * D omits I. 2202. OTf The Destruction of Jerusalem. lOI pe morwe cam, \q day spronge ; Vaspasian hym thoght wel longe. 2205 To croune his sone ]>tV^ were aboute, For of his lif he" was in doute. Of all landes Jjat' warn jje baste pat* comen to j^at Kynges fest. To Titus all he^ dede hem swere 2210 pat j^ei shulde feaute to hym here, pat day jjere men myght ysee Of myrthe" and game grete plente. pere was ynogh of all fynge, As fell to coronement of a kynge. 2215 Now a stounde' I most dwelle, And of dame Veroyne forth to telle. In her in she stode, and say How seynt Clement cam by the way, pat in ]5at tyme was Pope in* Rome, 2220 And his clerkes with hym come. And by his beryng |3an |?oght she An holy man' |?an he myght be ; For wise men drawen to ]je wise, And foles to }>e foles gyse.^" 2225 She praide hym in pees and gryth Next day Vespasian has Titus crowned. Veroyn sees St. Clement, Pope of Rome, ^ C he was. * BL fei were. ^ B fer were fe beste. Z )joo fat weren best. C that were there nest. C They. D To. Z pere weren at J)e kynges fest. BCL fei. B Feste. C Revell. Z At fat fest grete plente. C whyle. » BCLD of. 9 £LD man. i" B lise. C mon. A men. I02 Titus and Vespasian ; who tells her that he came to Rome with Peter and Paul, whom Nero killed, He wolde come and speke hir with. He cam, and sat doun by hir stille, And asked what j?at was hir wille. " Sire," she seide, " I prey hit |?e, 2230 A Cristen man if j^at J>ou be. Now say me if j^ou be or noon ? '' " 3ys, dame," he seide, " I am con, Such as I am witerly. Seint Petres disciple was I. 2235 I servede^ hym til^ he cam to Rome, And ]?ere he soffred hard dome. From Jerusalem we' cam theder, I and Poule bothe togedre ; And Nero was Emperour j^an, 2240 And get liveth, ]?at cursede man. He slogh bothe upon a day.* pus ]?erfore I dwell alwey,** To seen get if God wolde ^ sende t>at ]?e folke wolde hem amende.^ 2245 Full longe I have preiede soo. God graunte |7at it come )?erto ! fo. 31. B sowede. LCD sewed. BC dame, to Rome. L into Rome. BCL I come with him. D has here two additional lines : Petir and Poule, the sothe to say, Sithen I was exiled of fat contra. B And sithe I dwellid J?er ay. C And sethen have y dwelled here ay. L And siffe I have stille duelled ay. D And thus I dwelle here in privete. C eny grace wold sende. C To Nero and to his folk for to amende. "i?»T"^^PJW Mppnmni or^ The Destruction of Jerusalem. 103 For|7i^ from Rome hider I flay, And SCO I holde me here alwey. If Nero might" sone dye, 2250 Or comen out of his heresye, J7at were for us now tij^inges gode. For Vaspasian is negheste of blode. And get may it falle as I seye. For God is ay ]/ere thre or tweye 2255 Ben gaderet to speken in his name And in his worshep for soules' frame." " ge, sire," seide dame Veroyne,* " As God wil, soo be it doone ! ' Sire," she seide, " now am I glad, 2260 I have founden j^at I bad ; Glad am I J)is ilke stounde f»at I have j^e here yfounde. For Petre and Poule both y knewe, pat wenten with my Lorde Jesu 2265 All J>urgh |>e* lande of Judee ; fo. 3i<5. J?ere I knewe hem and j^ei me. Forthy, sire, I prey now the pat |jou wilt my freende be." Anoon she tolde hym al the cas 2270 Why and wherfore' she comen was. " Dame," he seide, " I wil J^e kythe, and that he fled thence to await Nero's death. Veroyn asks for his friendship. 1 B Therfore. C And for drede thus. 2 C In hope that Nero wull. ^ B saule fame. D soule frame. C In his wurship and leven fowle shame. * B adds him to. 5 B ydo. 6 A\&. "^ LC Hou and whi. B Wherefore Jiat. 104 Titus and Vespasian ; He is glad of her coming, and holds long converse with her. Vespasian grows impatient, and sends Velocian for her ; Of ]?i comyng ^ I am ful blithe. I hope thurgh Goddes helpe and \va. We shul ascapen all our pyne. 2275 Noo Cristen man ne^ dar hym shewen, But if he wil ben al to-hewen. Wherfore wil we ful prively Speken of God, bothe j^ou and I." " Sire," she seide, " for \\ lore 2280 I wil be with ]?e evermore, To dwellen in thy companye Til my Lorde wil ^ |?at I dye." And jjus* \€\ speken of holy wryt, As }>ei in company togeder sitte, 2285 f'at of grete while wel litell hem thoght From * }jat J?ei were togedere broght. pan Vaspasian in his palace Waitede aftur hir in * all waies ; Noo wonder f'ogh hym ]joghte longe, 2290 His evell agrevede hym so stronge. He clepede Velocian anoon : " Whan shalt |?ou goo for dame Veroyn ? " ^ J7e steward he goth hoom als swithe Aftur hir * with hert blithe. 1 A conyng. "^ L now. ^ A whil. * Cthen. ^ C From the tyme. D Fro tyme. 6 BCDL omit in. ' B And bad him haste for )>at womman. D has two additional lines : Sir, rijt sone, and that anoon, I shal for that lady goon. * C To fechen heore. or^ The Destruction of Jerusalem. jqc 2295 " Dame," he seide, " \o^^ and \\ fere/ Well be 36 bothe ifounden here ! Now, dame, fou most goo with me, For my lorde hath sende for the." " Gladly," quod she, "if j?at my freende 2300 Wil with me to courte wende. For he hath power by nyght and day To doon an[d] seye )jat I ne may, And if we [may]' hym with us lede fo. 32. I hope Jje better we shull spede." 2305 " Sire," seide Velocian thoo, " I pray j^e \dX Jjou wilt with us goo." Thei risen and wenten as swithe |7an she and Clement Til \t\ come to Vaspasian.^ ^^'^^ *° ^™- On knees ychoon \t\ hem sette, 2310 With mikell honour \&\ hym grette. \ " See/ sire," seyde Velocian, " Heere I bryng the |?is womman j I^at I bihight' ]?e, J^i bote to bringe. Worshep now hir in alle thynge ; 2315 Alsoo ]7is clerc with hir here, t'at can the bothe wisse and lere ; For dame Veroyne here seith But if Jjou knowe* wel ]?e faith pou shalt never be hool aryght 2320 I?e whilest jjou livest, day ny nyght. ^ D omits II. 2295-6. ^ J3 mowe. 8 BL To (Z Biforne) fa Kynge sire Vaspasian. C Even byfore syre Vaspasyan. * LCD Loo. ^ £LCI) hijt. " Z conne fe rijth feif . P t io6 Titus and Vespasian ; Clement expounds the Christian faith: how God made three habitations, get is wol better to lere^ her lawe pan with j^is evell to ben yslawe." Sire Vaspasian for^ the more socour Welcomed hem with honour : 2325 " Dame, welcome mot }jou be ! And sire clerc, I prey now the J)e right faith )jat ]70u me kenne Here aforn alle J^ese menne." Seint Clement was |700 ful glad 2330 Anoon to doon ]?at he bad. Pees anoon he made to be purgh all J)at grete assemble. " Lordynges," he seide, " I wil 30U pray, Listeneth now jjat I shall say. 2335 In awe hath ben al to longe Cristendom aP with wronge, And God wil now* J»at it sprede Amonges hem jjat hym loveth and drede. My Lorde God, of whom I spelle, 2340 He made heven, erthe and helle ; And all |jat ever is hem withinne fo. ■}^2b. At hym bygan, at hym shall blynne. pis is the admissioun* 1 BCZBleme. 2 C for hope and socoure. Z£ for socoure. * Z wi)> mychel wronge. * C ever that hit well spede. L£> noujt J>at it sprede. In B, II. 2337-8 are transposed : Amonge hem fat him love and drede God wol helpe hem ever and spede. ^ LD divisioun. B Thise ben J)e dyvysiouns. C And eken there ys a maner dyvysyon. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 107 Of thre maner of habitacioun, 2345 Heven he made with joy and blys, Heaven, pat ever shall laste withouten mys ; t»ere aungeles and mannes soules wone' Evermore with Goddes sone. The erthe he made to mannes swynk, Earth, 2350 To husband hem with* mete and drynk. Five wittes [he] hath' man [jjeven* To kepen hem with, wyles \€\. lyven : With eeres to heeren, with eyen to seen All ]?inges fiat about us ben, 2355 With nose to smellen swete from" sour (t»at is to us a grete honour), With mouth to chesen drynk and mete, Which is to take, which is to lete ; And get he gaf us felyng alsoo, 2360 With handes to handlen, with fete to goo. And noon of all j^ese, soo we rede, Ne may stande^ in oj^ur' stede. If a man with jjese wiP hym lede, Heven blisse he hath' to mede ; 2365 And if he doth evell, as I 30U telle. "^ LC shullen wone. B to wonne. ^ Z To tilijen hym cloof. B To tulie him clothe. C To tyllen hem in cloth. D To telen hem clooj). 3 LBCD he haf. * LCD jiven. B ysyve. 5^ fro. ZC and. Z> from. ^ for. ^ Z May stonde ne serve. ' LBC ofers. * C woll well. Z> wisly with these wolde. * Z shal have. C may have. Z> shulde have. B Hevene blysse schal ben here mede. P 2 io8 Titus and Vespasian ; and Hell ; Withouten ende he gooth to helle. pat is J7e thridde habitacioun, For wickede synfuU man a prison. how man sinned, And jjider went )7e first man, 2370 For he firste^ synne bygan ; And ]?ere he and his kynde ley, And shulde han doon to domesday, But God of us ]?an toke pitee, And for to save us J?an j'oght he. 2375 Wher* mannes synne were' soo grete Byfore God, at* his fadres seete, ]Dat if man shulde to helpe be broght. With mannes deth he* most be boght. The synne was soo foul, as we fynde, fo. 33. 2380 pat it defoulede al mankynde. Thou3* God had an aungell sent, He myght not dyen verrament ; Man dede \q trespas, man most dye.^ Thurgh pite God sawe |?is^ with his eye. 2385 God myght not dye ac* bicome man, And )?us [he] dyede" for us fan. 1 B That furst bi him. C That fyrst on erth. « LBD For. C And for that. 8 LBC^zs. * C cure Faderys feet. B in his set. Z and his faders feet. D at his fadir feet. 6 LBCJD it. 6 A Thoru. BD Thouj. C And theyj. Z peij. ^ LB Man dude fe dede, man {B fat man) most deye. C And God say then that man most dye. D A man dide the dede, a man most deye. * Z fis waye. C For the pyte fat God say with his ye. 9 Z hot. C but he. Z> til he. 10 LBCn he dyed. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 109 With aungeles and his Fader jje Lorde but was redeemed pus broght he^ man to acorde. ' ' He defendet hym with noon ojjur staff, 2390 But |je* manhed for' us he gaff. For mannes love jjus toke he deed J7urgh jje grace of his Godhed. Of |?e maiden Mary he was born, Maiden clene sithen and biforn ; 2395 In |7e lande of Jude he gan dwell, Ther fele men to hym fell, For his woordes sothe |jei founde ; pat* were seke, he made hem sounde. With fjis |?e Jewes had envie, 2400 perfore ]?ei deden hym to dye. Judas for xxx" pens hym solde whom Judas Tut u 5 J u 1 J betrayed for thirty lo pe Jewes breme and bolde ; pence. Of his disciples he was j^at" oon, pat with hym was wont to goon. 2405 He hengede hymself, \>\s was his ende. He had noo grace hym to amende, For he nolde noo mercy seke Of his Maister, ]?at is soo meke, pat salve is to every sore ; 2410 Over any synne' his mercy is more. Man is neghste hym of any kynde, As we in holy writte fynde. ^ L Jhesus. 2 LCD his. ^ Z to pyne he jaf. * BL The fat. D The seke and lame they were unbounde. 5 BCL felle. 6 BOLD omit fat. ' D Overe al thinge. I lO Titus and Vespasian ; Forthy ' if any man trespas Hym faileth not, if he seke grace. 2415 Lave sire/ fis man was wode, I^at solde his Lorde )?at was soo goode." Vespasian's vow. Than spake Vaspasian soo free : fo. 33d. " I byhote' to J>at God and the t'at if he wil me hool make 2420 I shall be cristenede for is sake, And I shall sleen all Jjat I fynde Of all ]7e Jewes in* her kynde, And xxx" of hem I shall sell and give For oon peny, if jjat I live ; 2425 For ]?ei hym bogte, for* despyt yplight,® For xxx" penes with oonright. And Jesus ne lete me never dye Til I have wroken |7at felony e !" Clement tells him Pan seide Clement' to hym stille of-'codTdesiT* 2430 " get I hope ]?ou shalt have ]>i wille ; for the punish- For thurgh l^is evell, y xinderstande, ment of the Jews, ^^ ^^^^^ ^jj ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ f^^^g To wreken hym, sire, of his foon, And l^at shalt )?ou seen anoon. 2435 For thurgh is vertu shalt fou see pat hool and sounde shalt j?ou be. 1 ^Therfore. C Wherefore. * Z Leve sir loke hou. B Me jjenkef sire. C And lave syre I trow. 3 ZBC I hote now. * LB CD and. D puts II. 2423-4 before II. 2421-2 8 ^Cin. "^Caplist. ^ L seint Clement. ■.. ^ ,, ■ ^ , or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. i\i i, \ l^'ensaumple I telle' jje as it sytte Righte in ]je [boke of]' holy wrytte : He come to seche ' j^at was forlore, 2440 And gadrede J'at to-dryven wore,* To restoren Jjat was falle. Forthy he dyede for us alle ' To confermen us in our fay, And synfuU men to dense, I say.* 2445 The Jewes seide f»at he cam In the destructioun of hem ; But now I understande me JJat }jei seiden hit by the. The prophecies han herof speken, 2450 J7at get shall his dethe be wreken. A grete joye hit were to us alle If hit might jjurghe \& bifalle. Kynges hym worshepe* at his berthe With oflfrynges and mikell myrthe ; 2455 Kynges were sithen twyes in wille fo. 34. purgh dynt of deth to doon hym spille. Herodes first, whan he was born, ^ 2? By ensaumple I telle it. C But ensample y woll tell the yet. ^ So B. L Rijth evene in Jie. C Ryjt as hit is in. D Ry^t as clerk is finden in. ^ BC seche. LD seken. A shewen. * B His enchesoun was ferfore. C And to gedur a^eyn that to-dryven wore. * BD And synful men to turne away. C And all oure synnus to turne awey. L And synful man to done away. ;j;^ « i '' Z worfschiped. Z>C worshiped. 112 Titus and Vespasian ; Herodes efte to his deth was sworn.^ The firste Herodes" the children slogh. 2460 I wot he soiFrede pyne ynogh : All maner of evels, seith jje book, He had er )?at \q deth hym took, Withouten fe stronge peyne of helle, For evermore j^ereinne to dwelle.' 2465 Withouten gylt he hatede Jesus ; Gilteles \t Jewes slogh hym ]7us.* Kynges j^ei kest^ to wreke his deed purgh ]?e grace of his Godhed; Such knoulaching of kynges he nam, 2470 Whan he into j^e erthe cam. If ]?ou wilt wei bileve in hym, pat he may heele j^e, lif and lyme, and promises his I dar warante he shall heele the. By ensample * ]?ou myght see : 2475 pere was a knyghte deed in lande (Lazar he hight, I understande), pat foure dales in grave lay ; He reisede hym, j^at many it say. And alsoo, as we of hym rede, 2480 He dede many another deede. Twelve disciples had^ he, 1 B Aftywarde his dej> had yswore. C Full of tyme his deth he had isore. L And Heroudes efte whan def was sworne. 2 L Heroudes fat. C And this Herod. ^ L pere he shal evermore duelle. * C And so dyden allso the fals Jewys. ^ B Kynges ben ylokid. C And kyngys be holden. LD And kynges ben (Z> han) loked. ® C this ensample as. ' LB had. CD than had. A and. B transposes II. 2481-2. cure. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 113 te best men J)at myghte be. Whan he out of f»e erthe went The Holy Goost he hem sent. 2485 Sexty and ten langages I herd J^at ]>ti of her maister lered. He bad hem goon to everych lande, To prechen his worde furgh^ his sonde ; Of all eveles he gaf hem myght, 2490 To helen hem j^at bilevede on* right ; And )?oo |jat nolde noght to hem wende ShuU be lorn withouten ende. fo. 34^. Such wondres herde ich' never noon, t'at ever hat gifte* of man to goon. 2495 For bothe God and man he is ; pere nys noo God but he, I wys. perfore, sire, bileveth in my sawe, ^ And all |jin hert to hym drawe, For all J7at I say I dar witnesse. 2500 Sire, |7is is ]>{ feith, no]5ur' more ny lesse. I was with hem f)at were hym by, And l^us ]>t\ tolde me witterly ; -^ And f>is lady, ]>at here stant, I wil hir take to warant, 2505 For she segh my Lorde Jesus. Now, dame, I prey the, was it J5US?" pan seide dame Veroigne at a braide ^ Z ich understonde. 5 BCLD aryst. 3 ^ 56. C thu. LD herdestou. * £ schap. n shappe. Z shaft. C As dede he pat was both God and mon. * L£C more and lesse. Q vernycle. 1 14 Titus and Vespasian ; Veroyn confirms " I witnes all \zX. he hath seide. Clement's state- „! ii..n -i.-^ 1 ^g^fg Ful welle tellen ich it owe 25 10 pat I have Jesu Crist ysawe. Of grete evell he helede me (Somtyine I shall telle hit \€) For love of faith J^at I hym dradde ; ^ JJerfore my heele of hym' I hadde. 2515 Knele adoun with herte free. This gode man shall assoille the." Whan l^is was doon every dell She produces the She took \& vernycle faire and well: " pis had I of my Lorde so kynde, 2520 pat I shulde have hym in mynde." Seint Clement went* to hym revest With riche vestiments of \& best. Tho she bytoke^ hit sire^ Clement, And [he] receyved^ hit with gode entent ; 2525 And all j^ei knelede hem adoun perto* with greet devocioun Biforn the Kyng sire Vaspasian, pat lay full sore seeke Jjan. fo. 35. 1 B Ful wel telle jow I owe That Jhesu Crist I have knowe. C And, syr Kyng, as y tell yew, Fele tymes Jhesu Crist I sawe. 2 BL For love and feif I him dradde. C And allso for that I hym lovyd and drad. * L On fis manere myne hele. * B was })an revest. C was then irevest. LD was ]K)o revest. 5 L took. BCD bitoke. A bytolde. * BCL to seynt Clement. D seint Clement. ^ BC he receyved it. LD he it receyved. A reverenced hit. « B For J)is relik. L For fis. C All for that relyk. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 115 I " Sire, jjis is like ]>e Savyour, oT 2530 With all ]>i myght doo hym honour ! Bylevest Jjou j^at ich have seide ich' dell?" "ge," quod Vaspasian, "ful well." " Kysse j^is j^an, I bidde \>e, In vertu of \>t Trinite, 2535 And hool be \>o\i for evermore ! Stande now up us bifore, And Lorde God ]>q blesse most,* Fader, Sone and Holy Goost ! " •• ^ Whan ])e gode man had ))us yspokeh ' 2540 Out he gan' his lymes streken ; He stoode up all hole toforn hem all, And as a slough* gan from hym fall. He bicam clene, smethe and mylde, As the body of a childe. 2545 And when he felde hym hool and dene Men myght mychell joye ^Jere scene Of all manere of mynstracye/ And he helde up his hand on hye And seide " Jesu, I trowe hit well, 2550 iP^t ich have herde,' everv dell • And certes, Lorde, if jjat I live. Vespasian kisses it, and stands up cured. He dedicates him- self to the service of Jesus. * BD eche. ZC every. 2 B And God fe graunt J)e blisse }»at is most. C And God the blesse that is of myjtus most. Z£> And God fee blis fat {B that evere) is most. " Z pe Kyng gan out. * Z pe yvel as a slouj. Z? And as it were slyme. B And al his sore away gan falle. C And from hym then his slouj can fall. * LBB mynstralcye. C mynstralsye. " LBC herd of fee {B jow). Q 2 1 1 6 V , Titus and Vespasian ; To pi service I shall me give." Anoon he fell on knees adoun, With grete wille and devocioun/ 2555 Biforn sire^ Clement, |;ere he stode, And fiankede hym with mylde mode ; And dame Veroyn he dede alsoo, J)at from soo fer soo ' come hym to : " Preyeth for me, nyght and day, 2560 I wot ]?at ge doon * to his pay. To myn herte jour wordes goon. And goure speches ^ everychon, For I see by my grete nede * fo. 35^. J)at ]?ei' am of noble spede." 2565 pus seide his sone and all his men : "As is bifallen forsothe we ken.* Thoo Naathan come he tolde it us." ' Velocian witnesseth alsoo Jjus. poo seide Vaspasian " Woo ^° all away, 2570 pat I ne had my Lorde Jesu say ! Tiberius Cesar," woo ]>e be ! ' £ZD Wijj wel grete devocyoun. C With a full gret devocioun. 2 BCZD seint. ^ BCLD omit soo. * BCLD ben. ^ LCB dedes. B For ])ei ben sothe. * C mede. ^ C je ben both. * C Iblessyd be Jhesu oure Lord, .^\men. * C For of all thus sir Nathan he told us. 1*^ B Weylaweye. C Now welaway. LD Weilaway. " So B. A Tiberisecar. LD Tybery Cesar. C Now of all diynges thu Cesar. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 117 pat I am bounden ^ to bidde Jje, pat^ Pilat \t false knyght Slogh |?us ' my Lorde with unright, 2575 pat |/0U ne haddest take J^at theef And done hym dye with peynes greef. - Hit semede wel J^ou were noo man, j7ou sofFredest hym soo taken * upon. God wolde noght it shulde bitide. * 2580 May I hym see, but* he me byde ! pat I shall vengen hym " I am glad, - No better bedes I ne bad. ^' Well is me j^at I shall fight For such a Lorde and for his right ; 2585 A better enprise myght I noon have Ny noo man, hymself * to save. I thanke it ° God f)at noon biforn Might doon hit, jjat was born. But he hath grauntede hit to me. 2590 Lorde, yblessede mot Jsou be ! I prey, Lorde, if it be \\ wille, Graunte me life j^is to fulfille, And I shall hye all jjat I may 1 LCD And {D om. And) fat I owe. B pat oujt I v,t;!. * C That suffyrst. ^ C To sle Jhesu. * LBCD to taken. '^ B jif. L Nowe I hym seen bot. C But that the bote thereof tyl I com shuld abyde. D But nowe I se hym he shal abide. ^ D my Lorde. ' C And for this now that I hope to have, And also for J)at y am of all evylus save. * Z> ))at hymself shulde save. ^ BCLl panke hit. Z> That fanke I. A I thankede. He rejoices that he is to avenge Christ. ii8 Titus and Vespasian ; He rewards Veroyn and Clement. Clement urges him to be christened, pat it were done, nyght and day. 2595 Whan I^ have doon, and come agayn, We shull be cristenede as^ we sayn." They toke hym up bytwene her honde/ And made [hym] * up toforn hem stonde. "Dame," he seide, " if I may spede 2600 I shall aquyte full wel \\ mede. Of what )^ing \o\x wilt me crave Sikerlich fiou shalt it have." " Sire," she seide, " saumfaille ^ I vouchsauf all my travaille, 2605 pat I have had hider for the ; And al ]?at \o\\. wilt give me -f Now gyve it to \\% gode man, And mikell ]?anke I the can, For with hym I wil wone and wende 2610 Ever unto my lives ende." Landes and rentes he hem " gaf wide, Clothes, tresour, hors on to ride ; He made her dedes,^ j^at soo speken, pat he ^ shulde hem never breken. 2615 Seynt Clement seide " Hereth me ! I rede \2X. 36 * cristenede be fo. s&. 1 LB we. 2 B alle and somme. C alle welle fayn. L alle wel seien. * D hondes. * BCL made him. D Toforn hem alle up he stondes. * B sanz faile. L saunz faile. C samfayle. D sanfaile. « LBCD hem. A hym. ^ C And made hem chartours. * BL )>ei. C pat never from hem shuld hit breken. 9 BLCD se. A he. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 119 Sone in hast, and jour men alle, For any chaunce fiat may bifalle ; Thyn ost j^ou may J^e sikerer lede, 2620 And )jerinne comes ^ Jje better spede." " Nay," he seide, " fjat wil I noght. Heere ge now what I have thoght : Doo me come ^ Titus my sone, And all my folke, jjat noon do shone." 2625 Titus cam his fader to. And many a greet lordyng alsoo. " Now, sone," he seith, " P wil J>ou swere, And all my poeple, j^at is here, With me to wenden to Jerusalem '. 2630 Over \& see, J»e grete streem, To destruyen hem,* and all f>e stede, 1 That dede Jesu Criste to deede ; fo. 36^^. For I ne shall never be right fayn Till I see l^at kynde be slayn. 2635 Peder to wende we have enchesoun Sikerlich, and ^ for J^is resoun. J)ider we most goon J>is gate. For to wreke us on sire Pilate For my Lorde Jesu, J^at is soo free, 2640 pat J>us faire hath heelede me. jet dede I never f^at^ Lorde fore ; but he refuses. He summons Titus and all his people, and makes them swear to go with him to Jerusalem. 1 B And )>er )k)u myjt. LD And })ere )>ou comest. C And where thu comyst. 2 C And make com hydur. ' LD fou shall me swere. B wilt J)OU me swere. * C hem all in that stede. * B with good resoun. ^ BLD noujt him fore. I20 Titus and Vespasian ; Forthy myn hert is fulle sore. I were to blame, bothe I and mynne, If j^at we lesen ^ ]?at wither wynne. 2645 I hote 30U, ]7at shall never bityde,' Whil )7at I may goon or ride, pis other day ne myght I stere,' And now I am hool and fere. I thonke al God, thurgh whom it was ; 2650 I wot he helede me for Jris caas. For his deth shiilde vengede be. I graunte to goon now, what sey 36?" " Sire," quod Titus, "right soo doo I, And all )7at here ben sikerly." 2655 Whan ])is was grauntede, men mygh[t] see Bothe songe and play, gamen and glee. " To haste us hennes* I wil sende anoon To sire Nero, to laten us goon. All, I prey 30U, dight 30U fast, 2660 pat we were * redy, all in hast, Of men, of armes and of vitaille, Soo ]?at us'' nothynge faille." He writes to Nero pan seide " he to \)e Emperour, for leave to go. g.^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ cursede creatour, » ^ Z leten. £> lesen cure tyme. B But we dide hem muchel pyne. C But Pylate were chafudde, fat fals lytherwyne. ^ C Wherefore y woll no lengur abyde. ' £ transposes II. 2647-8. * B For sone he seide. L For leve he seide. D To have leve. C But ^it I woll fyrst send anon. ^ D bene. 8 LCD no]>ing us ne faile. "^ BC sende. L sente. 8 ^Z> creatour. ^ CZ traitour. i n or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 121 2665 By a lettre, as je may see : " Sire, Vaspasian and Titus greten the. For grete nede we ben in wille j^ At Jerusalem * to fulfille ; Of a grete vilenye * 2670 To vengen us we most hye, For a trespas l^at is us done. fo. 37. We pray 30U, geve us leve to goon. Graunt it ' us, withouten fayntise, pat it be doon * in all wise. 2675 Hit shall the torne to profyt And to noon other maner* despit." ffe Emperour dede * him to say Nero consents. " Goth, whan je will, joure way, And on joure enemys avengeth 30U, 2680 Soo it be not ajeynes my prow." pan seide Vaspasian and Titus " Iblessed be oure Lorde Jesus ! " Als tyt ' j?ei made hem ^are In her way for to fare. 2685 Seint Clement and dame Veroyn Were full glad \z.\. * jjei shulde gone. And seide " Sire, er ]?at je goon henne ^ C Oure lust in Jerusalem. * B felonye. 8 BCLD Graunt it. A Grauntede. * B For it most be do. L It mote be don. C For hit mot be don. * LBC And to no manere {C adds of). * LBZ> sent hem to seie. C by lettre to hem can sey. ' B Also quyk. C And als blyve. Z> Also sone. ^ B oi fat ensoyne. R 122 Tttus and Vespasian ; Vespasian proclaims the Christians free from persecution, and puts them under Clement's care, Grauntej? ^ jour pees to Cristen menne. For Goddes love doo]j ^ hem to wyte 2690 pat noo man do hem ' no despite From ]7at je goon til ]?at ge come, But thurgh trespas he soffred* dome." " Perfay," ^ quod he, " }?at I graunte. And the, Clement, I shall warant, 2695 pat ]70u shalt have large commyssioun ^ For all ]?is contre and |?is toun. Alle ]5at bileven^ in God almyght My men shuU kepen by day and nyght. pou and Veroyn, bothe twayn, 2700 Ne dredeth not til I come agayn." Whan j?is was criede ]?urgh ]>\s contree, pat holden for siker it shulde be : " And, sire, kepe wel the clergye, And al j^at jjou hast in ]?i bailly. 2705 Ageyn whan I come, at certeyn terme I shall |?e and her^ state conferme ; I shall comaunde hem |7at' dwellen here 1 LCD Graunte}). A Grauntede. £ Graunt. * C doth hem to wyte. L doof hem wyte. B do him to wite. A je doon hem no wyte. £> joure wardeynes dothe hem to wyte. * D pat to hem they do. * D suffre. BL But jif he suffre harde (Z ferfore) dome. C But he therefore suffur hard dome. ^ B Maifay. LC Now mafay. Z> Mafey. * BCLD commyssioun. A condicioun. T B For alle fat lyvef. LC For alle fat leven. D That alle fat blleven. A For fat fei bileven. 8 BL f i. C all thyn astate. D I shal thi state and it conferme. 9 D that here be. > « or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 123 pat \o\x and she ' over all were. Pray for us, til we come agayn ; fo. 373. 2710 And whan we Cometh, for certayn 1 wil be cristenede right anoon, And all my men everychoon. Prey ^et for us, \zX. God us spede, And haveth now noo more drede." 2715 " Sire," he seide,* " I am now bolde. Crist' of heven \\. lif holde Right longe, |jat I it mot see. And namely til \dX ]?ou cristened be ! And elles hit were a grete rewth, 2720 Sithen 36 be in wey of trouth." " purgh Cristes holpe I hope to* goon, To doo \\% dede and come anoon. Al |5at I may I wil me rape,' So ]?at Pilat noght ascape." 2725 Anoon he dede his shippes dight, Well a thousand, I Jje plyght, With hym and with his sone alsoo. An C. thousand men and moo. Seynt Clement and dame Veroyn 2730 Toward \t see ]?ei' gan goon, Til Jjei were yshippede all. pan' Vaspasian to hym can call : 1 B ]>yne. C thyne alle evurowhere. L pat fai alle at fine honoure were. D pat fai done worshipe to hir and J>e. 2 BLD he seide. A I seide. C quod Clement. « BCL God. * C je shall gone. * C Now, quod Vaspasyan, and y wuU me shape. « B with him. CLD with hem. ■' BL And. C And then. D Than. A pat. R 2 and promises to be christened when he returns. He and Titus embark with over 100,000 men. 1 24 Titus and Vespasian ; " Blesse us, ^ sir, and lete us goon, And turae]? bothe" agayn anoon." Clement bids 2735 " Sire," he seide, " now God \q save ! them God-speed. ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^ blessyng myn ge have, And' J5e water ^at je in wende, Til |jat Crist agayn 30U seende ! " And sithen \zX. blessyng dede hem gode, 2740 To all men |jat* passede the* flode, purgh Goddes helpe and seynt Clement, Sithen ne was noo man ysent.* Here'' bygynneth the passage of Vaspasian and Titus: They drogh up seyll bifore and byhynde, fo. 38. And God hem sent ful gode wynde. In six weeks they 2745 Soo in sex wekes over j?ei comen, reach Acre, » i . a 1 • And at Acres up pei nomen. The toun wondrede what \>ex wore, And were adrad of hem ful sore. pei deden anoon as J^ei sholde ; which surrenders. 2750 Withouten strife J>e toun j^ei jolde. Vaspasianes lefte l^ere his wardeyn. And on j^e morwen \)ti * went l^ain. He went forth into J»e londe ; ^ BL Blysse us. C Now blesse us. D Blessith us. A Blesses. 2 BLD And turnef bofe. A And turnes bothe. C And turn je hom. ' C And blessyd be. * A fat J)at. 6 BCD fat flode. * B yschent. L inne shent. D shent. C Sethen have ben the fewere ishent. ^ Only A has this heading. * C went forth theyn. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 125 He slogh and brent all ])at he fonde, 2755 And dreven forth bestes, with grete route, pat }?ei founden ^ ]3eraboute. From Acres j^ei comen \q firste^ day To Japhet,' as I 30U telle may, Thg. l^y siege to And bykeston * aboute all \q toun 2760 With many a rich pavyloun. pei foghten withouten and withinne ; pere myght men seen wondres bygynne. God hem * shewede suche chaunce Agaynes her allers ' vengeance : 2765 Bothe rayn and hayll, frost and snowe. And stiff wyndes j^at loude gan blowe, Monger and thurste and grete coolde, And o|7ur evels manyfolde. And Vaspasian with all his oste 2770 Hadden joye, bothe ' lest and moste, Of weder, of gamen, grete plente ^ Of all myrthes ' j^at myghte be ; And soo he had from ^^ j^at he come Til he turnede agayn hoom. 1 B purveiede. L prayden. 2 D ferfe. B furst Fryday. 8 B Jafe)). C Jaffe. LD Japh. * B bicast. C becasten. LD bicasten. * B him sende suche a chaunce. C For there God shewyd to Vaspasyan a chance. ^ L rafer. D alther. B alleris. C And to hem that weren in the cyte gret vengeance. ^ B and murfe most. LCD wif (C all with) J)e moost. ' BL Wedir, game, and gret (Z al) plente. C Bothen of weder, of game, and all plente. * B chafers. L caces. C maner of goodys. ^^ C all way where he came. 126 Titus and Vespasian ; The defenders slay one another, all but Japhell and another knight, who surrender. Japhell becomes Vespasian's coun- sellor 2775 Vaspasian j^e sege heelde Full longe, er ]?at fiei wolde hem gelde. J?ei withinne dede swere ychoon pat f>ei ne wolde jelde hem noon For nothyng ]jat myght bifall, fo. 38^. 2780 P0U3 \€\ beten doun her wall. Vaspasian ^ swore Jjat he ne sholde pannes, unto * |je toun were jelde. Whan ]?ei withinne herde j^is oth, Everych agaynes o]?ur gooth 2785 With swerdes, speres, knyves ydrawen, Soo fat icheon o\tx slawen, pat J>ere ne lefte man ny ' wyfe, But twey knyghtes abiden on life ; Right doghty men fei were bothe, 2790 For nother was* with ojjur wroothe ; They hadde longe felawes * ben, perfore her nother ° wolde ojjur sleen. Sire Japhell, I wot, hight |jat oon ; Of jjat oJ>ur name have I noon. 2795 They golden hem^ to \& kynges socour ; He resceivede hem with grete honour. He drogh Japhell hym soo nere pat he bicome his counsellere ; And for sire Vaspasian was war 2800 pat he was sybbe to Cesar, 1 BCLD The Kynge. 2 BCLD til. ^ B childe ne wif. * L And noifer ne was. D Of hem were nei})er. '" B frendes. ^ L And noifer ne. ^ LBCD 5olden hem. A solden hym. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 127 2810 And alsoo of his owne blood, He seide hym als he understode,^ And (for he knewe wel the contree) His lodesman he bad hym be, 2805 And [he] ful gaynly^ fan lad hem Til }?ei comen to Jerusalem. He' lefte at* Jafie kepers gode To kepe Jje cite,* feelde and wode. Here I may telle 30U, as je knowen, How Jhesu ay thenkes on his owen, Biforn \& tyme oi\\% wreche" pus he gan his folke knowleche,' pat cristenede were^ in \zX. contre ; pei were warnede l^ennes to flee, 2815 Thurgh |je Holy Goost, for' |5is vengeance. But if any wolde stande to his chaunce (As somme deden, j^ei lefte stille*" All to abide Goddes wille). The Cristen flowen or" ran 2820 Anoon over fie fleem Jordan, and guide. The Christians had been warned by the Holy Ghost to flee ; fo. 39. most of them crossed the Jordan ^ C Therefore he resceyved hym as hit was good. 2 BCL wel. » BLD He. C But he. A And. * D with Jafel. * LD cuntre. ® C And how on his adversaryes he doth wrech. ^ B Thus bigan his folk to knowleche. C For all men shuld hym knowleche. * C But all the Cristen men. * C from. L fro. 1'^ B And somme dide left stille. C As sum there were that left there styll. LD As summe duden fat (Z> for they) leften stille " BCLD and. 128 Titus and Vespasian ; and took refuge at Pelham. The fall of Jaffa alarms Pilate. Archelaus comes to help him And jjere ]?ei dwellede stille^ and cam At \t castell yhoten Pelham ;* pere \&\ helden hem everychon Til jjat \q vengeance were ydoon. 2825 J?e Jewes were trappede and holden inne. For \q\ were combrede all with synne. pere nys noo gode dede unjolde, Ny no wickede be' ne shulde. poo Pilat wist jjat Jaffa was take, 2830 For tene and drede he gan to whake*; For ay he was in mychel drede, Sith Velosian from hym ^ede ; For \& wordes j^at he had spoken He wolde have ben in erthe biloken/ 2835 He was in soo grete a doute pat he sent all* aboute, And bihyght hem grete mede To come and helpe hym at is nede. Sire Archelaus cam hym to, 2840 pat Kynge of Galile was tho 1 C all in cam. B The place fer fei duelle and can. 2 B Was yhote Castel Pellan. L Was hoten fe Castel of Pellam. C In a castell was callyd Pellam. 8 B unpunysched be scholde. C ydon on mold. C has two additional lines : But that hit shall be quytt here or henne, As in holy writt me may hit kenne. * BCLD quake. ^ ^ He wolde he had in erfe bi loke. C Wherefore he wold he had be in erth loken. * B aftur men al abowte. D wide were aboute. C He send well fast and that all abowt. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 129 (Herodes sone men dede hym calle, He f>at slogh j^e children alle), With mychel dene^ and greet boost; He broght with hym a stronge oste. 2845 And for drede, I wot, alsoo All )?e contree fell hym to, And every man fled^ from home, And to Jerusalem \&\ come With wife and childe and all her fee, 2850 J7ere in sikernes for to be ; For Vaspasian and all his oste, pei slogh and brent by every coste. Pilate sente tho' his aspyes Sikerly, by fele styes, 2855 For to wyten* hym to seye Where j^ei comen, and by what weye. Archelaus and sire Pilate Riden bothe out atte gate, With her oste, her horses to prove 2860 If \t\ were to her byhove. And jet had Pilate noo grace For to fleen out of \q place The hard qued^ J?at he shulde have, J^ogh he myght hymself j^us save ; * fo. 393. with a strong host. The country people flock to Jerusalem for safety. Pilate sends out spies ; ^ B pride. "^ B fro him fle5 hom. C hym fley5 from hom. ^ A seide to. D tho sente. B sent oute. C seitd then. L sent. * ^ do. C For to loken all in gode fey. ' D meschefes. C And from the sorow that. B He harde what. ^ B And jit he myjt noujt himself save. C And sit he myjt then hymself have save. S 130 Titus and Vespasian ; their report terrifies him, but Archelaus bids him take courage, 2865 For los^ is better, as it is founde, In wode^ j?an in toun ybounde. And soo ferde' he by this tresoun,* Whan he fledde agayn to toun. But God wolde not J?at he shulde scape, 2870 But to his bale for to rape ; For he had hym space ylent, Fourty jere, to amendement. I^an come his aspies hoom, And tolde hym* wel |?at j^ei come, 2875 pe moost folke* \>zt ever \>ti seye. pan was Pilat in grete affray, poo seide ]>& Kynge Archelaus " Sire, jjou art maister of us. I rede |?e, sire, be bolde ynogh, 2880 For I dar make ]>t \>\s. avowe, pat )70u shalt be soo wel bifom Of men, of vitailles and of come, pat nothynge shall faille the ; And her^ borwe dar I wel be 2885 pat l^ei ben oures every man. So mykell I the telle can: Nothynge but holde us^ stille And lete hem comen at her wille. fo. 40. ^ B ofte. C lows. LD loos. "^ B In wodde to ben. ■* B ferde nojt he. * LB CD resoun. ' LD hym. A hem. B him al where for})e \t\ come. 6 C With the grettest ost. ' BL hereof. C And for thys dar y ryjt well be. * B fee. L fee al. C we us. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 131 For fresshe water is Jjere noon 2890 From hennes to^ ]?e fleem Jordan; For if thei wil hemselfe save Water fresshe j^ei most have, And whan fei seyen ]?ere nys noon Hoom agayn j?ei most^ goon, 2895 For ]?ei am' nothynge ware. Alle* jje lasse it is oure care. And if fiei turne ones }>e bak pei ben oures, all \q pak. Hit is all* for |ie prophetes sake, 2900 pe sorwe for hym° ]?at f>ei doo make. They shuU with shame turne agayn, For Jjei worchen all in vayn." And whan he had is wille^ \\x% tolde. Over \q wall j^ei gan byholde ; 2905 And all j?e feelde and eke \q fen pei seye bicast aboute* with men. With her baners brode yspred, J?at all \q citee was adred. In every wyndowe l^ei hem° biholde, 2910 Anoon her hertes bigan" to coolde, for the enemy can do nothing with- out water. Panic in the city. ^ Z pan is. CD No nere then. B Than hens to. 2 L moten. B mote. D moste nedes. C wollen. ^ B ben ferof nojt ware. L aren noujth of fat yware. C are not thereof yware. D beth noujt therof war. LB perfore. C And therefore. LBCD omit it. L I woot it is. LBC Al fe sorouj. B taile. * BLD with hors and men. * BLD hem. C on hem. A hym. *" B wexed colde. C woxen cold. S 2 132 Titus and Vespasian ; The siege begins, thirty-four years after the death of Christ, on Easter-day. Vespasian bids Japhell see to the needs of the army. And aukeward^ her belles roonge. fJere was houthest of many a tonge ; With horn and mouth \t\ crieden out, pe oste bicast the toun aboute.^ 29 1 5 pat was four and xxx*' gere Aftur ]jat Jhesus dyede here. Withinne J^ei maden sorwe and care ; Withouten,' joye and mychell fare. Withinne her handes j?ei gan wrynge ; 2920 And j^ei withouten loude synge. On Paske* day ]?e seege bigan, As ]?e story me telle can. Vaspasian was tho ful blithe ; fo. 40^. He pyght his pavelon als swithe. 2925 And whan ]?ei were pight"* everychon He sent aftur sire Japhel anoon. He seide " Japhell, I wil the telle, Right here we mot nedes dwelle. Til we have wonne \\% citee, 2930 And have all ]?at |)ereinne be. What is to doon best j^ou wost, For J)ou knowest j^is contree moost.'' perfore, sire, I \t preye pat f)ou take anoon )?e weye, 2935 All aboute f»is ilke citee, To ordeigne for myn oste and me, 1 B afturwardes. "^ B When fe toun was biseged al aboute. ^ L Wijjoute fai maden. C And withoute was made joy and good fare. * D Ester. * L ri^th. * L cost. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 133 And loke and caste wat we have nede Of alia thinges ]jat may us spade." Japhell rydeth by every coost 2940 To ordeigne in' araye \q oost. Aboute \& toun sette J>ei^ engynes, To destruyan all' her wynes ; And ofte to fia toun Jjei caste And shete with bowes and alblaste,* 2945 With tarbarelx* and with wildefyre, With stafslynges and with o]?ur atyre ; Sonder weyes to hym men made slye,* And berflFreys^ to risen on hye, pat J>ei myght seen into * f^e toun 2950 What men dede up ° and doun, Men of armes |7ereinne to stande, To fighten with hem hand by hande ; Laddres of lether and of corde rounde '" From J7e corners " to j?e grounda ; '* 2955 And maistres j?er were full slye of" keste, 1 LBCD and. 2 Zhe. ^ B here wyfer wynes. L her wife wynes. C all thilk lyther wynus. D therewith here vynes. * BCLD arblast. * C taberellys. LD terbarels. B tarbarell. * BLD Sowis to myne (Z mynen) men made (Z maden, Z> made ful) sleie. C And sowes to moyn they made sly. ' B borfreies. C borefreys. LD borfreys. ' Z enviroun. 9 Z in fe toun. ^* LBC omit rounde. " LD kirnels. B kemell. C To rech from the top doun. i« Z.ffCsworde. i» BCL to. Various engines of war are set up against the city J 134 Titus and Vespasian ; but the defenders have no fear until the suburbs are rased to the ground. To kepen Jje spryngals of ^ ]>& beste ; And many ano]?ur quaynt engyne To shenden * hem )?at were withinne. Nevertheles, for all ]?is woo, 2960 Hit was wel lange er it were doo. Of all ]?e saute ' ]?at was without pei withinne ne had noo doute, fJe citee was soo large withinne J7at hem ne drede * noo maner gynne ; 2665 For to hem ne raght no cast, But of quarell and of alblast,* Til all ]>e subarbes of j^e toun To Jje grounde were cast adoun, And swept all clene over all 2970 Into' ]?e bare toun wall ; pan bigan her woo withinne, And her folke ^ fast to thynne. jet last jje seege seven jere, With michel drede and grete awere,^ 2975 For all j^at Goddes^" men myght doo, But for to lengthe her pyne soo." C sheden. DC ^s assaute. D dredde. BC dradde. fo. 41. 1 B atte. 2 LD slen. 8 L f'assaut. * L dredef. D dredde. BC dradde. A derede. * B engyne. ^ Z> arblast. BC But fe quarel of J>e arblast L Bot onlich querel of arblast. T C Even to. LD Unto. » BCLD folke. A foly. 9 BCD were. 1* D For al fe strengfe. 1^ B Thei dide to lenfe here peynes fo. C But that was to length heore peynus so. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. ^35 IJoo Japhel had doon, he come agayn. " My lorde," he seide, "I^ wil the sayn, Thurgh* Jjin oste, by Cristes myght, 2980 pi men ben alle wel ydight ; But of 00 thyng I have grete jjoght, For water fressh ne have we noght. But I have cast by my skyle Where to fecche ' it and je wil." 2985 pan seyde Vaspasian hym too " Alsoo |70U wilt, I * wyl right soo." " Sire," quod Japhell, " }?is is my reed, How men shull oure water leede ; For fressh water nere nys noon, 2990 pan hennes to \q fleem Jordan. For[|7i]* we shull slee oure pray, pat we tooke by the way. Horses, asses,° oxen and kyne, Mules, cameles and grete swyne ; 2995 Many a thousand we have ybroght. Of hem, I telle 30U, in my thoght, I shall doon sewen \& hydes fast With stronge seemes, Jjat wil last, And doo sowden^ every skyn, 3000 For to lede oure water in. Of somme we shull bulges* make, Japhell reports the want of water, and plans an aqueduct of beasts' skins from Jordan fo. 4 1 5. ^ B fai wol fee sle. 2 B But al. ^ L fatten. C fett. * C so wull y do. L\ wil do. D I wele it be do. » LD Forfi. B Therefore. C Wherefor. ^ LBD assen. C Bothen hors and asse. ^ B sewe. C sowen. * B fonges. C bryggys. 136 Titus and Vespasian ; And somme skynnes we shull take, to the Vale of And overcasten all \q vale Of Josophat, J>at depe dale, 3005 And l^us in her^ valey we shall fonde To doon oure watur to^ withstonde. Foure hundreth somers,* if I may, Shull fecche us water every day, Alwey til \q valey be hilde 3010 And with our^ water soo fulfilde." His plan is And whan he had seyde alle sone He lefte^ not til hit were done. He let make pipes many oon In every side, out for to goon 3015 The olde water J)at was astonde. ^ J)er come ay newe to her hande ; pat fiurgh pe oste eche man and best Had ynogh, both mest and lest. This come hym of a nobell wyt, 3020 To do water stande withouten pyt. Thurgh ordeynance gode and wys Make men ofte to wynne \& prys.^ But all was doon with Goddes wille, For to make \& Jewes spille. 3025 poo \&\ withinne \& water sawe ^ B Over f e semes for to rake. 2 LBD fe. C that {om. in). ' L for to stonde. C Therein oure watur all for to stond. * L men. ^ B fresche. « Cstynt. ^ C Mony a mon so wynneth the prys. L omits II. 3021-2. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. Stonden soo fulle in I>at lowe, Mikel wonder was hem amonge u/ How jje water fjere outspronge. r/. J?ei ran to Pilate and hym tolde ; 3030 And he went >ider to byholde, And with hym went Archelaus fo. 42. And f.e gode clerc Josephus. J7an seide^ J^ei all thre n'r " Whethen* may j)is water be ? " 3035 t'an spake jjis maister Josephus : " Messias he is wroth with us. J?ei have is helpe, I am wel ware. For late now was f)is place bare ; Of fressh water nere was noon, 3040 ]?an is the fleem of Jordan.' I not* whennes it cometh, ny how, But ]jurgh \t prophetes vertewe." {•an unswarede sire Archelaus Anoon to sire Pilatus : 3045 " Sire," he seyde, " be not aferd For noght jjou hast seide' ny herd, But kepe j^e in jjis citee stille. And \on shalt have all \\ wille." And as \ti stode and out byhelde, 3050 Vaspasian stode there in the felde. He sogh hem on the walles goon ^ LC And J)an seiden. J Z/? Whennes. ^ When. C Of whenever. B Than hens to flom Jordone. LD pan hennes to fe Hum Jordon. C Save this now fro hen to flem Jordan. * BL ne wote. ^ L ysen. B se. T 137 The defenders wonder at the water in the valley. Josephus says it is a miracle of Messias. threatens Pilate 138 ' ^ Titus and Vespasian; Up and doun full gode woon; '^ And sire Japhell stode hym by, A Velocian And sire Velosian witerly/ o^Ae'Sr ^'^ 3055 pat of Pilate was sounest war How ]7at he his mace bare Over his werkemen |5at wroghten And \t walles fiorghout soghten. Tho seide Velosian " Sire, I see 3060 pat is* Pilate, soo )?enketh me. Speketh to hym, sire, I )?e pray, For to assayen' what he wil say." Vespasian^^ Vaspasian lokede* up to j^e wall. And to Pilate he gan call: 3065 " pou Pilate," he seide, "speke with me. I am Jji lorde, as j^ou may see; And j^at I shall doo'* \& for to knowe, fo. 42^. If ]jat I may liven a* throwe. Loke out, traitour, with j^in eye, 3070 And aknowe' \\ vilenye,** And all j^at ^^iself has doon * Agaynes Jhesu and hisen^° ychone; ' D sikerly. 2 Z ponder. C That jondur is. 3 B For to wite. C And let here. * D gothe. * LB fee make aknowe {B knowe). C make the know. « B any frowe. C a lytell throw. ' BD be aknowe (Z? aknowen) of. C be aknowys now of. Z be aknowe. * LBCD felonye. 9 LBD And {B OQ al fe yvel fat fou hast don. C As of all the evyll thu hast ydone. " LB us. C his disciplis. D his men. i or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 139 And alsoo \on dedest' us outrage To withholden oure truage. 3075 For' |jou art Jesus traitour and myn j?ou shalt have J7e more pyne." ^et was not sire Vaspasian Pilates lorde, ny he his man ; But soo he dede' to maken hym' dred, 3080 If he myght |7e better have sped. Nevertheles for siker in* ))at gere Pilat come into his daungere. Pilate ne unswared right noght. He was agrevede" in his thoght. . .'] 3085 And Vaspasian was grevede Jjo {(at he nolde not speke hym to. l^oo seide Vaspasian jjus To \q Kynge Archelaus: " By all fpinges^ >ou art forsworn; '"^ ''"■''''''"^• 3090 J?i fader Heraud also biforn. t'ou aghtest better to be with me i?an l^erinne, fere' I the see. Vy fader dyede in sorwe ynogh, For he all jje children" slogh 3095 Whan Jesus Crist here was born; For he wolde hym have forlorn. And ]?ou art soo now in wille 1 LBCD doost. 2 LC And for. » LB seide. * LBCD hym. A hem. "^'^ ^"^- '^ ' * C withyn few jere. ~- « B sory. Z graved. Z> so graved ^ C chyldern of Badlem. T 2 140 Titus and Vespasian ; piself j^erinne for^ to spille. J?i fader diede in peyne stronge ; 3100 And so shalt J^ou, er oght longe, Be Jjou and Pilate not" ful bolde. pat I have seide, I wil hit holde." But all J^at he seide, Jiei toke it in vayn, fo. 43. And Vaspasian tho' went agayn. 3105 Archelaus seide to sire Pilate " pis Kynge, to us he hath grete hate." " je," quod Pilate to Archelaus, " Hit semeth he wil be wreken on us. To be fel hym cometh of kynde,* 31 10 And |?at, I drede, we shul fynde. He is of Cesar" kynde, I wys ; Of f»e more felonye® he is. And |jat he bihoteth, he wil byholde.' He wil not leve* for hoot ny colde." Archelaus bids 3 1 1 5 Quod Archelaus " Ne have noo drede ! fear ^^^ "° Michell is bytwen worde and dede. pis holde is stronge ynogh aboute. pogh he us threte, jet is he oute. Make he nevere soo mykel adone,® 3 1 20 jet cometh he not in soo sone. ^ C Thy body and soule also. L piselven also for. "^ BC never so bolde. LD now ful bolde. 8 C to his pavylon went ageyn. * C And he is cruwell, hit comyth hym of kynd. ' B Sesaris. CD Cesares. * LBD felonye. A Veloyne {sic). C foly. ' LBCD holde. « B lete. L leten {pm. for). 9 LB to done. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 141 But goo we to |?e wall agayn, 1 And doo j^ou as I shall \q sayn : Take up a flour upon |?e wall, and defy And to Vaspasian fast call, 3125 And sey to hym, ]jat' all isee : \ ' Batayll, sire, I wage to {^e.' " Sire Pilat went^ with hert glad. And dede as Archelaus hym bad. poo he had seide what he wolde, 3130 Vaspasian gan' to byholde. And seide " Pilate, I* hit take. pis wed* nyl I not forsake. Such a shame I bihote }je, pat jjou shall dyen but' ]jou flee. 3135 Sorwe have he, j^at 30U spare ! Myn engynours,' make 30U jare ! Vespasian urges Kythes nowe all« \^.t ^e beth myne, fo. 43^. °" ^'' engineers. For Jesus love to doon hem pyne. Loketh jjat f>ei ne have noo rest, 3140 And lete now Pilate doon his best : 1 B fat al my^t se. Z })at alia it see. C all in seurete. 2 LBD 5ede. C jode forth. ' B gan fo to him holde. LD gan hym biholde. C bygan hym to byhold. * .5 fat I it take. C that woll I fayn undertake. » B Thi worde. C And that batell. ^ B ofer fie. C or thu shalt fle. ■no t;< ii-.i • L bote fou flee. AD er fou flee. ^ LBD engynes. C enjuynours. * B Kythe alle men. C And kytheth all. D Kifes nowe je alle. L And 5ee knijttes fat ben myne. 142 Titus and Vespasian ; For, soo^ Jhesu Crist me save, I shall not leve^ til I hym have, If God wil grante me lif jjerto." And all his freendes seiden alsoo : 3145 " Be J?ei^ withinne nevere soo stronge, l?at we ne shull dwelle also longe* Til we have wreken ^e grete wronge J^at Jesu soffrede hem^ amonge." He comandet to trompen anoon, 3150 To arme is men everychoon. Into fe toun }jei shoten and cast, And slowen men withinne fast. pei foghten soo til hit was nyght, JJat hem wantede* dales lighte. A prophet is 3155 [And happeliche a quarel droug] ' shot in the street. And a pore* knave it slogh, pat went^ and pleide in the strete ; And he was holden a prophete Of all ]>t Jewes of j?e lawe, 3160 For many wondres, for^" many sawe. ^ A soo soo. 2 B late. C stynt. L Wynne. 8 LB see. * L We shuUen dwellen her so longe. B We schuUe duelle also longe. C We nyll not leve for alle heore throng. C puts this line, after 11. 3147-8. » LB 50U. ® B failed. D And slowen and wounded fe peple aplijt. '' So B. L hapfullich. D they drouj. C And happyly one a quarell drough. * L pynner knave. C pore knave therewith he slough. 9 LBCD sede. ^° LB and. D and for. C that they there saw. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 143 Vaspasian hem longe assailede, But litell get it hym availlede. '^ ii^l Nevertheles mony of hem jjei^ slogh, And deden withinne sorwe ynogh. 3165 Hit was withinne fie fifte'' jere ; From Rome Jjere cam a messager, Als he' at J?e sege lay At jjat tyme, ajeynes his pay,* And broght worde to Vaspasian 3170 fat Nero was deed, |?e cursede man, pat was Emperour of Rome : " And all her counseill Jjei* have nome. Upon J5e, sire, is gyven |?e dome }3at f>ou most nedes j^ider come ;" 3175 For all Jjei have chosen the For to here the dignitee. Sire, take not jjis' worde in vayn, For ]?ou most* wende and come agayn." He went hym forth, lyst' hym not shone, 3180 And lefte j?ere stille Titus his sone. 1 BCL he. 2 B furst. C fyrst. ^ Z As Vaspasyan. D As he forsothe. * C To stryen hem fat Jhesu had slay. " L fere is nome. C omits II. 3172-3. In B, II. 3172-4 are : And apon 50U5 is jeve fis dome, je most nedes home come, For here counceil fei have ynome. ^ C And fu most nede, he seyde, come home. ^ LBC )'is sonde. D these wordes. 8 BCL my^t. ^ B and wolde noujt schone. C and nold not shon. In the fifth year of the siege comes news from Rome of Nero's death. fo. 44. and of Vespasian's election as Emperor. Vespasian leaves Titus in command. 144 Titus and Vespasian ; Titus falls ill with joy- Vespasian is crowned at Rome, and returns to Jerusalem. Suche joye gan Titus to undertake, ^ pat hym toke a cardiake, For his fader[s] ^ grete honour, pat he" shulde ben Emperour. 3185 With overdoon joye cometh j^at woo ; With overdoon sorwe it most goo, As ge mown heren in a stounde, pare Josephus sithen was founded Whan all ])oo l^at were in Rome 3190 Wyst of* Vaspasianes come, pei riden and ran hym agayn, Kyng," erle, baron, knyght and swayn. pei coronede hym J^ere Emperour With solace, fest, and grete honour. 3195 pei coronede hym, in his palays, In the gyse ® of Sarazenys ; ^ But afturward seint Clement Confermede his coronement. He gladede^ his freendes everychon. 3200 To Jerusalem he went anoon. For hym f oght ful longe at Rome, Til }jat he were agayn ycome. And soo he dede, I telle it Jje, 1 LBD faders. C And that was for the gret honoure. 2 C his fader. 8 C How ))at Josophus hym helyd hoU and sond. ' £D fat Vaspasian was ycome. 5 LCD Kyng. A Knyght. £ Erles, barouns, kny^tes and swayn. * C After the maner. 1 B Sarasynes. L Sarsyneys. C the Sarzenys. D the Sarsyneys. * L And to gladen. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 145 With hidous oste and grete plente.' 3205 Hereth now, lordinges efte, For I mot telle j^ere y lefte, Of J>e knave, the prophete, J^at was slayn in \e strete. poo Jacob of jjis knave herde 3210 Unto Pilate anoon he ferde. " Sire," he seide, " now is bifalle (I wene we shall seen it alle) Jr'at \\?. Jew^ seide us to, Thrytty ' wynter gon and moo, 3215 J^at Jjis citee shulde be lorn, And all |5at Jjerinne were born. For now I wot hymself is slawe, Wei \& better I leve * his sawe. I rede \o\x doo, sire, after me, 3220 And geelde up swythe )?is citee ; For ever j?e lenger J^at we abide t)e more shame us wil bitide." pis was Jacob, jje gode man, pat herbared * sire Velosian, 3225 As hit telleth herebifore. But Pilate was agrevede sore. And seide " On \t I shall be wroken For \t wordes fiat j^ou hast spoken ; fo. 44^. Jacob tells Pilate that the dead prophet foretold the destruction of the city, and advises him to surrender. Pilate is enraged, 1 B With mur))e gret plente. C And that with another hydous est in verite. L Wi}) hydous poeple gret plente. D With a greet hoste with solempnite. LBCD J)is Jew. A fese Jewes. BCD Twenty. C beleve. LD herberewed. B herberwed. C herbarowd. U 146 Titus and Vespasian ; For thurgh \q counseill of hym ' and \q 3230 I leve J^at all J'is sorwe be. Velosian and ]50u, J>at gere, ge kesten ^ )>is, Jjoo he was here. He spake to me woordes smerte ; J)ei comen not sithen out of myn herte. 3235 And if I may, I shall j^e sette pat* nevere freende ne shall ]?e fette." and casts Jacob He dede fetren hym ful fast, And in such a stede * hym cast, And swore he shulde j^ere lye 3240 Withouten mete til |?at he dye ; And in ]?at ilke foule dongeon pere he lay sperede ^ in prison. Mary prays for Whan Mary his doghter hit wist, pat she hir owne fader myste, 3245 Anoon she seide \\% oresoun To Jesu Crist, Goddes sone : " Lorde," she seide, " now here me, If hit, Lorde, thy wille be. Als wys* as I the soghte fo. 45. 3250 With \2X oynement \2X I broght Until \\ toumbe, Jjere \ow lay : If hit were until \\ pay pat ich dede j^at ilke dede, Hereth me now at \\% nede. ' BCL omit hym and. 2 LCD Casten. B Caste. » LBD pere. C Thereas. * B And in a stede foule. C And into a prevy preson. * L sperred. C sparryd. B in gret prisoun. " Z> As wisly. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 147 3255 t)ou helpe my fader als wys Out of ]?e sorwe f>at he inne is ; And als wys as he lovede ]?e, I prey J^at he unbounden be." Whan she had seide \\s, oresoun, 3260 God sent anoon an aungell doun, An angel sets him And* come to Jacob, Jjere he seete,^ pat' for sorwe sore* gan grete. "Jacob," he seide, "come with me. My Lorde wil )7at it soo be. 3265 Take to ]?e comfort and solace, And thanke Jesu of his grace." He toke hym out of j^at prisoun, And ledde hym forthe without jje toun, and leads him And bad he shulde noo man drede : 3270 " Goo/ farewel, there God \t spede."* Tho Jacob jjanked God anoon, J^at he felde'' hym louse to goon, Faire on knees, with bothe honde, pat lousede hym out of is bonde. 3275 Toward J?e oste he toke is way, Soo l^at Velosian hym sav, He is welcomed And seide " Sire Emperour, I see ""^ ^'^°"^"' Jacob my freend, as semeth me. Now, sire, I wot it is he right, 1 Z pat. 2 L satt. B sette. C sete. D dide sete. J, 3 L And. j * L sore gratt. B sore wepte. C full sore dede grete. \ '" B Go, farewel, he seide, God fee lede. ;■ C And seyd, Farewell, now God the lede. I ^ C had made. LD feled. U 2 148 Titus and Vespasian ; 3280 Ithanked it to God almyght.'" J?ei welcomede hym faire and well, And of his fare askede everydell ; And he anoon hem tolde j^e case, Of the Jewes how it was, 3285 And how he was doon in prisoun, And how he cam out of jje toun. fo. 45*^. pei thanked God all^ ]?e wise, pat soo l^enketh upon' hise. Tho seide Velosian to Jacob right 3290 " Sire, wost jjou what I the bihight, At nede jjat I shulde be \\ freende, As I shulde hoomward wende,* Whan jje Jewes her tales tolde How Jesu \t\. slogh and soolde? 3295 As \&\ be worthy, ]7ei shull have. No kynnes tresour^ shall hem save. We owe® to doon J)e grete honour. And namely my lorde \t Emperour (Thurgh' Goddes helpe and counseill j?in * B Thanked be now God almyjt. CD Ithanked be God full of myjt. Z Yfonked be it God almijth. 2 LBD as ])e wyse. C full tenderly then. ' C on his men. ■* B Whan I wolde homward wende. C When that y horn from the dede wende. '' B For no tresour ne. LD No maner tresore. C per shall no tresure from sorow hem save. « Z> I oujte. BL I owe fee evermore (Z evere to) honour. C And y oujt ever outwardly the honoure. "^ LC For forouj. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 149 3300 He is askapede mychel pyne), As on my bihalf I thanke the For greet honour ]?ou dedest to me. If my lord were helede, I \)e. hight To brynge hym hider with michel myght. 3305 Loke hym* here, as }jou hym bad. Sire, thanke Jacob and make hym glad,' For ]jou art gretely holden ]?erto." I plyght* )?e Emperour dede alsoo: He seide "Jacob, }?ou getest* honour, 3310 And Y'^ Jewes sorwe ful sour, I see hem falleth" michel shame t)at Jjus bilokede^ Goddes grame. God is with us, and hem agayn ; All ]5at \>e\ doon, it is in vayn 3315 (Such is myn hope and myn bihest*). Heres is |?e travaill, oures is |?e rest." The Emperour of hym was glad. And preide Jacob and hym bad and received with honour by Vespasian. 1 Z On my syde also. B On myn half also. Z> And also on my syde. C And on my syde. 2 B Loke he is. C And lo hym. LI> Loo hym. ^ C The which shall make thyne hert full glad. C has then two additional lines : This is Jacob, lo syre, that is here. Now gode syre, y pray yew, maketh hym chere. * Z I plisth 30U. D Certes. B I telle 50W forsofe he dide so. C And then the Emperoure dyde ry^t so. ^ C shalt have. « C And hem shall fall full. ' B For hem is loked. Z pat be loked. C And eken they ben loken in. £) And thus byloked. * BC trust. LD trest. ISO Titus and Vespasian ; He advises Vespasian to make a ditch round the city ; Vespasian agrees, and bids him oversee it. pat he tolde* hym som resoun 3320 How he myghte best wynne \q. toun. " Forsothe,'' quod Jacob, " and I shall. Doo^ make a diche aboute ]7e wall, • Soo |?at noo man away ne flee fo. But if all J7e' est hym see ; 3325 And do hit palace* by the brynke Right hegh and stronge in all J'inge.^ I wil myself f>erover° be Til hit be doon, I bihete it )je. Fyndeth me werkemen and cost ]?erto/ 3330 I shall not leven til it be doo." The Emperour seide "Graunt' mercy, I graunte it ]5e, wel sikerly, All ]?inges ]?at ]?ou wilt have ;" Tymber, water, man and knave." 3335 t'^ri \q Emperour sende is sonde For dikers^" purghout l?at londe, And bade geve everiche to his pay Foure pens upon the day ; Every maister twey shelynges had. 46. 1 B schulde him seie. C shuld tell hym. 2 CLeteth. ' D oure. * B And fan ypaleisid. L And do it palicer^. C And maketh a palyes. D And do it palice so stronge aboute. ^ 2? It shal be large and hije forujoute. * C hit overese. ^ B omits II. 3329-30. * C Gramercy. 9 C And all thynk thereto thu shalt have. 10 Cdychars. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 151 3340 So he comandet and bad. Whan \& dike was made everydel, Hit paide^ j^e Emperour ful wel. Alsoo Jacob dede ]?an make Tvvey charnelx' for ]?e ostes sake, 3345 For to bury' hem in j^at stede All }7e folke J?at ]:ere were dede, pat [t]he quike dyede not* for hem. And soo \t\ dede in Jerusalem ; Nevertheles J^ere were charnelx two 3350 In middes f»e citee alsoo. But Jjan* J?e Jewes lokede out, And sawe j^e diche made hem aboute, Wel mychel sorwe he* myght have seen, Whoso had withinne ben. 3355 Anoon jje Jewes everichone Token her reed what to done. purgh \t counseill of Archelaus, Barabas, and eke Josephus, They seiden to Pilate her avys : fo. /\bb. 3360 " For us is fairere and more pris^ To fighten with hem j?erout, P gesse, pan for to ben® here in distresse. Jacob also makes two charnels for the dead. Dismay of the Jews on seeing the ditch. Archelaus, Barabas, and Josephus advise a sortie. 1 B Hit praiede. C He plesyd. L It liked. D Certes it plesed. LBD charnels. C charnell. EC hide. L hiden. D burne. A and not. LBC for stynk of hem. C when. Z ])ai. BD men. C je. '' CD of pris. * Bm gresse. C as I gesse. L we gesse. ^ B ligge. C lyggen. LD lyen. 152 Titus and Vespasian ; Pilate sallies out by night, but is driven back with great loss ; Josephus is wounded. Fairer it is for us on^ hem dye'' pan here as cowardes for to lye." 3365 J7ei putten plankes overe the dike AUe by nyght ful privelike. Pilate anoon dede hym out With XXX." thousand in a route And L. thousand men on fote 3370 To helpen hym ]?e toun to bote.' pere was swithe stronge metyng,* With speres and swerdes kene kervyng,* As we in story of hem rede. On either party greet^ folk was dede, 3375 Ac' with ]?e Emperour \t felde bylefte. Fourtene* thousand he° hym byrefte ; All \t opur j?ei made to flee^" Agayn hoom to her citee. And all }?e whiles ]?at \€\ foghte 3380 God lengthede ]?e day, as hem" thoght. Maister Josaphus was woundet^^ ]?ore. 1 B amonge. 2 LB CD to dye. -' B Him to help Jjer come to bote. ^ L omits II. 3371-4. '" CD bytyng. 6 B moche. C ful myke. ' D But. C Natheles with the emperoure the bettur was left. 8 BCD Fourty. 9 ^ of hem he reft. L fat he hem rafte. C Jewys of hem were byraft. D he hem byreft. 10 BL Alle fei dide (Z duden) hem for to fle. CD And all that (Z> the) other deden hem to fle. 11 C oure men. 12 B J>er ywounded sore. Z wounded sore. C woundyd there full sore. [ or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 153 pat noble clerc, swithe^ soore. He couth moost, in dede and sawe, Of all Jjat fel to'* Jewes lawe. 3385 But oon thyng wel helpe hym than, J)at he was a prive Cristen man, And for his kynde was not soo,' perfore was hym wonder woo ; pere^ often he hem bysoght, 3390 But f^erof, I wot, ne sped he noght. Whan f>ese ^ Jewes seyen \\% fare, pan had \€\ sorwe and grete care pat \t\ soo overcomen were ; And alsoo such hanger hem gan dere Famine in the 3395 That |5e stronge the febell ete, fo. 47. " ^ ' The gres,° the erthe' under her fete. And her owne donge alsoo. Hors and hounde jjci lete noon goo,^ Ni other best jjat ran on fete,* ' B was and gret of lore. L and wijs of lore. C that was so wys of lore. 2 B Of alle fat were of fe. C Of all the men of the. L fat weren in. * C pat harm for his kyndenes he had tho. * L pereof. D Therfore. C And of licens. B omits II. 3389-90. C adds two lines more after I. 3390 : That he myjt awey have stert, That he with hem had caujt none smert. ^ BOLD the citezeyns. * D The gras. BL je and. C And allso. ^ B fen. * D Hors, hounde, cat ne lete fai go. C Ne hors ne hound sparyd they tho. * B Hors, bestes, rote, ne gras. C Ny ofer bestys, ne rote, nere gras. L Ne ofere beest, ne rote, ne gres. 154 Titus and Vespasian ; parents eat children, sisters eat brothers. Story of Mary, a rich lady. who had come to Jerusalem to visit her friend Clarice : 3400 And ychon bi lote ojjer^ ete. Whan two gere were all agoo, I?at to ]?e seege^ gan come l^is woo, purghout l^e toun bigan to faille Of all manere of vitaille, 3405 Soo jjat ]?e strengre slogh' o\tx ; pe fader j?e sone, systour \& brother ; Men and wymmen her children ete, And yche man oj^er* by every strete. A riche lady of J^at contre, 3410 Of large landes and eke of fee (Mary she hight sikerly, A Cristen womman prively). She had acoyntance in Jerusalem, And l^erfore she j^ider cam : 3415 A gode lavedy j^at"* she dede knowe, With whom' she thoght to dwell a throwe. Dame Clary' was J?e wommanes name, Of gode vertues, of* holy fame. pei liveden J^ere togeder longe, 3420 Til* ]?is woo bifell soo stronge. 0|:er werk couthe \t\ noon werke 1 B o)jer chas. Z o)>er ches. C to eten othur ches. - B Thorw Jje sege. L pat ))e sege bigan. C Among hem all there com more woo. •' BCLD robbed. * BCL ete ofere. •' BLD pat. A and. C To a full gode lady that sheo dede know. '^ B hure. C heore. ' LBD Clarice. C Claryce. 8 LB A womman of ful {B wel). C Sheo was a womon of. 3 Z Bot whan. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. But dwellande' mychel in holy chirche' And ligge^ >ere in afflictiones, In penance and in oresones ; 3425 Soo hit byfell, what more or* lesse, iPti were bothe broght in grete distresse ; For defaut of mete and drynke I'ei dyen moost' of alle thynge, Hem ne was noo liflode left, 3430 But all forrobbet and forrefte.« This Mary had a doghtur dere, fo. 47^. J?at for hunger dyede }?ere, For whom she made michel sorwe, Bothe on even and on morwe. 3435 Hemseir soo grete honger had ^^ i^at wel negh honger made hem mad.« " Ete we now jjis childe anoon For the hongre l^at is us on." " Nay," quod Mary, " J,at wil I noght. 3440 Er wolde I dye in my thoght.' Our Lorde God, )7at is soo hende, Of his grace he may us sende. Be we not for Jiis sory I^" 155 Mary's daughter dies of hunger ; Clarice suggests that they eat the child ; Mary will not hear of it, C dwelden. LD duellen. 1 £ dwelle. ^ Ckyrke. * Z lyen. * B what. CD and. BCDL That deie ])ei most. *; C But from all good they were byrafft. D These ladies. « f n^^ That dame Clarice to {L omits to) Mary bad. B Deie I wolde or it come in my fougt. C I wold rathyre dye then I hit thou^t. L I wolde dyen ar I it bouxth. '" BCDL to sory. X 2 156 Titus and Vespasian ; until an angel bids her to do it, to fulfil the prophecy. They roast the child. The smell reaches Pilate, Hit stande us to^ purgatory. 3445 Soo shall all, jjat wel bileve, pat noo woo ne shall hem greve." In \>\s talkyng right as |)ei sat, Jesu Crist hem noght forgat. An aungell come from haven shene, 3450 As God hym sent hem bitwene, And seide to hem " Leteth |jis strife. All ]?at je may, holde ge joure life. Mary, loke ]?at l^ou doo As Clarice here seide j^e to. 3455 God wil it soo, er j^an ge dye, To fulfillen the prophecie pat speketh of j^is, by wey and strete pat wymmen shulde her children ete. Gryccheth* je noght to fulfille 3460 All \)dX is to Goddes wille. pogh je dyen in )?is nede, Heven blisse shall be jour mede." Whan \>e aungell had speke ]5is sawe, Agayn to heven he gan hym drawe. 3465 pei put fie childe upon a spite Agaynes a fuyre to roosten hit. And deden als )?is aungell hem bad ; They ete ferof, and made hem glad. As Pilate sat in his tour, 3470 Of roost he had a grete savour. fo. 48. ^ B Hit mai us stonde in. C For hit may stond us as fore. LD It may stonde us to {D to cure). 2 LBB Grucchef. C gruchith. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 157 Whare it was anoon was ^ soght ; He bad hit shulde be to hym broght. pei went and fonde where it was, And come and tolde hym all f^e caas, 3475 And whan fiei had tolde hym f>is sawe," l7an was Pilate nothyng fawe. And then' |7e Jewes j^ider ronne, and his servants TT 1- J4 ^1 ■> seize the horrid Upon his erand they bygonne, repast. And her liflode bare hem froo.° 3480 pan jjese wymmen had mych woo, And bilefte in mychel drede. For noo more store J»ei ne had at nede. But Pilat ne had hunger noon, pogh his* vitailes were all goon, » B^i. Che. * B transposes II. 3475-6. 3 C then. BD J>o. A thoujt. L And fe Jewes fat fider dede rome. * D To han here pray. C For that tydyng that they here conn. L pe wommans chyld fei hem benome (over an erasure, in another hand). ^ In B, II. 3479-82 are : The wymmen hungred and were ful wo That J>ei here Hflode bare hem fro. For fis sijt J>ei were in drede, That J)ei dide fis lufer dede. In C: To that women hastely con they go And heore lyflode they here hem fro. And then these sely women were in gret drede Lest J)ey shuld be desesyd for that dede. In L : pe wymmen hadde sorwe and meche woo For her lyflode fai beren hem froo. And for fis sisth fai weren in drede pat fai duden fat wicked dede. ^ B here. C heore. 158 Titus and Vespasian ; The rich stay their hunger with precious stones. Pilate bids the people not to eat their children, but gold and silver ; 3485 Ny noon of \t, ojjur grete, pogh jje pore dyeden for^ mete ; For they had \q noble stones Of vertu upon hem for ]?e nones, [For whenever on hem they deden loke 3490 Heore lyst was fyllyd, as seyth the boke;]^ And }?at made hem live soo longe, Til al J?e poeple hem amonge Ne myght noo lenger soffre j^at fare.' As God hit ordeynede, j^oo com her care. 3495 Tho Pilate in the toun dede* crye, And forbede |?at vilany,* pat noo man ne shulde noo more eten In |7at wise her bigeten; But golde and silver eten he bad 3500 To alle ]?oo jjat any had. And soo J?ei eten her tresour all, Bothe hewen and kerven it small, ° And in som stede it is yfounde pat |?ei eten her tresour ygrounde. 3505 get they diede many oon, fo. 48^. 1 C for the defaute of mete. 2 Only C has these two lines. 8 B Ne lenger suffre ne wolde, Thorw God fat had )>e termes tolde. C Myjten no lengoure sufTern hit, ne wold, Ryjt as God had the termys itolde. L Mijtten no lenger suffre, ne wolde. And God ))at had ]>e termes tolde. * B lete. * B felonye. * B Bothe hewe and corn smalle. C Whan they had hewen hit and corven hit small. B omits U. 3503-4. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 159 By every strete wel gode' woon, For hit was no kyndely fode, but such food Soo \dX in no stede it hem stode. g^od, But to hem alle it was vile,* 3510 Whan the toun was goulde* j:at while ; For to have out* j^e tresour Men dede hem pyne wel f»e more.* Yche oj^ur man' his neghbour ete, and they return As for deynte |^ei helde hit swete ; 3515 The wif jje husband, \q husband ]?e wife, t)at everyche byrefte^ oj^er life ; -•iijii'l' Somme with teth ojjer* to-gnowe, And somme with hondes o}>ur drogh. Soo thicke \&\ dyeden, by strete and weye, 3520 For stynke of dede* men J?ere \t\ leye ; And of j^e comyn raunsoun^" > B gret. 2 B But to hem alle hit bifelde. L Bot hem alle to bigile. C But the[y] dyden hit all so for a wyle. " L golden. D wonnen. B Whan fe toun was up jelde. C For that they wolden heore enymyes bygyle. ■* L out of hem. C For they shuld fynd in the town no tresoure. ® B Men paiede hem wel fe bitterour. C But well the more pyne they hed therefore. * L mijth his foo ete. D man his foo myjte ete. C And jit at the last uchone must other ete. B ^\for E]che ofere day fei dide it ete. ' B bynam. * C dede othere gnaw. D With here tefe eche other to-gnouj. ' Z fe men fat dedun deye. B dede fat adoun leie. D dede men that there lay. C That the stynk of hem made mony one to dey. '" C Nertheles afftur heore own dyvysyon. i6o ' Titus and Vespasian ; I^ei buryede |je bodyes of the toun. And whan hem failede of her tresour, Corpses lie pan were bei buryede noo more, unburied, -r-, . ■• • i • i i n 3525 But |?an were pei leide on hepes, all J)at for hongre deed gan fall ; So |?at ]>e stynke ])e toun fulfillede Of careynes^ j?at lay unhelede f pat fader and moder, syster and brother 3530 Dyede, ]>^.X. noon myght bury o)Jur. But sithen, whan ]>e toun was take, whereat Titus Titus inichel mone gan make, afterwards makes -r- 1 1 ^1 • 1 i moan. For the poeple soo thicke lay On hepes ded by every way. 3535 Adoun he fell wel sone on knee : " Lorde, for^eve my fader and me, For ]?urgh us lye j^ei not deed, But for her owne feble' reed. Hadde ]?ei erst* hem jolden to us, 3540 Ne shulde fei noght have leyn j?us," Somme right deed liggeand** J^ei fonde, fo. 49. Bityng® her hosen and shoon in honde ; And l^erby he^ wist right anoon pat for honger fiei dede echon. 3545 Diches he* dede make and* bylde 1 B bodies. 2 BCDL unhilde. ^ C wykked. * B rafer. C jere. Z er. ^ LD liggeyng. C lyggyng. B omits 11. 3541-4. <5 LD Bitande. C Gnawyng. "> C wyst they. L wisten fai. 8 LBC\zl 9 D sone thenne. 3550 3555 356o or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. pan for the bodyes of man' and childe. Pilate* anoon his counseill toke. For grete drede soore he qwoke. ]?ei seide to hym " We rede jje Lete jeelde up swithe f»is citee. J5is, us thynketh, is al for our best ; In hit^ shul we never have rest." " Nay," quod Pilate, " j^is is my reed. I wot J7er nys noo way but deed ; set we shull awhile abide, For to seen what wil bytide. J?is lordes dyen,^ f^at ben withoute, Or elles we, in myddes her route ; ' l?an thar* us care ful litell all On whether side soo it fall. 0>ur we wil doon as I shall seye, , To sechen us heipe another weye. Doo ' what we wil hem gyve, ]?at we may dwelle still and live." 3565 Herto \ti grauntede everychon, ^ D these dede men. B And ferinne fe bodies fei helde. C And thereyn the bodyes there they hyld. L And J>ere fai duden fe bodyes hilde. ^ C has two introductory lines : But turn we now anon agayn Unto the mater that we before sayn, How Pylat, etc. ^ LBCD Hereinne. LBCD mowen dyen. * B Here amydde al J?e route. C- And that happeli or we amyddus all heore rout ^ Or we deyjen al fe route. ® -5C dar we. D dare us. ^^ Cast we. C Let us cast. Z Casten we. Z? Do caste. Y 161 Pilate holds a council. They decide to ask for terms. 1 62 Titus and Vespasian ; And casten all how \t\ wolde doon. pe whiles \zX \t\ casten soo, Vespasian sends pe Emperour seide to Jacob " Goo £:tS o??hrn"gs And speke to somme of ).at citee, ^ in the city. 3570 And loke what governance permne be, And loke whe)?ur j^ei wil gelde \t toun ' For to come out of her prisoun. For J7ei have not al her wille ; I trowe for hunger somme do spille. 3575 Goo now sone, for weten I wolde Wherto we shulden us holde. pel ben streyt bystad in every strete.' pei have hunger, and* we have mete. Seye hem J^ei come and ^eelde us to, fo. 49^. 3580 For atte last ]?ei shuU doon soo." Jacob goes to the Tho Jacob wente to ]>e wall, wall and asks for ^ ^ ^ he gan hym call : Josephus. xi.j>-»»v/ , o " Clepe^ me," he seide, " j^ere Josephus, Bid him^ come and speke with us." 3585 He went forth and broght hym swithe. Jacob of hym was ful blithe, And he of hym was blithe alsoo. 1 B And ywite in what poynt fei be. C And loke what poynt fat fey yn be. LD And wyte what poynt fai inne be. 2 L transposes II. 3571-2- 3 B Thei deief adoun in fe strete. C For hit is with hem strayt in every a strete. L pai dyen for defaut fere in fe strete. * D God sent us mete. B For gret hungur and no mete. 5 C Now call. « A hem. BCDL him. 3595 36oo or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. Quod Josephus " Hou come |jou us fro ? " He tolde hym Jjan, all as it was ; 3590 And he seide " Deo ^ gracias ! " ^'^' What," quod Jacob, " art j^ou Cristiene ? " " 3e, felawe," he seide, " wilt |7ou listene ? I am a privy Cristen man, And my feith ful wel I can To love Crist right wel y owe,** And J7at I am to the aknowe.' l^is oj^er day, thoo we outnam, Whan 36 all us overcam, I was woundet jjere * ful sore, pat I was negh deed ]?erfore ; And >urgh \>q miracle of Jesu I am waxen wel ynowe. My fader and moder I have tolde To turnen, and ]>e{ ne wolde ; 3605 And >at I ne ' may come J^erto, Certes, Jacob, me is full woo." " 36," quod Jacob, " holde \>e stille, And ]j)ou shalt have all yi wille. I shall be " fore J^e, if I can, 3610 To my lorde sire Vaspasiaii, And for all jjoo >at cristened be ; Whan all is doon j?ou shalt it see'. Say me nowe, hou ^e fare withinne, 1 So BCDL. A doo us grace. ^ C omits II. 3595-8. ' B yknowe. Z biknowe. * C at oure batell. ® B mai not hem brynge jjerto. L may hem noujth toumen ferto « A bi. LBD be. C speke. Y 2 163 Josephus says he is a Christian, and that his wound was healed by a miracle of Jesus. 1 64 Titus and Vespasian ; And whanne we shull ]?is toun wynne ? " He tells Jacob 3615 " Mafay," he seide, " I dar })e seyn, how ill they fare _. 1 • 1 i r n >. j in the city. For thicke our folke gynne to dyen, And for the ^ stynke, j?at cometh hem froo, fo. 50. Herinne \€\ dyen wel ]?e moo. And \txioxQ we have doon ' make 3620 In myddes }?e toun a greet lake ; And evermore, as J^ei deed doun falle, pereinne sone we cast hem all." Jacob tells how " Perfay," * quod Jacob, " and so do we ; bes'ie'^e'rs^'"^ '^ ^"^^ 1'^^ was," he seide, "first Jiurgh me : 3625 pis diche, with J»e hye paleys,^ And ponder two hye charneys.® Me thynketh \&\ ' doon a grete foly To holden ajeynes God and our partye. And 3et I hope atte last 3630 To wynnen \\s, toun J'urgh my cast. As Pilate seide * inmyddes \t toun, poo he dede me in depe prisoun, pat I and Veroigne,' wel ^" goode spede, Haden procurede all ]ns dede, 3635 Forsothe he ne gabbed right noght ; I wene J^erto it wil be broght. ■ 1 BLD Ful ficke. C Full fast. 2 A they. BCDL fe. 3 B late. C let. ^ B Maifey. LD Mafay. C Forsoth. * B omits II. 3625-6. * L porous me was made and fe two charnels. C And eken thys charnell forsoth I wys. 7 CD se. " ^ As I seide Pilat. C For Pylat seyd. 3 L Velosyan. 1" B with good spede. C forsoth in dede. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 1 6s V Forsoth, my brother Josephus, I wisshed ]?at it shulde be thus, And dame Veroigne, j^e gode womman. 3640 Bifore the steward Velocian I made J^at dame Veroigne gede, To beten ]>e Emperoures nede.^ ¥ot])\ I am with hym prive ; Soo hope I get J^at ^ Jjou shalt be. 3645 Soo helpe me Crist, as I am glad J3at hit shall ' be alsoo he bad. For the Emperour was wonder seke, And wende to have dyede eke ; And God hath helede hym, J>urgh his grace, 3650 For to doon him* sechen ]jis place. He wil* all Jje Jewes shende Er J7an he wil hennes weende. He wil never leve \)is toun Til he have beten hit adoun. 3655 Thou myght seen, it is Goddes wille goure vengeance in 30U to fulfille ;" By many tokenes men^ may see, how Veroyn has cured Vespasian, and how Vespasian is resolved to show the Jews no quarter. fo. 5od. ^ Z> To helpe fe Emperoure in his nede. C To helpen Vaspasian all at hit (sic) nede. 2 B fou schal be. L shaltou be. CD fat )ju shalt be. A fan I shall be. 3 A shlal {sic). BLD schal falle (Z fallen, D bifalle) as I bad. C shall fall ryjt as I bad. * A hem. B And also imade him. C And hath ymade hym. Z And fat haf don hym. D For to done hym. 5 BLD He fenkef. C For he shuld. * BL This vengeaunce to fulfille. C This vengeaunce utterly fat he fullfyll. D 50ure vengeaunce al to fulfille. ^ A man. LBD men. C je. 1 66 Titus and Vespasian ; And Jjou wilt bithenke jje. Alle )70o jjat ben hereinne 3660 Ben acombrede in foule synne, But it^ be any Cristen wyght Be late comen^ to God almyght ; And for thei wil noo mercy crave, I byhote ]?e wel, ]?ei shul noon have, 3665 Neyther of God, ny of man, Ny of my lorde sire Vaspasian, For he and Titus his sone, bothe With all Jje Jewes \t\ ben so wrothe pat othe J>ei maden, j^ei wil not breken, 3670 To leven ]?e seege til |?ei be wreken. t'erfore, y prey the, seye me sone What ]?ei f>enken' for to done : Whejjur f>ei wil f>e toun helde, 0|7ur hastelich* up hit gelde ? " 3675 Josephus hym unswared ful stille : Josephus thinks " Jacob, hit was^ not last her wille they cannot hold i, . , • 1 j 1 1 j out Ions' V"^^ t'ei wolde alle doon soo. Whan I come to ]?e hem fro. I wot forsothe, I byhote the, 3680 Hit dureth not longe, thynketh me. Leef me were* J^at we were out, For we liven in much doute. 1 ZJC" if it. L i\{ {om. be). 2 B Late ytorned. C That be comyn late. ' BL fenkej) ferinne. C within thenketh. * BL 0)>er have ydo and. D Or have idone and. C Or ellys have done that hit were jold. " BCDL was. A wist. ® B Me were wel lever. C And me were well levyr. L Me were ful leef. Z> Wel leve me were. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 167 I wene |?ei casten to maken^ gree, If \t\ mowe, with any fee, 3685 Prey for us, and be us fore, pat noo Cristen be forlore. For had jji lorde Vaspasian Ymade hymself a Cristen man. And his sone, with all his oste, 3690 Er |7ou* come hider, wel j^ou wost For hym, hit had ben sikernesse, pan had we golden, more' and lesse. get is us lever to dye hereinne pan gelde us to a Sarazyne.* fo, 51. 3695 But [we] holde us ful* worthy more. Til nede drive us to sofFre sore.® Farewel, Jacob, my leve brother, ge shall weten' oon or other. God of heven with Jje be,* 3700 And all }pat ever* cristened be ! " Sone to f>e Emperour he gan goo ;^** Worde for worde he tolde hym soo. And J7an unswarede \g. Emperour : " Sone hope I scapen j)is errour. 3705 By these wordes now I see ' B make agre. L make joure gree. 2 BL he. C they. ' C long or thys. * A Sarzyne. B Sarazyne. C Saryzen. LD Sarasynne. ^ B But he wolde us. LD For {D But) we holden us. C And therefore we nyl not jeld us the while more. ^ C Theyj that we suffem mykell sore. ' B wite sone anofer. Cnewyn wyten anothyr. LD sone wite. * C Now, quod Jacob, God be wyth the. 9 BCL ferinne. " C And then Jacob comyth the Emperoure to. he and the other Christians would have yielded long ago, had Vespasian been christened. Jacob reports to Vespasian. , i68 Titus and Vespasian ; By Josephus' advice Pilate consults the I commonalty. They utter a rueful cry, In haste ]?ei shull golden be. Jacob, wake we what we may ! Hit negheth negh her terme day." Josephus come J»e Jewes unto : 3710 " Lordynges," he seide, "what wil ge doo? Vaspasian and^ Titus his sone, For wrath leve^ f>ei, ne cone, Til J>at Jjei han wreken her tene, And J?at shall newely be on us sene ; 3715 Soo mykel I wot, sire Pilate, As I it have aspyede late. I cannot seen noo weye but oon, }3at we ne be deed everychon. Loke what all oure folke wil say, 3720 And doo we right' as I 30U prey ; For jjei of fie communalte* Felen ]?is woo^ more |jan we." A crye was made, J?e folke come all, Bothe ^e grete and ])e small. 3725 Pilate seide " What rede ge now ? For we doon us all up* jowe." The poeple biforn him^ kest a cry Ful ruwefull and ful grisely, And seide " Feirer it were to dye, 1 BCDL ne. '^ C to leva ))ey nyll not wone. ^ £ And doj> rijt now. * B For certes, sire, ))e comunalte. C For I wott well fat all commynte. ^ £ Make)) mone. ^ LBC upon. D on. 7 A hem. BCDL him. 3735 3740 or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 37 3<^ {"an j?us soo longe here^ to lye." And som seiden hem amonge " We ben here spered^ all to longe. We dyen here in grete distresse ; And j?at is for oure wickednesse, And for we deden Messias to dye, Hit is his wille' we shul abye. And [|jat] shewen* >e Romaynes well, M' struyen us and oures everydell. Somtyme was, « we seiden soo, i^at }5e Romaynes shulde j^us doo, pan ' we and all our kynde ran For to destruye j^at gode man. By this we may knowe and see J?e tyme is comen hit shall soo be. Hit semeth ^^at Messias may fulfiHe Of all Ymges to doon his wiUe ; For noo lenger, with noo maner gynne Mown [we]« lasten for our synne. He sheweth wel j^at he is God almyght ^ B Than in ])is myscheef longe. C Then here in wo so long for. ^-Syspered. Cisparryd. ^ isperred. Z sparred. The next two lines in C correspond to II. 3737-8 ■ And that kytheth the Romays full well, For they struyn us every dell. ' Z It is skyl. LBCD fat we it abye. ' C.tt!j'::r;«f ^"'*'^'"'^"^J'- ^And^atshewen. o omits II. 3737-8 {see note on I. 3732). Z For fai. B For to him were we unleel 1 V^^Zr ^^°'^''' '' '°- ^ ^'^ ^^ told us so. ^ LBD Whan. C For \3X. « B Ne mowe we. Z Mowen we. C May we. D We mowe. Z 169 and some say that this is their punishment for fo. 513. killing Messias, 3745 170 Titus and Vespasian ; 3750 and ask Pilate to let them go out and end their sorrows. 11,000 of them slay one another. The Jews recall Christ's warning, and curse their parents, 3755 We dede as foles with hym to fyght. We biddeth^ hym mercy al to late, And j?ou alsoo, sire Pilate. Therfore lat us all out goon, To enden* all oure sorwe anoon." And get f ei seide hem amonge " Better is short sorwe Jjan longe. To sleen eche oj^ur fairer it is pan geelde us up and fare amys." poo .xj. thousand leten her life, 3760 As ech slogh oj^ur with his knyflfe ; And for the stynke fat of hem cam Ful mony of hem pe deth fere nam. pan pei crieden, all at a cry, To Jesu Crist fat sit on hye : 3765 " Agaynes 30U,' Lorde, we have mysdoon, pat such a wrech cometh* us on. Now mowe we seye, as he ^ dede. Whan he towards fe croys gede : He bad us [not]* wepen for his peyne, But for oure [self]' and for oure kynne. We may waryen in our thoght fo. 52- Hym* fat us forthe' broght. 3770 1 Z praieden his mercy. 2 LBC enden. I> overecomen. A heede. 3 J5CL fee. * Z perfore wreche is comen. 5 £C he. ALB we. 6 BZD noujt. C we shuld not wepe for oure (sic) pynne. 1 B us self. C oureself. L us selven. D oure selven. » BLD The tetes. C The tytus. 9 A fortht. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 171 We aghte for to bidde and wille* J?at jje hilles* wolde us hille, 3775 pat we ne seyen \i\% vengeance all, If it so now myght byfall. We may waryen all oure kynde For \)e sorwe jjat we fynde. We |3at be' now abye it sore, 3780 pat f»ei wroghten us bifore. Withouten ende mot |?ei have care, pat maketh us so evell to fare ! Now is comen, j^at he us hight. Ageyn cm- wronge he doth us right. 3785 Forjji, Pilate, jeelde up ^is toun, And delivere us of our prisoun ; Or we shull \ie smertely take, And all \>e grettest, for* j^i sake, And we ourself shall gelde j^is citee, 3790 Howsooever of us be. Of ]7is avise the,* sire Pilate, Ojjur elles j?ou shalt bewar to late. For we ne may no lenger liven. Hye ]7e, j^at it* were up jeven." 379511 Whan Pilate segh^ jjis, and Josephus ^ B omits II. 3773-4. Chas: We oujt now for to byd and hit myjt be truly That fe hullys wolden us huyden fully. D We mowe wilne everichoon That the hilles fille us on. ^ Z erfe. ^ LD lyven. B omits U. 3779-80. B eke forsake. B Therof bise fee. BCDL |)e toun. C herd. for whose sin they now suffer. They insist on surrender. Z 2 172 Titus and Vespasian ; And Barabas and Archelaus, The defenders pei and fie poeple wenten alle, pray Vespasian ^^^ ^^ i^g Emperour bei gan to calle: for mercy. "^ ^ . " Have mercy on us, sire Emperour/ 38CX) And take* us, sire, to \\ socour ! The tyme is comen, as we jje telle, pat we ne mowe noo lenger dwelle. We han doon alle ]jat we may. Of vij gere ]?is is \t last day. 3805 And fierfore, sire, we the pray, fo. 526. Whether shull we live or dye?" He rejoices to The' Emperour Jjis wordes herde ; h^^"^ *^'"' With mykel joye forth he ferde. Als* swithe he gan doun falle 3810 On [his]^ knees, biforn hem alle. And seide "Welcome be Goddes sonde! For he is Lorde in* ]?is londe. Now I see he wil fulfille pat I shall have al my wille." 3815 He roos and spake to hem all : but will grant no " Hereth now, what shall 30U fall, quarter. ■\p2X. ge shul heren speken and see.' Noo mercy shull ge fynde in me ; For 3e slewen,* in ]?is stede, 3820 Jhesu Crist in his manhede. 1 B omits II. 3799-3800. "^ LCD take us. A takes. » BL Tho fe. C And when the. * BLD Also. C And also. » BLD On his. C Ryjt on his. 6 BLD of alle londe. C of all this lond. ' C For that y yew tell, ye shull hit se. * A shewen. B slow. C slowen. LD sloujen. himself. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 173 Without alle maner of gylte ge demede hym^ to ben yspilte. And evermore rewen* it I owe; Ne had je ben, I had hym sowe.' 3825 ^e have yfailede of his grace ; So shuU ge of myn in \\s, place. All myn wille I have 30U tolde, Wherto je shall 30U holde." pan seide J>e Kynge Archelaus Archelaus kills 3830 " Sire Emperour, shal hit be J^us ? " He gan to rippe* a gap wide Adoun evenlonge aftur" his side ; Anoon his swerde out he drogh/ And J?eron hymself he slogh. 3835 He fell doun deed, toforn hem all. Into Jje dike over' the wall. " Forsothe," seide the Emperour, " Sire Archelaus was a* traitour ; Forjji on suche dethe he stervede,' 3840 As he hath of right deservede. 1 A hem. LCD hym. B has, for II. 3821, 3824 (omitting II. 3822-3) : Withoute any gult, al for e[nv]ye. Nadde je be, I hadde him seye. * 2? it shal reue jou certeyn. C mot hit ruwe jew. * D seyn. * B ryve. L renden. C racen. * B Adoun anone hi. L Doun of hym after. C All of his garnament adown by. D Adoun endelonge by. ® D With a swerde that he out drouj. ' L under. 8 D Goddes. ^ C transposes U. 3839, 3840. 174 Titus and Vespasian ; Pilate opens the town-gate. Josephus escapes to Jonoporam, but is besieged there, Goo buryeth hym " he seide " up all Jjinge With honure, for he was a Kynge." Pilat and alle wente adoun fo. 53. To oon gate of fe toun, 3845 And oute at ]>e gate )?ei^ wende. He toke* J^e keyes in his honde. The gate was open' in J>at cost pat Titus lay* with his ost, Whan J?e toun shulde be jolde and take. 3850 In ])e prees he ^ gan out shake, Josephus,® with many a man, Into J'e citee of Jonoporam/ For to ascapen al the woo pat to )?e [Jewes] * was ordeynede J700. 3855 pe Emperour wist jjis on hast ; And sone, I wot, he was bicast With armede men, with many wepen, Bothe nyght and day ])at toun to kepen. And Josephus strongelich he stode, 3860 Er Jjat * he wolde shede his blode, To ^" Jje Emperour sir Vaspasian, 1 ZC he. ^ He wente oute J>o I understonde. D Ther oute he wente he uolde wonde. 2 BCZn With. * B openyd with sorw most. Z upon fat ilche cost. * B And Titus was redi. Z pere Titus lay. C Thereas Tytus lay yn. ® B omits he. C All in fat pres fan can outshake. " A And Josephus. D And maister Josephus. BCL omit And. ^ B Jenopozam. C Jenoperam. LD Joneperham. * LB CD pat fe (C these) Jewes shulden to {D shulde unto). ^ Z And arst. If* CD Agaynus. Z pan to ^elden hym to Vaspasyan. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 175 For he ne was noo Cristen man. But I am siker, at \& last The Emperour smot ^ hyra soo fast 3865 pat \q sege he let stille be ; With elleven felawes he gan to flee Under the erthe, in[to] * a cave, Hem to socour and to save. And whan her vitailles were goon ' 3870 His felawes seiden everychon " Sire, ]7us we may not longe lye ; We dwelle here, we shul dye.* Everyche of us shall o\^x^ ete Atte last, for nede of mete.® 3875 Maister, at J^e we wil bigynne,' For J70U art moost maister hereinne. pan we shull have the lefe ^ reward Of hem Jiat levede ' afterward." Josephus unswared as a man fo. 53^. 3880 Ful coyntelich, as nede was than : " Nay, it wil not wel be soo. and flees with eleven others to a cave. His companions propose to eat him. ^ B foujt on him. C soujt hym out. LD soujth on hym. » BCL into. D intil. ^ C But there of vytaylys had they none. * B But jif we wol abide and deie. C For well wyte we then fat we shull dye. L Ful wel we witen here shullen we dye. D je wite it wel we shuUe here dien. * D eten other. ^ D For nede of mete men sparith not his brofer. 'f B omits II. 3875-8. * L CD lesse. 9 C ly vyth forth here. L dueUen. £> lyven. 1 76 Titus and Vespasian ; but he persuades Castest cut/ bitwix two and two, them to cast lots. -fTTx, • x. c i. 1 1. ^ Which of us shal oper ete, And whech we shall on live lete. 3885 Hoolde ge all," he seide, " to this ? " " ge," Jjei seide, " forsoth," y wys. t'us ech of hem oj^er ^ name, At last he is left Til hit to Josephus cam with one other, v,^i. i-uurn 3 pat pe cut shulde lalle upon. 3890 Dye he shulde right anoon ; But God wolde [not]* he dyede j^an, For his wyt helpede many a man. His fere ^ gan his swerde to drawe, Josephus to have yslawe. 3895 But Josephus [J?at] sotiel' was, Segh Jjat he was in ' a caas ; whom he slays to He leepe on hym also ^ he cam, save himself. ^^^ j^-^ ^^^^^^ ^^ 9 ^^^ ^^^^^^^ The same doom he hym gafe 3900 pat he shulde hymselfe have. And Jian he lefte^" J'ere aloone ; 1 LBD lott. 2 L ette ofere fan. 3 BLD That (Z poo) J»e lote fel him (Z> shulde falle) apone. C And at the last then the cut fell hym apon. * BLD noust. C not. 5 BD felaw. * BCLD fat sotil (Z> queinte) was. '' B so ne% fat cas. C in an hard cas. Z in fat cas. D in this cas. 8 BC rijt as. ££> als. 9 CD from (Z? of) hym he nam. 10 B he him left. C he lafTt hymself. Z hym bileved he. Z> he bilefte. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. So >at he come out anoone, With his swerd in his honde, 177 And to the Emperour he wonde. He goes to I 3905 iPoo ])e Emperour to hym drogh, Vespasian, And seide " Felawe, what art >ou ? " He seide " Sire, I hat^ Josephus, pat wroot >e story amonges us Of all ],a.t evere ywriten men' fynde 3910 Amonges the Jewes and' her kynde." ^e Emperour seide " Pou art a spye> who calls him a pou shalt be bounden til J^ou dye, ^Py- For methynketh >ou seist amys. ' If >ou haddest doo' soo, y wys, 3915 Whynadest^ouwarnede-'hem'tosave fo 54 ^^ For '^ the harmes >at >ei shull have ? » "Sire," seide Josephus hym to, " On tho >at lyven« ^et ich it doo. t'at y warnede hem of >is caas, 3920 Feele geres her' >an it was,. And of her bokes I take witnesse [pat I have writen so, I gesse."]^" ' ^hate. Z>hette. ZC am. =* £CL 56. ^ Z of oure kynde. * Z omits II. 391 1-2. ' BCL be {CL ben) so wys. « C tau^t hem hemself to save. ^ BL Fro. CD From. * B Apone hem fat it hard. "^Cor. ZZ'er. 1" From Z. ^ as I gesse. C all so I ges. Z) bojje more and lesse. 2 A 178 Titus and Vespasian ; Jacob pleads for him. and he declares himself a Christian. He claims to have foretold Ves- pasian's accession, and offers to cure Titus. The bokes of j^e lawe J'ei' con echoon, And other^ men \zX. livede, many oon ; 3925 And alle J^ei witnesse,' in \z.X. stede, pus* Josephus hath writen and sede. pan spake Jacob for hym thore : " All \zX. he seith y wil be fore." Thoo seide sire Vaspasian 3930 " Josephus, art J>ou a Cristen man ? " " ge, sire," he seide, "sikerly. But I have hit borne prively." Right anoon he was unbounde. He thankede hym^ j^at i[l]che stounde. 3935 And seide "Sire, if ]?ou loke, get shalt Jjou fynde in |?i* boke pat I seide ]>in was \t honour Of Rome to ben Emperour, Fourty daies er hit bifell, 3940 And how sire Titus forjede his hele. And I'urgh \q counseill of me I hope )?at hool he shal be." pan wex J^e Emperour ful glad, And seide " pan have y j^at I bad." 3945 And seide " Maister Josephus, I ne wolde forgoo my sone Titus, 1 B were broujt. C then comen. L has for II. 3923-4 : And men fat lyveden many on Witnessed it everychon. ^ )K) him levyd. LBCD witnessed. BL That. C All that. ^God. B fis. C that. LD fe. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 170 And^ I myght his life to save, For noo thynge fat I myght have. Ful mikell honour J7e shall be gyven, 3950 If \oM myght helpen hym to lyven." fo. 54*5. " Sire," he seide, "have ge' noo drede. I hope full well J^at we shul spede." l7ei broghte him ' to Titus swithe ; Of his comyng he was blithe.* 3955 Whan Titus had herde his fadres sawe, To Josephus he gan hym drawe, And lovede and levede hym sithen moost, Save his fader, of all \q oost. fOn a day he seide to Josephus * 3960 " Whan shall be doon >at >ou hight us ? " " Sire," he seide, " tomoru day a day is appointed Hit shal be doon, if J-at I may." '°'' *^^ '^"''e- " Come tomorwe * and ete with us )7an." " I shall be redy, iV fat I can, 3965 In * forward J>at J^ou ne wrath fe With what man I brynge with me ; And I shall come in j^is covenante." 1 CYffthat. Z And I wist hou. 2 Z£ f ou. « A hem. Z» hym. B He wente J,o. Z He broujth hym. C pen was he broujt. * ZCZ> pat of his comyng was glad and (CD was full) blibe Z Whan shal be don J)ou hijttest us, pat my fader tolde us ? * C tomorow, quod Tytus. Z) Quod Titus, Ete with us tomorowe fan. ^ C All redy syre, quod Josophus, syre jif Z> Grauntmercy, .Sir, in al. « ZB On. C Up this. 2 A 2 i8o Titus and Vespasian ; Josephus seeks out a man whom Titus hates, and bids the steward set him opposite Titus at dinner. " Perfay," quod he,^ " all J^is I graunte." Josephus to ^ his J'Oght gan cast, 3970 And soo avisede ^ hym at ]>e last : " With a joy come his evell, perfay, And with a sorwe it most away." Anoon he made * to aspye )»an If J^ere were [evere] ^ any man 3975 That Titus had hatede stronge, And \>e wrath had lastede longe. Tho® hym was toolde f>ere was such oon. He made hym come forth anoon ; And anoon he chargede calle 3980 The steward of J>e Kynges halle. poo seide Josephus " Gode felawe, Wilt povL doon after myn sawe ? Loke Jjou assent to me now, For Titus love and for is pro we." 3985 " Sire, I sey J^e sikerlike, fo. 55. I graunte to doon it blithelike."^ " Wei," seide Josephus als sone, " As mete tyme is* at noone, Doo me sette a litell borde 3990 Right tofore Titus J»i lorde ; And J^ereat shal J?is man be' sette. 1 ZBCI> Titus. » LBCB in. 8 LBCD bifoujth. * LBD dude. C asked syre Tytus men than. "> So LD. C jif they knew there. ^ 6 BD Tho. L And. C And than. A To. ^ D priveUche. * .(4 is is (sic). 9 ZCZ> be sette. A be fette. B biset. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. i8i Loke J^at hym be mete sone fette With grete plente, and riche drynke, Als shall come oforn the Kynge. 3995 And^ I hym reheyt, doo J^ou alsoo." " Sire," quod \t steward, "it shall be doo." All )>is was doon, worde for worde. Josephus* sat at J^e Kynges borde. Titus was gretely agrevede, and thoght 4000 How was Jjis man hider ybroght ? And |jus manhungrede' he sat longe, J7at mete ny drynge he nolde fonge. For teene he chaungede al his mode;* And such an heete cam in his blode/ 4005 pat his evell hym forsooke, And never aftur hit hym ne toke. Josephus \oo byhelde J-is man, And reheytede hym, as he wel can ;* And ]?e steward dede alsoo 4010 With faire semblant, as fel jjerto. Sire Titus turnede hym also smert : " Josephus, I thanke j^e in my hert. I bad \q brynge a man with j^e ; I wende noght it shulde be he. 4015 Thou bad I shulde wrath me noght Titus is so enraged that the illness leaves him. He thanks Josephus. 1 LB And i± D jif. C And jifif y the hote, reheyt hym allso. 2 B Tho Titus. * BCL agrevyd. D in anger. * D bloode. ^ D For anger so he chaunged his mode. ^ B And comforte him fo he bigan. C And to rehayte hym he bygann. L And reheten hym bigan. ransom. 182 Titus and Vespasian ; With noo man \zX. ]jou with fe broght, And I grauntede the sikerly. Hit shal ben holden witerly,^ For ]?ou dedest [it]^ for myn hele. fo. 55^. 4020 I thanke it the, for I have it wele.* pou art me dere, whil |7at I live ; And hym my wrath I al forjeve." Tho his fader wist how hit was, I hoote f»e, he made grete solaas. 4025 Aftur fus, ay in alle thynges, Josephus was nexte J^is* rich Kynges. Pilate ofifer Goo we now to Pilate agayn, For of hym I have to seyn. Here^ he gan profre make 4030 For the toun and for his sake, To witen if J^ei myght savede be With golde, silver, and oj^er fee. ^Titus sagh Pilat/ and was ful glad ; Better tithinge he ne bad. 4035 Pilate seide " Sire, I prey the, Astounde' l^at J^ou here me. For to be* stille, I wil J^e gyve. Every jere whil J>at I live, Soo j^at yx fader wil me save. 1 BL trewliche. C full truly. 2 So LCD. 8 Z> I graunte fe worshipe and fanke fe as wele. * CD these. L )>e kynges. B to fe kynge. ^ L Here)) hou. 6 B Pilat sau5 Titus. T B Now Titus. LC Sir Titus. « B duelle. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 183 4040 And my bailly^ for to have, I wil gyve hym is^ truage, And' an . C. sparhaukes ramage, •\ : And an . C. gentyll faukenes also, Of houndes . xxxV medes* J^erto, 4045 An . C. palles* of silke and golde, pe ricchest J^at ben* boght or solde, And ten lyones, and libardes ten, And ten beres from her^ den, And five* mules ychargede wel 4050 With golde and silver everych dele, And eke with alle ]^e best stones t'at may be founden for 'pe nones. Wyte at' my lord, where ^"^ he wil soo, And seye me swith what I shall do ? " fo. 56. 4055 Titus was glad, fat ilke tide. He" segh jpe gate openede wyde, And for he segh sire Pilate Redy to gelden hym at Tpe gate. He come and tolde his fader J^is ; 406c Anoon he gan to wepe for blys. His fader seide " Me liketh J'is tale. ^ ^ Al my bailie. 2 L£C fis. Z> his. 3 ZBC omii And. * B mutes. C muotus. Z And houndes ])ritty mute. D And an hundrid hondes fat be mete. ^ B clofes. ^ A hem. LCD ben. B mowe be wroujt. ' ZBC]>e. » B ten. 9 ^ of. w £B sif. " ZBC For he (Z omits segh). 1 84 Titus and Vespasian ; Vespasian rejects his offer, 2 and bids Titus seize him and enter the town, sparing only the Christians. [Forsojie, son, I am his bale,] * pogh he wolde gyve me al J^is worlde,' Never the better ne' worthe he herde ; 4065 And J'ogh he myght thole als mychel shame, As* alle men^ J^at bereth J^e* name. From man was made to \& worldes ende. He were more worthy my leve freende. Take Jiin folke, and goo hym to, 4070 And seye hym J^at I sende^ hym soo. Take hym, sone, upon my blessyng. And doo J^at he be* in siker kepyng ; And wende forth into J»e toun, And I shall kepe it enviroun, 4075 pat noon ascape but I hit see. And Jacob here take with )>e ; For he knoweth \q Cristen men, Man and wymman,* which J^ei ben. For ]?ou wost j^at I have sworn 4080 pat noon of hem shall be forlorn And alle tho, Jjat ^e shall selle,^" As J^ei be slayn, J^at" men hem telle." Titus anoon forth he spronge 1 So LED. C For certeynlych I shall ben his bale. 2 LED werd. 8 C for me shall he be herd. L He ne shal nevere fe better ben herd. 4 LB CD As. A And. ^ D Jewes. 6 LECD omit fe. "^ LBC seide. ^ LC And loke J)ou do hym. B And do him J)an. * L And ek fe wymmen. 10 B felle. 11 LBC lete. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 185 [With his ost, stif and stronge.] * 4085 Wolde J^ei J^an no lenger abide, But fulden J^e dike on every side. pei kest open \q gates wide." Sire Titus in anoon gan ride, With .xxx". hundrede ' armede wele 4090 Bothe in iren and eke in stele. He toke Pilate, j^ere he stode ; fo. 56(5. XXX" knyghtes kepte hym gode. I hope * Jjat he ful sore qwoke, Whan Jje knyghtes hym undertoke. 4095 Titus let take all J^at he mette, And J700 J)at hid hem he let fette. He comaundet his men als bilyve ^ To kepen all Jiat Jiei token on live. He dede hem bynden everychon ; 4100 Of hem ne scapede lives® noon, But if any breke his necke, 0)»er drenchede hym in any dyke.' The Jewes were leide on hepes grete. Fast ybounden, honde and fete. 4105 As Titus roode hym up and doun, And byhelede* \q walles of |)e toun, Titus rides into Jerusalem with a strong force, and takes Pilate and all the Jews ; none escape capture save by death. ^ So B. C both gret and stronge. LD gret and long. * D omits 11. 4087-8. ^ LD jMDUsande. * B trewe. L woot. LBCD blyve. ^ BC never one. D alyve non. ^ B flette. LD bek. C brek. « LB felde. C lett falle. D fel doun. 2 B 1 86 Titus and Vespasian ; Joseph of And at a walle ^ he fonde a place Aramathie is set ^ ^^^ ^^.^^^^ ^^^ ^^^, ^^^^ ^^^ . He had |?erof grete ferUke, 41 lo Why it was ymade soo thicke. To wite^ he nolde noght blynne, For to seen what was |7erinne ; But at pe last in he wan, And fonde pere an olde hoor man, 41 15 Al glad and hewed of pe best,* As who were comen^ from a fast ; And^ askede hym hou he pere cam. And what tyme, and Jjurgh wham, And what he hight witerly ? 4120 He seide " Joseph of Aramathie. First I was in prison, raen^ herde. For Jhesu love, ful fast ysperde ; ^ And pat was, sire, for his buriyng. And here I am doon for my preching. 4125 Right now, I wot, seven gere be goon, pe[i] shut me in J^is voute' of stoon. At pe first Jhesu fette me oute, fo. 57. And bad I shulde noo Jewe dout. 1 LB On fe wal. C And on the wall. ^ B anofer. C any other. D the tother. ^ LBD Tyl it was {D were) open. C And tyll hit were undone. * B Faire of colour with )>e best. ^ B Ks, ])0U5 he had ycome. L As on fat were comen. C As theys he had be comyn. D As on were come. « LBD He. C And Tytus. ' B put. LC as men herd. * B yschut. ' L wal. D fonte. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 187 To kepe my^ love was his thoght, 4130 Sithen hath he forjete me noght: My Lorde me fed and kept til now. For I shulde be deliverede by 30U. To \\ fader and J^e is^ alle t'is honurable grace, he wiP it falle, 4135 t'at men shull longe herof gelpe, And after turne joure soules to helpe. Jhesu Crist wil \zX. it be soo ; He ordeynede )?is* dede to 30U two." Sire Titus thankede oure heven Kynge 4140 Of Josephs* worde and his fyndynge ; To his fader anoon hym sent, J^at honurede hym with mychel" entent. and honoured by With hym and Titus he was prive, Vespasian and And honurede with bothe her meyne ; 4145 For he was more ^ honurable man After Titus and Vaspasian, And ]?an Jafel and Josephus, And Jacob f>at lovede Jesus. Whil Titus alle j?e Jewes soght,* 4150 Jacob oure men' togeder broght," 1 LBCD To kij)e me. '^ B and to 50W alle. L and to joures alle. C and to jewrus alle. D To J)i fader and joure lordes alle. ^ L ordeyned to falle. * B jow f is dede to do. C this for ^ew to do. A Josepus {the last five letters over an erasure). BC Joseph. 8 LD Joseps. « LBC gode. '' LBCD most. B> slouj. ' B alle hem. C all the other men. Z ober men »« n drouj. 2 B 2 i88 Titus and Vespasian ; The Christians are fed, bathed and clothed. They tell Vespasian that the Jews have eaten their treasure. All ]?at bilevede in Jhesu Crist;* Feble )?ei were for hunger and therst. He ledeth hem softe' with honour Right bifore the Emperour. 4155 The Emperour gret hem everychon, And dede^ hem ete and drynke gode woon. They* j^anked God Jjat J^ei were save, And Jiat J?ei* myght her lives have. He dede hem bathen and clothen ichoon 4160 With white clothes J^at faire shoon, So* J^at is oost shulde hem knowe And honure hem, where ^ Jjei hem sawe. Of the Jewes ^pe,\ hym tolde fo. 57^. All J^at evere he wyte wolde, 4165 And Jjat he shulde noo tresour geten, For every Jewe hat[h] his eten, But * clothes, palles,' baudekyn, And other of wollen and of lyn, And vesselx riche of mychel price, 4170 Of all maner metall J^at is, And feele*" beestes, wilde and tame, With hurdes of housholde" all in same, 1 B transposes II. 41 5 1-2. 2 B fast. C forth. L He bid hem softe. 8 i?Cmade. ^ * LBCD And. 5 D fei. ALC he. B alyve he hem myjt have. « LBD So. C For. A And. ^ LBCD whan. 8 LB Bofe. 3 C of pall and of bawdkyn. 1* Cmony. " LB And hordes of hous. C And hurdys of housys. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 189 But' J^ei have oght in erthe hydde ; Or elles nothyng)»ere* nys bytidde. 4175 " Now," seide the Emperour, " and is it soo ? He is glad to I wolde noon 6\>ur J^at J^ei had doo. Her tresour ne coveite I noght to wynne, For hit is ful of falsehed and synne. pat oj^er ]?at is lefte is myn ichadele ; 4180 And J>at J7ei hath eten paieth me wele, For now I shall fulfiUe my sale, And every beggar have is tale. For I thenke to avance myne, And jje more shal ben her pyne. 4185 A faire grace is us bitidde. pat jjei han eten, it is not hidde ; For }>e bijete' and for J^e prowe Myn men shall doon hem sorwe ynowe, And all ojjur Jjat hem wil buye. 4190 In al \)is lande I shall do crye, pat all maner of Cristen wyght, pat of ]>Q Jewes have spyt yplyght,* Shull come and buye^ my ware, And evermore f)e better fare. 4195 pat is my joye and my game ; pei may not have to michel shame." Right anoon j?an sente he Thurghout Jjc lande of Jude, fo. 58, 1 B But jif. C And but ^iff. 2 Z is fee here bityd. C to jew wull be tyd. " £ wynnyng. C And for oure own byhete. D Therfore I bihote fe for my prow. * D Shal have the Jewes in ful greet dispit. '" B bigge. C bygge of. D And ])ei shulle come to bye. I go Titus and Vespasian ; He summons the Christians throughout Judaea, and his soldiers, and sells the captive Jews to them at thirty for a penny, bidding them take the swallowed treasures And comaundet every ^ Cristen man ' 4200 Shulde come to sire Vaspasian, Upon^ lif and upon lyme, Her avauncement for to nyme. Noon withstode ]?at J^ei ne cam Unto Jie citee of Jerusalem. 4205 pan dede he crye )»urghout his oost pat all shulde come, lest and moost, And seide to hem " 36 have herd tolde For xxx" pens Jhesiis was solde In despit of J?e Cristen lawe, 4210 And sithen \q Jewes have hym slawe. ^e Jiat be comen into J-is stede, Cometh forth, and wreketh his* deed ! I say, who J-at wil byggen any, I selle him . xxx*'. for a pany, 4215 Of all J»e Jewes and her kynde ; And loke what je in hem fynde. For I dar ful wel warant 3e shull be riche at* \t remanent. Whan they ben openede everychoon, 4220 je shull fynde tresour gode woon. Everych take his part of all. Of everych heed, as wil befall. In her wombes J^ei have it broght ; Hit thar^ not forther ben ysoght. ^ B J)0 evereche man. 2 B Apone forfeture of. C And fat upon forfeture of. B fis. C Jhesus. L of. C pat ryches in hem is remanant. D dare. B Therfore ne feijjer dar yt be soujt. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 191 4225 Whan ^e have out >at tresour, I7at ge see j^ere nys noo more, Loke 3e doon hem all \q peyne I^at any man can thenke or seyn. Hange hem, brenne hem, doo hem drawe, 4230 Flee hem, bore hem, and doo hem sawe, Roost hem, scalde hem, bete^ hem, and put, And all to peces her limes kut,* fo. And J-us fordoon hem lif and lyme ; Soo shull we qwenchen^ her venym. 4235 And Goddes blessyng \t\ have ay, ]?at serveth* hem [so], til domesday. Cometh now, and byggeth fast, Ever whil J^i* lif wil last." They comen and boght up everychoon, 4240 And everych openede his anoon, And after dede hem^ her inwyse, As hem was beden, \q same wise. J3ere myght men seen sikerly Crying and gronyng,' sorwe and crye. 4245 Whil \2X al Jjis sorwe was wroght, I bote >e, Titus slepte right noght. He rode aboute J'urgh J'e toun. and torture their captives to death ; 585. his commands are obeyed. 1 B and slitte)). C and heore bowellus out ryt. * B to-rittej7. C eken that je kyt. ^ Z So shullen men quyten hem. * L serven hem so. D so serveth hem. C servyth hem so. B That doth fus as I gow sei. * LBCD \Q route. « L her enemyes. C hem to heore Jewes. B And undede hem in here gyse. ^ LB Gronyng, gruntyng. D Gryntynge, gronynge. C Both gronyng and grownyng and dulphul crye. 192 Titus and Vespasian ; Titus demolishes the city, leaving only the Temple and the Tower of David ; thus the prophecy is fulfilled. All Jiat J^ere was [he] let^ falle adoun ; With picoises and mattokes many a knyght 4250 pei fellen J>e wanes'* doun right, And all J^e toun sikerlike, And fulled j^erewith fe michell dike. They swept all clene, all }7at }jei fonde, pat after [hem]^ ]?ei let nojt stande ; 4255 But |?e temple of Salamon sikerly, And ]>e castell tour* of Kynge Davy, For love of hem these* leften stille, The prophecies to fulfylle : " pere shall noo stoon on o|Jur dwelle, 4260 But men shull hem doun felle." Thei fulfillede \>e prophecye In all jjinges ])t\ niyghte aspye. He* dede buryen ]7e bodyes all In dongehepes without ]>e wall. 4265 pei boght and soolde^ by hem oone And on f>at ojpur side* ychone. The noumbre of Jewes boght and solde, 1 D he lete. BL And al fat ])er stode (Z was) he felde adoun. C And all fat he sawj he cast adown. 2 LBD walles. C wall. A knyght {sic). LBC omit pei. 3 BCL aftur hem. D aftir that. * BL with ))€ toure Davy. C with the toure of kyng Davy. * L f ai. C Forsothe fey lefft of hem nothyng styll. 6 BL Thei. C And he let. "> D solde hem. B omits II. 4265-6. C has : So that they were boujt and sold hemself alone And islayn with gret peynus everychone. « Z On fat of ere syde f e of er. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 193 As they were slayn, \t\ were ytold ; fo. 59. The noumbre was, as 36 ' may kythe, The number of 4270 An hunderede thousand elleven^ sithe. The somme of all (^at lest her life With hongre, with swerde, and with knyfe. Without J?at' were solde, I understande, Four hundreth and five thousande.* 4275 And J7is wrach ^ shal lasten ay, Their race is Til it come to domesday, DotsdaV'" Upon all the Jewes kynde, In what lande so* men hem fynde ; Ever they shull ben yplight^ 4280 In despite, and J?at is right ; They shull never dwelle in noo lande But for raunson, I understande. This was, I wene, a grete vengeance j Thurgh Goddes owne purveance.* . ' 4285 I?ere may no mannes-slaght* be hyd, pat it ne shall somtyme be kyd. Loke war of^" Goddes sone ne sholde, j ^ B we mowe se. C je may lythe. Z jee mowen lijje. | * ^ and mo I telle it fee. I * ZC })00 fat. \ * B Foure hundred )>ousand and seventene )H}Usande. \ LC Was foure hundref and seventene })0usande. • D For an hundref and seventene fousand pounde. ^ * LBCD wreche. C shall not be forjeten ay. * B fat. C soever. ^ C ipyjt. B omits II. 4279-80. * Z ordinaunce. ' B manslaujter. Z> manere slaujter. C unryjtwys monslaujt. i« B omits of. Z Loke fan sif Goddes sones sholde. C Loke fen where the slaujt of Goddys son ne shold. D Loke whefer fat Goddes sone ne sholde. 2 C 194 Titus and Vespasian ; Pilate is led before Vespasian, who loves him against his will. An old man tells him that Pilate is wearing the kirtle of Jesus, pat alle finges hath^ in his wolde ! Thoo al j?e citee was doun cast, 4290 Titus toke Pilat at ])e last, And broght hym byfom his fadres kne. " Fader," he seide, " loo heere is he pat slogh Jhesu, ]jat was }>i leche, And }?is traitour I the biteche." 4295 pan unswarede sire Vaspasian " Me thynketh I myght not hate ]jis man." Twyes or thryes )7us he seide : " How shulde my wrath ben on hym leide ? Me thynketh I can sey noon o]?ur, 4300 But I most love hym as my brother. Helpe me, som man, I myght hym knowe, pat he lede us thus noo* throwe." Forth J?er come an olde hoore man : " Sire Emperour, I the telle can. 4305 Hereth me, and je shall wyten. I shall gou telle what is writen. Whan Jhesus dyede, soo saith our boke pat * Pilates knyghtes from hym toke His clothes, and delede amonges hem ; 4310 But for his curtell* had noo seem, Pei let hit be,^ and partede it noght, But hoom to Pilat hit was broght (He wot ful wel J^at I ne lye). fo. S9b- ^ L had in holde. C Ben avenged, tha;t hath all thynges in hold. '^ C no long throw. * LBC omit'pz.i. * L And fere was a Icirtel pat. * L pat fai leten ben. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 195 He hath hit kepte in his tresorie. 4315 Seynt Mary ]7at kyrtell wafe, And to Jhesu hir sone hit ^afe. Sire, he dede hit ' on hym J^an, J?oo " J7e grete hongre bygan. Gode stones and ))at cloth co<| uav. ' 4320 Made )^at he felt noo loth, Whil he hit hath, he myght goon Byforn his freendes and his foon. Longe his goon ' he was a fyle ; Knowe * hym and al his gyle. 4325 Take hit/ sire, from the treitour, And were it j^iself, sire Emperour. Hit feP not hym )jerwith be clad, Aftur hym )?at hit firste had ; Also wel to hym it falles 4330 As a dongeheep yspred with palles. On hym jet ]jou myght it' fynde ; Whil he it hath on, ]?ou best as^ blynde. Doo turne hit of, toforn |?i knee. On hym I wot, sire, 1 hit see." 4335 Whan the kyrtell was from hym take Wel mychell sorwe he gan to make. woven by St. Mary, which has saved him from hunger and from his enemies. It is taken from him, 1 C And syre Pylat dyd hit. 2 C Whan that. L When. 8 L Longe is it gon. D Longe is gon. C But long hit is agon fat. B Longe it was he come fro fe ile. * LBCD I knowe. » LC Take J»e kiiteL « BC fallef. ' LBD it. C hit. A hyia, * Z al. B fou worfest. C thu art. D je beth. 2 C 2 196 Titus and Vespasian ; and Vespasian is freed from the spell. Pilate is put in a barrel of steel and sent to the state prison at Viene, The Emperour on hym gan loke, And upon hym his hed he shoke : " Stronge theef/ )?ou shalt be shent, 4340 For l^ou hast me ]?us longe yblent. Fy on ]7e, theef," he* seide a gode while. " How hast l^ou lad us with |7i gyle ! If I may, |70u shalt abye. In stronge tourment' )70u shalt dye. 4345 Elles had I lorn al my journeye, pat I made to J^is citee. For J70U art worthy more shame aloone f)an \& Jewes everychone." Alsoo \& story wytenesseth* and seith 4350 A barell of stele was forth' layde, And al qwhicke he was J^erinne idoo. And hereth, what J^ei dede alsoo : pei J'oght have caste hym in Jje see ; For Jjis resoun \t\ let hym be, 4355 His peynes to lengthen verrayment. Unto Viene * he was sent (I?at tyme it ' was J»e hye prisone, pat longede to Rome and to Jie croun). The barell was selede with his seele, 4360 Soo l^at he were kept ful wel ; And evermore J^ere he shulde lye, fo. 60. 1 Z And seide, Stronge feef. C Strong theff, he sayd. 2 C both fals and fyle. L for longe while. ' B prisone. C turnement. * B witnesse ryjt. C then forth hit seyth. D and seide. ^ B forj>e ydijt. C alle greyth. L for hym greif. D forthe greide. * B Viene. L Vyenne. C Gyen. A Vreyne. D Vreyn. ' Z^Cfere. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 197 In stronge peyne, til J^at he dye. Out of \q barell he was doo/ Whan he come \q prisone too ; 4365 And he was agayn in doon, Whan* he was deed als sone. He was tyede by ' a cheyne "here he is kept ,,.■,,. t . r in chains for two Until a stake, with fetres tweyn, years, And gyves on his handes twey,* 4370 But if hit were \t hiere day. pere he ley two gere, er he were deed, And lyvede by water and by barly brede ; But upon every hye day Was he servede, til* his pay, fo. dob. 4375 Of gode mete and gode drynke, And a man hit to hym brynge. Soo fer \t devell was hym withinne J)at ones hym' rewede noght his synne But lay Jiereinne* as an hounde 4380 Upon J>e bare swopte" grounde. Ay as he lay, right as I rede, ^^ Ne was hym chaungede no maner wede ; In wel michell unclennesse, ^ B transposes II. 4363-4. 2 B Eft whan. ' BCL with. D by. A in. * BCDL with. A to. ^ A transposes II. 4369-70 ; the order of BCDL is adopted. * BL to. C as y yew say. ' C he. B That he never repented of his synne. * LBD J)ere. C in preson there. L as an hefen hounde. * B swypinge. L swepen. D swopen. 1" BLD Evere {LD Ay) he lay ryjt as he (Z> I) jede. C And he lay there as y jew say and rede. 19^ Titus and Vespasian ; And in wel grete dredenesse/ 4385 The story telleth J^at J^ere he ley and finally kills Soo longe, \-aX hym thoght, upon a day. He wex al ful' of his life ; J)at of oon' he borwede a knyfe For to paren a* pere — he drogh, 4390 And J^erwith hymself he slogh. The Sept Sages J)us* doth us telle, As men in the jestes^ spelle. How he dyede \t\ sent' \zxi To \t Emperour sire Vaspasian,* 4395 And he unswared to hem anoon : " To fouler deth myght he not goon ]3an sleen hym with his owne hand ; For wors^ was noon, I understande, Whil he livede, noo moo lorn,^* 4400 t>at ever was of moder born ; For he assentede, by a" wickede rede, To doon Jhesu Crist to deed. 1 ^ derkenesse. Cjjosternes. Z» J>resternesse. L destresse. ^ B wery. ^ B his mayster. C his keper. * C his naylys. * ^ As fe sevene sages. C And so as the set sagys. « B gospel. C gestys. LD goste [geste ?]. ''DC seiden. L sen ten to seie. * C omits II. 4394-5. ^ BC worse def is. *" L forlorne. C omits II. 4399-4404. B has for U. 4399-4400 : He dide ones Jje grettest trespas That ever on er|>e yfounde vvtis. ^^ BLD dome and rede. oy, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 199 He myght not with worse hand Have ben slayn, I understande. 4405 I vouche wel sauf^ he dyede soo, Right as he dede, soo^ lete hym goo." Out of \t prisoun \^\ hym drogh, And vilanesiich/ I hote 30W; And sperede hym in the barell agayn, 4410 As biforn ^e herde me sayn. They buryede hym by a* watres side, fo. 61. l^ere* noo man shulde goo ny ride. In a stede \2X was all wast. pere fele * were sithen agast; 4415 For stynke and cry j^ei hadden doute Of feendes, j^at walkede hym aboute. Nevertheles' many oon f>ere toke his deth, What for drede and what for the breth.^ From jjat side' j^e folke hem drogh, 4420 For the men |5at it slogh." And J7an Jjei token hem to reed, To remewe it" to ano]pur stede; And soo fei deden at j^e last. Into \q water they hym cast. 1 JB Me )>enkej> better fat. ^ B Than men undede him and. 8 LD vileynlich. B vilanliche. C vylenosly. * C the see syde. ^ Cpereas. ^ B many. C monyone. ^ C Wherethrouj. L Wharforouj. * L What of styrik and of his breth. ® C cost. ''^ B For drede of men J^at it slowe. C Bycause that hit so much folk slow. 11 LBD hym. C hem. His corpse is put in the barrel again, and buried by the waterside ; but it causes so many deaths that it has to be removed and cast into the water, 200 Titus and Vespasian ; where it floats up and down rest- lessly, driven by friends. Men think the water has borne it away, till a ship comes to Viene, whose crew have been terrified by the fiends. 4425 t)ere he flet longe up and doun, To many mannes confusioun, Now in \q myddes, now by the brynke, J3at^ doun to grounde myght it^ not synke ; Soo J'e feend' hym possede and here, 4430 J)at he ne myght resten nowhere. I trowe \q soule had litell rest, Whan the body was soo* fer ykest. If feendes shewede^ hym michell bifore, J^ei shewede hym Jian" michel more ; 4435 With derkenes, stynke, and hidous cries, Men thoght hit denede' into \t skyes. By the water durst no man wende Into noo lande, fer ny hende. They of the cuntree wynden^ and sayn 4440 pat J^e water had borne hym thenne, Til on a day a shipp gan glyde Forth []:'er] by® [in] a nones tyde. All J^ei were in grete affray, Whan J^at \€\ \t barell say. 4445 With mychel peyne a lande ^^ they nam, 1 B For. C So that. 2 BCD he. 3 LBCD devels. * ^ so ykeste. C so to-cast. LD so forkest. ^ B schent. ^ B Aftur fei dide. ' B denyd. C doned. LD dyned. * B wente. D wenden. L And \€\i, pe cuntre wenden. C But they that casten hym yn wenden ay. 9 L Forby fast in. B For]) ferby in. C Fast by hit in. D Forthe by the havenes side. i» B That unnef fe lond fat day. C And with mykell wo to lond. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 20I 4450 4455 4460 4465 And into Vyene sone^ Jiei cam, And tolden J)e folke of \2X citee, That \&\ echoon the barell gan^ see Up and doun fletand' wel fast ; Wherfore }>at* J7ei wem agast, What for derkenes and develes cry. And for the stynke j?ei felde hym by. J?an the clergie of the toun Rad* the poeple with resoun, With holy beedes* and penance, J3at God deUverede hem from j^is chaunce ; Thus fiei lyven' in orisoun, pat* God hem sent grace adoun. A vois \tr cam, ]jat bad hem goon To \t water side anoon, And fiere jjei shulde sone see How it shulde of J^at body* be. Alle ]?at myght goon and ride Wenten to J^e water side, J7ere \& body fleteth inne/" pat was encombrede ful of synne. fo. 6 1 3. The clergy enjoin prayer and penance. A voice bids the people go to the waterside. ^ C pat unto Gyane unnethe. "^ B myjt se. L Hou fai hadden ))e barel ysee. ^ BD fletinge. C fletyng. Z floterande. * LB fai weren sore agast. * B Amendede. C Chargyd. D Enjoineth. L Amonge. ^ B praiers. ^ L Leyen fast. B lay. C And so they dyde penaunce with orysoun. « Z Tyl. 9 Z barel. 1* C puts //. 4465-8 in different order, 4468-7-5-6. Z omits II. 4465-6. 2 D 202 Titus and Vespasian ; A rock opens, and the corpse is blown by storm- winds into the cleft. The hole where it lay remains open to this day. Hem )70ght byjonde J^e water syde^ A roche bygan to open wyde ; Above hem roos a wyndes blast, 4470 pat made hem alie sore agast, And J'crwith bothe leyt and thondre, As al J>e worlde shulde gon insundre. This weder forth ]>& body^ blewe, Into Jie roche right it threwe. 4475 Whan it was inne, hit lockede' agayn t»e roche, {^at ]?ei alle sayen.* Thei thankede God in )?at stede. Never aftur ne had ]>ei J)erof drede ; And evere sithen,^ til ]?is day, 4480 pe hoole is open ^^ere he lay,* With stoon ny erthe ne may^ be dytte, In tokenyng oP ])zX. foule pytte. He nas not worthy, I understande, To have noo rest in water ny londe, 4485 He Jjat demede Jhesu to be spylt To shamefull deth withouten gylt. Now° wil I tellen of a aventure fo. 62. ^ Z As fai alle seijen fat ilche tyde. L puts this after I. 4468. LC barel. B closid a5e. C leke ayeyn. B That alle \& peple mygt yse. D open there he lay. D It closede nevere in til this day. BLD mai it be dut. C For neythur stone ne erth may hit not dit. 8 BL of fat foule put. AD fat in fat foule pytte. C fat hit is so foule a pytt. 9 B omits II. 4487-4884 or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. Of Judas/ Goddes treytoure. First, heret hou he was borne, 4490 And sithen thurgh his falsehed lorn. His fader hight Ruben, He wonede |)oo in Jerusalem ; Ciberia'^ his wife hight, pat was Judas moder right. 4495 Upon |?at nyght, j^at he was geten, Full \q hous of feendes seten. In sleep she mette a wonder case ; Of hir sone, j^at hight Judas,* How \t\ tolden her* [j^is] tale : 4500 pis childe shulde be Jewes bale ; ^ Thurgh hym shull J-ei sorwe fynde, All Jjat ben of Jewes kynde. Of hir sweven * she upbrayde ; To Ruben J»is tale she seyde : 4505 " We have doon )»is nyght a dede pat all oure kynde may evere drede. A childe is geten, bitwene us two, pat shall brynge us all to woo. Ruben, I wil ^ the siker biforn, 45 10 If the childe of me be born, «03 Life of Judas : son of Reuben and Ciberia. At his begetting his mother has a prophetic vision ; 1 C Of Judas fat was. * C Cybaria. L Sabaria. D Ciboria. * C Of the child fat fylk nyjt on heore geton was. Z In fat ilche nijth of her son Judas. * D alle fis tale. C Heore thoujt fat one told heore such a tale. L Hou fat f e devels tolde alle fis tale. * C pat he shuld brew the Juwys gret bale. « Cslep. ' Cwarn. LD ich (Z? I) wil be siker. 2 D 2 204 Titus and Vespasian ; Reuben pays little heed to it at the time, but when the child is born they put him adrift on the sea in a boat ; it comes to an isle called Scariot, Howsoo I evere of hym ^ spede, I kepe'' hym neyther foster ny fede." " Dame," quod Ruben, " art J>ou wode ? pou hast a spirit o)?ur )>an gode. 45 1 5 What lyste J^e, dame, for to telle ? * Swevenes beth but a foles spelle."* " Sire," she seide, " Jiis* is myn affray. Hit was tolde me thus as I lay.* If I conceive, sire, as I wene, 4520 Many on shal hit turne to teene." Ruben gan all J'is forgete, fo. Til J^at his wife wex ful grete. The childe was born, whan tyme cam, Michell sorwe for hym they name. 4525 To kepen hym forthe J^ei had care, And l^ei nolde not hym forfare. Anoon they ordeynede and thoght : A newe bote for hym was wroght ; Into ]>e see J^ei hym dight, 4530 And leten hym goo where he myght. pis bote was to and froo soo cast, To lande it come at 'pe last, Into an ile^ J^at Scariot" hight ; And )>ere he toke his name right. 625. 1 LCD hym. J hous. 2 Cnyll. ^ I) spelle. * Z> Or of any swevenes for to telle. * C I am in gret afifray. s CZ) say. T Z ylde. « C Carioth. Z Caryoth. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 305 4535 The Qwene come pleyand' of J^e lande, With hir maydenes, by the sande.^ Of \\% bote she was war, and is seen by the Anoon J^erto she gan fare. yueen, " Maidenes," she seide, " cometh with me, 4540 A bote cometh fletande' on fe see. Som wonder I hope it be, y wys ; Goo we and see what it is." The bote in \& sande gan feste,* As \& water wawes it keste.^ 4545 Drye foot forth up' j^e gravell pei went J^erto, faire and well. A childe, in riche clothes wounden, In J>is bote J:ei have hit^ founden. J?ei saw it was a knave, I wys. 4550 J'oo made \q Quene * mykel blisse ; She seide to hir maydenes echoon " Childe ne had I nevere noon. who adopts the I shall doon it kepen and save, Our heritage get hit may have. 4555 This chaunce for us is ful faire ; Now hath my lord and I an heyre." Tho homeward anoon she wolde, fo. 63. Until hir lorde J^e caas she tolde. * C walkyng. D pleiynge on. * L stronde. D see sonde. C see strond. ' CD fletyng. L seilande. * LCD faste. LCD cast. * LD upon. C So that all drye foot on. 7 LCD omif hit. « L lefdy. child, 2o6 Titus and Vespasian ; giving him out as her own, and naming him Judas Scariot. Afterwards she bears a son. The two boys fight in play ; Thurgh hir bothers ^ rede j^erfore 4560 She made as she with childe wore, And soo it was doon to understande To all \q lordes of l^at londe. pei made hym bom, and forth ]?ei tolde,* ]3urgh \& land, to ^onge and olde ; 4565 For hym was made joye and game. Judas Scariot ' J^ei gaf hym name ; pei dede hym norisshe * as \&\ cone, Right as he were the Kynges sone. Sone aftiirward tyme bifell, 4570 As God hit wolde, faire and well, A cnave childe conceivede \t Qwene (]3at Judas murthered sithen,* I wene). Whan he was borne ]?ei were glad. For it was }?e first J»at \€\ had. 4575 Thoo \€\ were wexen and thriven. In pley ofte J-ei faght and striven. Judas ofte myssaide J'at o]?ur pat he wende had ben his broj^ur. Ever hit is crokede," J^at wil be wronge ; 4580 On elde most it byte, J^at soo doth gonge.^ Soo gan Judas wickede to be, 1 L bofers. CD bothe. A brother. 2 C They maden hit as he had bore then Throw alle the lond to alle men. € Caryoth. L Carioth. L 5eme. C That Judas dred full sore. L Sone croke]>. C But well sone hit is crokyd. D omits IL 4579-80. C And on ^eld jif hit abyde hit woU be strong. L In eelde mote biten fat jonge stong. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem, ao7 Bothe Jjurgh blode and destyne. The netell greveth J»e swete rose ; By ]?is two^ we may it suppose. 4585 For Judas ofte \& childe smot, And made hym ofte wepen teres bote ; And Jjo* the Quene it understode, pat game J'oght hir' noj^ing gode. She toke it swithe sore to hert, 4590 And made Judas scouren smert, And tolde j^at* he nas nothing sybbe,* Flesshe ny blode, boon ny ribbe, But J^at he was an fundelyng fo. 636. Bothe to hir and to \q Kynge : 4595 " t'erfore ne smyte Jiou not my sone, If J'at Jjou wilt with us wone." For J?is letten hym ne lyste* Hym' to beten and to byste. When Judas wist and understode 4600 pat he cam J^ere by the flode, He wende not J^at it were soo, But for wrath it had be doo ; He was soo cherisshede^ with Kynge and Quene, Judas is chidden, and told that he is a foundling. ' L By J>ise two children. C And by this we may hem both suppose. * C when. 8 L Hire ))oujth fe gamen. C Of that game she thougt not goode. * ZChym. ^ LC hem sybbe. * C But sit for all thys letten of he nold To myssay the Kyngus son and beten hym he wold. ^ LD pe kynges son. » L cherilich. C And that he was so dawntyd. 2o8 Titus and Vespasian ; He murders the King's son, and flees to Jerusalem, where he soon wins Pilate's favour. Forthy he wende not it myght ben.^ 4605 But whan J^is maydenes witnessede J^at J'ing, J3at wern at his fyndyng, J)oo he herde of hem^ )7is fame, He toke to hym soo mykel shame (For he wende ever and 00 4610 He were J^e Kynges sone til J^oo), J?at prively J^at childe he slogh, And forth anoon he hym withdrogh. He was aferde to lesen his hed, Other to sofFren som other deed ; 4615 Soo he sholde, and' he abede.* perfore hoom fast* he hym dede With messagiers of \z.X. lande, pat beren truage, I understande, pei wenten toward Jerusalem;* 4620 In her company J^ider he kem. To Pilates courte he hym drogh, pere he was sone couth ynogh With subtilte and with coyntise. And with gyftes to hym and hise. 4625 As in proverbesMt is ytolde, Bothe of zonge and of oolde, The gode men togedre Jiei drawe, ' C He wende for wrath hit had so bene. ' L hem. AD hym. C And when he hard all of this trew fame. 8 LCD had. * ZC abyde. " LCD And {CD om. And) ferfore on his feet. * C Unto the cyte of Jerusalem, And forth went he thydur with hem. ' C the prophecye. L fe proverbes. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 209 And every fooP to his felawe ; Soo dede" Pilate and Judas. 4630 Eyther glad of oj^ur was ; Her manors acordet everydell, Forthy j^ei loveden yche oj'ur well. If Pilate to evell redy was, get wel redyer was Judas. 4635 From Jiat J»ei were togeder knowe, J?ei were togeder soo' greet throwe pat* Pilate went out on a day Into J?e citee, hym to play, And for to avisen hym up and doun 4640 Unto J?e kepyng of jje toun.* And as he lokede on every side. He sagh a tree J^at spredde wide ; In an orchard fair it stoode. pat sigght melled* al his bloode,' 4645 For hym J^oght IpaX he was war^ pat J?e tree )je fairest apples bar pat ever he sagh in his live. His hert soo stode on hym' bilive^" pat he ne wist what to doon. fo. 64. One day Pilate sees an apple- tree, for whose fruit he yearns, C shrew. Z So ferden. D So it ferde by. C And so hit ferd by. C a full gret throw. Z a gret frowe. C Then. Z It bifel })at. C How he myjt best kepe that town. LD menged. C amendyd. C mode. Z> mood. * C has for II. 4645-7 ; For that full feyre applys that tre bare And thereof he was full well iware. For hit were the feyrest that evur he say yn his lyve. 'ZChem. 1" LD so blyve. C full blyve. 2 E 2IO Titus and Vespasian ; 4650 But if he had of hem soone ; Hym thoght his hert wolde to-brest, Ne wolde he never have noo rest, Til he myghte at his vpille Of ]7at fruyt have his fylle. 4655 Of J^is foule temptacioun Cam sithen wel grete confusioun. in Reuben's pis orchard vs^as, wel y wot, '"■^^'"^- Judas fadres Scariot/ Man J^at J^oo most was prive 4660 With Pilate of all his meyne. [Pilate on j^is fruyt so thoght,]^ Til he hit had, ne lefte he noght ; He asks Judas to He clepede anoon right' Judas : 4665 For ]?ou wilt leve for no greef To doon >e >ing J?at me were leef. pis other day I went adoun, And seygh her out in >e toun. In an orchard upon a tree, fo. 646. 4670 The fairest apples >at myght be. As J70U wilt myn hele save, Helpe me of ]?at fruyt to have, I prey the, Judas my derlynge, Now haste \q upon alle >inge." 4675 Judas seide " I the plyght, pou shalt have perof J'is nyght, I bihote J^e, er \zX we slepe bothe, Whosoever be glad or wrothe." 1 L Carioth. C Of thys Judas fader Caryoth. 2 So LD. C And Pylat ... so he thoujt. » C to hym Judas. L And for]) onon he cleped Judas. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 211 Judas dede hym thider anoon, 4680 As hym was taght, J^ider to goon. And hym was hard happe tofore,' pat ever he was geten or bore. He sterte in, als * hym ne roghte. Where Ruben wonede he wist noght ; ' 4685 He understandeth * never biforn pat he was \&x& yborn, Ny his kynde ne couthe hym knowe, pogh iche day j^ei had hym sawe, J7ei wende [not] * hit had ben he 4690 pat were with Pilate so prive ; They wende \t see had hym forfare, And fordoon her allers ^ care- But his desteyne soo ne wolde ; Hit most ben right as hit sholde. 4695 pogh men wane ' to stoppen Goddes cast, Hit wil forth goon at \t last. Whan he into \q orchard cam. Of Jjis apples fast he name. He lokede aboute, and helde hym tryste ; 4700 pis fruyt in his bosom he thryst. And J^erwith gan* Ruben goo. And sawe hym [how]' he pluckede soo. Judas comes to the orchard and picks the apples ; he is espied by Reuben, 1 LCD An hard hap \z.n {CD om. fan) was hym biforne. ^ C as he ne roujt. 8 C And there woned Ruben and he wyst hit noujt. * LCD understood. ^ LD pai wenden noujth. C pey vpyst not. « C allere. Z alder. D alther. ' L wenden. C And they redely we. * L com Ruben foo. C com Ruben well sone tho. 9 CLD how. 2 E 2 2 1 2 Titus and Vespasian ; who challenges He wex anoon full of ire : \\\rt\ " Why^ doost )>ou soo, beau sire ? 4705 What hast Jjou in my cloos to done ? Hye J»e out, I rede \&, soone, And gelde me up J^e fruyte J»ou hast, fo. 65. And make amendes of J^is wast, And get* J^ou shalt ful sore abye 4710 pis' apert vilanye." Judas unswarede hym with pruyde : " I wil not leve* J'ogh j^ou chide. But J»ou goo in, by }?is day, j7ou shalt abuye and by my fay." 4715 " ge," seide Ruben, " J»is* is soo?" They fight, Right anoon he stert hym to. And by the throte ech ojjur laghte ; And longe J^ei togeder faght, Soo J^at Judas atte last 4720 From Ruben his fader brast. He laghte' a stoon J^at he fonde, And hent his fader by the hande ; and Reuben is Bihynde he bete hym soo on J»e hed. Til he fell doun under hym deed. 4725 Oute of \q orchard sone he fley, And hoom to Pilate he toke is wey. Pilate had sone Jiat fruyte in ^ mouthe, 1 CLD And seyd why. 2 Cellus. 8 A pis is (is interlined by another hand). C Ryjt for this opyn vylonye. D pis apert opene villanye. * L And seide I nyl lete. C feys that thu me chyde. 5 C and wult thu so ? LD is it so ? 6 CD caust. ^ L ynome. killed. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 213 And michell Jianke he hym give couthe.^ All his caas he tolde hym sone, 4730 t'at was for the appels done.* " 36," quod Pilate, "recche \q noght ! JJere wot noo man who it wroght. Bere the wel, and holde J^e stille, And get Jjou shalt have al J'i wille. 4735 Alle J^e goodes J'at his wore I graunte \q for evermore ; And \q wife, J^at was his, Shall ben at \\. wille, y wys." Whan it toward J^e even cam, 4740 J?e wyf into hir orchard cam ; ' After hir husband she lokede fast, And cam and fonde hym at \t last Righte Starke deed sikerlike. fo. 65^. She wende J^at it had ben sodeynlike, 4745 For she wist not of \\% caas. Whan ny thurgh whom it was. Erlich in morwen,* whan it was day, She went to Pilate for j^is affray. " pis nyght I fonde my husband deed ; 4750 I ne wot how, ny thurgh what* reed. Leve sire, helpe me at \\s> rees, For I am now all helpeles." " Dame," quod Pilate, " care \& noo dele ! j7ou shalt be holpen swithe wele. Ciberia finds her husband's corpse, and appeals to Pilate, who bids her be comforted, ' Z cone. LCD omit gwe. » C omits II. 4730-47571/ "9<5 being left blank. * LD nam. * Z Erly amorowe. D Erly on morwe. ' Z whas. 2 1 4 Titus and Vespasian ; 4755 Do* bury hym swithe, and have no care, For I have ordeynede for all J?! fare. Dame, I thenke to gyven the . t>e^ moost prive man with me. and weds her to Take hym here by the hande, Tuds-S 4760 He shall be J>in husbande," She durste not ones say nay. But toke^ Judas, Pilat to pay. poo Jjei were weddet, Judas and she. And had awhile togedres be, 4765 Upon a nyght she hir bywent And wept and sore hir byment. Judas seide " Dame, what is |>is fare ? Why makest {jou soo mykel care ? Is Jjere oght hath grevede the ? 4770 Telle me, and ]?ou shalt vengede be." She tells Judas " Sire," she seide, " I may wel sorwe her story, t-. 1 t • Bothe on even and m morwe. I may ever be carefull wife. Whan I Jienke upon my life. 4775 Ruben and I, a childe we hadde ; For hym ne be* I nevere gladde. In the see we hym caste. And Jere we sawe our sone last. I wene he is deed sikerlike, 4780 And ^ his fader now sodenlike. 1 LD Do. A To. 2 C To the. L pe man fat is pryvyest wi]> me. * Z Pilate and Judas for to paye. * L wor))e. DC shal I nevere be glad. ^ C And so is. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 215 But now Pilate, with^ bote bare, Hath yekede^ wel more my care. Agaynes my wille he weddet me, To lede my life, Judas, with )ie," 4785 Thoo Judas understode J^is caas, He seide J?at he hir sone was. " Alias," she seide, " art \o^x soo? pan is here wo upon woo. Here is sorwe upon sorwe. 4790 How shuU we ever be' borwe ? " Tho Judas wist is* moder his wife, And had irefte'' his fader his life. Of his synne he gan hym repent. His moder radde hym J)at he went 4795 To seken Jhesu, J?at prophete. His foule synnes for to bete. To Jhesu cam J^is ilke Judas, And criede hym mercy for his trespas. Jhesu grauntede hym full sone, 4800 And gaff hym penance for to done. Soo wel he dede, as he hym bad, ]3at his disciple he hym made ; He paide* so wel Jhesu hymself, pat he was^ of J^e apostels twelve. 4805 And Jjogh he were to Jhesu leef, get was he prively his theef ; fo. 66. and he realizes what he has done. In repentance he goes to Jesus, and becomes one of the twelve apostles ; ^ L wif bote jare. CD of bote well (Z> al) bare. * L ynewed. D ieched. C Hath now echyd my gret care. * C ben out borow. D hym borouj. * C fat his moder was his wyff. ' Z bireft. C berevyd. D He hadde rafte. * L plesed. C And he bare hym so well to. ' L He made hym on of. DC That he w^as oone of. 2l6 Titus and Vespasian ; but steals the tenth part of the alms given him as purse-bearer for Jesus. He values Mary's ointment at three hundred pence, and sells Jesus for thirty, to make good his loss. Struck with remorse For Jhesus dede hym \zX. honour, pat he made hym is procatour,^ To beren \t, purs, for* quoynt and wys, 4810 Of J'at' was gyven to hym and his ; And, as men reden, J^e tenth* part He stale and helde* to hymward ; And, to hasten his confusioun, As hit is tolde in the passioun, 4815 Thoo Mary with )je oynement Anoyntede' Jhesu with gode entent, t>at was riche, he understode, And J^erfore was' [he] wel negh wode, And wex right wroth to [ward]* Mary, 4820 For it cam not to his baily. Of* thre hundrede pens kest it he, Worth ^'^ to sellen of her monee ; And for to restoren Jjat oynement, purgh ]7e feendes procurement, 4825 For \t tenthe" peny his Lorde he solde, XXX*'. pens, hit wil be tolde. Sorwe and shame, wanhope and woo Undertoken Judas thoo. fo. 663. ^ C prokettoure. L procuratoure. ^ C for he was qweynt and wyse * C Off the money that. * CD tenth. L tiende. A tethe. 8 C hyd hit. Z He helde hymself. * L Alifed. D Anone. ^ C Judas was. D was he. L he was. * C toward. AD to. L wij>. 9 L Worf. D For. C And for. 10 L Redy. D Worfi. C pat the oynement were worth sold to be. " L tiende. D ti})e. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 217 I^at he nolde God noo mercy crye 4830 For is wickede vilenye.^ Sithen he knewe hym, and is fame, He was \& more for to blame ; For he sawe hym ay curteys To all ))at sechen hym allweyes, 4835 t'at were seek, o>ur in trespas ; Merciable to hem he was. But he most nedes be lorn. As it was lokede^ hym biforn. Whan' to >e Jewes agayn he cam 4840 With her monee, >at he name,* And seide "Loketh" ^oure monee. I have synnede, soo° dede ge," The Jewes seiden " Thyn is \q synne. X>ou bede' us Jhesu for to* wynne, 4845 And Jjurgh Jje we cam hym to ; Forthy >enke what \ow hast doo." Whan he sawe noo better boote, He dede hym smertly on his fote Into a waste, a pryve stede 4850 (A wickede maister gan hym lede). And ]7ere upon an elleren* tree He hongede hymself in private. 1 LCD felonye. ^ C ordeyned. « L pan. * C He cast hem the mone fat he of hem nam « C Taketh there. * ZC and so. ^ Csoldest. * Cthy. ^ L hildre. D elderne. 2 F he returns the thirty pence, and hangs himself on an elder-tree. 2i8 Titus and Vespasian I His wombe to-cleef^ and rente, His guttes to his fote doun wente ; 4855 He myght not fleen ]?at foule wrecche, For he nolde is God knoulache. fo. 67. Up in the ayre he most dye, For he dede aungeles vilanye ; And to us he dede alsoo, 4860 perfore most he dye soo. For he solde God,^ our allers freende, For to dyen in Jewes hande.' J)us suffrede he his penance. To fulfille l^e grete vengeance. 4865 Rytwene Holy Thurseday and Pentecost, The apostles Whan Thesus sent te Holy Goost, choose Mathias •' in his stead. Petre stode up amonges hem all. And seide " je* witen what is bifall. Oon is lorn, l^at was oure brother. 4870 Amonges us we mot chese anoj^ur.* We mot be alle hool twelve, As oure Maister bad hymselve. For to goo preche in every lande ; Thus he bad us, I understande. 4875 Of oure disciples chese we/ Of all J700 J^at under us be, 1 C atwo he cleff. D al to-clefe. L cleef in two. ^ CL Jhesu, oure allere frend. D alther frende. ^ L kynde. C For to ben slayn wyth Jewys unhende. * LCD see. A We. ^ So LCD. A transposes II. 4869-70. ' C And anothyr apostell now chese we. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 219 Sexty and twelve under^ all. Loketh to whom it wil bifall." X>t\ kesten loot^ by and by, 4880 AUweyes it fell on seynt Mathey; And Jius J»ei fulfiUede her tale J:'at Judas had broken with bale. }7us cam Judas to the' ende, To dampnacion withouten* ende. 4885 ^Lete we Pilate and Judas dwelle;'' Of \q Emperour I wil gou telle. At Jerusalem whil j^at he lay, His men went out, nyght and day. Into \q, contree abouten hem, 4890 Many a myle from Jerusalem, For all manere of vitaille, ■ Whan he* bygan any to faile. fo. 67^. Tounes, castels and citee pei token J)urghout al Judee, 4895 And dede^ men Goddes lawes take. And all her false bileve forsake, Als* wide as l^ei went, Thurgh \q. Emperours comaundement ; And J'oo J>at wolde not J^ei slogh * C we be under all. * C And they cast lot then. * D the fende. L his ende. * C unto the fende. ^ B Lete we nowe Pilat duelle. « BD hem. :-;• Cthey. L Whan fat any gan hem fayle. ^ C maden. 8 BL Also. D Als there. C And thus they deden as for as they wente. 2 F 2 Let us return to Vespasian : he sends out from Jerusalem for victuals. capturing towns, making converts at the sword's point, 220 Titus and Vespasian ; exacting oaths of fealty, and amending laws. He bethinks him of his soldiers, 4900 With sorwe and with pyne ynogh. They token into her bandoun The keyes of castelx/ citee and toun, And dede^ hem alle, lesse and more, Swere hym fewte,* J^at J^ere wore, 4905 And to his eyres, withouten ende. Wheresoever J»ei dwelle, fer or hende. Of lawes he made amendement Aftur his maner, wheresoever* he went ; He stablede* all J>inges, and® soght, 4910 Soo J^at oon' failede noght. pus wroght J»ere sire Vaspasian, pat he had thanke of God and man ; And sire Titus yhad^ alsoo, For he helpet rijt wel |?erto. 4915 pan bythoght J^e Emperour : " Now I mot doon my men honour, pat have dwellede here with me In grete travaile for J'is citee ; For deth, ny life, ny for no woo, 4920 Ny for no wakyng' fro me goo On no maner wise J'ei ne wolde, 1 Z castels. Z> castelles. BC castel. 2 C made. ^ BD Swere him fewte. Z Sweren hem feute. C Do to hym fewte. A Swere hem fast. * Z wif gode entent. ^ D stablisshed. * Z fat he on foujth. ^ BL )>er failed ryjt noujt. D fere ne failed nou5t. C there nothyng ne faylyd noujt. » Z dude. BC hadde. D it hadde. ^ B peril. Z wantyng. C From me wold they never goo. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 221 But [alway] ' stifly J^ei have holde. " Now grauntmercy," he seide, " lordynges, pat me have holpen wynne * J>ese J?inges." 4925 The riche he gaf landes and rentes, To meene men grete avauncements ; His pouer servandes, J^at Htell wonen,' pat kepte withinne and noght oute ronen, Hem he feflFede * fair and well 4930 With \t citezines los cattell.' Of al j^at ever was yfounde, I hote, ]7ei lefte al bare J^e grounde ; There hous and wall and roof fast stode, pei swept it clene, with * al J^e gode. 4935 P^^ toke he leve of all Jjc lande, And toward shippes he gan fonde. pei sette wardeynes, his sone and he, Aboute \t toun and J^at cuntree ; And he ' and all her companye, 4940 With songe, murth and melodye. Whan al was doon to J'e ende, Homward anoon J^ei gan wende. pei seileden soo j^at J^ei come Hoole and sounde hoom to Rome. and rewards them with lands, rents fo. 68. and loot ; then he returns to Rome, 1 LB alway {B alday) stifly wif me helde {B holde). C styffly wyth me ay han they hold. 2 B ende. C to. LD to ende. ^ B omits II. 4927-8. * B avaunced. * A castell. B With fe cites good and here castel. C With goodys of the cyte and of the castell. LD Wij) fe citezeins loos catel. ^ B oi. L swepten al clene away ye. good. ' LBC J)ai. J22 6^" ^at place ]>o And Titus his sone wepinge also. C And then she kyssed hem bothe two Both Vaspasyan and Tytus allso. * BCL and. ^ L pat had fe Holy Cost. D pat the hooly lande hath. C That they the holy lond had. ® C From tene and. or, The Destruction of J'erusalem. 22^ Evermore, whil J^at J?ei live.' To every man his waresoun was gyve, J)at J^ei myght fair lyven [therejby,^ 4970 pei and her heyres sikerly. Seynt Clement seide to sire Vaspasian " Me liketh J>ou art lives man/ ]3at Jjou shalt^ get cristenede be, Soo ^ ]?ou and ]?ine bihighte me. 4975 Sire, I prey the, haste \e sone pat it were in dede done ; But if J'ou doo withouten othe, God wil sone be with ]>& wrothe, For he hath broght )>& to J^in above, 4980 His lawe to undertake* and love." pan seide ^q Emperour ful sone " Doo dight ]>^.X. J^is J)ing were done," ' Sire* Clement of this was glad ; He made al redy, as he hym bad. 4985 He dede hem shave, more and lasse, Her berdes ' in token of clennesse, Clement reminds Vespasian of his promise to be christened. Preparations are made, ^ C And sethen to uchon of hem fat fer wold lyve A feyre lyvyng to waryson was ijeve. ^ CB therebye. ^ £ Mynde fat fou art a lyves man. C I am glad that thu art jit a lyvys man. * BC myjt. Z And fat fou shall. 5 BCL As. ® D undirstonde. ' B Sire, I praie 50W fat fis fing be done. C Do now fast fat hit were done. D Do araye the fat fis were done. L Dijtte fee, Sir, fat fing were done.. 8 BCDL Seynt. * Z Her hevedes. B His men. 224 Titus and Vespasian ; and Vespasian, Titus and the rest are christened. Vespasian turns pagan temples into churches, And clothede hem in white wede, All Jjat to Cristendom gede ; And for to make solempnete/ 4990 For Jiat J>ei all on * live be, All hoollike ^ J^ei went To resceiven J'at sacrement ; J?at * semede \dX God wolde hem save, pat made hem mychel joye to have, 4995 1^^^ were J>ei all yshriven,* And absolucion he hath hem gyven. He cristenede \& Emperour anoon, And Titus his sone, and* everychon. Sire' Clement songe hem a messe. 5000 They offrede to hym, bothe more and lesse. Her right faith he hem taghte ;^ pei Jjat were wroth,' he made hem saghte ; They lernde of hym the lawe ; l?ei liveden sithen aftur his sawe. 5005 pe Emperour let make mony a kirke Of olde temples j^at were derke, pere maumetries"^ had er ben. fo. 69. * C In tokyn of that gret solempnite. * L alyves be. D lymes be. B The most fat men my^t yse. C And that fey all of on lyff shuld be. ^ C And all to holy chyrch. D Of hooly chirche rijt. L Als holelich risth as. * LBD It. C And thereby hit. ^ B Whenne fei were clene yschryve. * L And his men. 7 BCDL Seynt. * B omits II. 5001-2. 9 CD worthy. ^^ B mawmettes. C mawmeutry. D mawmetis. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 225 Wei riche atire' men myght ]?ere seen; Wei ricchely he dede to wirche^ 5010 Al j?at sholde' to holy chirche, Of golde, silver and riche stones, With crafty cros* for the nones; And riche fee^ he gaf hem j^erto, Of landes and rentes alsoo. 5015 He dede* conferme j^e Cristen lawe purgh every lande with strengthe and awe. and enshrines the He dede spere^ Jje vernycle wel, S^Peter's" In golde and cristall* every del; minster. In the cristall he dede [it]* couche, 5020 Men to seen but not to touche. To Petres mynster" he gaf it right; Of dame Veroyn fe vernycle hight." Sire ^^ Clement toke J^e croun J?an, Clement crowns A J ^ -4. • T7 • and anoints And set it on sire Vaspasian, Vespasian, 5025 And anoyntede hym with an oyntement, As falles to Kynges coronement." Vaspasian Jjoght for " to queme. > ^Z>aray. * B omits II. 5009-10. ' C shuld go. * BCL werke. D werkis. " B jiftes. C fees. * L lete. C And over all he confermyd. '' B dide close. D dide to-close. Z lete sperre. C And he made closyn. * BC sylver. 9 BD dide it. Z dude it. C let hit. 1" B mynyster. Z> maister. Z And to name. " B bryst LC it hijth. " BCDL Seynt. " Z> omits I. 5026. " LBCn God. 2 G 226 Titus and Vespasian ; who then confirms He toke a riche dyademe him as Pope. /,. ■ i • i (pat IS a mytre with a croime, 5030 As falleth to J^e Pope with resoun), He sacrede ])t Pope seynt Clement, And set it on hym with gode entent, And bitoke ^ J?e Pope his staff (pat was a cros ]?at he hym ^afFj, 5035 And seide " Pope I conferme the Of alle clerkes moost to be, fo. b<^b. pat is J'urgh everyche lande. I wil J'ei ben under J^in hande, Right as Petre bifore J?e had, 5040 And J^urgh [)?e] * be all oure lawes yladde. And all ]>& power, J^at Pope shal * have. In all poyntes I vouch wel save. Our goostely fader I holde the Under almighty God in Trinite." 5045 Whan )»is was doon, with joye and pees, Vespasian rules The Emperour anoon hym chees of h!s Se.'^' '''' purghout every lande to wende,* Pees to make and lawes to mende, Soo it was holden, up* life and lyme, 5050 For hym and for his sones tyme ; ^ D At his auter. 2 BCDL bitoke him the Popis staf. 3 D And thoruj the. B And forw J)i lawes be ladde. C And throw the fat heore lawys ben lad. L transposes II. 5039-40 : And forouj fee her law^es ben ladd As Peter and ofer biforne fee hadd. * ^Cschulde. * L sende. * B apoun. C on. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 227 And' livede in such devocioun pat of hym* sithen come grete renoun, For God shewede in J^at stede Byforn his tombe, whan he was dad, 5055 As we' in his story fynde, He* helede J^e crokede and \& blynde, Soo aftur hym regnede Titus his sone, The Emperour most curteys by wone' pat ever get was of tolde ; 5060 And jet in geestes so is he holde, As witnesseth he was allweyes Of jeftes and godenesse soo curteys/ Comynly he had saide and sworn' pat day he had foule ylorn,* 5065 Whan he nath no' geftes gyven. " How " he seide "shulde I ]7us gate liven, I ]?at soo mykell in tresour have, But I som man \&xo{ gave ? Forthy'" God sent me J^is richesse After his death miracles are wrought at his tomb. His successor Titus is famed for courtesy and charity. 1 B Thei. C And he. 2 B hem. ^ C Myracles as we. •* L pere. B Ther were. C pat there were. * BL Emperour fere (Z om. ))ere) of corteys wone. C An Emperoure curteyst of hys wone. * ^ Of jiftes bo]>e good and curteys. C Of all goodnes and jifftus he bare the keys. ' B And J»o he seide himselve to " This day I have foule forgo." C And mony tymes he wold thys say, pat he had fowle forlorn that day. * L pis day I have foul forlorne. ^ Z Whan I ne have none. 1" LB For. C For whi. 2 G 2 228 Titus and Vespasian ; Miracle : Jews return to Jerusalem, meaning to rebuild it; 5070 To part with hem J^at haveth lesse." Now, I hope, seyn fewe men soo/ As sire Titus was wonede to doo. fo. 70. Now, Vaspasian and Titus, I biteche 30U oure Lorde Jhesus. 5075 A mervaille I may 30U telle. If ge wil a while dwelle : What wonder tokenes God hath sent, Sithen the Emperour hoom was went, In tokenes of \z.\. destructioun, 5080 J?at God wolde, oV J?at synfull toun pat was assentant' to his deed In worde, in werke and in reed ;* For J^at J^ei J^oght,^ til it was doon, Rest ne was with hem^ noon. 5085 Longe God abode of her repentance,' Er j^at he sent hem soo grete venjaunce. Some of J^e grettest, \zX. lefte on live Of J^e Jewes, comen ful blyve ^ I^ere \q toun stode of Jerusalem. 5090 l?ere merkes on \& grounde J^ei nam. To have ybilde J^at citee agayn. • But I hope \t\. wroght in vayn ; 1 B omits II. 5071-2. * B That felle to. L pai fat ne dyed in. 2 Z And vvepen assentaund. C For God was assentant to that dede. * C In all degre, as we hit rede. * L Fro fat fai poujtten it. C Wherefor untyll fat the vengeans were done. « A hym. LBD hem. C With Vaspasyan and his folk rest was there none. ^ L peij fai aboden longe her penaunce. 8 A blithe. LBCD blyve. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 229 For God wolde her kynde no more Shulde bileven to dwelle thore, 5095 But other nacion^ it shulde abide, And J^ei shulde seche her wonyng wide. J?ei loked doun a litell stounde ; A croys J^ere lay* on the grounde, Of newe blode rede to ]it sight, 51CX3 pat made hem to fleen yplight. The rede croys' bitokenede anoon pat her wrech* was not all goon. Another day agayn they comen, And on the grounde her merkes nomen, 5105 For Jiei wende to speden bet ; pan fonde ]>ti full her clothes set With such croises* as J^ei saye fo. "job. Biforn hem on ]7at other day. Of J^is sight hem J'oght noo play, 51 10 But anoon hennes J?ei fley. pe thridde day J>ei comen efte. Hem were better J»ei had lefte ; Twey warnynges Jjei had at wille, If Jiei wolde holde° hem Jjertille, 5115 Ac^ looth hem was Jjat place forgoo, they see a blood- red cross on the ground. Another day they see similar crosses on their clothes. On the third day they come again, neglecting these two warnings ; ^ D naciouns {om. it). L omits II. 5095-6. * L Croices hem poujtten leien. ^ L croices. * CL vengeaunce. ^ AC croys. B croises. LD croices. ^ LBC have holden hem stille. L has then two lines, not in the other MSS. : pai au[e]nt[u]reden hem for to see jif hij mijtten have founded fat cite. 1 CZ»But. 230 Titus and Vespasian ; and fire springs from the earth and burns them to ashes. Consider how patient Jesus was with the Jews, If ]?ei myght have come )>erto. And as J^ei stoupede, her merkes to take. They had noo myght thennes to shake, For to telle noo carpentere 5120 What mesures J^ei token Jjere. Out of J»e erthe J'cre spronge a fyre With sparkeles hoote and^ lowe skyre, J^at brent * hem alle thore, pat body and bones askes wore. 5125 Thus endeth the foles with J^at fuyre, Ne had J^ei noon oJ>ur huyre, For they deden out ' of skyle Allweyes agaynes Goddes wille. pei most nedes all forfare ; 5130 Hit helpeth noght hem* her worching sare. pus the Jewes destroiede wore, As the prophetes seide bifore ; But get nys not J^e vengeance goon, Til \& grete doom be doon. 5 135 Loke what man wil * soo abide, As Jhesu Crist hymselfe dede. He Jjat is God and Lorde of alle ? A meke Lorde * we may hym calle, pat soo longe his wrech withdrogh 5 140 For' Jje Jewes, J^at hym slogh, L and glowede cler. B fat were clere. C With sparkelys fat were both loud and shyre. BCL forbrent. L wi))Outen skyll. C ajeynst skyll, LBCD for hem to care. C wold. L wolde so han bede. B A mercyful God. LD A meke God. C A full meke God. BL Fro. C From. or, The Destruction of Jerusalem. 231 For the tokenes he dede hem sende, If J^ei wolde hem oght amende ; And so longe hit forth glode, pat fourty gere he abode. 5145 Sithen he is soo meke, loke hym to, fo. And lere ' we to soffre soo. Maister Josephus, Jje gode clerc, He witnesseth forsoth all J^e werk. He myghte ]>& better J^e sothe weyten,* 5150 For he sawe \ie vengeance smyten ; And alsoo he wroot all ]>q story Of all Jiat fel to J^e Juwery. And alsoo wittenesseth ]>e ^onge seynt Jame, t»at soflfrede l^ere ful michel shame ; 5155 And the knave, the prophete, pat was slawe by' ]7e strete ; Why* Jacob was agrevede soore, As ge han herde heeretofore. Nichodemus bereth witnesse 5160 Of Jiese J^inges, more and lesse ; Of Jiis thyng maketh mencioun* In Nichodemus passioun ; And in ]>e geestes of Emperours, Of J^ese wonderfull aventours ; 5165 And in the Gospell all it sit. And feele prophetes witnesseth it, And ]?e foure gospellers echoon 1 BC lerne. Z Lere we of hym. '^ B wr)'te. LCD writen. 3 LBCD in. * B With fat. C pat tyme fat. ^ C Of the which Nychodemus maketh of mensyion In the boke of Jesu Cristus passyon. and how He sent them warnings : 71- witness Josephus, St. James the Less, the prophet who was slain in the street, Nichodemus in his book of the Passion, the Gestes of Emperors, many prophets, and the I'^our Gospels. 232 Titus and Vespasian. Of J^is wreche acorden in oon. Of all jjis J^e^ werke is wroght, 5170 And in her bokes oute ysoght.* Honourede be oure Lorde so hende ! Thus ends the f)us is the story broght to ende. story. God grant ..i 1 i 1 • n 1 us bliss, Amen. Iblessede mot J^ei alle be Of Jhesu Crist in Trinite, 5175 ]3at in J'is maner his deth wroken, As I have biforn yspoken ! I hope J^ei have, as worthy is, , To her mede heven blisse. God for his peynefull passioun ' 5180 Graunte us soo graciouse guerdoun, To have J^at blisse and J^erinne * to be ! Amen, Amen, pur charitee. Thus endeth Jie seege of Jerusal[em]. Rede hit for trewe, and for noo dre[me].* 1 L werk fat was wrou^h. B werke fat is ywroust. D werk howe it is wrou^t. C And by all these this matere was wroujt. ''^ LC Out of her bokes it is (C was) broujth. « LB CD omit II. 5179-80. < LBCD God (C And God) graunte us alle (B alle so, D also) fere. ^ This couplet is only in A. The ends of the lines have been cut away by the binder; " no dreme " is written below tlie last two words in a modern hand. The other MSS. have the following colophons : L Here endef fe vengeaunce of Goddes deth. B Explicit. C Explicit hie sedes vel obsidium de civitate Jerusalem. Jhesus est amor meus. D [H]ere endith the Sege of Jerusalem. (§Iofisarg^ aboght, expiated, i8 abuye, abye, expiate, 4714, 519 ac, but, 2385, 3375 acombrede, encumbered, 938 acoyntance, acquaintance, 3413 adradde, in dread, 124 aghte, ought, 3773 agrisen, agroos, terrified, 554, 552 aknowe, acknowledge, 3070 ; known, 3596 alday, always, 949 alblaste, arbalest, cross-bow, 2944 alithede, anointed, 18 19 allere, allers, <2/"a//, 1255, 2764 als, aj, 2157 als wys, in like manner, 3249 also, alsoo, how, as, 1454, 802 and, if, 294 apaire, impair, hurt, 779 apert, open, 4710 aplight, aplyght, indeed, 1329, 848 arst, sooner, 1787 askes, aj^5, 5124 aspyes, jr/Zw, 2853 assoille, absolve, 2516 astonde, stagnant, 3015 astounde, awhile, 4036 astynt, ceased, 1995 atyre, apparatus, 2946 aukeward, backwards, 291 1 aventures, adventures, 83 avowtrie, adultery, 115 avys, ai/OT«, 3359 awere, war, 2974 ajeynes, against, 978 bailly, custody, security, 2704, 4040 bale, ^«r/, 1656 bandon, bandoun, control, 1550, 4901 barneteem, baraetem, offspring, 884, 1398 baudekyn, brocade, 4167 bedes, beedes, /roy^w, 782, 4455 berffreys, siege-towers, 2948 beten, ,4e/J>, 3642 bette, remedy, 1656 biggen, ^«y, 772 bihete, bihote, />/ww««, 1918, 2060 bileve, bilefte, remain, — ed, -ji^, 3481 bilive, bilyve, quickly, 4648, 4097 \A\o^, profited by, 17 bilokede, beheld, 3312 biloken, enclosed, 2834 biteche, commit, 4294 biwriede, accused, 119, 1243 bijete, ^a/«, 4187 blent, blinded, 189 blynne, «a5tf, refrain, 212, 378 blyve, quickly, 5088 boght, expiated, 683 borne, charged, 511 borwe, pledge, 2884 ; be borwe, «a/4« atonement, 4790 bote, remedy, 2165 ; relieve, 3370 bothers, of both, 4559 braide, moment, 2507 brast, (5«rj/, 1623 breme, _/?^r«, 2402 brenne, brent, <^«r«, burnt, 4229, 272 bulges, (J«^j, 3001 buystes, i5zy«r, 1558, 3082 dawe, day, 1855 dede, deed, death, 1414, 745 dele, dell,/ar/, 4050, 1388 demede, doomed, 1410 dene, din, 1044 denede, resounded, 4436 dere, ^«r/, 386, 1824 deynte, dainty, 3514 dight, put, 4529 dikers, /(/ o^«, 4580 elleren, elder, 4851 enchesoun, reason, 805 erst, before, 1124 evenlonge, straight along, 3832 everiche, everych, ez'^ry, 3337, 1588 everychon, ez/^/j one, 112 everydell, every part, altogether, 86 fallede, overturned, 794 fare, ^(7, 546 fat, isxit, fetched, fetch, 602, 1885 fa we, i^/a^, 3476 [a.y, faith, 370 Glossary. ^35 iz.yn, glad, gladly, 1366, 272 fayntise, deceit, 2673 iesMlQ, fealty, 2210 feele, many, 3920 feete, gesture, looi feffede, endowed, 4929 fel, befits, 4327 fele, wa^y, 35 fell, felle, cruel, 1534, 5 ; craftily, 1269 ; j^/«, 478 ie.T,far, 378 ferde, w««/, 3210 fere, companion, 2295; healthy, 2053 ferlike, wonder, 4109 fette, ^/^/f;^, 1660 (ewte, fealty, 4904 fleem, fleme, >7i'w, 2433 fordoon, destroy, 308 forfare, destroy, 4526 forferde, /em/4(?(/, 844 forme fadres, forefathers, 864 forrefte, plundered, 3430 forrobbet, stolen, 3430 forthy, therefore, 71 forward, covenant, 3965 for3;ede, /o^/, 3940 frame, advancement, 2256 free, «^(J/(?, 516 fulden,_/f//erf, 4086 fyle, worthless fellow, 4323 gabbed, talked idly, 3635 gan, ^^^a«, 722 gate, zfoy, 1306 gaynly, cleverly, 2805 genterye, ^^^//ifWMj, 1525 glade, gladden, 748 grame, a«^«r, 962 graunt mercy, gramercy, 3331 gree, peace, agreement, 584 greef, grievous, 18 10 gres, /4«/-,5, ^raxj, 1323, 3396 gret, grette, greeted, 1760, 2310; av//, 1655 grete, weep, 722 grise, (5^ terrified, 1058 gryccheth, ^r«rf^«, 3459 grj1\i, peace, 596, 2225 gunne, iJ^^a«, 1400 gyle, guile, 16 18 gynne, contrivaftce, 2964; ^«^'«, 3616 gyse, manner, 3196 hat, hattes, «»« (ar/) named, 1295, 1293 heeft, promise (?), 848 heele, health, 580 heer, ^a«>-, 948 hele, health, 1356 hende, gentle, gracious, 444, 8ii, 3441; ««ar, 963, 4438 ; handy, dexterous, 1751 hent, seize, seized, 265, 4722 herbared, harboured, 3224 hethen, henceforward, 882 ; /4««c«, 1051 heved, ;4«i2(/, 746 heveth, lift, 753 hiderward, to this time, 152 hidous, huge, 3204; hideous, 4435 hight, wax fa//i?i/, 1497 ; promised, 847 hilde, hille, covered, cover, 3009, 3774 honde, ^a«(/, 877, 1518 hoote, hole, promise, 4024, 2645 hoten, called, 1091 hoveth, loiters, 19 10 houthest, outcry, 2912 hurdes, hoards, stores, 4172 huyde, /%/.(/«, 368, 952 2 H 2 236 Glossary. ich, iche, every, 2531, 4688 ichadele, every part, 4179 icheon, ichon, ichoon, every one, 2786, 23s. 4159 idoo, done, 1631 iholde, held, 342 ilde, island, 1541 ilkadell, every part, 1212 ilke, same, 1146 inogh, enough, 2096 in'wyse, fancy (?), 4241 irefte, bereft, 4792 ivyl, m/, 1596 I wis, I wys, assuredly, 356, 782, etc. kenne, teach, 2327 kervyng, carving, 3372 kest, keste, kesten, cast, 4087, 4879 ; debated, 1074; appointed, 1207 ; reckoned, 1379, 4821 ; plotted, 3232 ; uttered, 3727 ; ««, 60 sithen, «'w«, afterwards, 279, 613 skere, _/9-«^, 866 skyre, f/»e, 3841 upbraste, ^«r^/ o/e«, 1044 upbrayde, woke up, 4503 uprist, resurrection, 1339 vemycle, small portrait of our Lord, 2518 5017 verrament, verrement, /r»^, 2382, 2171 vice, spiralis), 1221 war, whether, 4287 waresoun, endowment, 4968 wary en, «5«<>a', 3575 whake, quake, 2830 where, whether, 1780, 4053 whethen, whence, 1294 wicke, wicked, 638 wildefuyre, wildefyre, wildfire, 756, 2945 wisse, /eac/4, 2316 witerly, witterly, /rw/v, 1697, 1961 wither wynne, enemy, 2644 withholde, held secure, 572 withseye, gainsay, 48 withstandeth, «aje, 696 withtoke, opposed, 1403 wode, warf, 521 woken, watched, 548 wone, j, 135 yblent, blinded, 4340 yche, each, 3408 ychon, each one, 3400 ydoo, done, 244 yekede, increased, 4782 yhent, catight, 92 yhoten, called, 2822 yjuggede, adjudged, 1263 ykest, irax/, 4432 yliche, ylike, a/-?5, 1643 Jnire;:* Abraham, 1 51-180 Acre (Acres), 2746, 2757 Adam, 1609, 16 15 Aggeus, 485 Agrippata, 414 Amos, 414 Ananus sone, v. Jesus, son of Ananias Annas (Anne, Anna), 529, 539 Antonius, 411 Archelaus, 2839-3842 Astadas (Estadas), 485 Asterius, 411 Atus, 1497 Babylon (Babiloyn), 863 Barabbas (Barabas), 191 1, 3358, 3796 Bordeaux (Burdeux, Bordowys, etc.), 1283, 1300 Caiaphas (Caiphas, Cayphas), 351, 529, 539 Canaan, land of, 846 Carinus (Caryne, etc.), 489 Centurio, 447, 147 1 Caesar (Cesar), 1664, 2800, 311 1 j tribute to, 97-112 Ciberia, 4493 Clarice, Clary, 3417, 3454 Claudius (Claudius, etc.). Emperor, 1272 Clement, St., 2218-2741, 3197, 4945-5031 Crispus (Cripais, Cripus), 412 Crosses, apparition of, 5075-5128 David (Davy), 1698, 1756, 4256 Egypt, 839 Eleutherius, Eleuthyus, Elyntheus, v. Leucius Elijah (Ely), 720 Ephraim (Effraym), 383 Estadas, v. Astadas Finees (Fynees, etc.), 412, 485 France (Fraunce), 774, 1520 Friday, Jews have issue of blood every, 1588-1600 Gaius (Gayus), Emperor, 1271 Galicia (Galice, Galys, etc.), 1279, 1765, 1869 Galilee, 562, 1990, 2840 Gascony (Gascoigne), 1279, 1300, 1765, 2152 Geestes of Emperours, cited, 11, 5163, V. Jestes Claudius, v. Claudius Gospels, cited, 7, 5165 Helena, St. (Elene), 11 45 Herod (Heraud, etc.), 1559-1576, 2457-9, 2841, 3090 Isaac (Ysaac), witness for Christ, 412 Index. 241 Isaiah (Ysaie), 719 Israel, 64 ; threefold punishment of, 839 Jacob, father of Maria Jacobi, 1757-2175, 3209-3927, 4076, 4148, 4150, 4953-6. 5157 Jacob, patriarch, 838, 841 Jacob, witness for Christ, 413 Jafel {al. Japhell), 2793-3053, 4147, 4957 James Qame), St., the Less, 917-1004, 5153 Japha (Japhet, Jaffe), 2758, 2807, 2829 Jeremiah (Jeremye), 720 Jerusalem, 249-5089, passim; siege of, 2806-4109; miraculous death of would- be rebuilders of, 5075-5128 Jestes, cited, 4392, v. Geestes Jesus, son of Ananias (Ananus sone), 1091 ; alluded to, 1799; death of, 315s John Baptist, St. (Jon), 332 Jonoporam, 3852 Joras, 413 Jordan, 331, 2820, 2890, 2990, 3040 Joseph of Arimathaea, 429, 505-684, 1469, 4105-4148, 4959 Joseph the carpenter, 403, 405 Josephus, 3032-4147, 4957 ; prophecies of, 891-914, 3917-3940 ; cures Titus, 3941-4026 ; cited, 5147 Josophat, valley of, 3004 Jotapata, v. Jonoporam Judaea (Jude, Judee), 1296-2401, 4198, 4894 Judas, witness for Christ, 414 Judas Iscariot, 803, 1672 ; life of, 4487- 4885 Lazarus, raising of, 1335, 2476 Lazarus, witness for Christ, 411 Leucius (Leuteyn, Eleutherius, etc.), wit- ness of Christ's descent into hell, 489 Longinus (Longens), 449 Lucifer, 1609 Mary, the Blessed Virgin, 404, 640, 885-7, 2017, 2027, 2393, 4315 Mary, daughter of Jacob, 1815, 3243 Mary Magdalen, 4815, 4819 Mary, the woman who ate her child, 3409- 3482 Mathias (Mathey), St., 4880 Michael (Michell), St., 488, 496 Moses (Moises, Moyses), 148, 158-9, 171, 719. 845 Nathan (Nathaan, Naathan), 1648, 1652, 2567 ; mission of, 1267-1645 Nero, 1273, 1363, 1637, 1714-5, 1848, 1889, 2239, 2249, 2658, 2664, 3170 Nichodemus (Nichodeme, Nichodemus), 61, 73. 85, 421. 501. 1470; gospel of, cited, 9, 5159, 5162 Olivet, Mount of, 633, 721 Paul (Poule), St., 1274, 2238, 2263 Fella (Pelham, Pellam, Pellan), 2822 Peter (Petre), St., 725, 1274, 2234, 2263, 4867, 5039 Petres mynster, 5021 Pharao, 844 Pila, 1497, 1503 Pilate, 569-4885, passim : his letter to the Emperor, 1265-70, 1384-1460 ; life, 1489-1578; capture by Titus, 4091; use of the holy tunic, 4295-4336 ; im- prisonment, death, and burial, 4349- 4486 Pontus (Peyntes, Pounce, etc.), island of, 1541 portents sent to warn the Jews, 915-1124 2 I 242 Index. Red Sea, 843 Rome, Romans, 309-4944, /aw/w Reuben (Ruben), father of Judas Iscariot, 4491-4775 Solomon (Salamon), 180, 4255 Samuel, witness for Christ, 413 Scariot, isle of, 4533 Sept Sages, cited, 1229, 4391 Tiberius, 1232, 1248, 1307, 1309, 2571 Titus, 874, 1282-5073, passim; falls ill with joy, 3181 J cured by Josephus, 3940-4026; moans at the carnage, 3532; his courtesy and charity, 5057-5070 Tyrus, king of Spain, 1493 Velocian, al. Velosian, 1357, 1647-231 1 2832, 3054-9, 3224-3289, 3640 vernycle, 2518, 5017, 5022 Veronica (Veroigne, Veroyne), St., 1833- 1840, 1951-2046, 2149-2731, 3633-41, 4949-5022 Vespasian (Vaspasian), 874-5073, /aj«w.- illness and cure, 1 165-2549; sells thirty Jews for a penny, 2423-6, 4197-4238; saintliness, 5051-6 Vieime (Vyene, etc.), 4356, 4446 Warnings of the approaching doom of Jerusalem, 915-1124 Ysaac, v. Isaac Fiintedby 1. B. Nicaou