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Secundus liber 1    Afftyr that owr Sovereyn Savyowr had take the persone whech wrot first the tretys aforn seyd to hys manyfold mercy, and the preiste of whom is beforn wretyn had copiid the same tretys aftyr hys sympyl cunnyng, he held it expedient to honowr of the blisful Trinité that hys holy werkys schulde be notifyid and declaryd to the pepil, whan it plesyd hym, to the worschip of hys holy name. And than he gan to writyn in the yer of owr Lord 1438 in the fest of Seynt Vital Martyr sweche grace as owr Lord wrowt in hys sympyl creatur yerys that sche levyd aftyr, not alle but summe of hem, aftyr hyr owyn tunge. And first her is a notabyl mater the whech is not wretyn in the forseyd tretys. It befel sone aftyr that the creatur beforn wretyn had forsakyn the occupasyon of the worlde and was joynyd in hir mende to God as meche as frelté wolde suffyr. The seyd creatur had a sone, a tal yong man, dwellyng wyth a worschepful burgeys in Lynne, usyng marchawndyse and seylyng ovyr the see, whom sche desyryd to a drawyn owt of the perellys of this wretchyd and unstabyl worlde yyf hir power myth a teynyd therto. Nevyrthelesse sche dede as meche as in hir was, and, whan sche myth metyn wyth hym at leyser, many tymys sche cownselyd hym to leevyn the worlde and folwyn Crist in so meche that he fled hyr cumpany and wolde not gladlych metyn wyth hir. So on a tyme it happyd the modyr to metyn wyth hir sone thei it wer ageyns hys wille and hys entent as that tyme. And, as sche had don beforn tyme, so now sche spak to hym ageyn that he schulde fle the perellys of this world and not settyn hys stody ne hys besynes so mech therupon as he dede. He not consentyng but scharply answeryng ageyn, sche, sumdel mevyd wyth scharpnes of spiryt, seyde, "Now sithyn thu wil not leevyn the world at my cownsel, I charge the at my blissyng kepe thi body klene at the lest fro womanys feleschep tyl thu take a wyfe aftyr the lawe of the Chirche. And, yyf thu do not, I pray God chastise the and ponysch the therfor." Thei partyd asundyr, and sone aftyr the same yong man passyd ovyr the see in wey of marchawndyse, and than, what thorw evyl entisyng of other personys and foly of hys owyn governawnce, he fel into the synne of letchery. Sone aftyr hys colowr chawngyd, hys face wex ful of whelys and bloberys as it had ben a lepyr. Than he cam hom ageyn into Lynne to hys maistyr wyth whech he had ben dwellyng befor tyme. Hys maistyr put hym owt of hys servyse for no defawte he fond wyth hym, but peraventur supposyng he had ben a lazer as it schewyd be hys visage. The yong man telde wher hym likyd how hys modyr had bannyd hym, wher thorw, as he supposyd, God so grevowsly ponyschyd hym. Sum persone, havyng knowlach of hys compleynt and compassyon of hys disese, cam to hys modyr, seying sche had don ryth evyl, for thorw hir prayer God had takyn venjawns on hir owyn childe. Sche, takyng lityl heed of her wordys, let it passyn forth as sche had mad no fors tyl he wolde comyn and preyin for grace hys self. So at the last, whan he sey non other bote, he cam to hys modyr, tellyng hir of hys mysgovernawns, promittyng he schulde ben obedient to God and to hir and to amende hys defawte thorw the help of God enchewyng al mysgovernawnce fro that tyme forward upon hys power. He preyid hys modyr of hir blissyng, and specialy he preyd hir to prey for hym that owr Lord of hys hy mercy wolde forgevyn hym that he had trespasyd and takyn awey that gret sekenes for whech men fleddyn hys company and hys felaschep as for a lepyr. For he supposyd be hir preyerys owr Lord sent hym that ponischyng, and therfor he trustyd be hir preyerys to be deliveryd therof yyf sche wolde of hir charité preyn for hym. Than sche, havyng trust of hys amendyng and compassyon of hys infirmyté, wyth scharp wordys of correpcyon promysyd to fulfillyn hys entent yyf God wolde grawntyn it. Whan sche cam to hir meditacyon, not forgetyng the frute of hir wombe, askyd forgevenes of hys synne and relesyng of the sekenes that owr Lord had govyn hym yyf it wer hys plesawns and profite to hys sowle. So longe sche preyid that he was clene delyveryd of the sekenes and levyd many yerys aftyr and had a wife and a childe, blissyd mote God ben, for he weddyd hys wife in Pruce in Dewchelonde. Whan tydyngys cam to hys modyr fro ovyr the see that hir sone had weddyd, sche was ryth glad and thankyd God wyth al hir hert, supposyng and trustyng he schulde levyn clene and chast as the lawe of matrimony askith. Sithyn, whan God wolde, hys wife had a childe, a fayr mayde child. Than he sent tydingys to hys modyr into Inglond how gracyowsly God had visityd hym and hys wife. Hys modyr, being in a chapel of owr Lady thankyng God of the grace and goodnes that he schewyd to hir sone and havyng desyr to sen hem yyf sche myth, anon it was answeryd to hir mende that sche schulde seen hem alle er than sche deyid. Sche had wondyr of this felynge how it schulde be so as sche felt, in as meche as thei weryn beyowndyn the see and sche on this halfe the see, nevyr purposyng to passyn the see whil sche levyd. Nevyrthelesse sche wiste wel to God was nothyng impossibyl. Therfor sche trustyd it schulde be so as sche had felyng whan God wolde. 2    In fewe yerys aftyr that this yong man had weddyd he cam hom in to Inglond to hys fadyr and hys modyr al chongyd in hys aray and hys condicyonis. For afor tyme hys clothys wer al daggyd and hys langage al vanyté; now he weryd no daggys, and hys dalyawns was ful of vertu. Hys modyr, havyng gret merveyl of this sodeyn chongyng, seyd unto hym, "Benedicité, sone, how is it wyth the that thu art so chongyd?" "Modyr," he seyd, "I hope that thorw yowr preyerys owr Lord hath drawyn me, and I purpose be the grace of God to folwyn yowr cownsel mor than I have don beforn." Than hys modyr, seyng this mervelyows drawte of owr Lord, thankyd God as sche cowde, takyng good heed of hys governawns for dred of symulacyon. The lengar that sche beheld hys governawns, the mor sadde sche thowt he was and the mor reverent to owr Lordward. Whan sche knew it was the drawt of owr Lordys mercy, than sche was ful joyful, thankyng God ful many timys for hys grace and hys goodnes. Sithyn, for he schulde be the mor diligent and the mor besy to folwyn owr Lordys drawyng, sche openyd hir hert to hym, schewyng hym and enformyng how owr Lord had drawyn hir thorw hys mercy and be what menys, also how meche grace he had schewyd for hir, the whech he seyd he was unworthy to heryn. Than he went many pilgrimagys to Rome and to many other holy placys to purchasyn hym pardon, resortyng ageyn to hys wife and hys childe as he was bowndyn to do. He enformyd hys wife of hys modyr in so meche that sche wolde leevyn hir fadyr and hir modyr and hir owyn cuntré for to comyn into Inglonde and seen hys modyr. He was ful glad therof and sent word into Inglond to hys modyr to certifyin hir of hys wyfys desyr and to wetyn whedyr hys modyr wolde cownselyn hym to comyn be lond er be watyr, for he trustyd meche in hys moderys cownsel, levyng it was of the Holy Gost. Hys modyr, whan sche had lettyr fro hym and knew hys desyr, went to hir preyer to knowyn owr Lordys cownsel and owr Lordys wyl. And, as sche preyid for the sayd mater, it was answeryd to hir sowle that whedyr hir sone come be lond er be watyr he schulde comyn in safwarde. Than wrot sche letterys to hym, seying that whedyr he come be londe er be watyr he schulde come in safté be the grace of God. Whan he was certifiid of hys moderys cownsel, he speryd whan schippys schulde come into Inglond and hiryd a schip er ellys a part of a schip in whech he putt hys good, hys wife, hys childe, and hys owyn self, purposyng alle to comyn into Inglond togedyr. Whan thei weryn in the schip, ther resyn swech tempestys that thei durstyn not takyn the see, and so thei comyn on lond ageyn, bothyn he, hys wife, and her childe. Than thei left her childe in Pruce wyth her frendys, and he and hys wife comyn into Inglond be lond wey to hys fadyr and to hys modyr. Whan thei wer come thedir, hys modir ful meche enjoiid in owr Lord that hir felyng was trewe, for sche had felyng in hir sowle, as is wretyn beforn, that whedyr thei come be lond er be watyr thei schulde comyn be safté. And so it was in dede, blissyd mote God ben. Thei come hom on the Satyrday in good heele, and on the next day that was the Sonday, whil thei wer at mete at noon with other frendys, he fel in gret sekenes that he ros fro the tabyl and leyd hym on a bed, whech sekenes and infirmité ocupiid hym abowte a monyth, and than in good life and ryth beleve he passyd to the mercy of owr Lord. So gostly and bodily it myth wel ben verifiid he schal comyn hom in safté, not only into this dedly lond but also into the lond of levyng men, wher deth schal nevyr aperyn. In schort tyme aftyr, the fadyr of the sayd persone folwyd the sone the wey whech every man must gon. Than levyd stille the modyr of the sayd persone, of whom this tretys specyaly makyth mencyon, and sche that was hys wife, a Dewche woman, dwellyng wyth hys modyr a yer and an halfe unto the tyme that hir frendys whech wer in Duchelond, desyryng to have hir hom, wretyn lettrys to hir and steryd hir to resortyn to hir owyn cuntré. And so sche, desiryng the benevolens of hir frendys, utteryd hir conseyte to hir eldmodyr, declaryng to hir the desyr of hir frendys, preying hir of good lofe and leve that sche myth resortyn to hir owyn cuntré. And so thorw hir eldmodrys consentyng sche purveyid hir to gon as sone as any schippys wentyn into that lond. So thei speryd a schip of that same lond and hir owyn cuntremen schulde seylyn thedyr, and hem thowt it was goodly that sche schulde rathyr seylyn wyth hem in her schip than wyth other men. Than sche went to hir confessowr for to be schrevyn, and, whil sche was in the schryvyng, the sayd creatur, hir eldmodir, went up and down in the qwer, thynkyng in hir mende, "Lord, yyf it wer thi wille I wolde takyn leve of my confessowr and gon wyth hir ovyr the see." Owr Lord answeryd to hyr thowt, seying, "Dowtyr, I wote wel, yf I bode the gon, thu woldist gon al redy. Therfor I wyl that thu speke no word to hym of this mater." Than was sche ryth glad and mery, trustyng sche schulde not gon ovyr the see, for sche had ben in gret perell on the see afor tyme and was in purpos nevyr to comyn theron mor be hir owyn wille. Whan hir dowtyr in lawe was schrevyn, the good man whech was confessowr to hem bothyn as that tyme cam to hir and seyd, "Ho schal gon wyth yowr dowtyr to the see syde tyl sche come at hir schip? It is not goodly that sche schulde gon so fer wyth a yong man alone in strawnge cuntré wher her neithyr is knowyn," for a strawnge man was come for hir and her neithyr was but lityl knowyn in this cuntré, wher for hir confessowr had the mor compassyon of hir. Than the sayd creatur seyd ageyn, "Syr, yyf ye wele biddyn me, I schal gon wyth hir my self tyl sche come at Yepiswech, ther lyth the schip and hir owyn cuntremen that schal ledyn hir ovyr the see." Hir confessowr seyd, "How schulde ye gon wyth hir? Ye hirtyd but late yowr foote, and ye ar not yet al hool, and also ye arn an elde woman. Ye may not gon." "Sir," sche seyd, "God, as I trust, schal helpyn me ryth wel." Than he askyd ho schulde gon wyth hir and brynge hir hom ageyn. And sche seyd, "Ser, her is longyng to this chirch an ermyte, a yong man. I hope he wil for owr Lordys lofe gon and comyn wyth me, yef ye wil gevyn me leve." So sche had leve to brynge hir dowtyr to Yepiswich and than comyn ageyn to Lynne. Thus thei passyd forth in her jurné in tyme of Lenton, and, whan thei weryn five er six myle fro Lynne, thei comyn forby a cherch, and so thei turnyd in for to heryn messe. And, as thei wer in the chirche, the forseyd creatur, desiryng teerys of devocyon, non myth purchasyn at that tyme but evyr was comawndyd in hir hert for to gon ovyr the see wyth hir dowtyr. Sche wolde a putt it owt of hir mende, and evyr it cam ageyn so fast that sche myth not rest ne qwiet han in hir mende but evyr was labowryd and comawndyd to gon ovyr the see. Sche thowt it was hevy to hir to takyn sweche labowr upon hir and excusyd hir self to owr Lord in hir mende, seying, "Lord, thu wost wel I have no leve of my gostly fadyr, and I am bowndyn to obediens. Therfor I may not do thus wythowtyn hys wil and hys consentyng." It was answeryd ageyn to hir thowt, "I bydde the gon in my name, Jhesu, for I am abovyn thy gostly fadyr and I schal excusyn the and ledyn the and bryngyn the ageyn in safté." Sche wolde yet excusyn hir yf sche myth in any wey, and therfor sche seyd, "I am not purveyd of gold ne of sylver suffi ciently for to gon wyth as I awt to be, and, thow I wer and wolde gon, I wote wel my dowtyr had levar I wer at hom, and peraventur the schip maistrys schulde not receyvyn me into her vessel for to gon wyth hem." Owr Lord seyd ageyn, "Yf I be wyth the, ho schal ben ageyns the? I schal purveyin for the and getyn the frendys to helpyn the. Do as I bydde the, and ther schal no man of the schip sey nay unto the." The creatur say ther was non other help but forth sche must at the comawndyng of God. Sche thowt that sche wolde fyrst gon to Walsyngham and offeryn in worschep of owr Lady, and, as sche was in the wey thedir ward, sche herd tellyn that a frer schuld seyin a sermown in a lityl village a lityl owt of hir wey. Sche turnyd into the cherch wher the frer seyd the sermown, a famows man, and a gret audiens had at hys sermown. And many tymys he seyd thes wordys, "Yyf God be wyth us, ho schal be ageyns us?" thorw the whech wordys sche was the mor steryd to obeyn the wil of God and parformyn hir entent. So sche went forth to Walsingham, and sithyn to Norwich wyth hir dowtyr in lawe, and the ermyte wyth hem. Whan thei cam at Norwich, sche mett a Grey Frer, a worschepful clerk, a doctowr of divinyté whech had herd of hir levyng and hir felyngys befor tyme. The doctowr schewyd hir gret cher and dalyid wyth hir as he had don befor tyme. Sche, many tymys syhyng, was hevy in cher and in cuntenawnce. The doctowr askyd what hir eylyd, "Sir," sche seyd, "whan I cam owte of Lynne wyth the leve of my confessowr, I purposyd to ledyn my dowtyr to Yepisweche, wher is a schip in the whech sche be the grace of God schal seylyn to Deuchelond, and I than to turnyn hom ageyn as sone as I myth goodly to Lynne wyth an ermyte whech cam wyth me for the same entent to ledyn me hom ageyn. And he wenyn fully that I schulde don so. And, ser, whan I was abowtyn six myle owt of Lynne in a chirch to makyn my preyerys, I was comawndyd in my sowle that I schulde gon ovyr the see wyth my dowtyr, and I wote wel sche wolde I wer at hom, and so wolde I yf I durst. Thus was I mevyd in my sowle and no rest myth han in my spiryt ne devocyon tyl I was consentyd to do as I was mevyd in my spiryt, and this is to me gret drede and hevynes." The worschipful clerk seyd unto hir, "Ye schal obey the wil of God, for I leve it is the Holy Gost that spekyth in yow, and therfor folwyth the mevyng of yowr spiryt in the name of Jhesu." Sche was meche comfortyd wyth hys wordys and toke hir leve, goyng forth to the see syde wyth hir felaschip. Whan thei were comyn thedir, the schip was redy to seilyn. Than sche preyid the maistyr that sche myth seilyn wyth hem into Duchelond, and he goodly receyvyd hir, and thei that weryn in the schip seyd not onys nay. Ther was non so meche ageyn hir as was hir dowtyr, that awt most to a ben wyth hir. Than sche toke hir leve of the ermyte that was come thedyr wyth hir, rewardyng hym sum deel for hys labowr and preying hym to excusyn hir to hir confessowr and to hir other frendys whan he come hom to Lynne, for it was not hir wetyng ne hir entent whan sche partyd fro hem to a passyd the see nevyr whil sche had levyd, but, sche seyd, "I must abeyn the wil of God." The ermyte partyd fro hir wyth hevy cher and cam hom ageyn to Lynne, excusyng hir to hir confessowr and to other frendys, tellyng hem of her sodeyn and wondirful partyng and how it was not hys knowyng that thei schulde a partyd so sodeynly asundyr. The pepil that herd therof had gret wondyr and seydin as thei woldyn. Sum seyd it was a womanys witte and a gret foly for the lofe of hir dowtyr in lawe to putte hir self, a woman in gret age, to perellys of the see and for to gon into a strawnge cuntré wher sche had not ben beforn ne not wist how sche schulde come ageyn. Summe heldyn it was a dede of gret charité for as meche as hir dowtyr had beforn tyme left hir frendys and hir cuntré and cam wyth hir husbond to visityn hir in this cuntré that sche wolde now halpyn hir dowtyr hom ageyn into the cuntré that sche cam fro. Other whech knewe mor of the creaturys levyng supposyd and trustyd that it was the wille and the werkyng of almythy God to the magnifying of hys owyn name. 3    The sayd creatur and hir felawschip entryd her schip on the Thursday in Passyon Weke, and God sent hem fayr wynde and wedyr that day and the Fryday, but on the Satirday owr Lord, turnyng hys hand as hym likyd, and the Palme Sonday also, prevyng her feith and her pacyens, wyth the two nyghtys, sent hem swech stormys and tempestys that thei wendyn alle to a ben perischyd. The tempestys weryn so grevows and hedows that thei myth not rewlyn ne governe her schip. Thei cowde no bettyr chefsyawns than comendyn hem self and her schip to the governawns of owr Lord; thei left her craft and her cunnyng and leet owr Lord dryvyn hem wher he wolde. The sayd creatur had sorwe and care inow; hir thowt sche had nevyr so mech beforn. Sche cryid to owr Lord for mercy and preservyng of hir and alle hir felaschep. Sche thowt in hir mende, Lord, for thi lofe cam I hedyr, and thu hast oftyn tyme behite me that I schulde nevyr perischyn neithyr on londe ne in watyr ne wyth no tempest. The pepil hath many tyme bannyd me, cursyd me, and wariid me for the grace that thu hast wrowt in me, desiryng that I schulde deyin in myschef and gret disese, and now, Lord, it is lyke that her bannyng comyth to effect, and I, unworthy wretche, am deceyvyd and defrawdyd of the promys that thu hast mad many tyme onto me, whech have evyr trostyd in thi mercy and thi goodnesse, lesse than thu the sonar wythdrawe thes tempestys and schewe us mercy. Now may myn enmyis enjoyin, and I may sorwyn yf thei have her intent and I be deceyvyd. Now, blisful Jhesu, have mende of thy many fold mercy and fulfille thi behestys that thu hast behite me. Schewe thu art sothfast God and non evyl spiryt that hast browte me hedyr into the perellys of the see, whoys cownsel I have trustyd and folwyd many yerys and schal don thorw thi mercy yf thu delyvyr us owt of this grevows perellys. Help us and socowr us, Lord, er than we perischyn er dispeyryn, for we may not long enduryn this sorw that we ben in wythowtyn thi mercy and thi socowr." Owr mercyful Lord, spekyng in hir mende, blamyd hir of hyr feerdnes, seying, "Why dredist the? Why art thu so aferd? I am as mythy her in the see as on the londe. Why wilt thu mistrostyn me? Al that I have hite the I schal trewly fulfillyn, and I schal nevyr deceyvyn the. Suffyr paciently a while and have trost in my mercy. Wavyr nowt in thy feith, for wythowtyn feith thu maist nowt plesyn me. Yyf thu woldist verily trostyn in me and no thyng dowtyn, thu maist han gret comfort in thi self and mythist comfortyn al thy felaschep wher ye ben now alle in gret drede and hevynes." Wyth swech maner of dalyawns and meche mor hy and holy than evyr I cowde writyn owr Lord confortyd hys creatur, blissyd mote he ben. Holy seyntys whech sche preyid onto daliid unto hir sowle be the sufferawns of owr Lord, gevyng hir wordys of gret comfort. At the last cam owr Lady and seyd, "Dowtyr, be of a good comfort. Thu hast evyr fowndyn my tydingys trewe, and therfor be no lengar aferd, for I telle the trewly thes wyndys and tempestys schal sone sesyn and ye schal han rith fayr wedyr." And so, blissyd mote God ben, it was in schort tyme aftyr her schip was drevyn into Norwey coost, and ther thei londyd on Good Fryday and abedyn ther Estern Evyn, and Estern Day, and the Monday aftyr Estern. And on that Monday thei weryn howselyd wythinne the schip alle that longyd to the schip. On Estern Day the maistyr of the schip and the sayd creatur and other for the most partye of the schipgynge went on lond and herdyn her servyse at the chirche. Aftyr the use of the cuntré the cros was reisyd on Estern Day abowte noon tyme, and sche had hir meditacyon and hir devocyon wyth wepyng and sobbyng as wel as yf sche had ben at hom. God drow not hys grace fro hir neithyr in cherch, ne in schip, ne in the see, ne in no place that sche cam to, for evyr sche had hym in hir sowle. Whan thei had receyvyd the sacrament on Estern Monday, as is wretyn beforn, owr Lord sent hem a fayr wynde that browte hem owt of that cuntré and drofe hem hom into Duchelond as thei desiryd. The forseyd creatur fond swech grace in the maistyr of the schip that he ordeynd for hir mete and drynke and al that was necessary unto hir as long as sche was wythinne the schip, and was as tendyr to hir as sche had ben hys modyr. He curyd hir in the schip wyth hys owyn clothys, for ellys sche myth a deyd for colde, sche was not purveyd as other weryn. Sche went at the biddyng of owr Lord, and therfor hyr maistyr whech bad hir gon purveyid for hir so that sche ferd as wel as any of hir felawschep, worschep and preysyng be to owr Lord therfor. 4    The seyd creatur abood in Danske in Duchelond abowt five er six wekys and had ryth good cher of meche pepil for owr Lordys lofe. Ther was non so meche ageyn hir as was hir dowtyr in lawe, the whech was most bowndyn and beholdyn to a comfortyd hir yf sche had ben kende. Than the creatur enjoyid in owr Lord that sche had so gret cher for hys lofe and purposyd to abydyn ther the lengar tyme. Owr Lord, spekyng to hir thowt, monischyd hir to gon owt of the cuntré. Sche was than in gret hevynes and diswer how sche schulde do the byddyng of God, whech sche wolde in no wey wythstondyn, and had neithyr man ne woman to gon wyth hir in felawschep. Be the watyr wolde sche not gon as ny as sche myth, for sche was so afrayd on the see as sche cam thedirward; and be lond wey sche myth not gon esyly, for ther was werr in the cuntré that sche schulde passyn by. So what thorw o cawse and other sche was in gret hevynesse, not wetyng how sche schuld be relevyd. Sche went into a chirche and mad hir preyerys that owr Lord, liche as he comawndyd hir for to gon, he schulde sendyn hir help and felaschip wyth the which sche myth gon. And sodeynly a man, comyng to hir, askyd yf sche wolde gon on pilgrimage a fer cuntré fro thens to a place clepyd Wilsnak wher is worschepyd the Precyows Blod of owr Lord Jhesu Crist whech be miracle cam of thre oostys, the sacrament of the awter, the whech three oostys and precyows blood ben ther onto this day had in gret worschip and reverens and sowt fro many a cuntré. Sche wyth glad cher seyde that sche wolde gon thedyr yf sche had good felaschep and yf sche wist of any honest man that myth sithyn bryng hir into Inglond. And he behestyd hir that he wolde gon on pilgrimage wyth hir to the forseyd place on hys owyn cost, and sithyn, yf sche wolde al qwite hys coste into Inglond, he schulde comyn wyth hir tyl sche wer in the costys of Inglond that sche myth han good felaschep of hir nacyon. He purveyd an heeke, a lityl schip, in the which thei schulde seylyn to the holy placewarde, and than myth sche han no leve to gon owt of that lond, for sche was an Englisch woman, and so had sche gret vexacyon and meche lettyng er sche myth getyn leve of on of the heerys of Pruce for to gon thens. At the last, thorw the steryng of owr Lord, ther was a marchawnt of Lynne herd tellyn therof, and he cam to hir and comfortyd hir, behestyng hir that he schulde helpyn hir fro thens, eythyr prevyly er apertly. And this good man thorw gret labowr gate hir leve to gon wher sche wolde. Than sche, wyth the man whech had provydyd for hir, tokyn her vessel, and God sent hem calm wynde, the whech wynde plesyd hir ryth wel for ther ros no wawe on the watyr. Hir felaschep thowt thei sped no wey and weryn hevy and grutchyng. Sche preyid to owr Lord, and he sent hem wynde anow that thei seylyd a gret cowrse and the wawys resyn sor. Hyr felaschep was glad and mery, and sche was hevy and sory for dred of the wawys. Whan sche lokyd upon hem, sche was evyr feryd. Owr Lord, spekyng to hir spirit, bad hir leyn down hir hevyd that sche schulde not seen the wawys, and sche dede so. But evyr sche was afeerd, and therfor was sche oftyn tymys blamyd. And so they seylyd forth to a place whech is clepyd Strawissownd. Yf the namys of the placys be not ryth wretyn, late no man merveylyn, for sche stodyid mor abowte contemplacyon than the namys of the placys, and he that wrot hem had nevyr seyn hem, and therfor have hym excusyd. 5    Whan thei wer comyn to Strawissownd, thei toke the lond, and so the sayd creatur wyth the forseyd man went toward Wilsnak in gret drede and passyd many perellys. The man the which was hir gyde was evyr aferd and wold evyr a forsakyn hir cumpany. Many tymys sche spak as fayr to hym as sche cowde that he schulde not forsakyn hir in tho strawnge cuntreys and in myddys of hir enmyis, for ther was opyn werr betwix the Englisch and tho cuntreys. Therfor hir drede was meche the mor, and evyr among owr Lord spak to hir mende, "Why dredist the ther schal no man don non harm to the, ne to non that thu gost wyth. Therfor comforte thi man and telle hym ther schal no man hurte hym ne harmyn hym whil that he is in thi cumpany. Dowtyr, thu wist wel a woman that hath a fayr man and a semly to hir husbonde, yyf sche love hym, sche wyl gon wyth hym wher evyr he wil. And, dowtyr, ther is non so fayr and so semly ne so good as I. Therfor, yf thu love me, thu schalt not dredyn to gon wyth me wher that evyr I wil havyn the. Dowtyr, I browte the hedyr, and I schal bryngyn the hom ageyn into Inglond in safwarde. Dowte it not, but leve it ryth wel." Swech holy dalyawns and spechys in hir sowle cawsyd hir to sobbyn ryth boistowsly and wepyn ful plentyuowsly. The mor sche wept, the yrkar was hir man of hir cumpany and the rathyr besyn hym to gon fro hir and leevyn hir alone. He went so fast that sche myth not folwyn wythowtyn gret labowr and gret disese. He seyd that he was aferd of enmyis and of thevys that thei schulde takyn hir awey fro hym peraventur and betyn hym and robbyn ther to. Sche comfortyd hym as wel as sche cowde and seyde sche durst undirtakyn that ther schulde no man neythyr betyn hem ne robbyn hem ne seyn non evyl worde to hem. And sone aftyr her dalyawns ther cam a man owt of a wode, a tal man wyth good wepyn and wel arayd for to fyten as hem semyd. Than hir man, beyng in gret drede, seyd to hir, "Lo, what seyst thu now?" Sche seyd, "Trust in owr Lord God and drede no man." The man cam by hem and seyd non evyl worde to hem, so thei passyd forth to Wilsnakward wyth gret labowr. Sche myth not enduryn so gret jurneys as the man myth, and he had no compassyon of hir ne not wolde abydyn for hir. And therfor sche labowryd as long as sche myth tyl that sche fel in sekenes and myth no ferther. It was gret merveyl and myracle that a woman dysewsyd of goyng and also abowtyn three scor yer of age schuld enduryn cotidianly to kepyn hir jurney and hir pase wyth a man fryke and lusty to gon. On Corpus Cristi Evyn it lukkyd hem to comyn to a lityl ostage fer fro any towne, and ther myth thei getyn no beddyng but a lityl strawe. And the sayd creatur restyd hir therupon that nyght and the next day tyl it was ageyn evyn. Owr Lord sent leevyn, thundyr, and reyne ny al the tyme that thei durst not labowryn owtward. Sche was ful glad ther of, for sche was ryth seke, and sche wist wel, yf it had ben fayr wedyr, the man that went wyth hir wolde not abedyn hir, he wolde a gon fro hir. Therfor sche thankyd God that gaf hym occasyon of abydyng thow it wer ageyns hys wille. And in the mene tyme becawse of hir sekenes ther was ordeynd a wayne, and so sche was cariid forth to the Holy Blood of Wilsnak wyth gret penawns and gret disese. The women in the cuntré as thei wentyn, havyng compassyon, seydyn many tymys to the forseyd man that he was worthy gret blame for he labowryd hir so sor. He, desiryng to be delyveryd of hir, chargyd not what thei seydyn ne nevyr sparyd hir the mor. Thus what wyth wel and wyth woo thorw the help of owr Lord sche was browt to Wilsnak and saw that Precyows Blod whech be myracle cam owt of the blisful sacrament of the awtere. 6    They beed not long in the sayd place, but in schort tyme thei tokyn her wey to Akunward, ryding in waynys tyl thei comyn to a watyr wher was meche concowrs of pepil, sum to Akunward and sum to other placys, among whech was a monke, a ful rekles man and evyl governyd, and in hys cumpany weryn yong men, chapmen. The monke and the chapmen knewyn wel the man that was gyde to the sayd creatur and clepyd hym be hys name, schewyng hym rith glad cher. Whan thei wer passyd the watyr and went on the lond, the monke wyth the chapmen and the seyd creatur wyth hir man alle in felaschep togedyr in waynys, thei comyn forby an hows of Frer Menowrys havyng mech thrist. Thei bodyn than the seyd creatur gon into the frerys and getyn hem sum wyne. Sche seyd, "Serys, ye schal have me excusyd, for yf it wer an hows of nunnys I wolde al redy gon, but for as meche thei arn men I schal not gon be yowr leve." So went on of the chapmen and fette to hem a potel of wyne. Than cam frerys to hem and preyid hem that thei wolde comyn and seen the blisful sacrament in here chirche, for it was wythinne the utas of Corpus Cristi, and it stod opyn in a cristal that men myth se it yf thei wolde. The monke and the men went wyth the frerys to seen the precyows sacrament. The sayd creatur thowt sche wolde se it as wel as thei and folwyd aftyr, thow it wer agens hir wille. And, whan sche beheld the preciows sacrament, owr Lord gaf hir so mech swetnes and devocyon that sche wept and sobbyd wondyr sor and not myth restreyn hir self therfro. The monke was wroth and al hir felaschip for sche wept so sor, and, whan thei wer comyn ageyn to her waynys, thei chedyn hir and rebukyd hir, clepyng hir ypocrite and seyd many an evyl worde unto hir. Sche for to excusyn hir selfe leyd scriptur ageyn hem, versys of the Sawter, "Qui seminant in lacrimis" and cetera "euntes ibant and flebant" and cetera, and swech other. Than wer thei wel wrothar, and seyd that sche schulde no lengar gon in her cumpany, and procuryd hir man to forsakyn hir. Sche mekely and benyngly preyid hem that thei wolde for Goddys lofe suffyr hir to gon forth in her cumpanye and not letyn hir alone wher sche knew no man ne no man hir whidyr sche schulde gon. Wyth gret preyer and instawns sche went forth wyth hem tyl thei comyn at a good town in the utas of Corpus Cristi. And ther thei seydyn uttyrly for no thyng sche schulde no lengar gon wyth hem. He that was hir gyde and had behite hir to a browt hir into Inglond forsoke hir, deliveryng hir gold and swech thyng as he had of hir in kepyng, and proferyd to a lent hir mor gold yf sche had wolde. Sche seyd to hym, "John, I desiryd not yowr gold; I had levar yowr felaschep in these strawnge cuntreys than al the good ye han, and I leve ye schulde mor plesyn God to gon wyth me as ye hite me at Dansk than yf ye went to Rome on yowr feet." Thus thei putt hir owt of her cumpany and leet hir gon wher sche wolde. Sche seyd than to hym that had ben hir gyde, "John, ye forsakyn me for non other cawse but for I wepe whan I se the sacrament and whan I thynke on owr Lordys passyon. And, sithyn I am forsakyn for Goddys cawse, I beleve that God schal ordeyn for me and bryngyn me forth as he wole hym selfe, for he deceyvyd me nevyr, blissyd mote he be." So thei went her wey and letyn hir ther stille. The nyght fel upon, and sche was ryth hevy, for sche was alone. Sche wist not wyth whom sche myth rest on that nyght ne wyth whom sche schulde gon the next day. Ther cam preistys to hir ther sche was at oste of that cuntré. Thei clepyd hir Englisch sterte and spokyn many lewyd wordys unto hir, schewyng unclenly cher and cuntenawns, proferyng to ledyn hir abowtyn yf sche wolde. Sche had mech drede for hir chastité and was in gret hevynes. Than went sche to the good wife of the hows, preying hir to han sum of hir maydenys that myth lyn wyth hir that nyght. The good wife assygnyd tweyn maydenys, the whech weryn wyth hir al that nyght, yet durst sche not slepyn for dred of defilyng. Sche woke and preyid ny al that nyght that sche myth be preservyd fro al unclennes and metyn wyth sum good felaschep that myth helpyn hir forth to Akun. Sodeynly sche was comawndyd in hir sowle for to gon to chirche betymys on the next day, and ther schuld sche metyn wyth felaschep. On the next day betyme sche payd for hir lodgynge, speryng at hir oostys yf thei knewe of any felaschep to Akunward. Thei seyd, "Nay." Sche, takyng hir leve of hem, went to the chirche for to felyn and prevyn yf hir felyng wer trewe er not. Whan sche cam ther, sche saw a cumpany of powr folke. Than went sche to on of hem, speryng whidyr thei wer purposyd to gon. He seyd, "To Akun." Sche preyid hym that he wolde suffyr hir to gon in her cumpany. "Why, dame," he seyd, "hast thu no man to gon wyth the?" "No," sche seyd, "my man is gon fro me." So sche was receyvyd into a cumpany of powr folke, and, whan thei comyn to any towne, sche bowte hir mete and hir felaschep went on beggyng. Whan thei wer wythowtyn the townys, hir felaschep dedyn of her clothys, and, sittyng nakyd, pykyd hem. Nede compellyd hir to abydyn hem and prolongyn hir jurné and ben at meche mor cost than sche schulde ellys a ben. Thys creatur was abavyd to putte of hir clothis as hyr felawys dedyn, and therfor sche thorw hir comownyng had part of her vermyn and was betyn and stongyn ful evyl bothe day and nyght tyl God sent hir other felaschep. Sche kept forth hir felaschep wyth gret angwisch and disese and meche lettyng unto the tyme that thei comyn to Akun. 7    Whan thei wer come to Akun, the seyd creatur met wyth a monke of Inglond, the whech was to Romeward. Than was sche mech comfortyd in as mech as sche had a man that sche cowde undirstonden. And so thei abedyn ther togedyr ten er ellys eleven days for to seen owr Ladys smokke and other holy reliqwiis whech wer schewyd on Seynt Margaretys Day. And in the mene tyme that thei abedyn ther it lukkyd that a worschepful woman cam fro London, a wedow wyth meche meny wyth hir, to seen and worschepyn the holy relikys. The sayd creatur cam to this worthy woman, compleynyng that sche had no felaschep to gon wyth hir hom into Inglond. The wor thy woman grawntyd hir al hir desyr, and dede hir etyn and drynkyn wyth hir, and made hir ryth good cher. Whan Seynt Margaretys Day was comyn and gon and thei had seyn the holy relikys, the worschepful woman sped hir fast owt of Akun wyth alle hir mené. The seyd creatur, wenyng to a gon wyth hir and thus defrawdyd of hir purpose, was in gret hevynes. Sche toke hir leve of the monke whech was to Romeward, as is wretyn beforn, and sithyn gate hir a wayne wyth other pilgrimys and pursuyd aftyr the forseyd worthi woman as fast as sche myth to lokyn yf sche cowde ovyrtakyn hir, but it wolde not be. Than it happyd hir to metyn wyth tweyn men of London goyng to Londonward. Sche preyid hem to gon in her cumpany. Thei seydyn, yf sche myth duryn to gon as yerne as thei, sche schulde be wolcome, but thei myth not han no gret lettyng; nevyrthelesse thei wolde helpyn hir forth in hir jurné wyth good wyl. So sche folwyd aftyr hem wyth gret labowr tyl thei comyn at a good town wher thei mettyn pilgrimys of Inglond wer comyn fro the cowrt of Rome and schulde gon hom ageyn into Inglond. Sche preyid hem that sche myth go wyth hem, and thei seydyn schortly that thei woldyn not lettyn her jurné for hir, for thei weryn robbyd and haddyn but lityl mony to bryng hem hom, wherfor thei must nedys makyn the scharpar jurneys. And therfor, yf sche myth duryn to gon as yern as thei, sche schulde be wolcome and ellys not. Sche saw non other socowr than to abydyn wyth hem as long as sche myth, and so left tho other tweyn men and abood stille wyth this men. Than thei wentyn to her mete and madyn mery. The sayd creatur lokyd a lityl besyden hir and sey a man lyn and restyn hym on a benchys ende. Sche enqwiryd what man that was. Thei seydyn it was a frer, on of her felaschep. "Why etith he not wyth yow?" "For we wer robbyd as wel as he and therfore ych man must help hym self as wel as he may." "Wel," seyd sche, "he schal have part of swech good as God sendith me." Sche trustyd wel that owr Lord schuld ordeyn for hem bothyn as wer nedful to hem. Sche dede hym etyn and drynkyn and comfortyd hym ryth meche. Sithyn thei wentyn alle in fer togedyr. The sayd creatur cam sone behyndyn; sche was to agyd and to weyke to holdyn foot wyth hem. Sche ran and lept as fast as sche myth tyl hir myghtys failyd. Than sche spak wyth the powr frer whom sche had cheryd beforn, proferyng to aqwityn hys costys tyl he come at Caleys, yf he wolde abydyn wyth hir and latyn hir gon wyth hym tyl thei comyn ther, and yet gevyn hym reward besyden for hys labowr. He was wel content and consentyd to hir desyr. So thei letyn her felaschep gon forth, and thei tweyn folwyd softly as thei myght enduryn. The frer, beyng evyl for thryst, seyd to the creatur, "I knowe thes cuntreys wel anow, for I have oftyn tymys gon thus to Romeward, and I wote wel ther is a place of recreacyon a lityl hens. Late us gon thedyr and drynkyn." Sche was wel plesyd and folwyd hym. Whan thei cam ther, the good wife of the hows, havyng compassyon of the creaturys labowr, cownselyd that sche schulde takyn a wayne wyth other pilgrimys and not gon so wyth a man alone. Sche seyd that sche was purposyd and fully trustyd for to a gon wyth a worschepful woman of London, and sche was deceyvyd. Be than that thei had restyd hem a while and dalyid wyth the good wife of the hows, ther cam a wayn forby wyth pilgrimys. The good wife, havyng knowlach of the pilgrimys in the wayne, whan thei wer passyd hir hows, sche clepyd hem ageyn, besechyng hem that this creatur myth rydyn wyth hem in her wayne for the mor sped of hir jurné. Thei, goodly consentyng, receyvyd hir into her wayn, rydyng alle togedyr tyl he comyn at a good towne wher the sayd creatur parceyvyd the worschepful woman of London of whom is beforn seyd. Than sche preyid the pilgrimys that weryn in the wayne thei schulde heldyn hir excusyd and latyn hir payn for the tyme that sche had ben wyth hem as hem lykyd, for sche wolde gon to a worschepful woman of hir nacyon that sche parceyvyd was in the towne, wyth the whech sche had mad forward whan sche was at Akun for to gon hom wyth hir into Inglond. Sche had good lofe and leve and partyd fro hem. Thei redyn forth, and sche went to the worschepful woman, wenyng to a be receyvyd wyth a rith glad cher. And it was evyn ryth contrary; sche fonde rith schort cher and had rith scharp langage, the worschepful woman seying to hir, "What wenyst thu for to gon wyth me? Nay, I do the wel to wetyn I wyl not medelyn wyth the." The creatur was so rebukyd that sche wist not what to do. Sche knew no man ther ne no man knew hir. Sche wist not whedir to go. Sche wist not wher the frer was whech schulde a ben hir gyde ne whedyr he schulde comyn that wey er no. Sche was in gret diswer and hevynes, the grettest, as hir thowt, that sche had suffyrd syn sche was comyn owt of Inglond. Nevyrthelesse sche trustyd in owr Lordys promysse and abood stille in the towne tyl God wolde sendyn hir sum comfort. And, whan it was ny evyn, sche saw the frer comyng into the towneward. Sche hyid hir to spekyn wyth hym, compleynyng how sche was deceyvyd and refusyd of the good woman that sche trustyd so meche to. The frer seyd thei schulde don as wel as God wolde gevyn hem grace and comfortyd hir into hys power, but he seyd he wolde not abydyn in that towne that nyth, for he wost wel it was a perlyows pepil. Than went thei forth togedyr owt of the towne ageyn the evyn wyth gret drede and hevynes, mornyng be the wey wher thei schuldyn han herborwe that nyth. Thei happyd to comyn undyr a wodys syde, bisily beheldyng yf thei myth spyin any place wherin thei myth restyn. And, as owr Lord wolde, thei parceyvyd an hows er tweyn, and in hast thedir thei drowyn ther was dwellyng a good man wyth hys wife and tweyn childeryn. Than heldyn thei non hostel ne not wolde receivyn gestys to her herborw. The seyd creatur saw an hep of brakys in an hows, and wyth gret instawns sche purchasyd grace to restyn hir on the brakys that nyth. The frer wyth gret preyer was leyd in a berne, and hem thowt thei wer wel esyd that thei haddyn the hows ovyr hem. On the next day thei made aseth for her lodgyng, takyng the wey to Caleysward, goyng wery weys and grevows in dep sondys, hillys, and valeys tweyn days er thei comyn thedyr, sufferyng gret thrist and gret penawns, for ther wer fewe townys be the wey that thei went and ful febyl herberwe. And on nyghtys had sche most dreed oftyn tymys, and peraventur it was of hir gostly enmy, for sche was evyr aferd to a be ravischyd er defilyd. Sche durst trustyn on no man; whedir sche had cawse er non, sche was evyr aferd. Sche durst ful evyl slepyn any nyth, for sche wend men wolde a defylyd hir. Therfor sche went to bedde gladlich no nyth les than sche had a woman er tweyn wyth hir. For that grace God sent hir, wher so sche cam for the most party maidenys wolde wyth good cher lyn be hir, and that was to hir gret comfort. Sche was so wery and so ovyrcomyn wyth labowr to Caleysward that hir thowt hir spiryt schulde a departyd fro hir body as sche went in the wey. Thus wyth gret labowrys sche cam to Caleys and the good frer wyth hir, the which ful goodly and honestly had ben governyd to hirward the tyme that thei went togedyr. And therfor sche gaf hym reward as sche myth ateyn so that he was wel plesyd and content and departyd asundyr. 8    In Caleys this creatur had good cher of divers personys, bothyn of men and of women, whech had nevyr seen hir beforn. Ther was a good woman had hir hom to hir hows, the whech wesche hir ful clenly and dede hir on a newe smok and comfortyd hir rith mech. Other good personys had hir to mete and to drynke. Whil sche was ther abydyng schepyng three or four days, sche met ther wyth dyvers personys whech had knowyn hir beforn that spokyn fayr to hir and govyn hir goodly langwage. Other thyng thei gaf hir non, the whech personys abedyn schepyng as sche dede. Sche desiryng to seylyn wyth hem to Dovyr, nowt thei wolde helpyn hir ne latyn hir wetyn what schip thei purposyd to seylyn in. Sche speryd and spyid as diligently as sche cowde, and evyr sche had knowlach of her intent o wey er other tyl sche was schepyd wyth hem, and, whan sche had boryn hir thyng into the schip wher thei wer, supposyng thei schulde a seylyd in hast sche wist not how sone, thei purveyd hem another schip redy to seilyn. What the cawse was sche wist nevyr. Thorw grace, sche, havyng knowyng of heer purpos how redy thei wer to seylyn, left al hir thyng in the vessel that sche was in and went to the schip ther thei weryn, and thorw owr Lordys help sche was receyvyd into the schip. And ther was the worschepful woman of London that had refusyd hir as is beforn wretyn. And so thei seilyd alle togedyr to Dovyr. The seyd creatur, parceyvyng thorw her cher and cuntenawnce that thei had lityl affeccyon to hir persone, preyid to owr Lord that he wolde grawntyn hir grace to holdyn hir hevyd up and preservyn hir fro voidyng of unclene mater in her presens, so that sche schulde cawsyn hem non abhominacyon. Hir desyr was fulfillyd so that, other in the schip voydyng and castyng ful boistowsly and unclenly, sche, her alderys mervelyng, myth helpyn hem and do what sche wolde. And specialy the woman of London had most of that passyon and that infirmité, to whom this creatur was most besy to helpyn and comfortyn for owr Lordys love and be charité, other cawse had sche non. So thei seilyd forth tyl thei comyn at Dovyr, and than eche on of that cumpany gat hym felaschep to gon wyth yf hym likyd, safe sche only, for sche myth getyn no felawe to hir ese. Therfor sche toke hir wey to Cawntyrberyward be hir self alone, sory and hevy in maner that sche had no felaschep ne that sche knew not the wey. Sche was up betymys in the morwenyng and cam to a powr mannys hows, knokkyng at the dor. The good powr man, hogelyd in hys clothys unsperd and unbotenyd, cam to the dor to wetyn hir wille. Sche preyid hym, yf he had any hors, that he wolde helpyn hir to Cawntyrbury, and sche schulde aqwityn hys labowr. He, desiryng to do hir plesawnce in owr Lordys name, fulfillyd hir intent ledyng hir to Cawntyrbury. Sche had gret joy in owr Lord, that sent hir help and socowr in every nede, and thankyd hym wyth many a devowt teer, wyth meche sobbyng and wepyng, ny hand in every place that sche cam in, of al that it be not wretyn, as wel on yen half the see as on this halfe, on the watyr as on the lond, blissyd mote God ben. 9    Fro thens sche went to London, clad in a cloth of canvas as it wer a sekkyn gelle as sche had gon beyondyn the se. Whan sche was comyn into London, mech pepil knew hir wel anow; in as mech as sche was not clad as sche wold a ben for defawte of mony, sche, desiryng to a gon unknowyn into the tyme that sche myth a made sum chefsyawns, bar a kerche befor hir face. Not wythstondyng sche dede so, sum dissolute personys, supposyng it was Mar. Kempe of Lynne, seydyn that sche myth esily heryn thes wordys into repref. "A, thu fals flesch, thu schalt no good mete etyn." Sche, not answeryng, passyd forth as sche had not an herd. The forseyd wordys wer nevyr of hir spekyng, neythyr of God ne of good man, thow so wer that it wer leyd to hir, and sche many tymys and in many placys had gret repref therby. Thei wer fowndyn of the devyl, fadyr of lesyngys, favowryd, maynteynd, and born forth of hys membrys, fals invyows pepil, havyng indignacyon at hir vertuows levyng, not of powyr to hyndryn hir but thorw her fals tungys. Ther was nevyr man ne woman that evyr myth prevyn that sche seyd swech wordys, but evyr thei madyn other lyars her autorys, seying in excusyng of hem self that other men telde hem so. On this maner wer thes fals wordys fowndyn thorw the develys suggestyon. Sum on person er ellys mo personys, deceyvyd be her gostly enmy, contrivyd this tale not long aftyr the conversyon of the sayd creatur, seying that sche, sittyng at the mete on a fisch day at a good mannys tabyl, servyd wyth divers of fyschys as reed heryng and good pyke and sweche other, thus sche schulde a seyd, as thei reportyd, "A, thu fals flesch, thu woldist now etyn reed heryng, but thu schalt not han thi wille." And ther wyth sche sett awey the reed heryng and ete the good pike. And swech other thus sche schuld a seyd, as thei seydyn, and thus it sprong into a maner of proverbe agen hir that summe seydyn, "Fals flesch, thu schalt ete non heryng." And sum seydyn the wordys the whech arn beforn wretyn, and al was fals, but yet wer thei not forgetyn; thei wer rehersyd in many a place wher sche was nevyr kyd ne knowyn. Sche went forth to a worschepful wedows hows in London, wher sche was goodly receyvyd and had gret cher for owr Lordys lofe, and in many placys of London sche hily was cheryd in owr Lordys name, God rewarde hem alle. Ther was on worschepful woman whech specialy schewyd hir hy charité bothyn in mete and drynke and other rewardys gevyng, in whoys place on a tyme sche beyng at the mete wyth other dyvers personys of divers condicyons, sche unknowyn onto hem and thei unto hir, of the whiche summe wer of the cardenalys hows (as sche had be relacyon of other), thei haddyn a gret fest and ferdyn ryth wel. And, whan thei wer in her myrthys, sum rehersyd the wordys beforn wretyn er other liche, that is to seyn, "Thu fals flesch, thu schalt non etyn of this good mete." Sche was stille and suffyrd a good while. Ech of hem jangelyd to other, havyng gret game of the inperfeccyon of the persone that thes wordys wer seyd of. Whan thei had wel sportyd hem wyth thes wordys, sche askyd hem yf thei had any knowlach of the persone whech schulde a seyd thes wordys. Thei seyd, "Nay forsothe, but we have herd telde that ther is swech a fals feynyd ypocrite in Lynne whech seyth sweche wordys, and, leevyng of gret metys, sche etith the most delicyows and delectabyl metys that comyn on the tabyl." "Lo, serys," sche seyd, "ye awt to seyn no wers than ye knowyn and yet not so evyl as ye knowyn. Nevyrthelesse her ye seyn wers than ye knowyn, God forgeve it yow, for I am that same persone to whom thes wordys ben arectyd, whech oftyn tyme suffir gret schame and repref and am not gylty in this mater, God I take to record." Whan thei beheldyn hir not mevyd in this mater, no thyng reprevyng hem, desiryng thorw the spirit of charité her correccyon, thei wer rebukyd of her owyn honesté, obeyng hem to aseeth makyng. Sche spak boldly and mytily wher so sche cam in London ageyn swerars, bannars, lyars and swech other viciows pepil, ageyn the pompows aray bothin of men and of women. Sche sparyd hem not, sche flateryd hem not, neithyr for her giftys, ne for her mete, no for her drynke. Hir spekyng profityd rith mech in many personys. Therfor, whan sche cam into chirch to hir contemplacyon owr Lord sent hir ful hy devocyon, thankyng hir that sche was not aferd to reprevyn synne in hys name and for sche suffyrd scornys and reprevys for hys sake, behestyng hir ful meche grace in this lyfe and aftyr this lyfe to havyn joy and blysse wythowtyn ende. Sche was so comfortyd in the swet dalyawns of owr Lord that sche myth not mesuryn hirself ne governe hir spirit aftyr hyr owyn wyl ne aftyr discrecyon of other men, but aftyr that owr Lord wolde ledyn it and mesuryn it hys self in sobbyng ful boistowsly and wepyng ful plenteuowsly, wherfor sche suffyrd ful mech slawndyr and repref, specyaly of the curatys and preistys of the chirchis in London. Thei wold not suffyr hir to abydyn in her chirchys, and therfor sche went fro on chirch to an other that sche schulde not ben tediows onto hem. Mech of the comown pepil magnifiid God in hir, havyng good trost that it was the goodnes of God whech wrowt that hy grace in hir sowle. 10    Fro London sche went to Schene a three days beforn Lammes Day for to purchasyn hir pardon thorw the mercy of owr Lord. And, whan sche was in the chirch at Schene, sche had gret devocyon and ful hy contemplacyon. Sche had plentiuows teerys of compunccyon and of compassyon in the rememorawns of the bittyr peynys and passyons whech owr merciful Lord Jhesu Crist suffyrd in hys blissyd manhod. Thei that seyn hir wepyn and herdyn hir so boistowsly sobbyn wer takyn wyth gret merveyl and wondyr what was the ocupasyon of hir sowle. A yong man whech beheld hir cher and hir cuntenawns, mevyd thorw the Holy Gost, went to hir, whan he myth goodly, be hymself alone, wyth fervent desir to have undirstondyng what myth be the cawse of hir wepyng, to whom he seyd, "Modir, yf it lyke yow, I pray yow to schewyn me the occasyon of yowr wepyng, for I have not seyn a persone so plenteuows in teerys as ye ben, and specialy I have not herd beforn any persone so boistows in sobbyng as ye ben. And, modir, thow I be yong, my desir is to plesyn my Lord Jhesu Crist and so to folwyn hym as I kan and may. And I purpose me be the grace of God to takyn the abite of this holy religyon, and therfor I prey yow beth not strawnge unto me. Schewith modirly and goodly yowr conceit unto me as I trust unto yow." Sche, benyngly and mekely wyth gladnes of spirit, as hir thowt it expedient, comendyd hym in hys entent and schewyd to hym in parcel that the cawse of hir wepyng and sobbyng was hir gret unkendnes agens hir maker, wher thorw sche had many tymys offendyd hys goodnes, and the gret abhominacyon that sche had of hir synnys cawsyd hir to sobbyn and wepyn. Also the gret excellent charité of hir redemptowr, be the whech thorw the vertu of hys passyon sufferyng and hys precyows blod schedyng sche was redemyd fro evyrlestyng peyne, trustyng to ben an eyr of joy and blisse, mevyd hir to sobbyn and wepyn, as no merveyl was. Sche teld hym many good wordys of gostly comfort, thorw the whech he was steryd to gret vertu, and aftyrward he ete and dranke wyth hir in the tyme that sche was ther and was ful glad to ben in hir cumpany. On Lammes Day was the principal day of pardon, and, as the sayd creatur went in the chirch of Schene, sche had a syght of the ermite whech led hir owt of Lynne whan sche went to the seward wyth hir dowtyr in lawe, as is wretyn be forn. Anon wyth gret joy of spirit sche offeryd hir self to hys presens, wolcomyng hym wyth alle the myghtys of hir sowle, seying unto hym, "A, Reynald, ye arn wolcome. I trust owr Lord sent yow hedyr, for now I hope as ye led me owt of Lynne, ye schal bryng me hom ageyn to Lynne." The ermyte schewyd schort cher and hevy contenawnce, neythyr in wil ne in purpos to bryng hir hom to Lynne as sche desiryd. He, answeryng ful schortly, seyd, "I do yow wel to wetyn yowr confessowr hath forsakyn yow for ye wentyn ovyr the see and wolde telle hym no word therof. Ye toke leve to brynge yowr dowtyr to the see syde; ye askyd no leve no ferther. Ther was no frend ye haddyn that knew of yowr cownsel; therfor I suppose ye schal fyndyn but lityl frenschep whan ye come ther. I pray yow, getith yow felaschep wher ye can, for I was blamyd for yowr defawte whan I led yow last; I wil no mor." Sche spak fayr and preyd for Goddys lofe that he wolde not be displesyd, for thei that lovyd hir for God er sche went owte thei wolde lovyn hir for God whan sche come hom. Sche proferyd hym to aqwityn hys costys be the wey homward. So at the last he, consentyng, browt hir ageyn to London and sithyn hom to Lynne to hy worschep of God and to gret meryte of her botherys sowlys. Whan sche was come hom to Lynne, sche obeyd hir to hir confessowr. He gaf hir ful scharp wordys, for sche was hys obediencer and had takyn upon hir swech a jurné wythowtyn hys wetyng. Therfor he was mevyd the mor ageyn hir, but owr Lord halpe hir so that sche had as good love of hym and of other frendys aftyr as sche had beforn, worschepyd be God. Amen.    Thys creatur, of whom is tretyd beforn, usyd many yerys to begynnyn hir preyerys on this maner. First whan sche cam to chirche, knelyng beforn the sacrament in the worschep of the blissyd Trinité (Fadir, Sone, and Holy Gost, oo God and three Personys), of that gloryows Virgine, Qwen of Mercy, owr Lady Seynt Mary, and of the twelve apostelys, sche seyd this holy ympne "Veni creator spiritus" wyth alle the versys longyng therto, that God schulde illumynyn hir sowle, as he dede hys apostelys on Pentecost Day, and induyn hir wyth the gyftys of the Holy Gost that sche myth han grace to undirstondyn hys wil and parformyn it in werkyng, and that sche myth han grace to wythstondyn the temptacyons of hir gostly enmiis and enchewyn al maner synne and wikkydnes. Whan sche had seyd "Veni creator spiritus" wyth the versys, sche seyd on this maner, "The Holy Gost I take to witnesse, owr Lady, Seynt Mary, the modyr of God, al holy cowrte of hevyn, and alle my gostly faderys her in erth, that, thow it wer possibyl that I myth han al knowyng and undirstondyng of the prevyteys of God be the tellyng of any devyl of helle, I wolde not. And as wistly not knowyn, heryn, seen, felyn, ne undirstondyn in my sowle in this lyfe mor than is the wil of God that I schulde knowyn, so wistly God mote helpyn me in alle my werkys, in alle my thowtys, and in alle my spechys, etyng and drynkyng, slepyng and wakyng. As wistly as it is not my wil ne myn entent to worschepyn no fals devyl for my God, ne no fals feith, ne fals beleve for to han, so wistly I defye the devyl, and al hys fals cownsel, and al that evyr I have don, seyd, er thowt, aftyr the cownsel of the devyl, wenyng it had be the cownsel of God and inspiracyon of the Holy Gost. Yf it hath not ben so, God, that art inseare and knowar of the prevyté of alle mennys hertys, hafe mercy of me therfor and grawnte me in this lyfe a welle of teerys spryngyng plenteuowsly, wyth the which I may waschyn awey my synnys thorw thi mercy and thi goodnes. And, Lord, for thi hy mercy, alle the teerys that may encresyn my lofe to the and moryn my meryte in hevyn, helpyn and profityn myn evyn cristen sowlys, lyvys er dedys, visite me wyth her in erth. Good Lord, spar no mor the eyne in myn hed than thu dedist the blood in thi body whech thu scheddist plenteuowsly for synful mannys sowle, and grawnt me so meche peyne and sorwe in this world that I be not lettyd fro thi blisse and the beholdyng of thi gloryows face whan I schal passyn hens. As for my crying, my sobbyng, and my wepyng, Lord God almythy, as wistly as thu knowist what scornys, what schamys, what despitys, and what reprevys I have had therfor, and, as wistly as it is not in my power to wepyn neythyr lowde ne stille for no devocyon ne for no swetnes but only of the gyft of the Holy Gost, so wistly, Lord, excuse me ageyn al this world to knowyn and to trowyn that it is thi werke and thi gyfte for magnifying of thi name and for encresyng of other mennys lofe to the, Jhesu. And I prey the, sovereyn Lord Crist Jhesu, that as many men mote be turnyd be my crying and my wepyng as me han scornyd therfor er schal scornyn into the werdys ende and many mo yf it be yowr wille. And, as anemst any erdly mannys love, as wistly as I wolde no love han but God to lovyn above al thinge and alle other creaturs lovyn for God and in God, al so wistly qwenche in me al fleschly lust and in alle tho that I have beholdyn thi blisful body in. And geve us thin holy drede in owr hertys for thi wowndys smert. Lord, make my gostly fadirs for to dredyn the in me and for to lovyn the in me, and make al the world for to han the mor sorwe for her owyn synnys for the sorwe that thu hast govyn me for other mennys synnys. Good Jhesu, make my wil thi wyl and thi wil my wil that I may no wil han but thi wil only. Now, good Lord Crist Jhesu, I crye yow mercy for alle the statys that ben in Holy Chirche, for the Pope and alle hys cardinalys, for alle erchebischopys and bischopys, and for al the ordir of presthoode, for alle men and women of religyon, and specialy for hem that arn besy to savyn and defendyn the feith of Holy Chirch. Lord, for thi mercy blisse hem and grawnt hem the victory of alle her enmiis and spede hem in alle that thei gon abowtyn to thi worschep; for alle that arn in grace this tyme God send hem perseverawns into her lyvys ende. And make me worthy to be partabyl of her preyerys and hem of myn and eche of us of otheris. I cry the mercy, blisful Lord, for the Kyng of Inglond and for alle Cristen kyngys and for alle lordys and ladiis that arn in this world. God, sett hem in sweche governawnce as thei may most plesyn the and ben lordys and ladys in hevyn wythowtyn ende. I cry the mercy, Lord, for the riche men in this worlde that han thi goodys in weldyng; geve hem grace for to spendyn hem to thi plesyng. I cry the mercy, Lord, for Jewys, and Sarazinys, and alle hethen pepil. Good Lord, have mende that ther is many a seynt in hevyn whech sumtyme was hethen in erde. And as thu hast spred thi mercy to hem that arn in erthe. Lord, thu seist thi self ther schal no man comyn to the wythowtyn the ne no man be drawyn wythowtyn thu drawe hym. And therfor, Lord, yf ther be any man undrawyn, I prey the drawe hym aftyr the. Me hast thu drawyn, Lord, and I deservyd nevyr for to ben drawyn, but aftyr thi gret mercy thu hast drawyn me. Yf al this world knew al my wikkydnes as thu dost, thei wolde merveylyn and wonderyn of the gret goodnes that thu hast schewyd me. I wolde that al this worlde wer worthy to thankyn the for me, and, as thu hast mad of unworthi creaturys worthy, so make al this world worthi to thankyn the and preisyn the. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle fals heretikys and for alle mysbelevarys, for alle fals titharys, thevys, vowtererys and alle comown women, and for alle myschevows levarys. Lord, for thi mercy have mercy upon hem yf it be thi wille and bryng hem owt of her mysgovernawnce the sonar for my preyerys. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle tho that arn temptyd and vexid wyth her gostly enmiis, that thu of thi mercy gefe hem grace to withstondyn her temptacyons and delyvyr hem therof whan it is thi most plesawns. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle my gostly faderys that thu vochesaf to spredyn as mech grace in her sowlys as I wolde that thu dedist in myn. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle my childeryn, gostly and bodily, and for al the pepil in this world that thu make her synnys to me be very contricyon as it wer myn owyn synnys, and forgeve hem as I wolde that thu forgove me. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle my frendys and for alle myn enmiis, for alle that arn seke specialy, for alle lazerys, for alle bedred men and women, for alle that arn in preson, and for alle creaturys that in this world han spokyn of me eythyr good er ylle and er schal don into the worldys ende. Have mercy upon hem and be as gracyows to her sowlys as I wolde that thu wer to myn. And thei that han seyd any evyl of me, for thi hy mercy, forgefe it hem; and thei that han seyd wel, I pray the, Lord, rewarde hem for that is thorw here charité and not thorw my merytys, for, thow thu suffredist al this world to vengyn the on me and to hatyn me for I have displesyd the, thu dedist me no wrong. I cry the mercy, Lord, for alle the sowlys that arn in peynys of purgatory ther abydyng thi mercy and the preyeris of Holy Chirche as wistly, Lord, as thei arn thin owyn chosyn sowlys. Be as gracyows to hem as I wolde that thu wer to myn yf it wer in the same peyne that thei arn in. Lord Crist Jhesu, I thank the for al helth and al welth, for al riches and al poverté, for seeknes and alle scornys, for alle spitys and alle wrongys, and for alle divers tribulacyons that han fallyn er schal fallyn to me as long as I leve. Heily I thank the that thu woldist letyn me suffryn any in this world in remissyon of my synnys and moryng of my meryte in hevyn as wistly as I have gret cawse to thanke the. Here my preyeris, for, thow I had as many hertys and sowlys closyd in my sowle as God knew wythowtyn begynnyng how many schulde dwellyn in Hevyn wythowtyn ende and as ther arn dropys of watyr, fres and salt, cheselys of gravel, stonys smale and grete, gresys growyng in al erthe, kyrnellys of corn, fischys, fowelys, bestys and leevys upon treys whan most plenté ben, fedir of fowle er her of best, seed that growith in erbe, er in wede, in flowyr, in lond, er in watyr whan most growyn, and as many creaturys as in erth han ben and arn er schal ben and myth ben be thi myth, and as ther arn sterrys and awngelys in thi syght er other kynnes good that growyth upon erthe, and eche wer a sowle as holy as evyr was our lady Seynt Mary that bar Jhesu owr savyowr, and, yf it wer possibyl that eche cowde thynkyn and spekyn al so gret reverens and worschep as evyr dede owr lady Seynt Mary her in erthe and now doth in hevyn and schal don wythowtyn ende, I may rith wel thynkyn in myn hert and spekyn it wyth my mowth at this tyme in worschip of the Trinité and of al the cowrt of hevyn, to gret schame and schenschep of Sathanas that fel fro Goddys face and of alle hys wikkyd spiritys, that alle thes hertys ne sowlys cowde nevyr thankyn God ne ful preysyn hym, ful blissyn hym ne ful worschepyn hym, ful lovyn hym ne fully gevyn lawdacyon, preisyng, and reverens to hym as he were worthy to han for the gret mercy that he hath schewyd to me in erth that I can not don ne may don. I prey my lady, whech that is only the modyr of God, the welle of grace, flower and fairest of alle women that evyr God wrowt in erth, the most worthiest in hys syght, the most leef, der, and derworthy unto hym, best worthy to ben herd of God, and the heyest that hath deservyd it in this lyfe, benyngne lady, meke lady, chariteful lady, wyth al the reverens that is in hevyn and wyth alle yowr holy seyntys, I pray yow, Lady, offyr ye thankys and preysyngys to the blisful Trinité for love of me, askyng mercy and grace for me and for alle my gostly fadrys and perseverawns into owr lyvys ende in that life one may most plesyn God in. I blisse my God in my sowle and yow alle that arn in hevyn. Blissyd mote God ben in yow alle and ye alle in God. Blissyd be thu, Lord, for alle thi merciis that thu hast schewyd to alle that arn in hevyn and in erth. And specyaly I blisse the, Lord, for Mary Mawdelyn, for Mary Egipcyan, for Seynt Powle, and for Seynt Awstyn. And, as thu hast schewyd ther mercy to hem, so schewe thi mercy to me and to alle that askyn the mercy of hert. The pees and the rest that thu hast beqwothyn to thi discipulys and to thi lovars, the same pees and rest mote thu beqwethyn to me in erth and in hevyn wythowtyn ende. Have mend, Lord, of the woman that was takyn in the vowtré and browt beforn the, and, as thu dreve awey alle hir enmyis fro hir and sche stod alone by the, so verily mot thu dryvyn awey alle myn enmiis fro me, bothin bodily and gostly, that I may stondyn alone by the and make my sowle ded to alle the joyis of this world and qwyk and gredy to hy contemplacyon in God. Hafe mend, Lord, of Lazer that lay four days ded in hys grave, and, as I have ben in that holy stede ther thi body was qwik and ded and crucifiid for mannys synne and ther Lazer was reisyd fro deth to lyfe, as wistly, Lord, yf any man er woman be ded in this owr be dedly synne, yf any prayer may helpyn hem, here my preyerys for hem and make hem to levyn wythowtyn ende. Gramercy, Lord, for alle tho synnys that thu hast kept me fro whech I have not do, and gramercy, Lord, for al the sorwe that thu hast govyn me for tho that I have do, for thes gracys and for alle other gracys whech arn nedful to me and to alle the creaturys in erth. And for alle tho that feithyn and trustyn er schul feithyn and trustyn in my prayerys into the worldys ende, sweche grace as thei desiryn, gostly er bodily, to the profite of her sowlys, I pray the, Lord, grawnt hem for the multitude of thi mercy. Amen." Jhesu mercy quod Salthows.