127va]    2 3 4 5 6 7 8 127vb] 10 11 12 13 14 15

N N; T

¶ C’est la destinccioun de la estature Jesu Crist Nostre Seigneur. ¶ Trouvee est en auncien estoire de Rome de Jesu Crist que dit fust de la gent prophetes veritables, qu’il estoit menement de haut estature e voutable a regarder. Le volt avoit honorable, si que ceux que ly vyrent amer le poeyent e doter. Cheveus      avoit de la colour de menue noys, c’est a dyre, de auke rouses, desque as oreilles vers val crespé, auke jaunes e lusauntz, e as espaudles pendauntz. Grye né avoit a la gyse de Nazarenz, frount pleyn e cler, la face sauntz frounte e tecche, e colour auke vermail, que molt bien le enbelist. De nees ne de bouche ne avoit que reprendre. Barbe | avoit yl, jeovene mes a plenté, de la colour de ces chevels, ne pas longe mes al mentoun fourché; simple e de meure regardure; lé oyls neyres e clers. En repernaunt, estoit espauntable; en amonestaunt, douz e amiable. Heyté estoit menement. Ascune foiz plora, unqe ne rist. La estature du cors fust dreit a lygne, bras e meynz deliciouz a regarder. Sa paroule estoit meure, reulé e sueve, e plein de resoun. A bon droit dit le prophete David: “Speciosus forma pre filiis hominum” [Psalm 44:3]. |

¶ These are the distinguishing features of the bodily form of Jesus Christ Our Lord. ¶ It is recorded in the ancient history of Rome regarding Jesus Christ that he was of the race of true prophets, that he was moderately tall in stature and fair in appearance. He had an honorable face, so that those who saw him were able to love and revere him. He had hair the color of a walnut, that is to say, somewhat red, curling downward from the ears, somewhat yellow and gleaming, and hanging to the shoulders. He had a Greek nose in the Nazarene manner, a forehead smooth and fine, a face without wrinkle or blemish, reddish in color, which endowed him with great beauty. Neither his nose nor his mouth had anything that might be criticized. A beard | he had, youthful yet full, the color of his hair, not long but forked at the chin; a look innocent and mature; eyes black and sparkling. When reproaching, he was fearsome; when admonishing, sweet and amiable. He was moderately happy. He cried sometimes, laughed never. His bodily stature was truly straight, arms and hands delightful to behold. His voice was mature, temperate and pleasant, and wise. Truly spoke the prophet David: “Thou art beautiful beyond the sons of men” [Psalm 44:3]. |