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the Liflade ant te Passiun of Seinte Margarete. ariste of death, ant eft er His upastihunge, as He steah to Heovene, weren monie martyrs, wepme ba ant wummen, to deathes misliche idon for the nome of Drihtin; ant, as icudde kempen, overcomen ant akeasten hare threo cunne van, the veont, ant teos wake worlt, ant hare licomes lustes, ant wenden of theos weanen to weole ant to eche wunne icrunet to Criste. ant hereden hethene maumez, of stanes ant of stockes wrecches iwrahte. (2) Ah Ich, an Godes theowe, Teochimus inemed, ilered i Godes lei, habbe iredd ant araht moni mislich leaf, ant neaver i nan stude ne mahte Ich understonden of nan the were wurthe forto beon iwurget as hit deh Drihtin, bute the hehe Healent an thet is in Heovene, the wunede hwil His wille wes amonc worldliche men, ant bottnede blinde, the dumbe, ant te deave, ant te deade arerde to leome ant to live; ant cruneth His icorene, the deth dreheth for Him other eni neowcin. (3) Ant alle Cristene men, thet beoth of Crist icleopet, swa yef ha nutteth hare nome, hafeth ilened thet lif thet echeliche lesteth. (4) Ich, fulhet i font o the almihti Fedres nome ant o the witti Sunes nome ant o thes Hali Gastes, wes i the ilke time liviende i londe tha thet eadie meiden, Margarete bi nome, feht with the feond ant with his eorthliche limen, ant overcom ant acaste ham, ant biyet hit iwriten of the writers tha, al hire passiun ant hire pinfule deth thet ha dreh for Drihtin. iweddede, ant te meidnes nomeliche, lusten swithe yeorliche hu ha schulen luvien the liviende Lauerd ant libben i meithhad, thet Him his mihte leovest, swa thet ha moten, thurh thet eadie meiden the we munneth todei with meithhades menske, thet seli meidnes song singen with this meiden ant with thet heovenliche hird echeliche in Heovene. | feder Theodosie hehte, of thet hethene folc patriarche ant prince. (2) Ah heo, as the deorwurthe Drihtin hit dihte, into a burh wes ibroht to veden ant to vostrin, from the muchele Antioche fiftene milen. (3) Tha ha hefde of helde yeres fiftene, ant hire moder wes iwend the wei thet worldliche men alle schulen wenden, ha warth theo the hefde iwist ant iwenet hire swa lengre swa levere, ant alle hire luveden thet hire on lokeden, as theo thet Godd luvede, the heovenliche Lauerd, ant yef hire the grace of the Hali Gast, swa thet ha ches Him to luve ant to lefmon, ant bitahte in His hond the menske of hire meithhad, hire wil ant hire werc, ant al thet heo eaver i the world i wald hahte, to witen ant to welden with al hireseolven. (4) Thus ha wes ant wiste, meokest áá meiden, with othre meidnes o the feld hire fostermodres hahte, ant herde on euich half hire hu me droh to deathe Cristes icorene for rihte bileave, ant yirnde ant walde yeorne, yef Godes wil were, thet ha moste beon an of the moni moder-bern thet swa muchel drohen ant drehheden for Drihtin. an foster, to herien i the hehe burh hise hethene godes. (2) Olibrius hehte, schireve of the lond, thet alle the lefden o the liviende Godd fordude ant fordemde. (3) As he wende a dei his wei, seh this seli | meiden Margarete as ha wes ant wiste upo the feld hire fostermodres schep, the schimede ant schan al of wlite ant of westume. wummon, Ich hire wule habben ant halden to wive. (3) Ant yef heo theowe is, Ich cheose hire to chevese, ant hire wule freohin with gersum ant with golde; ant wel schal hire iwurthen for hire lufsume leor with al thet Ich welde.” (4) As the knihtes wolden warpen honden on hire, ha bigon to clepien ant callen to Criste thus: mi sawle forleosen with the forlorene, ne with the luthere mi lif, the beoth al blodi biblodeget of sunne. (3) Jesu Crist, Godes Sune, beo Thu eaver mi gleo ant mi gledunge; the mot Ich áá mare hehen ant herien. (4) Hald, hehe Lauerd, min heorte, Ich biseche The, in treowe bileve, ant biwite Thu mi bodi — thet is al bitaht to The — from flesliche fulthen, thet neaver mi sawle ne isuled beo in sunne thurh thet licomes lust thet lutle hwile liketh. (5) Lauerd, lustu to me. (6) Ich habbe a deore gimstan, ant Ich hit habbe iyeve The — mi meithhad I mene, blostme brihtest i bodi the hit bereth ant biwit wel. (7) Ne let Tu neaver the unwiht warpen hit i wurthinc, for hit is the leof, hit is him thinge lothest, ant weorreth ant warpeth ever thertoward | with alles cunnes wrenches. (8) Lauerd, Thu were me ant wite hit ever to The. (9) Ne thole Thu never the unwiht thet he wori mi wit ne wonie mi wisdom, ah send me Thi sonde, Helent, of Heovene, thet cuthe me ant kenne hu Ich onswerie schule thes schuckes schireve. (10) For Ich iseo me, Lauerd, bistepped ant bistonden ase lomb with wedde wulves, ant ase the fuhel the is ivon in thes fuheleres grune, ase fisc ahon on hoke, ase ra inumen i nette. (11) Heh Helent, help me, ne leaf Thu me never nu i luthere mennes honde.” lauerd: “Ne mei thi mihte habben na man with this meiden, for ha ne heheth nan of ure hethene godes, ah leveth o the Lauerd the the Gius fordemden ant drohen to deathe, ant hethene hongeden ant heven on Rode.” bringin hire biforen him. (2) Sone se ha icume wes, he cleopede to hire thus: “Cuth me,” quoth he, “yif thu art foster of freomon other theowe-wummon.” “Freo wummon Ich am thah ant Godes thewe.” deorwurthe Sune, Jesu Crist hatte; ant Him Ich habbe, meiden, mi meithhad iyettet, ant lu|vie to leofmon ant leve on ase on Lauerd.” reuliche on Rode?” beoth forfaren reuliche ant forloren lutherliche; ant He liveth, Kine-bern icrunet in His kinedom, Keiser of kinges, echeliche in Heovene.” cwarterne ant i cwalhus athet he hefde betere bithoht him o hwucche wise he walde merren hire meithhad, ant ferde him thenne swa forth into Antioche ant hehede hise hethene godes as hit lomp ant lei to his luthere bileve. (2) Het hire i the other dei bringen bivoren him. milce of the seolven. (2) Nim yeme of thi yuhethe ant of thi semliche schape, of thi schene nebschaft. (3) Wurch efter mi wil ant wurge mine maumez, ant the schal wel iwurthen bivoren the heste of min hirt, with al thet Ich i world hah ant i wald habbe.” hit tu nu yif thu wult — for He hit wat ful wel the haveth iseilet to Himseolf me ant mi meithhad — thet tu ne maht nanes weis, with weole ne with wune, with wa ne with wont|rethe, ne with nan worldlich thing, wenden me ne wrenchen ut of the wei thet Ich am in bigunne to ganne. (2) Ant unwurth thet wite thu me beoth thine wordes, for Him ane Ich luvie ant habbe to bileve the weld ant wisseth with His wit windes ant wederes, ant al thet biset is with se ant with sunne. (3) Buven ba ant bineothen, al buheth to Him ant beieth. (4) Ant to- eke this: thet He is se mihti ant se meinful, He is leoflukest lif forto lokin upon ant swotest to smellen; ne ne His swote savour ne His almihti mihte ne His makelese lufsumlec never mare ne mei lutli ne aliggen, for He ne alith never, ah liveth áá in are, ant His muchele mihte lesteth áá mare.” wite thu: bute yif thu swike ham, mi swerd schal forswelten ant forswolhen thi flesc, ant therefter thine ban schulen beon forbernde o berninde gleden. (3) Ah yif thu wult leve me, thu schalt beon mi leofmon ant min iweddede wif, ant welden ase lefdi al thet Ich i wald hah ant am of lauerd.” | luve, for Ich habe a leovere thet Ich nulle for nan leosen ne leaven. (3) Thu swenchest the to swithe, ant warpest me is wa fore awei thine hwile, for al me is an,” quoth ha, “thin olhnung ant thin eie. (4) | Ich wulle bitechen mi bodi to eaver- euich bitternesse thet tu const on bithenchen, ne bite hit ne se sare with thon thet Ich mote meidene mede habben in Heovene. (5) Drihtin deide for us, the deorwurthe Lauerd, ant ne drede Ich na deth forto drehen for Him. (6) He haveth His merke on me iseiled with His in-seil; ne mei unc lif ne deth nother twemen otwa.” leres. (3) “Strupeth hire steort-naket ant hongeth hire on heh up, ant beteth hire bere bodi with bittere besmen.” (4) Tha awariede werlahen leiden se lutherliche on hire leofliche lich thet hit brec overal ant litherede o blode. (5) Thet eadie meiden ahef hire heorte heh up towart heovene ant cleopede to Criste: The, thet hit ne forwurthe naut for wa thet me do me ne for wele nowther. (3) Ne lef Thu never mine fan — the feondes, I mene — habben ne holden hare hoker of me, as ha walden yef ha me mahten awarpen; ah swa ne schulen ha never me ne nan other thet ariht luvieth The. (4) Heovenliche Lauerd, Thin nome beo iblescet. (5) Lauerd, loke to me ant have merci of me; softe me mi sar swa ant salve mine wunden thet hit ne seme nohwer ne suteli o mi samblant thet Ich derf drehe.” (6) The cwelleres leiden se lutherliche on hire lich thet tet blod bearst ut ant strac adun of hire bodi as streem deth of welle. yeomerliche, yeide: “Stute nu ant stew thine unwitti wordes, ant hercne, meiden, mi read, ant wel the schal iwurthen.” meanden thes meiden, ant summe of ham seiden: “Margarete, Margarete, meide swa muche wurth yef thu wel waldest, wa is us thet we seoth thi softe leofliche lich toluken se ladliche! (2) Weila, wummon, hwuch wlite thu leosest ant forletest for thi misbileave! (3) The reve is reowliche wrath, ant wule iwis fordo the. (4) Ah luve nu ant lef him ant tu schalt, wummone meast, wunne ant weole wealden.” Yef mi lich is toloken, mi sawle schal resten with the rihtwise. (4) Sorhe ant licomes sar is sawulene heale. (5) Ah leve ye, Ich reade ow, o the liviende Godd, mihti ant meinful ant euch godes ful, the hereth theo the Him cleopieth to, ant heovene-getes openeth! (6) For ow nulle Ich iheren, ne heien nan of ower godes, the dumbe beoth ant deave, ant blinde ant bute mihte, with monnes hond imakede.” werkes, the feondes of Helle. (2) Me, thu heathene hund, the hehe Healent is min help. (3) Yef He haveth iyettet te mi licome to teluken, He wule, thu heatele reve, arudde mi sawle ut of thine honden ant heoven hire into Heovene, thah thu hongi me her. (4) Ant tu, grisliche gra, thu luthere liun lath Godd, thi mihte schal unmuclin ant melten to riht noht, ant tu schalt eaver i sar | ant i sorhe swelten, hwen Ich gomeni with Godd ant gleadie buten ende.” hongin hire ant heoven up herre then ha ear wes, ant with sweord scharpe ant ewles of irne hire freoliche flesch toronden ant torenden. (2) Ant heo biseh on heh up, ant bigon to seggen: me haveth al biset me. (2) Ah Thu, hehe Healent, beo umbe me to helpen. (3) Arude, reowfule Godd, mi sawle of sweordes egge ant of hundes hond, for nabbe Ich bute hire ane. (4) Lowse me, Lauerd, ut of the liunes muth, ant mi meoke mildschipe of the an-ihurnde hornes. (5) Glede me, Godd, with Thi gleo ant yef me hope of heale, thet mi bone mote thurh-thurli the Heovene. (6) Send me Thi sonde i culvrenene heowe, the cume me to helpe, thet Ich mi meithhad mote wite to The unwemmet. (7) Ant lef me yet iseon, Lauerd, yef Thi wil is, the awariede wiht the weorreth ayein me — ant cuth Thi mahte on me, almihti Godd, thet Ich him overcume mahe, swa thet alle meidnes eaver mare thurh me the mare trusten on The. (8) Beo Thi nome iblesced, alre bleo brihtest, in alre worldene worlt, áá on ecnesse. (9) Amen. stronge rune of the blodi stream, ne nan other thet ter wes ne mahte for muche grure lokin thiderwardes; ah hudden hare heafden, the heardeste-iheortet, under hare mantles for thet seorfule sar thet heo on hire isehen. (2) Yet spec ant seide Olibrius the luthere: “Hwet bihalt, meiden, thet tu ne buest to me, ne nult habbe milce ne merci of the seolven? (3) Ye, ne felest tu thi flesch al tolimet ant toluken thurh thet Ich hit hate? (4) Ah buh nu ant bei to me ear then thu deie o dreori deth ant derf, for yef thu ne dest no, thu schalt swelten thurh sweord ant al beo limmel toloken. (5) Ant Ich wulle tellen, hwen thu al totoren art, in euchanes sihthe the sit nu ant sith the, alle thine seonewwen.” tu nawt. (2) Hwen mi sawle bith bivoren Godes sihthe in Heovene, lutel me is hwat me do mid mi bodi on eorthe. (3) Ah the schulde scheomien, thu scheomelese schucke (yef thu scheome cuthest) the thulli mot haldest with a yung meiden, ant spillest al thi hwile ant ne spedest nawiht. (4) For yef Ich wrahte the wil of the flesch thet tu fearest as thu wult with, mi sawle schulde sinken, alswa as thu schalt, to sorhen in helle. (5) Ah for|thi Ich wulle wel thet mi flesch forfeare her, thet softe Jesu cruni mi sawle i the selhthen of Heovene, ant efter Domesdei do ham ba togederes, to weolen ant to eche wunnen thurh-wuniende.” (6) He warth se wrath thet forneh wod he walde iwurthen. (7) Bed, bi lives coste, keasten hire i cwalmhus, ant swa me dude sone. (8) Ant wes as thah hit were the seovethe time of the dei thet me droh hire thus into dorkest wan, ant wurst in to cumene. (9) Ant heo hef up hire hond ant blecede al hire bodi with the taken of the Hali Rode. (10) As me reat hire inwart, ha bigon to bidden theos bone to ure Lauerd: duhtie thah. (2) Alle heovenliche thing, ant heorthliche bathe, buheth The ant beieth. (3) Thu art hope ant help to alle thet Te herieth. (4) Thu art foster ant feader to helplese children. (5) Thu art weddede weole, ant widewene warant, ant meidenes mede. (6) Thu art wunne of the world, Jesu Crist, Kine-bern, Godd ikennet of Godd, as liht is of leome. (7) Loke, Lauerd, to me, mi lif, mi luve, mi leofmon, ant milce me, Thi meiden. (8) Min ahne flesliche feader dude ant draf me awei, his anlepi dohter, ant mine freond aren me for Thi luve, Lauerd, famen ant feondes. (9) Ah The Ich halde, Healent, ba for feader ant for freond. (10) Ne forlet Tu me nawt, | liviende Lauerd. (11) Bihald me ant help me, ant lef me thet Ich mote legge mine ehnen o the luthre unwiht the weorreth ayein me, ant lef me deme with him, Drihtin of dome. (12) He heaneth me ant heateth, ant Ich neaver nuste thet he ewt of min hearm eaveryete hefde. (13) Ah swuch is his cunde, ant swa is ful of atter his ontfule heorte, thet he heateth euch god, ant euch hali thing ant halewinde is him lath. (14) Thu art, Drihtin, Domesmon of cwike ant of deade. (15) Dem bituhen unc twa, ne wraththe Thu The, mi wunne, for sahe thet Ich segge. (16) For an thing I biseche The eaver ant overal: thet Tu wite to The mi meithhad unmerret, mi sawle from sunne, mi wit ant mi wisdom from unwitlese wiht. (17) In The is, min Healent, al thet Ich wilni. (18) Beo Thu áá iblescet, Ordfrume ant Ende, bute ende ant ord, áá on ecnesse.” brohte hire to fode bred ant burnes drunch thet ha bi livede. (2) Heo tha ant monie ma biheolden thurh an eilthurl as ha bed hire beoden. (3) Ant com ut of an hurne hihendliche towart hire an unwiht of helle on ane drakes liche, se grislich thet ham gras with thet sehen thet unselhthe glistinde as thah he al overguld were. (4) His lockes ant his longe berd blikeden al of golde, ant his grisliche teth semden of swart irn. (5) His twa ehnen | steareden steappre then the steoren ant ten gimstanes, brade ase bascins in his ihurnde heaved on either half on his heh hokede nease. (6) Of his speatewile muth sperclede fur ut, ant of his nease-thurles threste smorthrinde smoke, smecche forcuthest. (7) Ant lahte ut his tunge, se long thet he swong hire abuten his swire, ant semde as thah a scharp sweord of his muth scheate, the glistnede ase gleam deth ant leitede al o leie. (8) Ant al warth thet stude ful of strong ant of stearc stench, ant of thes schucke schadewe schimmede ant schan al. (9) He strahte him ant sturede toward tis meoke meiden, ant geapede with his ge- now upon hire ungeinliche, ant bigon to crahien ant crenge with swire, as the the hire walde forswolhe mid alle. (10) Yef ha agrisen wes of thet grisliche gra, nes na muche wunder. (11) Hire bleo bigon to blakien for the grure thet grap hire, ant for the fearlac offruht, foryet hire bone thet ha ibeden hefde, thet ha iseon moste then unsehene unwiht, ne nawt ne thohte thron thet hire nu were ituthet hire bone, ah smat smeortliche adun hire cneon to ther eorthe, ant hef hire honden up hehe toward Heovene, ant with theos bone to Crist thus cleopede: ware ant heovenes, | ant alle cwike thinges cwakieth therayeines — ayein this eisfule wiht thet hit ne eili me nawt, help me, mi Lauerd. (2) Thu wrahtest ant wealdest alle worldliche thing. (3) Theo thet Te heieth ant herieth in Heovene ant alle the thinges the eardith on eorthe — the fisches the i the flodes fleoteth with finnes, the flihinde fuheles the fleoth bi the lufte, ant al thet iwraht is, — wurcheth thet Ti wil is ant halt Thine heastes, bute mon ane. (4) The sunne reccheth hire rune withuten euch reste; the mone ant te steorren the walketh bi the lufte ne stutteth ne ne studegith, ah sturieth áá mare, ne nohwider of the wei thet Tu havest iwraht ham ne wrencheth ha neavre. (5) Thu steorest the sea-strem, thet hit flede ne mot fir then Thu merkest. (6) The windes, the wederes, the wudes ant te weattres buheth The ant beith. (7) Feondes habbeth fearlac, ant engles, of Thin eie. (8) The wurmes ant te wilde deor thet o this wald wunieth libbet efter the lahe thet Tu ham havest iloket, luvewende Lauerd. (9) Ant Tu loke to me ant help me, Thin hondiwerc, for al min hope is o The. (10) Thu herhedest Helle ant overcome ase kempe the acursede gast the fundeth to fordo me. (11) Ah her me nu ant help me, for nabbe Ich i min nowcin nanes cunnes elne bute Thin ane. (12) With this uvel wite me, for Ich truste al o The, ant Ti wil iwurthe hit, deorwurthe Lauerd, thet Ich thurh Thi strengthe mahe stonden with him, ant his muchele overgart thet Ich hit mote afeallen. (13) Low, he fundeth swithe | me to forswolhen, ant weneth to beore me into his balefule hole ther he wuneth inne. (14) Ah o Thin blisfule nome Ich blesci me nuthe.” (15) Ant droh tha endelong hire, ant thwertover threfter, the deorewurthe taken of the deore Rode thet He on reste. (16) Ant te drake reasde to hire mid tet ilke, ant sette his sariliche muth, ant unmeathlich muchel, on heh on hire heaved, ant rahte ut his tunge to the ile of hire helen ant swengde hire in ant forswelh into his wide wombe — ah Criste to wurthmund ant him to wrather heale. (17) For the Rode-taken redliche arudde hire thet ha wes with iwepnet, ant warth his bone sone, swa thet his bodi tobearst omidhepes otwa. (18) Ant thet eadi meiden allunge unmerret, withuten eaver-euch wem, wende ut of his wombe, heriende on heh hire Healent in Heovene. unsehen unwiht, muche deale blackre then eaver eani blamon, se grislich, se ladlich, thet ne mahte hit na mon redliche areachen, ant his twa honden to his cnurnede cneon heteveste ibunden. (2) Ant heo, tha ha seh this, feng to thonkin thus ant herien hire Healent: iboren of meidenes bosum, Jesu Godd, Godes bearn, iblescet ibeo Thu. (2) Ich am gomeful ant glead, Lauerd, for Thi godlec, Keiser of kinges, Drihtin undeadlich. (3) Thu haldest ant hevest up treowe bileave. (4) Thu art welle of wisdom, ant euch wunne waxeth ant awakeneth of The. (5) Thu art englene weole, thet wealdest ant witest ham withuten wonunge. (6) Me gomeneth ant gleadeth al of gasteliche murhthen. Me, mihti Godd makeles, is thet eani wunder? (7) Ye, iseo Ich, Lauerd, blowinde mine bileave. (8) Ich habbe isehen hu the feond the wende to fordo me tofeol efne atwa, ant felde hu his fule stench strac ant sturede aweiwart. (9) Ich habbe isehen the wurse of Helle her awarpen ant te monslahe islein, the stronge thurs astorven. (10) Ich habbe isehen his overgart ant his egede orhel ferliche avellet. (11) Ich habbe isehe the Rode the arudde me se redliche of his reowliche rake, hu ha thet balefule wurm ant thet bittre beast makede to bersten. (12) Ich habbe isehen hali ant halwende eoli as hit lihte to me, ant Ich me seolf smelle of The, swote Jesu, swottre then eaver eani thing thet is on eorthe. (13) Ich habbe isehen blisse ant Ich blissi me throf. (14) I weole ant i wunne is nu thet Ich wunie, ne nes me neaver se wa as me is wel nu. (15) The Ich hit thoncki, tholemode Lauerd. (16) Ich habbe adun | the drake idust ant his kenschipe akest, ant he swelteth thet me wende to forswolhen. (17) Ich am kempe ant he is cravant ant overcumen. (18) Ah The Ich thonki throf, the kingene King art, echeliche icrunet, sorhfule ant sari ant sunfule toturn, wondrinde ant wrecches ant wonlese wisent, castel of strengthe ayein the stronge unwiht, meidenes murhthe ant martyrs crune, mel-seotel softest ant guldene yerde, alre gold smeatest ant glistinde gimstan, of alle seheliche thing ant unseheliche ba swotest ant swetest, alre schefte Schuppent, thrumnesse threovald ant anvald the-hwethere, thrile i threo hades ant an in an hehschipe, heh hali Godd, euch godes ful, beo Thu eaver ant áá iheret ant iheiet bute linnunge.” hire towart, ant heold hire bi the vet, ant ase sorhfulest thing sariliche seide: “Marherete, meiden, inoh thu havest ido me. (2) Ne pine thu me na mare with the eadie beoden thet tu biddest se ofte, for ha bindeth me swithe sare mid alle, ant makieth me se unstrong thet Ich ne fele with me nanes cunnes strengthe. (3) Thu havest grimliche ibroht mi brother to grunde ant islein then sleheste deovel of Helle, the Ich o drake liche sende to forswolhe the ant merren | with his muchele mein the mihte of thi meithhad, ant makien thet tu nere na mare imong moncun imuneget on eorthe. (4) Thu cwenctest ant acwaldest him with the hali Rode, ant me thu makest to steorven with the strengthe of thine beoden, the beoth the se munde. (5) Ah leaf me ant let me gan, leafdi, Ich the bidde.” (6) Thet milde meiden Margarete grap thet grisliche thing, thet hire ne agras nawiht, ant heteveste toc him bi thet eateliche top ant hef him up ant duste him dunriht to ther eorthe, ant sette hire riht fot on his ruhe swire ant feng on thus to speokene: tu ne derve me nawt mare for mi meithhad. (2) Ne helpeth the nawiht, for Ich habbe to help min Healent in Heovene, ant te worldes Wealdent is ihwer mi warant. (3) Thah thu strong were tha thu weorredest me, He wes muchele strengre the hefde to biwite me.” (4) With this, tha thudde ha o the thurs feste with hire fot with euchan of theose word: “Stute nu, uvele gast, to gremie me mare. (5) Stute nu, alde monslahe, thet tu ne slea heonnevorth Cristes icorene. (6) Stute nu, wleatewile wiht, to astenche me with the stench the of thi muth stiheth. (7) Ich am mi Lauerdes lomb, ant He is min Hirde. (8) Ich am Godes theowe ant His threl to don al thet His deore wil | is. (9) Beo He áá iblescet thet blithe haveth imaked me in endelese blissen.” cwalmhus a leome from Heovene, ant semde as thah ha sehe i the glistende glem the deorewurthe Rode reache to the heovene. (2) Ant set a culvre thron ant thus to hire cleopede: “Meiden eadi an, Margarete, art tu, for Paraise yeten aren yarowe iopenet te nu.” (3) Ant heo leat lahe to hire leove Lauerd, ant thonkede Him yeorne with inwarde heorte. me,” quoth ha, “swithe, forcuthest alre thinge, of hweat cunde thu beo.” leothe me, meiden an eadiest, thet Ich ethie mahe; ant Ich mot nede (notheles min unwilles hit is) don thet ti wil is.” ant he bigon to breoken on speatewilliche thus to speokene: “Wult tu witen, lufsume leafdi, hu Ich hatte? (2) Ah hwet se of mi nome beo, Ich habbe efter Belzebub meast monnes bone ibeon, ant forswolhen hare swinc, ant to aswinden imaket the meden thet ha moni yer hefden ham iyarket with sum of mi|ne wiheles, thet Ich wrencte ham adun hwen ha lest wenden. (3) Ne neaver yet ne mahte me overcume na mon bute thu nuthe. (4) Thu haldest me i bondes, ant havest her iblend me, ant art mi brotheres bone, Rufines the rehest ant te readwisest of alle theo in Helle. (5) Crist wuneth in the, forthi thu wurchest with us al thet ti wil is. (6) Ne nawt nart tu, wummon, othre wummen ilich. (7) Me thuncheth thet tu schinest schenre then the sunne, ah over alle thine limen the leitith of leome, the fingres se freoliche (me thuncheth), ant se freoliche feire, ant se briht blikinde, thet tu the with blescedest ant makedest te merke of the mihti Rode the reavede me mi brother, ant me with bale bondes bitterliche bindest, thet Ich lokin ne mei, swa thet liht leometh ant leiteth, me thuncheth.” thet weorri áá with rihtwise. (3) Of the unseli sunfule me thuncheth Ich am al siker; ah the gode Ich ga áá bisiliche abuten, ant ham Ich folhi neodelukest, the cunnith to beon cleane withuten monnes man ant fleoth flesches fulthen, yef Ich mahte eanies weis makien ham to fallen ant fulen hamseolven. etwrenchen, ant o thisse wise: Ich leote otherhwiles a cleane mon wunien neh a cleane wummon, thet Ich nawhit towart ham ne warpe ne ne weorri, ah leote ham al iwurthen. (2) Ich leote ham talkin of Godd ant tevelin of godlec, ant trewliche luvien ham withuten uvel wilnunge ant alle unwreste willes, thet either of his ahne, ant of the othres ba, treowliche beo trusti, ant te sikerure beon to sitten bi hamseolven ant gominen togederes. (3) Thenne thurh this sikerlec seche Ich earst upon ham, ant scheote swithe dearnliche ant wundi, ear ha witen hit, with swithe attri healewi hare unwarre heorte. (4) Lihtliche on alre earest, with luveliche lates, with steape bihaldunge either on other, ant with plohe-speche sputte to mare, se longe thet ha toggith ant tollith togederes. (5) Thenne thudde Ich in ham luvefule thohtes, on earest hare unthonkes, ah swa waxeth thet wa, thurh thet ha hit theavieth, thet ham thuncheth god throf. (6) Ant Ich thus, hwen ha leoteth me, (ne ne letteth me nawt ne ne steorith hamseolf ne ne stondeth strongliche ayein) leade ham i the leiven ant i the ladliche lake of thet suti sunne. (7) Yef ha edstonden wulleth mine unwreste wrenches ant mine swikele swenges, wreastlin ha moten ant witherin with hamseolven, ne me akeasten ha ne mahen ear ha | hamseolven overcumen. (8) Lath me is ant notheles nedlunge Ich do hit — cuthe the hu ha mahen best overcume me. (9) Lowse me the hwile, leafdi, ant leothe me. ant strengeth ham sterclukest ayein me ant ayein hare wake lustes. (2) Thet beoth: eoten meokeliche ant meatheluker drinken, do thet flesh i sum derf, ne neaver ne beon idel, hali monne bone for ham, with hare ahne beodefule thohtes thet ha schulen thenchen bimong hare benen, ayein hare unwerste thohtes thet Ich in ham thudde, thenchen hit is thurh me thet hare lust leadeth ham to wurche to wundre, thenchen yef ha beieth me, to hu bitter beast ha buheth, ant hwas luve ha forleteth. (3) Hu lufsum thing ha leoseth, thet is, with meithhad meidenes menske, ant te luve of the luveliche Lauerd of Heovene ant of the lufsume cwen, englene leafdi. (4) Ant henlunges makieth ham with al thet heovenliche hird, ant unmenskith hamseolf bimong worldliche men, ant forleoseth the luve nawt ane of heh in Heovene ah of lah ec on eorthe, ant makieth the engles murne ant us of muche murhthe to lahhe se lude, the seoth ham lihte se lah of se swithe hehe, from the heste in Heovene to the laheste in Helle. (5) This ha moten ofte munien bi hamseolfen, | thenchen hu swart thing ant suti is thet sunne, thenchen of helle-wa ant of heoveriche wunne, hare ahne death ant Drihtenes munegin ful ilome, ant te grisle ant te grure thet bith et te dome. (6) Thenchen thet te licunge of thet fleschliche lust alith se swithe sone, ant te pine thervore leasteth áá mare. (7) Ant sone se ha gulteth eawiht, gan anan vorthriht, thet ha ne firstin hit nawt, to schawen hit i schrifte, ne beo hit ne se lutel ne se liht sunne. (8) For thet is under sunne thinge me lathest, thet me ofte eorne to schrift of his sunne. (9) For thet lutle Ich mei makien to muchelin unmeathliche yef me hut ant heleth hit; ah sone se hit ischawet bith birewsinde i schrifte, thenne scheometh me therwith, ant fleo ham from schuderinde as Ich ischend were. (10) Thah se feor ant se forth ha mahen beon istopen in sotliche to luvien thet nanes weis ne schulen ha stewen hare heorten, ne etstutten ne etstonden the strengthe of mine swenges hwil thet ha somet beoth. (11) Ne nis thear na bote bute fleo thenne, thet nowther ne beo nohwer ane with other, ne seon ham ne sompnin ne sitten togederes withuten wittnesse thet mahe iseon hweat ha don ant heren hwet ha seggen. (12) Yef ha thus ne letteth me | ah theavieth me ant tholieth, ant weneth thah to edwrenchen, Ich leade ham with leas luve lutlen ant lutlen into se deop dunge thet ha druncnith therin; ant sperki in ham sperken of lustes se luthere thet ha forberneth inwith ant thurh thet brune ablindeth, thet ha nabbeth sihthe hamseolve to biseonne. (13) Thet mein of hare heorte mealteth thurh the heate, ant forwur- theth hare wit ant woreth hare wisdom, swa thet nulleth ha nawt wite thet ha ahten to witen wel. (14) Loke nu hwuch wunder: ha beoth se cleane overcumen, ant swa Ich habbe iblent ham, thet ha blindlunge gath forth ant forseoth Godd ant ham- seolven foryeoteth, swa thet ha lutherliche, hwen ha lest weneth, ferliche falleth fule ant fenniliche i flescliche fulthen, ant for a lust thet alith in an hondhwile, leoseth ba the luve of Godd ant te worldes wurthschipe. (15) Ah theo the stealewurthe beoth ant sterke toyein me, swa thet ha ham with me wecchinde werien, se uvel me thuncheth throf thet al Ich am dreori athet ha beon thurh me sumdel idervet, ant am in hare beddes se bisi ham abuten thet summes weis ha schulen ham sclepinde sulen. (16) Ah the Rode-merke merreth me overal, ant meast ed te nuthe.” (17) Ant with this ilke bigon to yeien ant to yuren: wumme, allunge aren awarpen. (3) Yet were hit thurh a mon, ah is thurh a meiden! (4) This yet me thuncheth wurst, thet al thet cun thet tu art icumen ant ikennet of beoth alle in ure bondes, ant tu art edbroken ham — alre wundre meast, thet tu the ane havest overgan thi feader ant ti moder, meies ant mehes ba, ant al the ende thet tu ant heo habbeth in ieardet, ant Crist ane havest icoren to leofmon ant to lauerd. (5) Beatest us ant bindest ant to death fordemest. (6) Wei! (7) Wake beo we nu ant noht wurth mid alle, hwen a meiden ure muchele overgart thus avealleth.” cun thu art ikumen of, ant ti cunde cuth me, ant thurh hwas heaste heane ye hali men ant hearmith, ant weorrith hare werkes.” stealewurthe strengthe? (2) Of hwet cunde kimeth the thi luve ant ti bileave, thet leith me se lahe? (3) Cuth me nu ant ken me hwi the worldes Wealdent wuneth, wummon, in the, ant hu He com into the, ant Ich chulle makie the war of alle mine wiheles.” (1) “Steu the ant stille beo,” quoth ha, “of thin easkunge. (2) Ye nart tu nawt wurthe, awariede ful wiht, to here mi steavene ant hure to understonden se dearne ant se derf thing of Godes dihel|nesse. (3) Ah hwet se Ich am ant hwuch se Ich am, thurh Godes grace Ich hit am — wilyeove unofservet, thet He haveth me iyettet, for yelde hit Himseolven. (4) Ah swithe cuth me ant ken thet Ich easki efter.” of parais lihte se lahe; he is keiser ant king, icrunet of us alle. (3) Ant hwerto schulde Ich telle the ant with talen tealen, lufsume leafdi, of ure cunde ant ure cun, thet tu cost the seolf iseon i Jamemes ant i Manbres bokes ibrevet? (4) Swuch fearlac Ich fele for sihthen thet Ich iseo Crist seche to the thet speoken I ne dear nawt, ah diveri ant dearie, drupest alre thinge. (5) Thah, hwen thu wult witen, we livieth bi the lufte al thet measte deal, eadi meiden, ant ure weies beoth abufen with the windes. (6) Ant beoth áá wakere to wurchen al thet wa thet we eaver mahe moncun, ant mest rihtwise men ant meidnes, as thu art. (7) For Jesu Crist, Godes bern, wes of meiden iboren, ant thurh the mihte of meithhad wes moncun iborhen, binumen ant bireavet us al thet we ahten. (8) Nu thu wast, leafdi, thet tu wite waldest: hwer we meast wunieth ant hwi we meast heaneth ant heatieth the meidnes. (9) Yet yef thu wite wult hwi we weorith meast rihtwise theines, Ich the onswerie: for onde thet et áá ant eaver ure heorte. (10) We witen | ha beoth iwrahte to stihen to thet stude thet we of feollen; ant us thuncheth hokerlich ant swithe hofles throf, swa thet teone ontent us, ant we iwurtheth wode thurh the grome thet us grometh áá with the gode. (11) For thet is ure cunde thet I the schulde kennen. (12) Beon sorhful ant sari for euch monnes selhthe, gomenin hwen he gulteth, ne neaver mare ne beo gleade bute of uvel ane. (13) This is ure cunde, makelese meiden. (14) Ah, deore Drihtines lomb, leothe me a lutel ant leowse, leafdi, thi fot the sit me se sare. (15) Ich halsi the o Godes half, heh heovenlich Feader, ant o Jesues nome, His an sulliche Sune, thet mon ne wummon ne mahe neaver mare heonnevorth warpe me heonne. (16) Ah thu, brihte burde, bind me on eorthe, ant ne warp thu me nawt neother into Helle. (17) For Salomon the wise, hwile he her wunede bitunde us in a tunne. (18) Ant comen Babilones men ant wenden forte habben golthord ifunden, ant tobreken thet feat, ant we forth ant fulden tha the widnesse of the worlde.” schucke, motin with me mare. (3) Ah flih, sorhfule feond, of min ehsihthe, ant def thider as thu mon ne derve na mare.” (4) With thet ilke the eorthe totweamde ant bitunde him, ant | he rarinde rad ruglunge into Helle. him, ant heo blescede hire ant com baldeliche forth. (2) Striken men thiderward of eaver-euch strete forto seo thet sorhe thet me walde leggen on hire leofliche bodi yef ha to the reves read ne buhe ne ne beide. wil ant wurthgi mine maumez, ant te tide ant te time schal beon iblescet thet tu ibore were.” thi gein ant ti god bathe thet tu, the geast unblescet, efter blesceunge ga ant heie Godd almihti, heh heovenliche Feader, ant His selcuthe Sune, Jesu Crist, thet is soth mon ant Godd notheletere. (3) Ah thu witlese wiht wurchest as thu art wurthe, blodles ant banles, dumbe ant deave bathe. (4) Ant yet tu wurchest wurse, for the unsehene unwihtes wunieth ham inwith, ant tu ase thine lauerdes luvest ham ant heiest.” ant heoveth hire on heh up, swa thet ha hongi to mede of hire hokeres, ant ontendeth hire bodi with bearninde teaperes.” (2) The driveles unduhtie swa duden sone, thet te hude snawhwit swartede as hit sner|cte, ant bearst on to bleinin as hit aras overal. (3) Ant hire leofliche lich reschte of the leie swa thet alle remden thet on hire softe siden sehen thet rewthe. halewende fur of the Hali Gast, moncune frovre, fure min heorte, ant let te lei of Thi luve leiti i mine lenden.” thet Ich wilni ear then thu thet lif lutherliche lete.” deie, mi death is deorewurthe, ant dure into eche live. (3) Thu swenchest te swithe ant ne spedest nawiht; forte wurchen on me, meiden an thet Ich am, ah wergest the seolven. (4) Mi Lauerd haveth mine limen sunderliche iseilet, ant haveth, to mi gimstan thet Ich yettede Him, iyarket ant iyeve me kempene crune.” weattre, ant binden hire bathe the fet ant te honden, ant dusten to the grunde, thet ha death drohe ant druncnede therinne. (2) Me dude as he don het; ant heo biheold on heh up ant cleopede towart Heovene: The ant herien. (2) This weater mote iwurthe me wunsum ant softe, ant lef me thet hit to me beo beath of blisse ant fulluht of font|stan, halhunge ant leome of echelich heale. (3) Cume the Hali Gast o culres iliche, the o Thi blisfule nome blesci theos weattres. (4) Festne with fulluht mi sawle to Theseolven, ant with thes ilke weattres wesch me withinnen ant warp from me awei eaver-euch sunne, ant bring me to Thi brihte bur, Brudgume of wunne. (5) Ich undervo her fulluht o deore Drihtines nome, ant on His deorewurthe Sunes, ant o thes Hali Gastes; on Godd i godlec ituinet ant untodealet.” (6) Nefde bute iseid swa thet al the eorthe ne bigon to cwakien ant to cwavien. (7) Ant com a culvre beornind se briht as thah ha bearnde, ant brohte a guldene crune, ant sette hire o thet seli meidenes heaved. (8) With thet ilke breken ant bursten hire bendes, ant heo, ase schene ase schininde sunne, wende up of the weater, singinde a loft-song thet Davith the witege wrahte feor therbivoren Criste to wurthmunt. (9) “Mi lufsume Lauerd,” quoth ha, “He cutheth ase King thet He rixleth ariht. (10) Feierlec ant strengthe beoth Hise schrudes, ant igurd He is ham on, thet a cumeliche fearen ant semliche sitten.” to the weole of Heovene. (2) Eadi were thu, meiden, tha thu chure meithhad, the of alle mihtes is cwen. (3) Forthi thu schalt áá bruken in blisse buten ende crunene brihtest.” | dren ant wummen, ant alle weren ananriht, as the reve het hit, o Cristes kinewurthe nome hefdes bicorven, in a burh of Armenie Caplimet inempnet, alle heriende Godd with up-aheve stevene, ant stihen — alle martyrs — with murhthe to Heovene. awed thet he al o wodschipe demde hire to deathe. (2) Ant het on hot heorte thet me hire heved with schimminde ant scharp sweord, with blikinde ant bitel brond to- tweamde from the bodie. (3) Leiden honden on hire theo the ihaten weren, ant bun- den hire thet tet blod bearst ut et te neiles, ant withute the burh ledden to biheafdin. for Ich mot thi bone beon (ant thet me is wa vore) yef Ich mahte therwith, for Ich iseo Godd Seolf with His eadie engles bitrumme the abuten.” Him mi gast ant mi bodi bathe, to ro ant to reste.” hire cneon forte cneolin adun, ant blithe with theos bone ber on heh iheven up honden towart Heovene: domes. (2) Me is nu death idemet her, ant with The lif ilenet — Thi milde milce Ich thonki hit. (3) Thu, folkes Feader of frumscheft, schuptest al thet ischepen is. (4) Thu, wisest wurhte of alle, merkedest the heovene ant mete with Thi strahte hond, ant with The icluhte the eorthe. (5) Thu, steoresmon of sea-stream, Thu, wissent ant wealdent of alle wiht the iwrahte beoth, seheliche ant unsehene, buh Thine earen, Healent Godd, ant bei to mine benen. (6) Ich bidde ant biseche The, thet art mi weole ant wunne, thet hwa se eaver boc writ of mi liflade, other biyet hit iwriten, other halt hit ant haveth oftest on honde, other hwa se hit eaver redeth other thene redere blitheliche lusteth, Wealdent of Heovene, wurthe ham alle sone hare sunnen foryevene. (7) Hwa se on mi nome maketh chapele other chirche, other findeth in ham liht other lampe, the leome yef ham, Lauerd, ant yette ham of Heovene. (8) I thet hus ther wummon pineth o childe, sone se ha munneth mi nome ant mi pine, Lauerd — Lauerd, hihendliche help hire ant her hire bene. (9) Ne i the hus ne beo iboren na mislimet bearn, nowther halt ne hoveret, nowther dumbe ne deaf ne idemet of deofle. (10) Ant hwa se eaver mi nome munegeth with | muthe, luveliche Lauerd, et te Laste Dom ales him from deathe.” briht as thah ha bearnde, of Heovene with a rode leitinde of liht ant of leome. (3) Ant te meiden duvelunge feol dun to ther eorthe. (4) Ant com the culvre ant ran hire ant rihte up with the Rode ant seide hire sweteliche to, with swotest a steavene: “Eadi art tu, meiden, bimong alle wummen, thet eoli halwende havest ant halsum isoht efter, ant alle sunfule men imuneget i thine benen ant i thine eadie beoden. (5) Bi Meseolf Ich swerie, ant bi Min heovenlich hird, thet tine beoden beoth the treoweliche ituthet, ant for alle theo iherd the thu vore ibeden havest. (6) Ant muche mare is iyeven to theo the munieth thi nome, ant iyettet moni thing thet nu nis nawt imuneget. (7) Hwer se eaver thi bodi other ei of thine ban beon, other boc of thi pine, cume the sunfule mon ant legge his muth therupon, Ich salvi him his sunnen. (8) Ne ne schal nan unwiht wunien in the wanes ther thi martyrdom is iwriten inne, ant alle of the hus schulen gleadien i Godes grith ant i gasteliche luve. (9) Ant alle the the biddeth, to yarkin Ich yetti ham of hare bruchen bote. (10) Ant tu art eadi, ant te stude thet tu on restest, ant alle theo the thurh the schulen turne to Me. | (11) Cum nu, for Ich kepe the, brud to thi Brudgume. (12) Cum, leof, to thi lif, for Ich copni thi cume. (13) Brihtest bur abit te — leof, hihe the to me! (14) Cum nu to Mi kinedom, leaf thet leode se lah, ant tu schalt wealde with Me al thet Ich i wald ah.” bidden theo the hire abuten weren ant hire death biwopen thet ha schulde tholien. (2) “Leoteth nu ant leaveth,” quoth ha, “ower ladliche nurth, ant gleadieth alle with me the me god unnen — for ye habbeth iherd (yef ye hercneden riht) hwet te hehe Healent haveth me bihaten. (3) Ant as ye luvieth ow seolf, leofliche Ich ow leare thet ye habben mi nome muchel ine munde, for Ich chulle bidden for theo blitheliche in Heovene the ofte munneth mi nome ant munegeth on eorthe. (4) With blithe heorte beoreth me genge forte herien the King thet haveth icore me, worldes Wurhte ant Wealdent of alle iwrahte thinges. (5) The Ich thonki throf; The Ich heie ant herie, heovenliche Healent. (6) For Thi deorewurthe nome Ich habbe idrohe nowcin, ant neome death nuthe, ant Tu nim me to The, Godd, of al thet god is ordfrume ant ende. (7) Beo Thu áá iblescet, ant Ti blisfule Sune, Jesu Crist bi His nome, with the Hali Gast, thet glit of Inc bathe. (8) Ye, threo ant tah an, in hades totweamet, in | heheschipe untodealet, iteit ant itunet, an Godd unagin. (9) Wurthschipe ant wurthmunt wurthe to The ane from worlde into worlde áá on ecnesse.” brother, hihendliche thet te is ihaten.” muth haveth with the imotet.” no, ne schalt tu habbe with me dale in Heoveriche.” (3) Ant he with thet hef up hetelest alre wepne ant smat smertliche adun, thet te dunt defde in. (4) Ant thet bodi beide ant thet scherpe sweord scher hire with the schuldren, ant te bodi beah to ther eorthe. (5) Ant te gast steah up to thet istirrede bur, blithe to Heovene. (6) He the thene dunt yef yeide mit tet ilke: “Drihtin, do me merci ant milce of this dede! (7) Of this sunne, Lauerd, loke me salve!” (8) Ant feol of fearlac adun on hire riht halve. bilehwit ant iblesceden hit. (2) The feondes the ther weren, deadliche idorven, fengen to yeien: “Margarete, meiden, leothe nuthe lanhure ant lowse ure bondes. (3) We beoth wel icnawen thet nis na lauerd bute Godd, the thu on levest.” (4) Turnden tha thurh this to Crist swithe monie | ant comen dumbe ant deave to hire bodi as hit lei, and botneden alle. (5) The engles, as ha beren the sawle in hare bearmes, sihen towart heovene, ant sungen ase ha stuhen up with sweteste stevene: “Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaot, (et cetera). (6) Hali is, hali is the Lauerd of heovenliche weordes! (7) Heovene is ful, ant eorthe, of Thine wurthfule weolen! (8) Alre wihte Wealdent in hehnesse, heal us! (9) lblescet beo the bearnes cume the com i Drihtines nome — heale in hehnesse!” (10) With thet, tha bigunnen the gastes of Helle to theoten ant to yellen. (11) Ant tuhen alle to hire bodi the untrume weren ant hefden hare heale. ayein into Antioches burh with murthe unimete, ant dude hit i grave-stan in hire grandame hus, the wes icleopet Clete. (2) Ich ah wel to wite this, for Ich, i pine of prisun ther ha wes iput in, font hire flutunge ant fedde flesches fode. (3) And Ich iseh hwer ha feaht with the ferliche feond ant hire bonen that ha bed wrat o boc- felle, ant hire liflade al lette don o leave. (4) Ant sende hit sothliche iwriten wide yont te worlde. — thet is, ald Englis — Efterlithe inempnet, ant Julium o Latin, o the twen|tuthe dei, deide with tintrohe ant wende from thes weanen to lif thet áá lesteth, to blisse bute balesith, to wunne buten euch wa. munneth this meiden, thet ha with the bonen thet ha bed on eorthe bidde yet for ow i the blisse of Heovene, thear ha schineth seovevalt schenre then the sunne, i sy ant i selhthe mare then eani muth cuthen hit cunne. (2) Ant i thet englene hird singeth áá unsulet, thet mon ne wummon ne mei thet his flesch-fulet. (3) Ant we bituhe the engles, thurh hire erndunge, moten yet iseo hire ant heren hire singen. (4) Igret iwurthe Godd Feader, ant His Sune iseinet, the Hali Gast iheiet, theos threo in an itheinet of engles ant of eorthmen withuten ende. (5) AMEN. |
the Life and the Passion of St Margaret. resurrection from death, and after His ascension, as He rose to Heaven, there were many martyrs, both men and women, wrongly put to death in the name of the Ruler; and, as well-known warriors, they overcame and cast down their three kinds of foes, the fiend, and this weak world, and the lusts of their bodies, and they went from these woes to prosperity and everlasting joy, crowned to Christ. extolled and praised heathen idols, wretched things wrought from stones and sticks. (2) But I, God’s own servant, named Teochimus, learned in God’s law, have read and interpreted many kinds of books, and never in any place might I comprehend any who were worthy to be worshiped as it befits the Ruler, except the lofty Savior who is in Heaven, who dwelled while it was His will among worldly men, and cured the blind, the dumb, and the deaf, and raised the dead to light and to life, and crowns His chosen, who endure death or any hardship for Him. (3) And he has granted to all Christian people who are called so after Christ, if they profit by their name, that life which lasts forever. (4) I, baptized in the font in the almighty Father’s name and in the wise Son’s name and in the Holy Ghost’s, was at that same time living in a land where that blessed maiden, Margaret by name, fought with the fiend and with his earthly followers, and overcame and cast them down, and I gained hold of that which was written by the writers then concerning all her suffering and her painful death that she endured for the Ruler. maidens especially, let them listen very eagerly to how they should love the living Lord and live in virginity, which to him is the best-loved virtue, so that they may, through that blessed maiden whom we commemorate today, with the strength of virginity, sing that holy maiden’s song both with this maiden along with that heavenly host forever in Heaven. father called Theodosius, of that heathen folk patriarch and prince. (2) But she, as the dear Lord ordained it, was brought into a city to be nurtured and fostered, fifteen miles from Antioch the Great. (3) When she was fifteen years of age, and her mother was gone the way that all worldly ones must go, she became, to her who had raised her and weaned her, increasingly dear over time, and all loved her who looked on her as she whom God loved, the heavenly Lord, and who had given her the grace of the Holy Ghost, so that she chose Him as love and beloved, and delivered into His hand the honor of her virginity, her will and her work, and all that she ever owned in the world in her keeping, to keep and to rule over entirely for her. (4) Thus she tended and looked after, ever the meekest maiden, with other maidens in the field, her foster-mother’s sheep, and heard on every side of her how Christ’s chosen ones were being put to death for true belief, and she yearned and wished earnestly, if it were God’s will, that she might be one of the many mother’s children who suffered and endured so much for the Ruler. fiend’s own foster-child, to honor his heathen gods in the capital city. (2) Olibrius he was called, the governor of that land, who condemned and killed all who believed in the living God. (3) As he went his way one day, he saw this holy maiden Margaret in the field, who shimmered and shone all of face and form, as she pastured and guarded her foster-mother’s sheep. I will have her and marry her. (3) And if she is a slave, I choose her as a concubine, and will free her with treasure and with gold, and it shall go well for her because of her lovely countenance, with all that I rule over.” (4) As the knights would lay hands on her, she began to cry and call to Christ thus: perish with the lost, nor my life with the wicked men, who are all stained bloody with sin. (3) Jesus Christ, God’s Son, may You be ever my joy and my gladness, who I may evermore honor and praise. (4) Hold, lofty Lord, my heart, I beseech You, in true belief, and protect my body — which is completely given over to You — from fleshly filth, so that my soul may never be sullied in sin through that fleshly desire that pleases for a little while. (5) Lord, listen to me. (6) I have a precious gemstone, and I have given it to you — my virginity I mean, the brightest blossom in the body that holds and protects it well. (7) May you never let the Fiend cast it into the mire, for (just as) it is dear to you, it is the most loathsome thing to him, and he makes war and always attacks it with all kinds of wiles. (8) Lord, defend me and hold it ever for Yourself. (9) May You never suffer the devil to make war against my wit or lessen my wisdom, but send me Your messenger, Healer, from Heaven, who may show me and make known to me how I should answer this sheriff of the demon. (10) For I see myself, Lord, beset and surrounded as a lamb among mad wolves, and like the bird that is caught in the fowler’s trap, like a fish hung on a hook, like a roe taken in a net. (11) Lofty Healer, help me, and may You never leave me in wicked men’s hands.” man can have power against this maiden, for she worships none of our heathen gods, but believes in the Lord whom the Jews condemned and put to death, and whom the heathens hung and raised on the Cross.” ordered her immediately to be brought before him. (2) As soon as she had come, he spoke to her thus: “Tell me,” said he, “if you are the foster-child of a freeman or a slave-woman.” “I am a free woman though I am also God’s servant.” precious Son, named Jesus Christ; and I, a maiden, have given my maidenhood to Him, and love him as a beloved and believe in him as a Lord.” pitiably and miserably died on the Cross?” are miserably dead and wickedly damned; and He lives, a Prince crowned in His kingdom, Ruler of kings, forever in Heaven.” into a prison and torture-chamber until he had better considered in what way he might mar her maidenhead, and he went his way forth then into Antioch and worshiped his heathen gods as it was fitting and proper for his wicked belief. (2) He ordered her on the next day brought before him. and compassion for yourself. (2) Take care for your youth and for your seemly shape, for your bright face. (3) Do according to my will and worship my idols, and it shall go well for you, more than the best of my household with all that I own in the world and have in possession.” it now if you will — because He knows it full well who has sealed me to himself and my virginity — that in no way may you, with wealth or with joy, with woe or with wretchedness, nor with any worldly thing, turn or wrench me out of the way that I have begun to follow. (2) And know that your words are worthless to me for I love and hold my faith in Him alone, who rules and guides with his wit the winds and weathers, and all that is surrounded with the sea and with the sun. (3) Both above and below, all obey Him and pay homage. (4) And also this: because He is so mighty and so powerful, He is the most lovely being to look upon, and the sweetest to smell; nor can His sweet savor or His almighty power or His matchless beauty ever lessen or cease, for He never ceases, but lives forever in honor, and his great might lasts forevermore.” thing: unless you cease them, my sword will destroy and devour your flesh, and thereafter your bones shall be burned up on burning coals. (3) But if you will believe me, you will be my beloved and my wedded wife, and as a lady rule over all that I keep in possession and am lord over.” and your love, for I have a dearer one that I will not lose or leave for any other. (3) You trouble yourself too much, and unfortunately waste your time, for it is all one to me,” said she, “your flattery and your anger. (4) I will commit my body to every cruelty that you can contrive, and may it bite never so sorely provided that I may as a maiden have my reward in Heaven. (5) The Ruler died for us, the dear Lord, and I am not afraid to endure death for Him. (6) He has sealed His mark upon me with His seal, and neither life nor death can divide us in two.” (3) “Strip her stark-naked and hang her high up, and beat her bare body with cruel rods.” (4) Then the accursed scoundrels laid so miserably on her lovely body that it burst forth overall and was lathered in blood. (5) That blessed maiden heaved her heart up high toward Heaven and cried out to Christ: You, so that it may not become enfeebled in any way for woe that anyone does to me, nor for weal either. (3) Never allow my foes — the fiends, I mean — to have or hold me in contempt, as they would if they could cast me down; but this they will never do to me or to anyone else who loves You rightly. (4) Heavenly Lord, may Your name be blessed. (5) Lord, look to me and have mercy on me, soften for me my wound and also salve my wounds so that it may neither seem anywhere upon my face that I endure pain.” (6) The executioners laid so miserably upon her lovely body that the blood burst out and flowed down her body as a stream does from a spring. cruelly, called out: “Stop now and stay your unwise words and listen, maiden, to my advice, and it shall go well for you.” maiden, and some of them said: “Margaret, Margaret, maid worth so much if you wished for it well, it is woeful for us that we see your soft lovely body torn so horribly! (2) Alas, woman, what a loveliness you lose and give up for your misbelief! (3) The governor is cruelly angry, and will certainly destroy you. (4) But love him and believe him now, greatest woman, and you will rule over joy and wealth.” (1) “Oh,” said she, “wretches, fools without wit! (2) Alas, what are you thinking? (3) If my body is torn apart, my soul shall rest with the righteous. (4) Pain and suffering of the body is the soul’s salvation. (5) But believe, I advise you, in the living God, mighty and powerful and full of everything that is good, who hears those that call to Him, and the Heaven-gates will open! (6) For I will not listen to you, nor worship any of your gods who are deaf and dumb, and blind and without power, made by the hand of a human. father, the fiends of Hell. (2) But, you heathen hound, the high Savior is my help. (3) If He has granted that my body be torn apart, He will, you hateful governor, deliver my soul out of your hands and lift it into heaven, though you hang me here. (4) And you, disgusting devil, wicked lion hateful to God, your power will diminish and melt to nothing, and you will forever swelter in pain and in sorrow, while I rejoice with God and be glad forever.” cruelly hung up and raised higher than she was before, and her comely flesh cut up and torn in pieces with sharp swords and awls of iron. (2) And she looked up on high, and began to say: afflict me has completely beset me. (2) But You, high Savior, be close to help me. (3) Deliver, merciful God, my soul from the sword’s edge and from the hound’s grasp, for I have only it. (4) Loose me, Lord, from the lion’s mouth, and my meek mildness from the unicorn’s horn. (5) Gladden me God, with your bliss, and give me hope of salvation, so that my prayer might pierce through to Heaven. (6) Send me your messenger in the shape of a dove, which comes to help me, so that I may preserve my virginity unblemished for You. (7) And allow me still to see, Lord, if it is Your will, the accursed being which makes war against me — and show your power in me, almighty God, so that I may overcome him so that all maidens forever more may, through me, trust in You the more. (8) May Your name be blessed, brightest face of all, world in all worlds, forever into eternity. (9) Amen.” strong running of the bloody stream, neither the wicked governor nor anyone else who was there could look at her, because of the great horror; but hid their heads, the hardest-hearted, under their mantles because of that terrible pain that they saw her in. (2) Yet Olibrius the wicked spoke and said: “What do you see, maiden, that you will not bow to me, nor will have pity or mercy on yourself? (3) Yea, do you not feel your flesh completely dismembered and torn apart since I ordered it? (4) But bow now and submit to me before you die in dreary and painful death, for if you do nothing, you will suffer by the sword and be completely dismembered limb from limb. (5) And I will count, when you are all torn apart, in the sight of everyone who sits now and sees you, all your sinews.” not at all. (2) When my soul is before God’s sight in Heaven, it matters little to me what anyone does with my body on earth. (3) But you should be ashamed, you shameless devil (if you could understand shame) that you hold such a debate with a young maiden, and waste all your time, and succeed at nothing. (4) For if I worked the will of the body, which you will do what you want with, my soul would sink, as yours will, to pains in hell. (5) But because of this I desire well that my flesh perish here, so that sweet Jesus may crown my soul in the joys of Heaven, and after Doomsday will reunite them together, to prosperity and to every joy everlasting.” (6) He became so angry that he nearly went mad. (7) He ordered his executioners, on the pain of death, to cast her in prison, and so it was done immediately. (8) It was then at about the seventh hour of the day that she was dragged like this into the darkest dwelling, and the worst one could enter. (9) And she lifted up her hand and blessed her whole body with the sign of the Holy Cross. (10) As she was drawn inward, she began to make this prayer to our Lord: worthy. (2) All heavenly things and all earthly things bow to and obey You. (3) You are the hope and help to all who glorify You. (4) You are the foster-parent and father to helpless children. (5) You are joy to the wedded, and protector of widows, and maidens’ reward. (6) You are the joy of the world, Jesus Christ, royal Prince, God born of God, as light from a flame. (7) Watch over me, Lord, to me, my life, my love, my beloved, and pity me, Your maiden. (8) My own fleshly father sent and drove me away, his only daughter, and my friends, because of Your love, Lord, are foes and fiends. (9) But I hold You, Savior, both as father and friend. (10) Do not forsake me, living Lord. (11) Watch over me and help me, and give me leave that I might lay my eyes on the loathsome fiend who wages war against me, and give me leave to argue with him, God of judgment. (12) He afflicts me and hates me, and I never knew that he had any harm from me at any time before this. (13) But such is his nature, and his envious heart is so full of poison, that he hates every good thing, and every holy and sacred thing is loathsome to him. (14) You are, Ruler, Judge of the living and the dead. (15) Judge between us two, but do not become angry, my joy, for the words that I speak. (16) For one thing I beseech you forever and over all else: that You keep to Yourself my virginity unmarred, my soul from sin, my wit and my wisdom from the witless creature. (17) In You, my Savior, is all that I wish for. (18) May You be forever blessed, beginning and end, without end and beginning, forever in eternity.” prison and brought her bread for food and drink from the spring by which she lived. (2) She and many more beheld her through a window as she made her prayers. (3) And there came quickly out of a corner toward her a demon of hell like a dragon, so frightening that they were horrified when they saw that evil thing glistening as though he were all gilded over. (4) His locks and his long beard gleamed all with gold, and his grisly teeth seemed made of blackened iron. (5) His two eyes, broad as basins in his horned head on either side of his hooked nose, stared brighter than the stars and gemstones. (6) From his disgusting mouth fire sparkled out, and from his nostrils smoldering smoke pressed out, most hateful of stinks. (7) And he darted out his tongue, so long that he flung it about his neck, and it seemed as though a sharp sword, which glistened like a beam of light does and burned all in flame, shot out of his mouth. (8) And everything in that place was full of a strong and a foul stench, and everything shimmered and shone from the reflection of this demon. (9) He moved and made his way toward this meek maiden, and gaped with his mouth over her threateningly, and began to stretch and arch his neck, as though he would swallow her completely. (10) If she was frightened of that fearsome fiend, it was not a great wonder. (11) Her face began to grow pale because of the horror that gripped her, and frightened because of the terror, she forgot her prayer that she had made that she might see that unseen devil, nor did she think about the fact that her prayer was now granted to her, but she fell hard on her knees down to the earth, and lifted her hands up high toward Heaven, and with this prayer to Christ cried out thus: inhabitants of hell and heaven, and all living things tremble before it — help me, my Lord, against this terrible creature, so that it does not harm me. (2) You created and rule over every worldly thing. (3) Those that honor and glorify You in Heaven, and all things which dwell on earth — the fish that swim with fins in the flood, the flying fowls that fly in the air, and all that is created — do that which is Your will and uphold your orders, except for humankind. (4) The sun proceeds on course without any rest; the moon and the stars which move through the firmament neither stay nor stop, but stir evermore, nor do they ever turn aside anywhere from the way that You have made for them. (5) You stir the sea-stream, so that it may not flow further than You have designed. (6) The winds, the weathers, the woods, and the waters bow to You and obey. (7) Fiends and angels are in fear of your anger. (8) The serpents and the wild beasts that dwell in the forest live after the laws that You have ordained for them, beloved Lord. (9) And may You watch over me and help me, Your handiwork, for all my hope is in You. (10) You harrowed Hell and overcame as a champion the accursed spirit that is trying to destroy me. (11) But hear me now and help me, for in my distress I have no strength of any kind except for You alone. (12) Guard me against this evil, for I trust all in You, and may it be Your will, dear Lord, that I through Your strength may stand against him, and that I may cast down his great arrogance. (13) Lo, he tries greatly to swallow me up, and thinks to bear me into his baleful pit in which he dwells. (14) But in Your blissful name I bless myself now.“ (15) And then she drew on herself downwards, and cross-wise thereafter, the beloved token of the dear Cross that He rested upon. (16) And the dragon rushed to her at that moment, and set his horrible mouth, immoderately great, on high above her head, and stretched out his tongue to the hard skin of her heels, and swung her in and swallowed her up in his big belly — but to Christ’s honor and destruction to him. (17) For the Rood-token that she was armed with speedily de- fended her and soon became his slayer, so that his body burst in two at the middle. (18) And that blessed maiden entirely unharmed, without any spot, came out of his belly, praising aloud her Savior in Heaven. sat a strange fiend, a good deal blacker than ever any black person, so grisly, so loathsome, that no one could readily recount it, and his two hands firmly bound to his gnarled knees. (2) And she, when she saw this, began to thank and praise her Savior thus: the maiden’s breast, Jesus God, God’s child, blessed be You. (2) I am joyful and glad, Lord, for your goodness, Emperor of kings, immortal Ruler. (3) You guard and lift up true belief. (4) You are the well of wisdom, and every joy wakes and awakens from You. (5) You are the joy of angels, who rules over and protects them without ceasing. (6) I rejoice and am glad all because of ghostly mirth. But, mighty matchless God, is that any wonder? (7) Yea, I see, Lord, my belief blossoming. (8) I have seen how the fiend, who came to destroy me, fell apart exactly in two, and I felt how his foul stench flowed and moved away. (9) I have seen here the devil of Hell cast down and the man-slayer slain, the strong demon destroyed. (10) I have seen his arrogance and his foolish pride terribly laid low. (11) I have seen the Cross which defended me so readily from his cruel jaws, and how it made that baleful worm and that bitter beast burst. (12) I have seen holy and healing oil as it descended to me, and I myself smell of You, sweet Jesus, sweeter than ever any thing that is on earth. (13) I have seen bliss and therefore I make myself blissful. (14) In wealth and in joy is now that place where I dwell, and it was never so woeful for me as it is now well for me. (15) I thank You for it, long-suffering Lord. (16) I have dashed down the dragon and cast down his fierceness, and he who thought to swallow me suffers. (17) I am the champion and he is defeated and overcome. (18) But I thank You for that, who are King of kings, crowned eternally, a refuge for the sorrowful and the sorry and the sinful, a guide for the wandering and the wretched and the hopeless, a castle of strength against the powerful demon, maidens’ mirth and martyrs’ crown, softest seat at the feast and golden scepter, purest of all gold and glistening gemstone, of all things both seen and unseen the sweetest and most fragrant, the Creator of all creatures, threefold Trinity and nevertheless one, threefold in three persons and one on high, high holy God, full of every goodness, may You forever and ever be praised and worshiped without end.” creeping toward her, and held her by the foot, and like the most sorrowful thing sadly said: “Margaret, maiden, you have done enough to me. (2) Do not trouble yourself anymore with the blessed prayers that you make so often, for they bind me all up very painfully, and make me so weak that I do not feel any kind of strength in me. (3) You have grimly brought my brother to ground and have slain then the slyest devil of Hell, whom I sent in a dragon’s shape to swallow you and mar with his great might the strength of your maidenhood, and make it so that you would never more be remembered among humankind on earth. (4) You killed and destroyed him with the holy Cross, and you are destroying me with the strength of your prayers, which are so present in your mind. (5) But leave me and let me go, lady, I pray you.” (6) That mild maiden Margaret gripped that grisly thing, which did not terrify her in any way, and grabbed him cruelly, took him by that hideous hair on his head, and heaved him up and flung him straight down to the earth, and set her right foot on his shaggy neck and began to speak to him thus: devil, so that you do not bother me any more because of my maidenhead. (2) It does not help you in any way, since I have as my help the Savior in Heaven, and the world’s Ruler is everywhere my protector. (3) Although you were strong when you warred against me, He who protected me was much stronger.” (4) With this, then she stamped hard on the demon with her foot with each of these words: “Cease now, evil spirit, to anger me more. (5) Cease now, old manslayer, that you slay not henceforth Christ’s chosen. (6) Cease now, disgusting creature, assailing me with the stench that arises from your mouth. (7) I am my Lord’s lamb, and He is my Shepherd. (8) I am God’s servant and his thrall to do all that is His dear will. (9) May He be forever blessed who has made me happy in endless bliss.” prison a light descending from Heaven, and it seemed as though she saw in the glistening gleam the beloved Cross reach to the heavens. (2) And a dove sat thereon and called out to her thus: “You are a blessed maiden, Margaret, for the gates of Heaven are now opened ready for you.” (3) And she bowed low to her beloved Lord, and thanked him earnestly in her innermost heart. demon: “Show me,” said she, “quickly, most loathsome of all things, what your nature is.” release me, maiden most blessed, that I might breathe; and though it is against my wishes, I must needs do what your will is.” began to burst forth horribly to speak in this way: “Do you wish to know, lovely lady, what I am called? (2) But whatever my name may be, I have after Beelzebub been the slayer of the most men, and devoured their labor, and I made perish with some of my wiles the rewards which they had for many years prepared for themselves, from which I wrenched them aside when they least expected. (3) And never yet could anyone overcome me except for you now. (4) You hold me in bonds, and have here blinded me, and are the slayer of my brother, Ruffin, the boldest and wisest of counsel of all those in Hell. (5) Christ dwells in you, so that you work against us everything that is your will. (6) You are not anything, woman, like other women. (7) It seems to me that you shine brighter than the sun, but over all your limbs that the light blazes upon, the fingers are so fine, it seems, and so beautifully fair, and shining so bright, with which you crossed yourself and which made the mark of the mighty Cross which tore my brother from me, and you have bound me bitterly with cruel bonds, that I may not look, since the light gleams so and shines, I think.” wars always against the righteous. (3) Of the miserably sinful I think that I am certain, but I go always busily about the good, and I follow most diligently those who try to be chaste without sexual intercourse with anyone and flee the filths of the flesh, if I might in any way make them fall and befoul themselves. this way: I allow sometimes a chaste man to dwell near a chaste woman, whom I in no way either attack or war against, but leave them be entirely. (2) I let them talk of God and debate about goodness, and truly love each other without evil desire or any wicked wills, so each may be truly confident of his own feelings, and more secure to sit by themselves and rejoice together. (3) Then through this security I first make an attack upon them, and shoot so secretly and, before they know it, wound their unwary hearts with a very venomous drug. (4) Gently first of all, with loving looks, with amorous gazing from one to the other, I incite them on to more with playful speech, so long that they flirt and wrestle playfully together. (5) Then I thrust upon them lustful thoughts, at first against their will, but that evil grows so much, because they allow it, that to them it seems good. (6) And thus I, when they let me (and they neither hinder me in any way nor restrain themselves nor stand strongly against me) lead them into the bog and into the loathly lake of that foul sin. (7) If they will withstand my evil tricks and my deceitful strokes, they must wrestle and struggle with themselves, and they cannot overthrow me before they overcome themselves. (8) It is loathsome to me and nonetheless necessary that I do it — I make known to you how they may best overcome me. (9) Release me meanwhile, lady, and loose me. unblemished and strengthen them most strongly against me and against their weak lusts. (2) They are: to eat meekly and drink more meekly, to put the flesh in some pain, and never be idle, for holy men to pray for them, with their own spiritual thoughts that they should think during their prayers against their evil thoughts which I thrust upon them, to think it is through me that their lust leads them shamefully, to think that if they obey me, to how bitter a beast they bow, and whose love they give up. (3) How lovely a thing they lose, that is, with maidenhood the strength of maidens, and the love of the lovely Lord of Heaven and of the beloved queen, the lady of angels. (4) And they make themselves vile before that whole heavenly host, and dishonor themselves among worldly men, and lose altogether not only the love of the high in Heaven, but also of the low on earth, and they make the angels mourn and us laugh so loudly from much mirth, we who see them descend so low from so very high, from the highest in Heaven to the lowest in Hell. (5) This they should often call to mind by themselves, To think of how black and filthy a thing is that sin, To think of hell-woe and of heavenly joys, To call to mind very often their own death and the Ruler’s very often, And the horror and the terror that will be at Judgment Day. (6) To think that the pleasure of that fleshly lust dies so very soon, and the pain that results lasts forevermore. (7) And as soon as they sin in any way, they ought to go straightaway at once to reveal it in confession so that they do not delay it at all, be it never so little nor so light a sin. (8) For that is the most hateful thing to me under the sun: when someone yearns to confess his sin frequently. (9) For that little sin I may cause to increase immoderately if one hides and conceals it; but as soon as it is shown in repentance in confession, then they shame me with that, and I flee from them shuddering as if I were destroyed. (10) However they may be so far and so fully advanced to love foolishly that in no way shall they restrain their hearts, nor withstand or resist the strength of my tricks while they are together. (11) Nor is there any remedy but flight then, so that neither should be anywhere with the other, nor should they see each other nor meet together nor sit together without a third party who may see what they do and hear what they say. (12) If thus they do not hinder me but tolerate and allow me and think then to withstand me, I lead them with false love little by little into the deep dung so that they drown therein; and kindle in them sparks of lust so wicked that they burn up inside and through that burning go blind, so that they do not have the sight to see themselves. (13) That power of their hearts melts in the heat, and their wit grows weak and wars against their wisdom, so that they do not wish to know in any way that they ought to guard themselves well. (14) Look now what a wonder it is: they are so completely overcome, and I have blinded them so, that they blindly go forth and forsake God and forget themselves, so that they wretchedly, when they least expect, fall terribly and foully in fleshly filth, and for a desire that dies in an instant, lose both the love of God and the world’s worship. (15) But those that are stalwart and strong against me, so that they defend themselves vigilantly against me, that seems so evil to me that I am completely cruel until they are through me somewhat injured, and I am in their beds so busy about them that in some way they will soil themselves sleeping. (16) But the sign of the Cross mars me all over, and most of all now from you.” (17) And with this same speech he began to whine and howl: completely destroyed. (3) Yet it could be through a man, but is through a maiden! (4) This I think is the worst, that all that family that you have come from are entirely in our bonds, and you have escaped from them, and the greatest of all wonders, that you have surpassed your father and mother, both kinsmen and kinswomen, and all the region that you and they have dwelled in, and have chosen Christ alone as your beloved and your lord. (5) You beat us and bind us and condemn us to death! (6) Alas! (7) We are weak now and worth nothing at all, when a maiden lays low our great arrogance like this.” of what kin you are born from, and show me your nature, and by whose command you afflict and harm holy men, and make war against their works.” strength in your supple limbs? (2) From what nature comes to you your love and your faith, which lays me so low? (3) Show me now and make known to me why the world’s Ruler dwells, woman, in you, and how He came into you, and I shall make you aware of all my wiles.” accursed foul creature, to hear my voice and especially to understand the secret and hidden matter of God’s mystery.(3) But whoever and whatever I am, I am it through God’s grace — an undeserved gift that He has given me to pay it back to Him. (4) But show me immediately and tell me what I ask for.” Paradise fell so low; he is emperor and king, crowned by us all. (3) And for what purpose should I speak with you and tell tales, lovely lady, of our kind and our kin which you can see for yourself set down in the books of James and Mambres? (4) In visions in which I see Christ coming to you I feel such terror that I dare not speak, but shiver and quake with fear, most downcast of all things. (5) However, since you wish to know, we live in the air for the most part, holy maiden, and our ways are above with the winds. (6) And we are forever watchful to work all that woe that we ever may against humankind, and for the most against righteous men and maidens, as you are. (7) For Jesus Christ, God’s child, was born of a maiden, and through the might of maidenhood was humankind born, and all that we owned was taken away and robbed from us. (8) Now you know, lady, what you wanted to know: where we dwell most often and why we most often afflict and hate the maidens. (9) Yet if you want to know why we war against the righteous most, I will answer you: because of envy that eats at our hearts forever and ever. (10) We know that they are made to ascend to that place that we fell from; and we think it disgraceful and very senseless, so that injury inflames us and we have become mad through the rage that enrages us forever against the good. (11) For that is our nature that I must make known to you. (12) We are sorrowful and sorry for each man’s joy, we rejoice when he sins, and we are never more glad except for evil alone. (13) This is our nature, matchless maiden. (14) Ah, dear lamb of God, release me a little and loose, lady, your foot which sits upon me so sorely. (15) I entreat you on God’s behalf, the high heavenly Father, and in Jesus’ name, His one wondrous Son, that neither man nor woman may evermore henceforth cast me out of here. (16) But you, bright lady, bind me on the earth, and do not cast me lower into Hell. (17) For Solomon the wise, while he dwelled here confined us in a jar. (18) And the men of Babylon came and thought to have found a gold-hoard and broke that vessel in pieces, and we came forth then and filled the wideness of the world.” old devil, dispute with me more. (3) But fly, sorrowful fiend, out of my eyesight, and dive down there so you can never injure man more.” (4) At that moment the earth yawned open and swallowed him up, and roaring he rode backwards into Hell. and she blessed herself and came boldly forth. (2) People made their way there from every street to see what pain that would be inflicted on her lovely body if she neither obeyed nor bowed to the governor’s advice. will and worship my idols, and the tide and the time that you were born shall be blessed.” be both to your gain and your good that you, who goes unblessed, should go looking for a blessing and honor God almighty, the high heavenly Father, and His wondrous Son, Jesus Christ, who is true man and God nevertheless. (3) But you create a witless creature, as worthy as you are, bloodless and boneless, deaf and dumb both. (4) And yet you do worse, for the invisible demons dwell within them and you love them and worship them as your lords.” lift her up on high, so that she hangs as a reward for her mockeries, and burn her body with burning tapers.” (2) The worthless drudges did so at once so that her snow-white skin blackened as it scorched, and burst into blisters as it rose up everywhere. (3) And her lovely body crackled from the flame so that all cried out who saw that pitiful sight on her soft sides. healing fire of the Holy Ghost, humankind’s comfort, inflame my heart and let the flame of Your love burn in my loins.” advice: do what I wish before you lose your life cruelly.” my death is dear, and a door into everlasting life. (3) You work so hard and achieve nothing for what you do to me, a maiden that I am, but you weary yourself. (4) My Lord has specially sealed my limbs and has, for my gemstone that I granted to him, prepared and given me the champion’s crown.” of water brought forth, and bound her both by the feet and hands, and flung her to the bottom so that she would be put to death and drowned therein. (2) It was done as he had ordered; and she looked up on high and cried out toward Heaven: and worship You. (2) May this water become pleasant and mild, and agreeable to me and allow it to be a bath of bliss and baptism in the font, a hallowing and light of eternal salvation. (3) May the Holy Ghost come in the likeness of a dove, which in Your blessed name may bless these waters. (4) Fasten with baptism my soul to Yourself, and with these same waters wash me within and cast away from me every sin, and bring me to Your bright bower, Bridegroom of joy. (5) I accept here baptism in the dear Lord’s name and in His dear Son’s and in the Holy Ghost’s: one God in goodness enclosed and undivided.” (6) She had just said so when all the earth began to quake and to quiver. (7) And there came a dove glowing as bright as though it burned, and brought a golden crown, and set it on that blessed maiden’s head. (8) At that moment her bonds broke and burst, and she, as bright as the shining sun, came up out of the water, singing a praise-song that David the prophet wrote long before that time to the glory of Christ. (9) “My beloved Lord,” said she, “He makes known as King that He rules rightly. (10) Beauty and strength are his garments, and He is girded in them so that they appear comely and sit seemingly.” bliss of Heaven. (2) Blessed were you, maiden, when you chose virginity, which is queen of all virtues. (3) Therefore you will enjoy the brightest of crowns forever in bliss without end.” ing children and women, and all were immediately, as the governor ordered it, beheaded in Christ’s royal name, in a city of Armenie called Caplimet, all praising God with uplifted voices, and ascended — all martyrs — with mirth to Heaven. became so angry and so maddened that, entirely in madness, he condemned her to death. (2) And in hot heart he ordered that her head be severed from her body with a shining and sharp sword, with a bright and biting blade. (3) Those who were commanded laid hands on her, and bound her so that the blood burst out at the nails, and they led her outside of the city to be beheaded. sword, for I must be your slayer (and that is grievous to me), if I might do it with this sword, because I see God Himself with his blessed angels surround you.” Him both my soul and my body both, to repose and to rest.” down on her knees, and with this prayer happily lifted her hands up on high towards Heaven: ments are excellent. (2) Now I am condemned to death here, and life with You granted — for that I thank Your mild mercy. (3) You, the people’s father of creation, created everything that is made. (4) You, the wisest creator of everything, marked and measured out the heavens with your outstretched hand and with Your clenched hand the earth. (5) You, steersman of the sea-stream, You, guardian and ruler of all creatures that are created, seen and unseen, incline Your ears, Savior God, and assent to my prayers. (6) I bid and beseech You, who are my joy and my bliss, that whoever writes a book about my life, or obtains it written, or holds it and has it often in hand, or whoever reads it or listens eagerly to a reader, Savior of Heaven, may all their sins be forgiven of them immediately. (7) Who so in my name makes a chapel or church, or provides in them light or lamp, give them, Lord, and grant them the light of Heaven. (8) In that house where a woman suffers in childbed, as soon as they call to mind my name and my suffering, Lord — Lord, quickly help her and hear her prayer. (9) Nor may there be born in the house any misshapen child, neither lame nor hunch-backed, neither deaf nor dumb nor ordained for the devil. (10) And who so ever mentions my name with mouth, lovely Lord, at the Last Judgment deliver him from death.” came a dove, as bright as if it burned, from Heaven with a cross gleaming with light and with radiance. (3) And the maiden fell headlong down to the earth. (4) And the dove came and touched her and raised her up with the Rood and said to her sweetly, with the sweetest voice: “Blessed are you, maiden, among all women, who have sought after that healing and hallowing oil, and who remembers all sinful men in your prayers and in your blessed petitions. (5) By Myself I swear, and by My heavenly host, that your prayers are securely granted to you, and heard for all those for whom you have prayed. (6) And much more is given to those who remember your name, and many things granted which are not mentioned now. (7) Where so ever your body or any of your bones are, or a book of your passion should the sinful man come and lay his mouth upon it I shall heal him of his sins. (8) Nor will any demon dwell in the places in which your martyrdom is written, and all the house will rejoice in God’s peace and in ghostly love. (9) And all who pray to you to prepare them I will grant them remedy for their sins. (10) And you are blessed and the place upon which you rest, and all those who through you will turn to Me. (11) Come now, for I await you, Bride to the Bridegroom. (12) Come, beloved, to your life, for I long for your coming. (13) The brightest bower awaits you — beloved, hasten to me! (14) Come now to my kingdom, leave that lowly people, and you shall rule with me all that I own in possession.” pray for them who were about her and bewailed her death that they should endure it. (2) “Cease now and leave off,” said she, “your loathly noise, and rejoice all with me who wish me well — for you have heard (if you listened rightly) what the high Savior has promised me. (3) And as you love yourself, lovingly I exhort you to have my name much in mind, for I will happily pray for those in Heaven who often remember my name and speak it on earth.(4) With a happy heart accompany me to praise the King that has crowned me, the world’s Creator and the Ruler of all created things. (5) I thank you for it; You I praise and worship, heavenly Savior. (6) For Your dear name I have undergone hardship, and now suffer death, and may You take me to You, God of all that is good, beginning and end. (7) May You be blessed forever, and Your blissful Son, Jesus Christ by His name, with the Holy Ghost which proceeds from you both. (8) You, three and nevertheless one, divided into persons, undivided in glory, bound together and enclosed, one God without beginning. (9) May honor and glory go to You alone from world into world forever into eternity.” “Do now, brother, quickly what you are ordered.” has spoken with you.” not have your share in the Heaven-kingdom.” (3) And with that he heaved up the cruelest of all weapons and smote smartly down, so that the blow sank in. (4) And that body gave way and the sharp sword sheared her at the shoulders, and the body bowed to the earth. (5) And the spirit rose up to that starry bower, joyful to Heaven. (6) Then he who gave the blow cried out at that moment: “Lord, grant me mercy and compassion for this deed! (7) Behold, Lord, and heal me of this sin!” (8) And from fear he fell down on her right side. her innocent body and blessed it. (2) The fiends who were there, severely injured, began to cry out: “Margaret, maiden, release us now at least and loosen our bonds. (3) We well know that there is no lord but God, in whom you believe.” (4) Then through this a great many there turned to Christ, and the deaf and the dumb came to her body as it lay, and all were cured. (5) The angels, as they carried the soul in their bosoms, made their way toward Heaven and sang as they rose up with the sweetest voices: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts (and so on). (6) Holy is, Holy is the Lord of heavenly hosts! (7) Heaven is full, and earth, of your glorious joys! (8) Ruler of all creatures in glory, save us! (9) Blessed be the coming of the child who comes in the Lord’s name — salvation in glory!” (10) With that the spirits of Hell began then to howl and yell. (11) And all who were infirm proceeded to her body and received healing. again into the city of Antioch with immeasurable mirth, and placed it in a stone coffin in her grandmother’s house, who was called Clete. (2) Truly I ought to know this well, for I, during her suffering in the prison where she was put, found her sustenance and fed her food for the body. (3) And I saw where she fought with the fearsome fiend and her prayers that she made I wrote down on parchment, and her entire life I had put down on the page. (4) And I sent it truly written everywhere throughout the world. language — that is, Old English — calls Efterlithe, and Julium in Latin, on the twentieth day died with torment and went from these woes to the life that lasts forever, to bliss without suffering, to joy without any woe. this maiden more happily, so that she with the prayers that she made on earth may still intercede for you in the bliss of Heaven, where she shines seven times brighter than the sun, in victory and in more happiness than any mouth could tell it. (2) And in that host of angels she sings forever unsoiled, which no man or woman may who is flesh-fouled. (3) And we among the angels, because of her intercession, may yet see her and hear her sing. (4) May God the Father be magnified, and His Son blessed, the Holy Ghost glorified, these three in one, served by angels and men on earth without end. (5) AMEN. |