## The Legend of Pope Gregory

### Publication Statement:

This file is part of the facsimile-edition of the Auchinleck Manuscript was co-edited by Professor David Burnley and Dr Alison Wiggins. The HTML versions of the resource are freely available at http://www.nls.uk/auchinleck/

### Notes:

This manuscript file was originally supplied as gregory.html and the header file was located in heads/gregory_head.html both of which were converted to TEI XML by Dr James Cummings of the Oxford Text Archive. The notes below were taken from the header file and each HTML paragraph placed in a separate note.

Scribe 1

8-line stanzas. Irregular rhyme scheme: predominantly abababab but some stanzas rhyme ababcbcb, ababacac and ababcdcd. 1057 short lines, not including lacuna on f.1r. Begins and ends imperfect. Lines defective on ff.2v and 3r. Surviving lines correspond to lines 269-1330 in the Vernon text (also printed by Keller).

Three other manuscripts:
Bodleian Library MS 3938 (Bodl. poet. A.1) (Vernon). W. Midland. Late 14th or early 15th century. Vernon also has in common with Auchinleck: Þe Disputisoun Bitven þe Bodi and þe Soule, The Sayings of St Bernard and The King of Tars.
Bodleian MS 14716 (Rawlinson F.225).
BL Cotton Cleopatra D.ix. A later recension.

Edition:
C. Keller, 'Die Mittelenglische Gregoriuslegende', Alt- und Mittelenglische Texte, 6 (London and Heidelberg: Sampson Low, 1914).

Another edition:
W. B. D. D. Turnbull, Legendae Catholicae (Edinburgh: Edinburgh Printing Company, 1840): 1-67.

Index 209 and 204.

### Source:

The Auchinleck Manuscript (NLS Adv MS 19.2.1) is one of the National Library of Scotland’s greatest treasures. Produced in London in the 1330s, it provides a unique insight into the English language and literature that Chaucer and his generation grew up with and were influenced by. It acquired its name from its first known owner, Lord Auchinleck, who discovered the manuscript in 1740 and donated it to the precursor of the National Library in 1744.

### The Legend of Pope Gregory

¶ Þerl him graunted his wille, ywis, [f.1r] [Image]
Þat þe kniȝt him hadde ytold.
Þe barouns þat were of miche pris
Biforn him þai weren ycald.
Alle þe lond þat euer was his[5]
Biforn hem alle, ȝong & old,
He made his soster chef & priis,
Þat mani sieȝing for him had sold,
¶ & bitauȝt hir þe kniȝt,
Þat trewe was in tong & tale,[10]
To kepe þat leuedi ariȝt
Wiþ blisse & wiþ euerliche hale.
Þer was ferly sorwe & siȝt
When þai schuld asondri fare;
Þerl wald ney dyen vpriȝt[15]
To noman couþe he telle his care.
¶ Þe kniȝt toke leue & went his way
Wiþ hir þat was briȝt so blosme on brere;
No stint he for no clot in clay
Al what he to his owen were.[20] [ he is superscript.]
Þer cam a leuedi briȝt so day
Oȝeines him wiþ glad chere
& seyd ‘sir, welcom be þou ay,
Mi trewe lord & ȝour fere.’
¶ Wel feir he hir vnderstod[25]
Þan sche was of hors aliȝt
& serued hir wiþ glad mode
As he was trewe & gentil kniȝt.
Bi þe riȝt hond his wiif he toke,
Til a chaumber sche went ariȝt,[30]
& told his wiif & nouȝt forsoke
What treweþe þat he hadde hir pliȝt.
¶ He told his wiif word & oþer
Hou it was falle of þat dede,
‘Wiþ child sche goþ wiþ hier broþer,[35]
We moten hir help at þis nede;
Also þou louest þi rentes riif,
For noþing þat may be,
Ne lete þou no born liif
Þerof wite bot we þre.[40]
¶ No man in lond, child no wiif,
Astow art leuedi gent & fre,
Þat ich no here þerof no striif
Of þat þou schalt here & se.’
Þe leuedi him answerd sone,[45]
‘Jesu hir wele vnbinde,
Also he made sonne & mone,
Blosme on brere, lef on linde.
¶ Icham glad of hir coming,
Sori þat ich hir sike finde;[50]
Þurth þe help of heuen-king
We schul ben hir wel kinde.’
.... .... .... .... ....
.... .... .... .... ....
... .... .... .... ....[55]
.... .... .... .... ....
Þan þe time ycomen was
Þe leuedi schuld deliuerd be
A sone sche hadde þurth Godes grace,
Ycomen he was of kin fre.[60]
Þe leuedi seyd as sche was won,
To hir þat was white so blosme on tre,
‘Þou hast’ sche seyd ‘a lefli sone
As ani sinful man may se.’
¶ At þat bereing of þat wiȝt[65]
Was no liues þing in lond
Bot þat leuedi & þat kniȝt.
Þe king of heuen sent his sond,
Þe stori y can rade ariȝt,
Wiþ tong speke & stille stond;[70]
Seyn Gregori was born þat niȝt
Þat seþ þen was pope in lond.
¶ Þat niȝt þat he was born to man
His moder was in gret þouȝt
Hou he was biȝeten & of wham,[75]
Hou dere sche him hadde ybouȝt.
‘Wiþ tong alle on wiþouten man
Wiþ care icham alle þurth-souȝt;
Helpe, leuedi, for y no can,
Hou þis child schal forþ be brouȝt.[80]
¶ ȝif þis childe duelle stille here,
Men wil þerof speke & wite.
Þe word schal spring fer & ner
Hou he was born & biȝete.
Bot men wil don as ich hem lere,[85]
No schal y neuer ete mete;
In oþer londes þan ben here
Help & socour he may gete.’
¶ Sche bad anon men schuld take
A tonne þat was newe ywrouȝt,[90]
A bot on þe brim make
Þat þe winde it miȝt bere aloft,
Also a cradel, wiþouten wrake, [f.1v] [Image]
Þat þe childe were þerin ybrouȝt.
Þo gun þai sike for hir sake[95]
& dreri weren in hir þouȝt.
¶ Þe kniȝt seye sche wold dye,
He seyd hir þat it schuld be so.
A bot þai token bi þe weye,
Hir wille þai fonden for to do;[100]
Þai token wriȝtes of werkes sleye
Al for to grant hir bone
& a cradel þat sche þer seye.
Hir wille þai fonded for to done
¶ Þer sche on hir bed sat,[105]
Hir child sche held in armes to,
Þe first word þat sche þer spak,
Sche seyd ‘mi gamen is al go.
Now Jesu crist þat sitt in trone
Rade me wele for to do[110]
& sende me þi grace sone,
No was me neuer er so wo.’
¶ Þan sche hadde ȝouen him souke
& in þe cradel fast him fest,
Wiþ riche cloþes sche gan him louke,[115]
Þe croice sche made opon his brest,
Markes four of gold prout
Vnder þe heued sche had yfest,
Ten ma[r]k of siluer þer wiþout
Vnder þe fet sche hadde yþrest.[120]
¶ Tables sche toke sone riche
Of yuori layen hir bifore,
Wiþ honden sche wrot & sore gan sike
Hou he was biȝeten & bore.
Sche seyd ‘waleway’ wel ȝare;[125]
‘Mi ioie ichaue alle forlore,
No may no tong telle þe care
Þat is me now riȝt bifore.’
¶ For no þing sche no lett,
In þe tables wrot sche þanne[130]
Þat men him schuld to scole him sett
& ȝif him name of Cristenmanne;
ȝif auentour bitide euer more
He com to liue & were a man
He miȝt se þe sinnes sore[135]
Hou he was ȝeten & of wham.
¶ A cloþ of silk sche wond him inne
Þat was of swiþe feir ble,
Þe tables sche leyd vnder his chinne
Þat men miȝt hem boþen þer yse. [140] [ men is superscript.]
Þan was he don þe tonne wiþinne -
Þe bot was feir made of tre -
& bar him doun to þe brim,
Bitauȝt him God & þe salt se.
¶ Þan þai come to hir wel sone[145]
Þer sche lay wel sike in þouȝt
& tolden hou þai hadden done
Of þat hye hadde hem bisouȝt,
Þe bot feir ymade wiþ brome
Vp þe water newe ywrouȝt,[150]
‘Þe tonne & þe litel grome
Into þe see we han ybrouȝt.’
Þat oþer day on þe morwe
Þan herd sche a reuful red:
A messanger com wiþ sorwe[155]
& teld hir þat hir broþer was ded;
Þe kniȝtes þat wer to hir swore
Brouȝt hir word & to hir seyd
Þat he was to deþ ydrore
& vnder erþe schuld be leyd.[160]
¶ Þo was hir care newe.
Sche tok sikeinges þre
& wax al wan of hir hewe
Þat was wite so blosme on tre.
Þan seyd þe kniȝt, was to hir trewe,[165]
‘Y wot no gameþ þe no gle
No helpeþ it noþing for to rewe;
As God wil so schal it be.
¶ Þou schalt graiþe þe ful ȝare,
ȝif þou dost after mi þouȝt,[170]
& to þi broþer biriing fare
Are he be in erþe ybrouȝt.
No helpeþ it no þing to care;
Y not no gayneþ it þe nouȝt,
Þi feir rode to make it bare,[175]
& sle þiself wiþ idel þouȝt.’
¶ Þo sche held hir stille & milde,
Hir sorwe was strong & sterne,
Þe þridde day of hire childe
To chirche sche ȝede of hir berne.[180]
Nis non in þis worlde(s) so wilde [f.2r] [Image]
No be he neuer so stille
Þat he ne mot be milde
& soffre Godes wille.
¶ Þai bosked to þe biriing,[185]
Þe kniȝt þat couþe of þe roune.
Þe þridde day of hir childing
No lenge hadde sche soioure;
Wel arliche in a morwening,
Opon a palfrey broune,[190]
Wiþ dreri hert & wiþ morning,
Þe leuedi went out of þe toune.
¶ Þan sche com to hir halle
Þer was sikeing & wayleway.
Sche fel adoun toforn hem alle,[195]
Biforn hir broþer þer he lay.
Þan sche seye him vnder palle
Sche seyd ‘allas’ þat ilke day.
Þe kniȝtes on hir gun calle
& fram þe bare token hir oway.[200]
Þo he was in erþe ybrouȝt,
& leyd vnder cloudes cold,
Þe leuedi was wiþ sorwe þurth-souȝt.
Hir kniȝtes were stark & bold
Wiþ riȝt þe tale it was ywrouȝt[205]
Þe kniȝtes þe tale hir told.
Þe leuedi þat dreri was in þouȝt,
Hir tounes wer take in hir hold.
¶ Þo was sche knowen, þat leuedi,
Bi alle þe londes side[210]
& maiden clene hold of hir bodi,
Þerof þe word sprong wide.
Princes proud þat weren ysene
To hir þai busked hem to ride;
No was þer non so lef, ich wene,[215]
Þat sche þouȝt to his loue abide.
¶ Alle loued hir, wild & tame,
Þat wiþ mouþe herd hir speke.
Sche halpe þe pouer & þe lame
Þe deuel fram hir for to wreke.[220]
Chirches chapels boþe ysame
Werche sche dede þurth Godes wille.
Þe riche of hir hadde game
Þe pouer loued hir loude & stille.
¶ A riche douke of miȝt strong,[225]
Of Rome he was, as ȝe may here,
For coueitise of hir lond,
He wald hir wedde & haue to fere.
Þan gan sche sike & sorwe among
& dreri was in hir chere.[230]
‘Ywis’ sche seyd ‘he haþ wrong;
Y loue him nouȝt in hert dere.’
¶ He seye he miȝt no þing spede
No nouȝt wiþ hir his wille do,
Bateyle on hir he gan bede[235]
Wiþ alle þat miȝt ride & go,
& seyd he wald oway hir lede
ȝif þat he miȝt comen hir to;
Abouten hir he sett his segge
Hir tounes þan brent he þo.[240]
¶ Sche swore sche schuld hir neuer ȝeld,
Bot he wiþ streng[þ]e hir wonne,
Til þat þe child were comen to eld
Þat sche lete fasten in þe tonne.
ȝete may God swiche grace sende,[245]
Þat made boþe mone & sonne, [MS: space after boþe.]
ȝete he may liue & wele ende
Þat þe douk him haþ bigonne.
Now lete we þis leuedi be
& telle we hou þe child was founde.[250]
Listeneþ now alle to me.
Y wot it sanke nouȝt to þe grounde.
Al þat God wil haue don þan schal be.
Riȝt as his moder him hadde ywounde,
Þe winde him drof fer in þe se,[255]
Swiþe fer in þilke stounde.
¶ To fischers weren out ysent
Þat breþeren were boþe, y wene,
Out of an abbay þai weren ysent
Wiþ nettes & wiþ ores kene[260]
To lache fische to þat couent;
Þe monkes þai þouȝt to queme.
Þat day was hem no grace ylent
For stormes þat were so breme.
¶ Erlich in a morning[265]
Er liȝt com of þe day
Þai seye a bot cum waiueing
Wiþ þe child þat in þe cradel lay
To liue God him wald bring – [f.2v] [Image]
His wille in lond wrouȝt be ay –[270]
Þe fischers miri gun sing
& þider þai tok þe riȝt way.
¶ Þe tonne anon to hem þai nome
Þat was swiþe wele ywrouȝt.
Þai no rouȝt whider þe bot þer com[275]
Þat þe tonn þider brouȝt.
To rist riȝt as ȝede þe mone
Þer risen stormes gret aloft,
To lache fische hadde þai no tome,
To toun to nim was al her þouȝt.[280]
¶ Fast þai drowen to þe lond
Wiþ ores gode ymade of tre,
For stormes wald þai noþing wond,
Drenched wende þai wele to be.
Þabot com opon þe strond[285]
Þe fischers ȝif he miȝt se;
Also God sent his sond
Þat child schuld ysaued be.
¶ Þe abot was þider sent,
Biheld þe tonne was made of tre,[290]
Þeron were his eyȝen ylent.
Anon seyd þat abot fre,
‘Whare haue ȝe þis tonne yhent
& what may þerin be?
No seyȝe y neuer swiche a present[295]
In fischers bot in þe se.’
Þe fischers answerd boþe yliche,
To þe abot þai speken anon,
‘Bi þe king of heuenriche,
Our þinges be þerin ydon.’[300]
Þat child þan bigan to scriche
Wiþ steuen as it were agrome.
Þe fischers were adrad of wreche,
Þai nist what þai miȝt done.
¶ Þabot bad wiþouten wouȝ[305]
Vndo þe tonne þat he þer say.
Þe fischers were radi anouȝ
To don his wille þat ich day.
A cloþ of silk þabot vp drouȝ
Þat on þe childes cradel lay.[310]
Þo lai þat litel child & louȝ
Opon þabot wiþ eyȝen gray.
¶ Þabot held vp boþe his hond
Wiþ hert gode to Crist ywent
& seyd ‘lord y þank þi sond[315]
Þat þou me hast ȝouen & lent.’
Of yuori tables long
Þabot fond þer in pressent;
Þerto he gan sone fong
& seyȝe what þer was writen & dent.[320]
¶ Þabot bad þe fischers boþe
Ten mark & þe cradel take,
& bad þai schuld nouȝt be wroþ
For þat litel childes sake.
Þo was þat siluer alle her owe[325]
Þe tresore to hem þai gun take,
Anon þai were alle biknowe
Hou þai fond þat litel knape.
¶ Þat o fischer was riche of wele
& hadde halle of lim & ston;[330]
Þat oþer was pouer & had children fele,
Gold no siluer hadde he non.
Þabot toke wiþ him to bere
Ten marke.......
.... & þe litel grome[335]
& bad him telle for non auȝt
In what maner he was ycome.
¶ Bot sigge his douhter þat ich nauȝt
To bere þat child for God aboue
& bid þe abot ȝif he mauȝt[340]
Cristen him for Godes loue.
He tok þat child wiþouten hete
& bar it hom wiþouten wrake.
A wiman had he sone ygete
Him to bere Cristen to make.[345]
¶ When þe fischer y-eten hadde
No wold he no lenger late.
To þabot sone he ladde
& fond him redi atte gate.
Þabot wist þerof anouȝ,[350]
It no was him no þing loþ
Þe fischer þan þe child forþ drouȝ
Wiþ salt & wiþ þe crisme cloþ.
¶ ‘Mi douhter sent ȝou þis child
To cristen it, wiþouten oþ.’[355]
Þabot louȝ, þat was milde,
& wiþ hem to chirche he goþ.
Þabot was cleped Gregorij, [f.3r] [Image]
Þer þe child his name he toke.
Prest & clerk stode þer bi[360]
Wiþ tapers, liȝt & holy boke
¶ & þe child feir & sleye
He cristned in þe salt flod
& seþ þen baren it vp an heyȝe, [ it: inserted superscript with point of insertion marked.]
Offred it to þe holy rod.[365]
Þabot dede so he schold.
Þe cloþ he tok wele to hold
... ... ... four mark of gold
& þe tables þat ich of told [ tables: s is superscript.]
.... ..... ..... mode[370]
In cloþe fast þai gun him fold
..... ...... .... & God
Þe child he tok wele to hold.
.... .... men to ȝares fiue
Wel hende it was þat child to lok[375]
.... ... ... þat it gan þriue
He nam & sett it to boke
...... him lere fast & swiþe.
Y schal þe finde anouȝ, ywis.
Who so wil þe stori liþe[380]
Wordes he may heren of blis.
What helpeþ it long for to drawe?
Gregorii couþe wele his pars
& wele rad & song in lawe
& vnderstode wele his ars.[385]
... went he on a day to plawe
As children don atte bars.
.... toke wiþ his felawe
Ac Gregorij þe stronger was.
.... .... s he were wode[390]
To him fast sone he lepe
.... ... as of vnmild mod
For hert tene sore he wepe.
... .... to his moder sone
Wiþ grim hert & wiþ gret[395]
.... .... wiþe anon
Hou Gregorij him hadde ybede.
.... .... is a wonder þing.
No can sche nouȝt hir wordes lete
Wiþouten anis kines duelling[400]
Sche gan Gregori to þrete.
¶ & seyd ‘þou treytour fondling,
Whi hastow mi sone ybete?
In þis world is [no] man liuiing
Þat wot hou þou was biȝete.’[405]
Gregorij stod stille so ston,
Wiþ dreri hert hom he nome;
A word spac he þer non
Til he to þabot come.
.... hert fre he made his mone.[410]
Þan seyd þabot ‘leue sone
[Whi] artow comen so dreri hom?
Who haþ þe (seyd) don ouȝt bot loue?’ [ don is superscript.]
[Se]yd þe child ‘wiþouten lesing,
Þe fischers wif is vnhende.[415]
.... ed me traitour fondling
& seyd y ne am nouȝt of þi kende.’
.... .... þabot ‘be stille.
Swiche þouȝt lete þou be
.... rade & sing schirlle[420]
Þerfore þis hous is graunted þe
.... .... schal fulfille
Wiþ alle þe monkes [þat] herin be.
When God of me haþ don his wille
Þou schalt ben abot after me.[425]
¶ ‘Nay, for soþe’ quaþ he sone,
‘Þi þouȝt is now fro min riȝt,
Ac ȝif þou wilt ouȝt for me don
ȝif me order to be kniȝt;
To þat mister ichil gon,[430]
Helme to bere & brini briȝt.
Oþer mister wil y non
Þerwhiles icham so ȝong & liȝt.
¶ Bi him þat made þe water [ þe is superscript.]
& lef to spring on grene tre,[435]
Til ich wite who be mi fader
No schal y neuer bliþe be;
& who me ȝaf cloþ & hater
Til þat y mi moder se
Þerfore to drenche in salt water[440]
Fro þis schame y wil now fle.’
¶ Þabot no miȝt þat child lett
For no bode of pans rounde;
Þe cloþ of silke he þer fet
Þat Gregori was in ywounde.[445]
His nedes feir he þer bett [f.3v] [Image]
& made him kniȝt in þat stounde.
His tables in his hond he sett
& bad him rede þat he þer founde.
¶ Þe kniȝt answerd sone oȝein,[450]
Þe tables þer held an hond,
Bitven hem wiþouten sweyn
He radde alle þat he þer fond.
‘ȝif it be soþe þe letters seyn,
Michel it is opon mi þouȝt[455]
Of a ȝong child, a douȝti sweyn,
Of what lond he is no telleþ he nouȝt.’
¶ Þan he hadde þe letters rad
Þat in þe tables were yw[rete],
‘Whar was þe child’ he seyd ‘bistad[460]
Þat in þe tonne was ylete?
& whider þe water haþ him lad?
Telle me ȝif þat ȝe wite.’
Þabot biheld þe child & bad
Þat he schuld bi him site.[465]
He told him wel sone anon
In what maner he was yfounde.
‘Þe cloþ of silk þou hast opon
Þat þou were in ȝong ywounde,
Þine markes of gold euerichon,[470]
Lo! hem here hole & sounde,
& þine tables of yuori bon
Þat feir ben & eke rounde.’
¶ ‘Now is þe time comen to þende,
Y swere bi Jesu heuene-king[475]
Þat y nam nouȝt of þi kende
Bot yhold for a fondling.
Now Jesu leue me grace to wende
Þer mi schame may be hed,
& sechen after mi riȝt kende[480]
Þat ich was of comen & bred.’
¶ Þabot present him a schip
Þer þat mani stode arouwe.
Þe child was hende & þerin lip,
At her parting he wepe a þrouwe.[485]
Þe ropes wer fast yknett,
To þe se þai gun drawe.
Þe winde on her seyl was sett
& hard he gan for to blowe,
¶ & drof him to þe londes side[490]
Þat was in his moder hond.
Gregorij com wiþ michel pride
As kniȝt of vncouþe lond.
Mani man wendeþ fer & wide,
Moche may heren & sen among,[495]
Atte last him schal bitide
His auentour be it neuer so strong.
¶ Þan Gregorij cam out of þe bargge;
He hadde a wel gode stede,
Helme & brini & briȝt targge,[500]
Kniȝt he semed gode at nede.
Þis felle in þe time of Marche
Þat ich of sing & rede.
He tok his in as kniȝt large,
To þe portreues hous he ȝede.[505]
Þe portreue seyȝe þat he was hende
& wel feir him vnderstode;
Him þouȝt he was of gode kende
& eke a milde man of mode,
Bot at þe þridde dayes ende,[510]
Als-so þai saten atte bord,
His ost seyd ‘wider wiltow wende?’
& Gregori no spac no word.
¶ Ac bleþeliche wite he wold
‘Haþ her ben ani wer long?[515]
Oþer ani man þat dorst hold
A kniȝt vncouþe þat wer strong?’
His ost wel sone him told
What wer was hem among.
‘Our bestes ben robbed & sold,[520]
Our tounes brent al wiþ wrong.’
Gregorij seyd ‘what ayleþ þat?
Whi ne drawe ȝe to acord & loue?’
His ost seyd ‘sone, for what?
Bi Jesu þat sitt ous al aboue,[525]
Þurth a maiden hende of pris
Is þis werre al ycome,
& þurth a douk þat vnhende is
Þat wold hir haue to wiue ynome.
¶ So trewe in lond y not no may,[530]
Of bodi so feir & so fre,
Tomorwe sone when it is day
Þe leuedi þou schalt at chirche se.
To hir steward wil y gon [f.4r] [Image]
& tellen him þe soþe of þe;[535]
Reseyued bestow sone anon
ȝif þou wilt serue & wiþ hir be.’ [ wilt is superscript, point of insertion marked.]
¶ Gregori was feir wiþalle,
O bodi for to bihold;
Schred he was in gode palle.[540]
When day com þat he go schold,
‘Ariseþ’ he seyd ‘ȝif ȝe be ȝare.
Redy icham, to chirche y wold.’
His ost spac & ȝaf answare,
& ȝede forþ wiþ þe bird so bold.[545]
¶ When he was to chirche ycome
To se þe leuedi hende & gode,
Wel gentil was þat feir gome
& gret his moder þer sche stode.
Þe leuedi þat was so trewe of loue,[550]
Þer sche lay bifor þe rode,
Þe cloþ of silk sche knewe aboue
Þat sche him ȝaf into þe se flode.
¶ Þe comely leuedy feir of hewe
Loked on him wiþ eyȝen to[555]
Bot noþing sche him knewe
So long he hadde ben hir fro.
Hir eyȝen on him fast sche þrewe
& seyȝe wele sche loued him þo;
Þe cloþ of silk sche seyȝe al newe[560]
Þat sche him ȝaf, þan hir was wo.
¶ Þe leuedi sone anoþer þouȝt
Þat o cloþ was oþer yliche.
Sche loked on him þat ous bouȝt,
Þe kniȝt of kin sche þouȝt riche. [565] [ sche is superscript, place of insertion marked.]
Þe steward þer sche ȝaf þe dome [ sche is entered superscript, with place of insertion marked.]
Vnderfong him queyntliche.
Þo hadde þe strong douke of Rome
Al bisett hir castel diche.
¶ Ytiȝt he hadde his pauiloun,[570]
His tentes sprad ful wide,
Baners vp sett & gomfeynoun
About þe castel wiþ pride.
Þe kniȝtes þat loked þe toun
To þe castel gun ride[575]
To wite conseyl & resoun
ȝif þai schuld þe douk abide.
¶ Gregori was feir of teyle,
Strong & stef in eueri liþ,
‘Schame it is’ he seyd ‘saunfeyle[580]
For to libbe in sorwe & siþ.
Arme we ous & take bateyle,
& ich meself schal wende ȝou wiþ.
Þe doukes ost we schal aseyle
Þat ne loueþ no peys no griþ.’[585]
¶ Þe kniȝt alle in feir schroude
Him gan arme swiþe wel,
At a postern þai wenten out
Wiþ scharpe speres & swerdes of stiel.
Þe waites wer stille & noþing loude.[590]
Þai schoten out of þe castel.
Gregori was of hert proude,
Þe doukes ost he biheld eueridel.
¶ Ich wot a stede he bistrode,
He toke a launce holle & sounde[595]
Þer þe doukes ost him rode.
Þe erþe dined & þe grounde,
As he þe stori wrot me seyd;
He was þer worþ an hundred pounde -
Wiþ spere scharp & swerd he leyd[600]
Adoun al þat he þer founde.
¶ Þe folk out of þe castel cam
Wiþ launces heye & gomfeynoun.
Þe douk was wele ywar of ham,
Wiþ grete route vnder þe toun.[605]
A litel wiȝt after þe none
Þer was ycraked mani a croun,
Mani a kniȝt þer died sone,
Er þan þe sonne ȝede adoun.
¶ Strong it were me to telle[610]
Þe folk þat þer was yslawe;
Also þou sest þe water of welle,
Þe blod of þe hille gan doun drawe.
Y wot y schold long duelle
Alle þat soþe for to saye,[615]
So men may here speke & spelle
Þer no was no childes playe.
¶ After þe douke souȝt Gregorij,
Þurth his ost & þurth his here,
Wiþ grim noise he made a cri[620]
‘A launce ichil to þe bere.’
Þe douk was proude, wiþouten feyle, [f.4v] [Image]
To him he dresced anoþer spere.
He bar þe douk over his hors teyl
Þat he groned as a bere.[625]
¶ Þo was þe douke wiþ strengþe ytake
& brouȝt to þe conteise sone.
Sche bad men schuld him kepe & wake,
For him þat made sonne & mone,
& seyd men schuld neuer slake[630]
His bondes for no mannes bone,
Bot ȝif he wald hir peys make
Of þat he hadde hir misdone.
¶ Þei he war proude & prince beld,
Raunsoun for his body sche toke;[635]
Wiþ grim eyȝen sche him biheld
& dede him swere opon a boke
To pay þe ransoun at þe time
Wiþouten ani kines striif,
Þe þridde day at heye prime,[640]
Oþer he schuld lese his liif.
¶ Þo was þer pays wel gode in lond
& þer no was no more striif;
Þai þonked alle Godes sond
& liued in pes alle her liif.[645]
Fram hir went þe douke þo
To his lond & to his hous,
Bateyls no loued he no mo
For he was þer al confous.
Gregori was michel of mounde,[650]
Bot he was wonderliche pouer;
Into oþer londe he wald founde
Grace more for to couer,
To win wele & pans rounde.
Bot oft he gan sike sore[655]
When he þouȝt on þe hard stounde
Hou he was biȝeten & bore.
¶ He seyd he wold oway fare
More of armes for to do.
Þe cuntas þo hadde care[660]
& seyd ‘sir, schal ȝe nouȝt go.’
To hir steward spac sche þare
‘What may we ȝeuen him er he go?
He no may nouȝt wende o way so bare;
He haþ ywroken ous of our fo.’[665]
¶ Þe steward hir answerd þare,
‘Swiche kniȝt no wot y non.
Y wot þou dost þiselue care
ȝif þou le[te]st him fro þe gon
For he is trewe in ich a tale,[670]
Strong & stef in ich a bon;
Mani man he haþ don bale,
On him þou miȝt þi loue wele don.’
¶ Þe conseyl was ȝeuen & sone don;
Þe kniȝt schuld his moder wedde.[675]
To chirche þai went swiþe sone; [ swiþe: e is superscript.]
Tvay barouns þe leuedi ledde.
Alle þat men schuld to spouseing don,
Þe prest song, þe clerk redde,
Als men schuld wiif vnderfon[680]
& holden hir to bord & bedde.
Þo was he erl of gret anour,
Yknowen in alle Aquiteyne,
Boþe of castel & of tour,
Þe folk of him was ful feyne.[685]
O[f] alle þe gode men of þat lond
Manred he toke, þat is to seyn,
To be boxsom to his hond,
Boþe kniȝt & eke sweyn.
¶ Gregorij forȝat him nouȝt[690]
Of þat sorwe was in his hold;
On his tables was al his þouȝt
Þer þai were in toun ifold.
Þider he went & sone souȝt
Þer þai wer in toun to hold;[695]
Markes of gold wele ywrouȝt
He ȝaf þe portreue redi told.
After þat he went wel sone
As prince proude in pride
& þouȝt what he miȝt don[700]
& wher he miȝt his tables hide.
To a chaunber he ȝede alon
Þat dern was in somers tide
& leyd hem vnder a ston,
Þat noman seye þat stode biside.[705]
¶ Þerafter wel oft it was his wone
Into þat chaunber for to wende.
Þerin most noman come
No of his sorwe wite non ende. [Catchword: he was a dreri moder.]
He was a dreri moder sone [f.5r] [Image] [710]
When he held his tables long;
Þerfore wel oft it was his won
His bodi for to pine strong.
¶ Þer nis non so dern dede
Þat sum time it schal be sene;[715]
Þider in wald he nouȝt lede
For soþe, noiþer king no quene.
A wiman þerof toke hede
Þat it was þe lawe ogeyn
Þat he so oft þider in ȝede[720]
Wiþouten kniȝt oþor sweyn.
¶ On hunting on a day he fore
Wiþin a dale in a forest
Wiþ houndes þat were liȝt on more
For to take þe wilde best.[725]
Þe leuedi at hom so briȝt so flour
Alone left, wiþouten chest,
Þan was hir told a tiding stour,
Þerof sche hadde wonder mest.
¶ Hou þat þerl himselue alon -[730]
A wiman told hir þe tale -
Into þe chaunber was won to gone,
Wiþouten felawe gret & smale.
‘Þerin he makeþ reweli mone,
Leuedi, leue þou wele mi tale.[735]
Þe hewe þat he haþ þan opon
It is boþe wan & pale.’
¶ Þe leuedi wonder hadde þo,
For diol sche wald dye
‘What wil he in þat chaunber do[740]
Me to sorwe & to treye?’
Sche bad hir maidens þerout go
A stounde for to pleye,
& þai deden also;
Out of þe chaunber þai toke þe way.[745]
¶ Þan alon sche left þerinne;
Non wist what sche ment.
Þe cuntasse nold neuer blinne,
Þe chaunber dore of hokes sche hent.
Sche souȝt & fond wiþ hert vnmild[750]
Þe tables þat wiþ hir sone sche sent
& knewe it was hir owhen child
Þat in his armes aniȝt sche went.
Þo þe leuedi hadde þe latters radde
Þat sche wrot, ich wene,[755]
Sone sche bicom al mad
& wex boþe pale & grene.
Sche fel aswon on hir bed
& loude bigan for to reme.
Hir steward herd hou sche was bisted,[760]
Sone he cam hir to queme.
¶ Sche bad anon men schuld hir fett
Hir lord þerl hir bifore
& þat noman schuld him lett,
As he was hende & to hir swore.[765]
A kniȝt on o palfrey him sett,
Þe lord he fond vnder a tre
& teld hou þe leuedi gret,
& non wist whi it miȝt be.
¶ Þerl nold no lenge abide,[770]
At þe wode he lete his houndes alle,
Þe stede he smot bi þe side
Til he com to his owhen halle.
Þurth chaumbers boþe heyȝe & wide
To Jesu he herd hir calle;[775]
On bed he fel hir bisid -
Ysprad it was wiþ grene palle.
¶ Þe leuedi briȝt so blosme on bouȝ
Hir sone sche kist swiþe sone;
Sori sche was & noþing louȝ,[780]
Sche crid to God þat sitt in trone.
Oft sche hadde ioie anouȝ
Bitvene þe prime & þe none;
Anoþer þing to sorwe hir drouȝ,
Þe sinnes þat sche hadde done.[785]
¶ When sche waked of þat res
Hir sone sche seye hir bifore.
Sche bad him telle wiþouten les
In what lond he was ybore.
‘Be stille’ he seyd ‘& haue þi pes[790]
& lete swiche wordes be forlore;
For loue, leuedi, þou me ches,
Icham þine & to þe swore.’
¶ Þe tables riche of yuori
Þe leuedi tok out of hir sleue.[795]
‘Of whom’ sche seyd ‘is þis stori?
Telle me, ȝif y may þe leue.
Whenne noman stont þe bi, [f.5v] [Image]
In chaunber þou letest al þine hewe;
Y wot þou art wel dreri,[800]
Þine sorwes ben euer aliche newe.’
He answerd at þat sawe
Wiþ hert cheld so ani ston
& seyd ‘icham wele biknowe
Þat in þe se ich was ydon;[805]
Biȝeten ich was oȝaines þe lawe -
To God & to þe y sigge -
& out of ioie icham yblawe,
Mi soule is brouȝt lowe to ligge.
Sche seyd ‘allas, mi soule won;[810]
So sinful no was neuer no oþer.
Now icham wedded to mi sone
Þat on me biȝat mi broþer.
Lord Jesu þat sitt aboue,
Þou wost fram ende to oþer,[815]
Þi michel merci & þi loue
Þat sinful man may help & frouer.’
¶ Þo seyd þerl ‘y se & finde
Þat ich long haue ysouȝt,
Þat y schal þus knowe mi kinde;[820]
Ywis, no likeþ it me nouȝt.’
He þat was bifore schal be bihinde
Þat haþ ous in sorwe brouȝt
& careful he schal oway winde
As he was glad of our þouȝt.[825]
¶ ‘Sone what schal me to rede?
Y sike for our boþer sake;
Mi blisse schal ben euer gnede,
Mi strong sorwe schal neuer slake.’
He bad hir loue almose dede,[830]
Penaunce al for to take,
‘To heuen-blis it wil þe lede
& of þi soule a gode seynt make.
¶ Moder, now we schul part atvinne
& neuer oþer in þis lond se;[835]
He haþ ous cleped & cald of sinne,
Þe holy gost & persones þre.
Bifor þe dom of alle mankin,
Bifor Godes face, so schal it be;
Better is lay þan neuer blinne,[840]
Our soules to maken fre.’
¶ Robes riche hadde he þan,
As prince þat was miche of miȝt,
He toke cloþes of pouer manne;
Þe loue of God was on him liȝt.[845]
At his moder leue he nam
Ar þe day was vp briȝt,
Out of his lond þan he cam,
A penaunt he semed pouer, apliȝt.
¶ A pike he made of his spere,[850]
So palmer þat walkeþ wide.
Þe þridde niȝt to a fischer
He cam bi þe se side.
Gregorij wold duelle stille
Al þat ich niȝtes tide,[855]
& ȝif it war his wille
Til day þat he most abide.
¶ Þe fischer answerd wiþ wordes vnmilde
‘Me þenk’ he seyd, þou art a spie.
Þi bodi is white, þi flesche is wilde,[860]
Þis liif mauȝtow nouȝt long dreye.
ȝif þou al niȝt wer me hende,
Þou wost do me vilainie.
Bi him þat schal ous all amende,
In mine hous schal tow nouȝt lye.[865]
Gregori couþe nouȝt preye,
No lenger he nold biseche,
Bot ȝede forþ alle in his way
Barfot his sinnes for to leche.
Þe fischers wiif, ich ȝou say,[870]
For him bigan to wepe;
For him þan sche wald dye
Bot he miȝt in hir hous slepe.
¶ Þe fischer seye his wiif þouȝt,
Þe penant he lete clepe oȝein.[875]
Þat niȝt he was to rest ybrouȝt
Out of þe winde & þe reyn.
Þe wiif him bedded wel soft
In a chaunber þer he schould leyn.
To Crist he cleped swiþe oft[880]
Þat miȝtful is of miȝt & main.
¶ Þo it was time for to soupe
Þe cloþ was leyd, þe bord ysett.
Þe winde blewe schille & loude,
Þe fer biforn hem was bett.[885]
Þe wiif wel ȝern was about [f.6r] [Image]
Þat Gregorij were þer fet.
Þe housbond was stern & stout
Þe penaunt hadde hard gret.
¶ Gregorij was simple of sawe,[890]
In he com wiþ resoun.
He wesche his honden as it was lawe
& bi þe fer sett him adoun.
A cloþ biforn him was drawe
& ȝaf him win of maser broun,[895]
Bred wel white of what yslawe,
Þe best þat was in alle þe toun.
¶ Þe penaunt seyd ‘mi leuedi schene,
Mi bodi askeþ no swich mete,
Bot barly brede & water clene[900]
ȝif ich it miȝt finde & gete.’
Þe fischer seyd ‘þou þeues fere,
Þou makest ous of þe to speke,
Þis gret fische tofor me here,
Bodi & heued þou wost it ete.[905]
¶ ȝif þou bi þiselue were,
Anouȝ þou wost ete & drink;
No mete þe to dere no were,
& þou no semest nouȝt to swinke.
Þis treytour sitt among ous here,[910]
To þe water he ginneþ blenke.
Þou schost haue ben ermite or frere
In wode oþer in roche brinke.’
¶ ‘ȝa, quaþ he ‘þerafter ich haue souȝt;
Þe place is nouȝt ȝete yfounde.[915]
To swiche a stede ich wald be brouȝt
Þat y miȝt liuen in a stounde.’
‘ȝis’ quaþ þe fischer ‘drade þe nouȝt,
Y knowe a roche al ridi rounde;
Þerin þer is an hous ywrouȝt[920]
Wel depe at þe se grounde.’
¶ Gregorij seyd ‘for loue of on
Þat dyed on þe rode tre,
Bring me to þat roche of ston
Fischer, ȝif þi wille be.’[925]
Þe fischer seyd ‘bi seyn Jon,
When y liȝt of day may se
Feters ichil cast þe opon
& to þat roche bring y þe.’
¶ Þe penaunt lay & nouȝt no slepe[930]
Bot þouȝt on God þat sitt in trone
Þat he him sende gode hap
His penaunce wele for to done.
His tables he þer forȝat
Amorwe when he schuld go,[935]
& when þat he was war of þat
Ywis, him was swiþe wo.
¶ Þanne he was to þe roche ycome,
Yfetred & fast ybounde,
Þe keye was wel raþe ynome [940] [ Þe: e is superscript.]
& cast into þe se grounde.
Gregorij bisouȝt Crist
Þat þe keye schuld neuer be founde
Til for soþe þat he wist
His soule wer out of sinne ybounde.[945]
¶ Þerin was his woniing
To seuenten winter weren agon;
Wiþ penaunce & gret fasting
To God of heuen he made his mone,
Wiþouten mete, wiþouten drink,[950]
Bot dewe þat fel on þe marbel ston.
Þe stori seyt wiþouten lesing,
Oþer liif no ladde he non.
¶ Now schal we lete Gregorij, [ Now: w is superscript.]
Bitake we him God þat made man.[955]
Herkeneþ alle þat beþ hendi
Of þe pope þat dyed þan.
His frendes were for him sori
Þo his liif dayes wer don.
Ded he was so seyt þe stori,[960]
His soule went to heuen son.
Þe bischopes þat were of þat lond,
& of grete autorite,
To Rome were comen þurth Godes sond
Into þat holi cite.[965]
A cardinal spac þer among,
& seyd schortliche att wordes þre,
‘Wite ȝe wele it may nouȝt long
Cristendom vnloked be.’
¶ Anoþer spac for to spede,[970]
Þat wele couþe a resoun telle,
& bad þat men schuld nim hede
Þat cristendom nouȝt doun felle.
‘Tvelue apostles in erþe ȝede, [f.6v] [Image]
Þe þrittend was God himselue.[975]
Þe pope is in stede at nede,
Þe cardinals be þe apostles tvelue.
¶ Bot now of him is don þe dede,
Lowe he liþ loken in ston.
Who may þat folk wisse & rede[980]
Now pope in Rome haue we non?
Biseche we God wele to spede,
Our eleccioun wele to don,
Also þe warld haþ alle nede,
To help & ward cristendom.’[985]
¶ Þe cardinals al togider come -
Ensembled þai were alle þo -
& bisouȝt God þat made mone
An holi man to vnderfo
Þat digne were to ben in Rome[990]
Her leccioun wele to do,
Þat to þe world toke ȝeme
& holi chirche loke to.
¶ Þai layen alle in affliccioun,
Þe cardinals euerichon,[995]
Þe bischopes alle of þe toun
Wiþ hem weren ygon.
An angel cam fram heuen adoun,
Briȝter þan þe rouwel bon,
& seyd ‘made is þis aleccioun.[1000]
Þe king of heuen haþ chosen ȝou on.
¶ Ich bid ȝou seche anon.
It comeþ ȝou to miche frame.
In þe world is swiche non
To be pope wiþouten blame;[1005]
He woneþ in a roche of ston,
Gregorij, it is his name.
Þe salt seis about him gon,
Wiþ penaunce he is waschen clane.’
¶ Þan þai hadde herd þe steuen[1010]
Of þe angel þat is so briȝt,
Anon þai þonked God of heuen
Of alle his michel holy miȝt,
Messangers þai senten seuen.
Þe way token þai wel riȝt,[1015]
To þe toun þai ȝede wel euen
Þer Gregorij was herberd aniȝt.
Þurth þe grace of Jesu Crist,
Þat sent vertu in ston & gras,
To þe fischers hous þai went wiþ list[1020]
Þe[r] Gregori herberwed was,
Þai asked him herberwe sone.
Spending þai hadde anouȝ, apliȝt;
Þerfore him þouȝt it was to done
& herberwed hem þat ich niȝt.[1025]
¶ Þe fischer hadde alday ybe
In þe se wiþ nettes strong
& þer he toke fisches þre
Þat were boþe gret & long.
Þe fischer bad hem com & se[1030]
Wat fische þai wold fond;
Wel feir it schuld ydiȝt be
& y-opened to her hond.
¶ Þer þe fisches alle lay,
Þe best of alle þai chosen to,[1035]
& bad men schuld hem seþe & play
& boile hem in water þo.
Þe fischer fond þerin a keye
When þe wombe was vndo,
& þouȝt þat Gregori was faye,[1040]
& þerfore him was ful wo.
Þan þai hadde soped euerichon
& were glad of þat niȝt,
Þe fischer asked hem anon
To what lond þai hadden tiȝt.[1045]
Þai seyden ‘long haue we gon,
After a penaunt ysouȝt riȝt
Þat woneþ in a roche of ston,
We not where he is aliȝt.
¶ In Rome pope is þer non.[1050]
Loue of God on him is liȝt,
We schuld wiþ ous bring him hom
ȝif we miȝt of him haue siȝt.’
Þe fischer swore ‘bi seyn Jon,
Þider y can ȝou wisse ariȝt.[1055]
Y brouȝt him to þat roche of ston,
Oliue no wot ich him no wiȝt.
¶ Þer ich him feterd fast & bond;
He me suffred & stille lay
& þe keye wiþ mi riȝt hond[1060]
Into þe se y cast oway...