+ The second fytte.+

Now is the Knight went on his way, This game him thought full good, When he looked on Bernysdale, He blessed ROBIN HOOD: And when he bethought on Bernysdale, On SCATHELOCK, MUCH, and JOHN; He blessed them for the best company That ever he in come. Then spake that gentle Knight, To Little JOHN 'gan he say, "To-morrow, I must to York town, To Saint Mary's Abbey, And to the Abbot of that place Four hundred pound I must pay: And but I be there upon this night My land is lost for aye!" The Abbot said to his Convent, There he stood on ground: "This day twelve months came there a Knight, And borrowed four hundred pound. [He borrowed four hundred pound] Upon his land and fee; But he come this ilk day Disherited shall he be!" "It is full early!" said the Prior, "The day is not yet far gone! I had lever to pay an hundred pound And lay [it] down anon. The Knight is far beyond the sea In England is his right, And suffereth hunger and cold And many a sorry night: It were great pity," said the Prior, "So to have his land: And ye be so light of your conscience Ye do to him much wrong!" "Thou art ever in my beard," said the Abbot; "By God and Saint Richard!" With that came in, a fat-headed monk, The High Cellarer. "He is dead or hanged!" said the Monk, "By God that bought me dear! And we shall have to spend in this place, Four hundred pounds by year!" The Abbot and High Cellarer Start forth full bold: The Justice of England, The Abbot there did hold. The High Justice, and many mo, Had taken into their hand Wholly all the Knight's debt, To put that Knight to wrong. They deemed the Knight wonder sore The Abbot and his meiny, But he come this ilk day Disherited shall he be. "He will not come yet," said the Justice, "I dare well undertake!" But in sorrow time for them all, The Knight came to the gate. Then bespake that gentle Knight Until his meiny, "Now, put on your simple weeds That ye brought from the sea!" [They put on their simple weeds,] They came to the gates anon, The Porter was ready himself, And welcomed them everych one. "Welcome, Sir Knight!" said the Porter; "My Lord, to meat is he; And so is many a gentleman For the love of thee!" The Porter swore a full great oath "By God that made me! Here be the best coresed horse That ever yet saw I me! Lead them into the stable!" he said, "That eased might they be!" "They shall not come therein!" said the Knight, "By God that died on a tree!" Lords were to meat yset In that Abbot's hall: The Knight went forth, and kneeled down, And salued them, great and small. "Do gladly, Sir Abbot!" said the Knight, "I am come to hold my day!" The first word the Abbot spake, "Hast thou brought my pay?" "Not one penny!" said the Knight, "By God that maked me!" "Thou art a shrewd debtor!" said the Abbot; "Sir Justice, drink to me! What doest thou here," said the Abbot, "But thou hadst brought thy pay?" "For God!" then said the Knight, "To pray of a longer day!" "Thy day is broke!" said the Justice; "Land gettest thou none!" "Now, good Sir Justice! be my friend! And fend me of my fone!" "I am hold with the Abbot!" said the Justice, "Both with cloth and fee!" "Now, good Sir Sheriff! be my friend!" "Nay, for God!" said he. "Now, good Sir Abbot! be my friend! For thy courtesy; And hold my lands in thy hand Till I have made thee gree: And I will be thy true servant And truly serve thee Till ye have four hundred pounds Of money good and free." The Abbot sware a full great oath, "By God that died on a tree! Get thee land where thou mayest; For thou gettest none of me!" "By dear worthy God," then said the Knight, "That all this world wrought! But I have my land again, Full dear it shall be bought! God that was of Maiden born, Leave us well to speed! For it is good to assay a friend Or that a man have need!" The Abbot loathly on him 'gan call: And villainously him 'gan look: "Out," he said, "thou false Knight! Speed thee out of my hall!" "Thou liest!" then said the gentle Knight, "Abbot in thy hall! False Knight was I never, By God that made us all!" Up then stood that gentle Knight: To the Abbot, said he, "To suffer a Knight to kneel so long, Thou canst no courtesy! In jousts and in tournament Full far then have I be; And put myself as far in press As any that ever I see." "What will ye give more," said the Justice, "And the Knight shall make a release? And else I dare safely swear Ye hold never your land in peace!" "An hundred pounds!" said the Abbot. The Justice said, "Give him two!" "Nay, by God!" said the Knight, "Yet get ye it not so! Though ye would give a thousand more, Yet wert thou never the near! Shalt there never be mine heir, Abbot! Justice! ne Friar!" He started him to a board anon, Till a table round, And there he shook out of a bag Even four hundred pound. "Have here thy gold, Sir Abbot!" said the Knight, "Which that thou lentest me! Hadst thou been courteous at my coming, Rewarded shouldst thou have be!" The Abbot sat still, and eat no more, For all his royal fare: He cast his head on his shoulder, And fast began to stare. "Take me my gold again!" said the Abbot, "Sir Justice, that I took thee!" "Not a penny!" said the Justice, "By God that died on the tree!" "Sir Abbot, and ye Men of Law! Now have I held my day! Now shall I have my land again For ought that you can say!"

The Knight started out of the door, Away was all his care! And on he put his good clothing, The other he left there. He went him forth full merry singing As men have told in tale, His Lady met him at the gate At home in Verysdale. "Welcome, my Lord!" said his Lady, "Sir, lost is all your good?" "Be merry, Dame!" said the Knight, "And pray for ROBIN HOOD! That ever his soul be in bliss; He helped me out of my teen. Ne had not been his kindness, Beggars had we been! The Abbot and I accorded be; He is served of his pay! The good yeoman lent it me, As I came by the way."

This Knight then dwelled fair at home, The sooth for to say, Till he had got four hundred pounds All ready for to pay. He purveyed him an hundred bows, The strings well dight; An hundred sheafs of arrows good, The heads burnished full bright: And every arrow an ell long With peacock well ydight; Ynocked all with white silver, It was a seemly sight. He purveyed him an hundred men, Well harnessed in that stead, And himself in that same set And clothed in white and red. He bare a lancegay in his hand, And a man led his mail, And riden with a light song Unto Bernysdale. But at Wentbridge there was a wrestling, And there tarried was he: And there was all the best yeomen Of all the West country. A full fair game there was up set; A white bull up i-pight; A great courser, with saddle and bridle With gold burnished full bright; A pair of gloves, a red gold ring, A pipe of wine, in fay: What man beareth him best, Iwis The prize shall bear away. There was a yeoman in that place, And best worthy was he. And for he was far and fremd bestead Yslain he should have be. The Knight had ruth of his yeoman In place where that he stood: He said, "The yeoman should have no harm, For love of ROBIN HOOD!" The Knight pressed into the place, An hundred followed him free, With bows bent and arrows sharp For to shend that company. They shouldered all and made him room To wit what he would say; He took the yeoman by the hand And gave him all the play; He gave him five marks for his wine, There it laid on the mould: And bade it should be set abroach, Drink who so would! Thus long tarried this gentle Knight Till that play was done: So long abode ROBIN fasting, Three hours after the noon.

The third fytte.

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen! All that now be here, Of Little JOHN, that was the Knight's man, Good mirth ye shall hear. It was upon a merry day That young men would go shoot, Little JOHN fetched his bow anon And said he "would them meet." Three times, Little JOHN shot about, And always he sleste [slit] the wand: The proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM By the Marks 'gan stand. The Sheriff swore a full great oath, "By Him that died on the tree! This man is the best archer That yet saw I me! Say me now, wight young man! What is now thy name? In what country wert thou born? And where is thy woning wane?" "In Holderness, I was born, I-wis, all of my dame: Men call me REYNOLD GREENLEAF, When I am at home." "Say me, REYNOLD GREENLEAF! Wilt thou dwell with me? And every year, I will thee give Twenty marks to thy fee!" "I have a Master," said Little JOHN, "A courteous Knight is he; May ye get leave of him, the better may it be." The Sheriff got Little JOHN Twelve months of the Knight; Therefore he gave him right anon A good horse and a wight. Now is Little JOHN a Sheriff's man, God give us well to speed! But always thought Little JOHN To quite him well his meed. "Now, so God me help!" said Little JOHN, "And be my true lewte! I shall be the worst servant to him That ever yet had he!" It befel upon a Wednesday, The Sheriff on hunting was gone, And Little JOHN lay in his bed, and was forgot at home, Therefore he was fasting till it was past the noon. "Good Sir Steward, I pray thee, Give me to dine!" said Little JOHN. "It is long for GREENLEAF, fasting so long to be. Therefore I pray thee, Steward, my dinner give thou me!" "Shalt thou never eat nor drink," said the Steward, "Till my lord be come to town!" "I make my avow to God," said Little JOHN "I had lever to crack thy crown!" The Butler was full uncourteous, There he stood on floor; He started to the buttery, and shut fast the door. Little JOHN gave the Butler such a rap His back went nigh in two Though he lived an hundred winters, the worse he should go. He spurned the door with his foot, it went up well and fine! And there he made a large 'livery Both of ale and wine. "Sir, if ye will not dine," said Little JOHN, "I shall give you to drink! And though ye live an hundred winters, On Little JOHN ye shall think!" Little JOHN eat and little JOHN drank, the while he would. The Sheriff had in his kitchen a Cook, A stout man and a bold, "I make mine avow to God!" said the Cook, "Thou art a shrewd hind, In any household to dwell! for to ask thus to dine!" And there he lent Little JOHN Good strokes three. "I make mine avow," said Little JOHN, "These strokes liketh well. Thou art a bold man and a hardy, And so thinketh me! And ere I pass from this place Assayed better shalt thou be!" Little JOHN drew a good sword, The Cook took another in hand; They thought nothing for to flee, But stiffly for to stand. There they fought sore together, Two mile way and more; Might neither other harm do The maintenance of an hour. "I make mine avow to God," said Little JOHN, "And by my true lewte! Thou art one of the best swordsmen That ever yet saw I me, Couldst thou shoot as well in a bow, To green wood, thou shouldst with me! And two times in the year, thy clothing Ychanged should be! And every year of ROBIN HOOD, Twenty marks to thy fee!" "Put up thy sword," said the Cook, "And fellows will we be!" Then he fetch to Little JOHN, The nombles of a doe, Good bread, and full good wine. They eat and drank thereto. And when they had drunken well, Their troths together they plight, That they would be with ROBIN That ilk same night. They did them to the treasure house As fast as they might go; The locks that were good steel, They brake them everych one. They took away the silver vessels, And all that they might get; Piece, mazers, ne spoons, Would they none forget. Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pounds and more: And did them strait to ROBIN HOOD Under the green-wood hoar. "God thee save, my dear master! And CHRIST thee save and see!" And then said ROBIN to Little JOHN, "Welcome might thou be! And also that fair yeoman, Thou bringest there with thee! What tidings from Nottingham, Little JOHN? tell thou me!" "Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff! And send thee here by me, His Cook and his silver vessels, And three hundred pounds and three!" "I make mine avow to God!" said ROBIN, "And to the Trinity! It was never by his good-will This good is come to me!" Little JOHN him there bethought On a shrewd wile. Five miles in the forest he ran. Him happed at his will! Then he met the proud Sheriff Hunting with hounds and horn. Little JOHN could his courtesy, And kneeled him beforne. "God thee save, my dear Master! And CHRIST thee save and see!" "REYNOLD GREENLEAF!" said the Sheriff, "Where hast thou now be?" "I have been in this forest; A fair sight can I see; It was one of the fairest sights That ever yet saw I me! Yonder I see a right fair hart, His colour is of green! Seven score of deer upon a herd, Be with him all bedeen, His tynde are so sharp, Master, Of sixty and well mo, That I durst not shoot for dread, Lest they would me slo!" "I make mine avow to God!" said the Sheriff, "That sight would I fain see!" "Busk you thitherward, my dear Master Anon, and wend with me!" The Sheriff rode, and Little JOHN, Of foot he was full smart; And when they came afore ROBIN, "Lo, here is the master Hart!" Still stood the proud Sheriff: A sorry man was he! "Woe the worth, REYNOLD GREENLEAF, Thou hast betrayed me!" "I make mine avow to God," said Little JOHN, "Master, ye be to blame! I was mis-served of my dinner, When I was with you at home!" Soon he was to supper set, And served with silver white: And when the Sheriff saw his vessel, For sorrow, he might not eat! "Make good cheer," said ROBIN HOOD, "Sheriff! for charity! And for the love of Little JOHN Thy life is granted to thee!" When they had supped well, The day was all agone, ROBIN commanded Little JOHN To draw off his hosen and his shoon, His kirtle and his courtepy, That was furred well fine; And took him a green mantle, To lap his body therein. ROBIN commanded his wight young men, Under the green-wood tree, They shall lay in that same suit, That the Sheriff might them see. All night lay that proud Sheriff, In his breech and in his shirt: No wonder it was in green wood Though his sides do smart. "Make glad cheer," said ROBIN HOOD, "Sheriff, for charity! For this is our order, I-wis, Under the green-wood tree!" "This is harder order," said the Sheriff, "Than any Anchor or Frere! For all the gold in merry England, I would not long dwell here!" "All these twelve months," said ROBIN, "Thou shalt dwell with me! I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff, An outlaw for to be!" "Ere I here another night lie," said the Sheriff, "ROBIN, now I pray thee! Smite off my head, rather to-morn, And I forgive it thee! Let me go then," said the Sheriff, "For saint charity! And I will be thy best friend, That yet had ye!" "Thou shalt swear me an oath!" said ROBIN, "On my bright brand, Thou shalt never await me scathe! By water ne by land! And if thou find any of my men, By night, or by day, Upon thine oath, thou shalt swear To help them that thou may!" Now has the Sheriff ysworn this oath, And home he began to gone; He was as full of green wood, As ever was heap of stone.

+ The fourth fytte.+

The Sheriff dwelled in Nottingham, He was fain that he was gone, And ROBIN and his merry men Went to wood anon. "Go we to dinner?" said Little JOHN. ROBIN HOOD said, "Nay! For I dread our Lady be wroth with me; For she [has] sent me not my pay!" "Have no doubt, Master!" said Little JOHN. "Yet is not the sun not at rest: For I dare say and safely swear The Knight is true and trust!" "Take thy bow in thy hand!" said ROBIN. "Let MUCH wend with thee! And so shall WILLIAM SCATHELOCK; And no man abide with me! And walk up under the Sayles, And to Watling Street; And wait after such unketh guest, Upchance ye may them meet. Whether he be messenger, Or a man that mirths can; Of my good, he shall have some If he be a poor man!" Forth then started Little JOHN, Half in tray or teen, And girded him with a full good sword Under a mantle of green. They went up to the Sayles, These yeomen all three, They looked East, they looked West, They might no man see. But as they looked in Bernysdale, By the highway Then were they 'ware of two black monks, Each on a good palfrey. Then bespake Little JOHN, To MUCH he 'gan say: "I dare lay my life to wed These monks have brought our pay!" "Make glad cheer," said Little JOHN, "And frese our bows of yew! And look your hearts be sicker and sad, Your strings trusty and true!" The monk had fifty and two [men] And seven somers full strong, There rideth no Bishop in this land So royally I understand. "Brethren," said Little JOHN, "Here are no more but we three; But we bring them to dinner, Our Master, dare we not see!" "Bend your bows!" said Little JOHN, "Make all yon press to stand! The foremost monk, his life and his death, Are closed in my hand. Abide, churl Monk!" said Little JOHN, "No further that thou go, If thou dost, by dear-worthy God! Thy death is in my hand! And evil thrift on thy head!" said Little JOHN, "Right under thy hat's band: For thou hast made our Master wroth, He is fasting so long!" "Who is your Master?" said the Monk. Little JOHN said, "ROBIN HOOD!" "He is a strong thief!" said the Monk; "Of him heard I never good!" "Thou liest then!" said Little JOHN, "And that shall rue thee! He is a yeoman of the forest; To dine, he hath bidden thee!" MUCH was ready with a bolt, Readily and anon, He set the Monk tofore the breast To the ground that he can gone. Of fifty-two wight young yeomen There abode not one; Save a little page and a groom To lead the somers with Little JOHN. They brought the Monk to the lodge door, Whether he were loth or lief, For to speak with ROBIN HOOD, Maugre in their teeth. ROBIN did adown his hood, The Monk when that he see, The Monk who was not so courteous His hood then let he be. "He is a churl, Master! by dear-worthy God!" Then said Little JOHN. "Thereof no force!" said ROBIN, "For courtesy can he none! How many men," said ROBIN, "Had this Monk, JOHN?" "Fifty and two when that we met; But many of them be gone." "Let blow a horn!" said ROBIN, "That fellowship may us know!" Seven score of wight yeomen Came pricking on a row, And everych of them a good mantle Of scarlet and of ray, All they came to good ROBIN To wit what he would say. They made the Monk to wash and wipe, And sit at his dinner, ROBIN HOOD and Little JOHN They served him both in-fere. "Do gladly, Monk!" said ROBIN. "Grammercy, Sir!" said he. "Where is your Abbey, when ye are at home; And who is your avow?" "St. Mary's Abbey," said the Monk, "Though I be simple here." "In what office?" said ROBIN. "Sir! the High Cellarer." "Ye be the more welcome," said ROBIN. "So ever might I thee." "Fill of the best wine!" said ROBIN, "This Monk shall drink to me! But I have great marvel," said ROBIN, "Of all this long day, I dread our Lady be wroth with me, She sent me not my pay!" "Have no doubt, Master!" said Little JOHN, "Ye have no need, I say: This Monk, it hath brought, I dare well swear! For he is of her Abbey." "And She was a borrow," said ROBIN, "Between a Knight and me, Of a little money that I him lent Under the green-wood tree; And if thou hast that silver ybrought, I pray thee let me see, And I shall help thee eftsoons If thou have need to me!" The Monk swore a full great oath, With a sorry cheer, "Of the borrowhood thou speakest to me Heard I never ere!" "I make mine avow to God!" said ROBIN, "Monk, thou art to blame! For God is held a righteous man, And so is his dame. Thou toldest with thine own tongue Thou mayst not say 'Nay!' How thou art her servant, And servest her every day: And thou art made her messenger, My money for to pay. Therefore I can the more thanks, Thou art come to thy day! What is in your coffers?" said ROBIN; "True, then, tell thou me?" "Sir!" he said, "twenty marks! Also might I thee!" "If there be no more," said ROBIN, "I will not one penny. If thou hast myster of any more, Sir, more I shall lend to thee! And if I find more," said ROBIN, "Iwis, thou shalt it forgo; For of thy spending silver, Monk! Thereof will I right none." "Go now forth, Little JOHN, And the truth, tell thou me! If there be no more but twenty marks No penny [of] that I see!" Little JOHN spread his mantle down, As he had done before, And he told out of the Monk's mail Eight hundred pound and more. Little JOHN let it lie full still, And went to his Master in haste; "Sir!" he said, "the Monk is true enough; Our Lady hath doubled your cast!" "I make mine avow to God!" said ROBIN, "Monk, what told I thee! Our Lady is the truest woman That ever yet found I me! By dear worthy God!" said ROBIN, "To seek all England through; Yet found I never to my pay, A much better borrow. Fill of the best wine, and do him drink!" said ROBIN; "And greet well thy Lady hend; And if she have need to ROBIN HOOD, A friend she shall him find: And if she needeth any more silver, Come thou again to me! And, by this token she hath me sent, She shall have such three!" The Monk was going to London ward, There to hold great Mote, The Knight that rode so high on horse To bring him under foot. "Whither be ye away?" said ROBIN. "Sir, to manors in this land, To reckon with our Reeves That have done much wrong." "Come now forth, Little JOHN! And hearken to my tale! A better yeoman, I know none To seek a Monk's mail. How much is in yonder other corser?" said ROBIN, "The sooth must we see!" "By our Lady!" then said the Monk, "That were no courtesy; To bid a man to dinner, And sith him beat and bind!" "It is our old manner!" said ROBIN, "To leave but little behind." The Monk took the horse with spur, No longer would he abide! "Ask to drink!" then said ROBIN, "Or that ye further ride?" "Nay, for God!" said the Monk, "Me rueth I came so near! For better cheap, I might have dined In Blyth or in Doncaster!" "Greet well, your Abbot!" said ROBIN, "And your Prior, I you pray! And bid him send me such a Monk To dinner every day!"

Now let we that Monk be still; And speak we of the Knight! Yet he came to hold his day While that it was light. He did him strait to Bernysdale, Under the green-wood tree. And he found there ROBIN HOOD And all his merry meiny. The Knight light down off his good palfrey. ROBIN when he 'gan see; So courteously he did adown his hood And set him on his knee. "God thee save, ROBIN HOOD, And all this company!" "Welcome, be thou, gentle Knight! And right welcome to me!" Then bespake him ROBIN HOOD, To that Knight so free, "What need driveth thee to green wood? I pray thee, Sir Knight, tell me! And welcome be, thou gentle Knight! Why hast thou been so long?" "For the Abbot and high Justice Would have had my land?" "Hast thou thy land again?" said ROBIN, "Truth then tell thou me!" "Yea, for God!" said the Knight, "And that I thank God and thee! But take not a grief," said the Knight, "That I have been so long, I came by a wrestling, And there I helped a poor yeoman, Who with wrong was put behind." "Nay, for God!" said ROBIN, "Sir Knight, that thank I thee! What man that helpeth a good yeoman, His friend then will I be." "Have here four hundred pounds!" then said the Knight "The which ye lent me, And here is also twenty marks for your courtesy!" "Nay, for God!" then said ROBIN, "Thou brook it well for aye; For our Lady, by her Cellarer, Hath sent to me my pay! And if I took it twice, A shame it were to me! But truly, gentle Knight, Welcome art thou to me!" When ROBIN had told his tale, He laughed and had good cheer, "By my troth!" then said the Knight, "Your money is ready here!" "Brook it well!" said ROBIN, "Thou gentle Knight so free! And welcome be thou, gentle Knight, Under my trystel tree! But what shall these bows do?" said ROBIN, "And these arrows yfeathered free?" "By God!" then said the Knight, "A poor present to thee!" "Come now forth, Little JOHN, And go to my treasure, And bring me there four hundred pounds The Monk overtold it me. Have here four hundred pounds, Thou gentle Knight and true! And buy horse and harness good, And gilt thy spurs all new! And if thou fail any spending, Come to ROBIN HOOD! And, by my troth, thou shalt none fail The whiles I have any good; And brook well thy four hundred pounds Which I lent to thee! And make thyself no more so bare; By the counsel of me."

Thus then helped him, good ROBIN, The Knight all of his care: God that sits in heaven high Grant us well to fare!

The fifth fytte.

Now hath the Knight his leave ytake, And went him on his way. ROBIN HOOD and his merry men Dwelled still full many a day. Lithe and listen, Gentlemen! And hearken what I shall say, How the proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM Did cry a full fair Play, That all the best archers of the North Should come upon a day; And he that shooteth alder best, The game shall bear away! He that shooteth alder best Furthest, fair, and low, At a pair of finely butts, Under the green-wood shaw, A right good arrow he shall have, The shaft of silver white, The head and feathers of rich red gold, In England is none like. This then heard good ROBIN, Under his trystel tree. "Make you ready, ye wight young men, That shooting will I see! Busk you, my merry young men, Ye shall go with me! And I will wit the Sheriff's faith; True and if be he!" When they had their bows ybent, Their tackles feathered free, Seven score of wight young men Stood by ROBIN's knee. When they came to Nottingham, The butts were fair and long, Many were the bold archers That shooted with bowes strong. "There shall but six shoot with me, The others shall keep my head, And stand with good bows bent That I be not deceived." The fourth outlaw, his bow 'gan bend, And that was ROBIN HOOD: And that beheld the proud Sheriff, All by the butt he stood. Thrice ROBIN shot about, And always sliced the wand; And so did good "GILBERT With the white hand." Little JOHN and good SCATHELOCK Were archers good and free: Little MUCH and good REYNOLD The worst would they not be! When they had shot about, These archers fair and good: Ever more was the best, Forsooth, ROBIN HOOD. Him was delivered the good arrow, For best worthy was he: He took the gift so courteously; To green wood would he! They cried out on ROBIN HOOD, And great horns 'gan they blow! "Woe worth the treason!" said ROBIN; "Full evil thou art to know! And woe be thou, thou proud Sheriff! Thus gladding thy guest, Otherwise thou behote me In yonder wild forest, But had I thee in green wood, Under my trystel tree, Thou shouldst leave me a better wed, Than thy true lewte." Full many a bow there was bent, And arrows let they glide! Many a kirtle there was rent, And hurt many a side! The outlaws' shot was so strong That no man might them drive, And the proud Sheriff's men They fled away full blyve. ROBIN saw the [am]bushment to broke, In green wood he would have been; Many an arrow there was shot Among that company. Little JOHN was hurt full sore, With an arrow in his knee, That he might neither go nor ride: It was full great pity! "Master!" then said Little JOHN, "If ever thou lovest me; And for that ilk Lord's love That died upon a tree! And for the meeds of my service, That I have served thee: Let never the proud Sheriff Alive now find me! But take out thy brown sword And smite all off my head! And give me wounds dead and wide, No life on me be left!" "I would not that," said ROBIN, "JOHN! that thou be slo, For all the gold in merry England, Though it lay now on a row!" "God forbid!" said Little MUCH, "That died on a tree! That thou shouldst, Little JOHN! 'Part our company!" Up he took him on his back, And bare him well nigh a mile: Many a time, he laid him down, And shot another while. Then was there a fair Castle A little within the wood; Double ditched it was about, And walled, by the rood: And there dwelt that gentle Knight, Sir RICHARD AT THE LEE, That ROBIN had lent his good Under the green-wood tree. In he took good ROBIN And all his company. "Welcome be thou, ROBIN HOOD! Welcome art thou, to me! And much thank thee of thy comfort And of thy courtesy, And of thy great kindness Under the green-wood tree! I love no man, in all this world So much as I do thee! For all the proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM; Right here shalt thou be! Shut the gates, and draw the bridge; And let no man come in! And arm you well, and make you ready! And to the wall ye win! For one thing, ROBIN! I thee behote I swear by St. Quintin! These twelve days thou wonest with me, To sup, eat, and dine!" Boards were laid and cloths spread Readily and anon: ROBIN HOOD and his merry men To meat 'gan they gone.

+ The sixth fytte.+

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen! And hearken unto your song! How the proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM And men of armes strong Full fast came to the High Sheriff The country up to rout, And they beset the Knight's Castle, The walls all about. The proud Sheriff loud 'gan cry And said, "Thou traitor Knight! Thou keepest here the King's enemy! Against the laws and right!" "Sir, I will avow that I have done The deeds that here be dight, Upon all the lands that I have, As I am a true Knight, Wend forth, Sirs, on your way; And do no more to me, Till ye wit our King's will What he will say to thee!" The Sheriff thus, had his answer Without any leasing. Forth he yode to London town, All for to tell the King. There he told them of that Knight, And eke of ROBIN HOOD; And also of the bold archers, That noble were and good. He would avow that he had done To maintain the outlaws strong; He would be Lord, and set you at nought In all the North land. "I will be at Nottingham," said the King, "Within this fortnight! And take I will, ROBIN HOOD; And so I will that Knight! Go now home, Sheriff," said the King, "And do as I thee bid. And ordain good archers ynow Of all the wide country!" The Sheriff had his leave ytake; And went him on his way. And ROBIN HOOD to green wood, Upon a certain day, And Little JOHN was whole of the arrow That shot was in his knee; And did him straight to ROBIN HOOD Under the green-wood tree. ROBIN HOOD walked in the forest Under the leaves green, The proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM, Thereof he had great teen. The Sheriff there failed of ROBIN HOOD He might not have his prey. Then he awaited this gentle Knight, Both by night and by day. Ever he awaited that gentle Knight, Sir RICHARD AT THE LEE, As he went on hawking by the river side And let his hawks flee; Took he there, this gentle Knight, With men of armes strong, And led him home to Nottingham ward Ybound both foot and hand. The Sheriff swore a full great oath, By Him that died on rood, He had lever than a hundred pound That he had ROBIN HOOD. This heard the Knight's wife A fair Lady and free, She set her on a good palfrey; To green wood anon rode she. When she came to the forest, Under the green-wood tree, Found she there ROBIN HOOD And all his fair meiny. "God [save] thee, good ROBIN! And all thy company, For our dear Lady's love A boon, grant thou me! Let thou never my wedded Lord Shamely yslain be! He is fast ybound to Nottingham ward. For the love of thee!" Anon then said good ROBIN, To that Lady free: "What man hath your Lord ytake?" "For sooth, as I thee say, He is not yet three miles Passed on your way." Up then started good ROBIN, As a man that had been wood; "Busk you, my merry young men, For Him that died on a rood! And he that this sorrow forsaketh, By Him that died on a tree! Shall he never in green wood be, Nor longer dwell with me!" Soon there were good bows ybent, Mo than seven score; Hedge ne ditch spare they none That were them before. "I make mine avow to God," said ROBIN, "The Knight would I fain see; And if I may him take, Yquit then shall it be!" And when they came to Nottingham They walked in the street, And with the proud Sheriff ywis Soon gan they meet. "Abide, thou proud Sheriff!" he said, "Abide, and speak with me! Of some tidings of our King I would fain hear of thee! This seven year, by dear-worthy God! Ne yede I so fast on foot; I make mine avow to God, thou proud Sheriff! That it is not for thy good." ROBIN bent a good bow, An arrow he drew at his will; He hit so the proud Sheriff, Upon the ground he lay full still: And or he might up arise, On his feet to stand; He smote off the Sheriff's head, With his bright brand. "Lie thou there, thou proud Sheriff! Evil might thou thrive! There might no man to thee trust, The whiles thou wert alive!" His men drew out their bright swords, That were so sharp and keen, And laid on the Sheriff's men And drived them down bydene. ROBIN started to that Knight, And cut a two his bond; And took him in his hand a bow, And bade him by him stand. "Leave thy horse thee behind, And learn for to run! Thou shalt with me to green wood Through mire, moss, and fen! Thou shalt with me to green wood Without any leasing, Till that I have got us grace Of EDWARD, our comely King."

The seventh fytte.

The King came to Nottingham With Knights in great array For to take that gentle Knight And ROBIN HOOD, if he may. He asked men of that country After ROBIN HOOD, And after that gentle Knight That was so bold and stout. When they had told him the case, Our King understood their tale And seized in his hand The Knight's land all. All the pass of Lancashire He went both far and near; Till he came to Plom[p]ton Park He failed many of his deer. There our King was wont to see Herdes many a one, He could unneath find one deer That bare any good horn. The King was wondrous wroth withal, And swore, "By the Trinity! I would I had ROBIN HOOD! With eyen I might him see! And he that would smite off the Knight's head, And bring it to me; He shall have the Knight's lands Sir RICHARD AT THE LEE. I give it him with my charter, And seal it [with] my hand, To have and hold for evermore In all merry England." Then bespake a fair old Knight, That was true in his fay, "O my liege Lord the King, One word I shall you say! There is no man in this country May have the Knight's lands While ROBIN HOOD may ride or gone And bear a bow in his hands, That he ne shall lose his head, That is the best ball in his hood: Give it to no man, my Lord the King! That ye will any good!" Half a year dwelled our comely King In Nottingham, and well more, Could he not hear of ROBIN HOOD, In what country that he were: But always went good ROBIN By halke and eke by hill, And always slew the King's deer And welt them at his will. Then bespake a proud for'ster That stood by our King's knee, "If ye will see good ROBIN Ye must do after me! Take five of the best Knights That be in your lead, And walk down by yon Abbey And get you monks' weed! And I will be your leadsman And lead you the way! And or ye come to Nottingham, Mine head then dare I lay! That ye shall meet with good ROBIN, In life if that he be: Or ye come to Nottingham With eyen ye shall him see!" Full hastily our King was dight, So were his Knightes five, Everych of them in monks' weed, And hasted them thither blithe. Our King was great above his cowl, A broad hat on his crown. Right as he were Abbot like, They rode up into the town. Stiff boots our King had on, For sooth as I you say, He rode singing to green wood, The convent was clothed in grey. His mail horse and his great somers Followed our King behind, Till they came to green wood A mile under the lynde. There they met with good ROBIN Standing on the way, And so did many a bold archer, For sooth as I you say. ROBIN took the King's horse, Hastily in that stead: And said, "Sir Abbot! by your leave; A while ye must abide! We be yeoman of this forest, Under the green-wood tree, We live by our King's deer, Under the green-wood tree; And ye have churches and rents both, And gold full great plenty: Give us some of your spending, For saint charity!" Then bespake our comely King, Anon then said he, "I brought no more to green wood. But forty pounds with me. I have lain at Nottingham, This fortnight with our King; And spent I have full much good On many a great Lording: And I have but forty pounds, No more than have I me. But if I had a hundred pounds, I would give it to thee!" ROBIN took the forty pounds, And departed it in two parts: Halfendell he gave his merry men, And bade them merry to be. Full courteously ROBIN 'gan say, "Sir, have this for your spending! We shall meet another day." "Grammercy!" then said our King. "But well thee greeteth EDWARD our King, And sent to thee his seal; And biddeth thee come to Nottingham, Both to meat and meal!" He took out the broad targe And soon he let him see. ROBIN could his courtesy, And set him on his knee. "I love no man in all the world So well as I do my King! Welcome is my Lord's seal! And monk for thy tiding, Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, To-day, thou shalt dine with me! For the love of my King, Under my trystel tree." Forth he led our comely King Full fair by the hand; Many a deer there was slain, And full fast dightand. ROBIN took a full great horn, And loud he 'gan blow, Seven score of wight young men Came ready on a row. All they kneeled on their knee Full fair before ROBIN. The King said, himself until, And swore, "By Saint AUSTIN! Here is a wondrous seemly sight! Methinketh, by God's pine! His men are more at his bidding Than my men be at mine." Full hastily was their dinner ydight, And thereto 'gan they gone; They served our King with all their might, Both ROBIN and Little JOHN. Anon before our King was set The fat venison, The good white bread, the good red wine, And thereto the fine ale brown. "Make good cheer!" said ROBIN, "Abbot, for charity! And for this ilk tiding Blessed might thou be! Now shalt thou see what life we lead, Or thou hence wend, That thou may inform our King When ye together lend." Up they start all in haste, Their bows were smartly bent: Our King was never so sore aghast; He wended to have been shent! Two yards there were up set Thereto 'gan they gang. "By fifty paces," our King said, "The marks were too long!" On every side a rose garland, They shot under the line. "Whoso faileth of the rose garland," saith ROBIN, "His tackle he shall tine, And yield it to his Master, Be it never so fine! (For no man will I spare, So drink I ale or wine!) And bear a buffet on his head Iwis right all bare." And all that fell in ROBIN's lot, He smote them wondrous sore. Twice ROBIN shot about, And ever he cleaved the wand; And so did good "GILBERT, With the good white hand." Little JOHN and good SCATHELOCK, For nothing would they spare. When they failed of the garland ROBIN smote them full sore. At the last shot, that ROBIN shot For all his friends' fare; Yet he failed of the garland Three fingers and more. Then bespake good GILBERT, And thus he 'gan say, "Master," he said, "your tackle is lost, Stand forth and take your pay!" "If it be so," said ROBIN, "That may no better be; Sir Abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow! I pray thee, Sir, serve thou me!" "It falleth not for mine order," said our King, "ROBIN, by thy leave, For to smite no good yeoman, For doubt I should him grieve." "Smite on boldly," said ROBIN, "I give thee large leave!" Anon our King, with that word, He folded up his sleeve, And such a buffet he gave ROBIN, To ground he yede full near. "I make mine avow to God," said ROBIN, "Thou art a stalwart frere! There is pith in thine arm," said ROBIN, "I trow thou canst well shoot."

Thus our King and ROBIN HOOD, Together then they met. ROBIN beheld our comely King, Wistly in the face: So did Sir RICHARD AT THE LEE, And kneeled down in that place. And so did all the wild outlaws, When they see them kneel. "My Lord, the King of England, Now I know you well." "Mercy, then, ROBIN," said our King, "Under your trystel tree, Of thy goodness and thy grace, For my men and me!" "Yes, for God!" said ROBIN, "and also God me save! I ask mercy, my Lord the King, And for my men I crave!" "Yes, for God!" then said our King, "And thereto 'sent I me; With that thou leave the green wood, And all thy company; And come home, Sir, to my Court, And there dwell with me." "I make mine avow to God!" said ROBIN, "And right so shall it be, I will come to your Court, Your service for to see! And bring with me, of my men, Seven score and three. But me like well your service, I come again full soon; And shoot at the dun deer As I wont to done."

The eighth fytte.

"Hast thou any green cloth," said our King, "That thou wilt sell now to me?" "Yea, for God!" said ROBIN, "Thirty yards and three." "ROBIN," said our King, "Now pray I thee! Sell me some of that cloth To me and my meiny." "Yes, for God!" then said ROBIN, "Or else I were a fool! Another day ye will me clothe, I trow against the yule." The King cast off his cowl then, A green garment he did on, And every knight also, i-wis, Another had full soon. When they were clothed in Lincoln green, They cast away their gray. "Now we shall to Nottingham! All thus," our King 'gan say. Their bows bent, and forth they went, Shooting all in-fere Toward the town of Nottingham, Outlaws as they were. Our King and ROBIN rode together, For sooth as I you say, And they shot Pluck-buffet, As they went by the way. And many a buffet our King won Of ROBIN HOOD that day; And nothing spared good ROBIN Our King in his pay. "So God me help!" said our King, "Thy game is nought to lere; I should not get a shot of thee, Though I shoot all this year!"

All the people of Nottingham, They stood and beheld, They saw nothing but mantles of green That covered all the field: Then every man to other 'gan say, "I dread our King be slone; Come ROBIN HOOD to the town, ywis In life he left never one!" Full hastily they began to flee, Both yeomen and knaves, And old wives that might evil go They hipped on their staves. The King laughed full fast, And commanded them again: When they see our comely King I-wis they were full fain. They eat and drank and made them glad, And sang with notes high. Then bespake our comely King To Sir RICHARD AT THE LEE: He gave him there his land again; A good man he bade him be. ROBIN thanked our comely King And set him on his knee.

Had ROBIN dwelled in the King's Court But twelve months and three; That he had spent an hundred pound, And all his men's fee. In every place where ROBIN came, Evermore he laid down, Both for Knights and for Squires To get him great renown. By then the year was all agone He had no man but twain, Little JOHN and good SCATHELOCK With him all for to gone. ROBIN saw young men shoot Full far upon a day. "Alas," then said good ROBIN, "My wealth is went away! Sometime I was an archer good, A stiff, and eke a strong, I was counted the best archer That was in merry England. Alas," then said good ROBIN, "Alas, and well a wo! If I dwell longer with the King, Sorrow will me slo!" Forth then went ROBIN HOOD, Till he came to our King: "My Lord the King of England, Grant me mine asking! I made a chapel in Bernysdale, That seemly is to see: It is of MARY MAGDALENE; And thereto would I be! I might never in this seven night No time to sleep ne wink; Neither all these seven days Neither eat ne drink: Me longeth sore to Bernysdale. I may not be therefro, Barefoot and woolward I have hight Thither for to go." "If it be so," then said our King, "It may no better be! Seven nights I give thee leave, No longer, to dwell from me." "Grammercy, Lord!" then said ROBIN, And set him on his knee. He took his leave full courteously To green wood then went he.

When he came to green wood In a merry morning, There he heard the notes small Of birds, merry singing. "It is far gone," said ROBIN, "That I was last here. Me list a little for to shoot At the dun deer." ROBIN slew a full great hart, His horn then 'gan he blow, That all the outlaws of that forest, That horn could they know. And gathered them together In a little throw, Seven score of wight young men Came ready on a row, And fair did off their hoods And set them on their knee. "Welcome!" they said, "our Master! Under this green-wood tree!" ROBIN dwelled in green wood Twenty years and two; For all dread of EDWARD our King Again would he not go. Yet was he beguiled i-wis Through a wicked woman, The Prioress of Kirkesley. That nigh was of his kin, For the love of a Knight, Sir ROGER of Donkesley. That was her own special (Full evil might they thee!) They took together their counsel ROBIN HOOD for to slee, And how they might best do that deed His banes for to be.

Then bespake good ROBIN, In place where as he stood, "To-morrow, I must to Kirkesley Craftily to be let blood!" Sir ROGER of Doncaster, By the Prioress he lay: And there they betrayed good ROBIN HOOD Through their false play.

CHRIST have mercy on his soul! (That died on the rood) For he was a good outlaw, And did poor men much good.

Explicit. King Edward and Robin Hood and Little John. Imprinted at London in Fleet street at the sign of the Sun. By Wynken de Worde.



English Carols. [From a Manuscript at Balliol College, Oxford.]

Written before 1500.

From a Balliol MS. of c. 1540

English Carols. From a Manuscript at Balliol College, Oxford.



Mater, ora filium, ut post hoc exilium nobis donet gaudium beatorum omnium!

Fair maiden, who is this bairn That thou bearest in thine arm? Sir it is a Kinges Son, That in Heaven above doth wone. Mater, ora, etc.

Man to father he hath none, But Himself God alone! Of a maiden He would be born, To save mankind that was forlorn! Mater, ora, etc.

The Kings brought him presents, Gold, myrrh, and frankincense To my Son full of might, King of Kings and Lord of right! Mater, ora, etc.

Fair maiden pray for us Unto thy Son, sweet Jesus, That He will send us of His grace In heaven on high to have a place! Mater, ora, etc.



Ave Maria, now say we so, Maid and mother were never no mo!

Gaude Maria! Christes mother, Mary mild of thee I mean; Thou bare my Lord, thou bare my brother, Thou bare a lovely child and clean! Thou stoodest full still without blin When in thy ear that errand was done so, Tho gracious God thee light within. Gabrielis nuncio!

Gaude Maria! [preva]lent with grace When Jesus thy Son on thee was bore, Full nigh thy breast thou gan Him brace, He sucked, He sighed, He wept full sore. Thou fed'st the flower that never shall fade With maiden's milk, and sung thereto Lullay, my sweet! I bare thee, babe! Cum pudoris lilio.

Gaude Maria! thy mirth was away, When Christ on cross, thy Son, gan die, Full dolefully on Good Friday, That many a mother's son it sy. His blood us brought from care and strife His watery wound us washed from woe, The third day from death to life Fulget resurrectio.

Gaude Maria! thou bird so bright, Brighter than blossom that bloweth on hill! Joyfull thou were to see that sight, When the Apostles, so sweet of will, All and some did shriek full shrill When the fairest of shape went you fro, From earth to heaven he styed full still, Motu quod fertur proprio.

Gaude Maria! thou rose of Ryse! Maiden and mother both gentle and free, Precious princess, peerless of price, Thy bower is next the Trinity! Thy Son as law asketh a right, In body and soul thee took Him to, Thou reignes with Him right as we find. In coeli palatio.

Now, blessed bird, we pray thee a boon, Before thy Son for us thou fall, And pray Him, as He was on the rood done And for us drank eisell and gall, That we may wone within that wall Wherever is well without woe, And grant that grace unto us all. In perenni gaudio.



Of a rose, a lovely rose And of a rose I sing a song!

Hearken to me both old and young, How a rose began to spring, A fairer rose to my liking Sprung there never in Kinges land.

Six branches are on that rose beme, They be both bright and sheen. The rose is called Mary, heaven queen, Of her bosom a blossom sprung.

The first branch was of great might, That sprung on Christmas night! The star shone over Bethlehem bright, That men might see both broad and long.

The second branch was of great honour, It was sent from heaven tower! Blessed be that fair flower, Break it shall the fiendes bonds!

The third branch wide spread, There Mary lay in her bed, The bright stream three Kings led To Bethlem there that branch they found.

The fourth branch sprung into hell, The fiendes boast for to fell, There might no soul therein dwell, Blessed be that time that branch gan spring!

The fifth branch was fair in foot, That sprung to heaven, top and root, There to dwell and be our bote, And yet is seen in priestes hands.

The sixth branch by and by, It is the five joys of mild Mary! Now Christ save all this company, And send us good life and long!



Make me merry both more and less, For now is the time of Christymas!

Let no man come into this hall, Groom, page, nor yet marshall, But that some sport he bring withal! For now is the time of Christmas!

If that he say, he can not sing, Some other sport then let him bring! That it may please at this feasting! For now is the time of Christmas!

If he say he can naught do, Then for my love ask him no mo! But to the stocks then let him go! For now is the time of Christmas!



Can I not sing but Hoy! The jolly shepherd made so much joy!

The shepherd upon a hill he sat, He had on him his tabard and his hat, His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat, His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat! For he was a good herds-boy, Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. Can I not sing but hoy.

The shepherd upon a hill was laid, His dog to his girdle was tayd, He had not slept but a little braid But "gloria in excelsis" was to him said Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

The shepherd on a hill he stood, Round about him his sheep they yode, He put his hand under his hood, He saw a star as red as blood. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. Can I not sing, etc.

Now farewell Mall, and also Will, For my love go ye all still, Unto I come again you till, And ever more will ring well thy bell. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

Now must I go there Christ was born, Farewell! I come again to-morn, Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn! And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

When Wat to Bethlehem come was, He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace, He found Jesus in a simple place, Between an ox and an ass. Ut hoy! For in [his] pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

The shepherd said anon right: I will go see yon farly sight, Where as the angel singeth on height, And the star that shineth so bright! Ut hoy! For in [his] pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe, My skirt, my tarbox and my scrip, Home to my fellows now will I skip, And also look unto my sheep! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat! Yea, fore God, Lady, even so I hat! Lull well Jesus in thy lap, And farewell Joseph, with thy round cap! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.

Now may I well both hope and sing, For I have been at Christ's bearing, Home to my fellows now will I fling, Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! Can I not sing, etc.



Now have good day, now have good day! I am Christmas, and now I go my way!

Here have I dwelt with more and less, From Hallow-tide till Candlemas! And now must I from you hence pass, Now have good day!

I take my leave of King and Knight, And Earl, Baron, and lady bright! To wilderness I must me dight! Now have good day!

And at the good lord of this hall, I take my leave, and of guestes all! Methinks I hear Lent doth call, Now have good day!

And at every worthy officer, Marshall, panter, and butler, I take my leave as for this year, Now have good day!

Another year I trust I shall Make merry in this hall! If rest and peace in England may fall! Now have good day!

But often times I have heard say, That he is loth to part away, That often biddeth "have good day!" Now have good day!

Now fare ye well all in-fere! Now fare ye well for all this year, Yet for my sake make ye good cheer! Now have good day!



Now sing we with angels Gloria in excelsis!

A babe is born to bliss us bring; I heard a maid lullay and sing; She said "dear Son, leave thy weeping, Thy Father is the King of bliss." Now sing we, etc.

"Lullay," she said and sang also, "Mine own dear Son, why art thou woe? Have I not done as I should do? Thy grievance tell me what it is." Now sing we, etc.

"Nay, dear mother, for thee weep I nought, But for the woe that shall be wrought To me, or I mankind have bought, Was never sorrow like it, i-wis." Now sing we, etc.

"Peace, dear Son, tell me not so! Thou art my child, I have no mo! Should I see men mine own Son slo? Alas, my dear Son, what means this?" Now sing we, etc.

"My hands, mother, that ye may see, Shall be nailed unto a tree! My feet also fast shall be; Men shall weep that shall see this!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah, dear Son, hard is my hap! See my child that sucked my pap, His hands, his feet that I did wrap Be so nailed, that never did amiss!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah, dear mother, yet shall a spear My heart in sunder all to-tear; No wonder if I carefull were, And weep full sore to think on this!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah, dear Son, shall I see this? Thou art my child and I thy mother, i-wis! When Gabriel called me, full of grace, He told me nothing of this!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah, dear mother, through my hair To thrust in thorns they will not spare! Alas, mother, I am full of care That ye shall see this heaviness!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah dear Son, leave thy weeping! Thou bringst my heart in great mourning; A careful song now may I sing, This tidings hard to me it is!" Now sing we, etc.

"Ah, peace, dear mother, I thee pray! And comfort me all that ye may, And sing 'by by, lullay lullay,' To put away all heaviness." Now sing we, etc.



Caput apri refero Resonens laudes domino.

The boar's head in hands I bring, With garlands gay and birds singing! I pray you all help me to sing, Qui estis in convivio!

The boar's head I understand, Is chief service in all this land, Wheresoever it may be found, Servitur cum sinapio!

The boar's head I dare well say, Anon after the twelfth day, He taketh his leave and goeth away! Exivit tunc de patria!



I pray you be merry and sing with me, In worship of Christ's Nativity!

Into this world this day did come Jesus Christ, both God and man, Lord and servant in one person, Born of the blessed Virgin Mary! I pray, etc.

He that was rich without any need Appeared in this world in right poor weed, To make us, that were poor indeed, Rich without any need truly! I pray, etc.

A stable was his chamber, a crach was his bed, He had not a pillow to lay under His head, With maiden's milk that babe was fed, In poor clothes was lapped the Lord Almighty! I pray, etc.

A noble lesson here is us taught, To set all worldly riches at nought! But pray we that we may be thither brought Where riches is everlastingly! I pray, etc.

EXPLICIT.



Noel, noel, noel, noel! This is the salutation of Gabriel!

Tidings true There be come new, Sent from the Trinity, By Gabriel from Nazareth A city of Galilee! A clean maiden, A pure virgin, By her humility Hath born the Person Second in divinity! Noel!

When that He presented was Before her fair visage, In most demure and goodly wise He did to her homage! "I am sent, Lady, From heaven so high, That Lord's heritage, For He of thee Now born will be, I am sent on the message!" Noel!

"Hail, Virgin celestial! The meekest that ever was Hail, temple of the Deity Hail, Virgin pure! I thee ensure, Within a little space Thou shalt conceive, And Him receive That shall bring great solace." Noel!

Then bespake the Virgin again, And answered womanly, "Whatsoever my Lord commandeth me I will obey truly! Ecce, sum humillima Ancilla domini, Secundum verbum tuum fiat mihi! Noel!



Man, move thy mind and joy this feast, Veritas de terra orta est!

As I came by the way I saw a sight seemly to see, Three shepherds ranging in a kay, Upon the field keeping their fee. A star, they said, they did espy, Casting the beams out of the east, And angels making melody Veritas de terra orta est!

Upon that sight they were aghast, Saying these words, as I say thee: "To Bethlehem shortly let us haste, And there we shall the truthe see!" The angel said unto them all three, To their comfort or ever be ceased, "Consolamini and merry be, Veritas de terra orta est!"

From heaven, out of the highest see, Righteousness hath taken the way, With mercy meddled plenteously, And so conceived in a may, Miranda res this is in fay! So saith the prophet in his gest; Now is He born, scripture doth say: Veritas de terra orta est!

Then passed the shepherds from that place, And followed by the starres beam, That was so bright afore their face, It brought them straight unto Bethlem. So bright it shone, on all the realm Till they came there they would not rest, To Jewry and Jerusalem! Veritas de terra orta est!



All this time this song is best: Verbum caro factum est!

This night there is a child born That sprang out of Jesse's thorn; We must sing and say thereforn Verbum caro factum est!

Jesus is the child's name, And Mary mild is his dame; All our sorrow shall turn to game, Verbum caro factum est!

It fell upon high midnight, The stars shone both fair and bright, The angels sang with all their might Verbum caro factum est!

Now kneel we down on our knee, And pray we to the Trinity, Our help, our succour for to be! Verbum caro factum est!



Now sing we, sing we, Gloria tibi domine!

Christ keep us all, as he well can, A solis ortus cardine! For He is both God and man, Qui natus est de virgine! Sing we, etc.

As He is Lord both day and night, Venter puellae baiulat, So is Mary mother of might, Secreta quae non noverat. Sing we, etc.

The holy breast of chastity, verbo concepit filium, So brought before the Trinity, Ut castitatis lilium! Sing we, etc.

Between an ox and an ass enixa est puerpera; In poor clothing clothed He was [Qui] regnat super aethera! Sing we, etc.

EXPLICIT.



The Examination of Master William Thorpe, priest, of heresy, before Thomas Arundell, Archbishop of Canterbury, the year of our Lord, M.CCCC. and seven.

+ The Examination of the honourable Knight, Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, burnt by the said Archbishop,[26] in the first year of King Henry the Fifth.+

+ Be no more ashamed to hear it, than ye were and be, to do it.+



Footnotes:

[26] This is incorrect, Archbishop ARUNDELL condemned Sir JOHN OLDCASTLE on September 25th, 1413, who was then sent to the Tower, see pp. 125, 132: from which he escaped; and being recaptured in Wales in 1417, was burnt on the 14th December of that year. But in the meantime, Archbishop ARUNDELL had died on the 14th February, 1414; and HENRY CHICHELEY had become Archbishop.



W. Tindale. 1530.

+ Unto the Christian Reader.+

Grace and peace in our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Read here with judgement, good Reader! the Examination of the blessed Man of GOD, and there thou shalt easily perceive wherefore our Holy Church (as the most unholy sort of all the people will be called) make all their examinations in darkness; all the lay people clean excluded from their counsels.

For if their lies had been openly confuted, and also that the Accused of Heresy might as well have been admitted to reason their Articles with Counsel, whether they were heresy or no[t], as the Accused of Treason against the King is admitted to his Council to confute his cause and Articles, whether they be treason or not, they should never have murdered nor prisoned so many good Christian men as they have done.

For their cloaked lies could never have continued so long in the light, as they have done in corners. They, good men! when they come in the pulpit, and preach against the Truth, cry, "If their learning [i.e., of the Protestants] were good and true, they would never go in corners; but speak it openly!"

Whereunto I answer, that besides that CHRIST and his Apostles were compelled (for because of the furiousness of their fathers, the Bishops and Priests, which only, that time also, would be called Holy Church) oftentimes for to walk secretly, and absent themselves, and give place to their malice. Yet we have daily examples, of more than one or two, that have not spared nor feared for to speak, and also [to] preach openly the Truth; which have been taken of them, prisoned, and brent: besides others that for fear of death, have abjured and carried faggots. Of whose Articles and Examination there is no layman that can shew a word.

DEATHS OF SEVEN AT COVENTRY, &c.

Who can tell wherefore, not many years past, there were Seven burnt in Coventry on one day? Who can tell wherefore that good priest and holy martyr, Sir [the reverend] THOMAS HITTON was brent, now this year, at Maidstone in Kent? I am sure, no man! For this is their cast [contrivance] ever when they have put to death or punished any man: after their secret Examinations, to slander him of such things as he never thought; as they may do well enough, seeing there is no man to contrary them.

Wherefore I exhort thee, good brother! whosoever thou be that readest this treatise, mark it well, and consider it seriously! and there thou shalt find, not only what the Church is, their doctrine of the Sacrament, the Worshipping of Images, Pilgrimage, Confession, Swearing, and Paying of Tithes: but also thou mayest see what strong and substantial arguments of Scripture and Doctors, and what clerkly reasons my Lord the head and Primate of the Holy Church in England (as he will be taken) bringeth against this poor, foolish, simple, and mad losell, knave, and heretic, as he calleth him. And also the very cause wherefore all their Examinations are made in darkness.

And the Lord of all Light shall lighten thee with the candle of His grace, for to see the Truth! Amen.

This I have corrected and put forth in the English that now is used in England, for our Southern men; nothing thereto adding, ne yet therefrom minishing. And I intend hereafter, with the help of GOD to put it forth in his own old English, which shall well serve, I doubt not, both for the Northern men and the faithful brethren of Scot- land.



[William of Thorpe's Preface.]

William of Thorpe. 1407.

The LORD GOD that knoweth all things, wotteth well that I am right sorrowful for to write or make known this Sentence beneath written, where that of mine even Christian, set in high state and dignity, so great blindness and malice may be known; that they, that presume of themselves to destroy vices and to plant in men virtues, neither dread to offend GOD, nor lust [desire] to please Him: as their works shew. For, certes, the bidding of GOD and His Law (which, in the praising of His most Holy Name, He commandeth to be known and kept of all men and women, young and old; after the cunning and power that He hath given to them), the Prelates of this land and their ministers, with the comente [community] of priests chiefly consenting to them, enforce them most busily to withstand and destroy the holy Ordinance of GOD. And therethrough, GOD is greatly wroth and moved to take hard vengeance, not only on them that do the evil, but also on them all that consent to the Antichrist's limbs; which know or might know their malice and their falsehood, and [ad]dress them not to withstand their malice and great pride.

* * * * *

THE FOUR MOTIVES TO THIS NARRATIVE.

Nevertheless, four things moveth me to write this Sentence beneath.

The first thing, that moveth me hereto is this, that whereas it was known to certain friends that I came from the prison of Shrewsbury, and (as it befell in deed), that I should to the prison of Canterbury; then divers friends, in divers places, spake to me full heartfully and full tenderly, and commanded me then, if it so were that I should be examined before the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, that, if I might in any wise, I should write mine Apposing and mine Answering. And I promised to my special friends, that if I might, I would gladly do their biddings, as I might.

The second thing that moveth me to write this Sentence is this. Divers friends which have heard that I have been examined before the Archbishop, have come to me in prison and counselled me busily, and coveted greatly that I should do the same thing. And other brethren have sent to me, and required me, on GOD's behalf! that I should write out and make known both mine Apposing and mine Answering "for the profit that," as they say, "over my [ac]knowledging may come thereof." But this, they bade me, that I should be busy in all my wits to go as near the Sentence and the words as I could; both that were spoken to me, and that I spake: up[on] adventure this Writing came another time, before the Archbishop and his Council. And of this counselling I was right glad! for in my conscience, I was moved to do this thing; and to ask hereto the special help of GOD.

And so then, I considering the great desire of divers friends of sundry places, according all in one; I occupied all my mind and my wits so busily, that through GOD's grace, I perceived by their meaning and their charitable desire some profit might come therethrough.

TRUTH IMPUGNED, HATH A SWEET SMELL.

For Soothfastness and Truth hath these conditions. Wherever it is impugned, it hath a sweet smell, and thereof comes a sweet savour. And the more violent the enemies [ad]dress themselves to oppress and to withstand the Truth, the greater and the sweeter smell cometh thereof. And therefore this heavenly smell of GOD's Word will not, as a smoke, pass away with the wind; but it will descend and rest in some clean soul that thirsteth thereafter.

And thus, some deal, by this Writing, may be perceived, through GOD's grace, how that the enemies of the Truth, standing boldly in their malice, enforce them to withstand the freedom of CHRIST's Gospel; for which freedom, CHRIST became man, and shed his heart's blood. And therefore it is great pity and sorrow that many men and women do their own wayward will; nor busy them not to know nor to do the pleasant will of GOD.

Ye men and women that hear the Truth and Soothfastness, and hear or know of this, perceiving what is now in the Church, ought therethrough to be the more moved in all their wits to able them to grace, and set lesser price by themselves: that they, without tarrying, forsake wilfully [voluntarily] and bodily all the wretchedness of this life; since they know not how soon, nor when, nor where, nor by whom GOD will teach them, and assay their patience. For, no doubt, who that ever will live piteously, that is charitably, in CHRIST JESU shall suffer now, here in this life, persecution in one wise or another, that is, if we shall be saved.

THIS STORY MAY STARTLE SOME CONSCIENCES.

It behoveth us to imagine full busily, the vilite and foulness of sin, and how the LORD GOD is displeased therefore: and of this vilite of hideousness of sin, it behoveth us to busy us in all our wits for to abhor and hold in our mind a great shame of sin, ever! and so then we owe [ought] to sorrow heartily therefore, and ever flying all occasion thereof. And then [it] behoveth us to take upon us sharp penance, continuing therein, for to obtain of the LORD, forgiveness of our foredone sins, and grace to abstain us hereafter from sin! And but if [except] we enforce us to do this wilfully and in convenient time, the LORD (if He will not utterly destroy and cast us away!) will, in divers manners, move tyrants against us, for to constrain us violently for to do penance, which we would not do wilfully. And, trust! that this doing is a special grace of the LORD, and a great token of life and mercy!

And, no doubt, whoever will not apply himself, as is said before, to punish himself wilfully, neither will suffer patiently, meekly, and gladly the rod of the LORD, howsoever that He will punish him: their wayward wills and their impatience are unto them earnest of everlasting damnation.

But because there are but few in number that do able them thus faithfully to grace, for to live here simply and purely, and without gall of malice and of grudging, herefore the lovers of this world hate and pursue them that they know patient, meek, chaste, and wilfully poor, hating and fleeing all worldly vanities and fleshly lusts. For, surely, their virtuous conditions are even contrary to the manners of this world.

The third thing that moveth me to write this Sentence is this. I thought I shall busy me in myself to do faithfully, that all men and women occupying all their business in knowing and in keeping of GOD's commandments, able them so to grace, that they might understand truly the Truth, and have and use virtue and prudence; and so to serve to be lightened from above with heavenly wisdom: so that all their words and their works may be hereby made pleasant sacrifices unto the LORD GOD; and not only for help for their own souls, but also for edification of all Holy Church.

For I doubt not but all they that will apply them to have this foresaid business shall profit full mickle both to friends and to foes. For some enemies of the Truth, through the grace of GOD, shall, through charitable folks, be made astonied in their conscience, and peradventure converted from vices to virtues; and also they that labour to know and to keep faithfully the biddings of GOD, and to suffer patiently all adversities, shall hereby comfort many friends.

And the fourth thing that moveth me to write this Sentence is this. I know my sudden and unwarned Apposing and Answering that all they that will of good heart without feigning able themselves wilfully and gladly, after their cunning and their power, to follow CHRIST patiently, travailing busily, privily and apertly, in work and in word, to withdraw whomsoever that they may from vices, planting in them (if they may) virtues, comforting them and furthering them that standeth in grace; so that therewith they be not borne up into vainglory through presumption of their wisdom, nor enflamed with any worldly prosperity: but ever meek and patient, purposing to abide steadfastly in the Will of GOD, suffering wilfully and gladly, without any grudging whatsoever, the rod the LORD will chastise them with.

INNOCENCE RECEIVES DIVINE HELP.

Then this good LORD will not forget to comfort all such men and women in all their tribulations, and at every point of temptation that any enemy purposeth for to do against them ([to] such faithful lovers specially, and patient followers of CHRIST), the LORD sendeth His wisdom from above to them! which the adversaries of the Truth may not know nor understand; but through their old and new unshamefast sins, those tyrants and enemies of Soothfastness shall be so blinded and obstinate in evil, that they shall ween themselves to do pleasant sacrifices unto the LORD GOD in their malicious and wrongful pursuing and destroying of innocent men's and women's bodies; which men and women for their very virtuous living and for their true knowledging of the Truth and their patient, wilful, and glad suffering of persecution for righteousness, deserve through the grace of GOD to be heirs of the endless bliss of heaven.

And for [on account of] the fervent desire and the great love that those men have, as to stand in Soothfastness and witness of it, though they be, suddenly and unwarned, brought forth to be Apposed of their adversaries: the HOLY GHOST yet, that moveth and ruleth them, through His charity, will, in the hour of their Answering, speak in them, and shew His wisdom, that all their enemies shall not again say [gainsay] and against stand lawfully [by right].

And therefore all they that are stedfast in the faith of GOD, yea, which (through diligent keeping of His commandments, and for their patient suffering of whatsoever adversity that cometh to them) hope surely in His mercy, purposing to stand continually in perfect charity: for those men and women dread not so the adversities of this life, that they will fear (after their cunning and their power) to [ac]knowledge prudently the truth of GOD's Word! when, where, and to whom that they think their [ac]knowledging may profit. Yea, and though therefore, persecution come to them, in one wise or another, certes, they patiently take it! knowing their conversation to be in heaven.

HEAVEN IS THE LORD GOD HIMSELF.

It is a high reward and a special grace of GOD for to have and enjoy as the everlasting inheritance of heaven, for the suffering of one persecution in so short a time as is the term of this life. For, lo, this heavenly heritage and endless reward is the LORD GOD Himself! which is the best thing that may be. This Sentence witnesseth the LORD GOD Himself, whereas He said to ABRAHAM, I am thy mede! And as the LORD said He was, and is the mede of ABRAHAM; so He is of all His other saints.

This most blessed and best mede He grant to us all! for His holy name, that made us of nought, and sent His only most dear worthy Son, our Lord JESU CHRIST, for to redeem us with His most precious heart's blood. Amen.



[The Examination of sir William of Thorpe.]

William. ? 1407.

Known be it to all men that read or hear this Writing beneath, that on the Sunday next [August 7th] after the Feast of St. Peter that we call Lammas [August 1st], in the year of our Lord a thousand four hundred seventh year, I, WILLIAM of Thorpe, being in prison in the castle of Saltwood [near Hythe, in Kent], was brought before THOMAS ARUNDELL, Archbishop of CANTERBURY, and [Lord] Chancellor then of England.

And when that I came to him, he stood in a great chamber, and much people [were] about him; and when that he saw me, he went fast into a closet [private room], bidding all secular men [laymen] that followed him, to go forth from him soon; so that no man was left then in that closet, but the Archbishop himself, a physician that was called MALVEREN [i.e., JOHN MALVERNE, S.T.P.], Parson of St. Dunstan's [Church, in Tower Street] in London, and two other persons unknown to me, which were Ministers of the Law [i.e., the Canon Law: later on, they are called Clerks, i.e., Chaplains].

A PRECISE & AUTHENTIC LOLLARD CREED.

Archbishop. And I standing before them, by and by, the Archbishop said to me, "WILLIAM! I know well, that thou hast, this twenty winter and more [i.e., from before 1387], travelled about busily, in the North country and in other divers countries [counties] of England, sowing about false doctrine: having great business, if thou might, with thine untrue teaching and shrewd will, for to infect and poison all this land. But, through the grace of GOD! thou art now withstanded, and brought into my ward! so that I shall now sequester thee from thine evil purpose, and let [hinder] thee to envenom the sheep of my Province. Nevertheless, St. PAUL saith, If it may be, as far as in us is, we owe [ought] to have peace with all men. Therefore, WILLIAM! if thou wilt now, meekly, and of good heart, without any feigning, kneel down and lay thy hand upon a book, and kiss it; promising faithfully as I shall here charge thee, that 'thou wilt submit thee to my correction and stand to mine ordinance, and fulfil it duly by all thy cunning and power,' thou shalt yet find me gracious unto thee!"

William. Then said I, to the Archbishop, "Sir, since ye deem me an heretic out of belief, will ye give me here audience to tell my Belief."

Archbishop. And he said, "Yea, tell on!"

William. And I said, "I believe that there is not but one GOD Almighty, and in this Godhead and of this Godhead are three Persons; that is the Father, the Son, and the soothfast HOLY GHOST. And I believe that all these three Persons are even in power, in cunning, and in might, full of grace and of all goodness: for whatever that the Father doth or can or will, that thing also the Son doth can and will; and in all their power cunning and will, the HOLY GHOST is equal to the Father and to the Son.

Over this, I believe that, through counsel of this most blessed Trinity (in most convenient time, before ordained), for the salvation of mankind, the second Person of this Trinity was ordained to take the form of Man, that is the Kind of man. And I believe that this second Person, our Lord JESU CHRIST was conceived, through the HOLY GHOST, into the womb of the most blessed Virgin MARY without any man's seed. And I believe that after nine months, CHRIST was born of this most blessed Virgin without any pain or breaking of the closter of her womb, and without filth of her virginity.

And I believe that CHRIST our Saviour was circumcised in the eighth day after his birth, in fulfilment of the Law; and his name was called JESUS, which was called of the angel before he was conceived in the womb of MARY his mother.

And I believe that CHRIST, as he was about thirty years old, was baptized in the flood of Jordan of JOHN [the] Baptist, and in likeness of a dove the HOLY GHOST descended there upon him; and a voice was heard from heaven, saying, Thou art my well beloved Son! In Thee, I am full pleased!

And I believe that CHRIST was moved then by the HOLY GHOST for to go into [the] desert, and there he fasted forty days and forty nights without bodily meat and drink. And I believe that by and by, after his fasting, when the manhood of CHRIST hungered, the Fiend came to him and tempted him in gluttony, in vainglory, and in covetise: but in all those temptations CHRIST concluded [confounded] the Fiend and withstood him.

And then, without tarrying, JESU began to preach, and to say unto the people, Do ye penance! for the Realm of Heaven is now at hand!

And I believe that CHRIST, in all his time here, lived most holily; and taught the Will of his Father most truly: and I believe that he suffered therefore most wrongfully, greatest reproofs and despisings.

And after this, when CHRIST would make an end here, of his temporal life, I believe that, in the day next before that he would suffer passion on the morn, in form of bread and wine, he ordained the Sacrament of his flesh and blood, that is his own precious body, and gave it to his Apostles for to eat, commanding them, and by them all their after-comers, that they should do it, in this form that he shewed to them, use themselves and teach and common forth to other men and women this most worshipful holiest Sacrament; in mindfulness of his holiest Living and of his most true Teaching, and of his wilful and patient Suffering of the most painful Passion.

And I believe that thus, CHRIST our Saviour, after that he had ordained this most worthy Sacrament of his own precious body, he went forth wilfully against his enemies, and he suffered them most patiently to lay their hands most violently upon him, and to bind him, and to lead him forth as a thief, and to scorn and buffet him, and all to blow or [de]file him with their spittings.

Over this, I believe that CHRIST suffered, most meekly and patiently, his enemies for to ding [beat] out with sharp scourges, the blood that was between his skin and his flesh: yea, without grudging, CHRIST suffered wicked Jews to crown him with most sharp thorns, and to strike him with a reed. And, after, CHRIST suffered wicked Jews to draw [lay] him out upon the Cross, and for to nail him there, upon foot and hand; and so, through this pitiful nailing, CHRIST shed out wilfully, for man's life, the blood that was in his veins: and then, CHRIST gave wilfully his spirit into the hands or power of his Father. And so, as he would, and when he would, CHRIST died wilfully, for man's sake, upon the Cross. And notwithstanding that CHRIST was wilfully, painfully, and most shamefully put to death as to the world, there was left blood and water in his heart, as he before ordained that he would shed out this blood and this water for man's salvation. And therefore he suffered the Jews to make a blind [ignorant] Knight to thrust him into the heart with a spear; and this the blood and water that was in his heart, CHRIST would shed out for man's love.

And, after this, I believe that CHRIST was taken down from the Cross, and buried.

And I believe that on the third day, by the power of his godhead, CHRIST rose again from death to life. And forty days thereafter, I believe that CHRIST ascended up into heaven; and that he there sitteth on the right hand of GOD the Father Almighty. And the tenth day after his up going, he sent to his Apostles the HOLY GHOST, that he had promised them before.

And I believe that CHRIST shall come and judge all mankind, some to everlasting peace, and some to everlasting pains.

And as I believe in the Father, and in the Son, that they are one GOD Almighty; so I believe in the HOLY GHOST that is also, with them, the same GOD Almighty.

And I believe [in] an Holy Church, that is, all they that have been, and that now are, and always to the end of the world shall be, a people the which shall endeavour them to know, and keep the commandments of GOD; dreading over all things to offend GOD, and loving and seeking most to please Him. And I believe that all they that have had, and yet have, and all they that yet shall have the foresaid virtues, surely standing in the Belief of GOD, hoping steadfastly in His merciful doings, continuing to their end in perfect charity, wilfully patiently and gladly suffering persecutions by the example of CHRIST chiefly and His Apostles; and these have their names written in the Book of Life. Therefore I believe that the gathering together of this people living now in this life, is the Holy Church of GOD, fighting here on earth against the Fiend, the prosperity of the world, and their fleshly lusts. Wherefore, seeing that all the gathering together of this Church beforesaid, and every part thereof, neither coveteth, nor willeth, nor loveth, nor seeketh anything, but to eschew the offence of GOD, and to do His pleasing will: meekly, gladly, and wilfully, of all mine heart, I submit myself unto this Holy Church of CHRIST; to be ever buxom and obedient to the ordinance of it, and of every member thereof, after my knowledge and power, by the help of GOD.

Therefore I [ac]knowledge now, and evermore shall (if GOD will!) that, of all my heart, and of all my might, I will submit me only to the rule and governance of them whom, after my knowledge, I may perceive, by the having and using of the beforesaid virtues, to be members of the Holy Church.

Wherefore these Articles of Belief and all others, both of the Old Law and of the New, which, after the commandment of GOD, any man ought to believe, I believe verily in my soul, as a sinful deadly wretch of my cunning and power ought to believe; praying the LORD GOD, for His holy name, for to increase my belief, and help my unbelief.

And for because, to the praising of GOD's name, I desire above all things to be a faithful member of Holy Church, I make this Protestation before you all four that are now here present, coveting that all men and women that [are] now absent knew the same; that what thing soever before this time I have said or done, or what thing here I shall do or say at any time hereafter, I believe that all the Old Law and the New Law given and ordained by the counsel of these three Persons in the Trinity, were given and written to [for] the salvation of mankind. And I believe these Laws are sufficient for the man's salvation. And I believe every Article of these Laws to the intent that these Articles were ordained and commanded, of these three Persons of the most blessed Trinity, to be believed. And therefore to the rule and the ordinance of these, GOD's Laws, meekly, gladly, and wilfully, I submit me with all mine heart: that whoever can or will, by authority of GOD's Law, or by open reason, tell me that I have erred, or now err, or any time hereafter shall err in any Article of Belief (from which inconvenience, GOD keep me, for his goodness!) I submit me to be reconciled, and to be buxom and obedient unto these Laws of GOD, and to every Article of them. For by authority specially of these Laws, I will, through the grace of GOD, be unied [united] charitably unto these Laws.

Yea, Sir, and over this, I believe and admit all the Sentences, authorities, and reasons of the Saints and Doctors, according unto Holy Scripture, and declaring it truly. I submit me wilfully and meekly to be ever obedient, after my cunning and power, to all these Saints and Doctors as they are obedient in work and in word to GOD and his Law: and further, not to my knowledge; nor for any earthly power, dignity, or state, through the help of GOD.

ARCHBISHOP'S CONDITIONS TO WILLIAM.

"But, Sir, I pray you tell me, if after your bidding, I shall lay my hand upon the book, to the intent to swear thereby?"

Archbishop. And the Archbishop said unto me, "Yea! wherefore else?"

William. And I said to him, "Sir, a book is nothing else but a thing coupled together of diverse creatures [created things]; and to swear by any creature, both GOD's Law and man's law is against. But, Sir, this thing I say here to you, before these your Clerks, with my foresaid Protestation, that how, where, when, and to whom, men are bounden to swear or to obey, in any wise, after GOD's Laws, and Saints and good Doctors according with GOD's Law; I will, through GOD's grace, be ever ready thereto, with all my cunning and power!

"But I pray you, Sir, for the charity of GOD! that ye will, before that I swear as I have rehearsed to you, tell me how or whereto that I shall submit me; and shew me whereof that ye will correct me, and what is the ordinance that ye will thus oblige me to fulfil?"

Archbishop. And the Archbishop said unto me, "I will, shortly, that now thou swear here to me, that thou shalt forsake all the opinions which the Sect of Lollards hold, and is slandered [charged] with; so that, after this time, neither privily nor apertly, thou hold any opinion which I shall, after that thou hast sworn, rehearse to thee here. Nor thou shalt favour no man nor woman, young nor old, that holdeth any of these foresaid opinions; but, after thy knowledge and power, thou shalt enforce thee to withstand all such distroublers of Holy Church in every diocese that thou comest in; and them that will not leave their false and damnable opinions, thou shalt put them up, publishing them and their names; and make them known to the Bishop of the diocese that they are in, or to the Bishop's Ministers. And, over this, I will that thou preach no more, unto the time that I know, by good witness and true, that thy conversation be such that thy heart and thy mouth accord truly in one contrarying [of] all the lewd learning that thou hast taught herebefore."

And I, hearing these words, thought in my heart that this was an unlawful asking; and I deemed myself cursed of GOD, if I consented hereto: and I thought how SUSANNA said, Anguish is to me on every side!

Archbishop. And in that I stood still, and spake not; the Archbishop said to me, "Answer one wise or another!"

HE IS TO BE THE BISHOPS' SPY.

William. And I said, "Sir, if I consented to you thus, as ye have here rehearsed to me; I should become an Appealer, or every Bishop's Spy! Summoner of all England! For an [if] I should thus put up and publish the names of men and women, I should herein deceive full many persons: yea, Sir, as it is likely, by the doom of my conscience, I should herein be cause of the death, both of men and women; yea, both bodily and ghostly. For many men and women that stand now in the Truth, and are in the way of salvation, if I should for the learning and reading of their Belief publish them or put them therefore up to Bishops or to their unpiteous Ministers, I know some deal by experience, that they should be so distroubled and dis-eased with persecution or otherwise, that many of them, I think, would rather choose to forsake the Way of Truth than to be travailed, scorned, and slandered or punished as Bishops and their Ministers now use [are accustomed] for to constrain men and women to consent to them.

"But I find in no place in Holy Scripture, that this office that ye would now enfeoff me with, accordeth to any priest of CHRIST's sect, nor to any other Christian man. And therefore to do thus, were to me a full noyous bond to be bounden with, and over grievous charge. For I suppose that if I thus did, many men and women in the world, yea, Sir, might justly, unto my confusion say to me that 'I were a traitor to GOD and to them!' since, as I think in mine heart, many men and women trust so mickle in me in this case, that I would not, for the saving of my life, do thus to them. For if I thus should do, full many men and women would, as they might full truly, say that 'I had falsely and cowardly forsaken the Truth, and slandered shamefully the Word of GOD!' For if I consented to you, to do hereafter your will, for bonchief and mischief that may befall to me in this life, I deem in my conscience that I were worthy herefore to be cursed of GOD, as also of all His Saints! From which inconvenience keep me and all Christian people, Almighty GOD! now and ever, for His holy name!"

ARUNDELL THREATENS TO BURN WILLIAM.

Archbishop. And then the Archbishop said unto me, "O thine heart is full hard, endured [hardened] as was the heart of PHARAOH; and the Devil hath overcome thee, and perverted thee! and he hath so blinded thee in all thy wits, that thou hast no grace to know the truth, nor the measure of mercy that I have proffered to thee! Therefore, as I perceive now by thy foolish answer, thou hast no will to leave thine old errors. But I say to thee, lewd losell! [base lost one! or base son of perdition!] either thou quickly consent to mine ordinance, and submit thee to stand to my decrees, or, by Saint Thomas! thou shalt be disgraded [degraded], and follow thy fellow in Smithfield!"

And at this saying, I stood still and spake not; but I thought in mine heart that GOD did to me a great grace, if He would, of His great mercy, bring me to such an end. And in mine heart, I was nothing [a]fraid with this menacing of the Archbishop.

And I considered, there, two things in him. One, that he was not yet sorrowful, for that he had made WILLIAM SAUTRE wrongfully to be burnt [on Feb. 12, 1401, at Smithfield]. And as I considered that the Archbishop thirsted yet after more shedding out of innocent blood. And fast therefore I was moved in all my wits, for to hold the Archbishop neither for Prelate, nor for priest of GOD; and for that mine inward man was thus altogether departed from the Archbishop, methought I should not have any dread of him. But I was right heavy and sorrowful for that there was none audience of secular [lay] men by: but in mine heart, I prayed the LORD GOD to comfort me and strengthen me against them that there were against the Soothfastness. And I purposed to speak no more to the Archbishop and his Clerks [Chaplains] than me need behoved.

HOW WILLIAM CAME TO WYCLIFFE, ABOUT 1377.

And all thus I prayed GOD, for His goodness, to give me then and always grace to speak with a meek and an easy spirit; and whatsoever thing that I should speak, that I might thereto have true authorities of Scriptures and open reason.

A Clerk. And for that I stood still, and nothing spake, one of the Archbishop's Clerks said unto me, "What thing musest thou? Do thou, as my Lord hath now commanded to thee here!"

And yet I stood still, and answered him not.

Archbishop. And then, soon after, the Archbishop said to me, "Art thou not yet bethought, whether thou wilt do as I have here said to thee?"

William. And I said then to him, "Sir, my father and mother (on whose souls GOD have mercy! if it be His will) spent mickle money in divers places about my learning; for the intent to have made me a priest to GOD. But when I came to years of discretion, I had no will to be priest; and therefore my friends were right heavy to me. And then methought their grudging against me was so painful to me, that I purposed therefore to have left their company. And when they perceived this in me, they spake some time full fair and pleasant words to me: but for that they might not make me to consent, of good heart, to be a priest, they spake to me full ofttimes very grievous words, and menaced me in divers manners, shewing to me full heavy cheer. And thus, one while in fair manner, another while in grievous, they were long time, as methought, full busy about me, ere I consented to them to be a priest.