300 THE PRIORESS'S TALE T'expounden him this song in his anguage, Or tell him why this song was in usage; This pray'd he him to construe and declare, Full often time upon his kneès bare. His fellow, which that elder was than he, Her to salue,2 and eke her for to pray "And is this song makèd in reverence Of Christès mother?" said this innocent: "Now certès I will do my diligence To conn 5 it all ere Christèmas be went, His fellow taught him homeward privily From word to word according with the note: As I have said, throughout the Jewèry This little child, as he came to and fro, Full merrily then would he sing and cry, 1 Bountiful. 4 Know. 2 Praise. 5 Learn. Punished, the strict meaning is ruined. 3 Die. O Alma Redemptoris! ever mo. The sweetness hath his heartè pierced so Our firstè foe, the serpent Sathanas, That hath in Jewès heart his waspès nest, Up swelled and said: "O Ebraike people, alas! Is this to you a thing that is honest, That such a boy shall walken as him lest In your despite, and sing of such sentènce, Which is against our lawès reverence ? ' From thennèsforth the Jewès have conspired That in an alley had a private place, I say that in a wardrope 3 they him threw, What may your evil intente you avail ? This poorè widow waiteth all that night 1 Cease. 3 Drain, common sewer. ? Caught. 4 Fresh-revived. 302 THE PRIORESS'S TALE. Till finally she 'gan so far espy 1 With mother's pity in her breast enclosed, And ever on Christès mother meek and kind She cried, and at the lastè thus she wrought, Among the cursed Jewès she him sought. She feyneth and she prayèth piteously To every Jew that dwelt in thilkè place O great God, that performest thy laud And eke of martyrdom the ruby bright, He Alma Redemptoris 'gan to sing So loud, that all the placè 'gan to ring. The Christian folk that through the streetè went And herieth 5 Christ, that is of heaven king, And eke his mother, honour of mankind, And after that the Jewès let he bind. 1 Discover. 4 Cat. 2 Asketh. 3 Where. This child with piteous lamentatiòn Was taken up, singing his song alway, And with honour and great processiòn They carrien him unto the next abbèy; His mother swooning by the bière lay: Unnethes might1 the people that was there This newè Rachel bringen from his bier. 2 With torment and with shameful death each one He n' oldè no such cursedness observe; 5 Upon his bier aye li'th this innocent Before the altar while the massè last, And after that, th' abbot with his convent Have sped them for to bury him full fast And when they holy water on him cast, Yet spake this child, when sprent with th' holy water, And sang, O Alma Redemptoris Mater! This abbot, which that was a holy man, Tell me what is thy causè for to sing, 304 THE PRIORESS'S TALE. "My throat is cut unto my neckè bone," "This well of mercy, Christès mother sweet, As To me she came, and bade me for to sing ye have heard; and when that I had sung, Me thought she laid a grain upon my tongue. "Wherefore I sing, and sing I must certàin, This holy monk, this abbot him mean I, His tongue out caught, and took away the grain, And he gave up the ghost full softily. And when this abbot had this wonder see 1 In the course of nature. • Forsake. 2 Spring. 3 Ability. 6 Flat on the ground. |