THE PRIORESS'S TALE. 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, That such a boy shall walken as him lest From thennèsforth the Jewès have conspired That in an alley had a private place, I say that in a wardrope 3 they him threw, 301 What may your evil intente you avail? Murder will out, certain it will not fail; And namely there the honour of God shall spread The blood out crieth on your cursèd deed. This poorè widow waiteth all that night After her little child, and he came nought; 1 Cease. 3 Drain, common sewer. 2 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 He came anon withouten tarrying, 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 Cut. 2 Asketh. $ Where. THE PRIORESS'S TALE. This child with piteous lamentatiòn Was taken up, singing his song alway, And with honour and great procession They carrien him unto the next abbèy; His mother swooning by the bière lay: Unnethes might the people that was there This newè Rachel bringen from his bier. With torment and with shameful death each one Upon his bier aye li'th this innocent 303 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 16 THE PRIORESS'S TALE. My throat is cut unto my neckè bone," "This well of mercy, Christès mother sweet, To me she came, and bade me for to sing As ye have heard; and when that I had sung, "Wherefore I sing, and sing I must certain, 6 My little child, then will I fetchen thee, When that the grain is from thy tongue ytake: Be not aghast, I will thee not forsake."" 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 And groff he fell all plat upon the ground,5 1 In the course of nature. 4 Forsake. 2 Spring. 3 Ability. 5 Flat on the groun CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY WARRIOR. The convent lay eke on the pavement 1 Weeping and herying Christès mother dear; 305 CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY WARRIOR. – Wordsworth. WHO is the happy warrior? Who is he That every man in arms should wish to be? 1 1 Praising. 2 Grant. |