The Prioress' Tale
Folio 164r
3 of 6 folios
As I haue seide thurgh out the Iewrye
100
This litel childe as he cam to and fro
Ful myrily than wold he singe and crye
The swetnes hath his hert persed so
Of cristes moder that to hir to prey
105
He can noght stynte of syngyng bi the wey
Our first foo the serpent sathanas
That hath in Iewes hert his waspes nest
Vp swal and seide .o. Eborak pepil allas
Is this a thing to yow that is honest
110
That swich a boy shal walken as him lest
In your despite and singe of swich sentence
Which is ayeins your lawes reuerence
Fro thennes forth the Iewes haue conspired
This Innocent out of this world to enchace
115
An homicide ther to han thei hired
With in an ale had he a pryue place
And as the child gan forth bi to pace
This fals Iuwe him hent and held him fast
And kitte his throte and thrue him atte last
120
I sey that in a warderope thei him thrue
Where as thise Iewes purgen her intraile
O cursed folk .o. heroudes al newe
What may your euel entent yow auayle
Mordre wol out certeyn it wol nat faile
125
And namely there the honour of god shold sprede
The blood out crieth on your cursid dede
O martyr sowdid to viginitee
Now maistow synge folowyng euer in on
The white lambe celestial quod she
130
Of which the gret ewangelist seint Ioħn
In pathmos wroot which seith that thei goon
Bifore the lambe and singe a songe al newe
That neuer flesshely wommen thei knew