300 THE PRIORESS'S TALE T'expounden him this song in his anguage, His fellow, which that elder was than he, 2 Her to salue, and eke her for to pray To be our help and succour when we dey.3 "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 • 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 honèst, 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 wardrope3 they him threw, What may your evil intente you avail? This poorè widow waiteth all that night 1 Cease. 3 Drain, common sewer. 2 Caught. 4 Fresh-revived. 302 THE PRIORESS'S TALE 1 Till finally she 'gan so far espy 1 With mother's pity in her breast enclosed, By likelihood her little child to find; 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 2 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, 4 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. 3 Where. 5 Praiseth. This child with piteous lamentatiòn They carrien him unto the next abbèy ; 2 With torment and with shameful death each one He n' oldè 4 no such cursedness observe; 5 Upon his bier aye li'th this innocent Before the altar while the massè last, Yet spake this child, when sprent 6 with th' holy water, And sang, O Alma Redemptoris Mater! This abbot, which that was a holy man, This youngè child to conjure he began, i And said: "O dearè child! I halsè thee, Tell me what is thy causè for to sing, Since that thy throat is cut, to my seeming." 304 THE PRIORESS'S TALE. My throat is cut unto my neckè bone,” "This well2 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, 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 In the course of nature. • Forsake. 2 Spring. 3 Ability. 5 Flat on the ground. |