XXIII. THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY.
Hic de muliere in adulterio deprehensa.
Jhesus. Nolo mortem peccatoris!
Man for thi synne take repentaunce,
If thou amende that is amys,
Than hevyn xal be thin herytaunce;
Thow thou have don aȝens God grevauns,
ȝett mercy to haske loke thou be bolde,
His mercy doth passe in trewe balauns,
Alle cruel jugement be many folde.
Thow that ȝour synnys be nevyr so grett,
ffor hem be sad and aske mercy;
Sone of my ffadyr grace ȝe may gett,
With the leste teer wepynge owte of ȝour ey.
My ffadyr me sent the, man, to bye,
Alle thi raunsom mysylfe must pay;
ftbr love of the mysylfe wyl dye,
Iff thou aske mercy, I sey nevyr nay.
Into the erthe ffrom hevyn above,
Thi sorwe to sese and joy to restore,
Man, I cam down, alle ffor thi love, —
Love me ageyn, I aske no more!
Thow thou myshappe and synne ful sore,
ȝit turne aȝen and mercy crave;
