Sermon to an unidentified community

Sermon to an unidentified community by John Ball (1338-1381)

This is a pastoral exhortation or sermon, probably written in late Spring 1381. This edition is taken from Henry Knighton's Addresses of the Commons.

Exemplar epistolae Johannis Balle
Jon Balle gretyth you wele alle and doth yowe to understande, he hath rungen youre belle.

Now ryght and myght,
Wylle and skylle,
God spede everydele.

Now is tyme Lady helpe to Jhesu thi sone, and thi Sone to His Faður, to make a gode ende, in the name of the Trinité of that is begunne amen, amen, pur charité, amen.

Modern English
John Ball warmly greets all of you and would have you understand that he has rung your bell.

Now right and might
Will and reason
God grant success to all your endeavors

Now is time Lady, give help to Jesus thy son, and thy Son to His Father, to bring to a good conclusion, in the name of the Trinity, that which is begun amen, amen, for love [of oppressed working people], amen.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.