They were sae stay that wonder was to see, But when I feared, He held me by the hand: Through thick and thin, through sea and eik by land,

Through great deserts we wandered on our way;

When I was weak, and had no force to stand,

Yet with a look He did refresh me aye.

XXIII.

Through waters great we were compelled

to wyde,?

Which were so deep that I was like to drown;

best,

guide

And held Him fast; at length He let me see That pleasant place, whilk seemed to be at hand:

"Take courage now, for thou art near," said He.

Out through yon trance' together we maun2 go:

The gait is low, remember for to lout,3 Gif this were past we have not mony mo."

XXIX.

I held Him fast as He did give command, And through that trance together then we

went;

Where in the mids great pricks of iron did stand,

Wherewith my feet was all betorn and

rent.

"Take courage now," said He, "and be

content

To suffer this; the pleasure comes at last."

I answered not, but ran incontinent Out oure them all, and so the pain was past.

ΧΧΧ.

When this was done, my heart did dance for joy,

I was so near, I thought my voyage ended; I ran before and sought not his convoy, Nor speired the way, because I thought I kend it;

On stately steps most stoutly I ascended, Without his help, I thought to enter there; He followed fast, and was right sair offended,

And hastily did draw me down the stair.

XXXI.

"What haste," said He, "why ran thou so before?

Without my help, thinks thou to climb so high?

353

"The brain of man most warely did invent That purging place," He answered me again;

"For greediness, together they consent To say that souls in torment mon remain, Till gold and goods relieve them of their pain :

more,

O blinded beasts! your thoughts are all in vain,

My blood alone did save thy soul from sin."

stand,

For fear I faint to see that ugly sight; How can I come among that bailful' band? O help me now, I have nae force nor might!"

XXXVI.

"Oft have I heard, that they that enter there,

In this great gulf, shall never come2 again." "Courage" said He, "have I not bought you dear?

My precious blood it was not shed in vain : I saw this place, my soul did taste this pain,

Or ever I went into my Father's glore ; Through mon thou go, but thou shall not remain.

Thou needs not fear, for I shall go before."

XXXVII.

"I am content to do Thy haile command," Said I again, and did Him fast embrace : Then lovingly He held me by the hand, And in we went into that fearful place. "Hold fast thy grip" said He; "'in any case Let me not slip, whatever thou shall see: Dread not the death, but stoutly forward press,

XXXIX.

Into that pit, when I did enter in,

I saw ane sight whilk made my heart aghast ;

Poor damned souls tormented sair for sin, In flaming fire were frying wonder fast; And ugly spreits; and as we through them past,

My heart grew faint, and I begouth to

tire.

Or I was ware, ane grippèd me at last, And held me heich 2 above ane flaming fire:

XL.

The fire was great, the heat did pierce me

sore,

My faith grew weak, my grip was wondrous small;

I trembled fast, my fear grew more and

more,

My hands did shake, that I Him held withall :

At length they loosed, then they begouth to fall,

I cried, "O Lord!" and caught them fast again;

"Lord Jesus come, and red 3 me out of thrall."

thee."

XXXVIII.

His words so sweet did cheer my heavy

heart;

Incontinent I cuist 3 my care aside.

the pain."

XLI.

With this great fear I staggered and awoke, Crying "O Lord! Lord Jesus, come again."