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An Early Middle English Text
Layamon's Brut (c.1200)
ža comen tydinge to Aršure žan kinge
žat seoc wes Howel his męi, žerfore he wes sari
In Clud liggende, and žer he hine bilęfde.
A 14th-century West Midland Text
Cleanness (c.1380)
Thay teen vnto his temmple & temen to hym seluen
Rekenly wyth reuerence žay rechene his auter,
žay hondel žer his aune body and vsen hit bože;
If žay in clannes be clos žay cleche gret mede.
A 14th-century Southern Text
Ayenbite of Inwyte (1340)
Vers zigge we of že zenne of glotoune žet is a vice žet že dyevel is moche myde y-payd and moche onpayž God. Be zuych zenne hež že dyevel wel gret mihte in manne.
A 14th-century Scots Text
John Barbour. The Bruce (1375)
A! fredome is a noble thing!
Fredome may man to haiff liking;
Fredome all solace to man giffis:
He levys at e that frely levys!
An early 15th-century London Text
Hoccleve. La Male Regle (1405)
Whil thy power and excellent vigour
As was plesant vnto thy worthynesse
Regned in me and was my gouernour,
Than was I wel, tho felte I no duresse
A mid 15th-century Northern Text
York Play of the Crucifixion (1463)
Sir knyghtis, take heede hydir in hye,
This dede on dergh we may noght drawe
Ye wootte youreselffe als wele as I
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