marriáge, She, full devout and humble in her coráge, Under her robe of gold, that sat full fair, Had next her flesh y-clad her in an hair.
And while the organs madë melody, To God alone thus in her heart sang she; “O Lord, my soul and eke my body gie Unwemmed, lest that I confounded be.” And, for his love that died upon the tree, Every second or third day she fast’, Aye bidding in her orisons full fast.
The night came, and to beddë must she gon With her husbánd, as it is the mannére; And privily she said to him anon; “O sweet and well-beloved spousë dear, There is a counsel, an’ ye will it hear, Which that right fain I would unto you say, So that ye swear ye will it not bewray.”
Valerian gan fast unto her swear That for no case nor thing that mightë be, He never should to none bewrayen her; And then at erst thus to him saidë she; “I have an angel which that loveth me, That with great love, whether I wake or sleep, Is ready aye my body for to keep;
“And if that he may feelen, out of dread, That ye me touch or love in villainy, He right anon will slay you with the deed, And in your youthë thus ye shouldë die. And if that ye in cleanë love me gie, He will you love as me, for your cleannéss, And shew to you his joy and his brightnéss.”
Valerian, corrected as God wo’ld, Answer’d again, “If I shall trustë thee, Let me that angel see, and him behold; And if that it a very angel be, Then will I do as thou hast prayed me; And if thou love another man, forsooth Right with this sword then will I slay you both.”
Cecile answér’d anon right in this wise; “If that you list, the angel shall ye see, So that ye trow Of Christ, and you baptise; Go forth to Via Appia,” quoth she, That from this townë stands but milës three, And to the poorë folkës that there dwell Say them right thus, as that I shall you tell.
“Tell them, that I, Cecile, you to them sent To shewë you the good Urban the old, For secret needës, and for good intent; And when that ye