“The angel of God hath me the truth y-taught, Which thou shalt see, if that thou wilt reny The idols, and be clean, and ellës nought.” [ And of the mirácle of these crownës tway Saint Ambrose in his preface list to say; Solemnëly this noble doctor dear Commendeth it, and saith in this mannére:
“The palm of martyrdom for to receive, Saint Cecilie, full filled of God’s gift, The world and eke her chamber gan to weive; Witness Tiburce’s and Cecilie’s shrift, To which God of his bounty wouldë shift Coronës two, of flowers well smellíng, And made his angel them the crownës bring.
“The maid hath brought these men to bliss above; The world hath wist what it is worth, certáin, Devotión of chastity to love.”] Then showed him Cecilie all open and plain, That idols all are but a thing in vain, For they be dumb, and thereto they be deave; And charged him his idols for to leave.
“Whoso that trow’th not this, a beast he is,” Quoth this Tiburce, “if that I shall not lie.” And she gan kiss his breast when she heard this, And was full glad he could the truth espy: “This day I takë thee for mine ally.” Saidë this blissful fairë maiden dear; And after that she said as ye may hear.
“Lo, right so as the love of Christ,” quoth she, “Made me thy brother’s wife, right in that wise Anon for mine allý here take I thee, Since that thou wilt thine idolës despise. Go with thy brother now and thee baptise, And make thee clean, so that thou may’st behold The angel’s face, of which thy brother told.”
Tiburce answér’d, and saidë, “Brother dear, First tell me whither I shall, and to what man?” “To whom?” quoth he, “come forth with goodë cheer, I will thee lead unto the Pope Urbán.” “To Urban? brother mine Valerián,” Quoth then Tiburce; “wilt thou me thither lead? Me thinketh that it were a wondrous deed.