Blessed Lady, and most holy Virgin that ever was; and she that disdaineth not, nor denieth sinners when they call after grace, notwithstanding her chastity and her pure virginity excelleth all other virgins.
Now good,[1] go your way and let me wit how I shall speed. For all this time I live in such dread and fear that me were better to die anon than live any longer in [the dread that I am in. And also I have so great] dread and fear of the righteousness of Almighty God that I am almost dead for fear. For Reason, Dread, and Conscience said to me shortly that the high Judge would not be partial, nor He would not be corrupted with goods, but He will minister to me justice certainly. But, and He intend to minister to me justice without favour, I would appeal to His mercies certainly; for other remedy is there none pardie. Origen our Blessed Lady hath holpen, Theophil and Sir Emory; [2] how should they have done ne[3] the Mother of mercy had been? And many another sinner that her grace hath holpen. She is Queen of Heaven, Lady of the World, and Empress of Hell; and sithen her own Son, Our Lord Jesu Christ, hath died and suffered so tormentuous a death, and in her own sight, to her great sorrow and motherly compassion, I hope that she would be loth that thilk precious passion should be lost in any creature that her Blessed Son suffered so patiently.
