Thomas, she says, will ye but spier,
Is that my sister Magdalene,
Will come to me if she be here?
For comfort sure ye gie me nane.
He was so blythe he turned back,
And thanked God that he was gone,
He had no will to hear her crack,
But told it Mary Magdalene.
When that she heard her sister's mocks
She went unto the gate with speed,
And asked her Who's there that knocks?
'Tis I, the Wife of Beith indeed,
She said, good mistress you must stand,
Till you be tried by tribulation.
Sister quoth she, give me your hand,
Are we not both of one vocation?
It is not through your occupation
That you are placed so divine;
My faith is fixed on Christ's passion,
My soul shall be as safe as thine.
Then Mary went away in haste,
The carlin made her so asham'd,
She had no will of such a guest,
To lose her pains and so be blam'd,
Now good St Paul, said Magdalene,
Because you are a learned man,
Go and convince this woman then,
For I have done all that I can;
Sure if she were in hell I doubt
They would not keep her longer there,
But to the gate would put her out,
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