Mary Magdalene

Beside a fountain stood a dame.
And thither too Lord Jesus came.

"Hark, dame! a draught from this clear spring!
"And in thy hand the water bring."

"Welcome thou art to quench thy thirst,
"I'll fetch my silver goblet first."

"Didst thou but pure before me stand,
"I would have drunk it off thy hand."

Pure as a newborn babe, she sware,
She free from sin was standing there.

"Swear thou not so, for in the earth
"Lie three to whom thou gavest birth;

"The first one is thy father's son,
Thy brother's is the second one.

"The third begot the parish priest;
"That of thy sins was not the least."

The woman fell at Jesus' knee;
"O dearest Jesu, shrive thou me."

"I thee none other shriving give,
"Than seven whole years afield to live;

"No other meal whereon to feed,
"Than groweth on the grassy mead;

"No other draught to cool thy lips,
"Than dew that from the herbage drips."

When seven long years she thus had spent.
To seek this sinful dame He went.

"Hark thee, my daughter, answer me,
"If well thy fasting liketh thee?"

"So liketh me this fasting mine,
"As tho' I ate of bread and wine."

"So then shalt thou partake of heaven,
"And 'fore my mother stand forgiven."